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They are also opposed to it
Coordinator for the Casino Operators Association Ayhan Sarıçiçek who spoke to Yenidüzen said, “We should have more criteria. Casino permits should only be given to hotels with a bed capacity over 1250, not 500.
- Fikri Ataoğlu candidate for leader of Democratic Party (DP)
Why is the Court waiting to execute a seizure order on NEU?
Despite the Court order to distraint of properties in exchange for ₺5 million in unpaid debts to the Nicosia Turkish Municipality, the department responsible for executing the seizure order is not taking any action. In spite of Nicosia Mayor Mehmet Harmancı’s attempts for an amicable settlement, the Near East University (NEU) has refused not to pay its debts. As a result, the municipality took the matter to court and won the case. The Court ordered for both movable and immovable properties belonging to Suat Günsel and Özay Günsel, co-owners of NEU, to be sequestrated on 15 October.
- Ataoğlu announced his candidacy for DP leadership
Violence against women reaches alarming levels
Violence against women is a wide-spread and growing problem in the country. The police unit established a year ago with the task of investigating incidents of violence against women, has so far received 883 complaints. The most frequent complaint is “battery.” In 2017, 305 complaints had been filed. This was before the establishment of the police unit on 25 November 2018.
Money talks in education
Parents are outraged after being told they have to pay a ₺150 bus fee for their children to be transported from Lefke’s (Lefka) town centre to the Lefke (Lefka) İstiklal Primary School. The parents, who demand the school administration to revoke its decision, are planning to visit the Education Minister to protest the issue.
- “Everything needs to be clear for new negotiations” – Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu evaluated the Cyprus issue and the natural gas exploration activities.
One needs to be careful when talking
[Turkish Foreign Minister] Çavuşoğlu who pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot people expressed their unwavering support to operation Peace Spring said it was important to separate some trade union representatives and politicians from the rest. Commenting on Akıncı’s remarks, he said that one should watch out what he says.
He indirectly called them pro-Greek
Çavuşoğlu said, “There are some trade union representatives and politicians in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus who would say they support the Greek Cypriot side if asked to choose between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot administration.” He also linked Akıncı’s remarks on Operation Peace Spring to the forthcoming presidential elections in the north.
Main News
Çavuşoğlu criticizes various TC circles for anti-Turkey rhetoric
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process, Energy, External Security, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Wednesday took a swing at several labour unions and politicians in the north for their anti-Turkey rhetoric.
“Apart from a handful of Turkish Cypriot politicians and trade union representatives, the Turkish Cypriot people expressed their unwavering support to operation Peace Spring in north-eastern Syria,” Çavuşoğlu told the Anadolu Agency’s Editor Desk on Wednesday.
Çavuşoğlu claimed some of Turkish Cypriot politicians and trade unionists would side with the Greek Cypriot side instead of Turkey should they be asked to choose between the two.
He also took the opportunity to criticize President Mustafa Akıncı’s comments on the operation.
“The biggest reaction to President Mustafa Akıncı’s statements on the operation came from the Turkish Cypriots people,” Çavuşoğlu said, arguing that everyone was aware that Akıncı’s remarks were part of a manoeuvre aimed at the forthcoming presidential elections in the north.
“People, like us who hold senior positions, should watch out what they say,” Çavuşoğlu stressed.
In response to a question on the issue of hydrocarbons, Cavuşoğlu said that Turkey had shifted the energy balance by sending its vessels to the Eastern Mediterranean.
“Turkey is now stronger both at the table and in the playing field,” Çavuşoğlu added.
He said that Turkey had registered its continental shelf with the United Nations and that the Yavuz drillship was currently conducting its drilling activities within that area.
“We shall not discuss the activities we carry out in our continental shelf with anyone,” Çavuşoğlu stressed.
He, however, said that Ankara was ready to discuss sovereignty rights in the Eastern Mediterranean with everyone including the Greek Cypriot side.
Çavuşoğlu expressed Turkey’s readiness to find a regional accord with an equitable approach but reminded that the Greek Cypriot side’s interlocutor was the Turkish Cypriot side.
He recalled the Greek Cypriot side was still carrying out its unilateral hydrocarbon activities in the region.
He pointed out that Turkey’s second primary objective in the region was to protect and safeguard the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people which he added was being ignored by both the Greek Cypriot side and the international community.
“By deploying our second drillship in the Eastern Mediterranean, we showed the entire world that we will do what is necessary to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots,” Çavuşoğlu said.
He also criticized the solidarity of the European Union (EU) member states’ with the Greek Cypriot side, stating that such actions will never deliver the desired result.
“Rather than encouraging the Greek Cypriots, EU member states should put pressure on the Greek Cypriot side to safeguard the rights of Turkish Cypriots and to de-escalate the situation,” Çavuşoğlu said.
This can be achieved through a joint committee, an EU mechanism or through a UN mechanism, Çavuşoğlu added.
He also said that the Turkish Cypriot side’s proposal to co-manage hydrocarbon resources was still on the table.
“We are ready for a solution on this issue however it needs to be an equitable settlement. EU countries and international organizations should be taking steps towards this goal rather than stirring a commotion,” Çavuşoğlu noted.
On the Cyprus Issue, Çavuşoğlu said the Turkish side was ready to solve the Cyprus Problem.
“The problem as was seen in Crans Montana is that the Greek Cypriots do not want to share anything with the Turkish Cypriots,” he said.
Çavuşoğlu also criticized the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades had turned his back on past convergences without explaining as to why.
He said that Greek Cypriots were responsible for the collapse of the talks at Crans Montana in 2017.
The Turkish side will not accept yet another failure in the process which is why we must agree on what we will be negotiating before any talks can begin, he said.
“We have to put all options on the table so that all parties can openly share their views. Once we identify the solution model, we need to agree on the framework of the negotiations,” Çavuşoğlu noted.
He highlighted that the elements of the principle of political equality which was a rotating presidency, effective participation in decision making and positive vote needed to be highlighted. “Once the talks resume, the process must be results-oriented,” he added.
Çavuşoğlu reminded that Ankara had proposed for an informal five-party meeting which would include the two sides in Cyprus, the three guarantor countries and the UN.
He added that Turkey would also not object to a tripartite party before the five-party meeting.
“Official negotiations can resume if we all can agree on the issues and the framework of the negotiations at these informal meetings,” Çavuşoğlu said.
Çavuşoğlu also accused the Greek Cypriot side of being insincere towards a settlement.
“We are determined and ready to start talks if the conditions are met. If the Greek Cypriots are not willing to negotiate within this framework then there is nothing left to talk about. We will continue our efforts to develop the TRNC,” Çavuşoğlu concluded.
KEY ACTORS
Çavuşoğlu (Turkey)
>> Turkey has shifted energy balance in the East Med by sending its vessels. Turkey is now stronger both at the table and in the playing field.
>> Turkey shall not discuss its activities within its continental shelf.
>> Turkey ready to discuss sovereignty rights in East Med with everyone including the GCs.
>> Ankara ready to find a regional accord with an equitable approach but GC side’s interlocutor is the TC side.
>> Turkey’s second objective in the region is to protect & safeguard the rights of TCs which are being ignored by the GC side & int. community.
>> EU should stop encouraging GC side’s unilateral activities.
>> Issue can be solved through joint committee or mechanisms (EU or UN).
>> TC side’s proposal to establish a joint committee still at the table.
>> We are ready for a solution but it needs to be on equitability.
>> EU countries & international organizations should take steps towards this goal rather than stirring a commotion.
>> Turkish side is ready to solve the Cyprob.
>> Turkish side will not accept another failure in the process. All sides must agree on what will be negotiated before talks can begin.
>> Elements of the principle of political equality which is a rotating presidency, effective participation in decision-making & positive vote needs to be highlighted.
>> Once talks resume, the process must be results-oriented.
>> Turkey ready for an informal five-party meeting. Not opposed to a tripartite meeting.
>> Official negotiations can resume if all sides agree on the issues and the framework of the negotiations at these informal meetings.
Ataoğlu announces candidacy for DP leadership
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Governance & Power Sharing
OVERVIEW
Democratic Party (DP) MP Fikri Ataoğlu announced on Wednesday that he will be running for party’s leadership at the DP’ upcoming extraordinary congress.
Long-time DP leader Serdar Denktaş who had served as party leader for 23 years stepped down in September this year, revealing his strong intention to run in the 2020 presidential elections.
“It is with great pride that I announce my candidacy to become the next leader of the DP which I have honourably served for all these years,” Ataoğlu said in a press conference on Wednesday.
He said that his priority will be to serve the Turkish Cypriot community.
Ataoğlu also said that Serdar Denktaş had informed him when resigning as party leader that he did not intend to run for parliament again and that he would be focusing his energy on becoming president should he decide to run.
Ataoğu added that the DP will be supporting Denktaş in the event he decides to run for president.
Tatar highlights importance of relations with Turkey
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog
Energy, Economy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkish Cypriot Prime Minister Ersin Tatar on Wednesday highlighted the importance of relations with Turkey during his a visit to the coastal Turkish province of Anamur.
“Relations between Turkey and the TRNC are developing in every area and the welfare of the Turkish Cypriot people is increasing through Turkey’s assistance and protection,” Tatar said during a visit to the Anamur Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He also underlined the importance of the water being pumped to North Cyprus from Anamur.
“This water has brought life to our country. The water which will be used for agricultural purposes in the future as well will contribute greatly to developing the country’s economy. We thank Turkish officials once again for making this possible,” he added.
On the Cyprus problem, Tatar reiterated his government’s position in favour of a two-state solution.
“We want a structure that is in the European Union (EU) but we will not agree to any option that does not include Turkey, he said.
He reminded that efforts to reach a federal solution over the past 50 years had failed to achieve a positive outcome.
“This is why we desire a two-state solution now,” he added.