TCC Press Review 14 July 2019

Front Page Headlines

Yenidüzen

“The waves were terrifying”

Mukhtar of Kaplıca (Davlos) Adem Baş told Yenidüzen about the tragedy that claimed the lives of four members of the Katırcı family. “We were sitting at the village coffee shop when we learned that there was a drowning incident. Immediately I and a group of 60-70 villagers rushed to the scene. By the time we reached the beach, we saw a person diving into the waves. We ran down the side of the cliff. When we reached the shore, we saw the 12-year-old survivor Barış Katırcı lying on a rock. The sea was incredibly rough. There were waves so big even the best swimmer amongst us could not overcome them. Osman Göztaş who saved the boy could not swim to shore himself. The sea was rough that day that even the fishermen didn’t go out to sea. The father was fishing and the rest of the family was swimming,” he said.

Kıbrıs Postası

Either take the proposal or we will continue

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu sends a message to the Greek Cypriot side through Kıbrıs Postası asking the Greek Cypriot side to accept the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal to form a joint committee on hydrocarbons.

  • Anastasiades told Sergiy Illarianov to “come back tomorrow” – Turkish Foreign Ministry supports President Mustafa Akıncı’s proposal [on hydrocarbons].

Kıbrıs

Eleven drown in seven months

Eleven people have drowned and 22 were hospitalized while swimming in the past seven months. This situation once again raised the issue of the absence of lifeguards and other safety regulations at beaches.

  • A new hydrocarbon proposal from Akıncı to Anastasiades – President Mustafa Akıncı submitted a proposal to set up a joint committee on hydrocarbons to Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades through the United Nations Good Offices Mission in Cyprus.

Havadis

If there is a will, there is a formula

President Mustafa Akıncı submitted a proposal to de-escalate tensions over hydrocarbon drilling in the Eastern Mediterranean. Akıncı proposed to set up a joint committee. Turkey supported the proposal. Akıncı also shared the same proposal with United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

  • The country in mourning – Members of the Katırcı family who drowned at sea in an area between Kaplıca (Davlos) and Yedikonuk (Eptakomi) are being buried on Sunday. 12-year-old Barış Katırcı remains in hospital under psychiatric monitoring.

Diyalog

He overcame all obstacles in life but couldn’t beat the waves

Ramazan Katırcı who drowned along with his wife and two children was a devoted father who provided for his family by selling wild asparagus he picked from the fields and washing dishes at festivals. 

  • Ankara gave its support – President Mustafa Akıncı submitted a proposal to the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades for establishing a ‘joint committee’ on hydrocarbons.
  • Exerting pressure – US House of Representatives which approved the lifting of the arms embargo on South Cyprus will be discussing sanctions against Turkey on Monday.
  • It’s been 40 years – Documentary which focuses on the sinking of the Swedish flagged ship Zenobia in Larnaca in 1980 looks into the role of the Israeli and British secret services.

Afrika

Akıncı: We are partners of the Republic of Cyprus

We refuse to recognize the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) by calling it the Greek Cypriot Administration but then remember that we are joint partners of the RoC when it suits our interest. In an interview with the Anadolu News Agency, Akıncı criticized the countries that support the RoC on the issue of hydrocarbons. “They keep forgetting we have rights as equal partners. As if this republic belongs only to the Greek Cypriots…No it belongs to all of us and we are partners,” he said.

  • Arms embargo on Greek Cypriots lifted – The US House of Representatives approved the bill to lift the arms embargo on South Cyprus. This is seen as the first step against Turkey following the purchase of the S-400 missiles.

Main News

Akıncı submits a proposal on establishing a joint committee on hydrocarbons

Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Energy, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

President Mustafa Akıncı formalized a proposal to set up a joint committee for cooperation on hydrocarbons by officially handing it to the UN on Saturday and sending it to Antonio Guterres and EU heads.

Akıncı also conveyed his proposal to the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades through the UN Good Offices Mission.

According to a statement issued by Akıncı’s office, the aim of presenting the proposal through the UN aimed at giving Anastasiades a chance to pre-examine, and later evaluate the proposal at a tête-à-tête meeting between the leaders, which is currently in the works.

It said Akıncı wanted to change the hydrocarbons issue from one of tension and conflict to cooperation. The proposal involves the establishment of a joint committee under the supervision of the UN which would have the same number of members from both sides and an independent observer.

His proposal is also said to outline the structure, targets and methodology of the committee and includes the establishment of a fund and details on how this fund would be used.

The statement said that Akıncı had also sent the proposal to the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the EU Commission and the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

Ankara welcomed “and fully supported Akıncı’s joint use of hydrocarbon resources with the Greek side”, a Turkish foreign ministry announcement said on Saturday.

“The proposal foresees that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, as equal partners of the island, should cooperate on the hydrocarbon resources to which they have equal rights, including income sharing and benefit from these resources simultaneously,” the statement said.

It said if accepted, the proposal “will initiate a new period of cooperation between the two sides, contribute to the development of regional peace, stability and cooperation and provide a suitable basis for the solution of the Cyprus issue”.

The ministry called on all interested parties, including the UN and the EU, and in particular the other two guarantor powers, Greece and Britain, “to take this important opportunity, support this proposal of cooperation, and encourage co-operation on the island’s hydrocarbon resources”.

“Our country’s commitment to protecting the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots on the island’s natural resources as well as its own continental shelf rights in the Eastern Mediterranean is total,” the foreign ministry said.

“We will continue our determined and principled stance on protecting these rights until the rights of the Turkish Cypriots are guaranteed, it added.

In a separate interview to the Turkish Anadolu News Agency published by Turkish Cypriot dailies on Sunday, Akıncı said that everyone on the island will benefit from the island’s natural wealth if an understanding is reached between the two sides.

He added however that the Greek Cypriot side was still not accepting proposals on this issue.

Akıncı argued that the Greek Cypriot side’s reluctance to share the island’s resources or power with Turkish Cypriots dated back to 1963 when the Greek Cypriots took control of the 1960 Cyprus Republic.

He said that ever since the Greek Cypriots which enjoy international recognition have had no real motivation to solve the Cyprus Problem.

He said that a Turkish Cypriot state, recognized internationally or not, existed today and that efforts continued to further develop that state.

“This situation has emerged as a result of the mistakes made by the Greek Cypriots,” he said.

Akıncı added that it was not enough for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side to insist for a solution on the island.

“Much duty falls on international actors. It is possible to reach formulas that will be mutually acceptable and which will bring peace and stability to the region. But it’s the UN and the EU that must constantly highlight this. It will not be possible to reach a solution as long as the international community continues to pat the Greek Cypriots on the back,” Akıncı stressed.

A solution will not only benefit Turkish Cypriots but will make it much easier to exploit the island’s natural reserves, Akıncı added.

Asked about Turkey’s drilling activities and the consequent rise in tensions, Akıncı said that the Greek Cypriot side’s and international community’s ignorance of the Turkish Cypriots’ rights was the cause of this tension. 

He said that Greek Cypriots had been given plenty of prior warning to cease its unilateral activities and to cooperate on the issue of hydrocarbons.

“Since in principle it has been agreed that the island’s natural resources belong to both communities then we should discuss this matter within the framework of a joint committee,” he said.

On the outcome of the elections in Greece, Akıncı says that the new Greek Prime Minister Alexis Mitsotakis was more advantageous compared to his predecessor because his party had won an overall majority in parliament.

“This will allow him more flexibility to manoeuvre on issues related to foreign policy.

He expressed optimism that the new government in Greece could open a new era in Turkish-Greek relations as well as the Cyprus Problem.

On the implementation of mobile phone interoperability, Akıncı said that this was a positive development which had been pending since 2015.

He said the island’s mobile networks had been linked via a hub in Europe, which was not ideal, but still, an important achievement when one considered that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriot prior to the confidence-building measure had no network coverage when crossing to the other side.

Asked whether he intends to run for a second term, Akıncı said that the issue of presidential elections had come up too soon and that his efforts to restart talks was still continuing. “I believe that bringing up this issue ten months before the election would only serve to divert the country’s attention away from more urgent matters. A decision will be taken when the time comes,” he said.

KEY ACTORS
Akıncı
>>
Proposal through UN aims at giving Anastasiades a chance to pre-examine, and later evaluate the proposal at a future tete-a-tete meeting between the leaders.
>> Aim is to transform hydrocarbons’ issue from one of tension and conflict to cooperation.
>> Proposal involves the establishment of a joint committee under the supervision of the UN with an equal number of members from both sides, and an independent observer.
>> GC side which enjoys international recognition has no motivation for a solution.
>> Much duty falls on the international actors such as the UN and EU to constant encourage GCs and highlight the importance of a solution for regional peace and stability.
>> A solution will make it easier to exploit the island’s natural resources.
>> New Greek PM in a more advantageous position compared to his predecessor.
>> New majority government in Greece will have more flexibility on foreign policy.
>> Mitostakis’s government could open a new era in Turkish-Greek relations & Cyprus Issue.
>> Mobile phone link an important deal even if not implemented in ideal conditions.
>> Too early to occupy country’s agenda with presidential elections ten months from now.

Turkish MFA
>> Ankara welcomes and fully supports Akıncı’s proposal for joint use of hydrocarbon resources with the GC side.
>> Proposal foresees that TCs & GCs should cooperate on the hydrocarbon resources as stakeholders with equal rights.
>> If accepted, the proposal will initiate a new period of cooperation between the two sides, contribute to regional peace, stability and cooperation and provide a suitable basis for solution Cyprob.
>> All interested parties, including the UN & EU as well as guarantor powers, Greece and Britain should support & cooperate cooperation on the island’s resources.
>> Turkey remains committed to protecting the equal rights of TCs on the island’s natural resources as well as its own continental shelf rights in the East Med.


Çavuşoğlu says Turkey will continue to drill for gas until GCs accept TC side’s proposal

Kıbrıs Postası
Energy, Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations

OVERVIEW

Turkey will continue drilling for gas in waters off Cyprus if the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government does not accept a cooperation proposal put forward by Turkish Cypriots, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said on Sunday.

Çavuşoğlu said a proposal by President Mustafa Akıncı that both parties in Cyprus cooperate in exploration and exploitation of gas could contribute to stability and peace in the eastern Mediterranean.

In an article written especially for Kıbrıs Postası, Çavuşoğlu said that until Greek Cypriots adopt the proposals set out by Akıncı, Turkey would continue operations in areas where Turkish Cypriot authorities have licensed it to work “with determination and without change”.

He added that the Greek Cypriot side continued to disregard the Turkish Cypriots’ legitimate rights on the island’s natural reserves and violate Turkey’s continental shelf with its unilateral drilling.

Çavuşoğlu said that Turkish Cypriots must be included in any decision-making mechanisms on natural resources.

“It is not possible for Turkey or the Turkish Cypriot side to wait for the Greek Cypriot side to grant Turkish Cypriots their rights after a comprehensive settlement. Therefore, the Turkish Cypriot side’s latest proposal dated July 13 July 2019 is very good, very timely and it is a proposal we support fully,” he said. 

He added that the proposal was based on acknowledging Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots as equal partners on the island and foresaw the joint management of the gas resources and revenues to be derived from it.

“The Implementation of this proposal will hail a new era of collaboration, will contribute to regional peace and stability and will create the suitable basis for the solution of the Cyprus problem,” Çavuşoğlu said.

He said there are two aspects to the hydrocarbon issue in the Eastern Mediterranean. The first one is Turkey defending its rights in its continental shelf and the second is the Cyprus problem itself.

He also said that was not right to link Turkey’s efforts to protect its continental shelf with the Cyprus problem.

Çavuşoğlu also refuted Greek Cypriot claims that Turkey was violating Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ) stating that the Fatih drilling vessel was currently operating in an area which was within Turkey’s continental shelf.

“More importantly a continental shelf delineation agreement does not exist between Turkey and the island of Cyprus which is why the argument is baseless. If and when a settlement is reached then such an agreement could be signed between the two countries,” he said.

Çavuşoğlu pointed out that the second aspect of the hydrocarbon issue in the Eastern Mediterranean is directly linked to the Cyprus problem. He said that Turkish Cypriots have legitimate rights over the island’s natural resources and that Turkey will give any support needed to the TRNC.

“The hydrocarbon activities in the TRNC licensed areas are to be taken in this regard. The Yavuz drillship and Barbaros Hayrettin Paşa surveying vessel are currently carrying out their activities in areas licensed to Turkish Petroleum by the TRNC in 2011,” he added.

On the negotiations process, Çavuşoğlu said that Anastasiades continued to see himself as the head of the unitary state and refused to recognise the political equality of Turkish Cypriots.

“The latest attempt to solve the Cyprus problem failed as a result of the Greek Cypriot side’s intransigence despite the constructive attitude displayed both by Turkey and the TRNC. The main reason for the collapse of the Cyprus negotiations process is the Greek Cypriot side’s reluctance to share power with the Turkish Cypriots,” he stressed.

He expressed the view that the talks could not continue from where they left off in 2017.

“As Turkey, we believe that the basis and modality of a solution need to be identified in advance for the resumption of talks,” Çavuşoğlu said.

Çavuşoğlu said that Ankara neither rejected nor insisted on any given solution model but believed that any new talks must be subject to a timetable.

He said that any solution to be found needed to safeguard the political equality of Turkish Cypriots and their effective participation in the decision-making processes of the future state.

“Before any talks resume the two sides must confirm their commitment to a joint vision,” Çavuşoğlu added.

He also noted the Greek Cypriot side has backtracked from past convergences.

“We are faced with a Greek Cypriot leadership, which is fully benefitting from European Union (EU) membership; who sees itself as the sole owner of the island and which does not want to share the power or wealth with the Turkish Cypriots,” Çavuşoğlu highlighted.

KEY ACTOR
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>>
Turkey will continue drilling for gas in waters off Cyprus until GC side accepts a cooperation proposal put forward by TCs.
>> Proposal could contribute to stability and peace in the Eastern Med.
>> GC side continues to disregard the TCs’ legitimate rights and violate Turkey’s continental shelf with its unilateral drilling.
>> TCs must be included in any decision-making mechanisms on natural gas.
>> Not possible for Turkey or TCs to wait for GC side to grant TCs their rights after a comprehensive settlement.
>> Akıncı’s latest proposal is very good, very timely and is supported by Ankara.
>> Proposal acknowledges TCs & GCs as equal partners and foresees joint management of gas resources and revenues.
>> Implementation of the proposal will hail a new era of collaboration, will contribute to regional peace and stability and will create a suitable basis for the solution of the Cyprob.
>> He said there are two aspects to the hydrocarbon issue in the Eastern Mediterranean. The first is Turkey defending its rights in its continental shelf & second is the Cyprus problem itself.
>> Fatih drillship not violating the island’s EEZ because it is operating within Turkey’s continental shelf. No continental shelf agreement between Turkey and Cyprus.
>> Turkey will support TC in defending their legitimate rights.
>> Anastasiades sees himself as head of unitary state and refuses to accept TCs’ political equality.
>> Cyprus negotiations process collapsed due to GC side’s reluctance to share power with the TCs.
>> Negotiations cannot resume from where they left off in 2017. Modality of talks must be identified in advance for the resumption of talks.
>> Ankara neither rejects nor insists on any given solution model but believes any new talks must be subject to a timetable.
>> Any solution to be found needs to safeguard the security, welfare and political equality of Turkish Cypriots as well as their effective participation in decision-making processes of the future state.
>> Two sides must confirm commitment to a joint vision before talks can resume.


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