Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-04-19

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu evaluates the Cyprus negotiation process

[02] Eroglu comments on efforts exerted to divide the UBP

[03] "Undecided voters"

[04] CTP and TDP delegations continue their visits for the rally on April 25

[05] Ozkardas stated that Turkey always interferes in the political will of the Turkish Cypriots

[06] The Dutch Ambassador in occupied Kioneli

[07] Turkey to install ILS in illegal Tymvou airport

[08] Figures regarding arrivals and departures in occupied Cyprus

[09] 70% occupancy of casino hotels in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] EU-Turkey Association Council convenes in Brussels

[11] Turkey and Norway to cooperate in peacemaking efforts

[12] Turkey's Supreme Board of Elections cancelled the candidacy of 12 independent candidates

[13] "Foreign policy axis shifts positive for most Turks, poll finds"

[14] Turkish defence company to build a plant in Kazakhstan

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu evaluates the Cyprus negotiation process

Speaking during a visit paid to him today, Eroglu evaluated President Demetris Christofias' latest statements in which he said that "the division of the island, is inevitable in case of failing to establish a federation". Upon being asked if the division of the island was an option, Eroglu said: "Currently we are continuing with the negotiation process and we are trying to reach a targeted conclusion. Christofias words are in relation to if a solution is not found."

Eroglu reiterated that his aim is to find a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem. "If we succeed how nice, if not, this situation will not be left unattended. But our aim for now is a viable solution and to be able to establish a joint partnership," Eroglu noted.

[02] Eroglu comments on efforts to divide the UBP

In statements after the meeting yesterday, Irsen Kucuk, UBP chairman and self-styled prime minister, said that the issue of holding an extraordinary congress did not come onto their agenda yesterday and added that this issue will not be discussed today as well. However, in statements to the paper, Necdet Numan, one of the "MPs" who react against Kucuk, said that the issue of holding an extraordinary congress was discussed and it will be discussed again today.

Meanwhile, Esat Ergun Serdaroglu, another "MP" who reacts against Kucuk, stated that they will be watching the "prime minister" and the "government". He said they discussed the employment issue in order to prevent the emigration of the young people. He noted that investments are needed to achieve this and added that their demands on this issue are a problem in the party. He argued that the establishment of a "government" with "broader basis" would be good.

Moreover, under the title "They are trying to divide the UBP", Halkin Sesi reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu was asked yesterday to comment on the developments in the UBP. Eroglu expressed his sorrow for the fact that some newspapers tried to involve him in the crisis and argued that these are behaviours aiming at dividing the UBP. Noting that he won the "elections" with UBP's support, Eroglu said he has never thought of the division of the UBP and added that as "president" he could never think of the division of any party.

(I/Ts.)

[03] "Undecided voters"

TDP and DP did not manage to attract the interest of voters, according to the survey, thus having very small percentages, with the ORP falling further behind. However, the paper notes that the total amount of TDP-DP-ORP and undecided voters is 40%, a figure which could alter the votes that each party receives.

Another question that was asked was what type of "government" they want. 29.2% said that they would like UBP to remain alone in power after a "cabinet reshuffle," 20.8% said they would support the continuation of the current "government," 13.8% would support a coalition between the two major parties UBP-CTP and only 11.8% wishes for early elections.

Commenting on the results of the survey, Dr Salih Egemen director of the Red Border Public Research company said that figures, and especially the percentage of undecided voters, show that people want a change, an innovation in political life. He also said that the 36% that UBP holds at the moment [according to the survey], is due to the fact that the "immigrants" have not shifted their support towards UBP and noted that the future of UBP rests upon the support of "immigrants" and business people.

[04] CTP and TDP delegations continue their visits for the rally on April 25

During the meeting with KTMMOB, the leader of CTP Ferdi Sabit Soyer, commenting on the statement of Cyprus President Christofias, who according to "Kibris" said that "division is at the door", said that this is a very serious danger for Cyprus, adding that CTP and TDP want to raise their voice in this environment and they invited KTMMOB to join them at the rally.

During the meeting with KTTO, the chairman Gunay Cerkez said that the Chamber will continue to struggle for a just and lasting solution as they used to do in 2004 and before.

[05] Ozkardas stated that Turkey always interferes in the political will of the Turkish Cypriots

In statements yesterday during a meeting with a delegation from the People's Justice Council (HAK), Ozkardas noted that Turkey has always been interfering in the political will of the Turkish Cypriots and added that they are against such interferences. He said he does not agree with those who say that Turkey is an occupier in Cyprus and alleged that the Republic of Cyprus is under Greek Cypriot occupation since 1963.

The chairman of HAK Ahmet Iscan, said that the political mechanism in the occupied area of Cyprus does not work well. Referring to the population issue, Iscan recalled that according to the population census carried out by the breakaway regime in 2006, the population in the occupied area of Cyprus is 265.100. He noted that the some people now say the population is 850 thousands and some others argue that it reached one million. Iscan noted that the per capita income in the occupied area is not 14.560 US dollars, as it is said. He referred to the unjust income distribution and argued that according to data of the "Central Bank", the bank deposits are eight billion Turkish liras, which belong to 30% of the population.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The Dutch Ambassador in occupied Kioneli

According to a written statement made by the "press and public relations department of the municipality", the "mayor" of occupied Kioneli "municipality", Ahmet Benli informed the Dutch Ambassador about the infrastructure works in occupied Kioneli and the projects implemented in Kioneli under the support of the EU.

Speaking during the meeting, Benli said that the Netherlands are among the countries in Europe which are considered as an example for their architecture. He said that the continuing projects in Kioneli which are supported by the EU encourage also the other "municipalities", adding that the funds will be used for the improvement and the development of Kioneli.

(AK)

[07] Turkey to install ILS in illegal Tymvou airport

[08] Figures regarding arrivals and departures in occupied Cyprus

In illegal Tymvou airport, 597 planes landed and 598 took off. A total of 86.147 passengers came to the occupied area, whereas 73.897 left. The "ministry" also announced that the total amount of installed telephone landlines is 103.490 and that there are 17.702 ADSL subscribers.

[09] 70% occupancy of casino hotels in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (19.04.11) reports that a "Tourism Fair" organized by the Blue exhibition Ltd will be opened tomorrow at the fair filed in the occupied part of Lefkosia. Hotels, tourist agents, and cruise companies will participate in the fair.

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] EU-Turkey Association Council convenes in Brussels

EU officials attending the meeting are expected to praise improvements in the curbing of the power of the military, recent constitutional amendments, judicial reforms, Turkey's active foreign policy and economic management. However, they are likely to criticize Turkey for not opening its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot vessels and planes, and for failing to carry through on its democratic initiative as well as its shortcomings in ensuring freedom of speech. The EU officials are also expected to extend criticism regarding minority rights. Furthermore, they are expected to express concern over recent arrests of several journalists during the probe into Ergenekon, a clandestine gang charged with plotting to overthrow the government.

The document will also stress the need for generals to refrain from commenting on political issues. The common stance document also praises constitutional amendments Turkey adopted on September 12, 2010, in a national referendum as a step in the right direction, and calls on the government to ensure that further constitutional reform is adopted through dialogue and consensus. EU officials will present a common stance document to Turkish officials outlining these points.

On the other hand, Ankara Anatolia news agency (18.04.11) reported, inter alia, that Turkish officials will bring up EU's disputable stance on visa procedures, and political obstacles before accession negotiations. Turkish officials will express their disappointment that EU member states do not authorize the Commission to carry out negotiations on visa removal. Davutoglu and Bagis are expected to draw attention to the decisions of the European Court of Justice that Turkish citizens can travel through Europe without visa and stress EU's liability to lift visa procedures for Turkey, who is conducting accession negotiations and has a Customs Union agreement with the EU.

Ankara will say that the additional protocol to the Ankara Agreement regarding opening of ports is "interpreted differently", and recalls that goods of 27 EU member states, including the "Greek Cypriot administration", enter Turkey within the scope of the Customs Union, however the EU has not implemented the direct trade regulation regarding the "TRNC".

Turkish ministers will also express Turkey's uneasiness over the slowdown of the accession negotiations with political considerations and artificial obstacles. They will tell their interlocutors in the EU that Turkey and the EU can make no progress on 18 of 33 chapters due to political obstacles, and say that the EU has not behaved this way to any other country so far.

[11] Turkey and Norway to cooperate in peacemaking efforts

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Monday that Turkey wanted to work more closely with Norway in relation to developments in the Middle East, the Palestinian issue, Afghanistan and the Balkans. "We will engage in joint efforts as much as possible, so that peace and stability dominate in these regions," Davutoglu said after the signing ceremony with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store.

Davutoglu hailed Turkey's relations with Norway as "exceptional" and expressed his delight to cooperate with his counterpart in the international arena, who he said is "one of the most hard-working Foreign Ministers and particularly stands out with peace initiatives."

The two Foreign Ministers discussed bilateral relations and regional developments and both countries are determined to increase bilateral trade volume, which currently stands at $1.1 billion.

Davutoglu told reporters that he discussed the developments in Libya with Store and said that he considers Norway's mediation experience as quite valuable.

Store in his statements said that Turkey is an important part of the agenda-making process in current regional and global matters, adding that despite vast historical, geographical and cultural differences, the two countries have complementary characteristics. Store said that both countries have different perspectives in regional stability and harmony and that there is a great potential for cooperation between the two countries.

[12] Turkey's Supreme Board of Elections cancelled the candidacy of 12 independent candidates

After an examination of judicial records, the Board ruled that 12 independent candidates, including Hatip Dicle, Leyla Zana, Sebahat Tuncel and Gultan Kisanak, had previous convictions which prevented them from being elected deputies. The Board said that Istanbul deputy Sebahat Tuncel, who had been elected an MP in the latest general elections, had not any criminal records at the time, however, it was detected that her former conviction had been entered into records right after the election. Officials also said that Diyarbakir MP Gultan Kisanak's previous conviction had been detected when records had been examined with her maiden name.

Last Monday, political parties submitted their candidate lists for the June 12 general elections to the YSK. Provincial authorities also notified the Board about independent candidates. Eighteen parties, including the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), are set to take part in the elections while six political parties said they will not compete.

General elections in Turkey were last held in 2007, which saw the AKP claiming a powerful 46.58% majority to win 341 seats. Main opposition CHP received 20.88% of the popular support to win 112 seats, and MHP won 14.27% and 71 seats. A total of 26 independent candidates were elected as MPs.

[13] "Foreign policy axis shifts positive for most Turks, poll finds"

According to the poll, 68% of the Turkish public is supportive of Turkey's new and more eastern-oriented foreign policy, as opposed to its westward looking foreign policy patterns of the past. The survey found that supporters of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) are most appreciative of the government's foreign policy. However, most Republican People's Party (CHP) voters are not happy with the transition in Turkey's foreign policy patterns. However, even CHP voters said they were supportive of Turkey's increased involvement in the affairs of Middle Eastern countries.

Seventy-three percent of respondents said they supported the government's efforts to mutually waive visas with various governments. Currently, 58 countries do not demand visas from Turkey. Russia was the latest addition to that list; however, no western country has so far lifted visas for Turkish citizens.

Twenty-eight percent of respondents said they defined themselves as 'anti-west', while 67% said they were 'absolutely not anti-west'. The highest percentage of anti-occidentalism was reported among MHP supporters. The highest number of respondents, who said they were not anti-west, was CHP supporters.

Seventy-seven percent of all respondents said they supported the government's policy focusing on improving relations with Turkey's immediate neighbours. Sixteen percent said they were against the effort.

Fifty-seven percent of respondents said they felt close to the countries in the Middle East, while 38% said they did not. When the question inquiring whether the respondent felt close to the people of the Middle East, 62% said yes and 33% said no. BDP and AKP supporters had the highest percentage of positive responses to this question.

Although 68% said they supported Turkey's active foreign policy, considering it a positive development, 22% said they did not.

The Star daily's Ibrahim Kiras shared the results of the poll in his newspaper yesterday, commenting that the most striking revelation of the poll was that the new course of the Turkish foreign policy that changed under AKP, has immense support from the people. Not only the supporters of the government party, but even those who vote for opposition parties say they support the new foreign policy to a certain extent. The poll was conducted by a team of researchers led by Hilmi Dasdemir from the Optimar research agency in 12 provinces among 2.126 respondents."

[14] Turkish defence company to build a plant in Kazakhstan

Executives of Aselsan signed Monday an agreement with Kazakhstan Engineering to start a joint venture named "Aselsan-Kazakhstan Engineering". This joint venture will consist of equal partners in the company and the plant.

Turkish Deputy Undersecretary for Defence Industry Ibrahim Tohumcu, who attended the signing ceremony in Astana, said that the new plant would meet defence industry needs not only of Kazakhstan but also of all regional countries. The plant will be fully operational within a year, Aselsan's executives said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

MP/

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