Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-01-13

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] Cavusoglu reiterated that Turkey's guarantees should continue

[02] Burcu's statements after the completion of the Geneva International Conference

[03] Akinci: We don't have the luxury to waste more time

[04] Turkes accused Greece of not wanting a solution of the Cyprus problem

[05] Yildirim: The debate on the constitutional proposal is more important

[06] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish newspapers covered the Conference on Cyprus in Geneva

[07] Talat on the Geneva summit

[08] Ozersay accused the Turkish Cypriot side of wasting all its trump cards in the Geneva summit

[09] Toros: "The negotiation process is in an irreversible point"

[10] Commentary in Turkish Cypriot daily about the Geneva summit

[11] Erdogan: "That referendum will take place"

[12] Erdogan: "No difference between armed terrorist and terrorist with forex"

[13] Turkey's MFA warned Greece against settlements on disputed islets in Aegean

[14] Turkey introduced 4 new ways for investors to get the Turkish citizenship

[15] Rauf Denktas commemorated

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu reiterated that Turkey's guarantees should continue

The technical teams will come together on the 18th of January and continue on their workings to bridge differences.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu made a statement regarding the developments at Geneva. He said that Thursday's Cyprus reunification talks would continue with technical discussions with a working group at the deputy level until the 18th of January followed by the Ministers and then a prime ministerial level meeting.

"There is no consensus among sides on when to hold the next Cyprus conference at the ministerial level", Cavusoglu told reporters after an international conference on Cyprus in Geneva.

"We do not want to have an open-ended process," he added.

"We clearly pointed out our position on the issues of security and guarantees. Our position fits with the position of the Turkish Cypriots", Cavusoglu said.

"We believe that a solution on the Cyprus issue will create new cooperation and trust in the Eastern Mediterranean. It will be a win-win situation for everyone. There is a fact that Turkey's guarantor power is highly important for the Turkish Cypriots. The presence of the Turkish army on the island will continue and it is the will of the Turkish Cypriots," he argued.

Explaining that differences remain on some issues like rotating presidency, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that the conference had not finished but that the ministerial conference has been completed.

He argued that if everyone is sincere towards a solution then an outcome can be reached and reminded that if maneuvers are made to only satisfy short term needs then an outcome won't be reached and added: "Whether or not we are hopeful that an outcome will emerge after the technical committee workings are completed".

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 12.01.16) reported that according to a speech released from Cavusoglu's office, Cavusoglu alleged during the closed-door conference that "taking into consideration the current situation in our region, the continuation of the security and guarantees system, which has been the solid basis of the 43-year-long security and stability on the Island, is a necessity", and added: "We expect this issue to be discussed in line with the realities on the Island."

Cavusoglu also claimed that the "political equality, legitimate rights and security of the Turkish Cypriots" remained a key foreign policy objective for Ankara.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (13.01.17) reports that Cavusoglu said that he wants the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem to turn into an EU primary law and added: "One other priority is that the Turkish citizens in the island should be benefited from the four freedoms in the same way as the EU citizens until Turkey's accession into the EU".

(DPs)

[02] Burcu's statements after the completion of the Geneva International Conference

Stating that the conference will continue at technical committee's level on the 18th of January, Burcu added that it will continue at the political level once the groundwork is completed. "We the Turkish Cypriot side, Turkey and Britain were in favor of continuing the negotiations instantly, however, Greece by saying that it needs time for technical preparation proposed the date of 23rd of January. The Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades also agreed with this. Since the proposed date was too far we agreed on the 18th of January with the support of Britain", Burcu explained.

He also added that Ozdil Nami will be heading the Turkish Cypriot technical committee.

Touching upon the maps presented by the two sides, Burcu alleged the map presented by the "Greek Cypriot administration" was not suitable and acceptable for the benefits and existence of the Turkish Cypriot side. "Our President observed that an opinion was formed that the map is not suitable. He will convey this opinion to the UN Chief with a letter", he added.

Stating that the negotiations on the other five chapters will continue as soon as possible and at all levels, Burcu said: "Everything goes as planned. The only problem is that it does not go as fast as we want."

[03] Akinci: We don't have the luxury to waste more time

The UN sponsored negotiations to find a solution to the 54 year old Cyprus problem has entered its 49th year. We no longer have the luxury to spend more time on solving the Cyprus question. As I always state, Nicos Anastasiades and myself belong to the same generation and are well aware of the fact that this is the last trial of our generation. Therefore, I strongly believe that failure is not an option for us. Failure will bring the permanent division of our island, a result which is not desired by any side.

A bi-communal, bi-zonal federal settlement based on two politically equal constituent (founding) states in Cyprus, will not only benefit the two communities of the island but shall lead to positive results affecting a much broader region in the area.

Above all, a new state of affairs will be established whereby the two communities will live in equality, freedom and security. The Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, who shared the agonies of the past, shall then be able to prosper together and share the benefits and potential opportunities of the Island.

Not only the North, but Cyprus as a whole, shall take its place as a friendly geography in the vicinity of Turkey. As a result, the Greek Cypriots will also start enjoying the advantages of developing friendly relations with an important country like Turkey.

The relations between Turkey and Greece will be positively affected and furthermore, the way for more positive developments in the relations of Turkey and the European Union shall be reopened.

Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots will have the opportunity to jointly enjoy the benefits of the natural gas resources situated in the Eastern Mediterranean. The solution of the Cyprus problem will provide for the joint transportation of Israel and Cyprus natural gas to Europe through Turkey which definitely is the shortest and most economic route. The water from Turkey that has already been brought to North Cyprus through a pipeline can be distributed throughout the island for the benefit of all inhabitants. All these will not only help economic development but contribute to furthering feeling of security.

(…)

I hope and trust that during the Conference commencing today, Turkey and the other guarantor countries, Greece and the United Kingdom, shall extend the necessary support to Turkish and Greek Cypriots to step towards a new era in the Island. Naturally, the insecurities which have been brought about by the bitter experiences of the past shall not disappear within a day. In time and parallel to the deepening of the new federal structure, the increase in opportunities for regional cooperation and the development of mutual interdependency, mutual trust shall inevitably take root. However, this requires a period of time.

Until we reach that day, we need to be cautious and realistic. We need to understand the concerns of both communities on the island and anticipate the necessary measures and safeguards to provide for their elimination. (…)"

[04] Turkes accused Greece of not wanting a solution of the Cyprus problem

"As a result of this, the conference' level was downgraded. We as guarantor countries could not decide about this matter before discussing it first. Putting this as a precondition before discussing it, is not a right approach for the solution", Turkes also alleged.

Turkes further claimed that Greece does not want a solution and for this reason it provides several excuses. He also argued that Turkey has taken decisive and sincere steps towards the direction of the solution.

(AK)

[05] Yildirim: The debate on the constitutional proposal is more important

According to Turkish channel NTV, Yildirim said that he will not go to the Geneva for the Cyprus talk, because the debate on the Constitutional proposal at Turkey's Parliament is more important.

(DPs)

[06] How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish newspapers covered the Conference on Cyprus in Geneva

YENI DUZEN: "We are not pessimistic, we are determined". The paper refers to the statements by the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Under the subtitle "The continuation on January 18…", the paper reports that Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said: "Greece asked a suspension of talks for ten days. We and Britain were against this."

KIBRIS: "Step by step towards the solution". The paper reports that the Conference on Cyprus suspended until January 18 due to Greece's request.

AFRIKA: "The four freedoms to be granted to all Turkish citizens in the island". The paper reports that Cavusoglu said that one of their priorities is that all the Turkish citizens, who are in the island, to be benefitted from the four freedoms in the same way as the EU citizens until Turkey's accession into the EU.

HAVADIS: "We know what the Turkish Cypriots want". The paper reports that Cavusoglu said that they want a solution the soonest possible. Burcu stated that the map submitted by the Greek Cypriot side, was not accepted, adding that Akinci sent an objection letter to the UN, the paper reports.

KIBRIS POSTASI: "Greece was not ready; the Greek Cypriot map was not a map". The paper argues that the momentum, which was created with the submission of the maps, was lost again as it happened in Mont Pelerin due to the unprepared Greek side.

HALKIN SESI: "The Guarantees are locked". The paper reports that there was impasse on the guarantees issue at the historic Geneva summit and adds that while the Turkish side insisted on the continuation of Turkey's guarantees, the Greek and the Greek Cypriot side insisted on the abolition of the guarantees and the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army.

HABERAL KIBRISLI: "Morphou was not included in the map". The paper reports that President Anastasiades was not satisfied that the Turkish Cypriot map did not include Morphou and its coastline accordingly to the Greek Cypriot media. On its front page, the paper also reports that Ozersay accused the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team of wasting all its trump cards by submitting a map.

VATAN: "Suspension again". The paper reports that Greece asked for more time, because she was not prepared.

DETAY: "Painful solution". The paper refers to the UN Secretary General's statements.

KIBRIS STAR: "Oscar award to the negotiation process". The paper reports that Guterres stated that they did not expect a miracle and that they did not want a quick solution.

GUNES: "An attempt against the parameters". The paper publishes a written statement by Ozgurgun and Denktas, who argued that the maps were submitted despite the fact that they will create negativities in the socioeconomic structure of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus.

YENI BAKIS: "The people do not believe in the solution". The paper publishes a street reportage, where the responses were that they don't believe that the Geneva summit will solve the Cyprus problem.

DIYALOG: "Cavusoglu had the last saying: we will not withdraw". "Joint stance by Turkey and the TRNC: Continuation of Turkey's guarantees and the existence of the Turkish army. Greece and the Greek Cypriot side asked for interval".

VOLKAN: "Cavusoglu: The guarantees system should be continued"

The newspaper DEMOKRAT BAKIS has a special report on the late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas on the occasion of the 5th anniversary of his death.

HURRIYET: "A bargaining for Cyprus"

SABAH: "The guarantor countries of Cyprus on the same negotiating table after 57 years"

MILLIYET: "Cavusoglu: The guarantees should be continued".

(DPs)

[07] Talat on the Geneva summit

Talat expressed also the view that if a political framework comes up from the summit, this would constitute a success.

Talat went on and expressed strong criticism over the over-crowded Turkish Cypriot delegation which accompanied Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci to Geneva and argued that a 60-persons delegation going to Geneva is a luxury. "The cost for the luxury will be very high for our economy", Talat said, pointing out that Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries worldwide.

(AK)

[08] Ozersay accused the Turkish Cypriot side of wasting all its trump cards in the Geneva summit

Ozersay reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side was the losing side at the Geneva summit, because the Turkish Cypriot side promised to submit a map before even going to Geneva in the ratio of 29.2% without any exchange. President Anastasiades took the map without giving back anything from those things who hoped, Ozersay added. He argued that everyone said that maps and numbers will be discussed at the last stage and in Geneva everybody stated that Geneva was not the last stage.

Ozersay wonders what are the essential issues, which are still open: the rotating presidency, the comprehensive solution to become an EU primary law, the property issue or the restrictions on the settlement?

Ozersay concluded by claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side has wasted all its trump cards in Geneva, while the negotiations are still continuing, so he cannot say that he is hopeful.

(DPs)

[09] Toros: "The negotiation process is in an irreversible point"

Explaining that they are in Geneva with the aim to contribute and support the process, Toros added that they follow the developments very closely and make preparations for the possible solution.

Underlining that it is very natural the tension and stress experienced by the sides during the peace process, Toros added: "We are not still at the end, there will be absolutely another crises. The important thing is to be able to overpass the difficulties with decisiveness. The two sides should show a decisive and sincere stance".

Toros also expressed the view that if both leaders show the necessary political willingness, then the solution is very close to come.

(AK)

[10] Commentary in Turkish Cypriot daily about the Geneva summit

The paper continues and writes that it is believed that the map submitted was Akinci's initiative and the reason for this, adds, the paper is the following: "Huseyin Ozgurgun and Serdar Denktas who were present in Geneva, warned Akinci before submitting the map. They gave him a written note. This note included their demands. We consider that this note was conveyed by Ankara.

[…]

Of course, right after the submission of the map, no sound was heard from Turkey. None of the officials spoke.

As soon as Cavusoglu went yesterday to Geneva, he met with Tahsin Ertugruloglu and Serdar Denktas. There is no doubt that the aim of this meeting was to complaint about Akinci.

Besides that, Cavusoglu in his opening speech, underlined that they will not withdraw from the guarantorship system and set also another precondition that definitely will not become accepted by the Greek Cypriot side. That the Turkish citizens shall benefit from the four freedoms in the island until Turkey will become a member of the EU, after the establishment of the new federal state.

If this is the situation, nothing has been left to be discussed with Turkey.

Under these conditions, we are concerned how a formula on the solution will be found…", writes the paper.

(AK)

[11] Erdogan: "That referendum will take place"

"Blocking or prolonging the work of Parliament does nothing. You can do whatever you want, but this Charter will be passed from Parliament and will be presented to the public," Erdogan said in an address to local neighborhood heads (muhtars) at the Presidential Palace on January 12.

Erdogan's comments came after Parliament witnessed more fierce arguments between ruling and opposition lawmakers during the voting process on items of the 18-article constitutional amendment. CHP lawmakers occupied the podium during the debate, after which a brawl erupted between CHP Deputies and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputies.

"That podium is not there to be brought down. It is there for representatives who have words to say," Erdogan stated.

"If you have respect for the people, believing in the people's will and believing in Gazi Mustafa Kemal's principle that sovereignty rests unconditionally with the nation, then let the discussions be finalized and let it be presented to the people. We will comply with whatever the public decides," he added, referring to Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Turkish Republic.

Erdogan also slammed the criticism that the constitutional changes aim to bring about a "one-man regime."

"They say it will be a 'one-man regime'. What 'one-man regime'? You yourselves are the source of the one-man regime. This country saw CHP provincial heads serving as governors," he said, referring to the early years of the Turkish Republic, when the founding party CHP ruled as a sole party before the shift to a multi-party system in 1946.

"All the discussions are focused on me, but they have nothing to do with me personally. A constitutional amendment will be carried out in Turkey. That is all," Erdogan added.

[12] Erdogan: "No difference between armed terrorist and terrorist with forex"

"Everyone already sees and knows the attacks that Turkey has been subjected to also have an economic aspect. There is no difference between a terrorist who has a weapon or bomb in his hand and a terrorist who has dollars, euro and interest in terms of aim. The aim is to bring Turkey to its knees, to take over Turkey and to distance Turkey from its goals. They are using the foreign exchange rate as a weapon," Erdogan said at his 34th meeting with village chiefs at the Presidential Palace in Ankara.

According to Erdogan, those who use economic tools in synchronization with terror attacks to damage the country are actually ruining their property base, as such incidents will ultimately produce new rules and new institutions. Turkey is preparing to evaluate those opportunities in the best possible way at a time when the world economy is experiencing a structural transformation, he added.

He also said that the country should seek ways to overcome problems by looking for new markets for exports, developing new destinations and marketing methods for tourism and using domestic resources and technology to deal with contraction.

(…)

Erdogan also reiterated his call on the business world to invest, produce and increase employment by taking risks today as there might otherwise be nothing left to risk tomorrow.

[13] Turkey's MFA warned Greece against settlements on disputed islets in Aegean

"The Greek Deputy Minister of Shipping and Island Policy stated that his government plans to build settlements on 28 small islets in the Aegean. Nevertheless, he failed to tell the names of the islets. We have declared several times that we will not accept possible de facto circumstances that were created by Greek policy on disputed geographical formations," the Ministry said in the statement.

The tension between Turkish and Greek coast guard units has recently escalated on January 2 over the islets of Imia, in the Aegean Sea after 10 Greek fishing boats allegedly violated Turkish territorial waters.

Turkish coast guard boats contained Greek fishing boats and prevented them from dropping anchor in the Kardak islets, located 3.5 miles off Turkey's Aegean coast, forcing them to return to their own territorial waters.

Both Turkish and Greek coast guard units are reportedly maintaining their positions as the tense wait continues.

[14] Turkey introduced 4 new ways for investors to get the Turkish citizenship

"The Regulation on the Amendment of the Regulation on the Implementation of the Turkish Citizenship Law" has been adopted through its publication on the Official Gazette on Thursday after an amendment to Article 20 of the regulation, which concerns the "Acquisition of Turkish citizenship exclusively, documents required for application and transactions to be carried out".

According to the amendment, foreigners who were confirmed to have made a fixed capital investment of at least $2 million by the Economy Ministry, or those who were found by the Environment and Urbanization Ministry to have purchased at least $1 million worth of immovable properties without selling them within three years of the purchase will be eligible to acquire Turkish citizenship, subject to a Council Of Ministers authorization.

In addition, foreigners who would create at least 100 jobs according to a Labor and Social Security Ministry verification and those found to have kept at least $3 million dollars in their deposit accounts for three years in Turkish banks, verified by the Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency (BDDK), or those determined to have purchased government borrowing instruments amounting to at least $3 billion while keeping them for three years, verified by the Undersecretariat of Treasury, would also be granted Turkish citizenship.

The effective selling rate issued by the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBTR) will be used as a benchmark to determine the actual values of operations.

[15] Rauf Denktas commemorated

Ceremonies were held across the "TRNC" in memory of Denktas.

Today, throughout all mosques in the "TRNC" afternoon prayers were read for him.

His family will be hosting a ceremony for the late "president" at the Muftu Ziya-i Efendi Mosque known as the Kumsal Mosque in the occupied part of Lefkosia tonight. 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