Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-10-22

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CONTENTS

[01] Ertug says there is different approach between the sides regarding the joint statement

[02] Nami is meeting Fule tomorrow; The Turkish side does not accept the EU's active involvement in the Cyprus negotiations

[03] Bagis: If a solution like the Annan Plan resolves the Cyprus problem, obstacles before the Turkish accession negotiations would be removed

[04] BKP: The Turkish Cypriot side's behaviour is unacceptable

[05] Tekman is in favour of opening Varosha under UN supervision

[06] EU expected to open membership talks for Turkey on November 5

[07] Turkish columnist: Ankara would not have been this keen on the EU Report if all was going well in the Middle East for Turkey

[08] Columnist argues that Turkey still has chances to join the EU

[09] Political pressures are exerted on the Turkish Cypriot "football federation's" chairman prior to his meeting with CFA, UEFA and FIFA

[10] Former "MP" Aslanbaba to form a new political party with financial support from businessmen living abroad.

[11] "Biologist Association" warned that the "water transfer project" is a non-recycling intervention to nature

[12] US cancelled delivery of predators to Turkey

[01] Ertug says there is different approach between the sides regarding the joint statement

The paper writes that the Turkish Cypriot side submitted yesterday to a UN representative in Cyprus the text which includes its proposals for the joint statement aimed at launching the negotiations.

In statements to Kibris, Ertug said that it would be a speculation to comment on the possibility of being able to overcome the disagreements on the text of the joint statement. Noting that the two sides exhibit different approaches as regards the above-mentioned text, Ertug alleged that the Turkish side follows the line drawn by the UN on this issue and empathizes with the Greek Cypriot side, which he accused of following a "maximalist stance". He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side tries to solve the most difficult unsolved issues of the last 40-50 years in the text of the joint statement, but "we will reach nowhere in this manner".

Ertug said, inter alia, the following on the text of the joint statement:

"It should be a balanced text. Who will tell the elements which we want to be included in it in order for being balanced, where are they? The balance is spoiled when reference to federal sovereignty is made without reference to residual powers. The residual powers are related to the source of the sovereignty and the way of forming the federation. There will not be a federation established by preparing a new constitution for the Republic of Cyprus and by its evolutionary change. There will be a brand new partnership. The federal states will have sovereignty, but if you do not add the source of this sovereignty, the balance is spoiled. The source of this sovereignty is the existing founding states. This was in this way in the past. It was this way in the parameters. It was this way in the last UN plan. Spoiling this balance will lead us nowhere. It will only block the process".

Noting that another issue of disagreement is the internal citizenship, Ertug alleged that if you do not include the "internal citizenship" when you refer to federal citizenship, the question of "how the senate will be elected" is arising. He argued that these issues should be discussed at the negotiating table and not in public.

Pointing out that the date of the representatives' separate visits to Athens and Greece has not been determined yet, Ertug said that they agreed on the level of the meetings and that they will meet with the general secretary and the undersecretary of the Turkish and Greek Foreign Ministry respectively who are at the same level.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami is meeting Fule tomorrow; The Turkish side does not accept the EU's active involvement in the Cyprus negotiations

Replying to a question as regards the EU's more active contribution in the negotiating process for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Nami said that the Turkish side's view is clear on this issue and that the EU is offering support on technical issues when this is necessary. He added: "However, the EU is a side [in the negotiations] and when it sits at the table it is obvious in favor of whom it will speak when it opens its mouth". Recalling Fule's previous statement that the EU will undertake a more active role in case both sides ask this, Nami said that the Turkish side will not accept the EU to have a role beyond its existing role at the negotiating table.

Nami argued that if the problem is not solved again, in spite of what he called as "Turkish side's will", the Turkish side should not be punished. "Then we all have to raise our voice more loudly in order for the world not to do this for the second time", he claimed and added: "If the process ends with failure again, we have to explain that this does not derive from the Turkish side, so that an opportunity is created for the things we will demand and do in the process that will follow".

Moreover, Nami referred to the issue of Cyprus' natural gas and alleged that if the international community told the Greek Cypriots that the income from the natural gas could be used only after a solution to the Cyprus problem is found, it would significantly contribute to the solution. Otherwise the Greek Cypriot side will be led away from the solution, he alleged.

Referring to the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with Turkey, he said they want to carry these relations to "their best point ever". He noted that they conveyed to Turkey their demands regarding some amendments in the "economic protocol" for the period 2013-15, adding that these demands concern privatizations, especially of the ports and the electricity "authority".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Bagis: If a solution like the Annan Plan resolves the Cyprus problem, obstacles before the Turkish accession negotiations would be removed

Speaking at a farewell reception of the EU ambassador to Turkey Jean-Maurice Ripert in Ankara, Bagis said that Turkey has taken very important steps and there are still steps to be taken.

"Turkey's determination towards the institution of further democracy and transparency was confirmed by the progress report," he said. "The continued democratization of Turkey was also recognized by the report."

Turkey will hopefully open chapter 22, which regulates regional policies, on November 5 in Brussels after three years, he said.

"Bagis said Turkey has showed its determination to be a member state of the EU despite political obstacles put before Turkey, referring to the Cyprus issue. Bagis said if a solution like the Annan Plan, a United Nations proposal to resolve the Cyprus dispute, was found, obstacles before 14 chapters of Turkish accession negotiations would be removed", Ankara Anatolia reported.

[04] BKP: The Turkish Cypriot side's behaviour is unacceptable

In a written statement issued yesterday, the leader of BKP Izzet Izcan affirmed that to start searching for a new basis for negotiations apart from a bizonal, bi-communal federation, with political equality based on a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and a single international personality, as defined by the UN Security Council Resolutions, is a fruitless venture.

Izcan called on the sides to commit to the ground of the negotiations, which must continue from the point they have left off. He noted that the Turkish Cypriot side, which makes reference for a solution within three months, wants to open discussions again on the single sovereignty, single citizenship and on single identity and to deviate from this basis. On the other hand, Izcan said the Greek Cypriot side wants to renegotiate the issues, which had already been agreed by Talat and Christofias.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and the so-called coalition government of CTP-DP (Republican Turkish Party ? Democratic Party) is conducting negotiations in coordination with the policies outlined by the government of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Izcan said that the Turkish Cypriots don't have the right of say in the negotiations.

[05] Tekman is in favour of opening Varosha under UN supervision

Tekman stressed that the fenced off town of Varosha may be opened under the supervision of the UN in exchange for the opening of the occupied ports and the removal of "embargoes".

[06] EU expected to open membership talks for Turkey on November 5

The Union's top heavyweight, Germany, signalled it will retract its opposition to open a new chapter with Turkey after a general election is over with Chancellor Angela Merkel's crushing victory. On the eve of the EU ministers' talks in Luxembourg, Germany confirmed through official sources that it will not raise any objection to opening membership talks with Ankara on Chapter 22, Regional Policy. Also, the Netherlands' parliament gave a green light to open a new chapter.

Against this background, EU and diplomatic sources commented that they do not expect any new hurdles at Tuesday's EU ministers' meeting that will decide to open a chapter with Turkey and said the talk with Turkey on 22nd chapter will be launched officially on November 5. Sources told that the EU Commission's stance, in particular enlargement commissioner Stefan Fule's, on opening talks and "balanced" progress report eased possible risk on the way of opening a new chapter.

The EU had initially planned to open Chapter 22 in Turkey's accession talks in June. But due to the disagreements between Brussels and Ankara in the aftermath of the Gezi Park protests and due to the opposition by Berlin, the final decision has been delayed to October.

EU foreign ministers reached a political agreement on June 25 to open Chapter 22 but said that they would determine the date for the Inter-Governmental Conference on opening the chapter on October 22, after the presentation of the European Commission's progress report on Turkey and following a review of the political situation.

In addition Ankara Anatolia also reported (21.10.13) that German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle hailed on Monday political agreement reached on opening a new chapter in Turkey's EU membership talks next month and urged for progress in new chapters two revive the process.

"I think that it has become more urgent now to focus on further negotiations in chapters that are related with judiciary and the rule of law," Westerwelle told journalists on Monday at the margins of the EU Council on Foreign Affairs in Luxemburg. "We should address these issues in a more strong way," he stressed.

German Foreign Minister Westerwelle has been influential in reaching an agreement among EU partners on opening the new chapter. "I think this is our common interest," he stressed. "I believe that the decision for the accession conference is the right decision for Europeans and for Turkey."

[07] Turkish columnist: Ankara would not have been this keen on the EU Report if all was going well in the Middle East for Turkey

"Ankara seems happy with the EU Commission's latest Progress Report on Turkey. EU minister Egemen Bagis criticized the Commission, of course, for announcing the release of the report in the middle of Bayram, which he considered disrespectful.

He withheld his comments on the report, therefore, until the holiday was officially over. When they eventually came, however, Bagis' remarks showed Ankara is not unhappy with what the Commission says in this year's report card on Turkey.

The report's language is noticeable for being encouraging - and not off-putting - through praise for reformist steps that have been taken by Ankara. This is good considering there is hardly any confidence left among Turks about the EU's good faith, the assumption being Europe will do what it can to obstruct Turkey's path to the EU.

Needless to say, Bagis rejected the criticism in the report over the way the government handled the Gezi Park protests, as well as criticism over freedom in Turkey. Ankara is also not so happy about the Commission's line on Cyprus, considering this to be one-sided with the usual bias. It is nevertheless clear the Erdogan government considers the glass to be more full than empty this time.

It is an open question whether Ankara would have been this keen if all was going well in the Middle East for Turkey, especially when one considers how touchy Prime Minister Erdogan is about criticism over the Gezi Park protests and the state of the freedom of the press.

This could be a sign that Ankara's need for the EU has grown due to the turmoil in a region that was supposed to provide alternatives to Europe, at least as far as the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) grass roots supporters are concerned.

It is equally interesting to note Germany is preparing to lift its veto on the opening of one of the chapters in Turkey's EU membership negotiations. It blocked the chapter on regional policy ostensibly to protest police brutality against the Gezi Park protestors.

Cynics in Turkey believe the move was a political one as the Merkel government headed for general elections. The general view was Merkel had to show her constituency; she was still against full EU membership for Turkey, and the Gezi protests provided her with the opportunity to do so.

The elections are over and Merkel is back now. She still believes there is no room in the EU for Turkey as a full member. She clearly desires to show, however, that Berlin will not obstruct the membership talks, provided they remain "open ended" with no guarantee of membership even if they end successfully.

That is merely a formula for buying time while ensuring Turkey does not stray from Europe, as some fear she already is. Merkel is among those who believe Turkey has to remain "anchored in Europe" for strategic and economic reasons.

This is why she has prepared to offer a special partnership in the EU to Ankara, which may fall short of full membership but maintain its links with Europe. The EU's dilemma is while many in Europe consider Turkey to be a potential source of instability if it should become a full member; many also see that Turkey is an actual source of stability in a region that is vital for Europe.

Whatever the street level-sentiments which feed the ultra-right in Europe may be, the question of Turkey for those who are in the position of having to make policy is not a black and white one. The same goes for Turkey for which the benefits of remaining "anchored in Europe" are also becoming apparent again due to regional developments.

This year's Progress Report and Berlin's latest decision should therefore be seen as an effort to try and breathe new life into Turkey's EU perspective so the show basically goes on. Otherwise, no one expects a massive breakthrough in this perspective any time soon."

[08] Columnist argues that Turkey still has chances to join the EU

The economy of Turkey.

No benefit to be in fight with Turkey in a medium or a long term.

Gezi park protests started to break the Islamophobia

Nur Batu, under the subtitle "The friends of Turkey entered again the struggle", and a photo with her and the European Commissioner responsible for enlargement and European neighbourhood policy Stephan Fule, writes that she followed the discussion at the Parliament when the EU Commissioner Fule announced the "Progress Report of Turkey" and came to the conclusion as if the "deep state in Brussels" has already obtained consensus in order for chapters 23 and 24, which have been vetoed by the Greek Cypriots, to be opened.

Batu repeats that she observes intense efforts behind the doors to open the chapter of energy, adding that for Brussels it is important the transfer of the natural gas with pipes to Europe as is the findings of natural gas in Cyprus. The options are either through Turkey or through Crete and Greece. Europe wants to reduce her dependence on Russia for natural gas. She believes that an intermission formula, which will be financial beneficiary for Turkish and Greek Cypriots, for Turkey and Greece, can be found in a short time.

[09] Political pressures are exerted on the Turkish Cypriot "football federation's" chairman prior to his meeting with CFA, UEFA and FIFA

Sertoglu said that they are continuing their preparations for the meeting of the 5th of November and added that an agreement could not be exactly as either side wants it to be. He noted that the draft of the text will be very detailed. He went on and revealed that "two details" included in it are that this will be a "provisional agreement" and that "it will not constitute a precedent".

He said that they will wait and see what will be submitted to them and added that the club members of the "federation" will also have to approve this agreement.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Former "MP" Aslanbaba to form a new political party with financial support from businessmen living abroad.

According to the paper, Aslanbaba will make the announcement about the new party by the end of November or in the early days of December. He will be the "candidate" of this party for the "municipality elections" of occupied Trikomo. He is a currently an independent candidate for the position.

Aslanbaba, who said that he will establish the new party with a team of friends, also said that he will form the party with financial support from businessmen living abroad.

[11] "Biologist Association" warned that the "water transfer project" is a non-recycling intervention to nature

In statements to the paper, the Association's chairman Hasan Sarpten criticized strongly the project and noted that it is extremely wrong. He also said that the ecological price of the project will be heavy.

[12] US cancelled delivery of predators to Turkey

The daily reported that the claims about Fidan can be traced back to the year after the Mavi Marmara incident in 2010 when the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) suspended relations with Israel's intelligence agency Mossad and shared information about the Israeli agency with Iran.

Reacting to Turkey's move, the US cancelled the delivery to Turkey of 10 Predators. Turkey was expecting the Predators in June of last year, but the US Congress decided not to accept Ankara's request because of the close relations between MIT and the Iran intelligence service.

According to Turkish government sources, the timing of the release of news against Fidan in the US press is related to the fact that NATO member Turkey has chosen a Chinese defence firm sanctioned by Washington to co-produce a $4 billion long-range air and missile defence system, rejecting rival bids from Russian, US and European firms.

The second fact concerning the timing of the news reports about Fidan is the suspension of a military intervention in Syria and agreement between US President Barack Obama and Russian leader Vladimir Putin on the destruction of chemical weapons. In the event of a possible intervention, the CIA, Mossad and MIT were planning to work together and Turkey was expected to play an important role in directing the Syrian opposition. The suspension of the intervention decreased the need for intelligence sharing between the agencies.

The claims that MIT informed the Iranian intelligence service about Mossad's 10 Iranian agents do not fully cover the truth, however. Taraf's report stated that the Iranian agents were uncovered within the scope of another operation, but Israel and the US put the blame on Fidan for the disclosure of the identities of the Iranian agents. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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