Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-09-25

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/>

CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ak?nc? evaluated "contacts" in New York

[02] "MFA" on the "new implementation" for the enclaved persons and Maronites

[03] The Turkish Cypriot press sees tension in the relations between the two communities

[04] The decision to stop the aid to the enclaved persons is reportedly "unnecessary and inhumane" and shows that the regime does not want the Maronites to return

[05] Ertugruloglu called OIC and its member countries to materialize their decisions and declarations regarding Cyprus

[06] Ertugruloglu met Lacroix

[07] Nami met with Cohen in New York

[08] Tur-Bir participated in the USOS international social science congress

[09] Exports reduced, imports increased in the breakaway regime

[10] The Turkish Parliament approved the extension of mandate for troop deployment in Iraq and Syria

[11] Turkey's MFA warns over the KRG's referendum describing it as "null and void"

[12] Y?ld?r?m: "Arbil's stubbornness over referendum prepared ground for clashes"

[13] Turkish Airlines ordered 40 Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ak?nc? evaluated "contacts" in New York

Ak?nc? who evaluated his meeting with the UN Secretary General to BRT and TAK news agency, claimed that the UN chief will be evaluating the possibility of reviving the talks once the elections in "south Cyprus" take place next year.

"However an open ended process which is not solution oriented is not supported by the Turkish Cypriot side", he alleged.

Stating that he does not expect the negotiations to restart any time soon, Ak?nc? said that he had held a productive and useful meeting with UN Secretary General Guterres.

Pointing out that he discussed with Guterres the need to try different methods in any new process, Akinci alleged that it was obvious that a result could not be achieved with the current method.

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side was unable to accept the Turkish Cypriot side's political equality and was not prepared for such a solution, Ak?nc? called on the Greek Cypriots to come to terms with the idea that "a Turkish Cypriot could become the president of the new partnership state". "The Greek Cypriots need to discuss this issue during the elections", he added.

Ak?nc? also alleged that the Turkish Cypriots continued to live under "isolation and embargoes despite exerting all kind of efforts in favor of a settlement", arguing that the Turkish Cypriots did not want this situation to continue.

Alleging that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to implement confidence building measures and for the technical committees to continue working, Ak?nc? said that there were a number of areas where the two sides could work together such as mobile phone coverage and interconnecting the electricity grids of the two sides.

"Where there is a problem, efforts to solve that problem will continue" he stated, adding that the two sides will continue to contribute to the support should the Secretary General make such a call.

Also touching upon President Nicos Anastasiades' address to the UN General Assembly, Ak?nc? alleged that it is an "insincere move" the fact that he brought up the issue of the "closed city of Maras".

Describing Anastasiades' words as unfortunate, Ak?nc? repeated his allegation that the Greek Cypriot side is unprepared for a settlement.

"They do not see Turkish Cypriots as an actor, they look down on us. They have a tendency to see Turkey as their collocutor. This shows how far they are to a settlement", Akinci alleged.

Responding to a question as to whether he still believes in a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal settlement, Ak?nc? said that an important opportunity had been missed and that a settlement was becoming harder to reach with the passing of time. "A settlement today will not be easier than it was in 2004…Perhaps in 10 years it will impossible alltogether", he added.

In response to another question, Akinci said that the security of one side must not threaten the sense of security of the other side.

"As trust and cooperation grows, there will be less need for guarantees and troops", he argued.

Ak?nc? alleged that the talks in Crans Montana had essentially failed because of the Greek Cypriot side's insistence on 'zero troops-zero guarantees'.

Also evaluating his contacts in New York, Akinci described them as useful. "We are leaving happy. We met with the UN Secretary General Antonio Gueterres, the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, as well as representatives of different countries and attended a meeting of the Socialist International", Akinci further said.

[02] "MFA" on the "new implementation" for the enclaved persons and Maronites

"The Greek Cypriots and Maronites who have chosen to reside in the north of the Island following the Happy Peace Operation of 1974, have been living their lives within the borders of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) without any issue. Both the Greek Cypriots and Maronites carry out their religious services in the churches where their own religious figures are present. Moreover, Greek Cypriots are able to receive education at their own schools where teachers from the south come to work.

Just as the Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in our country possess the right of free movement within the TRNC, they are also able to cross without any hindrance to the South since the borders between the north and south have been opened to free crossings in 2003. Also, their relatives and close friends in the south are able to cross to the North to visit the Greek Cypriots and Maronites as often as and whenever they please.

As indicated above, the Greek Cypriots and Maronites living within the borders of the TRNC are in no way confined to or besieged in the areas where they reside. Furthermore, they are also able to benefit from all health, municipal, etc., services that are afforded to TRNC citizens.

Despite the aforementioned, the changed circumstances since 1974 and the current situation are being ignored, and the Greek Cypriot leadership is making this issue a constant subject of political exploitation. Within the framework of its well-known political rhetoric, the Greek Cypriot leadership is portraying the Greek Cypriots and Maronites to the international community as 'enclaved in the occupied territories' and is regularly sending, through the United Nations Peacekeeping Force, various daily consumption supplies to the said people. It has been long determined that the Greek Cypriot and Maronite recipients have in fact been selling these items that they clearly don't need to the Turkish Cypriots.

Be it to put an end to this issue becoming the subject of political exploitation, or to prevent the illicit sale of these consumption items on the market, our government has taken the decision to end the current implementation.

As of 1 October 2017, if the Greek Cypriot administration insists on continuing to send the said items to Greek Cypriots and Maronites living in our country, the items will be made subject to customs duty procedures in accordance with our relevant legislation and the passage of the items to our country will only be allowed once the necessary taxes and fees have been collected. For humanitarian reasons, medical aid supplies will be exempt from the scope of the new procedure.

For some time now, various meetings have taken place at all levels with the United Nations regarding this matter. The necessary technical information concerning the new implementation will be conveyed to the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the shortest possible time.

We would like to make publically clear that this procedural change, which has been deemed necessary, is in line with the Population Exchange Agreement signed between the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots in Vienna in 1975".

[03] The Turkish Cypriot press sees tension in the relations between the two communities

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (25.09.17) refers to the issue under the title "Things are becoming complicated in Cyprus" and argues that "tension between the two communities on the island is escalating".

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (25.09.17) refers to the issue under the title "Mutual prohibitions".

Under the title "The climate is tensed", Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (25.09.17) reports that self-styled minister of tourism, Fikri Ataoglu told the paper that the list of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs brought onto the agenda new measures in Turkey and the "TRNC", as the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the island is described. He noted that they discussed this Greek Cypriot stance with Ankara and that today a delegation from Turkey is coming to the occupied area of the island [to discuss the issue]. "We will bring Israelis and others to Tymbou through Turkey with charter flights without changing over and we will provide incentives", he said.

Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (25.09.17) argues that the target of the decision of the Foreign Ministry is to deal a blow to the "TRNC" tourism.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The decision to stop the aid to the enclaved persons is reportedly "unnecessary and inhumane" and shows that the regime does not want the Maronites to return

"The tension he created on the issue of the religious services and the criticism and condemnation against the Turkish Cypriot side for this reason has not satisfied foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu and now he is preparing for signing another meaningless and unnecessary action. […] He said that permission for the aid to pass through will not be given like in the past and that the Greek Cypriots will be forced to pay a tariff for this. He said that doing this is tantamount to defending the Turkish Cypriot demand for sovereignty and they will even take other measures for this.

There cannot be such a foolish, unnecessary and inhumane action. Preparing with such unilateral and hostile statements to prohibit this humane decision mutually agreed by the sides (which the UN officials recall that is the 3rd Vienna Agreement) is a strategic mistake, from every point of view. To respond with such schemes to some restrictions, and the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots through international decisions, puts us in a more difficult position, believe me, and it even turns us into miserable. […] If you say that we have anyway implemented this practice for the international community, you also know very well that regardless of whether the aid comes or not, the international community sees northern Cyprus as a subordinate administration of Turkey and it will continue seeing it this way for as long as there is no solution [to the Cyprus problem]. The best example of this is the fact that Turkey is tried and punished in the applications made to the ECHR. Whatever you do, you cannot change this reality. As long as there is no solution in this country, northern Cyprus will be considered as Turkey's subordinate administration. […]"

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (25.09.17) writes the following on this issue in its "Letter from Afrika" column under the title "This tension might escalate further":

"[…] We think that other serious reasons exist behind this [decision]. We think that it is the issue of the Maronites. They have invited the Maronites, as it is known, to return to their villages in the north. It seems that they regret it. The ban, which is imposed now, shows this. […] Such a ban is put to the Maronites even before they return! Will they come at all? […] The situation on the island is becoming complicated. These are only the beginning. Other measures might follow in the future. And to tell you the truth, this issue can go as far as the closure of the gates again. There are people who strongly desire this in both sides. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ertugruloglu called OIC and its member countries to materialize their decisions and declarations regarding Cyprus

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Ertugruloglu reiterated that the Cyprus talks have come to an end and it is inhumane to be kept hostages due to the [Cyprus problem]. He claimed that despite all the constructive efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey, they could not get any results from the Cyprus Conference, which was held at Crans-Montana, Switzerland, between June 28 and July 7, 2017 due to the intransigent and maximalist stance of the Greek Cypriot side as well as their insistence on the continuation of the open-ended negotiations. The further claimed that the Cyprus Conference revealed openly that the negotiations, which had been going on for 50 years on the basis of a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation within the framework of the parameters of UNSG's good offices mission, came to an end.

Ertugruloglu also argued that the two sides on the island should establish a strong neighbourly relation with the support of the international community, and that they should evaluate different alternative solutions, where they can live side by side in peace and stability.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (online, 23.09.17) broadcast that self-styled foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu within the framework of his visit to New York, met separately with the General Secretary of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Dr Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen and Oman Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah.

(DPs)

[06] Ertugruloglu met Lacroix

According to a statement released by the "TRNC foreign ministry", during the meeting which took place at the UN Headquarters, Ertugruloglu conveyed to Lacroix the Turkish Cypriot side's views on the Cyprus problem.

The UN's operations in Cyprus were also taken up during the meeting. Ertugruloglu also expressed the Turkish Cypriot side's expectations from the UN.

Meanwhile, Ertugruloglu who completed his "contacts" in New York will proceed to Washington today where he will be meeting with some US officials as well as representatives of media organizations and think tanks.

The "general director of the foreign ministry", Kemal Koprulu and the "2nd secretary of the foreign ministry" Cagri Kalfaoglu, are accompanying Ertugruloglu during his "contacts" in the US.

[07] Nami met with Cohen in New York

Nami held a meeting with the US State Department's Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Jonathan Cohen.

According to information released by the so-called presidential spokesman Baris Burcu, the meeting between Nami and Cohen took place at the UN headquarters, where they exchanged views on a variety of issues.

[08] Tur-Bir participated in the USOS international social science congress

Around 1000 academicians from 11 countries participated in the congress according to the paper.

The general secretary of Turk-Bir Mustafa Soforoglu, who lead the delegation, stated that they spoke in detail about the "TRNC" in the congress.

(CS)

[09] Exports reduced, imports increased in the breakaway regime

In addition, the paper writes that imports for the same period increased by by 10.95%, compared to the same period last year.

(CS)

[10] The Turkish Parliament approved the extension of mandate for troop deployment in Iraq and Syria

The motion was approved by a large majority in the assembly with Deputies from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) joining the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), while opposition People's Democratic Party (HDP) Deputies voted it down.

(…)The government motion had previously allowed the Turkish military to carry out cross-border operations from Oct. 2, 2016, until Oct. 31, 2017.

The motion stated that Turkey places great importance on the protection of Iraq's territorial integrity, national unity, and stability.

[11] Turkey's MFA warns over the KRG's referendum describing it as "null and void"

The ministry issued the statement as voting started in northern Iraq in a referendum organized by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), despite regional and international fears that it will fuel instability and violence across the Middle East.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry said it did not recognize the referendum and would view its outcome as null and void, adding that the KRG was threatening the peace and stability of Iraq and the whole region.

It warned of the possibility of "radical elements and terrorists" engaging in acts which target national security in the aftermath of the referendum.

"We stress again that we will take all measures arising from international law and the Turkish Parliaments' authority in the face of every kind of threat to our national security in Iraq generally," the Ministry said.

In a separate travel warning, the ministry said it strongly recommended that Turkish citizens in the Iraqi Kurdish provinces of Dohuk, Arbil and Suleymaniye should leave as soon as possible if they are not obliged to stay.

[12] Y?ld?r?m: "Arbil's stubbornness over referendum prepared ground for clashes"

Y?ld?r?m repeated Ankara's position that the Kurdistan Regional Government's (KRG) independence referendum is "illegitimate" and will be declared "null and void," speaking in an interview jointly broadcast on news stations.

He stated that some steps will be taken regarding air space and border gates, adding that they would manage the process through dialogue with Baghdad.

Y?ld?r?m stressed that their attitude was not against the Kurdish people in northern Iraq.

He further said that the Iraqi government would also join the military drill on the border with northern Iraq.

Yildirim added that they would "not go to war," but they were taking cross-border precautions on issues of importance to Turkey.

[13] Turkish Airlines ordered 40 Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing

The preliminary deal was signed by THY Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee M. Ilker Ayc? and Boeing Vice Chairman Roy Conner in New York. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also attended the signing ceremony.

The agreement is valued at $10.8 billion according to Boeing list prices.

The twin-engine Dreamliner is a long haul, midsize wide body airliner that can seat up to 335 passengers.

Turkish Airlines flies to 120 countries, more than any other airline. Turkey's flag carrier currently has 337 aircraft and flies to more than 302 destinations – over 250 international. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy

(AK /MK)

Copyright (C) 2017 Press and Information Office, All rights reserved.

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