Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-10-18

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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 said that no point was left without been discussed and negotiated in the Cyprus talks

[02] Toros military exercise will not be conducted this year

[03] Italian Embassy co organizes cinema nights in the occupied part of Lefkosia

[04] Kuneralp says Turkey will not discuss with Cyprus

[05] Bagis argued the U.S. should also encourage sides in Cyprus to reach a solution

[06] Bildt confirmed media reports that the Friends of Turkey group in the EU is working on a plan to end the deadlock in Turkey's accession talks

[07] "We do not want a homophobic state"

[08] KTOS signs protocol with Latvian Trade Union

[09] "GAU" signed cooperation agreement with Jordanian University

[10] British Ambassador said Gul would visit UK in November

[11] Erdogan commented on drafting a new constitution for Turkey

[12] "Foreign Minister won't confirm Erdogan, Obama row"

[13] Davutoglu met with representatives of the Syrian National Council

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Statements by Turkish Premier Erdogan on the ongoing preparation for the new constitution in Turkey, reports that Turkish and Azerbaijani ministers are to meet in a joint Cabinet session in 0
zmir, figures on Turkey's employment rate, statements by Eroglu in Dardanelle and reports that five EU countries have prepared a secret action plan for the acceleration of Turkey's EU process with the aim of opening a new chapter for Ankara and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Eroglu said that no point was left without been discussed and negotiated as in the Cyprus talks

Eroglu made these statements yesterday in a speech he delivered at the Canakkale (Dardanelles) 18 March University where he has been decorated with the "Honorary International Relations Doctorate" by the University. The title of Eroglu's speech was "Cyprus negotiations from yesterday to today".

Eroglu stated that the time for the solution of the Cyprus problem has come and said that the solution must be just and viable. He added that this solution will protect the rights of Turkey and of the Turkish Cypriots. He claimed that the solution is possible with the establishment of a new partnership state.

Referring to the forthcoming tripartite meeting with President Demetris Christofias and the UN Secretary General-Ban Ki-moon in New York at the end of October, Eroglu expressed the hope for this to be the last meeting. "The basic question is what is going to happen in case we return from New York without achieving the desired concrete progress", he stated and alleged that the Turkish side is negotiating with good will and is doing all it can towards reaching a solution on the island. However, he said, we cannot ignore the possibility of the negotiations not having a successful ending.

He went on and stated that the Turkish Cypriots have to maintain their political and economic strength regardless of whether a solution is reached or not. He also alleged that the "TRNC", as he called the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus, together with "motherland" Turkey, are two of the most democratic Muslim "countries". He stated that he does not see the "democratic state" of the Turkish Cypriots as an obstacle for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

The Turkish Cypriot leader also said that the Cyprus problem is influenced not only from the situation in Cyprus but also from the international developments. He said that they are aware of the importance of Cyprus as it is described in the "Strategic depth" concept of the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Finally, referring to the conducting of oil drilling by the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu claimed that these actions damage the negotiation progress and alleged that he informed President Christofias on the issue but, as he alleged, President Christofias took these warnings as a threat.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (18.10.11) broadcast that Eroglu has held telephone conservation with the UN Secretary-General. During this conversation, Eroglu has reportedly told Ban Ki-moon that the Turkish Cypriots have no more time left for a solution on the island. He noted that the efforts for finding a solution should end either in a positive or in a negative manner.

[02] Toros military exercise will not be conducted this year

Ertug who issued a written statement said that in order to improve the political environment for the negotiations which are entering a critical phase, the decision was taken with the consultation of Turkey.

[03] Italian Embassy co organizes cinema nights in the occupied part of Lefkosia

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Bulutoglulari said that as a municipality the will develop their relations with the Italian Embassy. He also announced that they have allocated space in one of the municipal buildings, within the walled city of Lefkosia, which the Italian Embassy and Italian associations could use.

[04] Kuneralp says Turkey will not discuss with Cyprus

Also commenting on Turkey's progress report that was published by the European Commission last week, he described it as "prejudiced, unbalanced and disappointing."

[05] Bagis argued the U.S. should also encourage sides in Cyprus to reach a solution

Bagis noted that Turkey and the U.S. had many common points such as democracy, respect to human rights and freedom of thought, adding that the relations in politics, security and military were also on good level.

It is necessary to further develop economic relations too, he added.

Recalling that the U.S. extended support to Turkey's EU accession process, Bagis said that the U.S. should also encourage sides in Cyprus to reach a solution.

Bagis also wanted the U.S. to convince the EU to prevent Cyprus problem hampering Turkey's EU membership process.

[06] Bildt confirmed media reports that the Friends of Turkey group in the EU is working on a plan to end the deadlock in Turkey's accession talks

"Turkey's main opposition leader has told the Swedish foreign minister that the European Union holds responsibility for growing government control of the judiciary and the persecution of journalists, because of the support it gave to last year's constitutional amendments, party sources said.

'The government has taken control of the judiciary following the constitutional amendments of 2010,' sources quoted Kemal Kilicdaroglu as telling Carl Bildt when the two met behind closed doors yesterday.

The leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP) criticized the latest EU report on Turkey's accession progress, saying it failed to sufficiently highlight 'the anti-democratic actions' of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), sources said.

'The EU did not put enough emphasis on this issue. The EU also holds responsibility for the anti-democratic environment in Turkey,' Kilicdaroglu was quoted as saying at the meeting.

Bildt, however, described the progress report as 'balanced' and said Turkey must undertake further reforms.

Kilicdaroglu also advised the EU against high expectations from the new constitution process, arguing that even the current constitution was frequently violated. 'A new constitution will not solve every single problem for Turkey. For instance, the right to privacy is being violated, although it is enshrined in the current constitution,' he said, according to sources. (?)

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Bildt tacitly confirmed media reports that the Friends of Turkey group in the EU was working on a plan to end the deadlock in Turkey's accession talks.

'There are some challenges and difficulties and it requires discussion both between the different countries of the EU and between the EU and Turkey,' Bildt said. 'It's hardly new in that particular aspect, but of course we are working on the different items that can keep the positive momentum on certain issues.'"

[07] "We do not want a homophobic state"

The group stated that they "do not want homophobic media," and asked for measures to be taken against media institutions and writers who, while covering the story, did not base their articles on journalist etiquette.

The hearing of the case took place behind closed doors since some of the accused persons are under age and will continue today. Commenting on the issue, Baraka Cultural Centre asked for the release of the minors who were apprehended, the abolishment of the out-dated and opposing to human rights and freedom provisions of the "penal code" and replacement with "regulations" that promote equality, freedom and equal treatment of all sexual orientations.

[08] KTOS signs protocol with Latvian Trade Union

KTOS was represented by its chairman Guven Varoglu, the education secretary Mustafa Ozhur and the general accountant Mustafa Baybora. According to Varoglu's statement, apart from LIZDA they met with officials from the Latvian Ministry of Education, they visited eleven different education institutions, private education and after school education centres. They also met with the Solidarity Trade Union of Poland (SOLIDARNOSC) and the Bulgarian Trade Union of workers in Education (PODKREPA).

[09] "GAU" signed cooperation agreement with Jordanian University

[10] British Ambassador said Gul would visit UK in November

Reddaway said that they attached a great importance to improvement of strategic relations with Turkey.

[11] Erdogan commented on drafting a new constitution for Turkey

"The Justice and Development Party (AKP) government, which is working on drafting a new and more democratic constitution for Turkey as part of its election promises, is not out to destroy the old status quo and replace it with a new one, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

Delivering the closing speech at a four-day party caucus in Ankara's Kizilcahamam district, the Prime Minister said about the ongoing work on a new constitution: 'Changing the old status quo that is keeping Turkey in shackles is not enough. And we are announcing right away that our new perspective is not about building a new status quo.' (?)

The Prime Minister said the Turkish nation wanted a democracy, rid of all military guardianship. 'Our nation doesn't want to share its right to sovereignty with anyone ever again. It wants only the people to have a say on fundamental rights and freedoms.'

Erdogan also highlighted the international aspect of his party. 'The AKP is not only a party of Turkey, it is a party of the world from Mogadishu to Bosnia and Herzegovina, from Damascus to Skopje, from Sana to Bishkek, from Abu Dhabi to Islamabad, from Gaza to Benghazi, from Pristina to the TRNC [editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus]. Where there is a victim in the world, the AKP is there by his side. This is the kind of party we are,' he underlined."

[12] "Foreign Minister won't confirm Erdogan, Obama row"

"Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu refused to confirm or deny media reports that quoted him saying that U.S. President Barack Obama and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had a phone quarrel over Iran, Anatolia news agency reported.

'This meeting was closed to the press so it is not right for me to confirm or deny it. But, as foreign minister, I have informed our party members on the Turkey-U.S. and Turkey-Middle East relations,' Davutoglu said during a press conference October 16 after a meeting with his Swedish counterpart Carl Bildt in Ankara. (?)

Davutoglu said yesterday that he could not confirm the reports. 'What is important is that the two leaders can talk about anything depending on mutual trust'. (?)"

[13] Davutoglu met with representatives of the Syrian National Council

Diplomatic sources said on Tuesday that Syrian opposition arrived in Turkey's capital Ankara last night after Arab League General Secretary Nabil al-Arabi briefed Davutoglu about the League's meeting on Syria on the phone.

Meanwhile, representatives of SNC conveyed their views to Davutoglu about the recent developments in Syria.

Davutoglu said that Syrian opposition, which wanted a democratic order based on basic rights and freedoms, should express their rightful demands through legitimate and peaceful ways, adding that the opposition should protect its integrity and work for democratic transformation of Syria in a peaceful way. "It is Syrian people who will decide the future of Syria," added Davutoglu.

Syrian opposition had earlier held meetings in Istanbul and Antalya cities and announced the foundation of SNC. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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