Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-01-02

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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] Davutoglu refers to the Cyprus problem

[02] Eroglu: The possibility of reaching an agreement with Anastasiades is low

[03] Kucuk met with Erdogan and Atalay in Istanbul

[04] Bagis: the Cypriot term presidency was not an easy period for Turkey; He hopes for progress as a result of Irish influence on Cyprus

[05] Bagis announces his own progress report in Turkey's negotiations with the EU

[06] Turkey interferes in the UBP because it reportedly wants stability; 2013 is seen as the year of UBP's division

[07] Ozgurgun described the Cypriot EU presidency as "very faint"; Stupidity is undefeated

[08] "2013 Ambassadors' conference to start in Ankara"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu refers to the Cyprus problem

Davutoglu reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side has emphasized that at this stage, open-ended negotiations without a time limit and a framework could not continue and added that whether a new process for finding a comprehensive solution to the problem will be launched remained to be seen in the period after the presidential elections of February in the Republic of Cyprus.

Claiming that the Cyprus problem started in 1963 after the Greek Cypriots had allegedly demolished the partnership established in 1960, Davutoglu claimed: "While the Turkish Cypriots continue their just struggle in spite of all the oppression they are subject to for 50 years, we could not permit for the Turkish Cypriot people to pay the price of the Greek Cypriot lack of will".

Davutoglu argued that the Turkish Cypriot side has many times proved its stance in favor of the solution and reconciliation in Cyprus. He alleged that "as motherland and guarantor" Turkey, they have not changed their mentality of being one step forward.

Davutoglu claimed that Turkey was ready to put an end to the Cyprus problem together with Greece, the "motherland of the Greek Cypriots", and alleged: "From our point of view, every method which will be developed for a solution constitutes an acceptable alternative, provided that the founding will of the two peoples who are the joint owners of the island is taken as basis and negotiations are held on this basis. However, if the Greek Cypriot side thinks that its actual wish for a solution is not the partnership, a solution which takes care of this could be considered of course".

Referring to the hydrocarbon resources in the island's exclusive economic zone and the explorations held by the Republic of Cyprus, Davutoglu argued that in case the Greek Cypriot administration, as he described the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, does not want cooperation with them, the Turkish Cypriot side's most "natural and legitimate right" is to take action in the direction of carrying out drilling in the sea areas for which so-called license had been granted and in which the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has completed its seismic explorations.

Referring to Turkey's future approach to the Cyprus problem and its stance in the process that will follow, Davutoglu claimed that they want to turn Eastern Mediterranean into an area of cooperation for everybody and mainly between the "two motherlands" of Cyprus, and this cooperation to be turned into a mechanism which will create stability and prosperity in the Middle East. He alleged: "With this mentality, Turkey continues to fulfill its responsibility as guarantor power and motherland, in order for a result to be taken within the framework of a new road map and a timetable which will be determined with the aim of reaching a lasting political agreement in Cyprus".

Referring to the economy of the breakaway regime, Davutoglu argued that the reforms continue successfully and added that these efforts are supported by Turkey. He expressed the view that the positive results achieved especially recently create hope for the Turkish Cypriots to look at the future more confidently. He added that they exert efforts so that the "TRNC" to "have a say in the future of the island", by proving both its "democratic structure" and its economic "age of consent" in spite of all the obstacles.

Davutoglu described as "historic step" the transfer of water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus and argued that this is a new field in which "the two sides" on the island, as he described the Republic of Cyprus and the breakaway regime, could cooperate. Davutoglu alleged that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots want the entire island to benefit from this water having a culture of compromise and cooperation. He claimed that this could contribute to the overcoming of the lack of confidence and in the development of the spirit of working together.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: The possibility of reaching an agreement with Anastasiades is low

Addressing a conference organized by the Turkish Maarif (Education) College's History and Culture Club under the title "Cyprus' past, present and future", Eroglu reiterated his view that an agreement reached having a starting point the "existing realities" in Cyprus could be lasting and alleged: "It is not possible to create a nation out of two peoples. It is not possible to create a nation such as the Cyprus nation".

Noting that the negotiations will resume after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu argued that these will be "new negotiations" and added that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to insist on the issue of putting a time limit in the negotiations.

He argued that the only thing to be done in case the Cyprus problem is not solved with an agreement is "to defend the state". Referring to the developments in Cyprus since 1955, Eroglu argued: "It is very difficult to live without a state. Establishing your own state, and the peace and pleasure of living in tranquility and security under the roof of the state you have established is something else".

Eroglu alleged that the reason for which no agreement was reached until today in Cyprus is the UN Security Council's Resolutions [on the Cyprus problem] and what he called as the "unilateral accession of the Greek Cypriot side", as he described the Republic of Cyprus, into the European Union.

Eroglu said that the Cyprus negotiations have been intensified during the past couple of years and claimed that no solution was found because the Greek Cypriot side "is not thinking of agreeing and sharing" with the Turkish Cypriots. "We have to explain this to the world", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Kucuk met with Erdogan and Atalay in Istanbul

Before the meeting Kucuk underwent a routine health control at Florence Nightingale Hospital.

In statements to the Turkish press at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport, Kucuk argued that 2012 was a successful year due to the measures taken by his "government". He described as "important work" the foundation laying ceremonies in Turkey and the occupied area of Cyprus within the framework of the project of carrying water to the island from Anatolia with pipelines.

Kucuk said that two important privatizations were held in 2012: the one was the privatization of illegal Tymvou airport and the other the privatization of the "Cyprus oil" company.

Kucuk noted that they attached importance to the infrastructure works and invited tenders for building nine roads. Noting that in 2013 more intensive work will be held in the field of infrastructure, Kucuk referred to the economic "protocol" they have recently signed with Atalay covering the period 2013-2015 and said that this program provides for the completion of 90% of the infrastructure in the occupied area of Cyprus.

When asked to comment on Turkish Minister Responsible for European Affairs, Egemen Bagis' statement that the Greek Cypriots could apply to the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus if they want financial aid, Kucuk claimed that because Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, the breakaway regime could convey a possible Greek Cypriot demand, in case there is such an application. He said, however, that no such application was submitted until now.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (02.01.13) reports that Kucuk said that during his meeting with Erdogan they discussed "issues of the country", 'the projects which are being implemented" and "intensification of the works" in 2013.

In statements to illegal Bayrak and TAK before departing, Kucuk said that Erdogan held his last meeting of the year with "officials" from the "TRNC", something which shows the importance which Turkey attaches to the "TRNC". He said they agreed to launch as soon as possible the tenders for the supply pipes of the water which will be carried from Turkey to the occupied area. He noted that they also discussed the issue of carrying electricity from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus.

Kucuk said also that, in spite of the fact that the inflation for December has not been announced yet, they agreed that the salary increase, which will be given as of January to the employees due to the rise of the six-month cost of living, should not be lower than 100 Turkish liras (TL).

Kucuk said that he held also a separate meeting with Atalay and added that "this meeting was very important" for the breakaway regime.

Replying to a question on his health control, Kucuk noted that this was not something serious and that he had a pain on his foot. The doctors said that no surgery was necessary, he added.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Bagis: the Cypriot term presidency was not an easy period for Turkey; He hopes for progress as a result of Irish influence on Cyprus

In statements to Anatolia news agency on the possible developments in Turkey's negotiations with the EU during the Irish term presidency, Bagis said that the chapters which would open are the "regional policies" and the "financial policies".

Bagis alleged: "We believe that Ireland will have a constructive, an effective role on the Greek Administration of South Cyprus [Translator's note: as he described the Government of the Republic of Cyprus]. We are hopeful that especially the new administration, which will be established after the elections in south Cyprus, will act within the framework of the interests of Europe. We hope that Ireland will convince them".

Bagis said that the six months prior to Ireland's term presidency "were not easy six months". He argued: "There was the so-called term presidency of a country which we do not recognize and with which we do not have diplomatic relations. We have given a very hard struggle so that the relations between Turkey and the EU were not cut off during south Cyprus Greek Administration's term presidency".

Bagis said that under the name of "positive agenda" they held meetings at technical level on eight chapters which were blocked during the Cypriot term presidency. He noted that during the same period, they realized an "expectation Turkey had for 30 years" adding that the European Commission gave the authority to all the EU member states to launch negotiations with Turkey on the issue of lifting the visa.

Referring to the EU Summit that will be held in Dublin on 20 January, Bagis said that for the first time after a long period, Turkey will participate in an EU summit and added that he will also attend the summit together with representatives of the other candidate countries.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Bagis announces his own progress report in Turkey's negotiations with the EU

"Disappointed by the latest progress report for Turkey that the European Commission announced in October of this year, the Turkish government has, for the first time, drawn up a progress report in which it makes an assessment of its own performance in harmonizing the country's legislation and regulations with EU codes during the year 2012.

Maintaining that this year's EU progress report was, as compared to those announced in previous years, marked by a more subjective, biased, baseless and narrow-minded approach, Egemen Bag?s, minister of EU Affairs, said in a press release on Monday, that this report has not only been drawn up in protest of the EU's progress report for Turkey, but also with a view to expressing our country's determination in carrying out [EU] reforms'.

Although Turkey refused to engage with Greek Cyprus, which held the EU presidency in the second half of the year, as it doesn't recognize it diplomatically, the minister maintained Turkey has managed to have good relations with the European Commission, the EU Parliament and other EU bodies thanks to the work it undertook in collaboration with the EU Commission as part of the "Positive Agenda" initiative.

As a result of the meetings of the positive agenda working group, it's been officially acknowledged by the EU Commission that four closing benchmarks within the scope of the sixth chapter, 'Company Law,' the 28th chapter, 'Protection of the Consumer and Health' and the 32nd chapter, 'Financial Audit,' have been met by Turkey, Bag?s went on to say. As part of the positive agenda initiative, concrete areas in which Turkey can cooperate with the EU have been determined in the four-member summits. Thanks to a protocol concluded last year, Turkish civil servants started, for the first time this year, being posted on the EU Commission.

The minister, who described the report as Turkey's challenge to those who, having a biased attitude towards Turkey, exploit both EU values and Turkey's membership process, noted that the European Council has authorized the EU Commission to engage in talks for visa liberalization with Turkey.

In the 270-page progress report the Turkish government prepared, it was noted that in the field of 'Judiciary and Fundamental Rights' and 'Justice, Freedom and Security' the third judicial package entered into force and that work for the fourth judicial package is in progress. The report, which was made available on the web page of the Ministry of EU Affairs on Monday, said the rate of pretrial detention had decreased to 23.5% as of December, following the judicial reform package and other reforms, compared to 49.2% in 2006.

Thanks to the third judicial package and to the fact that the scope of probation was extended, nearly 33,500 people were released from prison. The workload of the Supreme Court of Appeals decreased by one-third in 2011 compared to the previous year, while the number of verdicts in cases before the Council of State had increased by a third, the report noted.

In October, the EU released its 2012 progress report containing criticisms and concerns about the length of pretrial detention, the independence of the judiciary and minority rights".

[06] Turkey interferes in the UBP because it reportedly wants stability; 2013 is seen as the year of UBP's division

According to the paper, last week a message was sent to "prime minister" and UBP chairman, Irsen Kucuk that he should accept back to the party the chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), Turgay Avci, the "MP" of the same party Mustafa Gokmen and the chairman of the Trust and Democracy Party (DGP), Tahsin Ertugruloglu.

The paper writes that Prime Minister Erdogan was interested in the internal affairs of the UBP last week, and he was briefed by Deputy Prime Minister, Besir Atalay and the EU Affairs Minister, Egemen Bagis on this issue. He said that a strong and stable party should be in "power' in the "TRNC" and thus "laid the foundation" for the return of Avci and Gokmen, known to be close to him, as well as of Ertugruloglu to the UBP.

According to some allegations, Erdogan and some officials from Turkey evaluated the possibility of these three politicians' joining the Democratic Party (DP) of Serdar Denktas, and said they do not want this to happen.

The paper notes that the attention now is turned to the decision of the "court", which will be announced tomorrow as regards the result of the election of the president of the UBP during the party's recent congress. According to Kibris, in case a second round of elections is decided, this could be held within 15 days.

Some UBP officials told Kibris that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) has no preference on the issue of who the chairman of the UBP will be. They said that before the congress, the AKP preferred Irsen Kucuk, but if the UBP delegates think differently, this does not concern the AKP officials. It is argued that the AKP wants a strong right-wing UBP under the leadership either of Kucuk or of Ahmet Kasif and that AKP does not want a second powerful right-wing party.

The paper reports that the plan with the return of the three "MPs" to the UBP was to do away with the possibility of them joining the DP and decrease the influence of the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu on the party.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (02.01.13) reports that with the return of Avci, Gokmen and Ertugruloglu to the UBP, the conflict between Eroglu and Kucuk escalated. The paper argues that 2013 seems to be the year of the division of the UBP, noting that within the members of the party there is great reaction against Avci, who had abandoned the UBP during difficult times for the party. The members of the party do not forgive Ertugluoglu as well because he worked against Eroglu in the "presidential elections", writes Afrika adding that the "transfer operation" was realized upon instructions by Erdogan and that the three might be given a "ministry".

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (02.01.13), reports that the local organizations of the UBP in occupied Lefkosia and Famagusta are against the return of the above-mentioned three persons to the party.

The paper publishes also statements by the Republican Turkish Party and the Social Democracy Party, which described the developments as a "disgrace" and an "unethical give and take".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ozgurgun described the Cypriot EU presidency as "very faint"; Stupidity is undefeated

"I think that there is nothing to evaluate. That is, even they have not understood how these six months passed away. In any case, Mr Christofias has expressed his disappointment by stating that 'we were hoping to eat with golden spoons and we could not eat even with wooden spoons'. The Greek Cypriot side could not even eat with wooden spoons during its term presidency. The term presidency was very faint. In any case, nothing happened. They could not organize an activity properly. They had to send many activities to other countries. That is, it was a term president, who was dealing with his own economic problems, that is more correctly, it was a term president bankrupted".

(I/Ts.)

[08] "2013 Ambassadors' conference to start in Ankara"

"The annual Ambassadors' conference will gather Turkey's Ambassadors serving abroad and at the Foreign Ministry in Ankara on Jan. 2 for the start of a week-long brainstorming session to discuss Turkey's foreign policy goals.

The fifth edition of the annual Ambassadors' conference will be held both in Ankara and Izmir between Jan. 2-7 with the theme of 'Humanitarian Diplomacy'.

The first session will begin with a collective visit by the Ambassadors to An?tkabir, the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, on Wednesday, as confirmed in a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Monday.

Members of the Turkish government, including Deputy Prime Ministers Ali Babacan, Bulent Ar?nc, Besir Atalay and Bekir Bozdag, Justice Minister Sadullah Ergin, Family and Social Policy Minister Fatma Sahin, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Y?ld?z, Interior Minister Idris Naim Sahin, Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay, Transportation Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m and EU Affairs Minister Egemen Bag?s, will come together with the Ambassadors during various sessions as part of the conference.

The gathering will also be attended by the Foreign Ministers of other countries, including those of Sweden, Brazil and Singapore". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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