Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-01-12

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

[01] Eroglu held meetings with the Italian ambassador and the recognition and sustention association of the occupation regime

[02] Yorgancioglu accuses Eroglu of refraining from sharing data regarding property and citizenship

[03] Turkish Cypriot political parties discuss their positions

[04] ISAD argues that the breakaway regime must be legalized if there is no solution in Cyprus

[05] Ustel said that in case of failure of the Cyprus talks, the status of North Cyprus will be clear

[06] Durusts contacts in Ankara

[07] Kucuk views water project from Turkey

[08] The owners of Diannelos Cigarettes factory which houses the assembly applied to ECHR demanding their property back

[09] Lithuanian MFA says: We support Turkish membership in the EU strongly

[10] Columnist evaluates public opinion polls results for political parties in Turkey TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS Eroglus several meetings, statements by Ozkan Yorgancioglu who criticized strongly the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, statements by several Turkish Cypriot political parties about their positions on the Cyprus problem, statements by Unal Ustel from the Netherlands, Durusts contacts in Ankara, more statements by Kucuk on the water project from Turkey, the contacts of CTP and TDP parties with the Turkish Cypriot Businesspeople Association and reports that the owners of Diannelos Cigarettes factory which houses the assembly, has applied to ECHR demanding their property back, are some of the main stories highlighted in todays Turkish Cypriot press. Guls statements about the freedom of press in Turkey, Erdogans phone conversation with his Iraqi counterpart, Nuri Al Maliki, reports that the Bulgarian Parliament rejected yesterday the Armenian Bill and statements by the so-called prime minister, Irsen Kucuk about the water to be transferred to the occupied are from Turkey, are some of the main stories covered by todays Turkish dailies.

[01] Eroglu held meetings with the Italian ambassador and the recognition and sustention association of the occupation regime

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (12.01.12) reports that Dervis Eroglu held a meeting with the administrators of the Recognition and Sustention Association of the occupation regime. Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu stated that motherland Turkey has rights and benefits in this land and added that the Cyprus cause is a common cause between them and Turkey.

[02] Yorgancioglu accuses Eroglu of refraining from sharing data regarding property and citizenship

Yorgancioglu said that the Cyprus problem enters into a new turning point at the second tripartite summit, which will be held at Greentree in New York between 22 and 24 January 2012.

Referring to the letter of invitation recently sent by the UN Secretary-General to the two community leaders, Yorgancioglu noted that actually this letter was full of warnings and added that they consider worrisome UN Secretary-Generals reference to the existence of deadlock on some issues.

Yorgancioglu said that the UN Secretary-General had clearly noted in the letter that the sides must in time give data on the issues of property and citizenship during the final stage, that they must carry out substantial negotiations at Greentree and that a multilateral conference will be held if the fundamental issues of the Cyprus problem are solved.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish Cypriot political parties discuss their positions

The chairman of CTP, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, said that their purpose is to construct a federal Cyprus and, referring to the recent workshop that his party organized, supported that political parties from now on must state very clearly what they will do for the society.

DPs chairman Serdar Denktas argued that a strong TRNC is the key for a sustainable new partnership and said inter alia: The only alternative is a TRNC that can stand on its own feet. If it will not be possible to have a common life with Greek Cypriots, we will continue as a separate state which is possible.

TDPs Mehmet Cakici supported that if left or right parties want an agreement, it does not mean that they are united, but shows that they wish for an agreement of two founding states, two zones and equal opportunities. He added however, that the Cyprus Turkish people want a state-towards-state relation with Turkey.

ORPs Turgay Avci, said that TRNCs most important problem is being closed to change and noted that his partys perception is walking together with motherland Turkey. Moreover he pointed out that without the motherland, developments in internal economy and foreign policy would not be possible.

DGPs Tahsin Erturuloglu stated that his party, being the newest political formation, does not only belong to the opposition but dissents the existing political system in the country. His view is that in order to develop the existing political system to a better level, TRNC must follow the road of a sovereign state, acting step by step together with motherland Turkey.

[04] ISAD argues that the breakaway regime must be legalized if there is no solution in Cyprus

Yorgancioglu said that a solution in Cyprus will pave the way not only of the Turkish Cypriots but of Turkey as well. He noted that the solution cannot be reached only with one side, but if one of the sides does not submit proposals and projects, no progress could be achieved. He said that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who is preparing to participate in the summit in New York, is inadequate on this issue. He argued that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and his team had forced the Greek Cypriot side to take steps backwards by bringing proposals and projects to the negotiating table and added that this is what they expect from Eroglu.

In his statements Sadi said that ISAD does not consider a solution model outside the perspective drawn by Turkey and the breakaway regime and put forward by the United Nations. However, solution happens with two sides. If it is not possible to reach a solution, the TRNC must be legalized, he alleged adding: We should exert effort for reaching an agreement, but we must have plans B and C.

Sadi recalled that they had also visited the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and conveyed to him their views on the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (12.01.12) reports that ISADs delegation headed by Sadi, visited also the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and met with its chairman Mehmet Cakici. In statements during this meeting, Sadi said they explained to the political parties that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be for everybodys benefit and expressed the belief that it will be possible for the Turkish Cypriot community to advance economically by the TRNC acquiring a legal status.

On his part, Cakici said that the TDP is the representative of those who support an early solution to the Cyprus problem and noted that three policies have been followed in the country [Tr. Note: As he described the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] as regards the Cyprus problem. The first, he said, is the policy that the non-solution is the solution, the second is the policy that pretending that you are solving it is the solution and the third is the policy that an early solution is the solution.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ustel said that in case of failure of the Cyprus talks, the status of North Cyprus will be clear

Ustel claimed that Cyprus presidency of the EU would not be ethical, and Turkish Cypriots aimed to solve Cyprus issue till June, when Cyprus was supposed to take over the rotating presidency of the union. He added that TRNC would continue to protest the Cyprus EU rotating presidency.

Ustel also said that the breakaway regime hosted 11,000 Dutch tourists in 2011, and aims to double this figure in 2012.

If we cannot agree on anything accepted by them (Greek Cypriots) and us, we will make a decision together with the Republic of Turkey and the status of the North Cyprus in the world will become clear, Ustel said.

Ustel said Turkish Cypriots were hopeful about the trilateral summit to take place among Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York at the end of January.

We believe that peace will come out of that summit, and we hope to get an outcome from that summit, Ustel said.

Ustel said Turkey supported TRNC to establish links with international community. Our relations and communication with the world continue thanks to the support of Republic of Turkey, and Turkish Prime Minister, Ustel concluded.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (12.01.12) reports that Ustel also said that these kinds of fairs, like the one in Netherlands, support the breakaway regime, which is under supposedly embargoes and isolations, to establish links with the world.

[06] Durusts contacts in Ankara

Durust first met with Besir Atalay, Turkeys Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus Affairs and said that his visit takes place in order to establish directions, with the contribution of Turkey, for youth and sports policies. He praised the Republic of Turkey as a strong state and added that Turkeys further strengthening helps TRNC to obtain a more respectable place in the world.

Atalay noted that in the meeting they had with Turkish ambassadors and diplomatic officials they evaluated the Cyprus issue, both the ongoing negotiations and their ongoing projects. He said that the North Cyprus issue is always on their foreign policy agenda and underlined that TRNC is becoming a world brand in education.

Later on Durust, met with Suat Kilic. He once again praised Turkey and thanked them for the projects targeting to develop infrastructure in the breakaway regime. Durust especially thanked the Turkish Minister for the advice he gave to a young minister like himself and for his interest in TRNC.

Kilic for his part said that they both serve the same nation, the Turkish nation and that it is their obligation to do everything possible in matters like education, organization, design and transfer of athletes between the two countries. He said that Turkeys duty is to show to the TRNC that it is not alone and reiterated that the European Union has not kept its promises towards the breakaway regime.

[07] Kucuk views water project from Turkey

Kucuk noted that the project will cost 450 million USD and it would carry 75 million tons of water annually from Turkey to the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus via pipelines that would be built under the sea.

He also said that the water, will be transferred from Turkeys Alakopru Dam on March 7, 2014 and it will be collected in a dam at the occupied village Panagra.

On January 4, Turkish parliament passed the bill on ratification of the frame agreement on meeting water needs of TRNC. The pipeline will be 107 kilometres long.

[08] The owners of Diannelos Cigarettes factory which houses the assembly applied to ECHR demanding their property back

According to the paper, the owners of the building, applied to ECHR, on 26 December 2011, demanding for the return of their property and for compensation for the use of their property. However, on 10 January 2012, ECHR rejected their application suggesting that they should apply first to the Compensation Committee of the occupation regime.

The paper writes that it is not known what is going to happen with the application after this development, and writes that the suggestion for the construction of a new building, which was made by the assembly speaker Bozer, gains importance.

[09] Lithuanian MFA says: We support Turkish membership in the EU strongly

Thanking Azubalis for an article he wrote on the importance of Turkish membership in the EU, Bagis said that the Lithuanians should raise their voice so that the "visa torture" applied to Turkey ends.

I do hope that Lithuania's term presidency in the EU would approach the future of Europe more logically. A new Europe is only possible with Turkey, Bagis stressed.

Europe needs Turkey just as much as Turkey needs Europe. The process is a case of win-win for both parties, Bagis also said.

Minister Azubalis, in his part, said that in general, we view EU's expansion positively. This would bring democracy and security to the region.

Answering a relevant question, Azubalis said that Europe did not meet with a crisis for the first time. The EU will successfully overcome the current economic crisis, Azubalis noted.

Touching on Turkey and its a membership issue in the EU, Azubalis stressed that Turkey was a crucial partner of the EU from both an economic and political perspective.

Turkey plays an important role in the region and this role continues to grow. Turkey can help solve the problems in the Middle East and bring stability. We attach high importance to this. Turkey and the EU must work closely. We support Turkish membership in the EU strongly. However, we witness certain countries resisting the Turkish membership. I hope that we will find a common approach in the EU in the near future vis-a-vis Turkish membership. Everyone must understand that objections to the Turkish membership and the power to use veto against Turkey, do not help the EU countries, Azubalis also said.

[10] Columnist evaluates public opinion polls results for political parties in Turkey

On Tuesday, I evaluated some results of the latest public opinion poll taken by Metropoll regarding the perceptions on the general course of events in the country.

Today, I present the findings on foreign policy, the course of economics, and the support for political parties.

Foreign policy

As per the poll data, the people of Turkey consider the foreign policy conduct of the AKP [Justice and Development Party] to be very successful. Some 71% of the poll participants find the government successful or very successful; while 25% find it unsuccessful or a failure. Compared to the results of the poll held two years ago, there is a 17-percent increase in the rate of those who think the foreign policy approach is successful.

It is evident that the people of Turkey are happy with the impact of their country spilling beyond its borders. They are not concerned over the fact that the principle of zero problems with neighbours is departed from and a more confrontational foreign policy is assumed. The people of Turkey have approved an active political style in comparison to the old and passive the venom of the snake that does not bite me is not my concern, approach.

The participants, who are aware of the fact that economy is the drive behind the outward growth, indicated by a rate of 69% that they like the economic performance of the past year. The rate of those who think the AKP economic policies of 2011 are unsuccessful is 27%.

The increased national confidence did not draw the people of Turkey away from EU membership; instead it revealed that they see it to be their right. Despite all the issues with the union, 51% of the public still favour EU membership.

If elections were held today

When the participants of the poll were questioned who would you vote for if there were elections today, it is revealed that the AKP would get 51.8%, the CHP [Republican People's Party] would get 21%, and the MHP [Nationalist Action Party] would get 11.4% of the support (prior to distributing the 9% undecided, unanswered, and protest votes).

When asked, who did you vote for on the 12 June deputy elections the responses indicated 50.3% for the AKP, 24.1% for the CHP, and 12.6% for the MHP. These rates show that the AKP gained 1.5%, the CHP lost 3.1%, and the MHP lost 1.2% of their support since the elections.

The AKP has turned into a hegemonic party through the rate of support it fetched being a party to increase its support even when in power. The opposition, on the other hand, is neither effective nor progressive. Who is to check and balance the ruling party are the opposition parties who should capitalize on their mistakes and deficiencies. It is only thus that the ruling power can be corrected for their errors and arbitrary acts. Unfortunately this is not the case in our country today.

It can be said that most of the vote support gained by the CHP with Kemal Kilicdaroglu's arrival is eroded. Although the support for MHP did not apparently decrease, it is very evident that it did not increase either.

The most trusted and loved party leaders

The peoples' most trusted political party leader (55.5%) is Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He is followed with 9.8% by opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu, and with 5.3% by MHP leader Devlet Bahceli. The most admired living politician or statesman category is being led by Recep Tayyip Erdogan with 33%. He is followed by President Gul with 10%. Kemal Kilicdaroglu (3.8%), Suleyman Demirel (2.9%), and Devlet Bahceli (2.1%) are far behind. The rate of those who like none of the politicians is 16.5%.

This data also portrays the difference between being a party chair or holding a title and being a leader. A leader to excite and drive the majority of the people is yet not within visible range. We gather that Turkey will proceed in 2012 with its trusted prime minister instead.

We wonder if radical changes will occur in 2012 to change this picture. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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