Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 02-07-19

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mehmet Ali Talat held a press conference.

[02] Turkish Navy vessels and Naval Forces Commander arrived in the occupied areas.

[03] Sukru Sina Gurel on the Cyprus issue.

[04] AFRIKA:"The climate has changed".

[05] The Turkish Cypriot Press on Denktas/ cancelling his 17 July speech.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] A Turkish Cypriot columnist criticizes the results of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the excessive armaments of the Turkish side.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Mehmet Ali Talat held a press conference

Talat held a news conference today, conveying the views of the RTP on the results of the local elections, the Cyprus problem, the EU issue, and economic matters. At the news conference, held at the party headquarters, Talat commented on the Cyprus problem. He said that the one-sided EU accession of the Greek Cypriot side will break up the Turkish Cypriot people and further increase emigration. Talat declared that his party will exert efforts to deepen, concretize, and further its EU policy. Pointing out that the Cyprus problem has reached a critical phase, Talat underlined that antagonism and confrontation with Turkey is wrong and unnecessary, and it will damage both the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey. Given this and the possible advantages of the new political configuration in Ankara, we can channel the relations with Turkey into a correct course by means of a dialogue, he suggested.

Referring to economic issues, Talat said that the Turkish Cypriot economy was ruined because of integration measures. He said that the financial structure which was integrated with Turkey led to a rentier economy and a consequent lack of financial discipline. Talat remarked that this caused a regression in the sectors, and the bank depositors' problem undermined the confidence in the banks.

The primary condition of EU membership and of a solution that will safeguard the Turkish Cypriot people's right to exist in Cyprus on the basis of international law consists of the people's assertion of their own will, Talat stressed. He said that in the recent local elections the people asserted their will and demonstrated their resolve in this regard. Pointing out that the RTP considers it a duty to lead the people to a government in which they will have a say, Talat expressed gratitude for the support accorded to the party's candidates and policies.

Asked by a journalist to comment on the views that the RTP was also supported by many nongovernmental organizations and non-party sectors, Talat said that in democratic countries the support given to parties changes continuously in line with the candidates and party policies. The recent success of the RTP in the three big cities stems from the candidates' personalities, their past performances, and the party policies, Talat stated, adding: The important thing is policies, and the support was accorded to the policies. If we continue to adopt this stand in the coming elections, the support will again go the RTP. Assessing the election results in light of these facts, Talat noted, it would be wrong to focus on the origin of the support.

[02] Turkish Navy vessels and Naval Forces Commander arrived in the occupied areas

The two frigates with the names "Karadeniz" and "Gemlik" and one submarine "Saldiray" under the command of War Fleet Commander Vice Admiral Erdal Bucak were received by a large delegation, including the so-called Foreign and Defence Minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu and the "Security Forces" Commander Brigadier General Galip Mendi.

The ships will be open to visitors and will depart from the island on 21 July.

The Naval Forces Commander Vice Admiral Bulent Alpkaya is arriving also today to the occupied areas to attend the 28th anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus. He will depart on 21 July.

[03] Sukru Sina Gurel on the Cyprus issue

Speaking at the luncheon, Gurel said that Turkey would work closely with the Danish Presidency and extend their full support to the Presidency in preparing the ground for a favourable outcome in Copenhagen on the next stage of Turkey`s accession process.

Gurel noted that it was indeed a ``hot summer`` in Ankara, figuratively speaking, both in terms of domestic and external policy.

Expressing his views about the Cyprus question, Gurel said that they continued to support the efforts aimed at finding a just, lasting and viable settlement.

Gurel alleged: ``Cyprus is an issue between the two equal, distinct peoples in the Island, namely the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, who each live under their own political and democratic structures. We will continue to support the current direct talks between the two leaders in Cyprus, which enable the two parties to search for a comprehensive reconciliation without any third party involvement. We believe that equal treatment of both sides will foster an environment that will encourage them to move towards a new partnership of equals. ``

An official who participated in the luncheon said that they did not see any change in Turkey`s policy towards Cyprus from the statements of Gurel.

The official noted that the EU, which was sincere about setting a schedule for Turkey, gave the message that the Copenhagen criteria had to be fulfilled before the EU summit at the end of the year and that the practices should be carried out sincerely It was learned that the diplomats of EU countries wanted a solution to be found to Cyprus question as soon as possible.

[04] AFRIKA: "The climate has changed"

"While the EU time-table passes, for the first time after many years, a light of hope has been born for an agreement in Cyprus", reports AFRIKA claiming that "the USA have been activated, Ankara reduced the tension and even (Turkey's Foreign Minister) Gurel used a moderate language".

AFRIKA writes the following: "Rapid developments are taking place after the visit of the US delegation which made inquiries in Turkey regarding the Iraq operation. The US Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs Mark Grossman, who went to Brussels form Ankara, met with Gunter Verheugen. Grossman asked the EU to take the necessary steps in case Turkey conforms to the Copenhagen criteria and to start the negotiations for Turkey's accession to the EU. In his warnings to Verheugen, Grossman stressed that Turkey's accession to the EU will be for the benefit of both the USA and the EU".

[05] The Turkish Cypriot Press on Denktas' canceling his 17 July speech

Hasan Kahvecioglu of ORTAM, under the title "Our civilian community" notes that Mr Denktas was about to deal "the first serious blow" to the blackout applied in the face-to-face talks and therefore the meeting was extremely important.

"I went there a little bit early fearing of 'not being able to find a seat'" , writes Mr Kahvecioglu adding that the number of the people in the "huge room was not more than 20".

Mr Kahvecioglu adds the following: "There was no one else in the room except the supporters of his policy. However, the Chamber of Commerce has been making announcements to its members for days. The importance of the meeting had been stressed for days in the Media. Are our people not interested in what happens at the talks or have they lost their 'hope'? I think that this was the most quiet, the most meaningful and the most civilian reaction I saw against Mr Rauf until today. .

When the chairman of the Chamber of Commerce announced that 'the President will not be able to come because he had a personal job' and apologized, everybody there understood the situation, because there were some people who saw, during the last minutes when the speech was about to start, that while he was to come from the Goneli junction towards the university he changed direction and turned towards Kyrenia. ."

Meanwhile, according to Serhat Incirli of AFRIKA, it is not possible that the meeting was canceled due to food poisoning. "Some peole got into action and canceled this meeting", supports Mr Incirli.

Furthermore, Esref Cetinel of HALKIN SESI says that there is no issue if the real reason for which the meeting was canceled is Denktas' being not well. However, he adds, there is an issue if the meeting during which it had been said that "important statements are going to be made", was canceled as a result of intervention by the United Nations.

[B] COMMENTS AND EDITORIALS

[06] A Turkish Cypriot columnist criticizes the results of the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus and the excessive armaments of the Turkish side

Yes, tomorrow is 20 July. It is the peace and freedom day! We lived those days holding arms in our hands, as we had been used to live many years before. And some people will come and talk to me about the period 28 years ago with enthusiasm, without seeing the present. We do not want this! .".

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