Front Page Headlines
“Accounts with unknown sources”
Here is the parliamentary sub-committee report on Özgürgün. It was brought to the attention of the members of the parliament. The report, which recommends ‘lifting of Özgürgün’s’ political immunity, also contains the Attorney-general’s legal opinion on Hüseyin Özgürgün.
A police force that will investigate incidents of violence against women is essential
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) MP Doğuş Derya drew attention to recent cases of violence against women. Derya, in her comments to Kıbrıs Postası, said a police force capable of investigating cases of violence against women was needed. She also said the police unit tasked to intervene in domestic violence cases did not operate well outside of Nicosia. She urged the police department and the prime ministry to look into strengthening the police force.
- Tatar: “We have started preparations for constitutional amendments” – The cabinet met with the public in Lefke.
- Don’t overstep the limit – Hasan Taçoy reacts to the Greek Cypriot side.
- Özersay: “We were in New York to represent our state and to make our voice heard.”
They would have been placing flowers on my grave had the doctor not intervened
Zeki Asımoğlu, whom businessman Bulut Akacan and his bodyguards are accused of beating up, testified at the Kyrenia Criminal Court. Asımoğlu said he woke up in hospital but if a doctor had not intervened, he would have died. The prosecution called for witness testimonies and submitted medical reports for Erhan Başay and Zeki Asımoğlu.
Tension
Yavuz drilling ship has anchored in block 7 off the coast of Paphos. It is preparing to commence drilling in an area Turkey claims to be located within its continental shelf but the Greek Cypriot side has declared the area as its block seven.
- “I agree with Akıncı” – UK’s Minister of State for Europe Christopher Pincher gives open support to Akıncı’s sensitivity on “political equality.”
Country’s problems are a priority
Prime Minister Ersin Tatar, who is not very keen on running for president himself, has expressed his opposition to the idea of supporting a joint candidate. The National Unity Party (UBP) will decide by the end of October, he added.
- Crisis meeting – Greek Cypriot National Council met for two-and-a-half hours to evaluate the Yavuz drilling ship’s route to block seven.
Tension escalating
While Turkey prepares to launch a military operation in Syria it also continues to issue threats against the Greek Cypriots in the Mediterranean. Turkey which has been unsuccessful in twisting the Greek Cypriot side’s arm with its hydrocarbon activities has now taken a step further by testing the other side’s patience. The Yavuz drilling ship has entered block seven.
- Mehmet Çakıcı: “The Turkish Cypriot side, no matter what, should not leave the table.”
Main News
Özersay: “We do not take orders from Turkey”
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs
Negotiations Process, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Foreign Minister Kudret Özersay on Friday underlined the need for negotiations and dialogue to solve the Cyprus Problem.
However, talks should only be resumed if the sides are sure they will yield results, he added.
“Otherwise such talks would only serve the continuation of the status quo,” he warned.
He expressed his sincere hope for a solution to the Cyprus problem.
“A solution is necessary and an agreement between the two sides is a need,” Özersay said, suggesting that talks between the two sides should start with practical issues for the agreement to be realistic.
“If we continue without questioning the process as we have done for the past 50 years, regardless of a tripartite meeting or a five-party meeting, there will be a crisis in the end,” Özersay said.
The sides must sit at the negotiations table knowing that they will achieve an outcome, he added.
“If the courage to try something new is displayed, then it is possible to achieve a different outcome,” Özersay said.
He argued that collaboration between the two sides will lead to developing trust among the members of the community.
“We have to collaborate with the Greek Cypriot side to build trust which can evolve into a partnership in the mid or long term,” Özersay emphasized.
In response to a question on his latest New York contacts, Özersay said he was invited as the “Foreign Minister of the Turkish Cypriot State” to attend the meetings organized by the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
He added, “even if the TRNC is not recognized, the TRNC Foreign Ministry is tasked to carry out diplomatic relations with the United Nations (UN).”
Özersay noted one of the reasons for his visit was to meet with UN officials to discuss various issues pertaining to the buffer zone, contested areas in the buffer zone and the peacekeeping force in Cyprus (UNFICYP).
He also said he met with two senior-level UN officials – one responsible for peacekeeping operations and the other for political affairs.
Özersay, in response to a question of whether he takes orders from Turkey or not, said: “Turkey is a strategic partner to the Turkish Cypriots but this does not require the government to take orders!” He added, “We have never supported a relationship based on instructions.”
He recalled that Turkey was the only country that supported the Turkish Cypriots, but added: “Acting together with Turkey does not mean we see eye to eye on everything with Ankara.”
“It would be unfair on the elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot people to claim there is a relationship based on taking orders and executing them because it is not the case,” Özersay concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Özersay (HP)
>> Negotiations & dialogue necessary for solution of Cyprob.
>> Talks should only resume if they are to yield results. Failure will result in the continuation of the status quo.
>> A solution is needed in Cyprus.
>> Possible to achieve a different outcome if courage is displayed.
>> Collaboration between the two sides will lead to developing trust between two communities.
>> Turkey is a strategic partner of TCs. Taking orders from Turkey out of the question. HP has never supported such a relationship.
>> Acting together with Turkey does mean TCs see eye to eye with Ankara on everything
Yavuz to begin offshore operations on Monday
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey’s second drillship Yavuz arrived in the Eastern Mediterranean on Friday, just south of the island of Cyprus, and is set to launch its operations, Turkish Cypriot media reported on Saturday.
It will begin drilling on Monday, according to Turkish diplomatic resources.
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Dönmez had announced on Thursday that Yavuz was en route to the Güzelyurt-1 (Morphou) well in the Mediterranean Sea to continue oil and gas exploration activities. “Yavuz is moving toward the Güzelyurt-1 well where it will drill. We will not stop to make our underground resources available to our nation,” Dönmez said.
According to an issued Navtex or navigational telex, the Yavuz drilling vessel will continue to work in the Mediterranean until January 2020.
Turkish diplomat Çağatay Erciyes, the Director-General for Bilateral Political and Maritime-Aviation-Border Affairs, said on Friday in a tweet, “Yavuz will launch a new round of offshore drilling operations on Oct. 7, 2019.
He also highlighted that Turkey does not recognize the exclusive economic zone claim of the Greek Cypriot administration despite its efforts to declare the area as European Union waters, which he censured as a blatant violation of international law.
Erciyes further noted that the unilateral actions of the Greek Cypriot administration have violated Turkey’s and Turkish Cypriots’ rights since 2003.
Turkish Cypriot Energy and Economy Minister Hasan Taçoy on Friday also lambasted the threats made by the Greek Cypriot administration to arrest the crew of the Turkish vessel after its arrival in the island’s waters.
“The steps of the Greek Cypriots ignore the rights of the Turkish people and they have no right to oppose our activities on the island,” Taçoy said.
Akıncı discusses Cyprob with Pincher
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
President Mustafa Akıncı briefed the UK’s Minister of State for Europe and the Americas Christopher Pincher on Friday on the latest developments on the Cyprus Problem.
According to a statement, Akıncı informed Pincher on the Turkish Cypriot side’s constructive contributions to drafting the terms of reference as well as the challenges faced.
He also told Pincher that the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal on the co-management of hydrocarbon resources remained to provide a way out of the current crisis.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, the UK minister said he held a constructive meeting with Akıncı.
“The UK always has and will continue to support a bizonal, bicommunal federal Cyprus that respects everyone’s political equality,” he said, adding that he agreed with Akıncı on the importance of political equality.
KEY ACTOR
Pincher (UK)
>> UK always had & will continue to support a BBF in Cyprus which respects everyone’s political equality.
>> Agrees with Akinci on importance of political quality.