Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review 13.12.19
No. 757 13.12.2019
Contents
A. Turkish Cypriot Press
1. “We are of the view that a two-state solution is close at hand”, Ozersay claims
3. Akinci says 18 minefields across the island were cleaned
4. Delay in reconstruction of illegal Tymbou airport an obstacle for direct flights, claims Ustel
B. Turkish Press
1. Ankara says US bill 'disrespect' to Turkey's sovereign decisions
2. Turkey, Morocco back political solutions to problems
3. 'Cooperation between EU, Turkey should expand'
4. Former Turkish PM Davutoglu established new party
A. Turkish Cypriot Press
1. “We are of the view that a two-state solution is close at hand”, Ozersay claims
According to Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Kibris (13.12.19), the “budget of the deputy prime ministry and the ministry of foreign affairs was approved by majority on Thursday night at the assembly”.
Addressing the “assembly” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Kudret Ozersay, so-called minister of foreign affairs, said that the 51-year failure of the negotiations should be questioned, adding that this is a social and historical responsibility. He noted that the federation is not a bad model, but added, however that there are not the necessary conditions for the establishment and sustenance for a federal structure in Cyprus. Ozersay reiterated that different models based on cooperation should be discussed, claiming: “We are of the view that a two-state solution is close at hand”. He explained that the federal partnership, which the Turkish Cypriot side prefers, is incompatible with the framework, that it is being attempted to be implemented.
According to Ozersay, the reasons that the current conditions on the island are not suitable and possible for a federal partnership are the following: “The problem of trust, the Greek Cypriot side is not ready to share governance and wealth with the Turkish Cypriot side. Another problem is the lack of a federal culture on the island”.
Noting that there is a huge gap between the two sides in terms of how much each side needs a solution, Ozersay claimed that because the Greek Cypriot side joined the EU before a Cyprus settlement, it does not come forth for a solution and they have been allowed to exploit the natural gas unilaterally. “The international community is responsible for this”, he added.
Noting that every side understood differently the bi-zonal, bi-communal federal partnership, Ozersay argued that the fact that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved is a reality. He further noticed that the method used at the negotiations used to be the reason of the non-solution, but not the root cause.
Furthermore, he argued that “if there is a results-oriented process that is not open-ended, the Greek Cypriot side will reach the referendum point and if there were to be a negative outcome again, it will be possible to discuss alternative models and will be possible to remove the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot community”. “However the Greek Cypriot leadership will never allow the negotiations process to reach the final phase as long as the conditions that exist today continue,” Ozersay added.
Reiterating that they are backing different solution models on the basis of cooperation, Ozersay claimed that in case there is partnership on the basis of cooperation, then it will be possible to build trust between the two communities gradually and the two sides will begin cooperating. He said that electricity, cultural heritage, exchange of criminals are existing forms of cooperation between the two sides, adding that the sides could also cooperate before a Cyprus settlement, on natural gas, counterterrorism, money-laundering, human trafficking and other areas as well. That is when the Greek Cypriot side will be ready to share governance and wealth on the island and to discuss which kind of partnership could be formed, Ozersay argued. He further said that there will be no negotiations unless there is ground on which both sides agree.
Referring to the approved amendments to the rules governing the implementation of the Green Line Regulation, Ozersay stated that they have taken some initiatives to defend the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.
On the natural gas issue, Ozersay said that the fact they have entered the play field had made the Turkish Cypriots more visible and has balanced the situation out.
Briefing on the inventory study being carryied out at the fenced-off town of Varosha, Ozersay said that the inventory study has finished and reports on the issues of antiquities, churches, as well as reports on cleaning and electricity are being prepared, while the process in relation to of EVKAF properties and title deeds is continuing.
Recalling that they have received criticisms on the implementation of the UN Resolutions for the fenced-off town of Varosha, Ozersay argued there have been no results on this issue for so many years and the UN Security Council Resolutions should be evaluated as a whole. He added that in case the UN is involved in the process of the fenced-off town of Varosha, it should be known that the Greek Cypriot side would not be left out.
On the Maronite issue, Ozersay said that the statement that no steps were taken on the issue is misleading, adding that they had already called for tenders for the construction of 18 houses in the occupied village of Karpasha and the houses are under construction.
(DPs)
2. Turkey is concerned about some views of Akinci, says Arikli – The Cyprus problem discussed at the “assembly”
Turkish Cypriot newspaper Vatan(13.12.19) reports that Erhan Arikli, chairman of the settlers’ Revival Party (YDP), has said that the discovery of natural gas in the area increased the importance of “south Cyprus”, as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus.
Arikli addressed the “assembly” yesterday during the discussions of the “budget” of the “deputy prime minister’s and minister of foreign affairs’ office”, which was approved with majority.
Arikli referred to the agreement signed recently between Turkey and Libya and alleged that it “will spoil all games”. He argued that the regime should express support to this agreement either at the “government’s” or at the “assembly’s” level.
Referring to the issue of guarantees, Arikli wondered what could happen in case Turkey’s active and effective guarantees were abolished. He argued that if a federal Cyprus was established and Turkey’s guarantees were abolished, it would not be possible for Turkey to come to the island again. He alleged that from this point of view, the opinion of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci regarding the acceptance of the Guterres Framework was “very dangerous” and recalled that the said document included expressions which abolished Turkey’s effective and active guarantees. “Some disputable views and actions of president Akinci cause concern in Turkey and the government”, he argued.
Meanwhile, also addressing the “assembly”, Cemal Ozyigit, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), referred to the issue of the regime’s so-called opening towards the Maronite Cypriots and said that financial resources were needed for the solution of the problems, but there was no serious obstacle regarding the return of the Maronites to their villages.
Referring to the issue of the occupied fenced-off city of Varosha, Ozyigit reiterated his party’s view that the city should open for its owners under UN’s observation and that the illegal airport in Tymbou and occupied Famagusta port should also open for international transports.
Furthermore, Oguzhan Hasipoglu, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP) alleged that since there was no change in the mentality of the Greek Cypriot side, the Cyprus negotiations should not continue with the same method. “New models and ideas should come onto the agenda”, he argued adding that if you say that federation was the only option on the table, federation would be on the table of course. He alleged that it was meaningless to talk about federation from now on, because “we have given to federation and the Greek Cypriot side the necessary tolerance and time”.
Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Düzen(13.12.19) reports that speaking during the same session of the “assembly”, Armagan Candan, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that there was no possibility for a two state solution coming to the negotiating table. He argued that the Turkish Cypriot “people” had rights over the recourses in the south of the island as well and therefore those who referred to division and a two state solution should take this into consideration. He said that it was not possible to find a solution other than federation in the foreseeable future and argued that no one would benefit from “selling empty dreams to the people”.
Candan argued that the possibilities of the representatives and the employees of the “foreign ministry” abroad should increase and pointed to the importance of the “ministry” for the voice of the Turkish Cypriots to be heard in the world. He also referred to his efforts to make the voice of the Turkish Cypriots heard at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which he described “the most important institution in which the Turkish Cypriots have a status in Europe”.
Candan said also that questioning again the status of the Immovable Property Commission (IPC) at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) constituted a danger for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. He noted that 100 million TL from Turkey were included in the 2020 “budget” for the IPC and added that this money was important for intensifying the payment of compensations.
Referring to the issue of the occupied fenced-off city of Varosha, Candan recalled that “prime minister’ Ersin Tatar had pointed to 2020 as regards the opening of the city and added that this issue should be clarified. He said that the UN had referred to Varosha after a long period of time and warned the Turkish Cypriot side, referring to its past decisions.
Asking at which point the so-called opening to the Maronites was, Candan expressed the view that it was important to create the conditions for the Maronites to be able to return to their occupied villages.
(I/Ts.)
3. Akinci says 18 minefields across the island were cleaned
Turkish Cypriot daily Detay (13.12.19) reports that according to a statement issued by the so-called presidency, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has stated that in the framework of the 26th of February 2016 agreement reached with President Nicos Anastasiades, they have completed the demining of 18 minefields across the island, 9 in each side, adding that as a result of this, these fields are considered fully secured.
According to Akinci, the main goal is the full demining of the island. “We had to start from somewhere in order to accomplish this goal. Taking into account the proposals submitted by military experts in both sides, demining was completed in 9 minefields in each side and thus I feel happy about the fact that our agreement with the Greek Cypriot leader was set into force”, Akinci said.
(AK)
4. Delay in reconstruction of illegal Tymbou airport an obstacle for direct flights, claims Ustel
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (13.12.19) reports that so-called minister of tourism Unal Ustel, in statements yesterday in a televised program broadcast by Kibris Postasi TV, claimed that in case that the works for the construction of the new airport in occupied Tymbou would be completed, they would be able to carry out campaigns in Europe and the UK for launching direct flights to the “TRNC”.
“I want the works for the construction of the new airport to be completed the soonest possible, so as to be able to press to courts on the issue of the direct flights”, Ustel alleged, accusing Emrullah Turanli, owner of Taşyapı Group of company which undertook the investment for the construction of the new airport, for delaying the works, for making mistakes and for causing loss to the “country”.
(AK)
B. Turkish Press
1. Ankara says US bill 'disrespect' to Turkey's sovereign decisions
Turkish Hurrieyt Daily News (13.12.19 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/ankara-says-us-bill-a-disrespect-to-turkeys-sovereign-decisions-149744) reports that Turkey on Dec. 12 slammed the passing of a sanctions bill against Turkey by the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Committee, calling it “disrespect to our sovereign decisions about our national security.”
“The recent attempts carried out with domestic political calculations in both wings of the Congress, which have also been supported by the circles against Turkey, is a new incident of disrespect to our sovereign decisions about our national security,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The ministry said these attempts “are beyond damaging U.S.-Turkey relations.”
“We know on what basis the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations adopted a bill to impose sanctions on our country on the pretext of our Operation Peace Spring and [Russian] S-400 system,” read the statement.
It said the reason was “the profound disappointment due to the heavy blow Turkey dealt to the project which has been carefully prepared for a long time.”
“Turkey had responded to a similar bill with a similar content adopted by the House of Representatives on Oct. 29. This time, the bill that is being put on the agenda of the Senate shows that our explanations are not intended to be understood,” the ministry added.
The ministry called on the U.S. Congress to adopt a constructive attitude towards the development of Turkish-U.S. relations, “which will not undermine our common goals”.
Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu earlier on Dec. 11 said Turkey will retaliate if the United States takes negative steps against it, when asked about the prospect of Washington imposing sanctions over Ankara’s purchase of the S-400s.
“Members of the U.S. Congress need to understand that they cannot achieve anything by imposition. If the U.S. approaches positively, we will approach positively too,” he said in an interview with Turkish broadcaster A Haber.
Asked if Turkey will consider closing the İncirlik Airbase in southern Turkey to U.S. aircraft in the event of any sanctions by the U.S. administration against Ankara, he said Ankara will decide upon its assessments in the worst-case scenario and İncirlik Airbase and Kürecik radar system of NATO could be among those retaliation plans.
“İncirlik may come up, and Kürecik may come up. Everything may come up. I don’t want to talk on assumptions. The decision of the administration is important, not the congress. We will evaluate and decide on the worst-case scenario.”
Çavuşoğlu also said Turkey was open to alternatives to buying U.S. F-35 jets, including from Russia, after Ankara was suspended from the program over the S-400 purchase.Turkey lashes at US resolution on 1915 Armenian events
'Sanctions, threats to not deter us from protecting our national security interests,' says communications director
In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (13.12.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/turkey-lashes-at-us-resolution-on-1915-armenian-events/1672222) reports that The latest U.S. moves, the sanctions bill and the resolution recognizing Armenian claims of 1915 events, jeopardize the bilateral relations with Turkey, a top Turkish official said on Thursday.
"The sanctions bill that passed yesterday in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the Armenian resolution that passed today in the Senate endanger the future of our bilateral relationship," Fahrettin Altun, Turkish communications director, said on Twitter.
"Sanctions and threats will not deter us from protecting our national security interests," he stressed. Altun hit back at the U.S. Senate resolutions as “irresponsible and irrational actions.”
"As we stated previously we expect our Armenian brothers to stand up and prevent the U.S. Congress to destroy any attempt to reconcile our differences through scientific and academic channels."
"History will note these resolutions as irresponsible and irrational actions by some members of the U.S. Congress against Turkey. They will go down in history as the responsible party for causing a long lasting damage between two nations," he said.
Ibrahim Kalin, Turkey's presidential spokesman, also lashed out at the fresh U.S. resolution.
“This null and void decision will not affect Turkey’s righteous and resolute stance on political, military or economic areas,” Kalin said on Twitter.
2. Turkey, Morocco back political solutions to problems
Ankara Anatolia news agency (13.12.19 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkey-morocco-back-political-solutions-to-problems/1672171) reports that Turkey and Morocco support political solutions over military actions in problem solving, the Turkish FM said on Thursday.
"We believe in political solutions, and there is no military solution to any conflict in our region, in Syria, in Libya and elsewhere, including Yemen,” Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu told a joint news conference alongside his Moroccan counterpart Nasser Bourita in the capital Rabat.
Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey’s support for territorial integrity, stability and security of Morocco, and dismissed any separatist group or agenda.
“Any issues should be of course solved peacefully. This is our common position,” Cavusoglu said.
The Turkish official arrived earlier in Rabat to take part in the events marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
Addressing the bilateral relations, Cavusoglu said the two countries agreed to improve bilateral cooperation in many areas, highlighting economic cooperation.
“Bilateral trade volume has been increasing. We know that there is an imbalance [in bilateral trade] in favor of Turkey,” the visiting minister said, adding that officials from both sides are working to balance it.
“We will increase particularly Turkish investment in Morocco,” he said.
Bourita, for his part, said economic ties topped the agenda of the meeting with his Turkish counterpart.
“We discussed how to foster the partnership between Morocco and Turkey and how to remove some obstacles on trade matters,” he told the news conference held after the meeting.
3. 'Cooperation between EU, Turkey should expand'
Turkish daily Yeni Safak (13.12.19 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/cooperation-between-eu-turkey-should-expand-3507277) reports that Turkey, EU should overcome misperceptions, misunderstandings on issues of common interests, says AK Party official.
After meeting with EU lawmakers in Brussels, Cevdet Yilmaz, AK Party's deputy chairman responsible for foreign affairs, urged the EU states to expand cooperation on issues of common interests, energy, security, customs union, and visa liberations, adding that the cooperation will benefit both parties.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency, he also called on EU politicians to overcome misperceptions and misunderstandings.
"We are speaking of truth, not of perceptions. We invite those we meet here to Turkey,"
He met with European Parliament members Ilhan Kucuk, Jan Witold Waszczykowski, Bernard Guetta, Michael Gahler, Nathalie Loiseau, and Tomas Zdechovsky.
4. Former Turkish PM Davutoglu established new party
Turkish aily Hurriyet (13.12.19) reports that the former Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, applied on Thursday to Turkey’s Ministry of Interior in order to establish a new political party.
The Party will be called “Future Party” (Gelecek Partisi) and according to the paper former prominent members of AKP will participate in it. Among them are former Deputies with AKP Selcuk Ozdag and Feramuz Ustun.
(CS)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/ EH)
PRESS AND INFORMATION OFFICE
