TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
239/15 15.12.2015
1.
First step taken in accelerated accession talks: EU opens new chapter
2.
Kilicadoroglu: Turkish Parliament needs to be informed about the Cyprus talks
3. Diplomatic sources said that a
solution plan on the Cyprus problem is almost ready
4. Turkey’s financial
contribution to the occupation regime’s budget deficit has been reduced by
3,19%
5.
The breakaway regime will use a big part of Turkey’s economic aid for
investments
6. “TRNC” asks for an urgent
loan of 50 million TL from Turkey
7.
The occupation army prohibits entrance into occupied Louroudjina village
8. The water coming from
Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus flows directly to the sea
9. TDP to hold its general
congress on Sunday
10.
Turkish President’s ‘double-referenda’ idea causes uproar
11.
US Embassy in Ankara to limit services over security threat
1. First
step taken in accelerated accession talks: EU opens new chapter
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (15.12.15) reports that Turkey and the European Union on Monday
officially opened a new chapter in Ankara's long-stalled membership process.
A Turkish delegation, including Mehmet Simsek, the
deputy prime minister in charge of the economy; EU Minister and Chief
Negotiator Volkan Bozkir and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, went to
Brussels on Monday for the opening of the new chapter. Speaking at a joint
press conference before the meeting with EU officials, the Turkish officials said that this needs to be considered as a very
significant moment for the future of Turkish-EU relations.
Simsek said that Turkey has the strong foundation
required to fulfill this chapter and that the quality of institutions are
significant to ensure its permanent stability. "We have a very comprehensive reform
program; these are all reforms that will positively influence [Turkey's
accession] process with the EU," Simsek said and added: "I believe
the revitalization of the accession process will have a positive reflection on
strong investments in Turkey." He
said that Chapter 17 will have a direct impact in the lives of people in
Turkey.
"[Chapter]
17 is a significant one because it is about price stability, micro-financial
stability; it's about stable sustainable [and] balanced growth. My government
is committed to solidifying the central bank independency," Simsek said. "The quality of institutions is critical
to long-term prosperity. That's why EU accession is important through the
process. We are committed to improving [the] quality of institutions. This
chapter sends these strong messages - we are committed," he added.
Bozkir said that the opening of the chapter on economy
is a "crucial moment" for the country's future EU membership.
In an interview with the Turkish broadcaster NTV later
on Monday, Bozkir said that talks between Ankara and the European Union about
updating Turkey's customs union with the EU will begin next year. Underlying
this change is Turkey's promise to help stem the flow of migrants to Europe in
return for cash, visa-free travel and renewed talks on joining the European
Union, with which Ankara formally started its membership talks a year ago.
Previously, speaking after the third meeting of the
Reform Action Group (RAG) in Ankara under his chairmanship on Friday, Prime
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that his ruling party needs the opposition parties' assistance in Parliament
to meet the deadlines agreed with the EU on such issues like visa
liberalization, the refugee action plan and opening new chapters to accelerate
Turkey's accession to the EU.
2. Kilicadoroglu:
Turkish Parliament needs to be informed about the Cyprus talks
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (15.12.15) reports
that Kemal Kilicdaroglu, leader of
the Republican People's Party (CHP), told the Hurriyet Daily News in an
interview that he fully supports the
ongoing accelerated EU process and called upon the EU to open more chapters if
it wants to contribute to the democratization process.
“But there is something the media does not highlight:
Cyprus. Parliament needs to be informed
about Cyprus [talks]. We need to know what concessions will be given or not
throughout this process because the Cyprus issue sits at the very heart of all
these things. Although we are focused on visa liberalization and the EU
process, Westerners are setting their hopes on the outcome of the Cyprus talks.
We are not even discussing this in parliament”, he stated.
3. Diplomatic sources said
that a solution plan on the Cyprus problem is almost ready
Under the front-page title: “Plan by the end of January and a quintet summit immediately after”,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (15.12.15) writes that it has been made
known that the two sides in Cyprus have agreed to present a plan by the end of
January 2016 or by the beginning of February 2016, for the solution of the
Cyprus problem.
Invoking
an anonymous diplomatic source, the paper writes that the solution plan is
almost ready except from some small issues that need to be retouched and adds
that as it is planned, a quintet summit will take place within the
above-mentioned period of time in order for the guarantee issue to be
discussed.
The diplomatic
source said that the process for the solution of the Cyprus problem is “beyond
retrieve”. The source added that the fact that the two leaders’ aim is to
come up with a plan by the end of January or the beginning of February the
latest and present it to the “people” for approval, shows their strong goodwill
to reach a positive result.
The
sources also underlined that the three guarantor countries are already prepared
for the quintet summit. The other involved party is the five Permanent Members
of the UN Security Council, which will be involved in the process right after
the end of the quintet summit.
On
the other hand, another source close to the paper said that the solution plan
will be set to both sides for approval in separate and simultaneous referenda
probably in March, April or May.
(AK)
4. Turkey’s financial
contribution to the occupation regime’s budget deficit has been reduced by
3,19%
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (15.12.15)
under the title: “Turkey has reduced its
financial contribution to the TRNC’s budget”, reports that Turkey has reduced
its contribution to the “TRNC’s 2016 budget” by 3.19% comparing with 2015.
According to the paper, Turkey which has reduced its financial contribution to the “budget
deficit of the TRNC”, has sent the message to the Turkish Cypriots to “meet
their deficit” and asked for the “state” to achieve the level of being able to
pay the interest of its “national debt”.
According to information acquired by the paper, there is no change towards the Republic of
Turkey’s policy for its aid in the “TRNC”, but it had only decided to reduce
its contribution to the “budget deficit”.
Turkey
has also suspended its financial contribution for the projects that envisaged
the implementation of the build-operate-transfer (BOT) model. According to the
paper, Turkey has not allocated funds for the projects that envisaged
privatizations for the departments of water affairs, ports, electricity and
telecommunications, since, these departments have not met their
responsibilities for the implementation of the protocol.
(…)
5. The
breakaway regime will use a big part of Turkey’s economic aid for investments
Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (15.12.15)
reports that the self-styled minister of
economy Sunan Atun stated that a big part of the economic aid that the
breakaway regime will receive from the Republic of Turkey will be used for
investments.
Atun stated that development is needed for investments
and private sectors of the breakaway regime and added that the 2010-2012
economic program that they have followed must be taken as a good microeconomic
example for putting the public service expenses under control. He said that
similar measures will be taken for the period 2016-2018.
He also stated that the budget for the “ministry of
economy, trade and industry” has been approved by the “assembly and this is
17,781,400 Turkish Lira.
(CS)
6. “TRNC” asks for an
urgent loan of 50 million TL from Turkey
Turkish
daily Milliyet (online, 15.12.15) reports that the so-called government of the
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus asked from the
Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus affair Tugrul Turkes a
loan of 50 million TL with the condition that it will be paid within 2016 due
to their difficulties in the agricultural sector. However, the paper reports
that Ankara’s approach is not to take any further step if they do not implement
the necessary reforms first.
According
to information obtained by the paper, the “demand loan” was in the agenda
during the illegal visit of Turkey’s Assembly Speaker Ismail Kahraman in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Turkes, who accompanied Kahraman, met
with the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat to
discuss the issue regarding the administration of the water coming from Turkey.
During the meeting, Talat explained that they also need urgently 50 million TL
in order to make compensation payments to the farmers for wheat and barley
damages. Talat added that they need the money as a loan with the promise that
they will pay them back. Although, Turkes said that he will take care of the
issue, he explained that the necessary reforms in the agricultural sector
should be implemented.
According
to the paper’s information, Ankara does not approve to give a loan, and it
insists that they (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area
of the Republic of Cyprus) should accelerate the reforms that have not been
carried out for three years now. Ankara
is also planning to open its aid sources with the commencing of implementing
reform steps.
Self-styled
minister of agriculture Erkut Sahali told Milliyet that the “TRNC” needs the
money before the reforms. He explained that they will announce by the end of
the month the reforms in agriculture, adding that the water coming from Turkey
is very important for the agricultural sector.
(DPs)
7. The
occupation army prohibits entrance into occupied Louroudjina village
Under the front page title “Behold the pen”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (15.12.15) reports that the self-styled foreign ministry of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus did not give permission to Greek
Cypriots to enter the occupied Louroudjina village following an invitation by
the owners of the paper to the celebration of the 18th anniversary
from the circulation of Avrupa-Afrika newspaper.
The publisher of the paper, Sener Levent writes, inter
alia, the following in his column today:
“[…] We had invited our Greek Cypriot friends to the
celebration we would hold today. However, the entrance of the Greek Cypriots to
the village was prohibited, heaven knows why. They said that special permit should be taken for them. We have
prepared a list and submitted it to the ministry of foreign affairs. Anastasiades
and Christofias were among our invitees. And the Russian Ambassador as well. As soon as our foreign affairs ministry
takes such a list, what does it do? It asks the military command. We do not
receive the reply from the command, but from the ministry. What was the
reply? ‘Permit cannot be given’! […] We
asked information from Mustafa Akinci’s presidential palace, asking them if
they could undertake any initiative for permit. They did not even reply.
Moreover, we also invited Akinci, but yesterday he informed us that he could
not come. It is surely not very easy to come to the celebration of this
newspaper and especially to Louroudjina.
Those at the foreign ministry reproached. ‘How could
you think of holding it at Louroudjina’, they said. They even said: ‘Grit your
teeth and bear it, after four months there will be a solution any way’. […]
We
cannot even go to Louroudjina and you are still talking about the solution? Those, who are
prisoners and think that they are free as they do not realize that they are
prisoners, are more prisoners than the prisoners. […]
We are an independent newspaper which says things that
are not said, writes things that are not written and does things that are not
done. Breaking the taboos is our job. This is why we chose Louroudjina. Those from Turkey can enter Louroudjina and
the Greek Cypriots cannot. Did you refer to a solution Mustafa? Behold,
this is the latest situation in Cyprus!”
(I/Ts.)
8. The water coming from
Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus flows directly to the sea
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis (15.12.15), on its front page under the title “Sahali:
Turkey does not threaten us”, reports that the self-styled minister of
agriculture and natural resources Erkut Sahali said that they have not yet reached an agreement with
Turkey on the issue of how the water coming from Turkey will be collected and
distributed. He added that there is not any pressure or threat by Turkey
regarding the administration of the water. However, he added that they will
find an agreement suitable for both.
The
paper reports that a crisis is created regarding who will pay the electric
costs of the Guzelyali pumping station in occupied Keryneia and the dam in
occupied Panagra, because there is not a clear strategy on the issue of “water administration” between Turkey and the
“TRNC” (translator’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus). Because of the
increasing costs, Turkey’s General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI)
has decided that the water coming from Anamur dam to the pumping station
“Guzelyali” in occupied Keryneia is emptied in the sea under the name of
“testing working”. According to the paper, DSI paid the electric costs for
two months which was around to 2 million TL. In order to reduce the costs, the
pumping station has stopped pumping the water and the water as it is coming
from Turkey, flows directly to the sea.
The
paper writes that the so-called coalition government between CTP and UBP has
not found a middle ground on the water issue. Even the self-styled prime
minister Omer Kalyoncu did not visit Turkey last week, which was a planned
visit for the water issue, with the explanation that there were the “budget
debates”.
(DPs)
9. TDP to hold its general
congress on Sunday
Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (15.12.15)
reports that the general congress of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) will take
place next Sunday.
According to the paper, Cemal Ozyigit, “chairman” of
TDP and Mustafa Emiroglulari, “district chairman” of the party in occupied
Famagusta will run as candidates for the party’s leadership.
(AK)
10. Turkish
President’s ‘double-referenda’ idea causes uproar
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (15.12.15) reports
that the Turkish President Recep Tayyip
Erdogan’s recent proposal for holding two referenda on the creation of a new
constitution and a transition into a presidential system has drawn the ire of
opposition parties of Turkey, while prompting Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu to
underline that any system change should not lead to a “hybrid system” in which
responsibilities are muddled.
“In a presidential, semi-presidential or
partisan-president system, comfort will come in the swift making of decisions,”
Erdogan said in his remarks subject to debate. “Eliminating ‘double-headedness’
is very important,” Erdogan also said in remarks published in several dailies
on Dec. 14”.
“But
if we are to build a new system, then this system should be clear. I believe
that no hybrid system would bring a positive result. My choice is pure and
clear, a system where distribution of authorities and responsibilities is
clear,” Davutoglu said on Dec. 14 in an interview with A Haber news channel. “There is a need not to
distract attention. I don’t think that it is right to constantly make
speculation over the relationship of the president and the prime minister,” he
also emphasized.
The
opposition parties gave the cold shoulder to Erdogan’s proposal, calling it
unrealistic and a new maneuver by the president to make his aspirations come
true through a different method.
Erdogan’s proposal has never been implemented anywhere
in the world, Deputy Co-Chair Meral Danis Bestas of the Peoples’ Democratic
Party (HDP) said.
According to Nationalist Movement Party’s (MHP)
Secretary-General İsmet Buyukataman, Erdogan’s remarks signal a move to
“implement a secret agenda.”
Meanwhile, HDP’s Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair
İdris Baluken argued that the presidential system is an agenda item only for
Erdogan.
11. US
Embassy in Ankara to limit services over security threat
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (15.12.15) reports that the
US Embassy in Turkey's capital Ankara
will be limiting its services Monday and Tuesday, over a security threat,
reports have said.
An embassy spokeswoman in Ankara said services would
be limited through Tuesday, but did not provide further information regarding
the matter.
The United States Consulate in Istanbul was reportedly
closed on December 9 over intelligence about a Daesh terrorist who was planning
to carry out a suicide attack in the compound.
The United States Consulate inIstanbul
cancelled consular services on Dec. 9 due to a possible security threat,
officials said in a statement published on the consulate's website on Tuesday.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS / AA)