Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-06-20

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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] Kucuk: Some NGOs in the occupied area of Cyprus will show their reaction to the Cypriot EU term presidency

[02] The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce accused the EU of enabling the Turkish Cypriots to live in an open prison

[03] Interview by Talat to Turkish Cypriot Star Kibris; Talat said that Christofias has lost a gold opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem during the period he was in power

[04] YKP alleges that there are religious cults operating in occupied Cyprus

[05] The archaeological excavations continues at the ancient city of occupied Salamina this year

[06] Saner to participate in the "7th International Electronic Communication Regulators Conference" in Istanbul

[07] Turkish daily invokes EU sources which say that EU is to take key step on visa liberalization with Turkey

[08] Erdogan met with Obama and Putin on the sidelines of G-20 Summit; Latest developments on Syria among the matter of discussion

[09] Soldiers killed after a PKK attack in Hakkari; Erdogan calls PKK to lay down arms

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Kucuk: Some NGOs in the occupied area of Cyprus will show their reaction to the Cypriot EU term presidency

Kucuk said that he had held very intensive contacts in Strasbourg and that he saw that the Europeans have a "much more reasonable approach" comparing to the past, regarding the problems of the occupied area of Cyprus. He said: "I saw an EU which came to the position of being able to see better our problems and therefore the realities and I had stated that we must continue our contacts in the EU at a higher level".

Kucuk argued that the work of preparing the "TRNC" for the EU should be advanced and that the High Level Contact Group of the EP with the Turkish Cypriots could not create the "expected result". "We saw that there is solidarity with us there", he said adding that during their contacts they asked the reestablishment of the above-mentioned group after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus. He argued that this group should submit its reports to the EP by having contacts in the occupied area of the island. He said that they also asked the more active participation of the Turkish Cypriot representatives at the EP, who, he alleged, should be given more authorities until a solution in Cyprus is found, so that they are able to ask questions.

Referring to the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Kucuk argued that it would be beneficial for the process to continue after 1 July with different methods and at different levels. He alleged that at this point it is not possible for the negotiations to continue between the leaders. He argued that after the "sudden", as he described it, resignation of Kudret Ozersay from the post of the special representative of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Eroglu's negotiating team was not dissolved and that many experienced persons participate in this team.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce accused the EU of enabling the Turkish Cypriots to live in an open prison

Cerkez alleged that the Greek Cypriots purposely became members of the EU in order to cut of, Turkey's EU process. "There is a game which is taking place here", he alleged and added that the Greek Cypriot administration, as he called the Republic of Cyprus, is used as "a time regulator" for Turkey?EU negotiation process. He went on and claimed that there is a conspiracy. "A game which was planned and followed in advance", and alleged that the Greek Cypriots are blocking 8 chapters for Turkey in the name of the "EU bosses". He also alleged that the EU has no intention to lift the "isolation" of the Turkish Cypriots.

Cerkez also asserted that the Greek Line Regulation is violated by the Greek Cypriot side who does not buy any product from the Turkish Cypriots. "They closed the door to the Turkish Cypriot products", he said and alleged that the Greek Cypriots are trying to weaken the Turkish Cypriot economy and that they do not advertise the Turkish Cypriot products at the newspaper neither they put them at the super market shelves.

[03] Interview by Talat to Turkish Cypriot Star Kibris; Talat said that Christofias has lost a gold opportunity to solve the Cyprus problem during the period he was in power

Responding to questions regarding the Cyprus negotiation process, Talat referred to Eroglu's words who has said: "we go beyond the point that Talat left the negotiations", and wondered how they went beyond this point and the negotiation process will finish after July 1st and everyone will continue with its own way.

Referring to the resignation of Eroglu's special envoy, Kudret Ozersay, Talat said that he could not understand this resignation.

As regards the period he was in power, Talat said that we warned a lot of times President, Demetris Christofias that, that period was the appropriate period for the solution of the Cyprus problem and that the Cyprus problem would not be possible to be solved after him and with Eroglu in power; adding that now he does not believe in the sincerity of Demetris Christofias even if his eyes shed tears.

Asked to reply what he expects to happen with the negotiation process after the 1st of July, Talat said that what he believes is that the negotiations came to deadlock. He added that the confidence building measures are useless and said that our need is not the trust between the "people" in Cyprus but what is necessary is for the two "people" in the island not to consider themselves as enemies, and for the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus to recognize the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Asked to express his view whether Turkey's stance on the Cyprus problem has changed, Talat said that according to the information they receive in the Turkish Cypriot side, Turkey will assume an unwilling stance if there would not be any hopes. He said further, that Cyprus is a national cause for Turkey, but still, it is not a priority issue.

(AK )

[04] YKP alleges that there are religious cults operating in occupied Cyprus

The written statement says also that the fact that the place which was chosen for the mosque to be built, which is far from occupied Lefkosia and also the fact that it is not transparent from where the financial resources came from for the building of the mosque, make stronger their believe that a religious cult is behind this.

The statements cross also the question, who is the one who provided the necessary resources for the construction of the mosque.

(AK)

[05] The archaeological excavations continues at the ancient city of occupied Salamina this year

Speaking at a press conference, in which DAU rector Abdullah Oztoprak also participated, Ozgunel stated that the excavations this year continues at the frigidarium section of the Roman Baths. He also stated that as from next year they will conduct a second excavation at the Engomi Ruins.

[06] Saner to participate in the "7th International Electronic Communication Regulators Conference" in Istanbul

The paper writes that Saner will be the main speaker of the conference which will be also attended by Binali Yildirim, the Turkish Minister of Transportation, Maritime and Communication. High level officials from Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Greece, FYROM, Romania, India, will also attend the conference.

[07] Turkish daily invokes EU sources which say that EU is to take key step on visa liberalization with Turkey

Turkey first wants to be sure that the action plan for the negotiations is directed to visa removal.

A Foreign Ministry official stated on Tuesday that Turkey would not be involved in any process that would not bring such a result and is not willing to start negotiations for any further visa relaxation.

According to Turkish sources, if there are no surprises in the action plan, Turkey plans to sign it this fall.

EU sources claim that countries are expected to task the Justice and Home Affairs Council with the matter on Thursday.

The EU has initiated negotiations in the past, conditional on the signing of a readmission agreement by migrants using Turkey as a transit route to European countries. The Action Plan will also involve implementation of the readmission agreement by Turkey.

The same EU sources claimed that changes such as the election of Francois Hollande as French President would have a positive effect on negotiations. Nicolas Sarkozy, the former President, allegedly blocked the process for unspecified personal reasons. The source said Austria, Germany and the Netherlands continue to have reservations and have added to the plan that negotiations will be extended over a long period of time.

For Turkey, such an addition is unwanted, as it threatens to create an "open-ended process," Turkish officials have claimed.

Turkish Ambassador to the EU Selim Yenel, quoted by EUobserver.com, has said: "It [the negotiations] will be a game changer. We hope to show that the EU is still relevant for Turkey." Yenel further noted that visa queues at EU consulates and two years of stalled accession talks, have "poisoned" relations.

[08] Erdogan met with Obama and Putin on the sidelines of G-20 Summit; Latest developments on Syria among the matter of discussion

Turkey's Prime Minister said that Turkish and Russian foreign ministers would carry out joint initiatives regarding Syria from now on. "Putin and I designated our Foreign Ministers to carry out joint initiatives from now on," Erdogan told reporters in Los Cabos, Mexico on the sidelines of G-20 Summit.

"Turkey and Russia could take some steps to maintain the UN-Arab League process regarding Syria", Erdogan said.

Moreover, Erdogan said that participants of the summit focused on recent developments in Greece, Spain and Italy and their monetary units. "I think we will focus on investments, employment and trade on Tuesday, and I also think these sessions will be determining sessions for the G20," Erdogan also said.

Also, Erdogan met on Tuesday with the US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of a G20 summit meeting.

Turkish diplomatic sources said that the meeting mainly focused on latest developments in Syria as both sides had expressed concern that situation in the country got worse with each passing day.

Sources said Erdogan and Obama had underlined that the international community should fulfil its obligations to find a settlement to the crisis in Syria.

Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek also attended the 40-minute meeting.

[09] Soldiers killed after a PKK attack in Hakkari; Erdogan calls PKK to lay down arms

Hakkari Governor's Office said that "PKK terrorists" attempted to attack the Yesiltas Military Outpost in Daglica area in Yuksekova. "In the ensuing clash, eight soldiers were martyred while 16 others were wounded. Large-scale offensive has been under way in the area where 10 terrorists were neutralized," it said.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (19.06.12), Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip ErdoGan told reporters today (yesterday) that the Government will not conduct any negotiations with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), adding that the PKK's disarmament is the only way to end terror.

"Nobody can make terrorism an issue of negotiation," Erdogan said. "We will end this, sooner or later. This is non-negotiable. There is only one thing to do: Terrorists need to lay down their arms."

"Security forces will halt operations when the PKK lays down ams," Erdogan added. "Security forces are not fans of operations either. They only conduct these operations when problems occur."

Earlier in the day, pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) leader Selahattin Demirtas called on the PKK to lay down its arms and end military operations. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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