Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-07

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

[01] Eroglu argues that Ban Ki-moon will see that no solution could be reached in Cyprus and take the necessary steps

[02] CTP's General Secretary Akansoy stated that Eroglu returned to his previous statements as regards the Cyprus problem

[03] Kucuk went to Ankara for Turk-Is general assembly; Kucuk met with Cemil Cicek

[04] EU Foreign Ministers expresses sadness over Turkey's decision to freeze relations with the Republic of Cyprus during 2012 EU term Presidency; They called on Turkey to implement the Additional protocol

[05] The Turkish Foreign Ministry reiterates that Turkey will not accept the Republic of Cyprus during EU term Presidency as its interlocutor

[06] Davutoglu discussed the Cyprus problem with Ban in Germany

[07] "5th amnesty!"

[08] The deadline for applications to the "IPC" has been extended by 2 years

[09] Marked differences in Turkish Cypriot political party support, surveys show

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The Turkish press reports today on the statement made by the EU Foreign Ministers who expressed sadness over Turkey's decision to freeze relations with the Republic of Cyprus during 2012 EU term Presidency. The papers also report on the written statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the issue which stated that Turkey will not accept the Republic of Cyprus during EU term Presidency as its interlocutor. The papers further report on the European financial crisis and the measures taken to overcome the problem.

[01] Eroglu argues that Ban Ki-moon will see that no solution could be reached in Cyprus and take the necessary steps

Eroglu noted that it is not easy to carry out the negotiations without having any support and added that he negotiates knowing what the Turkish Cypriot "people" wants.

Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots support a lasting and viable solution in Cyprus and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side "was pushed into a situation of not wanting an agreement with its accession into the EU". He argued that the international community and Europe should get into action on the issue of lifting the so-called embargoes on "those who want a solution".

Eroglu reiterated his view that a solution based on the "realities" on the island is possible, in case the Greek Cypriot side accepts that there could be no return to the pre-1974 period. He argued: "An agreement which will lead to a situation worse than the one existing today is not possible. I wish we could achieve progress until January".

(I/Ts.)

[02] CTP's General Secretary Akansoy stated that Eroglu returned to his previous statements as regards the Cyprus problem

The General Secretary of CTP said that he got the impression that Christofias has no expectations from Eroglu. He said that Eroglu and his team are in search of digressing completely of the UN line, and this search will take away from the Turkish Cypriots the federal solution. "It is very important the presented proposals to be accepted", Akansoy stated and added that Christofias "did a good job", by making these statements.

He went on and said that they really want to learn Eroglu's views and added that what is important is what will come out of the New York Summit. He said that they will see whatever the UN Secretary General will continue with the issue (i.e. the Cyprus problem) or he will suspends it. He added that if a decision for the continuation of the negotiations comes out and the issue goes for an international conference, CTP supports this idea. Finally he said that what is important is an agreement to be reached which will be within the UN parameters.

[03] Kucuk went to Ankara for Turk-Is general assembly; Kucuk met with Cemil Cicek

Kucuk, who received an invitation by Turk-Is, will also hold contact with various officials in Ankara. He is returning to the occupied areas tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.12.11) reports that the Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek met today with the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk at his office in Ankara.

Speaking to reporters during the meeting with Kucuk, Cemil Cicek said that the European Union (EU) was responsible for the lack of a solution in Cyprus after accepting an "administration" as he called the Republic of Cyprus, with problems for membership.

Cicek said that the Turkish Cypriot side was doing all it can for a permanent peace in the island of Cyprus.

Cicek stressed that there is no doubt that the EU was responsible for the lack of solution in Cyprus by accepting an 'administration' with problems as a member. The EU has not fulfilled its promise made on April 26, 2004. Isolation of the Turkish Cypriots continues. The EU ignores this reality. It is to the benefit of everyone for this region to become a region of peace and stability", Cicek said.

Irsen Kucuk, in his part, said that he was pleased to be in the motherland Turkey. "We have begun collecting the fruits of our economic measures. The development process was positive last year for the TRNC", Kucuk said.

"We receive Turkey's support in the economic and political spheres. We will be happy to receive potable water from Turkey. We are ready to share this water with our southern neighbour", Kucuk added.

[04] EU Foreign Ministers expresses sadness over Turkey's decision to freeze relations with the Republic of Cyprus during 2012 EU term Presidency; They called on Turkey to implement the Additional protocol

Although not present on the draft document presented by the EU Commission, the EU Foreign Ministers decided to respond to Turkey's decision to freeze relations with the EU during the Republic of Cyprus' term presidency and adopted Greek Cypriot arguments concerning drilling activities in the Mediterranean.

The EU supported the Greek Cypriots in their unilateral drilling activities in the Mediterranean and made a call on Ankara to refrain from all activities that would cause tension with an EU member country.

In their decision, the EU Foreign Ministers said that they felt sadness over Turkey's not fulfilling its obligations stemming from the Additional Protocol and not opening its ports to the Greek Cypriots.

The Foreign Ministers noted that Turkey had not made any progress in normalizing relations with the Greek Cypriots and that they expected progress in the matter without more delays.

The Foreign Ministers told the EU Commission to observe Turkey's approach to the Greek Cypriots and inform the member states on the developments.

In their decision, the Foreign Ministers said that they expected Turkey's active contribution to a solution in Cyprus under the auspices of the United Nations.

(?)The Foreign Ministers also called on Turkey to harmonize its foreign policy with that of Brussels.

[05] The Turkish Foreign Ministry reiterates that Turkey will not accept the Republic of Cyprus during EU term Presidency as its interlocutor

The ministry stated that Turkey would not talk to the "Greek Cypriot administration" as the Republic of Cyprus is referred, if the "Greek side" assumed the rotating presidency of the EU on July 1, 2012, without a settlement to the Cyprus issue.

(?)

[06] Davutoglu discussed the Cyprus problem with Ban in Germany

Davutoglu and Ban took up the transition process in Afghanistan, latest developments in the Mideast, particularly in Syria, as well as ongoing settlement talks in Cyprus.

[07] "5th amnesty!"

Cavusoglu said that this is the 5th amnesty; however it is different than the previous ones, because it is free of charge and provides a 30 day visitor's permit to the persons that will apply for amnesty. He said inter alia: "One of the biggest purposes is to register people living illegally, to enable people to live under social security and get rid of the image that we are a country with no control, where human rights are being violated."

The paper also reports that the "legislation" includes provisions for persons who are considered illegal both in the breakaway regime, as well as abroad. Foreigners, who are in the "TRNC" and their status is illegal, can benefit from the amnesty within 60 days from the day that it comes into force and leave without paying any penalty. Persons who will apply for amnesty and leave from the "TRNC," if they return within the 60 day period they will be granted a 30 day visitor's visa (visitor's permit). People who will return and become illegal again, they will have to pay both the previous penalties and the new ones that will be appointed.

Additionally, persons who became illegal and currently are living abroad will be able to enter "TRNC" on condition that they pay 1300 Turkish Liras, the minimum gross monthly wage. The "legislation" distinguishes the following categories: foreigners who are not allowed to enter, because they did not pay their penalties during their exit [from the breakaway regime]; persons married to "TRNC citizens" before this "legislation" came into force; single adult children of "TRNC citizens", irrespective of being prior married and divorced; mother and father of "TRNC citizens"; single adult children of foreigners, who were residing with an immigration permit prior to the "legislation" coming into force, irrespective of being prior married and divorced; persons residing in "TRNC" being married to women, who had a legal and valid immigration permit, prior to the "legislation" coming into force; persons who, prior to this "legislation" coming into force, were penalized because they did not fulfill their obligations according to their work permit.

Regarding universities, the "legislation" gives the rights to persons who interrupted their education to continue. People who register to a higher education institution will be able to enter "TRNC" without any penalty within 60 days from the date the "legislation" comes into force.

All the foreigners of the above categories, in order for their penalties to be erased, they will have to apply either for a work, a student or a business establishing permit.

Furthermore, according to the "legislation," people who still work for an employer but the employer has neglected to renew their work permit, they will be able to benefit from the legislation without leaving the breakaway regime. They will have to pay within 60 days social insurance premiums from the expiration date of their work permit until the date the "legislation" comes into force. For these cases, the latest date of entry in their passport will be taken into account. Accordingly, their families who also entered with passports will be able to apply for a residence permit, without leaving from the "TRNC."

[08] The deadline for applications to the "IPC" has been extended by 2 years

[09] Marked differences in Turkish Cypriot political party support, surveys show

According to the paper, respondents were asked to say which political party they would vote for if "elections" were held today. The results are as follows:

National Unity Party (UBP): 23.7%

Republican Turkish Party - United Powers (CTP-BG): 18.5%

Social Democracy Party (TDP): 3.6%

Democrat Party (DP): 3.3%

Democracy and Trust Party (DGP): 1.6%

Freedom and Reform Party (ORP): 1.3%

United Cyprus Party (BKP): 0.3%

No vote to existing political parties: 25.3%

No interference: 9.2%

Undecided: 8.6%

No reply: 4.6%

The paper reports that there is erosion in support for the UBP and CTP political parties, as both have seen their support percentage drop relative to a survey conducted in April 2011, which showed that they received 36% and 24% support respectively.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (07.12.11) published its own survey on the readability of Turkish Cypriot newspapers as well as Turkish Cypriot political party support. However, the paper does not provide any data on the methodology used to conduct the survey or on the size of the population sample.

According to the paper, the survey shows political party support as being:

National Unity Party (UBP): 41.3%

Republican Turkish Party - United Powers (CTP-BG): 18.2%

Social Democracy Party (TDP): 16.7%

Democrat Party (DP): 15.6%

Freedom and Reform Party (ORP): 4.9%

Democracy and Trust Party (DGP): 3.8%

The result of the readability of the Turkish Cypriot newspapers is rated as follows:

Kibris: 84.2%

Yeni Duzen: 14.2%

Volkan: 13.7%

Afrika: 12.9%

Havadis: 11.3%

Halkin Sesi: 11.1%

Vatan: 8.7%

Gunes: 8.2%

Star Kibris: 5.4%

Haberdar: 4.1%

Ortam: 1.6%

Kibrisli: 1.4%

Demokrat Bakis: 1.1% TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

E/I

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