Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-10-10

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cakici says the "continental shelf delimitation agreement" between Turkey and the breakaway regime serves the division of Cyprus

[02] Talat says the "continental shelf agreement between Turkey and the breakaway regime" is wrong

[03] Erdogan's interview on Cyprus and other issues

[04] Davutoglu comments on Turkey's reaction to Cyprus' efforts of oil exploration

[05] Ozgurgun says the Turkish side will reciprocate Republic of Cyprus oil explorations

[06] Izcan: "The shelf delineation agreement is part of AKP's imposing policies"

[07] Eroglu's advisor alleges that the Turkish Cypriots have rights on the island's natural resources deriving from international agreements

[08] Eroglu: We began give-and-take bargains

[09] Former chairman of the Turkish Historical Society alleged that two thirds of the land in Cyprus belongs to Evkaf

[10] Turkish Cypriots call on Secretary General to take into consideration a "two state solution"

[11] The "Turkish Cypriot Associations Council in the UK" became a member of ECOSOC

[12] EU harmonization package due to be approved

[13] Turkey's National Education Minister to visit the occupied area of Cyprus

[14] Bagis: "If the EU unanimously decides to end Turkey's negotiation process, then we will go on accordingly"

[15] Turkey and Brazil issued a joint declaration

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Main issue in today's Turkish dailies is the funeral of Turkish Premier Erdogan's mother Tenzile Erdogan, which took place yesterday in Turkey and the messages of condolence sent to Erdogan by several politicians. Other issues highlighted are statements by Turkish MFA Ahmet Davutoglu to Mehmet Ali Birand on the oil exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean and Bagis' statements on Turkey's EU bid. About Cyprus, Turkish dailies report on statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu after meeting with President Christofias that they have launched the give-take process and statements by the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat that the signing of the "continental shelf delimitation agreement" between Turkey and the occupation regime is wrong.

[01] Cakici says the "continental shelf delimitation agreement" between Turkey and the breakaway regime serves the division of Cyprus

In a written statement issued yesterday, Cakici explained why his party will vote "no" to the above-mentioned "agreement" during the voting at the "assembly" of the breakaway regime.

According to his party, Cakici will vote "no" because of the content of the "agreement". He noted that the Turkish Cypriots have rights on the entire exclusive economic zone of Cyprus as founding partners of the Republic of Cyprus in 1960 and added that the above-mentioned "agreement" ignores the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and the Zurich-London Agreements which are valid in the international law. Cakici noted that the "agreement" is contrary to the international law.

Cakici described as wrong the explorations for oil and natural gas by the Republic of Cyprus and added that the Turkish side preferred to respond to this "mistake" of the Greek Cypriots by committing another mistake. He said the attention of the world was focused to the Turkish "statement for war", instead of being focused to the "mistake" of the Greek Cypriots, as he described the government of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cakici said that based on the Treaty of Guarantee [of the Republic of Cyprus] Turkey, along with Greece and Britain, is one of the guarantor state of not only the Turkish Cypriots, but also of the Greek Cypriots. Additionally it guarantees the sovereignty, territorial integrity and constitutional order of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cakici accused the Turkish side of referring to the Treaty of Guaranties only when such reference serves it interests. He added that when such a reference does not serve the Turkish interests, the Turks refer to the rights which they allege that they have from the unilateral declaration of the "TRNC". Cakici noted that this is not right.

He said also that the non-solution on the Cyprus problem works against both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots and the continuation of this situation includes various dangers for both communities. He noted that the solution of the Cyprus problem is very important.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat says the "continental shelf agreement" between Turkey and the breakaway regime" is wrong

Referring to the decision of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) to vote against this "agreement", Talat said that the CTP has taken a decision and it will pay a price if it has to do this. He noted that the CTP should not have been taken for granted and that Cyprus is a national cause, but in national causes decisions on how one should behave are taken at national level.

Referring also to the ongoing negotiations, Talat argued that there is confusion and that the UN always draws a bright picture, but we should not look only what the UN says. He added that when he was negotiating for 1.5 years with President Christofias they have arrived at a solution point. "Christofias honestly wants a solution, but he has no courage to implement it. Mr Dervis [current Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu] does not want a solution but he is forced to want one. Because Turkey wants it...", claimed Talat.

Evaluating internal issues of the breakaway regime, Talat said for a long time chaos prevails, from the lowest ranks all the way up to the "presidency" there is bad administration, the "government" merely exists and therefore he sees the necessity of early "elections".

[03] Erdogan's interview on Cyprus and other issues

Semih Idiz, inter alia, wrote the following:

"(?)

Answering another question, Erdogan denied reports in the Greek Cypriot press to the effect that Turkish and Israeli warplanes had engaged in 'dogfights' in the eastern Mediterranean.

(?)

Answering a question on the US position with regard to the oil and natural gas exploration activities of the Greek Cypriot sector [Tr. Note: Republic of Cyprus], Erdogan said: 'The United States is also being sensible on this issue'.

Stating that this issue was discussed during his recent meeting with the US President, Erdogan said: 'Obama said that the people of Cyprus, and therefore Turkish [Cypriots], must be able to benefit fairly from any resources that may be found there. He did not describe our actions as being negative. The process we have started there will continue.'

Erdogan signalled that he was disturbed by the US posture that it cannot act against the American company conducting drilling for the Greek Cypriots on the grounds that 'we cannot intervene because this is a private company'.

Also criticizing the UN Secretary-General, Erdogan said: 'The Greek Cypriot decision to start this work in collaboration with Israel has increased tensions. A similar initiative was taken during the Annan period also, but it was stopped. This time, Ban Ki-moon failed to stop it.' (?)"

[04] Davutoglu comments on Turkey's reaction to Cyprus' efforts of oil exploration

According to Kanal D, Davutoglu commented on Cyprus' efforts to explore gas in the Eastern Mediterranean, as follows:

"(?)

Referring to Cyprus' efforts to explore gas in Eastern Mediterranean, Davutoglu criticizes the Cypriot Administration [Tr. Note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus] for making such efforts at a time when the talks with northern Cyprus have reached its most important phase. We have a legal understanding with Cyprus and accordingly at a time when there is an international dispute it is impossible to take one-sided steps in issues that are associated with the international dispute, explains Davutoglu and underlines that Cyprus is a crisis area from the standpoint of the United Nations.

Noting that talks are being held for an agreement on the establishment of a single state in Cyprus, Davutoglu continues: 'If they are saying that the south belongs to them and the north belongs to us, this means that there are two states. If this is true, we should draw up a road map accordingly. If they insist on a single state, they should wait and if they are saying that they envisage two states, we can talk about this. Nevertheless we are against one-sided steps.'

Asserting that Cyprus made miscalculations by assuming that the EU would protect it, that Russia would extend support to it, and that it would benefit from the deteriorating ties between Turkey and Israel, Davutoglu explains that as a result of this miscalculations Turkish ships have arrived in the region for the first time and adds that neither the United States nor the EU has criticized Turkey's stand.

'Our exploration work in Eastern Mediterranean will continue', notes Davutoglu and adds: 'We hope that the talks with Cyprus will yield results in October and then all the explorations that have been conducted thus far will be united.' Davutoglu stresses that the zero problems with neighbours policy is still in effect and that Turkey is not to blame for any of the crises experienced in the region.

(?)

Urged to comment on whether Turkey will send the navy to Eastern Mediterranean in order to prevent an Israeli intervention on any ship in international water seas or whether the Turkish Navy will merely safeguard Turkish aid ships that head for Eastern Mediterranean, Davutoglu denies the reports to the effect that Turkey is constantly increasing its dosage of the criticism against Israel and draws attention to the fact that Israel did not appear on Turkey's agenda during the election process. Recalling that Israel had promised four times to meet Turkey's demands during the past 15 months, Davutoglu says: 'If our intention had been to push Israel into the corner by increasing the dosage of our criticism, we would not have held talks with them.'

(?)"

[05] Ozgurgun says the Turkish side will reciprocate Republic of Cyprus' oil explorations

"The TRNC [Tr. Note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] will not block the hydrocarbon pursuits of Greek Cyprus [Tr. Note: Republic of Cyprus], but plans its own extraction activities if speculated sources of natural gas and oil are actually found in the eastern Mediterranean seabed, foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun said in words that clarified his country's position on the possible scenario cooking in the Mediterranean.

'We will not block it [extraction] if Greek Cypriots do find oil. But we will go and do our drilling there,' Ozgurgun told a group of journalists from the Diplomatic Correspondents Association (DMD) late on Thursday. Ozgurgun's words mirrored previous comments from Turkey that the unilateral declaration of an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) by Greek Cyprus was not recognized by either Turkey or the TRNC. (?)

Ozgurgun also noted that the license issued to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) one day after the signing of the continental shelf agreement between Turkey and the TRNC covered not only the northern part of the island but also the southern, where Greek Cyprus [Tr. Note: Republic of Cyprus] is currently conducting its own hydrocarbon exploration. 'The TPAO may conduct seismic research with any company or third country it desires, and the license covers the island almost in its entirety,' Ozgurgun said and added that the reason for some parts being left out of the license was 'just that those parts did not promise much potential for oil.'

On an important note, Ozgurgun also stated that extraction would require another agreement, since the current one allows Turkey only to search for hydrocarbon resources. 'Greek Cyprus chooses to ignore the activities of our research ship, Piri Reis, since it does not want a conflict,' Ozgurgun also noted. The foreign minister also remained pessimistic about the prospect of Greek Cypriots' reaching a deal with the Turkish Cypriots on the drilling, since he stated that Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias was 'going through a rough time', with large crowds of people demanding his resignation every other day due to the failure of his government to manage the fallout of a deadly munitions blast in July, as well as the worsening economy in the country.

Ozgurgun also noted that the agreement between Turkey and the TRNC would be ratified in the TRNC parliament next Thursday, despite protests from the main opposition party, the Republican Turks Party (CTP). The foreign minister noted that the party's protest did not make sense, as he called on party officials to reconsider their evaluation of the agreement between Turkey and the TRNC. 'The party remained in power for six years, and party leader Mehmet Ali Talat acted as the head of state; their decision comes as a surprise in light of their experience,' Ozgurgun said. (?)"

[06] Izcan: "The self delineation agreement is part of AKP's imposing policies"

Furthermore, Izcan criticized the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the social Democracy Party (TDP) for remaining silent against "AKP's war cries" and for not saying anything regarding the essence of the "agreement", but instead they opposed the way it was "signed." He also said that natural resources should be used to achieve an early solution and then be used by all Cypriots under the roof of a "United Federal Cyprus." He also added that the natural resources of Cyprus belong to Cypriots and that Turkey has no right upon them.

[07] Eroglu's advisor alleges that the Turkish Cypriots have rights on the island's natural resources deriving from international agreements

Giving a lecture in Turkey, Atun referred yesterday to the Cyprus negotiations and claimed that the Turkish Cypriots have rights on the Republic of Cyprus, the future of the island and the natural resources of the sea around Cyprus until an agreement with the Greek Cypriots is reached. He alleged that they have not lost their rights by establishing the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus and claimed that the rights of Turkey and the breakaway regime derive from the Maritime Law Conferences in 1958, 1960 and 1982, the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Treaties of Alliance and Guarantees of 1960.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Eroglu: We began give-and-take bargains

Eroglu said: "Today we had a long meeting and tried to take a look at the bigger picture. We made an assessment on all the chapters we have covered and I can say that we started the give-and-take bargain on a number of chapters."

Eroglu also said: "We will try to make the best progress we can in the give-and-take round, and continue on what is left during the meeting with the UN Secretary-General in New York."

[09] Former chairman of the Turkish Historical Society alleged that 2/3 of the land in Cyprus belongs to Evkaf

Halacoglu, went on and added that 100 billion dollars can be asked as compensation for this property. He stated that Turkey should have applied to the European Court of Human Rights demanding its rights on the issue.

[10] Turkish Cypriots call on UN Secretary-General to take into consideration a "two state solution"

In their call, which has also been sent to the Turkish Cypriot leader, the British Prime Minister and the Turkish Prime Minister, ATCA said: "If the intensified talks for solution are not going anywhere, we want the UN to realize that the current basis is not suitable that a Cyprus' agreement should be open to a new basis and to understand that a basis assenting to the existence of two equal sovereign states could be prepared."

[11] The "Turkish Cypriot Associations Council in the UK" became a member of ECOSOC

As the paper writes, the membership of the "council" to ECOSOC will make the voice of the Turkish Cypriot heard abroad.

Speaking on the issue, Ahmet Basturk, chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot Associations Council in the UK", inter alia, said that the "council" as a member of ECOSOC will organize several meetings and conferences in Europe and thus the voice of the Turkish Cypriots will be heard in the world.

(AK)

[12] EU harmonization package due to be approved

Self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk held a press conference on Friday to inform the public about the ongoing harmonization process with the European Union as well as the introduction of other "public reforms".

"Draft laws" included in the EU harmonization package envisage amendments on the "Public Internal Financial Control", "Public Tenders", "Labour Change", "Product Safety", "Chemicals", "Medical Products for Veterinary", "Agricultural Quarantine and Safety Belts".

According to illegal BRT, a series of "regulations" have also been prepared in order to gain functionality in the implementation of "draft laws" that the assembly of the occupation regime previously approved for harmonization with the EU. These include amendments on consumer protection, labour health and safety, and the environment.

[13] Turkey's National Education Minister to visit the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, in the framework of his visit, the Turkish Minister Dincler will inaugurate together with the self-styled minister Durust schools in occupied Trikomo and Morfou.

(AK)

[14] Bagis: "If the EU unanimously decides to end Turkey's negotiation process, then we will go on accordingly"

Egemen Bagis said: "Within this vote there was also France's vote. Turkey's EU process can end only if the 27-nation bloc unanimously votes to end the process", adding: "If the EU unanimously decides to end Turkey's negotiations process, then we will go on accordingly".

Egemen Bagis' comments came in response to recent remarks made by the French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Moreover, in an exclusive interview with the AA (09.10.11), EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that all steps taken in Turkey were taken within the framework of the Constitution and laws. "It is out of question for the Turkish government to act out of laws or the Constitution," Bagis argued.

"It is high time that we in Turkey have a Constitution that embraces everyone without making any discrimination", Bagis said.

Touching on Turkey-EU relations, Minister Bagis said that "if the EU Commission was to prepare a report on member countries, many of the reports would be worse than that prepared on Turkey".

"16 EU member countries are going through their worst crisis as they have not acted in line with the rules of the EU. Since Turkey implemented the rules of the EU, we have become the fastest growing country in the Union," Bagis said.

"Turkey's population, power and dynamism may be a matter of concern for certain European countries. What we should do is to make our reforms, get our standards higher and eventually make a decision on whether or not to join the Union," Bagis noted.

[15] Turkey and Brazil issued a joint declaration

According to the signed declaration on "Strategic Perspective for a Dynamic Partnership", the two countries share similar values, principles, wishes and expectations for a better future in their respective regions and in the world.

The declaration said that Roussef's visit to Turkey had affirmed the two countries' determination to build up the strategic partnership between the two countries

"Political and economic tests have intensified all around the world, which calls for new roles and contributions for new global players to solve international problems," the declaration said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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