Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-11-12

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] Colak: All aspects of the solution in Cyprus must be discussed

[02] Denktas: "The TRNC must be defended at the negotiations"

[03] A "parliamentary delegation" is holding contacts in Brussels

[04] Burcu argues that President Anastasiades has not exerted sufficient efforts on the cell phones issue

[05] The debates for the administration of the water from Turkey are continuing; Fears that Turkey will stop giving money

[06] The so-called foreign ministry's archives are reportedly sent to Turkey for digitalization with TIR vehicles; No safety measures were taken

[07] The EU Vice President held contacts in Turkey; Davutoglu called the EU to take necessary steps for the opening of new chapters

[08] EU Minister Dedeoglu disappointed with the EU and Turkey's progress report

[09] A total of 2,545 ISIL suspects detained in Turkey since 2013

[10] Three CHP Deputies to run for the party's leadership against Kilicdaroglu

[11] TOBB's delegation visited Egypt; The visit marks the first high rank visit since 2013

[12] Turkish columnists face charges for "insulting Erdogan" and "leading terrorist organizations"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Colak: All aspects of the solution in Cyprus must be discussed

Explaining to the European officials the desire of the Turkish Cypriots for reaching a solution under a federal roof, Colak stated that all aspects of the solution in Cyprus must be discussed at the negotiations. As she said, the discussion of the economic, financial and social dimensions of the solution are also important and must be addressed.

Colak met with Elmar Brok, Member of the European Parliament and the current Chairman of the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, Colak stated that it is important the Europeans to be informed about the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side by Turkish Cypriot "officials".

Colak also met with Corina Cretu, the European Commissioner for Regional Policy and informed her about the progress on the Cyprus negotiations. Colak also said that the Turkish Cypriots are determined for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and added that the two sides in Cyprus must have the political will for a solution to be reached. Colak added that the European Union must also fulfill its responsibilities towards the efforts for the solution.

(CS)

[02] Denktas: "The TRNC must be defended at the negotiations"

Denktas stated that Akinci should carry out the negotiations defending the "TRNC" the way the Greek Cypriots defend the Republic of Cyprus. He also stated that the world must respect the decision that the Turkish Cypriots will take in a possible referendum after the negotiations are completed, no matter what this decision would be.

Denktas also said that the statements made two days ago by Akinci, who said that the "TRNC" will be one of the two equal constituent wings of the new partnership in case of a solution, are extremely important, especially if you compared them with the approach of the Greek Cypriots on the issue.

(CS)

[03] A "parliamentary delegation" is holding contacts in Brussels

The delegation consisted of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) "deputy" Armagan Candan, the National Unity Party (UBP) "deputy" Ergun Serdaroglu and the Democrat Party (DP) "deputy" Hasan Tacoy.

Speaking to illegal Bayrak, Candan, stated that the delegation have been having contacts with various European officials since Monday, informing them about the progress o? the Cyprus negotiations and about the efforts made by the Turkish Cypriots to speed up the harmonization process with the EU. He also said that they held contacts with members of the European Parliament and members of the European Commission on the halloumi/ hellim issue. He added that the European Union is pleased on the developments taking place for the opening of a new barricade in Deryneia.

Referring to Turkey's EU progress report and the paragraph about Cyprus, Candar stated that it is not very different compared to last year's report, since it is stated that ??? EU supports the negotiations and evaluates positively the negotiations' progress.

In the framework of its visit, the delegation also met with the "TRNC representative " in Brussels, Gizem Alpman, the Permanent Representative of Turkey in Brussels Selim Yenel and the Turkish Ambassador Hakan Olcay.

(CS)

[04] Burcu argues that President Anastasiades has not exerted sufficient efforts on the cell phones issue

In statements to Halkin Sesi on this issue, Burcu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side is working with "a great devotion and meticulousness" to fully implement its responsibilities for the decisions taken within the framework of the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) and added that "unfortunately, on this specific issue the efforts exerted by Mr Anastasiades gave no results".

Burcu is quoted to have said:

"The leaders have taken many decisions on the CBM issue and made a joint statement. It is natural that some practical difficulties may exist for materializing these things in the today's environment of the non-solution. The important thing is for the sides to work with good determination in order for these difficulties to be overcome. President Mr Akinci has worked with a great devotion and meticulousness for the Turkish Cypriot side to fully implement its responsibilities for the decisions within the framework of the CBM. The Turkish Cypriot side has taken all steps regarding the cell phones issue. We hope that Mr Anastasiades will work in the same determination and will as Mr President for overcoming this problem deriving from the Greek Cypriot side. Unfortunately, the efforts exerted until today by Mr Anastasiades on this issue have not given the sufficient result. It means that somewhere no sufficient effort was exerted. [?]"

The paper argues that Akinci is "very annoyed" because he cannot see by the Greek Cypriot side similar "courageous steps" as the ones allegedly taken by the Turkish side.

(I/Ts.)

[05] The debates for the administration of the water from Turkey are continuing; Fears that Turkey will stop giving money

He noted that in the meantime they have prepared a "draft-law" regarding the establishment of a "water board", but it has not been approved by the "council of ministers" yet. He said that they were waiting for the congress of their minor "coalition partner", the National Unity Party (UBP), to end in order to discuss the issue and reach an agreement.

Meanwhile, the paper writes also that from some days now the water has stopped flowing in to the dam in occupied Panagra village. The director of the project at Turkey's State Water Affairs Department, Birol Cinar has said that they are cleaning the pumps and the water will start flowing on 14 November.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (12.11.15) reports that some "municipalities" members of BESKI company, which has been established by the Turkish Cypriot "municipalities' union" demanding the administration of the water, have started fearing that these debates on the administration of the water will negatively influence their investments funded from Turkey.

Turkish Cypriot columnist Basaran Duzgun writes in his column in Havadis today that the reason for the issue being discussed only at the backstage right now is the absence of a government in Turkey and recalls that Ankara had stated that it is in favor of the privatization of the administration of this water, while the self-styled government supports the establishment of a "Water Board" and the administration of the water by BESKI.

Noting there are signs that "interesting developments" will happen, Duzgun argues that these signs are the following: 1) Especially the occupied "municipalities" having "mayors" from the UBP and some self-styled mayors from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) will either leave BESKI or will "remain indifferent" for its work. 2) The main problem will be experienced within the "government. There are many high ranking UBP officials who do not approve the plan put forward by the CTP, the major "coalition partner".

"There are members of the cabinet who even say that the water issue might bring the end of the government", writes Duzgun concluding that the debates issue might be turned into a "war" with big casualties.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The so-called foreign ministry's archives are reportedly sent to Turkey for digitalization with TIR vehicles; No safety measures were taken

According to the paper, an unbelievable scandal came to light concerning the works which are taking place in this framework. The paper writes that all the documents are sent to Turkey into containers with TIR vehicles, without taking any safety measures.

The paper adds that another scandal which came to light is that "prisoners" from the "central prisons" are among those who transfer into the containers the confidential documents and archives of the "ministry".

The paper underlines that it is remarkable that the occupation regime authorities' did not took any safety measures for the transferring of the archives which are considered of great importance for the "state" and accused them for putting them into a great risk.

(AK)

[07] The EU Vice President held contacts in Turkey; Davutoglu called the EU to take necessary steps for the opening of new chapters

Timmermans first met with Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu and discussed a prospective joint action plan to tackle the refugee crisis in Europe and speed up Turkey's accession process to the European Union.

Sinirlioglu was reported to have told Timmermans that Turkey was ready to open chapters 17, 23, 24, 26 and 31 in the EU accession process.

He added that Turkey expected the Schengen visa liberation process to begin in July 2016, rather than the planned 2017, while this would also make the readmission agreement enter into force at the same time.

Timmermans then attended the "EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan" meeting, which Sinirlioglu, Turkish EU Minister Beril Dedeoglu and the European Neighborhood Policy & Enlargement Negotiations Commissioner Johannes Hahn also attended.

Timmermans also met with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The meeting was conducted behind closed doors and lasted around 50 minutes.

According to Prime Ministry sources on Wednesday, Davutoglu said that full EU membership will be one of the most important priorities of the new Turkish government. "Being a full EU member is one of the most important priorities of the new government. We expect the EU to take the necessary steps in this regard through opening new negotiation chapters," Davutoglu said.

Noting that it was not "possible" to understand why multiple chapters that would benefit both sides including energy, monetary policy, and justice have yet to be opened, Davutoglu said that Turkey was ready to "make an all-out effort" to achieve progress in its accession bid.

Timmermans noted the progress made in negotiations over visa liberalization and readmission and said that EU members had a common understanding to further relations with Turkey, adding that this opportunity should not be missed.

(?)

[08] EU Minister Dedeoglu disappointed with the EU and Turkey's progress report

Dedeoglu, nonetheless, also said criticism directed at Turkey in the European Commission's latest progress report indicated "a breaking point in a positive sense."

"During the meetings, we were grappling with the refugee issue and chapters. We didn't have a progress report on our agenda. During a dinner ? a young person from the commission attempted to match the progress report to the refugee issue. Something like 'We could soften the content of this progress report if we sort out the refugee issue,' was said. I swear I can't even remember how I chided him; I guess I took advantage of being a non-diplomat. I behaved like saying: 'Release it, who's afraid? We are what we are.' Mr. Commissioner told me 'I guess you were a tough professor,'" Dedeoglu told daily Hurriyet after the release of the report on November 10.

"That issue has never come up again; I want to underline that," she said.

Acknowledging that she found the report "weighty," Dedeoglu, said: "Yes, one feels sorry when reading some things. You don't want to hear them. It is not very difficult to see the motive behind some of the [findings] which are truly exaggerated. We know, but in the end we, as citizens, want to live in a better country. Between the lines of the report, there are methods for being able to do this."

Dedeoglu cited the criticism concerning appointments involving the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) as an example of "unfair criticism."

"Although more replacements took place along 2012 and 2013 when compared to this year, those were not documented by the EU in a progress report at the time", she said.

In its report, the EU criticized Turkey about the dramatic curtailing of press freedoms, as well as significant shortcomings affecting the independence of the judiciary.

"Turkey should become engaged in a reform process that would lessen such criticisms", the Minister said adding: "I believe that the criticisms in the progress report indicate a significant breaking point in regards to Turkey's future ? in the positive sense".

The European Commission also called on the Turkish government to resume a long-stalled process aimed at ending the three-decade conflict between security forces and militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). "I consider it as a well-intended initiative. I regard this as a nice warning," Dedeoglu said regarding the call by the EU.

"The way to get out of an environment of violence is this and similar processes of dialogue. This reform process cannot be realized without language that will ease conflict. Such a way will probably be followed", she said.

[09] A total of 2,545 ISIL suspects detained in Turkey since 2013

One-third of all suspects detained as alleged members of the Islamic State and Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in Turkey since 2013 have been foreigners, said the police.

The police officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the Turkish security forces detained 230 suspects in 2013; 78 were put behind bars and, of those, 12 were foreigners.

In 2014, the number of ISIL members detained in operations across the country was 615. This included 240 foreigners; 87 of the total were jailed, and, of those, 21 were foreigners.

In 2015, a total of 1,700 suspected ISIL members have been detained, and this figure includes 492 suspects who were foreign nationals. Of the total, 419 were sent to prison, including 95 foreigners.

The officials did not reveal any details about which countries the foreign nationals came from.

(?)

[10] Three CHP Deputies to run for the party's leadership against Kilicdaroglu

Three party figures have already announced they will run for chairman in the congress that will convene by January. 9 at the latest, should the dissenters manage to get the support of enough party delegates.

Even if the dissenters are unable to get the support of delegates for an extraordinary congress, the party is required to hold a congress in the coming months.

The party only slightly increased its votes in the early election on Nov. 1, leaving the party, which expected to get up to 30% of the vote, highly disappointed.

The CHP received 25.3% in the general election, up from 24.9 in the election on June 7.

The party will now be represented by 134 Deputies in Parliament after it won 132 seats in the last election.

(?)

CHP spokesperson Haluk Koc said in a press meeting on Tuesday that the CHP will be ready to hold its ordinary congress by the middle of January when the party's provincial offices have completed their congresses. He said 12 provinces and 149 districts have already held their congresses.

The three candidates who will run for chairman argue that Kemal K?l?cdaroglu, the current leader of the party, failed to put up a performance that could win over voters.

Muharrem Ince, a CHP Deputy who last year unsuccessfully ran for chairman in an extraordinary congress after the AK Party's Recep Tayyip Erdogan was elected as President by popular vote, is one of the candidates.

The second figure running for chairman is Umut Oran, who also previously ran against former CHP chairman Deniz Baykal for the party's top post. Oran was a CHP Deputy before the June election but was not listed on the CHP ticket as a deputy candidate in the last two general elections.

The third CHP figure who will join the race is Mustafa Balbay, a Deputy who is a journalist by profession.

According to reports in the media, Baykal, a senior CHP figure, is also considering running for chairman if the current candidates cannot manage to agree to join forces to back a single candidate.

[11] TOBB's delegation visited Egypt; The visit marks the first high rank visit since 2013

According to the information obtained by Daily Sabah, Hisarc?kl?oglu attended the Islamic Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture's (ICCIA) 21st board and 31st general assembly meetings as Hisarc?kl?oglu currently holds the Vice-chairman post in ICCIA. As the Vice-chairman of Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Eurochambres), Hisarc?kl?oglu also attended the EU-Africa Energy forum. The delegation held talks with the Chairman Ahmed al-Wakil and officials from Federation of Egyptian Chambers of Commerce regarding the trade relations among the two countries. TOBB sources stated that Hisarc?kl?oglu visit to Egypt was related with his titles in ICCIA and Eurochambres.

The visit was carried out on the knowledge of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu, and the delegation was reportedly greeted by Turkey's Charge d'Affaires in Cairo, Ali R?za Guney. The last visit which can be classified as high rank from Turkey to Egypt was carried out in 2013 by main opposition Republican People's Party Deputies and former Ambassadors Faruk Logoglu and Osman Koruturk upon the invitation of the Sissi administration.

Although the relations among the two countries are at a historic low in diplomatic terms due to the coup in Egypt and Turkey's reaction, trade among the two countries, especially Turkish exports, have recently been on an increasing trend.

In 2005, the trade volume among the two countries was lower than $500 million while in 2010, it increased to $3 billion with Turkish investments in Egypt amounting to $1 billion. This positive environment was stalled as the Mubarak regime was overthrown with the protests started in late 2010 as part of the Arab Spring, and the coup staged by Sissi further harmed the relations.

The two countries were participants in the Syria talks carried out in Vienna on October 30, and Turkey's Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kal?n described the involvement of Egypt to the talks, along with Iran, as a positive development.

[12] Turkish columnists face charges for "insulting Erdogan" and "leading terrorist organizations"

"The personal rights of my client, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, were abused by accusation via press including insults," said Erdogan's lawyer, Ahmet Ozel, in his petition.

In a notice from a prosecutor's office, seven articles of the columnist, which were published between July 26 and August 19, were cited.

Separately, Hurriyet newspaper columnist Ertugrul Ozkok ruled out in his November 11 article claims that he was called to testify by the prosecutor's office.

Pro-government broadcaster A Haber claimed a day earlier that upon an Istanbul public prosecutor's invitation to Ozkok to testify with a similar accusation of insulting Erdogan, the columnist allegedly went abroad.

Ozkok completely ruled out the claims in his column.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Sabah (11.11.15-online in English) an Istanbul court issued on Wednesday an arrest warrant for the Gulen Movement-run Zaman daily Editor-in-Chief Ekrem Dumanl? upon the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Office's request.

Ekrem Dumanl? has been charged with "leading an armed terrorist organization and plotting to overthrow the elected Turkish government".

The court's decision came late on Wednesday as part of an ongoing probe against the Selam-Tevhid organization- a group accused of wiretapping senior government figures including the Prime Minister, the Head of Turkey's National Intelligence Organization, Cabinet Ministers, and journalists, through serving state officials.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(AK/ AM)

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