Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-10-31

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu: No concessions on the Cyprus problem

[02] Turkey's MFA: no final date on the reciprocal visits; Mavroyiannis: Some progress on the joint statement;

[03] Eroglu claimed that the hydrocarbon resources has complicated the Cyprus settlement

[04] Talat: the Turkish side has interrupted the negotiations; it is not reasonable to present the wish for a joint statement as "precondition"

[05] BKP: Both sides should stop complicating the process by putting forward preconditions

[06] TMT: Federation will be a suicide for the Turkish Cypriots

[07] Slovak Ambassador Dr Tomova met with UBP leader Ozgurgun

[08] Bagis should watch his language, says European Parliament rapporteur

[09] Cicek blamed France and Cyprus for blockage over Turkey's EU process

[10] Erdogan to visit Moscow for talks on strategic alliance

[11] Officials from US get in line for Ankara visits

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu: No concessions on the Cyprus problem

According to the paper, Davutoglu made this statement after his meeting with Slovakian Deputy PM and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Miroslav Lajcak in Bratislava.

Commenting on the Cyprus problem after the meeting with his Slovakian counterpart, Davutoglu claimed that both Turkey and "TRNC" make a sincere effort in order a peaceful solution is found in the Cyprus problem. Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side accepted the UN peace plan while the Greek Cypriot side rejected it, Davutoglu claimed that the EU, which supported the plan, reportedly signed a big injustice by rewarding the Greek Cypriots and punishing the Turkish Cypriots.

Davutoglu went on saying that he believes that the Cyprus talks will resume within few months, adding that they, as Turkey, always support a peaceful negotiation process.

Replying to a question regarding Turkey's relations with the EU on the Cyprus problem, Davutoglu stressed that they will not make any concessions, adding that first, the EU should keep its promise given to the Turkish Cypriot side. Davutoglu concluded that the Turkish side is ready any time to launch the negotiations in order to ensure peace.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.10.13), Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu also requested Slovakia's help for Cyprus problem. He pointed that Turkey and "Northern Cyprus" [Editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] showed sincere effort to solve that long-stalled issue and voiced his hope that negotiation process can start again within a few months.

During his one day visit to Bratislava, Davutoglu has met with his Slovakian counterpart Miroslav Lajcak and held a joint press conference.

Davutoglu called on the European Union to lift its visa requirements for Turkish citizens and praised Turkey-Slovakia relations on Wednesday.

Lajcak praised Turkey's decision to lift visa requirement for Slovakian citizens. In response, Davutoglu said Turkey awaits similar step from Bratislava and its lobby within the EU for Turkish citizens. Commenting on bilateral relationship, Davutoglu said two countries has increased their ties, adding that Presidents and Prime Ministers have made mutual visits in recent years.

During the visit, Davutoglu was received by Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico. During the talks, Davutoglu and Fico discussed bilateral, regional and international developments, according to diplomatic sources.

On the same issue, according to A.A. (30.10.13), Davutoglu will proceed to Hungary upon an invitation by Hungary's Minister for Foreign Affairs Janos Martonyi to attend the Visegrad Group Meeting in the capital Budapest along with Austria, EU's term president Lithuania and West Balkan countries.

Visegrad Group, consisting of four important countries of Central Europe ,Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia are known as a formation which contributes to regional stability and welfare and strengthening the cooperation between the countries in the region.

Turkey is invited for the first time to the Visegrad Group meeting, where Davutoglu will evaluate the joint cooperation projects intended to regional economic and democratic developments with Visegrad Group and Foreign Ministers of West Balkan countries.

[02] Turkey's MFA: no final date on the reciprocal visits; Mavroyiannis: Some progress on the joint statement

Turkey's Foreign Ministry, in statement to the paper, announced that the visits of the special representatives will be set in a coordinated effort among the four sides "Turkish Cypriot, Greek Cypriot, Turkey and Greece".

Cenk Unal, head of the information department of Turkey's Foreign Ministry, said that nothing has been finalized on the issue of the visits' day; adding that the final date will be set through coordination and will be announced.

Moreover, Turkey's MFA, regarding the unofficial statement by the Greek Cypriot side that the visits to Ankara and Athens will not be materialized in case of no progress is obtained to the text of the joint statement, announced that they have not received any information on this issue.

On the other hand, Kalfaoglu reports that Mavroyiannis noted that the visits to Athens and Ankara are parallel to the ongoing efforts for a joint statement and not directly related.

[03] Eroglu claimed that the hydrocarbon resources has complicated the Cyprus settlement

Referring to the hydrocarbon resources around Cyprus, Eroglu argued that these resources have caused the solution of the Cyprus problem to become more complicated instead of playing a catalytic role in efforts aimed at solving the problem.

"Five years ago, there was no such a matter in the Cyprus problem. However the way of sharing the resources has become an issue of discussion and this is becoming more complicated with the intervention of many other countries", Eroglu noted.

Pointing to the strategic importance of the Cyprus Island, Eroglu said the increasing importance of Cyprus is causing more problems.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots are pacifist, he reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side is in favour of the solution of the Cyprus problem which will be based on the realities on the island.

Claiming that the Cyprus problem remained unsolved as the Greek Cypriot side's stance is compatible with the interests of some member countries of the United Nations and the European Union, Eroglu added the Turkish Cypriot side is not responsible for the failure of the resumption of the negotiations process.

Eroglu went on to say that time has come for the Turkish Cypriots to become part of the world and no one should prevent the Turkish Cypriot youngsters to become integrated with the rest of the world.

"We want a bi-zonal federation which will be based on political equality of the two founding states. We also want the continuation of Turkey's active and effective guarantees in Cyprus", Eroglu concluded.

[04] Talat: the Turkish side has interrupted the negotiations; it is not reasonable to present the wish for a joint statement as "precondition"

In statements yesterday during a television program, Talat argued that the Greek Cypriot side is now trying to strengthen its position and added: "In brief, the decision of interrupting the negotiations because of the EU presidency in 2012 slammed us today".

Noting that putting forward preconditions will not give results in the negotiations, Talat said that what President Anastasiades wants is a joint statement and it is not a reasonable approach to present this as a precondition.

Talat alleged that President Anastasiades "experiences difficulties due to his coalition partners" and claimed that it is inevitable for President Anastasiades to get away from the Annan Plan when he acts together with his partners.

Asked to comment on the issue of the military service, Talat said that as long the Cyprus problem exists, military service will also exist. Referring to the demands of reducing the period of the military service in the occupied area of Cyprus, as it has happened in Turkey, Talat argued that those who demand this are the same persons who do not want Turkey to interfere in the internal affairs of the Turkish Cypriots. He went on and said that if they want their "state structure" to participate as equal entity in a federation, it would be unthinkable to leave their security totally to Turkey. He argued that the only way is to have a strong economy and a professional army. "Otherwise, Turkey will give the money and provide the security and you will play the game of being an independent state! Will it not be comical? ?I think that taking money from Turkey to pay the salaries is a serious disgraceful situation".

(I/Ts.)

[05] BKP: Both sides should stop complicating the process by putting forward preconditions

In a written statement issued yesterday, the leader of BKP Izzet Izcan noted that the condition, in order the negotiation process resume and reach a federal solution soon, is that both sides be sincere and constructive. He pointed out that the passage of time without a settlement robs the future of all Cypriots.

Izcan reiterated 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.

[06] TMT: Federation will be a suicide for the Turkish Cypriots

In a written statement issued yesterday, Bora criticized the self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami and added that a federation will be a suicide for the Turkish Cypriots. He noted that they hear unconfirmed news similar to the news that occurred prior the Annan plan, adding that the motherland Turkey has given them every kind of support and the Turkish Cypriots will not make any concession on their "state".

[07] Slovak Ambassador Dr Tomova met with UBP leader Ozgurgun

In a short statement prior the meeting, Ozgurgun said that they will discuss some issues including the Cyprus problem.

[08] Bagis should watch his language, says European Parliament rapporteur

Speaking to the Cihan news agency after holding talks with Bagis on Wednesday, Ruijten said that the Turkish EU minister sometimes puts EU officials in a difficult position and complained about the "harsh rhetoric" Bagis uses with them.

When the European parliamentarians rebuked Turkey for its handling of the summer protests in Turkey, Bagis accused some European officials and politicians of making "irresponsible" statements and "talking nonsense" for the sake of media attention.

"Some parliamentarians should understand that there is a price to pay for talking this comfortably and daringly about Turkey's internal matters," Bagis said in mid-June while the protests were still ongoing and added, "Turkey is not a banana republic."

Ruijten told Cihan on Wednesday: "He [Bagis] will get a response from me if he uses harsh words on an issue that is related to me."

Ruijten underscored that she had also expressed these complaints about Bagis' rhetoric to him directly. "I told Mr. Bagis that he should use this type of language only in internal politics. I told him that such harsh language creates a negative reflection in Europe," added Ruijten.

Highlighting that the EU and Turkey should strengthen their relations, Ruijten noted that there were many common interests between Turkey and the bloc.

Commenting on the opening of a new chapter in Turkey's EU accession, Ruijten said the opening of Chapter 22 on Nov. 5 will breathe new life into Turkey's EU bid.

Speaking to reporters after the closed-to-press meeting, Bagis said Ruijten had offered "constructive criticism" about Turkey during their conversation. Bagis said that although some of Ruijten's criticism in the past had "saddened" Turkey, her comments still helped raise standards in the EU candidate country.

Bagis said he believed Ruijten's reports will continue to light the way for Turkey and added: "This year, the European Commission has published a far more realistic report when compared to past years. I guess that the report to be published by the European Parliament [on Turkey] will also be constructive".

"Nov. 5 is a turning point in Turkish-EU relations. Because for the first time after a three-year gap, we will be opening a new chapter," Bagis added. He said that the decision to open Chapter 22 was important as it also signalled that Turkey may soon be able to begin talks on Chapter 23 and 24, the two chapters that cover issues related to the judiciary, fundamental rights, freedom and security.

"Once the Cyprus issue is resolved, once the reunification of Cyprus happens, all 14 EU chapters blocked over that issue will also be unblocked," Bagis concluded.

[09] Cicek blamed France and Cyprus for blockage over Turkey's EU process

Noting that Turkey's choice to be a member of the EU is fundamental and strategic, Cicek said that Turkey's membership process has started 50 years ago and called it "a long wait". He added that Turkish membership into EU is beneficial for both sides.

He blamed France and the Greek Cypriot side for blockage over Turkey's EU process and said: "Turkey is wasting fuel on red light. Engine is on but Turkey cannot move." Cicek also slammed European Union for its refusal to let Turkish citizens to travel freely within the EU although Ankara is in a negotiation process and also a member of the Customs Union.

In response, Dutch rapporteur Oomen-Ruijten said Turkey should look to the future instead of past. She said reforms are applied when Justice and Development Party (AKP) came into power and praised Turkey has taken important steps regarding the Copenhagen Criteria, a set of conditions that any country has to meet to be a member of EU. "The democratization package pleased us. But they have to be implemented."

Dutch rapporteur defended EU annual reports on Turkey by saying that the reports are objective and balanced.

[10] Erdogan to visit Moscow for talks on strategic alliance

According to information attained by Today's Zaman, the meeting, which is planned to last two days, will be on Nov. 22-23. On his Moscow visit, Erdogan will be accompanied by seven or eight Ministers. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz and Transportation, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Binali Yildirim are among those likely to attend the meetings in Russia. Each Minister is expected to meet with his Russian counterpart, assess the projects of the last year and devise a plan for the coming year.

[11] Officials from US get in line for Ankara visits

A delegation from the U.S. Department of Defence is conducting official talks in Ankara, while Victoria Nuland, assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs in the U.S., and a top U.S. security official are set to hold talks with Turkish officials in the coming days.

"Undersecretary of Defence for Policy Jim Miller is visiting Turkey for bilateral consultations on regional security issues, including Syria; the U.S.-Turkish bilateral defence relationship; and our partnership in NATO," a U.S. embassy official in Ankara told the Hurriyet Daily News yesterday.

Relations between the U.S. and Turkey have been chilly since the Turkish government announced its decision to start negotiations with a Chinese firm for the co-production of a $3.4 billion missile defence system. As part of intensified efforts to improve ties, Nuland will hold talks with Turkish officials in her first visit to Turkey since taking up her present post.

Moreover, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu will pay a visit to Washington for bilateral talks on Nov. 18.

Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary for Conflict and Stabilization Operations (CSO) Rick Barton will travel to Turkey on Nov. 2-7.

The visits come in the wake of recent U.S. newspaper reports in recent weeks suggesting Turkish intelligence chief Hakan Fidan had shared sensitive information with Iran, which has led to speculation that ties between the two had soured. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article