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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-07-11Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media-11.07.19 No. 128/19 Content[A] Turkish Cypriot Press
[B] Turkish Press
[A] Turkish Cypriot Press[01] "Only Turkey decides what it wants to do in its continental shelf", argues Cavusoglu – Turkey to declare EEZTurkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen (11.07.19) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu has alleged that if the European Union (EU) continued taking "wrong steps" on the Eastern Mediterranean and Cyprus issues in the name of solidarity, the solution of the problems would not be possible. "If constructive approaches for solving the problem exist, we are here anyway, we are exhibiting flexibility, provided that the Turkish Cypriot people's rights are safeguarded", he claimed in statements yesterday in Ankara after a meeting with an Iraqi delegation.Cavusoglu recalled that former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu had submitted a proposal in 2011 on the hydrocarbons issue providing for the establishment of a joint committee under the UN, adding that drillings and other activities should have continued within the framework of the work of this joint committee. He said that this proposal was still on the table until today and that it had never been withdrawn. "While we have shared our view with everyone, no institution, the EU, the UN or the guarantor countries which are closely interested in Cyprus and the EU took any step on this issue", he alleged. Referring to the Republic of Cyprus' efforts in the direction of the EU taking measures against Turkey because of its activities in the Eastern Mediterranean contrary to international law, Cavusoglu alleged that the EU's steps would not be useful and claimed: "[…] We are showing flexibility, provided that the Turkish Cypriot people's rights are safeguarded. A mechanism may be established, a committee may be established. This may be through the EU. It may be through the UN. It may be through the two sides. We are here for everything. Everybody admits that the Turkish Cypriot people have rights here. The Greek Cypriots also admit this. When I asked Anastasiades, he said 'yes, the Turkish Cypriot people also have rights'. When I asked him 'very well, then, why do you not safeguard them', he says 'I cannot do it now'. When are you going to do it? Is it when you will start selling? When the natural gas is extracted, when its sales start, will you be here? Therefore, we should agree on this issue in the beginning". Cavusoglu alleged that no one except for the guarantor powers in Cyprus had the right to speak here and added that the EU was not a guarantor. "Therefore, if they are going to speak, they should do so in a balanced manner. They should take no one's side", he claimed and argued: "We have always kept the EU as observer in the solution of the Cyprus problem. Sometimes we kept it in the room next door. At the Crans Montana we included it in the same room. […] They are exhibiting a stance totally in favor of the Greek Cypriots in the name of solidarity. The EU standards should be taken as basis in solidarity […] We do not think that this solidarity is right. Solidarity is good when it defends what is right and those who are right […]". Expressing the view that the EU should seek a midway for finding a solution to the issue by evaluating the Turkish proposal instead of making statements which satisfy the Greek Cypriots, Cavusoglu said that he had discussed the issue with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini and reiterated: "We are showing every kind of flexibility for a formula which will safeguard the TRNC's and the Turkish Cypriot people's rights. If they do not approach this, if they continue favouring the Greek Cypriot side by taking a side in the name of solidarity, they will be committing a mistake. Then we want to say the following: Turkey is determined to protect the TRNC's and the Turkish Cypriot people's rights until the end. We will continue taking similar steps from now on. Either these resources will be shared in a fair manner or as Turkey we will continue defending our rights and the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people". Asked whether Turkey was examining the issue of declaring an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Cavusoglu replied that the ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence were working on the issue and established a joint committee, which would submit the results of its work to President Erdogan. "After this, the decisions will be taken", he said. Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?s Postas? (11.07.19) reports that Cavusoglu said that Turkey would intensify its works in the areas for which it had been "licenced" in the Eastern Mediterranean and alleged: "It is Turkey's sovereign right. No one has the right to comment. Only Turkey decides what it wants to do in its continental shelf. We are taking steps according to international law. EverybodyshouldrespectTurkey'srights. Wewillcontinueourdrillings. After our Fatih vessel, Yavuz also went to the area and it will start its drillings in this area. The countries which are not guarantors have no right to speak. If they speak t hey are obliged to be impartial". (I/Ts.) [02] Erdogan assigns Oktay the coordination with the "TRNC"According to illegal Bayrak television (11.07.19, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=fuat-oktay-becomes-coordinator-for-cyprus-affairs), Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay has been tasked by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan with carrying out coordination affairs with the "TRNC" [the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus].Erdogan had signed off a presidential decree approving the creation of a Coordination Office of Cyprus Affairs on July 6. The aim of this new office will be to contribute to the planning and coordination of financial and technical assistance provided by Turkey. The consent of the coordinating body will also be sought for any agreement between Turkish public institutions and the Turkish Cypriots. The body will monitor and evaluate the economic programmes signed by Turkey and the "North" while a technical committee will be involved in the procedures. Moreover, the decree sets provisions for setting up temporary working groups of experts who would monitor and assess the application of the financial programmes agreed between Turkey and the "TRNC". [03] Statements by Akinci after meeting with SpeharAccording to illegal Bayrak television (11.07.19, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=akinci-met-with-spehar), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, speaking briefly following the meeting with the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Cyprus Elizabeth Spehar on Wednesday, said that Spehar held meetings with the two leaders today, adding that these meetings were part of routine contacts during the United Nations Security Council deliberations on [UNFICYP] report. "In this regard, we have evaluated the current situation and exchanged views on the Cyprus problem," Ak?nc? noted.Akinci said that he had also sent a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres about the current situation regarding the Cyprus talks. Criticizing the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, he argued: "You know that the Greek Cypriot leader often sends letters to the UN Secretary General, which are then released for public opinion. We do it if there is a reason and if it is necessary, we do not send letters every day, every hour, however taking into account the situation we are in now, we felt the need to contact the Secretary General." He added that he would make the contents of the letter public once the UN Secretary-General receives it. Ak?nc? further said that he had also raised the issue of the attack on a tourist bus with the Special Representative and that he asked her to tell the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades and the Greek Cypriot authorities to take proper measures in light of the incident. He added that it was not possible to accept an attack on a Turkish Cypriot bus in Larnaca at a time when steps were being taken to reinstate confidence between the communities on the island. "On one side, while striving to produce ideas to increase trust between the two communities, the incidents contrary to our efforts are issues we monitor diligently and with sensitivity," Ak?nc? added. Speaking after her meeting with Akinci, Spehar said it was a "very good meeting" and reminded that she had met earlier in the day with Anastasiades. Spehar said she holds these meetings with the leaders routinely before heading to New York. "I was also able to talk to Mr Ak?nc? about the discussions that I had with Mr Anastasiades in terms of what we might be working on in the future," she told reporters. In response to a question on the possibility of a five-party meeting, Spehar said: "Everything is being discussed" but refrained from giving any details. [04] Tatar: "The joint committee on natural gas will be proposed again"Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (11.07.19, http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRISHABERLERI/n290844-tatar-cumhurbaskani-ile-gorustu-dogal-gaz-konusunda-ortak-ko), with the above title, reports that self-styled prime minister Ersin Tatar, in statements to the press following his weekly routine meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, said that as they did before, they will propose again the creation of a joint committee of Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots on natural gas so that both may benefit from the natural wealth. He then reminded that after the Fatih drilling vessel, the Yavuz drilling vessel has arrived off the coast of Cyprus in connection with the agreement signed between Turkey and the "TRNC" [the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus] regarding the ongoing drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.Noting that Akinci has also conveyed to him a copy of the letter that he sent to UN Secretary General Guterres, Tatar added that Akinci informs the UN Secretary General on the latest developments in Cyprus. Stating that he informed Akinci on the economic protocol that will be signed between Turkey and the "TRNC", Tatar added that the signing stage has been reached and that he conveyed to Akinci what can be signed in the coming weeks. On the same issue, illegal BRT television (11.07.19,
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=akinci-and-tatar-hold-routine-meeting)
also broadcast that Tatar, after the meeting, said that his discussions
with Akinci had focused on the letter sent to UNSG Guterres, Turkey's
drilling activities, the economic protocol signed with Turkey and problems
experienced with asylum seekers.
Tatar said that the 51 Syrian asylum seekers, who had been detained at
occupied Tymbou airport for several weeks had been sent to Turkey on
Wednesday. He reminded that a "visa requirement had now been introduced
for Syrian nationals wishing to enter the TRNC".
"As a result of this new practice, airline companies and ferry services
now have a legal obligation to transport back those who do not have the
required paper work. I briefed the president on this issue," he added.
(DPs)
Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side has been making proposals for
years to the Greek Cypriot side for cooperation and dialogue on the
issue of hydrocarbon resources, Ozersay claimed: "It is my conviction
that the Greek Cypriot side will pay attention to the US's call on the
issue. We invite the Greek Cypriot side to adopt a stance in favour of
cooperating and establishing a dialogue in order to achieve sustainable
energy security and economic prosperity".
Ozersay also alleged that contrary to the US's statement, it was the
Greek Cypriot side which was taking provocative steps by insisting on
continuing its unilateral activities regarding the region's natural
resources and refusing to discuss this issue with other stakeholders.
Washington had voiced concern on Tuesday over Turkey's gas exploration
activities in the Mediterranean Sea, calling on the Turkish government
to halt the activities. (…)
According to a written statement issued by HP, speaking at a meeting in
occupied Trikomo area, Ozersay argued that "if we can see that it is a
critical and strategic threshold for the future of the Turkish Cypriots,
then I may be needed to take a step". He said that he wanted to do this,
because the first step he had taken in politics had been his candidature
in the previous "presidential elections". "If, in the coming period,
we need to assume responsibility for being able to have a say in the
future of this country, we will sit and decide as a party", he added.
According to Ozersay, the forthcoming "elections" would be different to
the previous ones, because there was a "differentiation" at the level
of ideas. He argued:
"Are we going to elect the person who will negotiate the bi-communal,
bi-zonal federation like we have been doing for 50 years or are we going
to exhibit a stance which is open to discussing different new ideas,
which is not thinking dogmatically? It will be an election in which we
will decide this […]
Hot events are taking place around the island. They are so hot that even
a missile fell on the island. Important developments are ahead of us
both in the military sense and in the political and hydrocarbons' sense
We could sit and watch these developments. However, the Turkish Cypriot
people had seen in the past that when they delayed in some things or
when they could not act at the correct time, they could not be an actor
and were forced to live a destiny which was determined by others […]".
(I/Ts.)
"[…] We know that our teams will not be able to play matches in UEFA and
FIFA. However, we have a permit given to us, which is our right. Serious
steps are taken on issues such as preparation matches and teams to come
for training camps. Meetings with international lawyers are held. This
is the road we are walking. We will be able to succeed with the serious
support of the Turkish Football Federation […]"
(I/Ts.)
According to the paper, Turkey's Foreign Ministry and Turkey's Defense
Ministry are preparing a study towards this issue. It adds that the
agreement to be signed with Libya on the declaration to the world of
Turkey's EEZ map is considered very important. According to the paper, an
important opportunity is given to Ankara in order to reach an agreement
with Tripoli on the issue related with the Meditteranean hydrocarbons
and the Aegean Coast, southwest of Turkey, which are located opposite
Libya on the map. The Prime Minister of Libya, Fayez el-Sarraj who is
officially recognized by the UN, was received the other day in Istanbul
by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The paper continues, writing that the agreement to be reached between the
two countries on the issue of the delimitation of marine space fields,
is expected.
In statements on the issue, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu
stated that they carried out a study on this issue and added that they
will move forward undertaking all necessary steps after submitting this
to Erdogan.
(AK)
"It is the Greek side and the Greek Cypriot side that engage in
unlawful actions that escalate tension," Celik told reporters at his
party's headquarters in Ankara, referring to a dispute between the two
"countries, the TRNC, and the Greek Cypriot administration regarding
hydrocarbon drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean".
"If the Greek Cypriots had included the TRNC in the mechanisms put in
place to share the hydrocarbon resources and guarantee revenue sharing,
we would not be having these troubles now," Celik alleged.
He further accused the Greek Cypriot side of "usurping the rights of the
TRNC, acting with one-sided waywardness and claiming rights within the
continental shelf of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey will never tolerate
it," Celik stressed.
Referring to a previous statement by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias
who has said that Turkey's activities in the Eastern Mediterranean did
not comply with international law, Celik said the speech was "far from
a statesman manner," and would not lead to good consequences."
"Turkey's friendship is valuable and does not harm anyone but provides
benefits to everyone," Celik said.
"As a sovereign country, Turkey has the will to protect its interests at
any cost within its continental shelf notified to the United Nations,"
Celik added.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said the comments by the
State Department's Morgan Ortagus on July 9 were not in line with the
spirit and content of talks between Presidents of the two countries at
the G20 summit last month.
Despite their longstanding strategic alliance as members of NATO, since
2017 Turkey and the U.S. have been at odds over Turkey's decision to
buy the S-400, a Russian-made missile defense system, and U.S. threats
to break its contract to sell Turkey F-35 jets over the dispute.
"We're pleased to announce that U.S. Ambassador-Designate to Turkey,
David M. Satterfield, arrived in Ankara today. Welcome to Turkey!" the
U.S. Embassy in Ankara said on Twitter.
U.S. President Donald Trump announced Satterfield's candidacy on February,
16. The U.S. Senate designated him on June 28.
Born in 1954, Satterfield stands out as a senior career diplomat of
the U.S.
Earning a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland in 1976, he
served as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs
since 2017.
During the presidential term of Barack Obama, Satterfield served as
Director General of the Multinational Force and Observers in Rome from
2009 to 2013 and 2014 to 2017.
In 2014, Satterfield was appointed as Special Advisor to the Secretary
of State for Libya, based in Tripoli.
During George W. Bush's presidency, Satterfield was the Coordinator for
Iraq and Senior Advisor to the Secretary of State from 2006 to 2009.
He also assumed top posts at U.S. missions in Syria, Saudi Arabia,
Egypt and Lebanon.
Apart from English, the ambassador is fluent in Arabic, French, Italian
and Hebrew.
John Bass was the last serving American ambassador to Ankara in 2014-2017.
Bass, who now serves as new U.S. envoy to Afghanistan, left Turkey in
October 2017 amid a visa crisis between Washington and Ankara. The post
has since been vacant.
Diplomatic relations between Turkey and the U.S. were established in
1927 after the foundation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.
"[Babacan] met with me upon his request. He said he would resign after
the [June 23 rerun elections] because he lost his sense of belonging
to [the AKP]. He reasoned this over the country's economy. For us, the
common cause should not be abandoned," Erdogan told reporters late July
9 on his return from a two-day South-East European Cooperation Process
(SEECP) summit in Bosnia.
Erdogan said further that he asked Babacan, who is a co-founder of the
AKP, about new party rumors surrounding his resignation, but Babacan
said that he is "not thinking about it for now."
"Mr. Ali is one of the youngest people to become a minister in
Turkey. There were many subjects we could not agree on; the issue of
interest rates is the most important among them. I always told him about
the losses caused by interest rates," he said, adding that when interest
rates declined to 4.6%, inflation was at around 7%. There is no such
thing that people will always remain here," he said.
Erdogan added that he had told Babacan that the Cabinet could make use
of his ideas or contributions if there were any.
Erdogan also stressed that he had asked Babacan to become an adviser
for the AKP. "He, however, refused the offer, Erdogan added.
"Our party has a deep-rooted infrastructure. I told this to [Babacan]
as well. I said, 'It is your way but don't forget that you do not have
the right to break up the ummah [Muslim community]. You are doing this
and you will not reach anything by doing this.' I also told him not to
delay [establishing a party] because there are four years until the next
elections," Erdogan said.
(…)
Oztrak slammed the new development plan, saying it falls short
of addressing the needs of Turkey's economy. "In 2013, income per
capita was $12,480. Now, the development plan says it will be $12,484
in 2023. There is an increase of just $4. For 10 years, we have been
spinning our wheels," Oztrak said at a press conference held at the CHP
headquarters in the capital Ankara.
Turkey is in the middle of an economic crisis, according to Oztrak. "The
ruling party failed to meet all its targets from economic growth to
unemployment and income per capita."
"The need for a proper plan that will earn everyone's trust and will
expand the horizon is growing every coming day," he added.
Oztrak also said that four international financial institutions, including
the World Bank, have been projecting the contraction in Turkey's economy
but "the ruling party is having a hard time comprehending the crisis."
"The way to decrease the interest rates goes through the decline in risk
premiums or inflation," he added.
Oztrak also said that the new presidential system Turkey switched to
last year has caused an economic downturn.
"[President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan is saying 'we will reach our 2023
targets'. He is giving false hope. He is pledging half of what he had
pledged when he was prime minister in the single-man regime," he said.
If the "optimistic" economic objectives in the development plan are
achieved, Turkey will still rank 17th among the world's top economies,
according to the CHP spokesman.
"National income will be much lower. Our country will no longer be among
the top economies of the world," Oztrak said.
"There is no room for hopelessness. Our country has qualified staff that
will be much more beneficial," he added.
Turkey's 11th development plan, which covers 2019-2023, was submitted
to Parliament on July 9 following Erdogan's approval.
The plan foresees that the country's gross domestic product will increase
to $1.08 trillion in 2023 while the per capita income target is $12,484.
According to the Supreme Election Council (YSK) decision published in
the Official Gazette, some 8.9 million Istanbulites, out of 10.5 million,
cast ballots in the June 23 rerun poll.
Imamoglu, candidate for the main opposition Republican People's Party
(CHP), won the race with 4.7 million votes, while Binali Yildirim of
the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party got 3.9 million.
This translated to 54.2% of the vote for Imamoglu and 45% for Yildirim.
The Istanbul mayoral poll was initially held on March 31, when Imamoglu
got 48.8% of the vote and Yildirim got 48.55%, according to official
YSK figures.
But the March poll was annulled after the AK Party appealed the result,
citing irregularities and violations of the law.
The Official Gazette also announced the results of other rerun elections
on June 2 in places such as Adiyaman, Artvin, Denizli, and Kirikkale.
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/EH)
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