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Τελευταίες Ειδήσεις

Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-040719

No. 123/19                                                                                          04.07.2019

 

Content

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Federal solution model exhausted, alleges Ozersay

2. Report on S-200 missile crash site in occupied Cyprus

3. Regime’s stance on occupied fenced-off Varosha is worrisome, says Gurcafer

4. Occupied Famagusta, Trikomo and Agios Sergios became construction sites

5. Inflation rate rises in the breakaway regime

6. Parties of the new “coalition government” do not agree on the person who will chair the committee to  examine Ozgurgun’s case

7. Tatar says they will bring electricity from Turkey

B. Turkish Press

1. Erdoğan: “Turkey abiding by international laws in Eastern  Mediterranean|

2. Erdogan evaluated his contacts in Beijing and the G20 summit

3. Putin hails 'strategic' Russian-Turkish cooperation

4. Russia delivers 3 Ka-32 helicopters to Turkey

5. The first of the two S-400 batteries will be positioned in Akıncı Air Base

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Federal solution model exhausted, alleges Ozersay   

Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak (04.07.19, http://www.brtk.net/dogu-akdenizdeki-hidrokarbon-yataklarinin-musterek-sahibiyiz/) broadcasts that Kudret Ozersay, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has argued that the hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean belonged to both communities and that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots were co-owners of these resources.

Speaking at the UN headquarters in Geneva during a press conference organized by the Union of Accredited Reporters at the UN (ACANU) under the title “The recent developments in Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean”, Ozersay reiterated the allegation that the way for a solution was obstructed by the fact that the negotiations had been held for 50 years only on the basis of a federal model in which the sharing of power and wealth existed. Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side did not wish the sharing of power and wealth with the Turkish Cypriots, Ozersay argued that reaching an agreement on a common basis without the sharing of power and wealth would not be possible, that the Greek Cypriot side fully used the advantages of being a member of the EU and that the lack of confidence continued.

Referring to the hydrocarbons, Ozersay said that the proposal submitted by the Turkish Cypriots in 2011 for cooperating on this issue before the solution of the Cyprus problem was still valid. He alleged: “[…] This proposal, however, was not accepted. Therefore, we followed the same approach with the one of the Greek Cypriot side (on the hydrocarbon resources). We did not make a move of preventing the use of these resources, but we followed the same approach. […]

The only thing we need is solidarity. This solidarity will be also the beginning for a lasting solution in Cyprus. We need a direct dialogue on this issue […]”.        

Referring to the fall of a missile in the occupied area of Cyprus recently, Ozersay said that the war in Syria was going on since 2011 and this was the first time that a missile fell in Cyprus. He noted that this was an isolated incident and that Cyprus was a safe place. He further added that the breakaway regime’s “representation office” in New York had taken the necessary action before the UN and expressed its concern over the issue.

Asked about the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations, Ozersay alleged that before the resumption of a new negotiating process, the “realities on the ground” should be very well understood and the kind of desirable partnership should be agreed and accepted. Ozersay claimed also that federal Cyprus was not the only way for a solution and that other ways could be found. He reiterated the view that other solution models based on cooperation could be tried, instead of the federal solution, which is based on sharing and has been discussed for the past 50 years in Cyprus. He also alleged the following:

“We are obliged to find a way to live together on this island. However, as it would be understood from the realities, this way is not the federal partnership. I believe that during the past 50 years we have been exhausted from every kind of negotiations, discussions, counter arguments, diplomatic techniques and kinds of negotiations. We tried, we are tired and we failed. If we are to begin a new negotiating process we should sit and discuss what we will be negotiating. According to the estimation of both myself and the government, the federal partnership model has been exhausted”.

(I/Ts.)        

 

2. Report on S-200 missile crash site in occupied Cyprus

According to illegal Bayrak (04.07.19, http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=report-on-missile-crash-site-made-public), no traces of biological, radioactive or chemical materials were discovered by experts who screened the crash site of the S-200 missile which landed outside of occupied Vouno village in the early hours of Monday 1 July, a report prepared by a team from the Turkish Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) has revealed.

According to the report, which was made public yesterday, experts said they did not find anything that could be dangerous for human health. The only thing a soil analysis at the crash site revealed was burnt nylon particles.

Despite no evidence of any toxic materials, the report advices the public to avoid contact with any remaining debris at the crash site. It also states that authorities should transport pieces of the exploded missile in a contained environment.

 

3. Regime’s stance on occupied fenced-off Varosha is worrisome, says Gurcafer   

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Havadis (03.07.19) reports that Cafer Gurcafer, chairman of the Turkish Cypriot building contractors’ union, has said that some questions were raised after the statements made by the “government” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the opening of the fenced-off city of Varosha. In statements to the paper, Gurcafer noted that in 2006, the building contractors had submitted a study to the then “officials” for the opening of the occupied fenced-off city to its “former owners” [Translator’s note: This is how he describes the legal owners of Varosha] under Turkish Cypriot administration in order for occupied Famagusta’s economy and the constructions sector to be revived.

Arguing that the conditions of that period had been appropriate for the opening of Varosha, Gurcafer said that they could not proceed, because former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat had told them that Varosha was a part of the comprehensive solution and that Turkey also was seeing this issue in the same manner.  

Noting that the fact that Varosha was brought onto the agenda today was worrisome, Gurcafer said that such a step would seriously harm the relations between the two communities and increase tension in a period during which tension regarding the natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean was experienced. “We need steps which will decrease tension”, he added.    

Gurcafer said that no one should draw the conclusion from the above statement that he thought that the stance of the Greek Cypriot side was correct and underlined the importance of refraining from tension. “You cannot abolish the disaster which will be created by a possible war”, he added.

Recalling that UN Resolutions existed regarding Varosha, Gurcafer wondered whether the Turkish side would be able to pay the price of opening the occupied- fenced-off city contrary to the above-mentioned resolutions.

Gurcafer argued that the “government’s” decision for Vaorsha was not correct from the point of view of its timing and was a step which increases tension. “This situation will influence very negatively the climate for investments. Our economy will receive a blow”, he added.

“We are facing a very serious danger because resources could not be found for the Immovable Property Commission”, he said expressing the view that the building contractors were closely interested in the developments in the above-mentioned “commission”. He noted that the inventory study announced by the regime would need at least two years and 300 million Turkish liras the minimum and added that the building contractors could support this process without taking any money. “We must create resources for the Immovable Property Commission by using our resources correctly”, he concluded.

(I/Ts.)

 

4. Occupied Famagusta, Trikomo and Agios Sergios became construction sites

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (04.07.19) reports that 21 Turkish Cypriot organizations in the occupied area of Cyprus express concerns over the fact that after the “decree for Famagusta-Trikomo and Agios Sergios villages”, the three mentioned villages were turned to  construction sites. The organizations point out the fact that they will not allow for the interests and demands of specific circles in the region to be satisfied.

In statements on the issue, the chairman of the “chamber of city planning”, Merter Refikoglu, underlines that some files related of the “city planning” especially in occupied Trikomo speak about the construction of 500 new residences in the area. He added that in occupied Trikomo, where the population in winter period is 3,000 and in summer period 9,000, the new construction buildings to be built would provide services to 150-200 thousand persons.

(AK)

5. Inflation rate rises in the breakaway regime

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (04.07.19) reports that the “state planning organization" (“DPO”) has announced that “inflation rate in the TRNC” for June has gone up by 1.27, comparing with December of the previous year which was 7.57% , while the same month of the previous year it was 24,69%.

According to the “DPO”, rise has been recorded in the average prices of 343 goods and services.

The prices of 118 goods and services have dropped. The highest rise was recorded on lemons, cucumbers and pulles while the lowest in tomatoes and watermelon.

(AK)

 

6. Parties of the new “coalition government” do not agree on the person who will chair the committee to  examine Ozgurgun’s case

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (04.07.19) reports that there is a disagreement between the National Unity Party (UBP) and the People’s Party (HP) as regards the president of the special “parliament committee” which is established in order to examine the lifting of the “immunity” of the former chairman of UBP and “deputy” with the party, Huseyin Ozgurgun.

The paper writes that the two parties had two different candidates for the chair of the new “committee” and during a voting held at the “parliament” it  was not possible for  any one of them to be elected since the Republican People’s Party (CTP) did not participate in the voting.

(CS)

7. Tatar says they will bring electricity from Turkey

Illegal Bayrak (04.07.19 http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=tatar-says-investors-will-be-supported) reports that so-called prime minister Ersin Tatar said that “the government will always support investors because the country can only develop through investments”

Speaking at an opening ceremony yesterday, he highlighted  the importance of renewable energy of bringing electricity to the  breakaway regime from Turkey via cable “for the development of the country’s economy”, as he said.

“We will bring electricity from Turkey because by doing so we shall be able to expand our investments on solar energy. This is the sector of the future,” he added.

 

B. Turkish Press

1. Erdoğan: “Turkey abiding by international laws in Eastern  Mediterranean|

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (04.07.19 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-turkey-abiding-by-international-laws-in-east-med-144672) reports that  Turkey is abiding by international law amid tensions over gas drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean and will not hesitate to take further steps to resolve the issue, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said.

“We are taking the necessary steps within the law, and we will try to continue accordingly,” Erdoğan told a group of journalists on the plane returning from China late on July 2.

“But if we come up against unlawful actions, we know how to speak the language, which they speak. It is unacceptable that those who have no legal rights there try to acquire gains,” he said.

Erdoğan claimed  the “Greek Cyprus administration”, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, has never acted within the law.

“The Greek Cyprus administration, whose accession  to the European Union is shady, is trying to intimidate the TRNC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] with the power it gets [from the EU],” the president said.

“The EU also is not acting honestly. The TRNC was the victim of a grave injustice when Southern Cyprus was included in the EU although it said ‘no’ in {2004] referendum [to a peace plan], while Northern Cyprus was excluded although it said ‘yes.’ And the EU has not paid the funds it should have to Northern Cyprus. How can we trust the EU? They are not honest.”

2. Erdogan evaluated his contacts in Beijing and the G20 summit

Turkish Daily Sabah (04.07.19 https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/07/04/multipolar-world-vision-central-to-turkish-diplomacy) reports that multipolarism continues to be the basis of Turkey's foreign policy as the country's leader President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan marks a series of meetings with various world leaders and touches upon a wide range of regional and global issues.

A busy week in terms of diplomatic traffic has been left behind for Turkey and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who attended the G20 summit in Japan and then visited China for bilateral meetings. Meeting with accompanying Turkish journalists before setting off for Turkey from China, Erdoğan touched upon various international topics, from his meetings in the Far East to relations with the U.S. and developments in the Middle East, reflecting Turkey's multipolar vision in diplomacy. Erdoğan on Friday met and talked with fellow world leaders as the G20 summit kicked off in Japan's Osaka. The president met with his U.S., Russian and French counterparts Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron. He also held meetings with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

 

Regarding his visit to China, Erdoğan said that the two countries share many similarities when it comes to global matters since they both support multilateralism rather than unilateralism as well as international law.

"China is a country that can stand for its own beliefs," said Erdoğan, as he expressed his admiration for the country.

"We've handled bilateral, regional and global issues broadly with the president of the People's Republic of China, Xi Jinping," Erdoğan said, adding that they aim to further boost the two countries' trade volume. "We've targeted the $50 billion trade volume and made negotiation over which steps to take to reach this aim," he indicated. Erdoğan also said that they encourage Chinese investments in Turkey to expand and said that there are already more than 1,000 Chinese entrepreneurs in Turkey. "I've seen a similar will in Xi Jinping when it comes to Turkish products entering the Chinese market. In this respect, they wanted us to make exports to China in different fields" the president said.

 

Erdoğan also touched upon the issue of Uighur Turks and their situation in China, saying that the matter also came up during his meetings in the country.

When he was asked whether or not the cancellation of purchase of Chinese missile systems has harmed bilateral ties, Erdoğan said that the incident does not mean that their joint work in the defense industry would come to an end.

When it comes to his activities in Japan, Erdoğan said that they are about to complete the economic partnership treaty between the two countries and pointed at the foundation of the Turkish-Japan Science and Technology University as a step that strengthens the ties. "Our cooperation with Japan in infrastructure, technology, energy and the defense industry continues to strengthen," Erdoğan said, adding that during his visit, the issues of China-U.S. tension, Iran, North Korea and Syria were discussed in his meetings.

In terms of the tension between the U.S. and Iran, Erdoğan said that Japan also does not favor the sanctions that are being imposed on Tehran.

"When we talked with [Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo] Abe, he asked me if we can act together in such a case. And I answered, 'why not?'" Erdoğan said, implying that both Turkey and Japan  are ready to mediate between the two countries.

He also underlined that in such a case, one should focus on reaching concrete results while adding that no one in the international community wants to be a part of this crisis.

As far as the meeting with the U.S. President Donald Trump in the G20 summit is concerned, Erdoğan said that he appreciated the U.S. president's attitude toward the Turkish delegation as well as his welcoming words. Referring to Trump's positive statements on Turkey's S-400 purchase and the failure of the U.S.' delivery of Patriots to the country, Erdoğan reiterated Turkey's righteousness on the issue.

"If you are looking for a customer, if there is a costumer who paid their payments regularly, how can you not give this customer what it wants?" the president asked. "This is called seizure," he added.

Saying that an agreement had been made for the purchase of 116 F-35s and Turkey has so far paid $1.4 billion for the planes, Erdoğan said that they've been mistreated by the U.S. on the issue as the products have still not been delivered.

3. Putin hails 'strategic' Russian-Turkish cooperation

Turkish daily Yeni Safak (04.07.19 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/putin-hails-strategic-russian-turkish-cooperation-3484775) reports that Russian-Turkish cooperation has reached "a strategic level," Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.

Speaking at a ceremony to receive the letters of credence of  new Turkish Ambassador to Russia Mehmet Samsar, Putin said he is in "constant contact" with his Turkish counterpart.

"Our partnership with our neighbor Turkey has reached a strategic level. We are in constant contact with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In April, a meeting of the High-Level Cooperation Council between Russia and Turkey was successfully held in Moscow," he said.

Putin praised as "major" and "most important" Russian-Turkish construction projects such as the Akkuyu nuclear plant and TurkStream gas pipeline.

"We have many other interesting projects and joint initiatives. A significant factor in international stability are the coordinated efforts of Russia and Turkey to normalize the situation and launch the peace process in Syria," Putin added.

 

Next year Russia and Turkey celebrate a centenary of establishing diplomatic relations, and this month Russia is due to deliver S-400 defense systems bought by Ankara.

4. Russia delivers 3 Ka-32 helicopters to Turkey

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (04.07.19 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/russia-delivers-3-ka-32-helicopters-to-turkey-144656) reports that a Russian firm has completed delivery of three multipurpose helicopters to Turkey, the company's CEO said on July 3.        

"We have completed execution of the contract to supply three Ka-32 helicopters to Turkey," Andrey Boginsky, the CEO of JSC Russian Helicopters, told reporters on the sidelines of the ARMY-2019 forum in Moscow Oblast.      

He added that Moscow and Ankara are engaged in talks about buying more copters from the firm.      

Russia and Turkey signed the deal for the Ka-32s at the Eurasia Airshow last year in the Turkish Mediterranean resort of Antalya.       

The helicopters are supposed to be used in firefighting.      

Calling the Turkish market “one of the most promising,” this April Boginsky said based on the size of the country, Turkey needs more helicopters to fight fires.     

The delivery comes amid stronger diplomatic and defense industry ties between Ankara and Moscow, including Turkey's purchase of S-400 missile defense systems.    

5. The first of the two S-400 batteries will be positioned in Akıncı Air Base

Under the title “Peace deployment to S-400: It will not link to NATO radar”, Turkish daily Cumhuriyet (03.07.19, http://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/haber/turkiye/1469462/S-400_lere__baris_konuslanmasi___NATO_radarina_baglanmayacak.html) reports that it was decided that at the first stage, the air defence system from Russia will be deployed in Ankara.

It was reported that a new formula was developed in order to avoid US sanctions regarding the S-400 air defence system that Turkey will purchase from Russia. According to information obtained by the paper, the air defence system will be deployed in Ankara and will not be connected to NATO radar. It was also reported that the position for the air defence system was assigned to a ranking commander colonel, who has been stationed in Ankara.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah (03.07.19, https://www.dailysabah.com/defense/2019/07/03/s-400-batteries-planned-to-be-deployed-in-ankara-southeastern-turkey), under the title “S-400 batteries planned to be deployed in Ankara, south-eastern Turkey), reports that Turkey is prepared to receive the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile defence system in two weeks, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced during his visit to Japan for the G20 Osaka summit. Last week, ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) spokesperson Ömer Çelik also said the places where S-400 will be deployed have been determined without revealing further details.

According to the information obtained from the security sources, the first of the two S-400 batteries Turkey will receive will be located in Akıncı Air Base in the capital province of Ankara. (…) The second S-400 battery will reportedly be placed in a strategically important location in the eastern and south-eastern region of Turkey, yet the reports have not been confirmed. (…)

(DPs)

 

 

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(CS/EH)