Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-10-13

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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] Eroglu briefed the Turkish Cypriot political party leaders on the negotiations

[02] Excerpt on Cyprus from Turkish Foreign Ministry's Press Release regarding the 2011 EU's Progress Report for Turkey

[03] Turkey's EU Minister Bagis comments on EU Progress Report

[04] Statements by Eroglu and Ozersay on the "continental shelf delineation agreement"

[05] Yildiz: "Sharing is important"

[06] Piri Reis starts second tour of seismic research

[07] Ertugruloglu: "Christofias can continue dreaming"

[08] More than 12 thousand student places remained vacant in the illegal Universities

[09] "Towards a positive European agenda for Turkey"

[10] Kurdish deputies of BDP to be tried in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Reactions by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and various Turkish politicians on the 2011 Progress Report of Turkey, contacts of former British PM and current Special Envoy of the Middle East Quartet, Tony Blair in Turkey, Henry Kissinger's statements about the important role of Ankara in Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan and Syria, and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Eroglu briefed the Turkish Cypriot political party leaders on the negotiations

The chairmen of the political parties made statements after the meeting which lasted for around three hours.

Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP) stated that his party conveyed its thoughts and reservations regarding the negotiations. He also stated that in the coming week they will be briefed by the technical committee which is conducting the negotiations. Serdar Denktas also said that during the meeting they found out the truth about the "continental shelf delimitation agreement" signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime and they realized that the "foreign ministry" was informed about it.

On his part, Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister and chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) stated that sixteen out of the nineteen meetings between the two Cypriot leaders took place and three meetings are left until the New York summit. He stated that the Greek Cypriot proposals are no different than before and claimed that the Greek Cypriots presented the same proposals after "playing with them a little".

Ozkan Yorgancioglu, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) stated that they were informed about the latest developments and that they conveyed their views on the issue. He went on and stated that the Turkish Cypriot side must be constructive because after the end of the meeting in New York, the UN Secretary-General will describe the role that each side played. "The Turkish Cypriot side must not be the intransigent side", Yorgancioglu said.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, chairman of Democracy and Trust party (DGP), said that it is not easy to say that there was a progress in the negotiations.

On his part, Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) stated that the Turkish side is on a historic road and added: "Turkey is on a journey towards the west. As regards the Turkish Cypriots, they are in a freezing train". He also stated that accusations against the Greek Cypriots will not help finding a solution.

He noted that many accusations against the Greek Cypriots were said during the meeting and that no solution could be achieved with this mentality.

Pointing out that a "nationalistic and racist approach" exists in the occupied area of Cyprus, Cakici noted that those, who accuse the Greek Cypriots, say on the other hand that they want a solution. "This is insincerely", he concluded.

Finally, Turgay Avci, the chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) argued that the fact that the Greek Cypriot side started oil and gas drilling is not in favour of the solution.

[02] Excerpt on Cyprus from Turkish Foreign Ministry's Press Release regarding the 2011 EU's Progress Report for Turkey

"On the other hand, the "Cyprus" issue is also mentioned in the report. The solution of the Cyprus problem and Turkey's membership to the EU are two different processes. Turkey has so far provided every support to the ongoing negotiation process on the Island and, in line with its rights and obligations as a guarantor state, it has encouraged, through its concrete contributions, the achievement of an agreement in the negotiations as soon as possible. Indeed, as it is also stated in the report, the support of our country for a comprehensive settlement is also acknowledged by the UN Secretary-General. In this context, Turkey is fully supporting the intensive and sincere efforts resolutely carried out by the Turkish Cypriot side to reach a comprehensive settlement agreement until the end of the year in line with the expectation of the UN Secretary General. This being the case, we regret that the Enlargement Strategy Document contains expressions regarding the expectation from Turkey to increase its contribution to the negotiations.

The Report also addresses the issue of Additional Protocol with a biased approach reflecting the Greek Cypriot point of view. Turkey's understanding that all restrictions on Cyprus should be lifted has been proven several times, with the Action Plan it proposed in 2006, as well as with its stance vis-?-vis the most recent EU initiative by the Belgian Presidency and the Commission at the end of last year. It is a serious shortcoming that the report disregards the fact that all these initiatives could not move forward due to the negative attitude of the Greek Cypriot side.

The Enlargement Strategy Document also refers, in a biased manner, to the crisis that stemmed from the unilateral acts of the Greek Cypriot side in the Eastern Mediterranean. In this period when the UN comprehensive settlement negotiations are underway, which are the clearest demonstration of the fact that the Greek Cypriots have neither rights over the whole of the Island nor the authority to decide on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriot side should be expected to focus on the settlement process, to demonstrate its will to that end, and thus, to suspend its drilling activities, instead of resorting to such provocations. Under these circumstances, addressing the issue from the perspective of "the sovereign rights of EU members" by disregarding the principle of justice, reflects the Greek Cypriot efforts to impose their unilateral EU membership and contradicts the founding principles that the Union is based upon. This issue has nothing to do with good neighborly relations; the Greek Cypriots should reach an agreement with the Turkish Cypriots, who are co-owners of the Island and their real counterparts. This is the only way for reaching a settlement that will contribute to maintaining of peace and cooperation in the region and the equitable sharing of the natural resources of the Island by the two peoples who are its co-owners. During his meeting with the UN Secretary General on 24 September 2011 in New York, the President of the TRNC, Mr. Eroglu, presented a proposal for breaking stalemate on this issue. This proposal, which could positively contribute to the comprehensive solution, was conveyed to the Greek Cypriots through the UN. However, instead of treating it in a constructive way, they returned the proposal".

[03] Turkey's EU Minister Bagis comments on EU Progress Report

Speaking at a press conference soon after the release of the annual report in Brussels Bagis, said the report was out of focus.

"Although the report tries to take an objective and balanced picture of Turkey, we think that the camera used by the commission is old with a worn out lens, and the lens needs to be changed, as the picture taken has lots of blurred parts and the camera seems to be zooming on the false points," Bagis said.

Referring to the concern expressed in the report as regards the raise on the number of court cases against journalists and writers, in Turkey, Bagis stated that no journalist was in jail in Turkey for journalistic activities, saying journalists do not have criminal immunity just because they are journalists. H also stated: "Full membership to the union is Turkey's only goal no other goals can be accepted" adding: "We hope that the EU will soon emerge from its eclipse of the mind".

Also, Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.10.11) reported that Turkey's European Union Minister Egemen Bagis said on Wednesday at a press conference after the commission released its 2011 report on Turkey's membership process that the European Commission's progress report on Turkey confirmed the need for Turkey's membership. "We are considering it [the progress report] as a confirmation of Europe's faith in and the urgent need for Turkish accession to the Union", Bagis said.

Bagis said Turkey considered the European Commission as its "closest ally" in the negotiations process, expressing hope that the commission would continue its "sincere attitude" during the course of the membership talks.

"The Commission is a respected institution that guards the Union acquis and upholds its interests and guides the candidate countries and it needs to stay that way. We are also aware that certain narrow-minded politicians exert pressure on the Commission and we understand that as a result our friends in the Commission are left in a difficult situation," Bagis said.

Bagis also criticized the report's handling of the Cyprus issue, saying that the Turkish Cypriots could not be forced to pay the cost of failure to find a settlement to the Cyprus issue. "Without Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus the union is like a crippled duck," Bagis said.

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.10.11) reported that Bagis in response to a question about whether "Greek Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is described would continue to search for natural recourses in the region, said that if they go deeper, then the breakaway regime in occupied Cyprus would go deeper too.

Turkey is not seeking a "bravo" from EU countries for every step that the government makes, Bagis said, adding that progress is being made for the sake of the people of Turkey. The European Commission said Turkey needed to improve fundamental rights, particularly freedom of expression, to advance.

[04] Statements by Eroglu and Ozersay on the "continental shelf delineation agreement"

On the same issue, Star Kibris reports that Kudret Ozersay ? Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu's special adviser ? evaluating the "continental shelf delineation agreement" in TV programme in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, said that everybody who should know about it, were informed.

Ozersay also said: "Almost ten days before the signing of the continental shelf delineation agreement, all people, who should have knowledge on the issue, including our government [translator's note: self-styled government of UBP], were informed that in case the Greek Cypriot side started the drilling activities, then this agreement would be signed."

Ozersay explained that a committee on behalf of the self-styled government negotiated in Ankara on September 15 the "continental shelf delineation agreement".

Ozersay noted that the text as well as the map of the "continental shelf delineation agreement" emerged as the result of the "official visit" of the committee in Ankara on 15 September, adding that the draft text of the "agreement" was in the possession of both, Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and self-styled ministry of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime, nearly 10 days before the signing in New York.

Ozersay went on: "Why our esteemed president [translator's note: Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu] did not know that we would sign this agreement while he was going to New York? Because the agreed timing of the signing was the time when the Greek Cypriot side would start its drilling. We were in New York when the drilling started and we reacted."

[05] Yildiz: "Sharing is important"

Speaking to reporters in the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Yildiz, inter alia, said: "I can say that use of the words 'we found or we did not find' is speculative. It [natural gas] can be found, but what is important for us is that all the people of Cyprus to share [this]. We give importance to this; it is proper according to the law. From this point of view, without seeing the results it is not right to talk about it, it is early."

Also referring to Piri Reis, Yildiz said that they conduct seismic research and added that they do not share the findings of the research with the public.

[06] Piri Reis starts second tour of seismic research

According to a statement made to the press by the project coordinator Professor Derman Dondurur, they have completed research in a 1,200 kilometre area as part of the first phase of the project. Dondurur said that they are ready to begin the second phase of the project which will take 20 to 25 days to complete weather permitting. He said that in their previous trip they covered the north and south part of "area G" and now they intend to perform further seismic data collecting studies in the north and east part of "area G" [Translator's note: The "G area" was determined by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO)].

Dondurur characterized their research as being "politically critical" and said that during the first phase they have approached on the Noble platform, which performs drilling explorations on behalf of the Republic of Cyprus. "We have approached 14-15 km the platform and established visual contact," said Dondurur and added that in the second phase in the south part of their research they will approach again the platform. He also said that at all times they were escorted by at least one Turkish Navy vessel and occasionally by Turkish fighter jets.

Dondurur stated that after the end of the research in "area G," TPAO and the Turkish Foreign Ministry will decide upon the future activities. He said that the data they collect will be processed by TPAO, a sensitive and sometimes long process. Furthermore he said that in case they find anomalies that imply the existence of oil and natural gas, a public announcement will be issued by the Foreign Affairs Ministry and TPAO.

[07] Ertugruloglu: "Christofias can continue dreaming"

Commenting on President Christofias' statement that the return of occupied Morfou and Karpass peninsula under Greek Cypriot administration is sine qua non for the Greek Cypriot side, Ertugruloglu said: "I am a person that always supported and used to say that Morfou should not be returned. Christofias can continue dreaming Karpass, Varosha, Morfou and Keryneia. However, these dreams will never come true. In every negotiation process Morfou has been mentioned and the people live in unrest for years now. I said it from the beginning that this cannot be done and I did not believe that this will ever happen."

Referring to Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's statement on Morfou during his latest illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Ertugruloglu said that Erdogan expressed it in a very clear way that satisfied them and the people in the area must feel relieved now.

[08] More than 12 thousand student places remained vacant in the illegal Universities

[09] "Towards a positive European agenda for Turkey"

"Turkey is a key country for the European Union. It is therefore disappointing that there has been such limited progress in the accession process over the last year. This is a source of frustration to both sides, as we are insufficiently exploiting the strong political and economic ties that already exist between us. I think both of us would like to see better results and interested in achieving more.

Turkey and the EU have much to gain through increased integration and dialogue. This is why we want to develop a renewed and positive EU-Turkey agenda. In my opinion this agenda must consist of five different elements.

First of all, the European Commission is ready to work more intensively with Turkey on its domestic reforms. The EU accession process can offer strong transformative powers that have proved to foster reforms in Turkey. Turkey today is a more democratic country than it was 10 years ago, thanks to its EU perspective.

Secondly, I hope that Turkey will continue its work on the alignment of laws with the European Union acquis. Not only will further adoption of the EU acquis increase the level of protection for all consumers and citizens of Turkey, but it also will allow us, once the political environment permits, to progress rapidly in the accession negotiations.

Thirdly, our new agenda should seek to maximize the potential of our economic relations. Of course, through the customs union we already have a deep economic relationship. The possibilities this offers to business in Turkey and the European Union are huge. Let's have a look together at how we can deepen and expand our trade and economic relations.

Fourthly, travelling to Europe should be made easier. My colleague Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom and I are committed to working to further facilitate travel to the European Union for Turkish businessmen and students via multiple-entry and long-validity visas. We all agree how important this is. An important step would be that Turkey takes the necessary steps for the swift conclusion of the readmission agreement related to illegal immigrants who transit Turkey.

Lastly, I believe that we should strengthen the EU-Turkey high-level dialogue on foreign policy. This has proven a valuable forum to discuss our shared strategic interests and is a tool that can bring further benefits to us both, especially now, at a time when the stakes are so high in the region, following the developments across North Africa and the Middle East. Turkey and the European Union need to jointly support the aspirations for democracy, human rights, stability and prosperity.

These five elements together make a strong EU-Turkey agenda which would allow the European Union and Turkey to move closer together economically and politically for the mutual benefit of all our peoples.

Let me turn to challenges facing Turkey that I believe are currently blocking Turkey's own development: constitutional reform, the Kurdish issue and the Cyprus issue.

To bring real benefits to Turkey's citizens, the comprehensive constitutional reform announced by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan after the elections in June needs to be inclusive, bringing together all political parties and civil society. The first steps, including the launch of a website to function as a forum for public contributions and the launch of an ad-hoc committee with equal representation of all parties in Parliament, are encouraging.

On the Kurdish issue, Turkey needs to push ahead with the democratic opening which was announced in 2009 and raised great hopes for a peaceful and democratic resolution of this issue. The commission reaffirms its full solidarity with Turkey in the struggle against terrorism.

Finally, a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue, on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and in line with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and the principles on which the EU is founded, can only be found with Turkey's support. A settlement would be more than worth the effort: It would contribute to stability in the northeast Mediterranean, boost trade and growth in Cyprus for the benefit of both communities and give a new, fresh momentum to Turkey's EU accession negotiations.

After a year in which expectations have not been fully met, this is an ambitious agenda for the European Union and Turkey together and for Turkey alone. However, it is also a realistic agenda that, if it is met, will bring real benefits to all of us and move Turkey closer to its objective of EU membership".

[10] Kurdish deputies of BDP to be tried in Turkey

The prosecutor demanded 45 years in prison for Zana, 72 years in prison for Diyarbakir deputy Aydogan and 33 years in prison for Van deputy Aysel Tugluk.

The suspects will be tried in the coming days for the charges of "making propaganda for an outlawed organization," "contravening the Law of Assembly and Demonstration" and "committing a crime in the name of an outlawed organization without being its member."

The deputies' stand accused of the charges numerous times, including for speeches they gave prior to the June 12 elections. Tugluk, meanwhile, will also be tried for her participation in the funeral ceremony of a member of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) in Diyarbakir's Ergani district. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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