Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-05-25

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "The Turkish Cypriot people will not remain stranded in the buffer zone"; He accuses President Anastasiades of overreacting

[02] Ertugruloglu condemned President Anastasiades' stance and accused him of "playing games"

[03] CTP criticized Anastasiades on the dinner incident: "This is a stereotype behavior of the Greek Cypriot side"

[04] Reference to Cyprus in 65th Turkish government's program: "The Turkish Cypriots must take their just place internationally"

[05] New Turkish PM signals shift in foreign policy: More friends than enemies

[06] Backstage of Ministers' replacement

[07] Erdogan: Turkey will not take further steps on implementing the refugee readmission agreement with the EU

[08] Cavusoglu: We are not bluffing, EU deals may be frozen

[09] Turkish columnists on Yildirim's Council of Ministers

[10] The "New Rising Movement" denied allegations that it would become the "party of the Turkish settlers"

[11] CTP will reportedly go to its general congress with a "single candidate"; Sources indicate Erhurman

[12] The "KTKD" was represented at the CECIF general assembly meeting

[13] MHP announces snap congress after top court ruling

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "The Turkish Cypriot people will not remain stranded in the buffer zone"; He accuses President Anastasiades of overreacting

In statements after his return yesterday to the occupied area of the island, Akinci alleged that he met with the UN Secretary-General in Istanbul within the framework of their efforts for finding a solution in Cyprus. Claiming that the aim of their meetings with the UNSG is always the solution and bringing better days to the island, Akinci argued:

"Yes, the Turkish Cypriot people are in favor of a solution and will strive as hard as they can, but the Turkish Cypriot people will not remain as people stranded only in the buffer zone in Cyprus. Everyone must understand this and behave accordingly. As Turkish Cypriot people will we meet with the UN and the General Secretary of this organization only and only in New York? Will we meet with the UN officials only at the buffer zone in Nicosia?"

Commenting on the fact that President Anastasiades did not participate in the dinner hosted by Erdogan in Istanbul, Akinci alleged:

"It is really meaningless not to digest our presence there. Instead of acting with emotions and reactively, we should proceed in the right direction with reason and sense".

Akinci explained that he did not participate in the UN's Humanitarian Summit, but in the dinner upon Erdogan's invitation and recalled that he also met with the UNSG in Istanbul.

When called to comment on the perception created that his visit to Istanbul had been kept as a secret, Akinci argued that the UNSG's program was very busy, that the possibility of his meeting with the UNSG was finalized later and that is why it seemed to have happened suddenly.

Asked whether the meeting planned between the leaders on 27 May will be realized in the light of the latest developments, Akinci said that from their point of view there is no reason for the meeting not taking place and added that they will go and if the meeting does not happen "those who created this situation" will surely explain to them why this happened. He noted that when he was departing from Istanbul he did not receive such information and that the only thing they were informed about was the annulment of the meeting of the Greek Cypriot side with Espen Barth Eide, the UNSG's special adviser for Cyprus.

Replying to the allegations that President Anastasiades participated in the UN Humanitarian Summit only after ensuring guarantees that Akinci would not go, Akinci reiterated that he did not visit Istanbul for the Summit, which took place in an area considered to belong to the UN, and that after Erdogan's invitation he attended a dinner to which heads of states and governments were invited. "I responded positively to an invitation in a situation for which no one would have the right to say anything", he argued and wondered: "What was expected? What could be more natural than the Republic of Turkey inviting the TRNC president in an event which its President was organizing?" [?] I went there knowing that I would meet with the UNSG. I did not go only for the dinner".

Akinci was asked why President Anastasiades was annoyed because this time he has allegedly met with the UNSG as "head of state" and whether President Anastasiades was avoiding the solution. Akinci replied that he did not want to make an "excessive interpretation" on this issue and expressed the view that excessive reactions are meaningless and that the Greek Cypriot side's reaction on this issue was "unmeasured".

Alleging that they will do whatever they can for a solution by defending the equality, freedom and security of the Turkish Cypriot "people" until the end and by taking into consideration the "reasonable sensitivities" of the other community, Akinci claimed:

"This does not mean that the Turkish Cypriot people will not even participate in a dinner organized and hosted by a President who says that he recognizes them. And that they will not have a meeting there with the UNSG. This intolerance is a situation which we could not accept".

Asked whether his participation in Erdogan's dinner was a "bomb for the negotiating process", Akinci wondered why this should be a bomb and why it should sabotage the negotiating process. "Why our presence there causes so much annoyance? [?] This is an issue which should be evaluated as helpful to the negotiating process and not as sabotage. I would like to be together with Mr Anastasiades there just like in Davos. His place was separated there. He is explaining why he did not come, but I do not think that his explanation could be very consistent, because they are making a wrong evaluation".

Akinci said that they had met with the UNSG in January in Davos for the last time and added that they had a useful meeting in Istanbul during which they evaluated the developments happened since their last meeting.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ertugruloglu condemned President Anastasiades' stance and accused him of "playing games"

Ertugruloglu said that he does not consider right the Greek Cypriot leader's reaction and claimed that not only Anastasiades but also all the other Greek Cypriot leaders in the past, had the approach that: "I am the President of the Republic of Cyprus, the only recognized by the world" and the approach that the "president" being elected by the Turkish Cypriots is the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Ertugruloglu expressed also the view that Anastasiades' behavior will not affect the negotiation process for a period more than a week and argued that the international community will not give the opportunity to Anastasiades to sabotage the process for a long period, since, as he claimed he does not have a "rightful excuse".

Ertugruloglu alleged also that Anastasiades attitude towards this issue is nothing else but a "trick he plays" in order not to be criticized in the "south.

(AK)

[03] CTP criticized Anastasiades on the dinner incident: "This is a stereotype behavior of the Greek Cypriot side"

Erhuman made these statements participating in a program of BRT.

"I wish that he attended the dinner, break the stereotype behavior and give a sincere picture with Akinci like he did before", Erhuman stated.

[04] Reference to Cyprus in 65th Turkish government's program: "The Turkish Cypriots must take their just place internationally"

Noting that the 65th government will continue to promote the foreign policy they developed based on healthy values with a long term perspective by taking into consideration the world's and the country's conditions, the program adds:

"During our governments' term we have defended with determination the cause of the Turks of Cyprus and we will continue strengthening this cause. One of our basic priorities is the Turkish Cypriot people being able to take their just place in the international community. We will continue the steps we have been taking until today with determination for strengthening the TRNC's economic infrastructure and increasing its prosperity. We will continue our constructive contribution as a guarantor country for a negotiated, just and lasting solution in Cyprus based on the essential founding will of the two peoples, their political equality and the fact that they are joint owners of the island, and will support the UN in its efforts in this direction".

(I/Ts.)

[05] New Turkish PM signals shift in foreign policy: More friends than enemies

"Turkey has a lot of problems. We have regional problems. The conflicts taking place in our region and the EU, Cyprus, Caucasus increase the importance of our country in our region. We are aware of it. So what will we do? Very simple: We'll increase the number of our friends and we'll decrease the number of our enemies," Yildirim told ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers in his first group meeting on May 24 after his cabinet was approved by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

On the ongoing unrest in Turkey's southern neighbor, Yildirim called the civil war in Syria a "meaningless war," a description Turkish senior officials have not been using. "This meaningless war caused the lives of hundreds of thousands of our brothers," he said, recalling that Turkey had opened its border and shared its food with 3 million Syrians since 2011.

Yildirim recalled that the real leader of the AKP was Erdogan and that his government's priority was to fix the "malfunctioning system" through a constitutional amendment.

Calling on the three political parties represented in Parliament to support the AKP's efforts to renew the Constitution, in what he called a "historic opportunity," Yildirim said: "Let's come all together and make this new Constitution which is also your promise to the Turkish people. Be part of this honor. But if you drag your feet, we know what we'll do. Our mind is clear and our road is bright. We'll do what is necessary."

[06] Backstage of Ministers' replacement

Erdogan will chair the first cabinet meeting at the presidential palace on May 25 in the first confirmation that Yildirim intends to pursue a "low profile".

The new 26-seat government features nine new ministers and four re-seated ministers, while the number of female cabinet members dropped from two to one, with Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya becoming the only minister in the family and social policies portfolio.

Volkan Bozkir's departure from the EU Ministry was a surprise, given that he is an experienced diplomat who recently made a positive contribution in brokering the migrant deal with the EU. However, the deal that also included visa waivers for Turkish citizens was strongly criticized by Erdogan, who underlined that Turkey would not negotiate with the EU over the terror clause in the visa liberalization deal. Omer Celik, one of the closest aides to Erdogan, also criticized the EU in strong words in his capacity as the deputy leader and the spokesperson of the AKP.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will also continue as the top diplomat in the new era and will focus more on restoring foreign policy.

Akdogan and Unal were involved in the Kurdish peace process until early 2015 and their departure from the government is seen as a reflection of Erdogan's continued disturbance with a February 2015 deal between the government and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), known as the Dolmabahce Contract. The peace process has since fallen into tatters among heightened conflict in Southeast Anatolia.

The new government illustrates a degree of balance in regards to the management of the economy. Despite expectations, Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek kept his position, which will provide assurances to foreign markets. On the other hand, Nihat Zeybekci returns to the cabinet as an Economy Minister who will likely focus on the production-based growth nature of the Turkish economy. As Yildirim said in a group speech on May 24, the government will not take steps backward on financial discipline but will also concentrate on production and employment.

[07] Erdogan: Turkey will not take further steps on implementing the refugee readmission agreement with the EU

A readmission process between the EU and Turkey, entered into in October 2014, makes it possible to return undocumented, illegal refugees who enter Europe via Turkey and vice versa.

Erdogan asked why Turkey, which is an EU candidate country and part of the bloc's customs union, would have to fulfil 72 requirements. Erdogan reiterated that Turkey, which has already spent billions of dollars on Syrian refugees since the beginning of the crisis, does not need the EU's money. "At the end of the day [the aid] doesn't come to Turkey, it is provided to refugees in camps mostly to improve their living conditions --Turkey is not asking for favours," Erdogan said. "What we want is honesty, Turkey is supposed to fulfil criteria, what criteria are these, what do you mean by criteria?" he said.

Erdogan said that the funds promised by the EU under the terms of the refugee deal had not yet been released. He also expressed his disappointment over the lack of attendees at the critical humanitarian summit saying: "It is upsetting that none of the G7 states' leaders, except Germany's Merkel, attended the humanitarian summit."

[08] Cavusoglu: We are not bluffing, EU deals may be frozen

"Treating Turkey like this, in the shape of a fait accompli, after Turkey has displayed its sincerity and determination by taking these very important steps, is not realistic. We will agree, we will implement [the deal]. Everybody should keep their promises, otherwise ? this is not a bluff or a threat ? we will set aside all the agreements we signed, including readmission, if you do not keep your word," he said.

"While there is no definition of 'terror' which is accepted in the world, telling Turkey, which is fighting against all kinds of terror, 'You have to make this definition now regardless,' is not a realistic demand," Cavusoglu said in remarks aired live on public broadcaster TRT Haber.

[09] Turkish columnists on Yildirim's Council of Ministers

"[?} At the end, we are all faced with almost the same type of government, yet the speed of action will most likely change. [?]

Keeping Mehmet Simsek as a Deputy Prime Minister is a guarantee for international investors. But do not be fooled by this; there will be more, not less, pressure on the Central Bank to cut interest rates after this. Despite the fact that the markets outside of Turkey are getting edgy as the FED signals a rate hike in June, Turkey's top economic brass may be forced to bend the rules.

President Erdogan has decided to shape the system in a way that enables his presidency. His choice to put an engineer and an old friend at the top of the party is a deliberate choice to keep the ranks in check. The cabinet will be more in charge of the implementation process rather than policy making. [?]

Keeping Mevlut Cavusoglu as the Foreign Minister is also the stamp of President Erdogan. Foreign policy will be shaped by the president from now on. There will no more be separate talks or phone conversations with the White House. It will be much easier to manage rapprochement with Israel and non-reaction to U.S.-PYD discussions under these circumstances. There will be less noise in Ankara as there will not be the "cadre of advisers" that constantly call up reporters and spin the story. [?]

Binali Yildirim is a lucky politician. He has an easygoing manner and his public proximity is much higher than Davutoglu's. He speaks in easy words, in a slow way that almost forces us to pay attention. He can have fun with himself and he does not forget where he came from. His sympathy among the public will eventually be much higher than Davutoglu and that gives him enough power to challenge the President when necessary.

Under the title "Unenthusiastic thoughts about the new government", Mustafa Akyol writes the following in Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (25.05.16):

"[?] Thanks to certain rumors I hear from Ankara and Twitter feeds I follow on the web I read yesterday: "The cabinet was prepared days ago. It was a list cleansed of all the names close to Gul and Davutoglu."

Wow. The hierarchy not only purges Gul and Davuoglu, as you can see, but also "names close to them." For they have hurt themselves by showing loyalty to these key names in the party, whose loyalty to the great leader proved insufficient. So now, they find themselves on the side, no matter how successful, how efficient they may have been in their jobs. [?]

This culture ? or cult ? of the great leader was quite visible also in the party congress last week where the ruling party announced its new chair. But the new chair was just a chair, not "the leader," and everybody, including himself, made sure to emphasize this fact. [?]

But I will not kill myself to see who gets which ministry and what their vision is. For whoever comes to any position of power, I know who will actually be ruling Turkey, from the most macro- to the most micro-level management: The great leader ? who would actually have done all of us, including himself, a great favor, if he did not aspire to be this great. "

[10] The "New Rising Movement" denied allegations that it would become the "party of the Turkish settlers"

The statement rejected and condemned these allegations and pointed out that the "movement" has been established above politics, adding that among its founding members were also "TRNC citizens". It underlines that it is not a separatist movement and pointed out that they have decided to become a party in order to serve and solve the problems of the Turkish Cypriots, having in mind that the Turkish Cypriot "people" deserve a better "administration".

(AK)

[11] CTP will reportedly go to its general congress with a "single candidate"; Sources indicate Erhurman

CTP's backstage indicates at the moment that the "single candidate" will be the party's general secretary Tufan Erhurman.

Meanwhile, in statements to illegal BRT the other day, Erhurman said that he will make a statement in the forthcoming days to clarify this issue. "There are four other persons besides me that could undertake this post. We all want to go to an eventless general congress with a single candidate. We will continue our consultations".

(AK)

[12] The "KTKD" was represented at the CECIF general assembly meeting

(AK)

[13] MHP announces snap congress after top court ruling

The court ruling only required the party to hold a congress to change its regulations, but MHP leader Bahceli fired a swift counter salvo, with his deputy Yalcin announcing that the party would hold a congress to elect a new party leader.

Yalcin said the extraordinary congress will be held either on late June or early July, and Bahceli will be seeking re-election.

Turkey's top appeals court approved a local court's ruling that allows the MHP to hold an extraordinary congress called by several hundred of its members to try to oust its veteran leader.

The MHP was originally scheduled to hold its next party congress in March 2018.

Polls suggest the removal of Bahceli could lead to a surge in support for the party, the fourth largest in Parliament after the Nov. 1, 2015, snap elections in which the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) replaced it as the third largest party. According to polls, such a surge may weaken President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's chances of securing strong parliamentary support for the introduction of a full presidential system. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(CS / AM)

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