Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-07-19

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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] Eroglu met with foreign journalists who participate in the celebrations for the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus

[02] Eroglu and Kucuk met with foreign delegations which illegally participate in the celebrations for the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

[03] Bozer asks the opening of a representation office by Pakistan in the occupied area of Cyprus; He met with foreign delegations

[04] Eroglu and Bozer met with the Izmir-Mersin Combatant Veterans' Society which is illegally in the occupied area of Cyprus for the 20 of July celebrations

[05] Tatar claims that the "property compensation commission" will strengthen the "TRNC"

[06] More about the forthcoming UBP's congress; So-called Turkish ambassador warned Kasif to withdraw its candidacy; statements by Kucuk

[07] Strong criticism by the CTP to Christofias' statements

[08] CTP and TDP to participate only to the "official celebrations" to take place in the framework of the July 20 celebrations; they protest the bad economic situation of the occupation regime

[09] It was not the Queen of Malaysia but the spouse of the Sultan of Pahang who visited the occupied area of Cyprus. In the pseudostate anything goes!

[10] Erdogan's meeting with Putin; Turkey and Russia committed to deep strategic ties despite Syria tensions; Statements by Erdogan after his return to Turkey

[11] New law to be prepared on the abortions in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu met with foreign journalists who participate in the celebrations for the 1974 Turkish invasion of Cyprus

Responding to a question as to whether he sees any similarities between Kosovo and the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, Eroglu said they were closely following the issue of Kosovo and added that a German parliamentarian had said yesterday that Kosovo could be used as an example for the Turkish Cypriots.

Asked on whether there has been any change in Turkey's policy for Cyprus, Eroglu argued that Turkey supported the UN plans prepared in 1986 and 2004 by the then UN Secretary-Generals Perez de Cuellar and Kofi Annan respectively, whereas the Greek Cypriot side rejected these plans. Claiming that Turkey has always had governments which wanted an agreement in Cyprus, Eroglu reiterated the allegation that the Greek Cypriot side has no intention for a solution.

Responding to a question on the influence which the explorations for natural gas and oil had on the negotiations, Eroglu argued that President Christofias had rejected his proposal not to launch explorations during the period when negotiations were carried out. He alleged that President Christofias launched these explorations in order to strengthen his image, which had received a blow due to the explosion at Mari nautical base, and exhibited a hard stance against Turkey trying to secure the support of the right wing parties.

Asked about the recognition of the breakaway regime, Eroglu said: "We have not considered bringing recognition onto the agenda while negotiations continue. If the negotiations end negatively and the UN Secretary-General puts forward that we could reach nowhere with his mission, then of course there are some steps which we will take".

Asked how long the negotiations will last, Eroglu reiterated the view that the Turkish side does not want open-ended negotiations and added that this will be a matter that will be discussed extensively when the negotiations resume after the Presidential Elections in the Republic of Cyprus.

Eroglu reiterated the turkish allegation that the main obstacles for the solution of the Cyprus problem are the UN Security Council, which decided in 1964 to send a Peace Keeping Force in Cyprus, and the accession of the Greek Cypriots, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, to the EU "as the sole representative of Cyprus" before the solution of the Cyprus problem. Eroglu claimed that in these conditions the Turkish Cypriots should give excessive concessions in order to reach an agreement with the Greek Cypriots and then they will allegedly not have any chance to live on these lands.

Eroglu argued that they have not lost yet their hopes for peace and added that the Turkish Cypriots are not out in the cold regardless of whether peace will be achieved or not. He also reiterated his view that it would be a delusion to expect that there will be any result in the negotiations during the Republic of Cyprus' EU term presidency, which started on 1 July, 2012. Eroglu reiterated also the Turkish view in favor of the continuation of the guarantees in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu and Kucuk met with foreign delegations which illegally participate in the celebrations for the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

Kucuk met with Pakistani Senator Ali Haji Ghulam, Azeri MPs Zahip Oruc and Doctor Fazil Mustafa as well as with the German former MP and chairman of German Turkish Association, Gerd Andres and his political advisor Mathias Dornfeldt.

Kucuk pointed out to the importance of the visit of the foreign MPs to the occupied area of Cyprus and expressed the belief that they would help the breakaway regime with their work in the parliaments of their countries.

In his statements Oruc said that during the meeting with Eroglu, the issue of the recognition of the breakaway regime, like Kosovo, was brought onto the agenda. He argued that the important thing is for peoples to recognize each other separately than being recognized by the world.

Eroglu also met with the parliamentarians from Pakistan, Germany and Azerbaijan, as well as with the speaker of Gagauzia's "republican assembly", Anna Kharlemenko, who invited him to Gagauzia in order to participate in the "Gagauz congress and wine feast" which will be held in November. She also invited Kucuk to the same event.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Bozer asks the opening of a representation office by Pakistan in the occupied area of Cyprus; He met with foreign delegations

Senator Ghulam, who is illegally in the occupied area of Cyprus in order to participate in the celebrations for the anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus, said that they will exert every effort they can to increase the relations between the "two peoples" and added that he would deliver a speech at the Pakistani parliament regarding the difficulties which the Turkish Cypriots are experiencing. He also invited Bozer to Pakistan noting that he would be glad to receive him at the Pakistani parliament.

Furthermore, according to Gunes, Bozer held also separate meetings with Azeri MPs Zahip Oruc and Fazil Mustafa, as well as with the spokesperson of Azerbaijan's Diaspora in Israel, Arye Gut and his spouse Olga Gut, who are also illegally in the occupied area of Cyprus to participate in the celebrations for the 1974 Turkish invasion of the island.

Bozer said that they see the Azeri people as their brothers. He noted that their relations with Israel are historic in spite of the fact that these relations have been tensed recently, but alleged that Israeli businessmen and MPs always support the "TRNC".

The Azeri MPs said that they see the "TRNC" as their country, they always work for the "TRNC" and they follow closely the Cyprus problem. They noted that they were ready to exert any support to the breakaway regime.

The spokesman of the Azerbaijanis living in Israel said they could work to bring tourists from Israel to the occupied area of Cyprus.

Moreover, Gunes reports that Bozer met also with the speaker of Gagauzia's "republican assembly", Anna Kharlemenko, who thanked Bozer for his invitation and said that they have signed a "protocol of friendship" with the self-styled assembly of the breakaway regime.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu and Bozer met with the Izmir-Mersin Combatant Veterans' Society which is illegally in the occupied area of Cyprus for the 20 of July celebrations

Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu has said that the Turkish Cypriot "people" founded their own "state" after achieving freedom with the "1974 Turkish peace operation", as he called the Turkish invasion in Cyprus.

He also highlighted the strong bond that existed between the "TRNC" and "motherland Turkey", as he described Turkey and said that the Turkish Cypriots lived freely under their own "flag and state" today as a result of the sacrifices made by the martyrs."We (Turkey and the TRNC) are like one fist" he added.

Pointing out that it was the Turkish Cypriot side's desire for the two "peoples" in the island to live side by side in peace; he said that the Turkish Cypriot "people" needed to be strong in order for such a settlement to be achieved.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot "people's" honourable struggle to exist in the island would continue with the endless support of "motherland" Turkey.

The delegation met also with the "speaker" of the so-called assembly Hasan Bozer.

Speaking during the meeting, Bozer said that the Turkish Cypriot "people" had come to where its stands today following a long and strenuous struggle. He added that this struggle continued to be waged together with "motherland" Turkey.

[05] Tatar claims that the "property compensation commission" will strengthen the "TRNC"

In statements yesterday during a visit to the "property compensation commission" set up by Turkey in the occupied area of Cyprus, Tatar claimed that this decision is tantamount to passing to a new stage at the EU. Describing the "commission" as "a very important institution for the TRNC", the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, Tatar said that the aim of his visit was to evaluate what could be done so that the "commission" functions more effectively. He also expressed his belief that this will help the strengthening of the "TRNC" in the future.

(I/Ts.)

[06] More about the forthcoming UBP's congress; So-called Turkish ambassador warned Kasif to withdraw its candidacy; statements by Kucuk

According to the paper, Akca made a serious warning to Kasif to withdraw his candidacy.

Commenting on the issue in its daily column: "Letter from Afrika", the paper underlines that as it was understood, this warning was made under the instructions of Ankara, and adds that what is concerned now, is what will be the stance of Kasif from now on.

The paper continues and writes that Kasif should not in any way withdraw his candidacy, despite of the pressures exerted, and points out that even though Kasif will fail to win, it will not be considered as a failure and also, even if Kucuk wins, it will not be considered as a victory. The one which will win, is Ankara, concludes the paper.

Meanwhile, the paper writes that the so-called prime minister and chairman of the National Unity Party, Irsen Kucuk met yesterday with 12 UBP "mayors" who expressed their support to him, and thanked them for their support.

The paper underlines that among the "mayors" who support Kucuk is also the so-called mayor of occupied Lefkosia "municipality" Cemal Bulutoglulari. It adds also that all the "mayors" who support Kucuk act under the instructions of the so-called Turkish embassy.

In his statements yesterday, Kucuk said that 10 out of the 14 "mayors" who expressed support to him for his candidacy to the chairmanship of UBP, participated yesterday to their meeting. He added that two of the "mayors" were not able to participate because of their absence abroad, while the other two were not able to participate, but still they called him and expressed their support.

Asked to evaluate Kasif's candidacy, Kucuk said that he has no objection to Kasif's candidacy and added that he did not find strange Kasif's candidacy.

(AK)

[07] Strong criticism by the CTP to Christofias' statements

Issuing a written statement yesterday, the central committee of CTP, replying to Christofias's statement that the result of the "2010 presidential elections in the TRNC", derived from the change of policy of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), which has diverged from its leftist policy, underlined the following: "It is remarkable that Mr. Christofias made these claims without having any concrete information. His allegation, whether these are related to the social issues, the economy or the Cyprus problem, are uncertain (...)".

As regards the Cyprus problem, CTP's central committee recalled that it was the CTP which said Yes to the UN's comprehensive solution plan in 2004, and Christofias the one who rejected it, a plan which as the committee underlined, was supported by the international community and which would provide the establishment of a partnership state based on the political equality of the two communities.

The statement pointed also out that it was Christofias who was not able to evaluate the golden choice while Talat was in the "presidency", and accused the President of populism by making statements of the kind: "We have reached to a 70% agreement with Talat, if he would remain in his post; a solution was to be reached".

(AK)

[08] CTP and TDP to participate only to the "official celebrations" to take place in the framework of the July 20 celebrations; they protest the bad economic situation of the occupation regime

In a written statement on the issue, the chairman of CTP, Ozkan Yorgancioglu pointed out that the difficulties of the "people" of the "country" are increasing day by day, and announced that they will only participate to all of the "state ceremonies" to be organized for the July 20, but not to the dinners and cocktail meetings, in orders to express their protest to this.

Issuing a similar statement, the central committee of the Social Democracy Party which gathered the day before yesterday, announced through its chairman, Mehmet Cakici that the party, taking into consideration the economic crisis in the "country" will participate only to the official celebrations.

(AK)

[09] It was not the Queen of Malaysia but the spouse of the Sultan of Pahang who visited the occupied area of Cyprus. In the pseudostate anything goes!

The real name of the spouse of the Sultan who was staying at the Cratos Premium Hotel in occupied Kyrenia was Sultanah Hajjah Kalson binti Adbullah while the real name of the Queen of Malaysia is Tuanku Bainun binti Mohd Ali, writes the paper.

(AK)

[10] Erdogan's meeting with Putin; Turkey and Russia committed to deep strategic ties despite Syria tensions; Statements by Erdogan after his return to Turkey

Speaking after a two-and-a-half-hour meeting in Moscow, both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin praised expanding trade volume and the Turkish-Russian cooperation in the field of energy, with Putin saying that the two countries may well bring their trade volume up to $100 billion, from the current $32 billion.

The critical meeting came as the crisis in Syria escalated rapidly when a suicide bomber struck the National Security building in Damascus, killing Syria's Defense Minister and President Bashar Assad's brother-in-law.

The Turkish President and the Parliament Speaker both called for an immediate regime change earlier in the day, signalling that Ankara's calls for Assad's departure are likely to intensify following the Damascus attack, the harshest blow to the Syrian regime since the 17-month-old uprising began.

Turkey, once a close ally of Assad, has become the most outspoken critic of the Syrian President in protest of his brutal crackdown on the anti-regime uprising. Ankara's calls for Assad's departure pit it against Moscow, a staunch supporter of Assad.

Erdogan and Putin, however, sidestepped the issue as they spoke to the press about their talks at a joint news conference. The two leaders touched upon Syria when asked by journalists and their brief answers signalled that the meeting did not produce any significant progress in overcoming the disagreements.

Erdogan blamed Assad's "autocratic regime" for 18,000 deaths since the uprising began 17 months ago and said that what Turkey wanted for Syria was peace. He also said that Turkey wants the protection of Syria's unity and emphasized that the course of change in the country should be drawn by the people of Syria, not foreign countries.

Putin, for his part, welcomed Erdogan's statement supporting the conclusions of an international conference on Syria in Geneva last month, which convened to discuss a UN plan for political transition in Syria.

Erdogan also revealed that Russia has not offered any documents that might shed light on the circumstances surrounding the crash of a Turkish plane off the Syrian coast on June 22. "No document has been shared," he said, adding that the exchange of information between the two countries was limited to a phone call he and Putin had soon after the incident.

(?) Speaking before their meeting, Erdogan did not mention Syria and underscored instead the bilateral ties. He said military, economic, political and cultural aspects of Turkish-Russian ties would be reviewed during his meeting with Putin. Noting that bilateral trade volume has increased to $35 billion in recent years, particularly thanks to investments in the energy sector, Erdogan also lauded planned Turkish-Russian cooperation in nuclear energy as the "most significant investment in the region of recent times."

Turkey and Russia signed a $20 billion deal for the construction by Russia of a nuclear power plant in Akkuyu on the Mediterranean coast.

Turkey has also approved Russia's plans to allow the almost $20 billion South Stream pipeline, which aims to supply Southern Europe with 63 billion cubic meters of natural gas a year, to pass under its territorial waters.

In a statement released ahead of Erdogan's visit, Putin's office also put the emphasis on bilateral economic ties, rather than Syria. The Kremlin noted that Turkey purchased 26 billion cubic meters of natural gas from Russia in 2011 and added that there was no obstacle to increase the volume of trade up to $100 billion in the near future.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish daily Today's Zaman (18.07.12), speaking to reporters in Istanbul after his one-day visit to Moscow, Erdogan has said that he discussed with Russians in Moscow a possible transitional government in Syria as part of a peace plan to end the violence there and that "they seemed positive" with some reservations.

Erdogan elaborated his government's endorsement of the Geneva peace plan, agreed in a meeting of Foreign Ministers in Geneva last month, and said the most important part of the plan is that Syria's embattled President Bashar al-Assad will not be included in the transitional government.

(...) Erdogan said also that Turkey proposed a transitional government without Assad but with the inclusion of members of the regime, opposition and neutrals. He added that the transition process should include elections under this government. He noted that Russia seemed positive to these proposals.

Erdogan said that if Assad stays as a leader in the transitional government, "nothing would be changed."

Speaking about the latest Damascus bombings where three senior Syrian defense officials were killed, Erdogan said these are not desirable developments but it is obvious that the situation would be like this. Erdogan accused the Assad regime of provoking Syrian opposition to attack the Damascus security headquarters and said that the government must put itself into account.

[11] New law to be prepared on the abortions in Turkey

The public uproar over the abortion debate has delayed the proposal, but Health Minister Recep Akdag had previously presented the proposed bill to the Cabinet. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested the presentation be turned into a draft, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ar?nc said.

It had originally been indicated that the new regulation would be passed before the Parliament left for its summer recess, but this was suspended until Parliament reconvenes due to the public reaction and the review of the draft it necessitated.

According to Akdag's presentation, the draft includes the following provisions: The proposal gives doctors and healthcare personnel the right to refuse to perform abortions. Doctors will also be obliged to provide lectures and services to convince parents not to abort. Efforts will be made to deter parents from having abortions, including a 4-day waiting period to consider the decision. However, no alteration was suggested for the time limitation, which is a matter for discussion. The government wishes to take these measures in order to decrease abortion rates and also plans to encourage births by introducing incentives such as increasing paid maternity leave to 6 months.

Healthcare personnel will be given the right to refuse to perform an abortion in cases where they are medically unnecessary. A High Board of Reproductive Health will be established in order to support reproductive health policies. "Morning-after" pills will be distributed free of charge.

Very sensitive tests will be used for the early detection of pregnancy at all state-run family health units.

The 10-week limit will be preserved, because there is little chance that most women will detect pregnancy earlier. Consulting services will be provided for pregnant women or couples considering abortion upon demand. The time limit for pregnant women or couples to think over their decision will be two to four days, on condition that the 10-week limit is not exceeded.

The drugs used to perform medical abortions will be controlled, and a secure use of these drugs will be ensured. Only gynaecologists will be able to carry out abortions. Teaching hospitals and health institutions will be authorized to perform medically required abortions beyond the 10-week limit. Guidelines will be laid out for determining when an abortion is medically necessary. The current population planning legislation will be abolished, to be replaced by a Reproductive Health Services Law. "Painless childbirth" services will be offered and expenses for it will be covered by the Social Security Institution (SGK). Also a reproductive health consulting hotline will be established. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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