Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-05-18

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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] Turkey threats the companies who participated in the second round of oil exploration tender opened by the Republic of Cyprus

[02] Ozgurgun threats with escalate tension and warns relevant parties not to cooperate with the Republic of Cyprus during the second round of oil exploration tender

[03] Turkey and the occupation regime asked for an explanation for Israel's "violation" of the occupation regime's "airspace"

[04] "'Positive agenda' dialogue for the revival of Turkey's- EU ties kicked off yesterday; Fule carried out contacts in Turkey;

[05] The chaos in the occupied Lefkosia "municipality" continues

[06] So-called minister Saner due in Turkey to inspect Turkish ports

[07] Kucuk confirms by denying the appointment of an officer from Turkey to the "police" of the regime

[08] Kurdish regional leader of northern Iraq carried out contacts in Turkey; Turkey and northern Iraq to boost trade and energy ties

[09] Turkey to host World Forum on Energy Regulation in 2015

[10] Turkish army denies allegations that the US provided intelligence for Uludere's air strike

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkey threats the companies who participated in the second round of oil exploration tender opened by the Republic of Cyprus

"The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said the two communities in Cyprus should decide together on the fate of the natural gas and oil resources around the island.

Releasing a statement on the second tender launched by the Greek Cypriot administration on hydrocarbon exploration in the Mediterranean, the ministry said Turkish Cypriots, just like the Greek Cypriots, had equal and inseparable rights concerning the natural resources within the island's continental shelf.

'Disregarding this fact is an unacceptable attitude both for Turkey and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). The two communities living in Cyprus should decide together on how to use the natural gas and oil resources in their seas,' the statement said.

The ministry said some fields in western Cyprus that were subject to the tender crossed with Turkey's continental shelf in the Mediterranean, underscoring Turkey would not allow any activities in the mentioned area.

Noting that a significant part of the fields in the south of the island also overlapped with the area licensed to Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) by the Turkish Cypriot government, the statement warned international oil companies saying their activities in the said fields might cause tension in the region.

'Turkey will continue to take every measure to defend the rights and benefits of Turkish Cypriots,' the ministry said.

The MFA called on the concerned countries and companies to act with common sense; refrain from carrying out operations in such a disputed region and withdraw from the hydrocarbon exploration tender."

[02] Ozgurgun threats with escalate tension and warns relevant parties not to cooperate with the Republic of Cyprus during the second round of oil exploration tender

Ozgurgun said many of the areas for which a tender is opened were the same areas for which the "TRNC" allowed Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to explore for oil and natural gas, and called on relevant parties to refrain from cooperating with the "Greek Cypriot administration".

Ozgurgun said this move of the "Greek Cypriot administration" was an unfortunate development that could escalate tension, and noted that Turkish Cypriots, one of the two equal partners of the island, had equal rights with the Greek Cypriots in exploring, striking and processing natural resources in the island. "We do not turn a blind eye to Greek Cypriot's efforts to make a fait accompli and usurp the rights of Turkish Cypriot people, and I would like to once more stress that guarantor state Turkey and we, are determined to take every measure to protect our rights and interests," Ozgurgun said.

Ozgurgun said that the "TRNC" was determined to continue exploring and striking hydrocarbon with Turkey's and TPAO's support in those mentioned areas. "It was not late to cooperate in hydrocarbon exploration in the East Mediterranean", Ozgurgun said.

Ozgurgun recalled the four-point proposal on rightful share of natural resources that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu presented in, during New York meeting on September 24, 2011, and said the proposal was still valid. "In case the Greek Cypriot administration gives a positive response to this constructive proposal, this significant problem that escalates tension in the region will be overcome in a fair way, and it can be possible to create an atmosphere of confidence between the two parties in Cyprus," Ozgurgun said. (?)

[03] Turkey and the occupation regime asked for an explanation for Israel's "violation" of the occupation regime's "airspace"

A senior Foreign Ministry official expressed Turkey's reaction over the "airspace violation" to Yosef Levi Sfari, charge d'affair of the Israeli Embassy in a telephone conversation yesterday. The Israeli diplomat took note of the Turkish reaction but did not offer an explanation.

Also Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.05.12) reported that Kudret Ozersay, Special Advisor of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, had warned and protested Israel for the "violation" of its "air space" in a phone conversation with Israel's Ambassador in the "Greek Cypriot administration", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, Michael Hariri.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (18.05.12) invoking reliable diplomatic sources from Ankara, writes that a diplomat made conspicuous statements on the issue and said that this "violation" by Israeli plane is obvious that it has to do with the curiosity of Israel and "south Cyprus" as he called the Republic of Cyprus, as regards TPAO's oil exploration activities in the Famagusta area.

Also, another diplomat stated that they believe that the reason of the occupation regime's "airspace violation" was that Israel's plane wanted first to detect TPAO's oil and natural gas exploration activities in the "TRNC", to determine the coordinates and to take pictures.

(AK)

[04] "'Positive agenda' dialogue for the revival of Turkey's- EU ties kicked off yesterday; Fule carried out contacts in Turkey;

Speaking in a joint press conference with the EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis yesterday in Turkey, Fule said: "Our aim is to keep the accession process alive and put it properly back on track after a period of stagnation, which has been a source of frustration on both sides."

As a first step, working groups will be formed to carry out studies on eight chapters. The EU delegation started the first group's work yesterday on Chapter 23, which covers issues related to the judiciary and fundamental rights, with the participation of Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin.

The Enlargement Strategy Paper published last October by the EU Commission included the proposal of creating a ''Positive Agenda'' in Turkish-EU relations. Turkey and the commission have agreed to set up eight working groups on chapters, where Turkey will be offered support and guidance for further alignment with EU legislation.

Bagis said the "Positive Agenda" was not an alternative to accession talks, but rather aimed at supporting reforms and speeding up the process.

The move "is not to replace but to complement and support the accession process of Turkey," said Fule. "At the same time, it is not an abstract concept, not a window dressing. It is about a new way of looking at accession negotiations. It is the new way we communicate and interact with each other. It is the way we look at each other as two equal partners," he said.

Fule listed the following areas as important to align with EU legislation: political reforms and fundamental rights, visa, mobility and migration, trade, energy, counter-terrorism and dialogue on foreign policy.

Bagis said that although three chapters were ready, Turkey was not willing to open chapters which all candidate states leave to the last stage of accession negotiations.

Lending support to Turkey's position, Fule said that the three mentioned chapters were not easy, and candidate countries usually prefer to tackle them at the last stage of the negotiations. Still, the EU Commission was ready to support Turkey to move ahead on all of them, Fule added.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.05.12), the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan met yesterday with the European Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule. The meeting, which lasted an hour, was closed to press.

According to Prime ministry officials, in his meeting with Fule, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the EU should not turn in on itself, and instead maintain its vision of enlargement in order to turn the current crisis in Europe into an opportunity.

Ankara Anatolia news agency reported that Stefan Fule met also with the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Thursday. The meeting was closed to press.

(?)

[05] The chaos in the occupied Lefkosia "municipality" continues

The paper writes that the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk stated that the "council of ministers" held an extraordinary meeting yesterday in which it was decided the "municipality workers" to be given two-month payments by the "government". In addition, Kucuk called on the "mayor" of occupied Lefkosia Cemal Bulutoglulari to take a leave for a "reasonable period". Kibris writes that Bulutoglulari in statements to the paper said that he does not need to take a leave and he will continue with his duties.

On his part, the chairman of BES trade Union, Savas Bozat said that despite the statements that the "municipality workers" will be given two-month payments, they will continue with the strike because they have no information regarding what is going to happen after they get paid and what will happen regarding provident fund and social insurances. Under these conditions they cannot stop the strike, he said.

Under the title: "Chaos inside the chaos", Turkish Cypriot daily ORTAM newspaper (18.05.12) reports that the "council of ministers" told Bulutoglulari in an indirect way to leave; however he replied that this is not the time for vacations but the time for work.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (18.05.12) publishes an opinion poll regarding what the public in the breakaway regime thinks about the situation at the "Lefkosia municipality". According to the poll, 40% of the persons asked, replied that responsible for the situation is the "municipality council", 36% said that responsible is the "government", 9.6% said that they have no opinion, 5.2% said that everybody is responsible.

Asked who they would vote in case "municipal elections" were held next week, only 18.8% would vote for Cemal Bulutoglulari, while 31.1% said that it would vote for someone else and 24% said that cannot decide.

[06] So-called minister Saner due in Turkey to inspect Turkish ports

Ersan Saner is holding discussions with Turkish officials with the aim of establishing a vision on the issue ports in the "TRNC".

Saner and his delegation held inspection tours in Alexandretta as part of preparations on the restructuring of ports in the "TRNC".

Speaking during his tour at the port of Alexandretta, Saner said that restructuring the ports in the "TRNC" was inevitable, since sea ports had a vital position in import and export.

[07] Kucuk confirms by denying the appointment of an officer from Turkey to the "police" of the regime

Kucuk said that the "agreement" between Turkey and the breakaway regime for the appointment of a "liaison officer" between the "two countries" had been signed on 13 October 2000. He claimed that such practices are realized as "a concrete reflection of international cooperation" and added that Turkey has such agreements with other 22 countries where it maintains 24 liaison officers. He said that these officers aim at the effective and quick exchange of information especially in the fields of drug trafficking, organized crime and terrorism. He noted that the breakaway regime will also appoint a liaison officer in Ankara after the necessary "regulations" are endorsed.

Commenting on the issue, Afrika writes that after watching what happened in occupied Lefkosia "municipality", the AKP government in Turkey is sending a "police attache" to the occupied area of Cyprus for "getting the Turkish Cypriot community into the straight line". The paper argues that Prime Minister Erdogan, who has strengthened the police in Turkey against the army, is now aiming to do the same in Cyprus. According to the paper, the view that the "police" in the occupied area of Cyprus behaved too tolerantly towards the protesters in the occupied area of Cyprus, is very widespread in Ankara.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Kurdish regional leader of northern Iraq carried out contacts in Turkey; Turkey and northern Iraq to boost trade and energy ties

Prime Minister Nechirvan Barzani of the Kurdistan Regional Government of northern Iraq met in Ankara yesterday, with President Abdullah Gul, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

A Turkish diplomatic source said to the paper that apart from combating terrorism, a number of economic and trade-related issues have been discussed in a positive climate. 'Our mutual understanding on the fight against terrorism has been reaffirmed,' sources said, adding that Barzani repeated their readiness to contribute to Turkey's efforts to fight against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Barzani informed the Turkish side about the preparations for the Kurdish Conference planned for next month in Arbil where prominent Kurdish political groups are expected to call on the PKK to cease armed operations. The PKK, recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, has its headquarters and training camps in northern Iraq, a territory under Barzani's rule.

The two sides have also reviewed ongoing economic relations and explored new ways to increase trade volume. Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z was also present during Barzani's meeting with Davutoglu. The sale of petro-chemical products and electricity, opening two more border gates and transportation problems have also been revisited, according to sources. Carrying Iraqi natural gas to world markets through Turkey and joint oil and gas explorations in oil-rich northern Iraq have also been discussed between the two sides. 'We have seen that there is a vast area of cooperation between the two sides,' a source said. The visit came a month after Masoud Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Regional Government in northern Iraq, held talks in Ankara and at a moment when both parties' relations with the central Iraqi Government deteriorated.

Major political groups in Iraq, including powerful Shiite al-Sadr, issued a memorandum to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to take steps to diffuse the tension in the country, which was sparked after an arrest warrant was issued against prominent Sunni leader Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi, who is still in Turkey. 'We have not advised al-Hashemi to return to northern Iraq with [Prime Minster] Barzani,' sources said".

[09] Turkey to host World Forum on Energy Regulation in 2015

The forum is the most comprehensive conference of the world on energy regulation.

Turkey's Energy Market Regulation Board (EPDK) was selected as the chair of the 6th World Forum on Energy Regulation. EPDK was selected during the forum between May 13 and 16 in Canada.

World Forum on Energy Regulation convenes once in every three years, and discusses developments, problems and policies in energy and energy regulation. Canada, Italy, the U.S. and Greece have so far hosted the forum.

[10] Turkish army denies allegations that the US provided intelligence for Uludere's air strike

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on Wednesday that the civilian death toll set off alarms at the Pentagon as "it was a US Predator drone that spotted the men and pack animals, officials said, and American officers alerted Turkey."

On December 28, 2011, Turkish fighter jets bombed smugglers, believed to be Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorists, in the Turkish -Iraqi border area near Uludere, sparking outrage in Turkey. The Turkish military stated that the warplanes had targeted the group based on intelligence that suggested a group of armed terrorists would be heading towards the Turkish border to stage attacks against the military. The military then did not reveal the source of this intelligence.

A statement released by the Turkish General Staff denied the WSJ report and said the first intelligence related to the Uludere incident was taken by Turkish Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. The statement added that the detailed information was sent to relevant bodies investigating the incident.

Citing an internal assessment by the US Department of Defense, the paper said that "the US drone flew away after reporting the caravan's movements, leaving the Turkish military to decide whether to attack." It quoted a Pentagon official who said, "The Turks made the call. It wasn't an American decision." The WSJ noted that the incident sparked debate within the US administration and Congress. "It raises an outstanding question for the White House and Congress: How far do we entrust allies with our deadly drone technology?" the article stated.

The Turkish government and Parliament have been investigating the incident separately, trying to find out how it happened and who is responsible for the deaths of the villagers in Uludere, while public prosecutors have been conducting their own legal probes into the matter. A report by the General Staff, submitted to the parliamentary Human Rights Commission in April, failed to shed light on the questions, including why there was a rushed decision to carry out the strike. The report says the air strike took place in accordance with regulations regarding the cross-border operations of the military, but it does not explain why the decision to launch the air strike was made hastily.

In 2007, the Turkish Government signed an agreement with the US to share actionable intelligence regarding the terrorist Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), opening a new chapter for Turkish security forces who could then monitor PKK activities from US intelligence sources, including aerial images from US drones and satellite intelligence. This cooperation was later boosted during under the Obama Presidency, which supported Turkey's request to acquire Predator drones despite resistance from Congress.

In Washington, Pentagon Press Secretary George Little declined to comment on the report and the Uludere incident when asked by reporters. "I won't comment on intelligence-sharing with our Turkish allies, but what I can say is that we have an enduring relationship with Turkey," Little said as quoted by CNN.

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