Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-02-16

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

[01] Turkey's Foreign Ministry threats with escalation of tension in the Mediterranean in case the Republic of Cyprus continues with the tender for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration

[02] Irsen Kucuk reacts to the second round of licensing for oil explorations in Cyprus's EEZ. The pseudostate in line with its master's voice

[03] Turkish daily on the second round of licensing in the Republic of Cyprus's EEZ

[04] Eroglu: "While trying to agree, no one should forget that not to agree is also a right"

[05] Ozgurgun accused the Greek Cypriot side for play for time

[06] Eroglu met with the Ambassadors of Finland, Sweden and Denmark in Cyprus

[07] "KTOS: Turkey's separatist policies are submitted to the table"

[08] Allegations by Volkan as regards Israeli companies in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina signed a readmission agreement

[10] The Chinese Vice President to carry out contacts in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The Turkish press reports today that a Turkish court accepted an indictment seeking aggravated life imprisonment for former Chief of General Staff retired General Ilker Basbug on coup charges. The papers also report that the lawyers of murdered Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink requested the filing of a criminal case against 24 public servants for their role in the journalist's assassination in 2007. Finally the press writes that the Turkish National Olympic Committee presented Istanbul's bid for the 2020 Olympic Games.

[01] Turkey's Foreign Ministry threats with escalation of tension in the Mediterranean in case the Republic of Cyprus continues with the tender for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration

Issuing a written statement on the issue, the Foreign Ministry of Turkey said: "We have learnt from an announcement published in the EU Official Journal dated 11 February 2012 that the Greek Cypriot administration (GCA) has called for a new international tender for off-shore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation within its so-called economic exclusive zone."

"We protest this unilateral step, which is both irresponsible and provocative, taken by the Greek Cypriots despite all warnings. As it is known, Turkey, together with Turkish TRNC, from the onset, had objected to the GCA's activities aiming at unilaterally establishing maritime jurisdiction areas, granting off-shore licenses to international oil companies and conducting off-shore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation. Equally we had drawn the attention of the international community to the fact that these activities violate the Turkish Cypriots equal and inherent rights, contradict the letter and spirit of the current comprehensive settlement negotiations conducted under UN auspices and might lead to the escalation of tension in the region. These views which we have stated time and again remain unchanged," the statement said.

The statement adds: "The announcement of this tender at a time when the UN negotiations have reached a critical and determining stage proves that the Greek Cypriot side totally disregards the equal rights and legitimate interests of the Turkish Cypriots and that they are not willing to share a common future with the Turkish Cypriots and not ready yet for a comprehensive settlement."

"Once the concession blocks geographically described in this so-called tender are examined, it appears that certain sections of some of these blocks namely the so-called 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th and 7th blocks are overlapping with Turkey-s continental shelf areas in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey, as it was before, will not allow under any circumstances foreign oil companies to conduct unauthorized oil/natural gas exploration and exploitation activities in these overlapping areas and will take all necessary measures to protect its rights and interests in the maritime areas falling within its continental shelf," the Foreign Ministry said.

In its statement, the Ministry added also the following: "The concession blocks identified in this so-called tender not only violate Turkey-s continental shelf, but also overlap, in the south of the island, with the Turkish Cypriots concession blocs granted to the Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO) by the TRNC on 22 September 2011. This situation would bring those international companies that might be interested in bidding for this illegal tender into confrontation with the TRNC and the TPAO, and thus would lead to an undesired tension in the region. Turkey, in such eventuality, acting upon its responsibilities as a motherland and a guarantor power, will give every support to the TRNC to prevent possible violations of Turkish Cypriot concession blocks and thus to protect their rights and interests in maritime areas."

"The two peoples of the island should benefit together from the off-shore natural resources of the island. These natural resources should be explored and exploited upon the common will and consent of the two sides. If this cannot be achieved, then the so-called concession blocs will remain as disputed areas in terms of their ownership. Therefore, this issue should either be left to the aftermath of the comprehensive settlement or the two sides should be brought together exclusively on this matter under the auspices of the UN Secretary General so that they could determine jointly the future course of off-shore hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation activities around the island," the statement said.

The statement adds also the following: "Otherwise, unilateral steps to be taken by the Greek Cypriots and subsequent measures in response to these steps to be adopted by the Turkish Cypriots would inevitably lead to an escalation of tension in the region. In order to prevent such eventuality, we would like to remind once again of the need to implement the proposal made by the President of the TRNC, H.E. Mr. Dervis Eroglu, on 24 September 2011."

"Finally, Turkey calls upon those countries and companies that might be interested in conducting hydrocarbon exploration activities based on the invalid concessions that the GCA might attempt to grant to act with common sense, to take into account the will of the other constituent people of the island, namely the Turkish Cypriots, and not to take any step which might negatively affect the settlement process of the Cyprus issue, and expect them to act accordingly," the statement concluded.

[02] Irsen Kucuk reacts to the second round of licensing for oil explorations in Cyprus's EEZ. The pseudostate in line with its master's voice

In a written statement issued yesterday, Kucuk alleged that the Greek Cypriot side has once more shown its insincerity by opening the second round of licensing in the Eastern Mediterranean in a period during which intensification of the efforts of the two sides for achieving progress in the Cyprus talks is expected, in the direction of the timetable put forward by the UN Secretary-General in his statement of 25 January 2012 after the second summit at Greentree, New York.

Reiterating the Turkish allegation that the Greek Cypriots "illegally usurped" the Republic of Cyprus and excluded the Turkish Cypriots by force in 1963, Kucuk claimed that the Greek Cypriots do not represent the whole of Cyprus and do not act on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots. He alleged that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights on all issues, including the exploration, drilling and marketing the natural resources which are located in the sea area of the island.

"Therefore, we are fully determined to protect our rights with the support of our motherland Turkey", he threatened and alleged: "All the activities for oil and natural gas which the interested countries and oil companies will carry out will continue to remain disputable and illegal without having our approval and consent".

Kucuk said that participation in the tenders is considered unacceptable for the Turkish side. He noted that the proposal made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu on 24 September 2011 in New York as regards the so-called fair sharing of the island's natural resources is still valid. He alleged that in case the Greek Cypriot side responds positively to this proposal, a problem which causes increase of the tension in the area will be settled and, at the same time, positive and constructive climate will be created in the direction of the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Recalling the "reality", as he said, that many parcels for which tenders have been invited by the Republic of Cyprus coincide with the fields for which the regime gave license for oil and natural gas exploration to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), Kucuk described the opening of the second round of licensing by the Republic of Cyprus as "consciously taken negative step" for increasing the tension on the island.

Kucuk called on the international companies, which are considering of participating in the tender invited by the Republic of Cyprus, not to do so and reminded them of the Turkish Cypriots' intention to pursue the rights of their "people" within the framework of the "legal and de facto realities" on the island.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish daily on the second round of licensing in the Republic of Cyprus's EEZ

According to the paper, with this move, Turkey proclaimed to the world that it has rights on five out of the twelve parcels on which the Republic of Cyprus claimed rights. The paper recalls also that the breakaway regime signed an agreement with TPAO for an area named G, and gave to TPAO the authority to carry out explorations in seven parcels on which the Republic of Cyprus claims rights.

"TPAO has acquired a say on almost all parcels on which South Cyprus [Translator's Note: The Republic of Cyprus] claims rights", alleges the paper arguing that therefore Turkey had acquired the right to have a say in the area for which the Republic of Cyprus would invite tenders.

Officials said that TPAO has launched drilling in the Mediterranean and added that Turkey's High Planning Council (YPK) has decided the purchase of a new national seismic vessel. According to the paper, with this huge vessel, which will be bought soon and its cost is expected to exceed 100 million US dollars, Turkey will start working in these areas on which it claims rights.

Officials from the Ministry of Energy recalled that they had invited tenders for the areas of Mersin and Alexandretta and added: "Nine global gigantic companies such as Shell, Statoil, RWE and Chevron have applied for a partnership with Turkey. Turkey has decided on principle that the companies which work with us will not work with the Greek Cypriots".

The paper argues that Turkey has emphasized that it claims rights on these areas by sending Piri Reis seismic vessel for explorations as well.

Noting that Noble Energy won the tender invited by the Republic of Cyprus in 2007, the above-mentioned officials told Sabah that the situation today is different and argued that TPAO has the license to carry out explorations in the area between Rhodes and Cyprus and that Turkey has announced to the world that these areas are controversial. "We do not expect big companies to show interest for the tender", they said.

The paper recalls that TPAO has signed an agreement with Shell for explorations in the Gulf of Antalya and invited tenders for determining its partner in its oil explorations in the Gulf of Mersin. According to the paper, the following companies applied to cooperate with TPAO: Shell, Statoil from Norway, Total and Perenco from France, Chevron from the USA, OMV which owns the Turkish Petrol Ofisi company, Conoco Philips from the Netherlands, RWE from Germany and Perenco and Genel Enerji from France. Moreover, TPAO has applied for participating in Lebanon's oil explorations in the Mediterranean which are expected to start this year.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu: "While trying to agree, no one should forget that not to agree is also a right"

Speaking to reporters in occupied Lefkosia, Eroglu said that "not to agree is also a right. However, we are working hard to realize the right of agreeing".

"We are trying hard for an agreement that would make it possible for the Turkish Cypriots to live on this soil with honour and dignity and protect their interests", Eroglu stressed, adding: "We are not in a position to work for an agreement that would only satisfy the Greek Cypriots".

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak television (15.02.12) reported on statements by Eroglu who met with a "delegation" of the so-called National Existence Council headed by Vedat Celik.

In statements, Eroglu repeated that the Turkish Cypriot side was sitting at the negotiating table with all its good will. He, however, complained that the Greek Cypriot side did not share the same willingness and was playing for time at the talks.

Briefing the members of the "delegation" on the latest developments in the Cyprus talks, Eroglu said that he will continue to work towards reaching a sustainable solution in Cyprus, one that will protect the interests of the Turkish Cypriot "people". "A solution can be beneficial for both peoples on the island. We shall all together see in the coming days whether this will be possible" he added.

Also speaking Celik for his part presented Eroglu with the Ortega Report prepared and presented to the United Nations in 1964, recently compiled into a book.

[05] Ozgurgun accused the Greek Cypriot side for play for time

According to a written statement by the so-called foreign ministry, speaking in a televised program, Ozgurgun alleged that since the 2013 presidential elections in the Greek Cypriot side are close, it is a political game by the Greek Cypriot officials to increase their aggressive statements against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.

Ozgurgun went on saying that everyone should be aware of the fact that if no solution is found to the Cyprus problem, the two "peoples" who live in the island will experience a lot of difficulties.

He said that Christofias' expression that "Turkey is the boss in the TRNC", is an expression which is used for years. He added that this kind of statements by the Greek Cypriot side constitutes an effort to set at a premium the elections.

Referring to the activities of the Greek Cypriots for natural gas explorations, Ozgurgun pointed out that it is not a coincidence the fact that the Greek Cypriots are carrying out these activities in a period where the negotiation talks are in a process.

He then alleged that President Christofias preferred to keep in the agenda the issue of the natural gas, right after the explosion at the Mari Naval base, in order to cover the negligence and to dispel the anger and reactions.

Recalling the statement made by the chairman of DISI Nikos Anastasiades that in case he wins the elections he will not be the negotiator at the talks, Ozgurgun said that they do not take into consideration seriously these statements, saying that all these, are nothing else than pre- election policies.

Ozgurgun stated further that the Greek Cypriot side is very calm since it has the support of Russia at the UN's Security Council.

(AK)

[06] Eroglu met with the Ambassadors of Finland, Sweden and Denmark in Cyprus

Also present at the meeting were Eroglu's advisor Hasan Gungor and spokesman Osman Ertug.

(AK)

[07] "KTOS: Turkey's separatist policies are submitted to the table"

In a written statement issued yesterday, Elcil argued, inter alia, the following: "The continuation of the separatist status quo will bring the promotion of the separatist, integrationist policies imposed by the Republic of Turkey and the further establishment of the Greek Cypriots, who occupy the posts of the Republic of Cyprus since 1963, in the international field. It is inevitable for us to increase our struggle against the mentality which plays with the non-solution by discussing Turkey's separatist policies at the table alleging that it represents the Turkish Cypriot community and to create the real representation of the Turkish Cypriots?Those who deceive the community with the lies of embargo and isolation, are now putting in front of us the excuse that 'the Greek Cypriots do not want a solution'. And as if this was not enough, they are even annoyed by the activities of the European Parliament's Contact Group with the Turkish Cypriots and by its meetings with civilian organizations, which are the real representatives of the Turkish Cypriots?This mentality which isolates the Turkish Cypriots from the world and takes them outside of the international law, seems to have risen again?"

(I/Ts.)

[08] Allegations by Volkan as regards Israeli companies in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to Volkan, the first Israeli company under the name of Aharoni Company Ltd was established on 17 April 1975. It notes that especially before and after the referendum on the Annan Plan in 2004, many more Israeli companies were established in the occupied area of Cyprus. Businessmen and lawyers from the occupied area are in the administration of these companies, which are mostly active in the field of real estate and construction. The paper argues that some Israeli businessmen, who bought land in the occupied area of Cyprus, issued the "title deeds" of these properties not on their own name but on the name of some "TRNC citizens". The paper publishes today the names of twelve companies, their directors and shareholders, noting that it will continue to deal with the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina signed a readmission agreement

Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina signed on Wednesday a readmission agreement on cooperation in the fight against illegal migration and organized crime gangs.

Sahin said that Turkey attaches a special importance to Bosnia-Herzegovina, stating that Turkey always supported and would keep assisting this country.

Countries could not fight against terrorism and organized crime gangs on their own, and there is a need to counter them with an international cooperation, he said. "There is need for intelligence sharing and cooperation in several areas," and added: "The readmission agreement showed common will by the two countries, boosting the cooperation in the fight against illegal migration".

Ahmedovich said the agreement would be the symbol of the enhancing relations between the two countries. "This agreement showed that Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina are ready to fight against human trafficking in the international platform", Ahmedovich said.

[10] The Chinese Vice President to carry out contacts in Turkey

According to Turkey's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xi accepted an invitation from President Abdullah Gul and will arrive in Ankara on February 20. Xi will have talks with Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan the following day.

On February 22, Xi will visit 0
stanbul to attend a China-Turkey business forum organized by the Turkish-Chinese Industrialists and Businessmen Association (TUCS0
AD).

Yunus 0
lkay, deputy secretary-general of TUCS0
AD, told Today's Zaman that more than 50 Turkish and Chinese companies are expected to attend the forum.

Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, Turkish Exporters Assembly (T0
M) President Mehmet Buyukeksi and TUCS0
AD Chairman Murat Sungurlu will also attend the forum, according to 0
lkay.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin told China's top official newspaper, the China Daily that China and Turkey have witnessed a smooth development of their bilateral ties over the past years, which has yielded fruitful results and brought substantial benefits to the two nations. "China is willing to work with Turkey to lead the China-Turkey strategic partnership into a new phase," Liu said.

Recent years have seen a boost in bilateral relations between the two countries. Turkey and China, both with booming economies and emerging global powers, seek to develop closer ties.

Business cooperation between the two countries is flourishing -- trade between Turkey and China was $24 billion in 2011, which made China Turkey's biggest trade partner in the Far East. Moreover, Turkey and China are trying to develop their strategic cooperation. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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