Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-10-14

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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] Jack Straw stated that the international community should support the division of Cyprus, if Cyprus negotiation talks fail

[02] Turkish Cypriot political leaders comment on Jack Straw's statements

[03] Serdar Denktas: "The 'continental shelf delimitation agreement' message is that Turkey's interlocutor in the Mediterranean, is the Turkish Cypriots

[04] Turkish official denies allegations saying that Piri Reis' situation is dangerous

[05] Suspicions arise regarding Eroglu's bank deposits

[06] Members of the breakaway regime's "assembly" to hold meeting in Brussels

[07] A Britain incorporated firm of a Turkish Cypriot businessman will start flights to the UK from illegal Tympou airport as of March 2012

[08] Davutoglu's joint press conference with Westerwelle; He accused EU of following a one-sided perspective on Cyprus

[09] Turkey's Yildiz urges EU to push the Republic of Cyprus to end "provocations and game"; He asks for the opening of energy chapter

[10] Helene Flautre harshly criticizes the EU for threatening reforms in Turkey

[11] Turkish columnists on Turkey's EU Progress Report

[12] Davutoglu's joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart; Turkey to enhance its cooperation with Iraq

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Reports about the discussion for a new Turkish constitution, statements of the Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and his counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu after their meeting in Ankara, statements by former foreign secretary of the UK Jack Straw that partition in Cyprus should be supported if negotiations fail, reports that Turkey is ready to extend support to the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Jack Straw stated that the international community should support the division of Cyprus, if Cyprus negotiation talks fail

"Oil and natural gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean Sea is a dangerous prospect for the region", Straw said, adding that there is a great need for international negotiations and calm.

Referring to the ongoing negotiation talks in Cyprus, Straw stressed: "In the absence of any progress the international community should support the division of the island". Straw said that when the "Greek Cypriot administration", [as the Republic of Cyprus is described by Hurriyet], takes over the rotating presidency of the European Union in July 2012, it will have a responsibility to the union and therefore, would leave aside its national responsibilities and represent the entire EU.

On Turkey's EU membership bid, Straw stated that the current negotiation pace between Turkey and the Union was slow and that EU member states, the administrations of France and "Greek Cyprus" in particular, were responsible for it.

Straw added that France had supported Turkey's EU membership application six years ago, and the "Greek Cypriot administration" also accepted the application. He added that Turkey maintained its reform and amendment process, partially because it wanted to become an EU member, but also because the Turkish people wanted them.

Straw said whether or not to join the euro zone would be Turkey's own decision and that Britain's conservative party, led by British Prime Minister David Cameron, was sincere when it said it wanted to see Turkey in the EU.

Commenting on Turkish-Israeli relations, Straw said Israel should apologize to Turkey for the attack on a Gaza-bound aid flotilla, and had Israel apologized, it would have strengthened its hand. Straw said Israel could still apologize, and noted that Turkey had assumed an important and effective role in the Middle East.

Regarding President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria, Straw stated that it was shocked by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's strong statements against the violence, and that Turkey's possibility to impose sanctions on Syria was a good thing. Straw said Erdogan was a successful leader whose party had won three general elections.

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[02] Turkish Cypriot political leaders comment on Jack Straw's statements

The leader of Freedom and Reform Party (ORP) Turgay Avci said that Straw's statements are well matched to their own statements that "this is the last chance." He also claimed that the international community has realized that there must be an end in the Cyprus negotiations, something which is hopeful and joyful for them.

Ozkan Yorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party ?United Forces (CTP-BG), said that his party from its establishment has been against the division of the island. He argued that very possibly such a statement by Straw intended to remind the existing situation and the probable risks that arise from non solution.

Democratic Party's leader (DP), Serdar Denktas said: "As a matter of fact, Straw eventually stressed out something that has been in the mind of the two communities for many years." He alleged that this should be the basis of the negotiations and they should research methods which would allow the economic cooperation of the "two states."

Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) said that until now the UK was silent and the reason for addressing threats to the Greek Cypriots through a former foreign minister is in order to avoid the British bases becoming an issue of the agenda. He said that by saying that "Greek Cypriots do not represent the whole island," they want to remind that they also have rights.

Democracy and Trust Party (DGP) leader Tahsin Ertugruloglu, inter alia, said: "Already the oil issue, since it came to the agenda, shows that we are in the beginning of a process which registers two separate states. Coming to the statement of the former Minister of FA, I say that he did a correct evaluation. ...The great forces implemented, knowingly, a policy according to their own interests. Whereas now they implement a policy based on the realities."

[03] Serdar Denktas: "The 'continental shelf delimitation agreement' message is that Turkey's interlocutor in the Mediterranean, is the Turkish Cypriots

Serdar Denktas made these statements speaking at a conference taken place in occupied Famagusta under the title "Cyprus; from yesterday to today".

Alleging that the aim of the Greek Cypriot side is to isolate Turkey, Serdar Denktas stated: "They want to place Turkey as their interlocutor in another issue besides the Cyprus problem".

Referring to the "continental shelf delimitation agreement" signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime, Serdar Denktas stated that the "agreement" is an answer to the Greek Cypriot side. The content of the "agreement" has no meaning; however, the place that the agreement was signed and the message it gave to the Greek Cypriot side is very important. "The message of Turkey to the Greek Cypriots and to the whole world was that 'my interlocutor in the Mediterranean on this issue is the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriot'", Serdar Denktas stated.

He went on and said that the Greek Cypriot side is one step ahead of Turkey on the oil issue because Turkey since 2002 stopped paying a lot of attention on the issue and did not bring back the objection it had at the time.

Replying to a question about the Cyprus problem, Serdar Denktas stated that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be the division of the island. He estimated that taking into consideration the Cyprus problem and the oil issue, in two-three years the division of the island will take place and a solution of two states will be adopted.

[04] Turkish official denies allegations saying that Piri Reis' situation is dangerous

Huseyin Avni Belli, director of Dokuz Eylul University's Naval Sciences and Technology Institute also responsible for the ship's command, stated: "The ship is almost 33 years old, there should be a limit to the risks taken here". Benli explained also that the Piri Reis needed serious maintenance before it can conduct any further exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.

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"Although we renovated the ship, we were not able to replace the engine and the generator, which are both waiting at customs" Belli said, warning of the danger the crew is facing. He added: "We need to get back to 0
zmir -- we know that it is a matter of legitimacy on the part of Turkish Cyprus, but there is obvious threat to human life here."

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (13.10.11) reported that a Turkish official named Seda Okay stated that the Turkish vessel continued renewed round of gas exploration in the eastern Mediterranean yesterday, and denied media reports claiming that the vessel's engine broke on October 12. Okay said the vessel stayed at the occupied Famagusta port overnight on October 12, due to poor weather conditions.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (14.10.11) reports that a Turkish Cypriot, Dr Seda Okay, is among the experts of the Koca Piri Reis team. According to the paper, Okay, who is a research assistant at the Department of Marine Sciences and Technology at Dokuz Eylul (Nine September) University (DEU), participated in the first stage of the Piri Reis exploration, between 26 of September and 3 of October having duties at the ship. She will assist the team in the second stage of Piri Reis exploration having duties in the ground. Saying that she is very proud to be part of the Piri Reis team, Seda Okay stated that the Turkish Cypriots have as much rights as the Greek Cypriots in the area and said: "I think these works is a very good answer (to them)".

[05] Suspicions arise regarding Eroglu's bank deposits

Answering to Adem, self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said that they will investigate into the matter and share their results with the public. The paper also reports that this situation strengthens suspicions that the "prime ministry" is behind the attack targeting Eroglu.

The Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu issued a written statement saying that the money came from his work as a doctor, his political career, his retirement bonus and the selling of real estate properties that he owned. He said that he had already given a declaration of his property and he would also do so next year.

[06] Members of the breakaway regime's "assembly" to hold meeting in Brussels

[07] A Britain incorporated firm of a Turkish Cypriot businessman will start flights to the UK from illegal Tympou airport as of March 2012

North Cyprus Airlines were established in 2009 by the Turkish Cypriot businessman Alpan Uz, who lives permanently in London.

The paper writes that company officials claimed that since the firm was incorporated in the UK has the right to conduct flight from the Larnaka airport as well and no obstacle can be put to prevent it from doing so. It also publishes the certificate of incorporation.

Company officials also stated that they were under discussion with the "TRNC government", as they called the occupation regime, regarding the name of the airlines (Translation note: North Cyprus Airlines was founded by occupation regime shortly after the bankruptcy of the illegal Cyprus Turkish Airlines in June 2010), but since no result came out from the discussion, they will start operate under the name North Cyprus Airlines and use the initiatives KKHY (North Cyprus Airlines -Kuzey K1
br1
s Hava Yollar1
).

The headquarters of the new company will be in London.

Havadis reports that the Turkish Cypriot businessman Alpan Uz, who is the owner of the company is planning to invest in other fields in addition to aviation area.

[08] Davutoglu's joint press conference with Westerwelle; He accused EU of following a one-sided perspective on Cyprus

Speaking at a joint press conference with German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in Istanbul, Davutoglu said: "Such a European perspective made it hard to establish Turkish-EU relations. A trilateral meeting will take place on October 30 and 31. A progress in Cyprus negotiations until the trilateral meeting will help Turkish-EU relations. We request from the EU countries and primarily Germany to send a strong message to the Greek Cypriots in this regard. This is highly important for us".

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle in his statements said that the German government paid high importance to counter-terrorism. He said that "it was out of question for us to support terrorists".

Asked on recent remarks made by Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, that certain German foundations extended resources to terrorist organizations through opposition parties in Turkey, Minister Westerwelle said that "all the misunderstandings on the issue have been clarified".

"German foundations receive appreciation in Turkey. As the German government, we pay high attention to counter-terrorism. It is out of question for us to support terrorists. You may not know that a German high court defined PKK as a terrorist organization a year ago. PKK is accepted as a terrorist organization in Europe and there is no tolerance to them," Westerwelle said.

Referring to Turkey's EU negotiation process, he said: "The European Union should act respectful and fair to Turkey in the negotiation process".

German Foreign Minister also met with Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

[09] Turkey's Yildiz urges EU to push the Republic of Cyprus to end "provocations and games"; He asks for the opening of energy chapter

Speaking at a panel discussion on Turkey at the European Parliament, Yildiz said that the EU should not forget Turkey's contributions to the energy security of the EU.

Minister Yildiz stressed that opening the chapter on energy to negotiations with Turkey, would be beneficial for everyone.

[10] Helene Flautre harshly criticizes the EU for threatening reforms in Turkey

In a written statement released on Wednesday (12.10.11), H?l?ne Flautre, co-chairwoman of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee said that her home country of France as well as Germany and Greek Cyprus, [as the Republic of Cyprus is described] by Zaman have been harming Europe's long-term interests with their constant objections to Turkey's EU membership process.

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"The European Commission urged the EU to continue talks with Turkey but said no progress had been achieved in the last year. It also expressed concern about tensions between Ankara and EU-member Cyprus. Opposition from Greek Cyprus, and French and German reluctance to admit the largely Muslim nation, are the main obstacles to Turkish membership, and a "privileged partnership" has been mooted as an alternative to regular membership.

'While the commission is going through the motions with its progress report on Turkey, clearly the overriding concern should be the standstill in EU-Turkey relations and the fact that the accession process has all but ground to a halt,' Flautre said".

Pointing out that the negotiating chapters on fundamental rights are being blocked at a time when Turkey is discussing constitutional and judicial reforms, is wrongheaded, she added: "This is a real threat to the efforts being made in Turkey as regards democratic reform and the EU's ability to positively influence this".

"There is a core of EU member states [notably Germany, France and Cyprus] that wants to block Turkey's EU accession regardless of any 'progress,' and, as a result, the EU is effectively no longer able to positively influence the reform process in Turkey. This is inimical to the long-term interests of Europe," she added.

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[11] Turkish columnists on Turkey's EU Progress Report

Also, writing in Turkish daily Today's Zaman (13.10.11), Yavuz Baydar publishes a commentary entitle: "Turkey and the EU: time for priorities". Baydar writes the following: "With the new Progress Report on Turkey, two opposite observations on the state of affairs seem to remain equally valid: a) The prospects for a "marriage" look bleaker than in previous years, mainly due to deliberate and destructive blocking efforts by a couple of EU members' administrations; and b) Turkey is maintaining the momentum and continues to 'sufficiently fulfil the criteria' in sync with the rather concerned, but wise, European Commission. Once more, it leaves the main question marks, on Turkey's accession, hanging".

Baydar further supports that the report is fair and balanced, despite some (unnecessarily) harsh Turkish official comments. According to Baydar, the report praises the main steps on passing crucial laws to meet the Copenhagen Criteria, underlines the vital importance of the demilitarization of politics, reiterates high expectations for a new constitution, and commends economic policies in general. However, in an equally objective manner, it remains critical on individual freedoms and civil rights, flaws in the implementation of the rule of law (lengthy arrests and slow trials in particular), freedom of expression, public procurement system, women's rights and the "fading" independence of the regulating institutions.

Baydar underlines that two points may be raised critically regarding the report and adds: "One has to do with Cyprus. It says: '? It is urgent that Turkey fulfils its obligation of fully implementing the Additional Protocol and makes progress towards normalization of bilateral relations with the Republic of Cyprus. It also urges the avoidance of any kind of threat, source of friction or action that could damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes. The EU will continue to follow up and review progress made on these issues in accordance with the relevant Council decisions.'

To any outside observer with a sufficient degree of knowledge of the conflict, this passage is a problematic one ? which to a large degree justifies tough reactions from Egemen Bag1
s, chief negotiator of Turkey. It avoids, either through myopia or helplessness over pressure from Greek Cyprus, any reference to the importance of a solution in UN-sponsored negotiations. The report is right, to point out, Turkey's obligations to open its ports to Cypriot vessels and flights, but by failing to emphasize endorsement for a settlement in the UN-sponsored talks "without delay," it only encourages the Greek Cypriot administrations to drag its feet further and go on with damaging policies against Turkey's accession. It is a high priority; therefore, Ankara's voice must be taken into account in this key context", Baydar argues.

[12] Davutoglu's joint press conference with his Iraqi counterpart; Turkey to enhance its cooperation with Iraq

The joint statement which was released at the end of the meeting between Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and his Iraqi counterpart Hoshyar Zebari in Ankara, reports, inter alia, that the two countries agreed to hold the second meeting of the council, headed by prime ministers, in Istanbul before the end of 2011. "As stipulated in the founding document of the council, Turkey and Iraq, two neighbouring countries with strong social bonds of common history, culture and brotherly relations, share the same ideals in their regional objectives which are the promotion of peace, stability, freedom, democracy, prosperity and enhanced mechanisms of dialogue for increased economic cooperation and political coordination," the statement said.

(?)Further, according to the statement, the two delegations had also agreed that the presence of the PKK terrorist organization in Iraq was against the Iraqi constitution, and Iraqi side reaffirmed the determination of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Iraq to eliminate PKK and all other terrorist organizations' presence in Iraq.

The written statement, inter alia, writes: "Both countries will enhance their cooperation in their struggle against terrorism in accordance with international law". The statement went on saying that the two delegations have also agreed the following:

- "To prepare a bilateral agreement on opening new border gates along the Turkish-Iraqi frontier that will be ready for signature before the next meeting of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council,

- To build a third bridge at the Habur/Ibrahim Halil border crossing and to hold a technical committee meeting on November 2-3, 2011,

- To address water issues and to cooperate within that context in technical committees. In this regard, they decided to have technical meetings for exchange of experience, data and information without any prejudice to the work within the existing trilateral cooperation framework between Turkey, Iraq and Syria. They will also enhance their technical cooperation in order to improve Iraq's water infrastructure for better and efficient water management, as well as engaging in a more constructive dialogue for addressing the social and media dimensions of the issue, thus preventing misperceptions about their respective positions.

- To hold the second meeting of the High Level Strategic Cooperation Council, headed by the Prime Ministers of the two countries, in Istanbul before the end of 2011,

- To follow up and complete the ratification processes of outstanding memoranda of understanding signed in 2009, as soon as possible,

- To draw the attention of the relevant ministries and institutions in both countries to identify and prepare proposals on additional areas of cooperation". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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