In a written statement, he said: "I don't think we have been successful
in convincing either the UN or the Greek Cypriots that new talks should
not be open-ended and results-oriented. From what we have understood is
that the most important thing Akinci has been working towards is to make
sure the process is kept alive until the forthcoming elections. This
means we shall continue to pump false hopes to the public and wait for
the Greek Cypriot side to be forthcoming".
Hasipoglu said that the UN in its latest report had used the term
"foreseeable future" instead of a timetable. This was the result of the
Turkish Cypriot side's efforts as a foreseeable future could be referring
to any period of time, he added.
Hasipoglu argued that the absence of a settlement was the result of both
communities having different perceptions of what a federal solution will
entail, adding: "Ak?nc? failed to reach an outcome despite presenting a
map during the talks in Switzerland. Instead of showing any flexibility,
the Greek Cypriot side now is demanding more territorial concessions
and is setting preconditions such as halting drilling activities for
hydrocarbons and removal of the guarantees to resume talks".
Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side also adopted a new position which
rejected the principles of political equality and effective participation
in decision making processes, Hasipoglu argued: "The more we give the
more they ask for. The Greek Cypriots voice their readiness to hold
tripartite or five-party talks in an attempt to remove Turkey's right
to intervention and gain more territorial concessions".
He claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side's insistence on a federal
settlement allowed the Greek Cypriot side to be more comfortable and
intransigent at the negotiating table, adding: "When we told them we were
reopening Maras [occupied fenced-off Varosha] they all panicked because
they saw the return of the town in the event of a federal settlement
as a done deal". He concluded by saying that the Kosovo model could be
applied to Cyprus as well.
posts=ctp-tdp-evaluate-prospects-for-new-talks)
reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the opposition
Social Democratic Party (TDP) underlined the need for any new talks on
the Cyprus Problem to be results-oriented and subject to a time frame.
The leader of the CTP Tufan Erhurman said that the UN Secretary-General
Antonio Guterres must uphold what he said about the need for future
negotiations to be results-oriented and not open-ended.
Addressing party members at an event in occupied Famagusta to promote
candidates for the upcoming party congress, Erhurman said that Guterres
also needed to endorse the principles of political equality, effective
participation and rotating presidency which were past convergences that
were included in UN Security Council resolutions.
He pointed out that there was no point in starting a new round of talks
from scratch.
"We shall not allow the Greek Cypriot side to play for time in a bid
to make the international community forget the strong will demonstrated
by Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side in Crans-Montana in favour of a
settlement," he said.
In addition, in a written statement issued today, the General Secretary
of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) Halil H?zal said that the stance to
be adopted by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres will determine
whether or not a new negotiations process will begin.
He said that the Secretary-General's intention to take on a new initiative
was a positive development.
H?zal added that it was important to close the debate on political
equality and effective participation in decision-making processes.
"The UN Secretary General's stance on this issue must be very clear,"
the TDP General Secretary said, adding that the Greek Cypriot leader
Nicos Anastasiades needed to accept these fundamental principles of a
federal solution which had become UN parameters.
He added that the negotiations could only begin in a time framed and
results-oriented fashion following the shaping of the Terms of Reference
on the basis of past convergences, the 11 February 2014 Joint Declaration
and the Guterres framework.
[05] DP and the Revival Settlers Party (YDP) agreed to "cooperate in
the assembly"
Turkish Cypriot daily Hakikat (01.10.19) reports that a delegation of
the Democratic Party (DP) and the Revival Settler's Party (YDP) held a
meeting and decided to cooperation in the "assembly" in the forthcoming
"judicial year".
In statements prior to the meeting, the former leader of the Democratic
Party (DP) Serdar Denktas said that this initiative undertaken by
the party would include also the other opposition parties, such as
the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Social Democracy Party
(TDP). Denktas added that they would further meet with these parties
tomorrow and explained that the aim of the meeting is the cooperation
between the opposition parties in "parliament" in order to strengthen
and to make their voice heard in the "assembly".
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (01.10.19)
reports that while the forthcoming "presidential elections" in the
occupied area of Cyprus are nearing, a new "right wing alliance" may
come out after the latest meeting that the Democratic Party (DP) held
with the Revival Party (YDP).
In statements to the paper, Fikri Ataoglu, "deputy" with the Democratic
Party and "future leader" of the party, gave signals for a possible
"alliance" between DP-YDP and made statements showing that the cooperation
between the two parties will not be restricted only in the "assembly"
but will be extended also in the forthcoming "presidential elections".
Meanwhile, in statements on the issue, the leader of the YDP, Erhan
Arikli confirmed the cooperation reached between the two parties "within
the assembly", he, however, refuted claims on a possibility of the two
parties to merging.
Referring to the forthcoming "presidential elections", Arikli said that
his party has already taken some decisions, such as for example to have
its own candidate in the first round of the "elections". Arikli added
that it is early to speak more and give details about the "elections".
(AK)
[06] The so-called Turkish embassy in the occupied area of Cyprus opened a
"consulate general" in occupied Famagusta
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (01.10.19) reported that the "Turkish
embassy" in occupied Lefkosia announced that the "opening of the first
consulate general" in occupied Famagusta.
According to the paper, so-called prime minister Ersin Tatar met in the
"prime ministry office" with "Turkish ambassador" in occupied Lefkosia,
Ali Murat Basceri and also with the newly "appointed first undersecretary"
Ozlem Demir and the newly "appointed consulate general" in occupied
Famagusta, Kasim Kaban.
According to information acquired by the so-called "prime ministry
office", Tatar wished good luck to Demir and Kaban for their new
"duties". Tatar further claimed that "the opening of a consulate
general in the region of Famagusta would provide services not only to
the population in the region but also to the students coming from Turkey
to study at the DAU university".
In his turn, Basceri stressed the importance of the "opening of the
consulate general in Famagusta" and claimed that this would serve people
who live in occupied Famagusta and Trikomo area.
(AK)
[B] Turkish Press
[01] NSC says that Turkey is determined to continue activities in Eastern
Mediterranean
According to Turkey's state news agency Anadolu (30.09.19,
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-to-strengthen-efforts-for-syria-safe-zone/1598289),
Turkey will further strengthen its efforts to create a safe zone in
northern Syria, said the country's National Security Council on Monday.
"Turkey will further strengthen its sincere efforts to realize the safe
zone project," the council, chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan, said in a statement following the meeting at the presidential
complex in Ankara. It stressed that Turkey considers it as a humanitarian
issue and the project will let Syrians' safe return to their homes.
The council further stated that Turkey is determined to continue
activities in Eastern Mediterranean within the framework of its
continental shelf -- which is registered with the United Nations --
and agreements with the "TRNC" [the breakaway regime in the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus].
[02] Erdogan says Turkey to resettle 2M Syrians in safe zone
According to Turkish daily newspaper Sabah (01.10.19,
https://www.dailysabah.com/legislation/2019/10/01/turkey-to-resettle-2m-syrians-in-safe-zone-president-erdogan-says),
Turkey cannot turn a blind eye to the suffering of the people throughout
the world, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday at the inauguration
of the third legislative session of the Turkish parliament's 27th term.
"Turkey plans to settle 2 million Syrians in a 30-km-wide safe zone to
be set up in Syria, starting from Euphrates River to the Iraqi border,
including Manbij," Erdogan said. "In the same way that Turkey can't turn
its back on Syria, it can't ignore what is going on in Palestine, Libya,
Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan," Erdogan said, adding that the
country aims to resolve or contribute to the resolution of the problems.
Erdogan noted that the number of Syrians returning to their homes
since Operations Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch has reached
360,000. "Turkey backs the territorial integrity of Syria and the
political and administrative unity of Syrians," Erdogan said.
"The only reason Turkey takes action in Syria is because of the direct
terrorist threat, which has become an obstacle for Syrians to return to
their homes," he claimed. (?)
[03] Cavusoglu accuses Macron of hypocrisy
According to Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet Daily News (02.10.19,
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-top-diplomat-accuses-french-leader-of-hypocrisy-147049),
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu slammed the French President's
remarks against Turkey, accusing him of hypocrisy.
During a speech in Strasbourg, France at the Parliamentary Assembly of
the Council of Europe (PACE), Emmanuel Macron criticized Turkey's policy
on Syria as well as freedom of expression in the country.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, Cavusoglu said at the same event that
Macron "exceeded his boundaries by defaming Turkey on freedom of
expression". Cavusoglu also rebuked Macron's criticism of Ankara on
migration management, stressing that Turkey had implemented all its
agreements with the EU on the issue. "How many migrants has Macron
accepted in his country? Instead, he hosted YPG/PKK terrorists at Elysee
Palace," Cavusoglu claimed.
Cavusoglu accused the French President of being hypocritical, comparing
him to "rooster crowing while its feet are covered in dirt".
He slammed Macron for his remarks on press freedom and human rights
in Turkey, asserting that French intelligence "pressured journalists
that investigate arms sale to some Gulf countries". "If Mr. Macron
is so sensitive about freedom of expression and press today, why have
journalists not been allowed to address the PACE?"
"Journalists were excluded from the PACE's 70th anniversary celebration
due to the blockage of France. Also, we know that Macron has shut down
the media department in the Elysee," he further argued.
[04] Akar: "Safe zone in northern Syria should be established fast"
According to Turkish daily newspaper Yeni Safak (02.10.19,
https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/safe-zone-in-n-syria-should-be-established-fast-defmin-3501935),
Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said on Tuesday that safe zone in
northern Syria should be established fast and finalized, we do not have
time to waste. "We are closely following developments in the east of the
Euphrates and our army is ready in all aspects," said Akar, speaking to
journalists after a reception in Ankara. Turkey wants to act in line with
the spirit of NATO alliance and strategic partnership, added Akar. (?)
Akar also said that shooting down an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)
near the Syrian border was an "ordinary incident". "Turkish Air Forces
strongly defend our airspace," he said, adding: "The investigation into
determining the nationality of the UAV is underway".
Turkish F-16s on Sunday shot down an UAV of unknown nationality near
the Syrian border after it violated Turkish airspace multiple times.
[05] Turkey and Jordan sign agreement to boost bilateral trade
According to Turkey's state news agency Anadolu (02.10.19,
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-jordan-sign-agreement-to-boost-bilateral-trade/1599568),
Turkey and Jordan signed a framework agreement for a joint economic
committee (JEC) to raise bilateral trade, Turkish Trade Minister announced
late Tuesday.
Jordanian Industry, Trade and Supply Minister Tariq Hammouri along with
a delegation visited Ankara for the agreement, Ruhsar Pekcan said in a
Twitter post. She said the framework agreement, which establishes the JEC,
will boost bilateral trade and economic relations.
The two countries' bilateral trade was nearly $960 million, with Turkey's
exports to Jordan totalling $860.9 million in 2018.
The free trade agreement (FTA) between the two countries signed in
March 2011 was cancelled last year by the Jordanian side due to negative
economic conditions. (?)
[06] "People's alliance" between AKP and MHP is failing under 50%
according to various opinion polls in Turkey
Turkish daily Cumhuriyet (02.10.19
http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turkiye/1608019/Erdoganabuyuksokisteanketlerdencikansonuc.html)
writes that the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan is under a big shock
since the "People's alliance" between the Justice and Development Party
(AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is failing under 50%
according to various opinion polls in Turkey.
According to the data that the paper publishes, based on the opinion
poll conducted in Turkey, the power of the parties is as follows:
Political Party ORC Opinion Poll % Optimar Opinion Poll % PIAR
Opinion Poll % ADA Opinion Poll % Avrasya Opinion Poll % Avrasya
Opinion Poll %
AKP 35,7 40,5 36,7 37.5 29.9 32,5
MHP 16.6 10,9 10,7 9,5 16,0 10,5
People's alliance 52,2 51,4 47,4 47,0 45,9 43,0
Republican Peoples Party (CHP) 30,9 26,7 29,1 22,8 30,8
25,2
Peoples Democracy Party (DDP) 9,4 9,3 12,2 9,0 11,7
13,4
Good Party (IP) 4,5 9,0 9,1 7,0 8.9 9,1
New Parties 11,5
(CS)
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS / EH)
