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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-09-27Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 184/16 27.09.2016[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS[01] Akinci gives five exclusive interviews and alleges that the Greek Cypriot side has a "phobia for timetables"Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.09.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has reiterated that a road map for the solution of the Cyprus problem should now be clarified. In statements to Turkish NTV, Akinci said that "usually the Greek Cypriot side does not want to refer to timetables and time periods" and alleged that "we can say that it has a kind of a phobia for timetables".Asked whether we are about to enter into a five-party conference process with the participation of Turkey and Greece, Akinci replied that "this is actually the point at which we stand". He argued that a "natural timetable" has started to function and that the last point of this timetable is a five-party conference. He said: "A more intensified negotiation is expecting us in October in Cyprus. Afterwards it is inevitable for us to pass into a different format and in the end to go to a five-party summit. If our commitment to the target of 2016 continues, as it is expressed in the statements, we can predict that the five-party conference will definitely take place before the end of 2016". Asked whether there will be a procedure similar to the one at Camp David during which the leaders will be discussing alone and at face to face meetings issues such as the property and the territory, Akinci replied that what he says is that in October the issues which remained in the first four chapters should be concluded and added: "What we mean as Turkish side when we refer to a process like the one at Camp David is that Cyprus is a small place and the discussions leak within a short period of time. The issues which leak become front page news in the papers the next day in an exaggerated manner. We want to create an environment outside Cyprus where a series of meetings will take place on sensitive issues which concern the territory in Cyprus. And right afterwards we want a five-party conference to take place. And we want all these to happen within the next 1-2 months". Replying to another question, Akinci said that Turkey has been supporting them from the very beginning of the process and expressed the belief that on the issue of security and guarantees a formula could be created which will be protecting the Turkish Cypriot "people", but will not constitute a threat to the Greek Cypriots. Referring to the natural gas issue, Akinci argued that we have two choices: the natural gas will either become a field of new tensions in the Middle East or will be turned into a bridge of peace and cooperation. He said that the hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean are important from the point of view of opening the door of cooperation among the countries of the region and not only between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots and reiterated the view that the Cypriot and Israeli natural gas should be transferred to Europe through Turkey. Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (27.09.16), Akinci argued that the UN has started the preparations for a "camping-style meeting" on the territory and for a five-party conference in spite of the fact that this has not been announced. Akinci alleged that a better statement could have been issued after the tripartite meeting of the leaders with the UNSG on Sunday, but this was not possible because of the "negative stance of the Greek Cypriot side". Noting that as of 3 October and for two weeks a very intensive effort will be exerted in the direction of overcoming the differences on four chapters, he claimed: "In the minds there is a plan consisted of three parts. The first is the intensified negotiations during the first weeks of October. The second is a meeting which will take place abroad and in a camping style and in the end the issue of security and guarantees will be settled in a five-party conference". Asked whether there is an agreement on this issue, Akinci replied: "That is, it is not openly said and its announcement to the public is not wanted. However, this exists in the minds in spite of the fact that they do not affirm this agreement in this manner. Because if we want to achieve the target within these three months, there is no other way". Akinci reiterated the allegation that the Greek Cypriots have phobia for timetables and arbitrations because of what happened during the Annan Plan and claimed: "These phobias of them, however, will be turned into delaying tactics and the process will collapse if it remains in 2017 without absolutely anything to happen. [?] Let the details remain for 2017, this is not a problem. We are anyway obliged to devote a period of time within 2017. This is necessary for the citizens to see and understand what will come out". Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (27.09.16) publishes exclusive statements by Akinci under the title "Camping for the territory" and reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader said that the sides will implement the existing timetable, even though this has not been announced. "Even though the fact that this interim timetable or interim working plan has not come out is a deficiency, I think that a natural timetable is functioning", he claimed and alleged that "it is evident that this timetable has been created in the mind of the Greek Cypriot side as well". Akinci said: "What I expect is that after the discussion of the four chapters in Cyprus we will contact the UNSG and ask for a detailed discussion of the territory in a camping style. And right after that a five-party conference to take place. This is what the UNSG expects from us". Akinci argued that if no work is done within this framework in the three forthcoming months, we will "face the risks of 2017" and "a deadlock will come onto the agenda". "The deadlock is of no one's benefit", he said and expressed the wish for everyone to understand this. Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (27.09.16) publishes exclusive statements by Akinci under the title "We should have been able to put a timetable". In this interview, Akinci reiterated the target of the "three stages": first intensified negotiations in Cyprus, then tripartite meeting with the UNSG outside Cyprus and in the end a five-party conference. Referring to the tripartite meeting of last Sunday Akinci alleged that it would have been better if the sides were able to put an interim timetable and the "milestones" of the next three months. Akinci argued that if the Greek Cypriots have in their mind to continue the negotiations in 2017, the issue "will be spoiled". Explaining the "risks of 2017", he claimed that "this process will collapse by its own then". Finally, in exclusive statements to illegal Bayrak (27.09.16,
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=akinci-speaks-to-brt-in-new-york)
in New York, Akinci reiterated that it will never be possible to
achieve a federal settlement in Cyprus, if the efforts to reach a
solution by the end of this year fail. Akinci said that the next three
months are "of vital importance" adding that this period "should not
be wasted". He alleged: "The Greek Cypriot side has an in-explainable
fear of timetables. They do not want to discuss it. This phobia dates
back to the Annan Plan and is baseless. We made it clear that we were
ready to enter a timetable. So once again the Turkish Cypriot side's
determination and commitment towards a solution was demonstrated in
front of the eyes of the UN community".
Referring to the 200 areas in which divergences exist according to the
Greek Cypriot side, Akinci claimed that this was not the case as most
of the issues on which disagreement still exists were technical issues.
Akinci stated that once all four chapters are completed, the Turkish
Cypriot side is ready to discuss the details of the territory chapter,
whether it be percentages or maps, at a meeting to be held abroad. He
alleged: "We made it clear in the beginning that we would not enter
into detailed talks on territory. Assume that we start discussing maps,
names of places or percentages in Cyprus and details of our discussions,
along with speculations would be leaked to the press. That would be the
end of the negotiations process".
He then reiterated the view that it would be best to take up this
issue abroad in a camp-style meeting far from the reaches of anyone
with the intention of disrupting the talks. "Once we discuss the
chapter of territory we can sit down with the guarantor powers in a
five-party conference and settle the issue of security and guarantees",
he reiterated.
Akinci also warned that failure to reach a settlement before the end
of the year will be a recipe for disaster. He alleged: "If the Greek
Cypriot side chooses to delay the process and tells us that it is ready
to continue talks in 2017 then let me tell you now? this will be the
recipe for non-solution. This will lead us to a non-solution. What do we
have in 2017? We will have a new Secretary General; we will have a new
administration in the US. If the Greek Cypriots start new hydrocarbon
explorations then we will have tension again. Then in 2018 there is the
elections in South Cyprus?So in other words the solution to the Cyprus
problem will be left to another spring?a federal settlement will most
likely be shelved".
(I/Ts.)
In a written statement, the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) and
so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, accused the Greek Cypriot side
and the President of the Republic of Cyprus of delaying tactics and of
showing a negative stance on the issue of setting a timetable, arbitration
and a five-party meeting. "The Turkish Cypriot people are not sentenced
to a solution prostrated by the Greek Cypriots", Ozgurgun alleged,
accusing also the Greek Cypriot side of "not showing willingness in the
talks which are continuing for the last 48 years. In the light of these
realities, they should stop pump the hopes of our people for solution".
Also, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas, stated,
inter alia, that if the late Rauf Denktas was alive, he would proposed the
support of the "TRNC" and to sign a solution as an "independent state".
Referring to the summit in New York, Denktas said that they are not
satisfied from the result of the summit. Supporting that what is discussed
currently at the negotiating table is the transformation of the "TRNC"
into a "Turkish founding state" under the "Cyprus Federal State" to be,
Denktas alleged that in fact this would mean that they would become a
province. "It is impossible to accept this", Denktas said.
Referring to the system of guarantees, Denktas pointed out to the danger
of its dilution, if a formula is found in a possible solution and argued
that this is a threat for the Turkish Cypriot "people".
Alleging also that the Turkish Cypriot side is not ready for the
solution in terms of the economy, he described the claims of some circles
supporting the opposite as a mistake.
Denktas reacted also strongly to the allegations that during that
discussions on the property issue at the negotiation process, the "title
deeds of the TRNC" will be considered "invalid". "Our negotiator discusses
the issue of considering our titles deeds invalid. Our title deeds are
guaranteed by the state and are valid. Nobody should have doubts on this
matter", claimed Denktas.
Moreover, evaluating the New York summit, the leader of the Social
Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit stressed the need for the sides
to work harder. "As it was made clear from the statements made in New
York, the goal for a solution within 2016 remains the same. This is
very important for us. With the continuation of the intensified talks,
we should proceed to a five-party meeting and a similar favorable point",
Ozyigit said, calling also the sides and the supporters of the solution
to work harder.
Furthermore, the leader of the "People's Party" (HP) and former Turkish
Cypriot negotiator, Kudret Ozersay argued that the New York summit did
not met the expectations of the supporters of the solution. He added
that while they were expecting for the situation to become clear after
the summit, the uncertainty has been increased more. He further claimed
that his party is a party which supports the comprehensive efforts for
a solution on the Cyprus problem. "We wish for the negotiation talks to
yield a positive outcome and not be diverted", Ozersay added.
Also, in exclusive statements to Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper
(27.09.16) Ozersay accused the Greek Cypriot side for the stance it
showed in New York and proposed for the Turkish Cypriot side to issue
a license towards the issue of the natural gas exploration activities,
in order to force the Greek Cypriot side to focus on the solution of
the Cyprus problem.
Recalling that the Cyprus negotiation talks continue for the last 48
years, Ozersay accused the Greek Cypriot side for keeping the Turkish
Cypriot side at the table and at the same time undertakes unilateral
activities.
Stating also that President Anastasiades is happy and satisfied from
the outcome of the New York summit, Ozersay said: "The Greek Cypriot
leader is happy since no timetables came out. And this is because the
continuation of the negotiation does not cause any distress to them".
Ozersay called also the Turkish Cypriot side to exert pressure to the
international actors in order for a five-party meeting to take place in
the next two months.
Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (27.09.16) reports that the
leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat, commenting
on the result of the tripartite summit in New York, in statements to Kanal
T, argued that the Turkish Cypriot side has proven to the international
community once again, as it did in 2004, its determination for a solution
on the Cyprus problem.
Evaluating the trilateral meeting held in New York as well as the
negotiations process, Talat pointed out that prior to 2004, the Turkish
Cypriots were viewed as the main reason for the non-solution in the
island. Talat argued that this perception had changed as a result of
the referendum held in 2004.
Describing as meaningless the fact that President Nicos Anastasiades
refuses to accept a timetable in the process, Talat called the President
to show leadership and to stand behind his words. He further called on
the UN to exert pressure on the Greek Cypriot side in order to accept a
five-party meeting to take place with the participation of the guarantor
countries as well.
Supporting that the Greek Cypriots are more supporting a solution today
than they were back in 2004, Talat added that the economic crisis
experienced in "south Cyprus" played a major role for the change of
their attitude towards the solution.
Pointing out that a significant economic stability will be achieved in a
possible solution, Talat recalled that the Turkish Cypriot leadership
demanded for the UN's involvement in the process to be increased,
something which was accepted by the UN's Secretary General.
Talat furter reiterated the need for reaching to a solution within
2016 and warned that otherwise, the process could be pushed as far as
after 2018.
(AK)
Commenting on the reportedly excess demands of the Greek Cypriot side,
Hasipoglu claimed: "Turkey will never give back Morphou. Turkey will
never renounce its guarantorship. (?) If and only if Turkey becomes an
EU member, then Turkey's guarantees may be removed.
(DPs)
"Because delivering the aid through non-governmental organizations delays
the process," Celik said, while speaking at a joint press conference
with Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos
Stylianides.
The European Union will deliver its largest ever humanitarian aid
program for refugees in Turkey, Stylianides told Hurriyet Daily News,
adding however they could only provide humanitarian assistance through
international humanitarian organizations.
"This is a principle in [the] humanitarian field. This is our
obligation. It happens in this way in Africa and in Asia, now even in
Greece, which is a member state of [the] European Union," he said.
Of the total 3 billion euro in EU funds, 1 billion was earmarked for
humanitarian assistance through humanitarian organizations, while the
remaining 2 billion euro will be delivered through state channels and
pipelines, he said.
International agencies, U.N. agencies and NGOs were contracted for these
funds and the vast majority of the total goes through the World Food
Programme (WFP), UNICEF and the UNCHR, Stylianides stated.
They cannot directly flow the money to Turkish government institutions
because of specific requirements, the Commissioner said.
"We have discussed with the Minister [Celik] that this project is real
evidence that we utilize Turkish organizations. Without the contribution
of Kizilay [the Turkish Red Crescent], definitely we'll not be in this
very productive moment in order to launch this largest ever humanitarian
project founded by the EU. I explained [this to] him and I think he was
satisfied," Stylianides said.
Stylianides also expressed his optimism to overcome political hurdles
in the migrant deal between Turkey and the EU.
"Our implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement is quite important
for both sides. We know very well that we have to deal with this very
unprecedented crisis together. We need this collective action. We need
Turkey and they need us. Our partnership is strengthening in order to
cope with this unprecedented crisis. I am optimistic that together with
Turkey we can deliver this very difficult job?. The Emergency Social
Safety Net [ESSN] is real evidence [of] what we can do together," he said.
Stylianides was in Ankara to launch the EU's flagship humanitarian aid
program, which is set to provide a monthly electronic cash grant to
benefit 1 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. The ESSN aid project has
an initial budget of 348 million euro and will be implemented by the
WFP and the Turkish Red Crescent, in close collaboration with Turkey's
Family and Social Policy Ministry and Disaster and Emergency Management
Authority (AFAD).
"This amount comes with specific research with the Social Affairs Ministry
and with our partner on the ground, the WFP, and others. At the same time
we have a lot of projects for education and other activities which are
more or less definitely in process. This project can further be utilized,"
the Commissioner stated.
"The Turkish authorities and our partners, they believe that this is
more or less something which can cover the basic needs of each refugee
family. We are ready to evaluate the whole project after the first nine
months in order to see if we can make some improvements," he added.
Johnson met Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Omer Celik in the
capital Ankara on Monday.
Speaking to journalists prior to their meeting, Johnson said he
appreciated the generosity of the government and the Turkish people
towards the refugees.
Earlier Monday, he visited a container city, which houses Syrian refugees
in Turkey's southeastern Gaziantep province.
The British Foreign Secretary also praised the Turkish nation's stand
for democracy against the defeated July 15 coup, which left 240 people
martyred and nearly 2,200 injured. He said the people of Turkey had not
allowed their democracy to be destroyed by the coup attempters.
Johnson also said that his country would continue supporting Turkey's
EU bid, adding that Britain was leaving the EU, not Europe.
EU Minister Celik also underlined that the U.K.'s move to leave the EU
was not synonymous with a departure from Europe. "The U.K. has been
a European power and will continue on this path. Turkey, even if it
is not an EU member, is a European power historically and a European
democracy. Following the July 15 coup attempt, Turkey proved with its
nation that it has a first-class democracy."
Today Johnson is expected to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan.
"Even if each country took the necessary precautions about its own nuclear
power plant, we cannot ignore the threats at the borders. Therefore,
we have to act together towards potential threats. In that regard, the
Metsamor nuclear power plant should be shut down," Berat Albayrak said
at the 60th general conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA) in the Austrian capital Vienna.
The Turkish Minister explained nuclear threats, namely terrorism, went
beyond countries' borders.
Armenia's Metsamor plant, built in 1970 and located 16 kilometers (10
miles) from the Turkish border, came under criticism by Turkish officials
as Armenia decided to extend Metsamor's lifespan until 2026.
He also said that Turkey currently had plans to build three nuclear
power plants.
Each of the plants boast four reactors, he said adding that the
feasibility studies for the third nuclear power plant were still ongoing.
Turkey's first nuclear power plant, Akkuyu, is being constructed by
Russia while the second one, the Sinop nuclear power plant, will be
built by a consortium composed of France, Japan and Turkey.
Albayrak said that the plants would follow the IAEA's security standards.
During his visit, Blinken will be accompanied by U.S. Special Presidential
Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL, Brett McGurk, and the
U.S. deputy assistant secretary at the Bureau of European and Eurasian
Affairs, Jonathan Cohen.
Blinken is expected to end his visit on Sept. 28.
"Everyone agrees that if the coup attempt on July 15 had succeeded,
Turkey's economy would have gone into a tailspin. The steps taken by
the government under its "emergency rule," however, also appear to be
achieving the same result.
Here are some headlines taken from yesterday after Moody's cut Turkey's
sovereign credit rating to "junk":
"Moody's Cut Spurs Worst Rout for Turkey Assets since Failed
Coup." Bloomberg.
"Turkey Eurobonds tumble after Moody's cut to 'junk.' Reuters.
"Turkish Lira weakens to 2.99 against dollar after Turkey cut to
junk." Business Recorder.
The government continues, nevertheless, to be in denial. It only sees yet
another international conspiracy aimed at undermining Turkey. Despite
such headlines, which should make it concerned, it is not willing to
give the slightest thought to the possibility that domestic factors may
be behind the Moody's rating downgrade.
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim believes that the Moody's decision, which
follows a similar decision by Standard and Poor's after the failed coup
attempt, is not based solely on economic factors. What he is implying
is that this is a politically motivated decision.
It is, however, stating the obvious to say there are political factors
behind Moody's decision. Political uncertainty in Turkey is on the rise,
and it is not just rating agencies and investors who are worried, but
anyone who has any stake in the country.
We can also turn Yildirim's explanation around and apply it to President
Recep Tayyip Erdogan's approach to economics. It is clear to many
analysts that Erdogan's approach is not based on economic realities,
but on political considerations.
Erdogan is demanding that the Central Bank reduce interest rates in order
to boost investments. He even questioned former Central Bank Governor
Erdem Basci's loyalty to Turkey for not doing so. The current governor
Murat Cetinkaya is trying, but even he can only do so much to please
Erdogan in the face of economic realities.
Erdogan wants people to be able to borrow more at lower rates and spend
more in order to stimulate production and spur growth through spending. He
wants this because the illusion that people are able to get what they
want will bolster the impression that all is well with the economy,
which he relies on for political support.
However, he conveniently overlooks the fact that millions of people are
already defaulting on their credit card debts or being crushed under
loans they took out to buy their cars or houses, believing that the
economy is under control.
Erdogan still has one advantage if we are to believe Jonathan Friedman,
a London-based analyst at Stroz Friedberg. Friedman told the Financial
Times that foreign investors are worried about risks in emerging markets
but have few options.
"The other big emerging markets ? Russia, Brazil, Iran ? pose even
greater challenges due to a mix of sanctions, recessions and political
paralysis. So investors realize that Turkey is going through a tough
time. But they look at the size of its consumer market, and it remains
attractive," Friedman said.
But Turkey's problem is embedded in these words. If the current negative
political trends continue, the country risks losing its "best among the
worst" status. It is also true that Turkey's consumer market remains
attractive, as Friedman says, but how long will this last before an
increasing number of Turks fail to meet their financial obligations as
wage increases lag behind price hikes?
All eyes are now on the rating to be given by Fitch in early
2017. If that is also negative then Turkey's junk rating will be
consolidated. Considering its usual approach to solving political crises,
early 2017 is still eons away for the government - even if it is only
a few months down the line.
Put plainly, this means there is time for things to be made worse before
they can get better. Meanwhile, sensible Turks are defying Erdogan and are
saving rather than spending - because they don't know what comes next."
Cavusoglu, who embarked on his contacts, today met separately this morning
with the Turkish Minister of Finance Naci Agbal and the Turkish Minister
of Food, Agriculture and Livestock Faruk Celik.
Later on, Cavusoglu will meet with the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in
Charge of Cyprus Affairs Tugrul Turkes.
He will be meeting with the Turkish Minister for Water Works Veysel
Eroglu late this afternoon.
Cavusoglu and his accompanying delegation are expected to return to the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus tomorrow morning.
In a statement in Istanbul following a meeting with Murat Ersoy, owner
of Atlas Global, Ataoglu said that scheduled flights with Atlas Jet
will fly to different destinations starting on winter period. He added
that they try to find a way, which will be for the advantage of all the
stakeholders, at the connecting flights that will come to the occupied
area of the Republic of Cyprus through Turkey.
Ersoy, for his part, argued that they made the biggest investment in
Cyprus (translator's note: he refers at the occupied area of Cyprus)
at this moment, adding that this investment will pave the way for the
change of the "country's image".
Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (online, 27.09.16) reported
that Ataoglu, who was guest on "BRT's morning show" today revealed the
"ministry's" latest plans to boost tourism in the "TRNC" (editor's note:
the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).
Pointing out that the latest political developments in Turkey and the
Middle East have had an adverse effect on "TRNC" tourism; Ataoglu said
that efforts were underway to bring life to the tourism sector. Noting
that launching direct flights to five different destinations in Turkey was
part of this initiative, Ataoglu added: "We have launched advertising and
promotional campaigns in both Turkey and other countries. Just recently
we started flights to Diyarbak?r and Ordu. We have also started promoting
the TRNC in Ordu".
Ataoglu also claimed that talks are underway to launch flights to Iran and
Azerbaijan and expressed the view that increasing flights destinations
will have a positive impact on the "country's tourism sector", and that
a decision had been taken with the Turkish Airlines to operate flights
to Denmark, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
(DPs)
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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(CS/AM)
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