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A Turkish Cypriot in the European Parliament
AKEL’s candidate Niyazi Kızılyürek became one of the six names elected to the European Parliament (EP) with votes from both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots. “I hope this victory will be a new beginning for Cyprus,” said Kızılyürek.
Kızılyürek in the European Parliament
Kızılyürek wins one of six seats allocated for Cyprus in the European Parliament as a result of the elections which 6.93% of Turkish Cypriots voted in. Kızılyürek said in his comments to Kıbrıs Postası: “For the first time in the history of the country, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots came together. As a result, I won the election. I thank everyone.”
- We will realize the projects – Agriculture Minister Dursun Oğuz said many projects are on paper but he will implement them.
- Our goal is to achieve consistent growth in economy – PM Ersin Tatar said the government programme will focus on economic development and on increasing people’s welfare.
Implement measures against earthquakes before it’s too late
Experts warn Cyprus is one of the most active seismic belts in the world. Since the first records were kept in 1894, there have been 16 strong earthquakes. Prof. Dr. Feyza Çinicioğlu, head of the Association for soil mechanics and geotechnical engineering, emphasizes the need for preparedness in the country.
- A Turkish Cypriot is in the European Parliament – One of nine Turkish Cypriot candidates, AKEL’s Niyazi Kızılyürek wins a seat in the EP.
- Financial protocol to cover 2020-2022 – PM Ersin Tatar said the economic protocol agreement to be signed with Turkey will be for a three-year period starting from 2020 but a solution needs to be found for infrastructure investments and constant need for money.
A different election
According to the unofficial results of the EP elections, DISY received the highest number of votes with 29%, followed by AKEL with 27%. AKEL candidate Prof. Dr Niyazi Kızılyürek became the first Turkish Cypriot to be elected into the EP.
- Capacity reaches the end – KIBTEK (TC Electricity Authority) General Manager Ahmet Dargın evaluated the latest on alternative energy implementations.
Message in favour of unitary state given
Only 5,604 Turkish Cypriots voted in the European Parliament elections in the South but AKEL’s candidate Niyazi Kızılyürek was elected with the votes of Greek Cypriots.
- Greek Cypriots’ stance not changing – [Greek Cypriots] are creating financial resources for a gas liquification facility to exclude Turkey.
Participation from North two per cent
Turkish Cypriots’ participation in the European Parliament elections held on our island yesterday was not as expected. Many Turkish Cypriot citizens were not allowed to vote without any reason. While 1,869 Turkish Cypriots voted in the last elections in 2014, the number rose to 5,300 in yesterday’s election. AKEL’s candidate Niyazi Kızlıyürek received 77% of the votes while the Jasmine Movement received 17%.
Main News
Kızılyürek makes history by becoming first Turkish Cypriot MEP
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
EU Matters
OVERVIEW
Niyazi Kizilyürek, candidate of left-wing AKEL became the first Turkish Cypriot on Sunday to be elected to the European Parliament. A total of 5,604 Turkish Cypriots voted in Sunday’s election at voting stations set up near crossing points. Many Turkish Cypriot voters were not allowed to vote due to problems with voter lists or because they failed to change their addresses.
Yenidüzenreported that the elections in Cyprus, unlike most parts of Europe, were motivated by peace and a federal settlement. The far-right National Peoples’ Front (ELAM) was unable to win a seat in the elections.
Kızılyürek, in a statement after his election victory, said that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots for the first time in history had achieved a joint political success. “We campaigned across the whole island, we voted, we toured all the cities, towns and villages, speaking all the languages. We showed unity in our political action,” he said.
He added that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots had acted together for the first time in recent history.
Kızılyürek said that it was also the first time such an island-wide campaign had been carried out which was why the European press had shown so much attention to his candidacy.
“AKEL’s move to nominate me was met with the respect and support of Turkish Cypriots who support a solution. This is extremely promising for our island. The next phase will not be easy either but together we shall develop more common ground and sensitivities from now on. I hope that this achievement will be a new beginning for Cyprus. I believe that Europe, which is under the threat of nationalism and racism will be pleased with this outcome,” he said.
In his comments to Kıbrıs Postası, he said he carried out the campaign with friends who believed in a federal state. Kızılyürek underlined that the election results show the people are fed up with the status quo and are in a state of hopelessness.
Afrikanewspaper described the outcome of the elections as a disappointment, reporting that the participation of Turkish Cypriots had been much lower than initially expected.
The daily reported that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) had worked hard for AKEL to win and that CTP members or ‘militants’ had set up bases at voting stations to steal the Jasmine Movement’s votes.
It admitted that the Jasmine Movement had failed in the elections, only winning 1.70% of the total votes.
Diyalognewspaper ran with the headline that a message in favour of a unitary state was given in the election.
The daily reported that Turkish Cypriot turnout had been low and that Kızılyürek had won with the votes of Greek Cypriots.
The other dailies reported on Kızılyürek’s victory in a positive light.
Kızılyürek (AKEL MEP)
>> TCs & GCs achieved joint success for the first time in recent history.
>> Election results show people are fed up with status quo and are in a state of hopelessness.
>> AKEL’s nomination was met with respect by TCs supporting a solution.
>> Outcome extremely promising. Next phase will not be easy but more common ground will be created.
UBP: Those who claim there are no alternatives are daydreamers
Kıbrıs Postası
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
National Unity Party (UBP) Famagusta MP Oğuzhan Hasipoğlu said on Sunday it is time to table different alternatives on the Cyprus problem because the federation model discussed for the past 50 years has failed to produce a result.
Hasipoğlu, speaking on a TV programme, said the UN-led process had failed in Crans Montana and that the best move now would be to bring alternatives to the table, contrary to Akıncı’s claims that alternative options were not possible.
Hasipoğlu pointed out that the Cyprus problem had now extended beyond the island to the surrounding waters and seas. He said international law of the sea dictated that countries needed to reach an agreement on disputed areas. The Turkish Cypriot side has a long-standing proposal to collaborate on the issue of hydrocarbons, but the Greek Cypriot side rejected it, Hasipoğlu said.
He added that the rejectionist attitude of the Greek Cypriot side opened the way for a two-state model.
“The Greek Cypriot side expects to gain a significant amount of revenues from the hydrocarbons. As a result, I hope the Greek Cypriot side’s expectations will lead the island to a different solution model than the federal one,” said Hasipoğlu.
KEY ACTOR
Hasipoğlu (UBP)
>> Time to table alternative solutions because the UN process was exhausted in Crans Montana.
>> Cyprob extended to seas and waters around Cyprus.
>> GC side’s rejectionist attitude opens the way for a two-state solution.
>> GC side’s expectations from hydrocarbons will lead to a different solution model on the island other than the federal one.