Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-05-16

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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] Serious incidents in occupied Lefkosia "municipality"

[02] Eroglu expressed strong criticism to the EU during the event for Europe Day

[03] Yorgancioglu's statements to illegal TAK

[04] Westerwelle called on Turkey not to be emotional about the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency; He called on Turkey to open its ports for the Greek Cypriot vessels

[05] Petrol stations' owners strike in occupied Cyprus continues

[06] The General Directorate of Petroleum Affairs in Turkey extended TPAO's licence for oil explorations in the Mediterranean for two more years

[07] "YODAK" has been represented to CEENQA's general assembly in Bosnia Herzegovina

[08] Davutoglu met with FYROM's Foreign Minister; He stated that Turkey will support FYROM's NATO bid ahead of Chicago summit

[09] Erdogan stated that Turkey will pay off debt to IMF by April 2013

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Serious incidents in occupied Lefkosia "municipality"

According to the paper, after the so-called ministerial council's extraordinary meeting yesterday, which took place under the leadership of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, the so called minister of interior Nazim Cavusoglu announced the decision of the "council of ministers" to prohibit the strike for a period of 60 days, under the excuse, that the uncollected rubbish has started to pose a public health risk.

As soon as the decision was announced, writes the paper, the workers in the so-called municipality in occupied Lefkosia gathered outside the building of the "municipality" in order to react over the fact that the "council" did not took any decision related to their unpaid salaries for two months. The paper writes that incidents and strife occurred as soon as the workers of the "municipality" were prevented by the so-called police. Participants in the strike poured then rubbish on the streets and burn a lot of things. The so-called anti riot forces, were also engaged and five workers of the "municipality" where taken into custody while the so-called police announced that more than 17 injured persons were taken to the hospital.

Issuing a statement commenting on the incidents occurred yesterday, the so-called prime minister, Irsen Kucuk condemned the incidents and said that they will not permit the situation to lead "country" to chaos, adding that they will be unsparing in, even to take the necessary hard measures for the public's good.

According to the paper, a lot of Turkish Cypriot politicians condemned with several statements the incidents in the so-called municipality of occupied Lefkosia as a result of the decision of the so-called ministerial council to ban the strike. Also, the so-called Trade Union Platform announced yesterday that they will march today in front of the so-called municipality and go on with a three-hour general strike, in order to express their strong reaction to the above mentioned decision and their support to the "municipality workers".

In statements on the issues, the chairman of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces, Ozkan Yorgancioglu criticized the so-called council of ministers for its decision and said that this decision indicates strongly the incapability of those who administrate the country to find solutions to several problems.

Sener Elcil, secretary general of KTOS trade Union, commenting on the incidents said that the "country" is leading to the destruction. According to Elcil, the recent developments in the "TRNC" indicated strongly that the separatist structure which was established after 1974, has been collapsed.

Moreover, the so-called Chamber of Industry issued yesterday a written statement and called on the trade unions, the workers of the "municipality" and the so-called officials to proceed in dialogue so that to find a solution to the problem.

All Turkish Cypriot newspaper covers the issues extensively. Following are the front-page titles of the papers:

Haberdar: "Chaos"

Star Kibris: "Civil war in the capital"

Vatan: "Tension occurred in the Lefkosia Turk Municipality"

Havadis: "No Salary but whipping"

Yeni Duzen: "Lefkosia is like Athens"

Ortam: "Incapable government"

Halkin Sesi: "It should not be like this"

Volkan: "Battlefield"

Bakis: "Misfortune"

Gunes: Kucuk: "Common sense should win"

Kibrisli: "We are becoming a second Greece"

AK

[02] Eroglu expressed strong criticism to the EU during the event for Europe Day

According to the paper, among the participants at the event was the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat and his spouse, the so-called finance minister, Ersin Tatar, the Ambassador of Slovakia to Lefkosia, Anna Turenicova, the representative of the European Commission to Cyprus, Giorgios Markopouliotis and several other EU officials in Cyprus.

Speaking during the event, the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stated, inter alia, that he is participating to the event not because he wanted to celebrate the Europe Day but because he wanted to celebrate the 4th anniversary of the establishment of the EU Information Centre.

In his statements, Eroglu expressed strong criticism to the EU saying that even thought the EU has implemented the Financial Aid Regulation since 2006 and the Direct Trade Regulation; still a lot of problems exist on those Regulations.

Expressing his displeasure for the unilateral membership of the Greek Cypriots to the EU, Eroglu referred also to the High Level Contact Group for the Turkish Cypriots and said that they are completely disappointed since the Turkish Cypriots as he said, do not know what they won from this Group.

AK

[03] Yorgancioglu's statements to illegal TAK

Underlining that a lot of controversial exist during the latest days as regards the crossing to the presidential system, Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that what the "country" needs is not a change at the system but what is necessary is the restructure of the mind of politicians.

Criticizing again the UBP government for his actions since it took power, Ozkan Yorgancioglu pointed out that they will continue exerting efforts so that to force the so-called government to go on with general elections.

Referring to the issue of the Republic of Cyprus' oil exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, Yorgancioglu stated that both sides in the island have rights and should be benefited from the possible sources of oil to be found.

On the Cyprus problem, Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that the key to the Cyprus negotiation talks is the both two leaders in Cyprus. He also said that both leaders of the two sides should give positive messages to their communities and try to be courageous so that with goodwill to achieve finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

AK

[04] Westerwelle called on Turkey not to be emotional about the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency; He called on Turkey to open its ports for the Greek Cypriot vessels

(?)

Speaking late on Monday at a joint news conference with Westerwelle, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu reiterated the Turkish position, saying the talks with the EU presidency will be suspended throughout the second half of 2012.

Ankara also refuses to open its ports and airports to traffic from "Greek Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called by the paper, a policy that the EU responded to by suspending accession talks on eight of the 35 negotiating chapters.

Westerwelle said in Istanbul that Turkey should act "bravely" and implement reforms, including the opening of Turkish ports and airports to traffic from the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkey says it will comply unless the EU keeps its promises to ease the "international isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots. The EU promised measures for direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots after they voted in 2004 for a UN plan to reunite the island. The Greek Cypriots rejected the plan but were admitted into the EU a few days after the vote.

The Cyprus rift mars newfound optimism that Turkey's membership process, stalled for two years, could receive a fresh boost in the wake of elections in France.

Speaking on Monday at a joint press conference with Davutoglu in Ankara, Westerwelle said that Germany expected a revival of the process. "We believe a revival is possible because there are a number of practical areas in which we can achieve progress," Westerwelle said, adding: "What is important is to seize the opportunity that emerged after the latest elections in Europe and restart Turkey-EU ties."

Davutoglu agreed, saying, "What we all hope for is a positive acceleration of Turkey-EU relations following Mr. [Francois] Hollande's election in France."

(?) Diplomats say talks may begin soon on one of the five chapters blocked by France, namely "Economic and Monetary Policy," by July 1, when the EU term presidency, currently held by Denmark, is taken over by the Republic of Cyprus.

Denmark is reportedly eager to open talks with Turkey on a new chapter, thus getting the credit for breaking the two-year stalemate in the Turkish accession bid. The last time Turkey and the EU opened talks on a negotiating chapter was in June 2010, when the two sides began talks on "food safety, veterinary and phyto-sanitary policy," during Spain's presidency.

Westerwelle said Germany was willing to contribute to efforts to revive the stalled accession process. "We want new chapters to be opened and [Turkish-EU] relations to be revived," he said.

He said Turkey's accomplishments in the economic and political fields' amount to a "breathtaking" success story; boosting Ankara's standing as a foreign policy actor. "We want to be in cooperation with Turkey not only in economic but also in political and strategic areas," he said.

Davutoglu said the opening of talks on new chapters would be a "very important sign," indicating that the new French administration values Turkish-EU ties.

(?)

[05] Petrol stations' owners strike in occupied Cyprus continues

As the paper writes, because of the strike, a lot of Turkish Cypriot citizens who did not put fuel in their cars were forced to cross to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus, so that to put fuel.

In statements to the paper, Niyazi Cagaoglu, chairman of the "Association of Petrol Stations" in occupied Cyprus reiterated that the reason for the strike was the decision of the so-called government to make amendment to the "Petrol stations feature regulations" and give permission to more petrol stations to open.

Also, commenting on the strike of the petrol stations, the so-called minister of interior and local administration Nazim Cavusoglu criticized the petrol station owners for their decision to go on with a strike and called on them to meet so that to find a solution to their problem.

Also, in statements on the issue, the so-called minister of economy and energy, Sunat Atun called on the petrol station owners to end the strike and meet in order to solve their problems through the dialogue.

AK

[06] The General Directorate of Petroleum Affairs in Turkey extended TPAO's licence for oil explorations in the Mediterranean for two more years

AK

[07] "YODAK" has been represented to CEENQA's general assembly in Bosnia Herzegovina

According to the paper, YODAK was represented by its chairman, Hasan Ali Bicak who promoted the "TRNC Universities".

As the paper writes, in his speech during the assembly, Bicak stated that a total of 7 "universities" exist in the "TRNC" with 50.000 students. He further said that education in the occupation regime universities is of high standards similar to the international standards.

According to the paper, a total of 17 representatives of Quality Assurance Agencies from 14 countries were participated during the general assembly. CEENQA now has a total of 23 member agencies.

AK

[08] Davutoglu met with FYROM's Foreign Minister; He stated that Turkey will support FYROM's NATO bid ahead of Chicago summit

Speaking at a joint press conference with his FYROM counterpart Nikola Poposki, Davutoglu said that Turkey hopes to overcome, what he called, "artificial barriers" to NATO membership for the Balkan country. He added that Turkey considers the membership of both Bosnia and Herzegovina and FYROM in NATO as necessary for enduring stability in the region.

Recalling that Turkey is marking its 20th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations with FYROM, Davutoglu described political relations with the Balkan nation as "excellent," adding that Turkey considers the stability, peace and prosperity of FYROM as the main backbone of peace and stability in the Balkans.

Last week, FYROM's Prime Minister urged NATO members to give his country another chance to join the alliance at its summit later this month. The alliance rejected FYROM's previous bid in 2008, following objections from neighbouring Greece. (...)

Davutoglu said Turkey recognizes FYROM by its own constitutional name and will continue to do so. "We support Macedonia's membership in NATO as part of its integration into the international community," he added. (?)

Responding to a question regarding his expectations for the upcoming NATO summit in Chicago, Poposki said that, as far as he knew, the gathering would not be a summit of expansion. "Macedonia has, in the long term, fulfilled the conditions for NATO membership," he added. (?)

The FYROM Foreign Minister also told reporters that Turkey and FYROM should use their potential to transform the Balkans into an area of prosperity. "In order to turn our region into a more developed and prosperous area, both Turkey and Macedonia should use the potential in their hands in the best way," Poposki said, adding that Turkey and FYROM have worked together to establish peace, prosperity and stability in the Balkans. "However," he added, "in order to carry this process a step further, Macedonia's integration in the international community should be provided for, especially through bodies such as NATO and Euro-Atlantic organizations. If we achieve this, we can ensure a peaceful and prosperous atmosphere in the Balkans," Poposki said.

Poposki also underlined that conflicts and disagreements should be left to history. "Let us work for a better future," he added.

Commenting on economic relations between Turkey and FYROM Poposki said his country expected its trade volume with Turkey to increase from the current $400 million to $1 billion. "We believe it may even grow by threefold," he said.

Davutoglu added that they had signed an agreement that allows FYROM nationals to stay in Turkey up to 90 days without visa.

[09] Erdogan stated that Turkey will pay off debt to IMF by April 2013

Delivering a speech at his ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's parliamentary group meeting, Erdogan said that Turkey attracted an international direct investment worth 22 billion U.S. dollars in 2007 during the term of his party and it was a significant amount. Later Turkey attracted international direct investment of 18.5 billion USD in 2008, 8.4 billion USD in 2009, 9 billion USD in 2010 and 16 billion USD in 2011, he said.

In regard to Turkey's debt to IMF, Erdogan said that the country's debt to the Fund dropped to 2.3 billion U.S. dollars from 23.5 billion USD during the term of AK Party. "We will pay off all debt to IMF," he said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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