Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-11-16

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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] Erdogan says Turkey has exerted every effort for the recognition of the breakaway regime

[02] Gul argues Turkey attaches great importance to the protection of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in every field, including the natural resources

[03] Cicek claims that the EU should keep its promises to the Turkish Cypriots

[04] Atalay alleges that the breakaway regime constitutes the basis of a lasting and just solution

[05] Kilicdaroglu says Turkey supports the independence of the breakaway regime

[06] Babacan visited the "representation office" of the occupation regime in Stockholm

[07] New hotel inaugurated at the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] A theology section was established at the vocational high school in occupied Mia Milia village

[09] TPAO to sign an agreement with SHELL to conduct oil drilling in Turkey's exclusive economic zone in the Mediterranean

[10] Turkey to seek friendly settlement for ECHR cases

[11] Turkey has been found guilty of violating the freedom of expression in 150 cases

[12] "Islamic 'Facebook' to be launched in Istanbul"

[13] Turkish and Hungarian Presidents hold joint press conference

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Main subjects in today's Turkish press are the efforts of residents of eastern province of Van who want to leave the quake-hit province, Turkish President and Premier's harsh reactions to Syria and the Turkish national soccer team's farewell to Euro 2012. Also covered are the agreement in principle between Shell and TPAO for drilling in the Mediterranean, and other internal stories.

[01] Erdogan says Turkey has exerted every effort for the recognition of the breakaway regime

Addressing the parliamentary group of his party at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA), Erdogan referred to the 28th anniversary from the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) of the breakaway regime and said that especially during the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) governments, Turkey exerted great support to the regime's development, prosperity as well as its strengthening economically and politically.

Erdogan recalled that the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus, Besir Atalay was in the occupied area of Cyprus for the celebrations.

Erdogan said that in parallel to the support of Turkey for the regime's infrastructure and the superstructure, they continue their efforts for transferring water to the occupied area of Cyprus with undersea pipelines and added that they want to complete this project in 2013.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Gul argues Turkey attaches great importance to the protection of the rights of the Turkish Cypriots in every field, including the natural resources

In his congratulating message conveyed yesterday to the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu by the general secretary of the presidency Mustafa Isen on the occasion of the 28th anniversary from the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) of the breakaway regime, Gul expressed full support to the efforts allegedly exerted by Eroglu in the direction of reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem in the first half of 2012.

Gul argued that the common vision of Turkey and the breakaway regime is to turn Cyprus and Eastern Mediterranean into an area of peace, security, stability and prosperity. He expressed the belief that the fair sharing of the natural resources would be the most correct way from the point of view of this vision.

Gul noted that Turkey and the "great Turkish nation" will always and under any condition be by the side of the Turkish Cypriots in their struggle for "justice, freedom and prosperity", and will fully fulfil its historical and conventional responsibilities.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Cicek claims that the EU should keep its promises to the Turkish Cypriots

Cicek said that Turkey's EU accession process has almost entered into deadlock because of problems allegedly created by some countries. He added: "On the top of these [problems] comes the Cyprus issue. In 2004, we as Turkey and TRNC wanted a solution. Unfortunately, the EU stood by the side of those who wanted the non-solution. The EU should back the promise it gave on 26 April 2004".

Addressing all the members of the TGNA, the Hungarian President said he is ready to do whatever he can for Turkey to join the EU and expressed the view that the accession of a modern and democratic Turkey to the EU would be for Hungary's interest. He advised those who are holding accession negotiations to continue the discussions and added that "we have expectations in many fields from Turkey".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Atalay alleges that the breakaway regime constitutes the basis of a lasting and just solution

In his message on the occasion of the 28th anniversary from the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) of the breakaway regime, Atalay said they fully support the "courageous steps taken" by the "government" of the breakaway regime in this direction and reiterated that Turkey will always be by the side of the Turkish Cypriots and fulfil its responsibilities.

Atalay described the "TRNC" as the "most meaningful product of the struggle of the Turks of Cyprus and the strongest expression of their determination to defend their freedom and rights".

Atalay alleged that the breakaway regime is an element of peace and stability on the island and in Eastern Mediterranean and constitutes the basis of a lasting and just solution.

Referring to the Cyprus talks, Atalay said that the comprehensive negotiations which continue for three years have entered into "a critical final stage" and argued that the encouraging progress during the last tripartite meeting in New York was possible due to Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu's efforts and will. He noted that if progress is achieved during the forthcoming tripartite meeting in January 2012, an agreement for a solution could be reached at a multi-party meeting with the participation of the guarantor powers.

Atalay argued that the establishment of a "new partnership" state in the first half of 2012 and a united federal Cyprus holding the EU term presidency seems possible. "Otherwise, let no one expects that we will have the Greek Cypriots as our interlocutors", he added.

Besir Atalay said they support the "new timetable" determined in New York with the hope that it will bring a final and meaningful result to the negotiations.

Atalay recalled that Ankara has laid the foundations of a huge project regarding the transfer of water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus with undersea pipelines and added that within the framework of a solution, the entire Cyprus could benefit from this water. He said that they plan to complete the project in March 2014 and added that afterwards they will also bring electricity from Turkey to the occupied part of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan, reports that Atalay visited yesterday the association of "war veterans and martyr's families". During the visit he noted that Turkey supports a bi-communal federation based on equality and added that they see the tripartite summit in January as a "test".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Kilicdaroglu says Turkey supports the independence of the breakaway regime

Moreover, he said that in order to solve the Cyprus problem they must behave with patience and decisiveness and added that "Turkey is united on the Cyprus issue; we support the independence of this place." Asked to comment the policy followed by the Republic of Cyprus, Kilicdaroglu said that he does not think that it is right, especially on the issue of oil and natural gas research.

The paper also reports that Kilicdaroglu visited former Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas. Denktas was also visited by the vice chairman of the Democratic Left Party (DSP) Dursun Tancer Erturk.

[06] Babacan visited the "representation office" of the occupation regime in StockholmTurkish daily Zaman newspaper (16.11.11) on line reports that Ali Babacan, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the Economy, participated yesterday in a reception organized by the "TRNC representation office" in Stockholm, Sweden, on the occasion of the anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence of the breakaway regime on 15 November. Babacan is visiting Sweden upon an invitation by the Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carl Bildt, in order to participate in a conference.

Babacan stated that the opening of representation office in Stockholm by the regime was very important and constitutes the first example for a "TRNC representation" in a European country. He went on and added that Turkey and the breakaway regime works towards finding a permanent solution the soonest in Cyprus.

He noted that the negotiations in Cyprus are held under the auspices of the UN and added that Carl Bildt's mediating in these negotiations was out of the question, but he could exert effort to bring the two sides together.

[07] New hotel inaugurated at the occupied area of Cyprus

Speaking at the event, Eroglu congratulated the Caginer family and said that their investments contribute to the "national economy" and are another support to the foundations of "TRNC" [breakaway regime in the occupied are of Cyprus]. Kucuk, for his part, noting that they have the most productive year in tourism since 1974, said that forecasts for 2012 show that it will be equally positive.

Atalay also congratulated the owner for the opening of the hotel on such important date and said that this is the method to strengthen the "TRNC." He highlighted that in 2014 they will transfer water sufficient for the whole island and that they will continue investments in the occupied area of Cyprus.

[08] A theology section was established at the vocational high school in occupied Mia Milia village

The paper citing information, writes that the "officials" informed the school's teachers that because the number of the students is slimming, the school should either be closed down or a theology section established, should be and called on them to accept the decision.

The paper writes that it is interesting that the self-styled council of ministers of the occupation regime took the decision regarding the school in a period when the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus, Besir Atalay was in the occupied area of Cyprus for the celebrations of the establishment of the breakaway regime.

[09] TPAO to sign an agreement with SHELL to conduct oil drilling in Turkey's exclusive economic zone in the Mediterranean

The paper writes that while the drilling in the open sea of southern Cyprus continues by Noble energy firm, Turkey made this giant move, as it describes the signing of an agreement with Shell. According to Sabah, the signing of the agreement between the two sides is expected to take place within this month.

Referring to the agreement, Sabah writes that the drilling will be conducted in the open sea of Antalya. The cost of the drilling, which will be conducted in an area of 2.500 meter sea depth, will be covered by Shell. The company will also provide the giant platform for the drilling.

While Shell will undertake the investment, in case oil is found the oil will be shared fifty-fifty. The cost of drilling in international waters exceeds 300 million dollars, writes the paper.

According to Sabah, TPAO indicated as potential reserves of oil and gas three geological areas in the Mediterranean: Antalya, Mersin and Iskenderun gulfs. Within this context, seismic exploration started in the Mediterranean in 2007. The seismic researches include all the areas of Turkey's exclusive economic zone in the Mediterranean and those determined by the illegal "agreement" signed between TPAO and the "TRNC".

[10] Turkey to seek friendly settlement for ECHR cases

Under the protocol, the cases will be classified in three categories, and the two ministries will expend efforts to ensure out-of-court settlement, for as many cases as possible, through various means, including legal amendments and offering friendly settlement to applicants, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at the ceremony.

The first two categories will include applications related to Turkish foreign policy, like those linked to the Cyprus problem, and "technical cases" stemming from deficiencies in Turkish law, Davutoglu said, stressing that special attention will be paid to the third category, which will cover cases concerning freedom of speech.

"We have to take preventive measures, including legal amendments. If any Turkish court has made a ruling violating freedom of thought, we will try to remedy the plaintiffs through friendly settlement and other alternatives, without feeling obliged to necessarily defend that ruling," he said.

Turkey's Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin said his ministry's Human Rights Department would determine all legislation that requires amendment and ensure that all European court rulings are translated into Turkish and made available to judges and prosecutors to use as precedents.

Officials will also comb out complaints on issues that have already been the subject of European court rulings and fulfil the requirements of those rulings before the applications reach the agenda of the court, he said.

[11] Turkey has been found guilty of violating the freedom of expression in 150 cases

"There are more than 150 cases in which the court has already found violations of the right of freedom of expression in Turkey. Most of these cases have been brought by writers, journalists and broadcasting companies," said Jagland. He also stated that beginning January 2012, the Turkish Ministry of Justice and the Council of Europe would work together to improve the situation in the field of freedom of expression and media freedom.

For his part, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan cited the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) activities in European countries and said Europe was still condoning a terrorist organization. "Although we have proven with documents many times, our European friends and European leaders are condoning terrorism and tolerating broadcasting networks and financial resources of the terrorist organization," Turkey's premier said at the conference.

In a related development, Amnesty International yesterday expressed its concerns on the arrests of Busra Ersanli and publisher Ragip Zarakolu, along with 42 other suspects in the ongoing Kurdistan Communities Union (KCK) case. "The mere reasons for their arrests are their statements in the Political Academy of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and their academic works, and that leads to concerns," the statement said.

The organization urged Turkey to re-examine its regulations and prosecutions in fights against terror and send guides to judges and prosecutors to tell them how to implement international human rights laws and standards.

[12] "Islamic 'Facebook' to be launched in Istanbul"

The website is funded by prominent Muslim businessmen, with over 100,000 people waiting for membership. Based in Istanbul, Salamworld will have working branches in many other cities, including Cairo, London, Moscow, Dubai and New York.

The site will be streamed in 15 languages. The site's name "Salamworld" means "Hello world," and the motto for the site reads "no politics, no bans, no limits."

Salamworld aims to attract 100 million users by the end of its first three year term, targeting Muslim youth, intellectual leaders and non-Muslims wanting to learn more about Islam.

[13] Turkish and Hungarian Presidents hold joint press conference

Referring to Turkey's EU process, Gul claimed that it would be disadvantageous for the European Union (EU) to block Turkey's negotiation process and argued that Turkey had fulfilled EU's economic criteria, Maastricht criteria, better than many EU member states.

Moreover, Hungarian President Pal Schmitt said that his country supported Turkey's efforts for European Union (EU) membership and that they wanted Turkey's EU membership by heart. Schmitt also said that they appreciated Turkey's intensive efforts for peace and stability in the Balkans, Caucasus and the Middle East.

Additionally, the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey (DEIK) stated yesterday that Hungarian President would participate in the Turkish-Hungarian Business Forum, which will take place in Istanbul on November 17. Schmitt and Chairman Rifat Hisarciklioglu of the Union of Chambers & Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB) will address the participants during the forum. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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