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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[01] Eroglu wants the status of the breakaway regime to be upgraded

[02] Talat: The world got the impression that we follow a separatist policy

[03] One more show from Bagis in Ireland; He quarrelled with the Republic of Cyprus Ambassador Michalis Stavrinos

[04] Statements by Atun to Swedish state television

[05] Davutoglu met with Ozgurgun and the Defense Minister of FYROM; Cyprus problem among the matters of discussion

[06] The "compensation commission" paid more than 93 million pounds sterling for occupied Greek Cypriot properties

[07] KTAMS: the population census was a complete fiasco

[08] Four more "lawsuits" against teachers who protested in front of the Turkish "embassy" in occupied Lefkosia

[09] Two Greek Cypriots and one Turkish Cypriot were taken into custody by the so-called police for holding fake banknotes

[10] Davutoglu met with his Kosovar counterpart; He stated that Turkey will continue to support Kosovo in every platform

[11] ECHR fined Turkey for violating right of freedom and speech with Internet restrictions

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu wants the status of the breakaway regime to be upgraded

Responding to a question, Eroglu said they expected the EU member states to exert pressure on the Greek Cypriots and say "we give you this financial support, but you should lift the embargoes you implement on the Turkish Cypriot people".

Eroglu noted that during meetings he holds from time to time with European officials, he tells them that they do not act in the direction of "pushing the Greek Cypriots towards a solution" and that the Greek Cypriot side would come closer to what he described as a "realistic solution" if the so-called embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots are lifted.

Eroglu argued that upgrading the status of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, could contribute to reaching a solution on the island, but doing this is difficult while the negotiations continue. Eroglu claimed that in case no result comes out from the negotiations, such a demand could be debated. He said that there are examples of recognition of countries such as Kosovo, Eastern Timor, South Sudan and Palestine and added that such alternatives exist in front of what he described as "Greek Cypriot intransigence".

Eroglu argued that their relations with the Islamic countries are not developed to the extent they wish and that if these relations were developed, they could also influence the Greek Cypriot side. He alleged: "The embargoes on us are implemented not only by the EU, but by the Islamic countries as well. Turkey could definitely have an influence in the overcoming of this issue?"

Eroglu alleged that very good decisions are taken regarding the breakaway regime during the meetings of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and wished for the implementation of these decisions.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Talat: The world got the impression that we follow a separatist policy

Talat referred to a scenario regarding the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus, according to which presidential candidate George Lillikas will secure his participation in the second round having the partial support of ruling left wing AKEL party and win the elections in the second round. Talat argued that this could create a second "fiasco" after the Annan Plan and it would be another "betrayal" to the Cypriots by AKEL. Talat said that the president of Democratic Rally Party (DISY), Nikos Anastasiades is a leader who could take risks. Talat showed as example for this Nikos Anastasiades' stance during the referendum on the Annan Plan.

(I/Ts.)

[03] One more show from Bagis in Ireland; He quarrelled with the Republic of Cyprus Ambassador Michalis Stavrinos

Bag?s's remarks came during an exchange with the "Greek Cypriot ambassador" to Ireland following a speech which he delivered at the Institute of International and European Affairs. During a question and answer session that followed the speech, Ambassador Michalis Stavrinos told Bagis that Turkey should implement the protocol. Bagis responded by asking Stavrinos which part of Cyprus he was from, apparently referring to the island's division into a "Turkish north" and a "Greek south".

He then pointed out that Turkish Cypriots voted in favor of a UN plan to reunite the island in 2004 while Greek Cypriots had rejected it. (?)

"Take good note of what I said and convey it to your government. You have to honor your commitments first," Bagis said, adding: "Tell your government to quit its silly policies."

Bagis is in Ireland for talks with Irish officials as Ireland prepares to take over the EU's rotating presidency as of January 1 from the current term presidency of "Greek Cyprus" as the Republic of Cyprus is called. Turkey froze what were already stagnant relations with the EU in the second half of 2012, when the "Greek Cypriot administration" assumed the presidency.

Ireland's European Affairs Minister Lucinda Creighton pledged during talks with Bagis to speed up Turkey's EU accession process, noting that at least one negotiating chapter will be opened with Turkey during their term at the helm of the EU.

Bagis backed Creighton's remarks, saying that there is a strong need for solid progress, such as opening chapters, in order to revive Turkey's EU bid.

Turkey opened accession talks with the EU in 2005, but progress has been slow since then due to the Cyprus dispute as well as opposition to Turkey's membership by some member countries, including France and Germany.

During his speech at the institute, Bagis emphasized how political circumstances change rapidly with a reference to former French President Nicolas Sarkozy, an outspoken opponent of Turkey's membership in the European Union. "He [Sarkozy] opposed Turkey's membership. But he lost the election and now he is fishing," Bagis said.

[04] Statements by Atun to Swedish state television

Atun said that the areas for which the Republic of Cyprus signed agreements with international companies intersect with the area for which the breakaway has also signed "agreements" with the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). He claimed that this could create an additional deadlock in the Cyprus problem.

Atun alleged that the Greek Cypriots, as he described the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, had no right to "unilaterally" sign agreements, that this situation will harm the ongoing Cyprus negotiations and that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights on the island.

Atun said that Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu had suggested the establishment of an ad-hoc committee on this issue with the participation of a representative of the UN and representatives from the two communities. According to the proposal, he said, this committee would work on the joint use of the natural gas.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Davutoglu met with Ozgurgun and the Defense Minister of FYROM; Cyprus problem among the matters of discussion

The meetings were held closed to news media.

Turkish diplomatic sources said Davutoglu and Ozgurgun discussed latest developments in Cyprus and bilateral relations between Turkey and the "TRNC".

Sources said in the meeting between Davutoglu and Besimi, the two Ministers discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in defense.

Sources quoted Davutoglu as saying that Turkey would continue to support Skopje in boosting its relations with Euro-Atlantic institutions.

Davutoglu is expected to pay a visit in Skopje on Thursday.

[06] The "compensation commission" paid more than 93 million pounds sterling for occupied Greek Cypriot properties

According to data on the commission's website, 4.248 applications have been made to the commission until today. Two hundred and ninety five of these applications have been settled with an amicable agreement and nine through "court". Except for the 94 million and 327 thousand pounds paid as compensation, the following decisions have been taken: return of property for one case, exchange and compensation for two cases, return and compensation for five cases, return after the solution of the Cyprus problem for one case and partial return for one case.

Meanwhile, according to Gunes, in statements to Anatolia news agency, Ersin Tatar, self-styled minister of finance of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, said that thousands of Greek Cypriots have applied to the "commission" and added that the number of the applications to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) will continuously be decreasing. He argued that as a result of successful work by Turkish diplomats and the breakaway regime, the ECHR accepted the "commission" as local remedy for the Greek Cypriots. He alleged that the emotional bond of the property owners with their properties ceased to exist as the generations changed. He claimed that now the occupied Greek Cypriot properties belong to the Turks who possess a "TRNC title deed". "The solution of the property issue should be realistic", he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[07] KTAMS: the population census was a complete fiasco

In a statement issued yesterday, Kaptan said that with the announcement of the results of the census, a new process of debate will start.

Kaptan argued that the announcement of the de-facto population as 294.396 persons and the de-jure population as 286.257 persons is tantamount to making fun of the "people". He added that taking into consideration the students, as well as the illegal and legal workers, the difference between the de-facto and the de-jure population should be 50.000 "with the most optimistic" predictions.

He added, inter alia, the following: "And this shows us that this job has also been done only for the show, just like it happens in every job? UBP, with these wrong actions, is not only betraying its own people, but it also commits a human crime against the population it carries to our country".

(I/Ts.)

[08] Four more "lawsuits" against teachers who protested in front of the Turkish "embassy" in occupied Lefkosia

(I/Ts.)

[09] Two Greek Cypriots and one Turkish Cypriot were taken into custody by the so-called police for holding fake banknotes

The total amount of 35.200 was found inside the car of a Turkish Cypriot called, Turan Kurisi. Turan Kirisi admitted later that he had taken the fake money from two Greek Cypriots called Louis Loizou and Tasoula Kosta, who were later arrested by the so-called police at the Agios Dometios crossing point while trying to cross into the occupied area of Cyprus, writes the paper.

The three persons "appeared" yesterday to the occupied Keryneia district "court". The "court" order for the three persons to remain into custody for three days.

AK

[10] Davutoglu met with his Kosovar counterpart; He stated that Turkey will continue to support Kosovo in every platform

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Kosovar counterpart Enver Hoxhaj in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Tuesday, Ahmet Davutoglu stated that Turkey would continue to support Kosovo in every platform. "Our relations with Kosovo are excellent," Davutoglu underlined noting the following: "In our talks with Hoxhaj today, we discussed the developments in the Balkans, especially the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue process".

Pointing out that in a NATO meeting two weeks ago a special session took place on Kosovo, Davutoglu underlined that they were in constant touch with Catherine Ashton on the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue process."

"For us, Kosovo's territorial integrity and absolute political sovereignty carry high importance for permanent stability in the Balkans. We consider the dialogue in this context as crucial. Normalization of relations between Serbia and Kosovo would be an important development for permanent stability in the Balkans," Davutoglu noted, adding that they are always determined to continue contributions in this regard.

Enver Hoxhaj, in his part, expressed his pleasure over his current visit to Turkey. "I have made very important talks with Ahmet Davutoglu. I would like to thank Turkey for their support to Kosovo in various fields, including security, economy, education and health," Hoxhaj stated.

"Turkey is one of Kosovo's most important partners. Kosovo will continue to be in cooperation with Turkey as it did in the past," Hoxhaj said.

Asked by a journalist about how he described the situation of Turks living in Kosovo, Hoxhaj replied that the people of Kosovo and the Turkish people lived together for a long time. "The people of our two countries share a common history and a common culture. In the most recent elections, three Turks entered the Kosovar Parliament. Turks living in Kosovo live in peace with the Kosovar people both economically and culturally. The Turks in Kosovo add strength to cultural relations between our two countries," Hoxhaj indicated.

Touching on the latest developments in Syria, Hoxhaj underlined that Kosovo supported Turkey's policy on Syria.

"The people of Kosovo fought for freedom and independence for many years. The people of Kosovo are with the Syrian people for a democratic transition," Hoxhaj also said.

[11] ECHR fined Turkey for violating right of freedom and speech with Internet restrictions

In a case filed by Turkish citizen Ahmet Y?ld?r?m, who complained that a court decision to block access to Google sites prevented access to his own personal website, the ECHR unanimously held that Turkey was to pay the applicant 7,500 Euro in respect of no pecuniary damages and 1,000 Euro for costs and expenses.

Y?ld?r?m owned a website hosted by the Google sites service, on which he published his academic work and his opinions on various matters.

On June 23, 2009, a Denizli court ordered the blocking of an Internet site whose owner had been accused of insulting the memory of Ataturk. The order was issued as a preventive measure in the context of criminal proceedings against the site's owner.

The blocking order was submitted for execution to the Telecommunications Directorate (TIB). Shortly afterward, the TIB asked the court to extend the scope of the order by blocking access to Google sites, which hosted not only the site in question, but also the applicant's site. The TIB stated that this was the only technical means of blocking the offending site, as its owner lived abroad.

The TIB blocked all access to Google sites and Y?ld?r?m was thus unable to access his own site. All his subsequent attempts to remedy the situation were unsuccessful because of the blocking order issued by the court.

In its ruling, the ECHR said although neither Google sites nor Y?ld?r?m's own site were concerned by the abovementioned proceedings, the TIB made it technically impossible to access any of those sites, in order to implement the measure ordered by the Denizli court.

The ECHR said it "was not a blanket ban but rather a restriction on Internet access."

Law no. 5651 on Internet regulations "failed to meet the foresee ability requirement under the Convention and had not afforded the applicant the degree of protection to which he was entitled by the rule of law in a democratic society," the ECHR said, adding that "the effects of the measure in question had therefore been arbitrary and the judicial review of the blocking of access had been insufficient to prevent abuses." http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

A/K

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article