Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-02-15

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Anatolia reports that the EP Contact Group aims at improving relations with the `TRNC´.

[02] Ferdi Sabit Soyer on the return to Arif Mustafa of his property.

[03] More statements Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

[04] Talat sends a letter to the president of the EU Commission complaining about the Greek Cypriots.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[05] Columnist in the New Anatolian foresees more pressure by the British, Americans and the EU on an EU member state.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Anatolia reports that the EP Contact Group aims at improving relations with the `TRNC´

The High-Level Contact Group within the European Parliament (EP) to improve relations with the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´) will have meetings in the `TRNC´ during their stay on the island from March 5 to 8, it was reported on Tuesday.

The members of the High-Level Contact Group reviewed their schedule in Cyprus during a meeting last night. European parliamentarians are expected to meet `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat, executives of political parties, NGOs and other organizations in the `TRNC´.

Meanwhile Greek and Greek Cypriot members of the High-Level Contact Group tried to block delegation's meeting with `TRNC President´ Talat during yesterday's meeting.

German member of the Group Cem Ozdemir --of Turkish origin-- told A.A that the EP delegation would meet Talat in his office.

"The isolation of the Turkish Cypriots should end and a solution to the Cyprus problem should be found," Ozdemir noted.

(Tr. Note: The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the regime set up by the Turkish Republic in the territories of Cyprus occupied by 40,000 Turkish troops)

[02] Ferdi Sabit Soyer on the return to Arif Mustafa of his property

Prime Minister (self-styled) Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that the property issue in Cyprus can only be solved through political means on the basis of a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus Problem.

` Prime Minister´ Soyer also added that a political solution to the property dispute was clearly defined by the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annans comprehensive settlement plan.

Addressing an audience today, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that the Greek Cypriot Sides decision to return property in the village of Episkopi in South Cyprus to its rightful owner Arif Mustafa was part of a well planned strategy on behalf of the Greek Cypriot Administration (government of Cyprus) to avert court decisions taken by the European Court of Human Rights that could be in favour of the Turkish Cypriots.

The `Prime Minister´ expressed doubt that Arif Mustafas case will act as a reference for similar cases in the future, nor will it establish a new legal path to solving such property disputes.

Reminding that the `government´ had recently passed a new property law in the `Republic´ with the aim of establishing a domestic remedy for Greek Cypriots seeking to receive compensation for the properties left in the north, Mr Soyer said that Turkish Cypriots had also started a legal battle to regain their property left in the South.

Pointing out that the `Greek Cypriot Administration´ is deeply concerned that the new property law could be accepted by the ECHR as a domestic means to settle property disputes, Prime Minister said that any decision taken against Turkish Cypriots by the Greek Cypriot Courts will result in the transfer of the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

This would put the Greek Cypriot Side in a tight spot he added, stating that this was why the Greek Cypriot Administration had decided to return the properties to Arif Mustafa.

Referring to the British Foreign Secretary Jack Straws recent statement to the House of Commons on the Cyprus issue, the Prime Minister underlined the importance of such truth revealing statements on the Turkish Cypriots devotion towards a solution.

He, however, added that the current deadlock on the Cyprus Problem and the Greek Cypriot Administrations European Union membership were both obstacles for Turkeys accession negotiations with the Union.

Mr Soyer pointed to the need for the Greek Cypriot Side to pursue a more constructive and positive approach towards a solution instead of constantly engaging in a meaningless exchange of harsh and critical statements.

[03] More statements Ferdi Sabit Soyer

`Prime Minister´ Ferdi Sabit Soyer said the Turkish Cypriot People has succeeded in bringing down all mental and physical barriers dividing the island and is ready to work towards finding a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus Problem.

He, however, criticized the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos for having failed in bringing down obstacles that still exist, both in the minds of the Greek Cypriot people and at the Lokmaci (Ledra Street) in central Lefkosia.

Addressing an audience today, Mr Soyer touched upon the Greek Cypriot sides constant objections on the venue of meetings held between foreign dignitaries and `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat.

`Prime Minister´ Soyer said that all the commotion stirred was the result of the Greek Cypriot Administrations rejection of the fact that `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat was the legitimate and democratically elected leader of the Turkish Cypriot people.

The `Prime Minister´ described the Greek Cypriot Sides unacceptable behavior as an attack not only to the `President´ himself but also to the Turkish Cypriot Peoples own democratic will and the institution established by them.

Referring to an earlier call made by the Greek Cypriot political leadership to the United Nations for the resumption of the Cyprus Negotiations process, Mr Soyer asked with whom Mr Papadoupoulos is expected to sit down with at the negotiating table if not `President´ Mehmet Ali Talat.

Mr Soyer also said that the Greek Cypriot Side was aiming to solve the Cyprus problem through negotiations with Turkey directly, thus excluding the Turkish Cypriot People from the Cyprus negotiations process.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriot people will not make any more concessions from its current position, Mr Soyer said everyone including the Greek Cypriot Side should accept the fact that `President´ Talat will be the only Turkish Cypriot leader and negotiator during if and when the negotiations process resumes.

He pointed out that one of mains reasons behind the current deadlock between the two sides on the island was the Greek Cypriot Administrations meaningless and absurd measures adopted at the border crossings; all under the pretext of a threat of avian influenza.

The `Prime Minister´ added that such discriminatory and persecuting attitudes displayed against Turkish Cypriots were completely unacceptable.

[04] Talat sends a letter to the president of the EU Commission complaining about the Greek Cypriots

The paper alleges that the influence of the letter became evident within a short period of time and that Greek Cypriot officials announced that the above-mentioned measures at the barricades will be lifted next Monday.

(I/Ts.)

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[05] Columnist in the New Anatolian foresees more pressure by the British, Americans and the EU on an EU member state

British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw's recent controversial remarks about Cyprus were covered in the Turkish press over the weekend in a rather exaggerated way. Generally they were portrayed as an indication of possible recognition of the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ (`TRNC´). Unsurprisingly most of these comments were either based on hollow expectations or they missed the broader picture.

In order to better understand what Britain is really doing on the Cyprus issue, let us first recall -- from the transcript -- what Straw actually said. Last week, in response to questions by MPs in the House of Commons, Straw criticized unwillingness by the Greek Cypriot government to engage in efforts for a solution and added: "If they go down that road, they will get exactly what they do not want, because they will make it impossible for Turkey to enter into full negotiations for membership of the EU and then, over time, there will be a status quo in Cyprus which some countries may start to recognize in practice." Straw did not talk about Britain's possible recognition of the `TRNC´ and in fact added, "this is not the position of the UK."

This does not make Straw's warning less significant, but these remarks should be viewed from a broader perspective and not from a one limited to a domestic outlook. What Britain is trying to achieve is not to initiate diplomacy which may lead to recognition of the `TRNC´ but to accelerate an orchestrated pressure campaign on the Greek Cypriot leader to convince him to take steps towards a solution, and return to the negotiating table.

The British Foreign Secretary's visit to Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in his presidential office and calls by the United States and European Union members for Greek Cypriots to seriously evaluate Turkey's recent proposal to lift all sanctions on the island were all part of this campaign. These efforts will most probably continue in the coming weeks with U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Matthew Bryza's visit to Talat in his presidential office, and a couple of invitations to the Turkish Cypriot leader from various capitals.

The aim in these orchestrated efforts by the United States, Britain and European partners is simple: To make the Greek Cypriot leadership understand that the current situation where Nicosia is trying to use its EU membership as leverage against Turkey and avoiding efforts for a settlement on the island is neither acceptable nor sustainable. The British Foreign Secretary targeted the Greek Cypriot leadership's weakest point by raising questions about the very essence of the Greek Cypriot administration and its claim to represent the whole island.

It's worth mentioning that it is not only the United States, Britain and a few European partners who expect all sides in the Cyprus problem to move towards a solution. Russian President Vladimir Putin in a fine-tuned move early this month praised Turkish Cypriot efforts for a solution and said that this is admirable. This was also an open message to the Greek Cypriots.

France, another UN Security Council member, is giving more cautious signals at the moment, but it also views the existing situation on the island as unsustainable. Paris can not remain indifferent to calls for the resumption of the talks.

The motives of each UN Security Council member in supporting a new UN initiative on Cyprus may differ, but it seems very likely that they will soon join in encouraging the UN Secretary-General to take an active role on Cyprus.

Day by day, pressure on the Greek Cypriot leader is increasing. Efforts by the United States, Britain and European partners have already yielded first results. Papadopoulos has decided to convene the so-called National Council this week, which has not met for some time, to assess recent developments on Cyprus.

The Greek Cypriot leadership seems to be left with not much alternative. Either Papadopoulos will take some genuine steps towards a solution in the coming weeks, or face ever-increasing isolation. And this time it will not be easy for him to find a friend even inside the EU.

/SK

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