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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-02-13Cyprus 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,13.02.19 Contents[A] Turkish Cypriot Press
[B] Turkish Press
[A] Turkish Cypriot Press[01] Ozersay comments on President Anastasiades' statements on political equalityAccording to illegal Bayrak television (13.02.19-http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=arguments-regarding-a-federation-model), so-called deputy prime minister and "foreign minister" Kudret Ozersay, evaluated the statements made by President Nicos Anastasiades regarding the political equality and claimed that it is a clear indication that the Greek Cypriot side has not even been able to absorb even the founding parameters of a federal partnership.Issuing a written statement, Ozersay thanked President Anastasiades for clearly stating his view instead of hiding it. Drawing attention to the fact that the Greek Cypriot leader had clearly stated that they as the Greek Cypriot side would not accept the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot "people", Ozersay alleged that what the Greek Cypriot leader voiced was also a view voiced by all Greek Cypriot leaders in the past as well. Alleging that the necessary condition for a federal partnership did not exist, Ozersay said that despite knowing this fact, there are those that are still insisting on a federal partnership but what they are really insisting on, is the status quo that will continue to support the continuation of the negotiations process. Ozersay said that he wasn't making this statement on behalf of the government but as an academician who has for the past 20 years been virtually took part in the Cyprus negotiations process and voicing his perception on the matter. "Mr. Anastasiades is clearly saying 'we are not accepting political equality the way you think, and we never will'. If a federal partnership is established on some issues event if you don't want it, even if the Turkish Cypriot people don't want It, we will make decisions on that issue. What the Greek Cypriot people want will happen, that's what he is saying. How can he possibly be clearer?" Ozersay wondered. He alleged further that what the Turkish Cypriot side understands and what has been recited on UN documents as political equality, is perceived as political inequality by the Greek Cypriot leader. "The difference here is like the difference between night and day", Ozersay alleged, supporting that what else do the "people" need to here to understand that a federal partnership is not possible in Cyprus. He further claimed that the time has come to face the realities on the island. [02] Akinci alleges that the Turkish Cypriots are those who want the solution in Cyprus more than anyoneTurkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?s (13.02.19) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side was the one that wanted a solution in Cyprus more than anyone else and that this was natural because the Turkish Cypriots were allegedly the biggest victims of the status quo. In statements yesterday after a meeting of the "council of ministers" which he briefed regarding the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, Akinci alleged also that Turkey supported and helped the process for finding a solution.Moreover, Akinci reiterated that they would not tolerate behaviors which did not accept the political equality and added that the whole world would see what he called the mistakes of the Greek Cypriot side. He argued that in case they [the Turkish Cypriots] turned towards other directions in front of the "wrong attitude of the Greek Cypriots", the Turkish side would be accused of going outside the UN parameters. "What I am trying to do is not the continuation of the status quo. I am one of those who exert the most serious effort for doing away with the status quo", he argued adding that this struggle will be conducted within the UN framework and "if there is a chance it will be held through negotiations". Replying to a question regarding the views of Kudret Ozersay, self-styled foreign minister of the regime, on the issue of federation and the status quo, Akinci said that the parties which participate in the "government" had their own views, that Ozersay had said that he was expressing personal views and that as "president" he had a duty assigned to him by the "people" and everyone knew which the framework of this duty is. Akinci noted that in the UN report after the Crans Montana conference, the international organization had drawn a framework and that this framework was a bi-zonal bi-communal federation. According to Akinci, the UN said that in case the two sides agreed on another framework, this could also be examined. He added, however, that no such situation came out from Mrs Lute's contacts and that the Greek Cypriot side wanted decentralization, without defining the content of this decentralization. "In which framework do you want decentralization", he wondered, adding that if the common state would not have any powers, this means two separate states. Noting that the Turkish Cypriots would not accept not to participate in the decisions and the Greek Cypriots to take all the decisions of the common state, Akinci referred to a confusion which should be clarified. (I/Ts.) [03] Nami says that they would take the necessary steps on the natural gas issue in the Eastern MediterraneanTurkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak (13.02.19, http://www.brtk.net/namidogu-akdenizde-dogal-gaz-konusunda-gerekli-adimlari-atacagiz/) broadcast that Ozdil Nami, self-styled minister of energy of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has argued that within the framework of the "agreements" between Turkey and the regime, Turkey's Fatih vessel would start explorations for natural gas and oil in Cyprus' open sea in the middle of February. "We will protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people on the natural gas issue just like on other issues as well and we will take the necessary steps", he a lleged in statements to Turkish Anatolia news agency (AA).Claiming that they have been submitting proposals for cooperation on this issue to the Greek Cypriot side, Nami argued that there was no positive reply until today and added: "This will come to existence or it will not come to existence. We will continue acting within the framework of the agreed timetable of strategic policies which we established with Turkey". Reiterating the view that the Turkish Cypriots had also rights on the natural gas which exists in the Cyprus' sea, Nami described as "unreasonable and unacceptable" the proposal reportedly made by President Anastasiades saying that the rights of the Turkish Cypriots on the income from the natural gas should be gathered in a fund until a solution to the Cyprus problem was reached. "If the income from the natural gas without a solution is deposited in a fund, no one should touch this fund. The Turkish side will show the necessary reaction to this", he claimed. Nami reiterated the Turkish view that Turkey was the easiest, fastest and most economical way for transferring to Europe the natural gas to be extracted from the Eastern Mediterranean. He added that outside the explorations, they want to be connected with Turkey on the natural gas issue and that they were holding meetings with the Turkish Ministry of Energy and Turkish Botas company officials for establishing a natural gas connection between Turkey and the occupied area of the island. Referring to the mission of the UN Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP), Nami alleged that the UNFICYP has been turned into a means for the Greek Cypriots continuing the status quo and that the UN should have given a message to the Greek Cypriots by renewing UNFICYP's mandate for three and not for six months. Referring to the Cyprus talks, Nami reiterated the Turkish allegation that the Turkish side was not responsible for the non-solution and that both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots had exerted every effort they could in the negotiations, something which was included in the UNSG's report. Noting that the UN has appointed Jane Hole Lute as temporary special adviser to find out how and when the negotiations could begin, Nami argued that there was no need for a special adviser and that shuttle diplomacy was serving to wasting time. "Just like valuable time was lost, there was also a decrease in the momentum", he argued and alleged: "Repeating the same negotiating processes of the past will not take us to a different point. Everything which should be said has been said. What should be done from now on could be a limited timetable expressed with months. This means focusing the negotiating process on the issues remained open from the place it has been left and not from the scratch and going to referendum. In order for not experiencing the Annan Plan process again, if the Greek Cypriots say 'no' again, an agreement should come out as to what the status of the Turkish Cypriot side will be. It is absolutely necessary to clarify in the beginning of the process the question of what will happen with us after giving another chance, what our connection with the world will be. If such a setup is established, then I think that a new negotiating process will be meaningful". Referring to the issue of transferring electricity from Turkey to the occupied area, Nami expressed his satisfaction with the statements made by Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu during his recent illegal visit to the occupied area of the island by which he had expressed "the continuation of Turkey's serious stance and determination" on this issue. (I/Ts.) [04] Tatar: "There are great disagreements between the parties of the coalition government over the Cyprus problem"Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (13.02.19) reports that the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar stated that the 4 parties which consist the "coalition government" of the breakaway regime are "ripped to shreds".Tatar, who made these statements during a visit he paid together with some "deputies" of his party to occupied Assia village, accused the "government" of not been able to do its job and noted that it has not even signed the "economic protocol" with Turkey. Tatar also said that there are great disagreements in the "government", especially on the Cyprus problem, adding that "foreign minister's" Kudret Ozersay statements that it is not possible to have a federation solution as regards the Cyprus problem, is very close to UBP's politics. However, he said, despite the statements by the Greek Cypriots, Akinci and Talat continue to support a federation solution. Moreover Tatar claimed that the "people" want to see UBP coming to "power". (CS) [05] Turkey has rights in the area deriving from international agreements, argues AkansoyTurkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?s (13.02.19) reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) continued yesterday its visits to occupied villages to brief people regarding the developments in the Cyprus problem and the "government's" work. In statements during a visit to occupied Assia village, CTP "deputy" Asim Akansoy said that the Cyprus problem should be solved on the basis of a federation and that this is for everyone's benefit, including the guarantor powers.Akansoy noted that the problem would be solved within the UN parameters and that in these parameters the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots were clearly underlined. Referring to the importance of the natural gas issue, Akansoy argued that the Turkish Cypriots had also rights on these resources and that Turkey had rights in the area deriving from international agreements. He further expressed the view that tension would not be useful and that reason should prevail. (I/Ts.) [06] Turkish Cypriot daily discloses CTP's policy supporting Turkey's interestsUnder the title "Reaction by the CTP to those who talk against Turkey", Turkish Cypriot newspaper Afrika (13.02.19) refers to the stance of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), which on the one hand argues that it wants peace and solution in Cyprus and on the other reacts against those who criticize Turkey's policies on the island.The paper reports that during a meeting in the buffer zone last night, CTP chairman Tufan Erhurman defended Turkey and opposed Selma Eylem, chairwoman of the Turkish Cypriot secondary school teachers' trade union (KTOEOS), who described the occupied area of Cyprus as "Turkey's back garden" and criticized Ankara's policies in Cyprus. According to the paper, Erhurman stated that "I do not agree with Selma and I totally reject what she said". The paper refers also to CTP's visit to occupied Assia village during which a CTP delegation participated in a meeting sitting at a table covered with the flags of Turkey and the breakaway regime. (I/Ts.) [07] "Tourism situation not good", says Turkish Cypriot hotel "owner"Under the title: "The situation is not good", Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (13.02.19) reports that Unal Caginer, the "owner" of Acapulco hotel stated that the way things are going as regards tourism in the breakaway regime is not good, adding that there is a decline in the number of tourists that visit the occupied area of Cyprus.The paper writes that according ?? statistic information, the capacity in hotels in 2017 was 58,5% while in 2018 was 51,3%. In hotels with casino these numbers were 62% for 2017 and 54% in 2018. Commenting on these figures, Caginer stated that in 2019 the situation seems to be similar to 2018. Reporting further on the statistic information, the paper writes that the number of tourists coming from third countries in 2018, declined 10,3% compared to 2017, while the number of tourists from Turkey increased to 9,2%. The number of third countries' tourists was 348,471 in 2017 and declined to 312,701 in 2018. In addition, in 2017, 710,889 Turkish citizens visited the breakaway regime while this number rose to 776,428 in 2018. (CS) [B] Turkish Press[01] Akar to meet with the US Defense chief in BrusselsAnkara Anatolia news agency (12.02.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/top-turkish-us-defense-chiefs-to-meet-in-brussels/1390326) reported that Turkey's Defense Minister will meet the acting US Defense Secretary on Wednesday, Turkish Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.Hulusi Akar and Patrick Shanahan are expected to meet on the sidelines of the NATO Defense Ministers meeting, which is set to be held in Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday, the Ministry said in a statement. Akar is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Greece, France, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro, Italy and Georgia, it added. [02] Aktop: "Turkey to continue protecting its rights and interests in the Eastern Mediterranean"According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.02.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gunun-basliklari/son-7-ayda-1076-personel-fetoden-aciga-alindi/139039), the spokesperson of the Turkish National Defence Ministry, Lieutenant Commander Nadide Sebnem Aktop, speaking yesterday in a press conference in Turkey, reiterated that Turkey will continue with determination protecting its "rights and interests" both in its territorial waters and its airspace."In this framework, we express any given occasion that we will never permit for any fait accomplish or steps to be taken in Cyprus, the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean without Turkey, that will not allow for any unilateral hydrocarbon activities in the area and that no project in the region would be successful without the participation of Turkey and the TRNC. Turkey is determined to protect its rights and interests in the sea. We are following the developments on this issue closely. [?] Our Naval Forces, will continue protecting our rights and interests deriving from the international law and provide security in the sea in the Mediterranean. They will further continue protecting and supporting our drilling platforms and drill ships which are conducting researches for our national interest in the Mediterranean". Aktop announced further that Mavi Vatan-2019 exercise is to take place simultaneously in the Black Sea, the Aegean and the Mediterranean from February 28-March 8. The exercise is organized by Turkey's Naval Forces Command. (AK) [03] Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterates vow against terror groups PKK, FETO, DaeshAnkara Anatolia news agency (12.02.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-to-chase-up-all-terror-groups-president-erdogan/1390551) reported that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated that Ankara will continue chasing all terror groups used as tools to hold the country captive.Speaking at a campaign rally in the Black Sea province of Kastamonu on Tuesday, Erdogan said that Turkey has been "struggling" in its region "for thousand years." He added that Turkey would continue its fight against terrorism whether it be against the "separatist PKK, abusive FETO, or project-product Daesh." "We will continue chasing them up [Mt.] Cudi, Gabar, Tendurek and even Qandil as we have until now," Erdogan said. Referring to terror attacks targeting the country, he stressed that they have been trying to halt [Turkey's] development by blocking its progress. "(?) Later speaking in Corum province, Erdogan vowed to promote cannabis production in 20 provinces including Corum. "We will increase the cultivation and production of cannabis and prioritize establishing its industry as well," he said. Erdogan had recently announced that 19 other Turkish cities had been authorized for cannabis cultivation. Since the 1990s, cannabis production has been limited in Turkey in order to prevent the production of marijuana. Cannabis is used as a raw material in the automotive, wood, construction, textile, cosmetics, and biodiesel, food and paper industries. [04] "Turkey not to attend US-led anti-Iran summit"In a commentary in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (13.20.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-not-to-attend-us-led-anti-iran-summit-141198), columnist Serkan Demirtas writes the following: "Two important international summits will take place tomorrow, with the first being about Syria and will bring Turkey, Russia and Iran together in Sochi for the fourth time under the Astana Process.The first is about Syria and will bring Turkey, Russia and Iran together in Sochi for the fourth time under the Astana Process. The second one is about Iran and co-organized by the United States and Poland with a goal of lining up Washington's allies in the Middle East against Iran. It would be a hasty and exaggerated assessment to describe these two settings particularly as against each other, although a piece of fairness would be accumulated in comments that highlight growing fractions between prominent global and regional actors over Mideast troubles. Although both summits are about the Middle East, the former eyes ending violence and promoting a political solution to the Syrian question while the latter brings dozens of countries together in an objective of reducing Iranian influence in the Middle East. A decision to hold such an anti-Iran summit has been made by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo as a result of his week-long tour to prominent Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia and Egypt early last month. After reactions from some countries were raised on the motive of this summit, the U.S. and Poland have changed the theme of the meeting to 'Promoting a Future of Peace and Security in the Middle East'. According to reports, some 60 countries have confirmed their attendance, including several from the Middle East. Aside from Israel, the Mideast participants include Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Yemen, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt and Tunisia. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is among high-level participants of the summit, hoping to observe a good reception from the representatives of the Arab nations. His statements on Feb. 11 explicitly outlines that Israel regards this meeting as a historic development for its efforts to drive Iran into a corner. Turkey's position with regard to this summit is clear. It sees this meeting as against Iran and therefore has decided not to take part in it. 'Turkey's political participation in such a meeting that targets one country is out of question,' a senior Foreign Ministry official told the Hurriyet Daily News on Feb. 12. 'We are therefore not dispatching any representative to this meeting. Our embassy in Warsaw will follow it'. This decision is based on Turkey's principles, the official explained, stressing that its non-participation should be interpreted as the Turkish government's distance to the U.S.-led initiative. 'In a statement in Cairo during a trip to Egypt, U.S. Secretary of State Pompeo had unearthed the real motive of this initiative. In line with its principles, Turkey has always been against such moves,' said the official. Just a note, like Turkey, Russia is also not attending the meeting and it's believed that Qatar will also be absent in the Warsaw meeting. The European Union countries which have been critical to Washington's anti-Iran policies will also be displaying low-level participation. The Middle East is passing through a major transformation, with rival countries changing positions and building new alliances, in a development that follows the election of Donald Trump as the president of the U.S. He was able to gather Gulf countries ? except Qatar ? together with Egypt and Jordan against the expansion of Iranian influence in the region. Turkey is closely following all these moves and has made clear that it will not line up against its neighboring country although Ankara and Tehran have a score of disagreements over regional matters. The upcoming period obliges Turkey to pursue a much more balanced position and refrain from subscribing to any of these alliances, given the fragile conditions in the region that cause vital security concerns". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION (AK/AM) Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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