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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-03.12.2019

No. 749                                                                               

Context

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Libya might soon recognize the breakaway regime, alleges Tacoy

2. Hasipoglu describes as “milestone” the agreement between Turkey and Libya

3. Tatar says they would respond if the Greek Cypriots harmed tourism

4. Measures will be taken if arrangement regarding crossings aim at harming economy, says Ozersay

5. Erhurman: “Political equality should be clarified before the resumption of the negotiation talks”

6. “Red alarm for tourism” in the breakaway regime

B. Turkish Press

1. Erdogan: “We will never negotiate our sovereign rights”

2. Map delineates Turkey's maritime frontiers in E.Med

3. Celik: “Turkey-Libya memorandum in line with international law”

4. Turkey denies medical treatment to jailed Kurdish politician Demirtaş, his lawyer says

5. Main opposition CHP questions sustainability of growth figures

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Libya might soon recognize the breakaway regime, alleges Tacoy

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kıbrıs (03.12.19) reports that Hasan Tacoy, self-styled minister of economy and energy of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the results of the seismic explorations and drillings in the Eastern Mediterranean would be clarified in March.

In statements to CNN-Türk, Tacoy commented on the memorandum of understanding signed last week between Turkey and Libya to delimitate their “areas of jurisdiction in the sea”. He claimed that the policy for the next fifty years was shaped in the area and that “the balances of power should be established’ within this policy.  

Tacoy alleged that Turkey had been watching from a distance and cold bloodedly the agreements made by the Republic of Cyprus with Israel and Egypt in the beginning of the 2000s for allegedly dominating alone over the area. He further argued that after signing an agreement with Libya, Turkey “stopped” Greece’s claiming rights in the area over its islands.

According to Tacoy, the “TRNC” has now become a “country” that made its name heard and its existence accepted in the area. He further alleged that Libya and other countries have come to the point of being able to recognize the “TRNC”. Alleging that it was very likely for steps to be taken in this direction in the near future, Tacoy said that they continued their efforts from every aspect. 

(I/Ts.)

2. Hasipoglu describes as “milestone” the agreement between Turkey and Libya

Turkish Cypriot daily  Kıbrıs Postası (03.12.19) reports that the “deputy” with the National Unity Party (UBP) Oguzan Hasipoglu stated that the agreement signed last week between Turkey and Libya is a “milestone”.

Hasipoglu, who issued a written statement, noted the importance of strengthening the “sovereign rights of Turkey in the sea” and the expansion of the “Blue fatherland”, as  Turkey’s maritime jurisdiction area is referred to.

He argued that the next step should be agreements on the delimitation of exclusive economic zones between Turkey on the one hand and Libya, Syria and the "TRNC" on the other.

"The struggle for sovereignty is now waged in our seas, not just on land," he claimed.

(CS)

3. Tatar says they would respond if the Greek Cypriots harmed tourism

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kıbrıs (03.12.19) reports that Ersin Tatar, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) and self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has alleged that the most important obstacle for an agreement in Cyprus was what he called the fact that the Greek Cypriots continued ignoring the “realities” and the fact that the “TRNC” was allegedly at least as legitimate a state as the Republic of Cyprus.  

According to a written statement issued by his party, Tatar said that the breakaway regime would not hesitate to take decisions which would “have the character of a response”, if the “Greek Cypriot administration”, as he described the government of the Republic of Cyprus, made an arrangement regarding the crossings from the barricades that would harm the Turkish Cypriot tourism, in spite of the existence of the Green Line Regulation.

Tatar said that according to “allegations” published in the Greek Cypriot press, soon the foreigners who would be arriving in Cyprus through the occupied ports would not be allowed to cross over to the government-controlled area of the island and foreigners who live in the government-controlled area would be banned from crossing over to the occupied area of the island through the barricades. According to Tatar, if the Greek Cypriot side had taken this decision to protect itself from the migration problem in the Middle East, the way of doing this was not to take steps contrary to the Green Line Regulation which would influence the “TRNC” negatively, but the sincere cooperation with the “TRNC”. 

(I/Ts.)  

4. Measures will be taken if arrangement regarding crossings aim at harming economy, says Ozersay

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kıbrıs (03.12.19) reports that the measures which the Republic of Cyprus would take regarding the crossings at the barricades were discussed in the breakaway regime’s “assembly” yesterday.

Kudret Ozersay, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, said that they were watching the issue as regards possible problems which could be experienced in the crossings between the occupied area of the island and the government-controlled area.

Ozersay noted that the Green Line Regulation remained valid in its current form, but they had heard that steps would be taken on the issue of making an arrangement regarding the interpretation of the Regulation. Ozersay noted that they were holding contacts with the UN on this issue.

Noting that they were trying not to exhibit a hostile stance, Ozersay said that the justification that had been set forward until now was “illegal migration” and argued that they could also contribute in the efforts of taking measures regarding the migrants, but if this arrangement aimed at harming the regime’s economy, they would take the necessary measures.

Referring to the issue, Tufan Erhurman, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that the necessary research regarding the Green Line Regulation should be carried out, because the new regulation prepared by the Republic of Cyprus regarding the crossings might influence the relations between the two communities and the breakaway regime’s economy. He noted that an important increase of income was seen recently in the regime’s economy because of the purchases of Greek Cypriots in the occupied area of the island.

(I/Ts.)   

5. Erhurman: “Political equality should be clarified before the resumption of the negotiation talks”

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (03.12.19) reports that the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhurman, in statements yesterday during a visit he paid in occupied Vasileia, Lapythos and Panagra villages, referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus problem, pointing to the need to continue the struggle in order for a comprehensive solution to be found the soonest possible.

Referring to the trilateral Berlin summit, Erhurman recalled that some circles who are against the solution of the Cyprus problem alleged that the summit would not yield any outcome. Erhurman, however, said that CTP was always in favor of dialogue and added that they would continue to contribute towards this direction.

Erhurman went on to point out the need for the issue of the political equality, which is one of the basic parameters of the Cyprus problem, to be clarified before the resumption of the negotiation talks. “After this issue is registered officially, we will move forward and we will be able to undertake the necessary steps in order to reach a comprehensive solution. (…)”, Erhurman said.

Regarding the issue of the fenced off city of Varosha, Erhurman underlined the need for openings to be made in the framework of the UN Security Council’s decisions. “Turkish Cypriots should be able to make exports, our Turkish Cypriot youth should be able to attend international athletic events and also the fact that we are amongst the interlocutors on the issue of the hellim registration should not be ignored”, Erhurman added.

(AK)

6. “Red alarm for tourism” in the breakaway regime

Turkish Cypriot daily  Havadis (03.12.19) refers to the problems that tourism faces in the breakaway regime and notes that half of the hotels are empty and the numbers of visitors in the breakaway regime was reduced.

According to information from the “tourism planning department”, the hotel capacity for the first ten months of 2019 (January –October) was reduced to 3,2% (51,09%  compared to  53,6% the same period in  2018). In addition, the number of the persons visiting the breakaway regime on the above-mentioned   period was reduced by 1,6% (1,496,043 for 2018  and  1,472,155 for  2019). There was a 0, 9% increase in the accommodation of tourists (from 966,948 for the first  10 months of 2018 to 975,985 in  2019 in the same period).

The paper also reports that the number of tourists from UK and Holland was reduced while the number of tourists from Belgium, Norway and Kazakhstan was increased.

(CS)

B. Turkish Press

1. Erdogan: “We will never negotiate our sovereign rights”

Turkish private channel CNN Turk (03.12.19, https://www.cnnturk.com/video/turkiye/cumhurbaskani-erdogandan-onemli-aciklamalar-03-12-2019) broadcast that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to reporters at Ankara’s Esenboga airport before his departure for NATO’s summit in London, commented also on the Turkey-Libya deal, stressing that this is the sovereign right of the two countries, and Ankara will not discuss it.

Asked to evaluate his expectations from NATO’s summit, Erdogan said that he cannot know what the approach of Germany, France or Britain will be, but he will listen to them. Commenting on the Turkey-Libya deal, Erdogan said: “Here, the Eastern Mediterranean deal may have disturbed in a serious manner France. Our work with Libya may have disturbed them seriously. In case they bring to agenda this issue, we will tell them clearly ‘the step we have taken is a sovereign right of Libya and Turkey, we will not negotiate with you this sovereign right’. Therefore, our rights deriving from our sovereign rights are not for negotiation with you.”

Erdogan further said: “Greece can take steps, and we reserve the right to take steps. We take our steps, we will do what is needed instantly. Regarding this issue, it is likely that Libya may withdraw its Ambassador. Right now, they are dealing with the Ambassador. They say things according to themselves. I was informed yesterday that the Greek Prime Minister requested a meeting with us in London. There, we will discuss all this on the ground of the meeting. Let all my nation, know this. The fact that Greece, Egypt and Southern Cyprus [Republic of Cyprus] do such tripartite work will never affect the step we take with Libya. Because, we made a written agreement with Libya, we signed it. Now, it will come to our Assembly and I believe that it will pass with great majority. After passing from the Assembly, it will take effect”.

(DPs)

2. Map delineates Turkey's maritime frontiers in E.Med

According to Turkey’s state news agency Anadolu (02.12.19, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/infographics/map-delineates-turkeys-maritime-frontiers-in-emed/1661791), a Turkish diplomat on Monday shared a map of the country's reported continental shelf and the borders of its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Eastern Mediterranean following a maritime jurisdiction agreement with Libya.

With the chart, Cagatay Erciyes showed the “outer boundaries of Turkey's continental shelf and EEZ, designated in a 2011 agreement between Turkey and the ‘TRNC’ [the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus], the median line between Egypt and Turkey's mainland and a recent memorandum with Libya”.

On Nov. 27, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a closed meeting in Istanbul that lasted over two hours with Fayez al-Sarraj, chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya.

The agreement, titled Restriction of Marine Jurisdictions, could expand security and military cooperation between Libya and Turkey.

3. Celik: “Turkey-Libya memorandum in line with international law”

According to Turkey’s state news agency (02.12.19, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/-turkey-libya-memorandum-in-line-with-intl-law/1661627), a memorandum of understanding signed by Turkey and Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) is in line with international law, Turkey’s ruling party spokesman said on Monday.

“The memorandum between Turkey and Libya on maritime jurisdiction in eastern Mediterranean complies with international law,” Omer Celik, spokesman for the Justice and Development (AK) party, said in a news conference following his party's group meeting in the capital Ankara. (…)

Meanwhile, Celik, slamming French President Emmanuel Macron over recent remarks that Turkey should not expect NATO's support for its anti-terror operation in northern Syria, claimed: "It's obvious why Turkey is in Syria, it's fighting terrorism, securing its own borders as well as those of its NATO allies and Europe".

"The question that should be posed to Macron is what business you [France] have in Mali or in various parts of Africa, what is the purpose of your operations in many places without the UN resolution?" Celik added.

 

4. Turkey denies medical treatment to jailed Kurdish politician Demirtaş, his lawyer says

According to Turkish news portal Ahval (02.12.19, http://ahval.co/en-66772), Turkish authorities have barred Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-chair of pro-Kurdish opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), from receiving adequate medical treatment since he fainted in his cell almost a week ago, his sister and lawyer Aygül Demirtaş said on Monday.

The Kurdish politician suffered chest tightness and difficulty in breathing, symptoms similar to a heart attack, and fainted in his cell on Nov. 26, Aygül Demirtaş said.

Both Selahattin Demirtaş and the prison doctor demanded a more comprehensive examination in a hospital. "However, Demirtaş was not referred to hospital even after seven days. The failure to refer him to a hospital despite such a vital health problem clearly means his life is at risk," Aygül Demirtaş said.

The Edirne Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, in a statement it released on Monday, said Demirtaş received immediate medical attention on Nov. 26, after informing the prison authorities of his health concerns.

Initial testing found no medical problems, however, appointments were made for further examinations and Demirtaş was taken to a hospital on Monday, news site Gazete Manifesto quoted the prosecutor’s office as saying.

Meanwhile, HDP co-chairs Sezai Temelli and Pervin Buldan on Monday asked the government and the Ministry of Justice about Selahattin Demirtaş's condition and his treatment. They said a party delegation would go to prison to investigate.

5. Main opposition CHP questions sustainability of growth figures

According to Turkey’s daily newspaper Hurriyet Daily News (02.12.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/main-opposition-chp-questions-sustainability-of-growth-figures-149367), main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) spokesperson Faik Öztrak on Dec. 2 voiced the party’s dubiousness about recently announced economic growth figures, saying the growth did not generate any employment.

“At this point, where we pay credits with credits, there is no [economic] growth. The whole world agrees that economic revival will happen with the increase in the incomes of the most fragile segments,” Öztrak said.

The spokesperson’s remarks came after the Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting of the CHP. The MYK tackled the minimum wages of 2020, the growth figures for the third quarter, unemployment and citizens’ debts, Öztrak conveyed.

Turkey’s economy grew 0.9% year-on-year in the third quarter, breaking three consecutive quarters of contraction from August 2018’s currency crisis.

The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) on Dec. 2 announced that the gross domestic product (GDP) expanded by a seasonally and calendar-adjusted 0.4%, compared with the second quarter, in its third positive quarter-on-quarter reading in a row.

“We see that the 2% increase in third quarter has fallen to 4% thousand. This raises questions on growth,” Öztrak said.

Öztrak also said that investments have importance both on the quality and sustainability of economic growth, adding: “You will do investment so that you can offer employment opportunities. This investment is being contracted for the last five quarters”. (…)

The Minimum Wage Determination Commission met on Dec. 2 to discuss the planned increase in workers’ pay. “We know that the economic crisis has left 789,000 of our citizens jobless in the last year,” he said, adding that some 78% of the unemployed were previously having minimum-wage salaries.

 

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/ EH)