TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No. 228/15 01.12.2015
1. Statements
by Davutoglu at Esenboga airport prior to his departure for the “TRNC”; He
reiterated that the Cyprus current negotiations constitute the last chance for
solution
2.
Akinci: We will not be the community living with minority rights in a Greek
Cypriot island
3.
Ozgurgun: There are issues in Davutoglu’s suitcase
4. Dursun
Oguz is the new General Secretary of UBP
5. Illegal
YDU signed a cooperation protocol with a Malaysian Institute
6. New AKP government received vote of confidence
7. Davutoglu urged Russia to reconsider sanctions and
reiterated that Turkey will not apologize
8. Erdogan stated that he will step down if Russian
oil claims proved
1.Statements by Davutoglu at Esenboga airport prior
to his departure for the “TRNC”; He reiterated that the Cyprus current
negotiations constitute the last chance for solution
According to illegal Bayrak television (01.12.15), Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, in
statements to Esenboga airport prior to his departure for the “TRNC”, the
first “visit” his paying “abroad” after the establishment of the 64th
Turkish Government, stated that Turkey
and the “TRNC” will exchange views on the further strengthening of their ties.
Pointing
to the strong bilateral ties between Turkey and the “TRNC”, Davutoglu said: “We will make
preparations and plans for the forthcoming period and on steps to be taken in
order to develop our bilateral ties on the highest level. At the same time, we
will discuss in detail together with Akinci and his negotiation team the latest
stage of the ongoing Cyprus talks which were resumed on 15 May 2015”.
Explaining that the issue was discussed in depth
during the EU-Turkey summit in Brussels, Davutoglu said: “We consider this negotiation process the last chance for an outcome on
the Cyprus problem. All parties involved should mobilize all the means at their
disposal and use their influence towards reaching a bi-zonal solution based on
the political equality in the island, within the framework of the UN
parameters. Turkey and the TRNC expressed their strong will on this issue very
clearly. The support we gave to the Annan Plan in 2004 and the ‘yes’ vote of
the Turkish Cypriot people to the Plan, in spite of the negative vote of the
Greek Cypriot sector were not sufficient for the establishment of peace on the
island. It is of great importance, that first the UN and then the whole
international community contribute to the efforts for reaching a viable
solution and support the intensified negotiation talks in the next months”.
Davutoglu underlined that despite the so-called
embargoes, the restrictions imposed on the “TRNC” and the economic crisis, the
“TRNC”’s outstanding performance and economic development continue. He also
expressed the view that the “TRNC” is more stable than ever and can look to the
future with hope.
Referring
to the water transfer project, Davutoglu described it as an important step and
a turning point for the “TRNC”.
Noting that prosperity and stability in the region are
very important in light of the developments in Syria, Davutoglu added: “While there are several crises globally
right now, the Cyprus negotiations are the only thing which is moving in the
right direction. We hope that these negotiations will yield a positive result
and that all together, with the support of the two peoples, we will put an end
to this half century crisis”, Davutoglu said.
(AK)
2.
Akinci: We will not be the community living with minority rights in a Greek
Cypriot island
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris (01.12.15) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci said that if the two leaders do not agree in the Cyprus talks, it will
not go to the people. However, the final decision will be made by the people. Akinci noted that the two leaders will see
whether an agreement can be obtained, adding that this happened, then the
political will of the “people” will be sought, but the final decision belongs
to the “people”. Akinci also said that the Cyprus talks continue in good
faith in close consultation with the Turkish government. He reiterated that
Turkey is a guarantor country and attributes great significance and value to
the Turkish Cypriots.
In
a meeting with a delegation from Turkey’s Journalists Federation, who are
currently in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, headed by Yilmaz
Karaca, and a delegation from the Association of Journalists, headed by Resat
Akar, Akinci stressed that in order for the Turkish Cypriot “people” to be able
to approve any agreement, they will first look at security. Noting that every
community wants to live free, Akinci argued that for this to happen, the
federation should be also based on the equality of the two communities. He
added: “For this reason, we will look first for our freedom and whether our
freedom is guaranteed”. Akinci further said that the Turkish Cypriot “people”
sees political equality as the third most important issue and added: “We will not be the community and the people,
who will live with minority rights in a Greek Cypriot island. We are talking
about a bi-zonal federal structure based on two founding states and about a new
Cyprus in a federate structure where we will live in security as free
communities, based on political equally.”
Akinci
briefed the hosted journalists on the history of the Cyprus talks, and the
stage they reached. Akinci said that an agreement can be found to form a
bizonal, bicommunal federal structure, under the conditions created after 1974.
Referring
to the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that they are carrying out the talks under six
chapters. He added that a progress was achieved in some chapters. He further
said that he does not consider everything to be rose-tinted, however,
everything is not dark and gloomy either. He explained that there are
difficulties and positive things. The two sides will be satisfied if they will
manage to overcome these difficulties in an accepted framework. He explained
that their effort, their condition, after all these years, is that the Turkish
Cypriot “people” should take its place among international law.
Referring
to the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, Akinci said that the
natural resources instead of increasing tensions will lead to cooperation and
progress relations between Turkey, Israel- Egypt and the European Union. Akinci
added that the transportation of natural gas through Cyprus to Turkey will be
the most sensible and cost efficient thing to do.
Akinci
also said that If an agreement is reached in Cyprus then the water that comes
from Turkey to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus can also be shared
with Greek Cypriots and expressed the hope that positive developments will
continue to take place during the Cyprus negotiations process.
(DPs)
3.
Ozgurgun: There are issues in Davutoglu’s suitcase
Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (01.12.15)
reports that the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun
commented on Davutoglu’s visit to the occupied area of Cyprus.
Ozgurgun stated that this is a custom visit, since
every Turkish Prime Minister’s first visit abroad is always to the breakaway
regime. “However I think that there are
many issues in the Turkish Prime Minister’s suitcase”, he stated, adding that
the water project and the economic protocol between Turkey and the breakaway
regime must be discussed.
(CS)
4. Dursun
Oguz is the new General Secretary of UBP
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (01.12.15)
reports that Dursun Oguz was elected as
the new general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) during
yesterday’s meeting of the party’s Central Committee. Oguz was the only
candidate for the position.
According to the paper, Cemal Bulutoglulari was
elected as general secretary of the occupied Lefkosia district.
(CS)
5. Illegal
YDU signed a cooperation protocol with a Malaysian Institute
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (01.12.15)
reports that the Center of Communal
Research and Development of the illegal Near East University (YDU) signed a
cooperation protocol with the Malaysian Society of Educational Administration
and Management.
The protocol provides for cooperation in the fields of
education, research and projects development.
(CS
6. New AKP government received vote of confidence
Turkish daily Sabah (30.11.15) reported that the government of Prime Minister Ahmet
Davutoglu won a vote of confidence in Parliament on Monday, after attaining
49.5% of the votes in the November 1 general elections.
Turkey's
64th government got 315 votes in favor and 194 against in Monday's confidence
vote.
(…)
7. Davutoglu urged Russia to reconsider sanctions
and reiterated that Turkey will not apologize
Turkish daily Sabah (30.11.15) reported that Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu urged Russia
on Monday to reconsider imposing sanctions against Turkey, to the benefit of
both countries, following the shooting of a Russian warplane which violated
Turkish airspace on November 24, while reiterating that Turkey will not
apologize to Russia over the incident.
Speaking
at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg,
Davutoglu said that Turkey does not intend to escalate the situation regarding
the downing of the Russian warplane, while he underscored once again that
Turkey would not apologize to Russia over the incident.
"The protection of borders, airspace is a
national duty, and Turkey will not apologize to Russia over the downed jet for
carrying out this duty," Davutoğlu said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the sanctions
on Saturday amid deteriorating relations between Ankara and Moscow since
Tuesday's downing of a Russian Su-24 bomber over the Turkish-Syrian border.
The package of sanctions included bans on some Turkish
exports, a prohibition on the hiring of Turkish nationals from next year and a
suspension of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens.
Davutoglu
noted, however, that Ankara is "ready to talk" with Moscow to prevent
similar incidents in the future, while he urged Russian citizens to continue
visiting Turkey, which is a country referred to as 'second home' by some
Russian tourists.
"We will
not escalate the tension, we will never do anything that will be seen
negatively by Russian people", Davutoglu added.
(…)
Davutoglu insisted that a violation occurred and that
Turkey had repeatedly warned Russia about incursions into its airspace.
"We also
made very clear that the Turkish-Syria border is a national security issue for
Turkey. So it was a defensive action," Davutoglu said. He repeated Turkish
assertions that there were no IS fighters in the area.
"We have been telling our Russian friends that
their bombardments against civilians on our border is creating new waves of
refugees which do not go to Russia or to any other country but coming to Turkey",
Davutoglu said and added: "Turkey,
after each bombardment, (is) receiving more and more tens of thousands of
refugees from Syria. Turkey is a country paying the price of this crisis."
Stoltenberg also supported Davutoglu's statements noting
that NATO allies fully support Turkey's right to protect its airspace and
borders. "All allies fully support Turkey's right to defend its airspace”,
Stoltenberg said.
8. Erdogan stated that he will step down if Russian
oil claims proved
Ankara Anatolia news agency (30.11.15) reported that Turkey’s
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that he would step down if Russian claims
that Turkey buys oil from Daesh are proved and called on Russian President
Vladimir Putin to do the same if they were not.
Erdogan made the pledge while talking to reporters at
a climate change summit in Paris.
“As soon as such a claim is proved, the nobility of
our nation requires [me] to do this. I will not remain in this post. But I am
asking Mr. Putin, would you remain?”, Erdogan said.
Erdogan
was responding to Russian claims that Turkey helps fund Daesh through oil
purchases.
The claims were made in the wake of the shooting down
of a Russian military jet over southern Turkey on November 24. “It is obvious
where we legally buy oil and natural gas from”, Erdogan said and added:
“Everyone must know that we are not that disreputable to make such a deal with
terrorist organizations”.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/ AA)