Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-11-16

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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] Eroglu says their target is to internationally register and strengthen their rights set forth with the declaration of the "TRNC"

[02] Atalay: "Turkey and north Cyprus will never separate, like the flesh and the nail"

[03] Turkey's congratulation for the establishment of the breakaway regime

[04] Bozer met with delegations from the USA, Azerbaijan, Crimea and Turkey

[05] Consuls of Pakistan, Albania, FYROM and Malta participated in the reception of the breakaway regime declaration in Istanbul

[06] Europe's financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots is not used correctly

[07] Bagis seems not to understand why Cyprus' occupation constitutes an obstacle for Turkey's accession into the EU

[08] Swoboda: "European Union made mistakes on Cyprus issue"

[09] President of Turkish Tofas basketball team said that sport events between Turkey and Republic of Cyprus contributes to peace

[10] Turkish FM holds phone conversation with US State Secretary on Syria ?He describes Israeli attack on Gaza as a crime of humanity

[11] Turkey introduces its first indigenous main battle tank Altay

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu says their target is to internationally register and strengthen their rights set forth with the declaration of the "TRNC"

Eroglu delivered a speech yesterday before the "official" military parade at Dr. Fazil Kucuk Boulevard in the occupied part of Nicosia, within the framework of the celebrations for the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) of the breakaway regime.

Noting that they evaluated all possibilities with Turkey and prepared a road map for every case, Eroglu argued that if no result could be reached in the Cyprus negotiations, it would be inevitable for some alternatives outside the current form to come onto the agenda. He added that in order for someone to see what these alternatives will be, it is enough to look at the developments that happened in the international field especially after the end of the cold war.

"The continuation of the status quo is unacceptable", claimed Eroglu alleging that the Turkish Cypriot side is victimized in spite of its so-called pro-peace attitude. Eroglu reiterated the allegation that the so-called embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots are a "shame for humanity" and claimed that the "TRNC" exists and will continue to exist regardless of what anyone could say against it.

Referring to the water they plan to bring from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, Eroglu argued that this water could change the fate of the entire island, "if a wise and pro-peace behaviour is exhibited". He said that with brining water and electricity from Turkey on 7 March 2014, they will increase the prosperity of the citizens to an extent which cannot be compared with what exists today.

Eroglu expressed also his regret for the continuation of the problems at occupied Nicosia "municipality" and pointed out that a formula should be found for the solution of these problems. Eroglu noted that no one is above the "constitution" and the "laws", that the "laws" should be prepared by taking into consideration that "constitution" and that if the intention is to implement the new economic program, this program should be implemented.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Atalay: "Turkey and north Cyprus will never separate, like the flesh and the nail"

Atalay delivered a speech yesterday before the "official" military parade at Dr. Fazil Kucuk Boulevard in the occupied part of Nicosia within the framework of the celebrations for the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) of the breakaway regime.

Atalay said that the economic program implemented during the past three years had been very successful and noted that the economic program for the period 2013-15, which will be implemented as of the beginning of next year, was an important opportunity for supporting the future of the breakaway regime. Atalay argued that this program has been prepared by the "TRNC" and that Turkey has only contributed with its advisors.

Atalay reiterated the Turkish allegation that the Turkish Cypriot side has exerted every effort towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem during the negotiating process that started in 2008 and claimed that in spite of the "important" Turkish moves and proposals, the process entered into a deadlock because of the "intransigent" stance of the Greek Cypriots.

Atalay added: "Turkey will never leave north Cyprus alone, we will always be here. Turkey and north Cyprus will not separate from each other, like the flesh and the nail. No one will achieve this".

Atalay referred to the development and the "successes" of the breakaway regime during the past 29 years and said that in spite of the concerns that with the opening of many universities in Turkey, the number of students in the illegal universities in the occupied area would decrease, this number increased to 53.800 this year, from 47.000 thousand last year. He noted that after the Turkish Middle East Technical University (ODTU) and the Istanbul Technical University (ITU), Cukurova University is also preparing to open a campus in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Referring to tourism, Atalay argued that during the season 2011-12, a boom was experienced in the tourism sector in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Touching on the issue of the water to be transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, Atalay said that the water will unboundedly strengthen the Turkish side whatever the solution to the Cyprus problem will be.

Referring to their efforts to promote the breakaway regime internationally, Atalay recalled that the "TRNC" has been accepted in the Economic Cooperation Organization as observer member under the name of "Cyprus Turkish State".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkey's congratulation for the establishment of the breakaway regime

The Turkish President Abdullah G?l sent a message via Presidential Secretary-General Mustafa 0
sen, and alleged the following: "A long-awaited political solution to the half-a-century-long Cyprus problem, which could be resolved by providing equal political rights and the right to self government to Turkish people on the island, will be the precursor of cooperation and prosperity in the whole east Mediterranean, not only on the island."

In his message, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan claimed: "The Turkish Cypriots have always fulfilled their responsibility for a just and permanent solution [to the Cyprus problem], shown in how they have always worked for negotiation and peace on the island and demonstrated this to the world."

In the message he sent to the "speaker" of the assembly Hasan Bozer and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the speaker of the Turkish assembly Cemil ?i?ek alleged the following: "As a democratic, secular and social state governed by the rule of law, the Turkish Republic will continue to express its support for Northern Cyprus' people to have peace, prosperity and security in its Parliament, as well as in its other institutions".

[04] Bozer met with delegations from the USA, Azerbaijan, Crimea and Turkey

Bozer met, separately, with the speaker of the National Assembly of Crimean Tatars, Mustafa Cemil Kirimoglu, the associate dean of Ankara University's Faculty of Language, History and Geography, Prof. Dr. Ali Ozcinar, a delegation of Turkey's war veterans, the vice president of the Turkish Democratic Left Party (DSP), Dursun Tuncer Erturk, the Azeri MPs Elman Memmedov, Tahir Rzayev and Faraj Guliyev, the responsible of office for Turkey at the Kyrgyz Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bakyt Asangulu and the advisors at the Senate of the United States of America, Jansen Epstein and David Michels.

During his meeting with Bozer, Kirimoglu stated that they share the joy and the sorrow of the Turkish Cypriots and that they feel honoured of being in the occupied area of Cyprus during the celebrations for the UDI. "The TRNC is an example for us", he argued and added that they will exert efforts to develop their cooperation.

On his part, Erturk claimed that the "TRNC" will live forever, that the realities cannot be denied, that nothing could be achieved with the "isolations" and that they expect Turkey to offer its support for the promotion of the regime in the Islamic countries.

Moreover, the Azeri MPs said that the "feast" for the UDI is a feast for all of them, while the Kyrgyz guest said that they watch the Cyprus problem at his ministry and wished for a solution to be reached on the island.

Finally, the US advisors said they were not informed enough on the Cyprus problem and added that more influential promotional activities should be held on this issue. The American guests noted that they found out many useful things during the short period of time they were on the island. They argued that the belief that the Turkish Cypriots do not want a solution to the Cyprus problem had been "shattered" as a result of the referendum held in year 2004. They expressed the view that efforts should be exerted to direct the Greek Cypriot side towards the solution.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Consuls of Pakistan, Albania, FYROM and Malta participated in the reception of the breakaway regime declaration in Istanbul

The reception was held at the Swiss Hotel and various Turkish and foreign officials participated. Among them were the consuls of Pakistan, FYROM, Albania and Malta as well as some honorary consuls.

[06] Europe's financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots is not used correctly

The paper writes that the report suggests that the aid should be given for some bi-communal projects, to projects that promote confidence building measures and to civilian organization, because some problems came to surface with various infrastructure projects.

The paper argues that the Bulgarian MEP ignored the five targets of the European financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots and denied to meet with Hasan Tacoy and Ozdil Nami, Turkish Cypriot so-called MPs.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Bagis seems not to understand why Cyprus' occupation constitutes an obstacle for Turkey's accession into the EU

Addressing the International Energy and Economy Summit of the Atlantic Council at Swiss Hotel, Bagis wondered yesterday why the Europeans accepted Cyprus, which has allegedly "border problems", since the Cyprus problem is so important for them.

Bagis described the declaration of the breakaway regime as "a good development for entire Cyprus" and reiterated that Turkish allegation that there has not been any bloodshed since that declaration.

Bagis said that the Turks want the Europeans to implement their own decision, taken by Council in 2004, and provides for lifting the so-called embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots and launching relations with them. He argued that this decision has not been implemented, because four days after it was taken, the Republic of Cyprus entered into the EU and blocked it. Bagis alleged that the EU should understand that it faces a big credibility problem.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Swoboda: "European Union made mistakes on Cyprus issue"

Swoboda was speaking to reporters at the launch of the book "EU Enlargement Anno 2012: A Progressive Engagement".

One of the co-authors of the book, Jan Marinus Wiersma, former vice chairman of the Socialist Group in the EP and currently vice president of the European Forum for Democracy and Solidarity (EFDS), said the EU should not allow a "second Cyprus" in comments about the enlargement process in the Balkan countries, stressing that candidates with unresolved problems should not be admitted before they address those issues.

Swoboda said the EU should have made it clear back in 2004 that if the Greek Cypriots said no to the UN Annan plan, aid for Turkish Cypriots would be approved. He said that the aid package, including direct trade with the north, should have been part of the accession process of Cyprus. "On Cyprus, we should have made it clear that if the Greek Cypriot part would say no we would give the Turkish side the aid that we promised but could not deliver. This promise should have been part of the accession package of Cyprus. It was a mistake not to include it," the Socialist leader said.

Criticizing the lack of progress on Turkey's accession process, Swoboda called for the opening of at least three chapters in December, specifying chapter 15 on energy, chapter 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights and chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security.

Swoboda, also said that "Turkey is the most misunderstood candidate country."

"Many in the EU do not understand Turkey; they do not understand Islam and Muslims. As a result, misunderstandings and misperceptions on Turkey are much bigger than any other country among the candidate and potential candidate countries," he said.

[09] President of Turkish Tofas basketball team said that sport events between Turkey and Republic of Cyprus contributes to peace

In statements the chairman of Tofas, Coskun Tezic, said that they received great hospitality by the Greek Cypriot team and that they have been hosted in the best possible way. He went on adding that politics should not be involved in this kind of sport events; in the contrary they can contribute to peace.

[10] Turkish FM holds phone conversation with US State Secretary on Syria ?He describes Israeli attack on Gaza as a crime of humanity

Diplomatic officials said that Davutoglu and Clinton discussed the latest developments in Syria and on the Turkey-Syria border in their conversation.

They also highlighted that there were need for talks for easing tensions in the region due to Israeli attack on Gaza, officials said.

In addition, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (16.11.12) reports that Davutoglu revealed that Turkey has recognized Syria's newly formed opposition coalition as the country's legitimate representative.

"In Doha last week, the Syrian opposition decided to join forces for their common objective," Davutoglu said, referring to an agreement reached after a week-long meeting of Syria's anti-regime groups to unite and create the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces, held in Qatar's capital.

"Turkey, wholeheartedly is welcoming this important achievement, once again reiterates its recognition of the Syrian National Coalition as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people and calls upon all our brothers in the OIC to do so," Davutoglu said in an address at a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Djibouti. He suggested that Turkey had declared its recognition of the new coalition before, but did not say when the earlier statement was made. An official clarified the point, saying Davutoglu's visit to Doha twice in one week to join the Syrian opposition, was a manifestation of the Turkish policy.

It is not clear if the recognition of the Syrian National Coalition for Opposition and Revolutionary Forces as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people will affect the status of the Syrian diplomatic representation in Turkey.

The Turkish move comes after France became the first European power to recognize Syria's new opposition coalition as the sole representative of its people on Tuesday. While announcing the decision, French President Fran?ois Hollande also said that his country would look into arming opposition forces against President Bashar al-Assad once they form a government.

Finally, Ankara Anatolia (16.11.12) also reports that Davutoglu stated that "it was impossible to believe peace would be restored in the Middle East by massacres and assassinations."

The Turkish Foreign Minister said that the Israeli attack on Gaza Strip was another crime of humanity. "Attacks are crime of humanity towards people in Gaza which has already become an open-air prison, added Davutoglu who spoke to Turkish journalists after a meeting of Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Djibouti.

Stressing that Turkish people always supported Gaza, Davutoglu said that it was impossible to believe peace would be restored in the Middle East by massacres and assassinations.

Davutoglu said that he spoke to U.S. State Secretary Hillary Clinton about Israel's attacks, and conveyed the reactions of OIC member states.

[11] Turkey introduces its first indigenous main battle tank Altay

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at the ceremony that Turkey became one of the few countries that could design and produce MBTs and thanked Turkish Defense Ministry, Turkish General Staff, Under secretariat for Defense Industry, Otokar and all related offices for making Turkey proud.

He said Altay project would contribute to the prestige of Turkey and carry Turkey forward in the world defense league.

Saying that all the facilitation and talents within the country were used for the project, Erdogan underlined that with Altay, Turkey not only produced a MBT but also invested in the future of defense industry.

The debut ceremony was hold at the contractor firm Otokar's facilities. Erdogan was briefed about Altay and rode on a battle vehicle "Kaya" along with chief of General Staff Necdet Ozel before the ceremony.

Named in honor of Army General Fahrettin Altay (1880-1974) who commanded the 5th Cavalry Corps in the final stage of the Turkish War of Independence, Altay's design and intellectual property rights will all belong to Turkey.

The project was initiated with an agreement signed between Otokar and Under secretariat for Defense Industries of the Republic of Turkey on March 2007, when the Defense Industries Executive Committee awarded a contract worth approximately $500 million to Otokar for the design, development and production of 4 prototypes of a national main battle tank.

In addition, reporting on the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (16.11.12) reports that Erdogan stated while Turkey doesn't view any country in a hostile manner its patience has a limit.

"No one should mistake our good intentions for passivity," Erdogan said."

[12] Popular support for the ruling AKP has decreased by 2.5%

The poll indicated that the Justice and Development Party (AKP)'s voter support had decreased from 49.8 percent in June 2011 to 47.3 percent in November, while the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) maintained its position despite a minor drop, with voter support falling from 26 percent at the June polls to 25.1 percent in November.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has gained 2.2 percent in polls since the elections, climbing from 13.0 percent to 15.2 percent. The Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) also increased its votes according to the survey, from 6 percent to 7.1 percent.

The poll also demonstrated that 52.5 percent of respondents are against the proposed presidential system versus the 26.8 percent who would like to see it established in Turkey. Some 20.7 percent of the respondents had no opinion or refused to answer the question.

CHP voters are substantially against the presidential system, with 77.2 percent saying they opposed its possible imposition. Despite Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ambitions for a presidential system in Turkey, only 49.1 percent of AKP voters agreed with him on the issue.

The survey could strike a blow to the ruling party, as Erdogan has repeatedly voiced his eagerness to see a presidential system implemented in Turkey, according to the paper. The AKP introduced a proposal last week for a new presidential system to a Parliament panel. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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