Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-01-17

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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] Downer met Ozersay and discussed "possible scenarios" after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus

[02] Turkey donated 100 thousand dollars to the Missing Persons Committee

[03] Sinirlioglu's contacts in the USA; The Republic of Cyprus' forthcoming Presidential elections was included in his agenda

[04] So-called higher broadcasting corporation wants to take advantage of the protocol signed between Europarl TV and Kanal Sim

[05] Chaos reportedly exists in the occupied part of Lefkosia

[06] The museum that houses the Keryneia ship in occupied Cyprus earned top ratings from Tripadvisors travelers

[07] Protest against human trafficking took place in occupied Lefkosia

[08] Ankara and Paris revive nuclear talks; Hollande is expected to visit Turkey in February or March

[09] Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Israel is ready to apologize for Mavi Marmara incident; he proposed the adaption of the American-Pakistani formula

[10] Turkish jets have reportedly bombed 50 PKK targets in Iraq

[11] Turkey to participate at Davos summit

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Downer met Ozersay and discussed "possible scenarios" after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus

According to the paper, Downer and Ozersay discussed what could be expected in the Cyprus problem during the process which will follow. They exchanged views especially on possible scenarios after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and they agreed to meet more often in the future.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkey donated 100 thousand dollars to the Missing Persons Committee

The so-called Turkish ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca handed over a check worth 100 thousand dollars to the Missing Persons Committee, today.

A written statement issued by the Missing Persons Committee noted that Turkey has contributed a total of 637 thousand dollars in aid to the committee until today.

It also thanked the "Turkish embassy" for its contributions and support to the Missing Persons Committee in Cyprus.

The committee expressed the view that the money will contribute to efforts aimed at exhuming, identifying and returning to families the remains of their loved ones.

Up until now the remains of more than 900 missing persons have been discovered, 340 of those have been identified and returned to their families.

[03] Sinirlioglu's contacts in the USA; The Republic of Cyprus' forthcoming Presidential elections was included in his agenda

According to U.S. assessments, 80% of the country is under the control of militants, while almost 40 % of Damascus has fallen into rebel hands. As such, al-Assad has resorted to missiles because he has been unable to redeploy his overstretched forces, U.S. officials told Turkish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu during a recent meeting involving the State and Defense Departments that also touched on Iran, Iraq and the Middle East peace process.

For its part, the Turkish side asked the Barack Obama administration to be more active now that the presidential elections are complete, while conveying its concerns over the 22-month-long crisis. Turkey also criticized the timing of Washington's decision to declare the Jabhat al-Nusra front, an Islamist group at the forefront of the fight against the Syrian government, as a terrorist organization.

(?)

Sinirlioglu and his accompanying delegation also discussed energy issues in northern Iraq. Washington fears that Turkish energy companies' activities in Kurdish northern Iraq, could push Baghdad closer toward Tehran and threaten Iraq's unity.

"Turks are standing firm on this issue," a U.S. official speaking on condition of anonymity said. Another U.S. official said Sinirlioglu tried to convince U.S. Special Envoy for Energy Affairs Carlos Pascual over the matter.

But, U.S. officials conveyed their concerns to the Turkish delegation, saying energy deals that bypass the central government in Baghdad were very dangerous while adding that they had informed U.S. energy firms active in northern Iraq not to circumvent Baghdad. Turkish officials, meanwhile, said there was a common will to work on the issue.

Sinirlioglu also discussed upcoming elections in Israel, "Greek Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called by the paper, and Armenia and their effects on the region while noting that U.S. support for Turkey's efforts to combat terrorism and plans on stopping terrorism financing.

In addition to Pascual, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State William Burns, Assistant Secretary for Europe and Eurasian Affairs Phil Gordon and Assistant Secretary for Near East Affairs Beth Jones attended the meeting at the State Department. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also stopped in to greet Sinirlioglu during the meeting, according to State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland.

[04] So-called higher broadcasting corporation wants to take advantage of the protocol signed between Europarl TV and Kanal Sim

The protocol was signed during a ceremony held in Strasburg in November 21. According to the protocol signed, Kanal Sim is allowed to use any kind of material produced by Europarl TV.

Commenting on the issue, YYK chairman Olgun Ustun, said that this is a very important step and added that this will help towards YYK's international efforts. He said that with the protocol signed by Kanal SIm, the road will be opened for YYK as well, adding that YYK gave the broadcasting permission to Kanal SIM. Therefore YKK must participate in the European meetings using its own identity, he alleged. "Initiatives towards this direction must continue", he stated.

[05] Chaos reportedly exists in the occupied part of Lefkosia

Eruklu said that with the earlier resignation of the ten members of the "council" that had been "elected" with the opposition parties, and the recent resignation of four members "elected" with the National Unity Party (UBP), the number of the members of the "municipal council" fell from 22 to 8.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.01.13) reports that after the resignations, the opposition parties started looking for candidates and think that the debts of the "municipality" and its serious problems will be solved in time. The leaders of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Social Democracy Party (TDP), the Democratic Party (DP) and United Cyprus Party (BKP) told Kibris that they are ready for "elections" and asked also for general "elections" to be held together with the "municipal elections".

(I/Ts.)

[06] The museum that houses the Keryneia ship in occupied Cyprus earned top ratings from Tripadvisors travelers

The letter writes that the museum earned 4.5 points from the Tripadvisors travelers and was selected among the best museums of its kind. The letter which is signed by the business team of Tripadvisor calls on the museum to display its distinction and take further advantage of it.

*Translator's note: [occupied Keryneia Castle. Preservation and conservation of the ship began in 1970 and lasted four years. The Turkish Invasion in Cyprus in 1974 interrupted the work.

Replicas

Kyrenia II

In 1985, Greek professors completed a full-size replica of the ship, known as Kyrenia II. Kyrenia II is often used as a floating ambassador of Cypriot culture, and has visited many parts of the world. In 1986, it visited New York; in 1988, Japan; and in 1989, West Germany.

Kyrenia III

Following the 1988 visit to Japan, the Japanese city of Fukuoka constructed a second copy of the ship, which is on permanent display in the city.

Kyrenia Liberty

In 2002, the construction of a third replica of the ship began. The ship was named Kyrenia Liberty. It was built with respect for the original design but with modern techniques. The ship was ready for the 2004 Olympic Games and set sail for Athens, Greece with a symbolic cargo of copper to be used in the Olympic bronze medals. This cargo was symbolic since the name Cyprus is associated with the Latin word for "copper"].

[07] Protest against human trafficking took place in occupied Lefkosia

According to the paper, sixteen organizations, among them Turkish Cypriot Primary School Trade Union (KTOS), Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Trade Union (KTOEOS), Civil Servants Trade Union (KTAMS), New Cyprus Party (YKP), and feminist organizations like FEM and FEMA participated in the protest.

The protestors demand the closing of nightclubs in occupied Cyprus and shouted slogans like "Freedom to sex slaves" and. "Does the state know that women are sold?",

[08] Ankara and Paris revive nuclear talks; Hollande is expected to visit Turkey in February or March

Following his meeting with Bricq, Y?ld?z said that the Minister and he, took up energy issues. "We are aware of technological developments in France. We shared Turkish energy productivity information and plans with her. We also know about nuclear technologies in France," he said.

"Turkey has a broad energy saving portfolio", Y?ld?z said.

Bricq said that Turkey has important plans regarding nuclear projects, and France has great experience in this field.

Also, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (17.01.13) reports that Europe's largest nuclear power developer has emerged as the latest bidder for Turkey's second planned nuclear power plant, with Turkey-France ties recovering since the coming of President Francois Hollande to the Elysee Palace last summer.

"With its unique experience and knowledge in nuclear energy, France is ready to serve Turkey in construction and management of the nuclear plant in Sinop," said French Foreign Trade Minister Nicole Bricq in a written response to questions from Hurriyet Daily News columnist Gila Benmayor, before her visit to Turkey yesterday. "This is what I will discuss with the [Turkish] energy minister", Bricq said.

Japan, South Korea, China and Canada are the short-listed contenders for a second plant in the Black Sea province of Sinop. With Bricq's statements, which she also confirmed to news agencies, France has also stepped into the ring.

Bricq underlined the energy sector as one of the most important constituents of French-Turkish economic cooperation, mentioning the French energy companies conducting business in Turkey and voicing optimism over potential future cooperation over nuclear energy and energy efficiency. "French energy companies also want to construct thermal power plants in Turkey", she told Benmayor.

The renewed French interest in Turkey is not limited to energy.

"The EU member is also bidding to sell 150 Airbus Jumbo's to Turkish Airlines (THY)", Bricq said prior to her visit to Turkey.

"THY has been in talks with aircraft manufacturers to buy 150 passenger jets, but the final purchase decision is up to its board", said Zafer Caglayan, Turkish Economy Minister after his meeting with Bricq and French company representatives.

"The negotiations between THY and Airbus has been going on for a while, but were hampered because of political disputes on several occasions," Caglayan added.

Turkey-France ties were at their worst during the Presidency of Hollande's predecessor Nicholas Sarkozy due to a number of political disputes, including the French parliamentary bills recognizing Armenian claims of genocide over the Ottoman-era killings, and the former President's stance against Turkey's EU membership bid.

Last month, Airbus won a $7.5 billion order from privately owned Pegasus Airlines for 75 of the A320 passenger jets. Bricq said the two parties had agreed for an additional optional 25 plane trade.

Commenting on mutual ties between the two countries, Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal said yesterday that the Ministry was seeing improvement on both sides. "We will maintain our relationship with France through all channels," he said.

Bricq also underlined that her visit to Turkey as business representative of the French government indicated that French President Francois Hollande, sought reconciliation and enhancement of the relationship with Turkey.

"There are 400 French companies conducting business in Turkey, which should be higher," Bricq said, also calling on Turkish companies to invest in France and Europe. "There are 500 million consumers in the European market that Turkey should enter into. Please, take this economic statement as a political one too", she added.

The mutual trade volume between France and Turkey is 15 billion euro.

Meanwhile, chairman of the Turkish-French Business Council Sani Sener said that Turkish businesses appreciated France's positively changing approach, stressing the importance of development in business and trade relations in order to enhance political relations.

Hollande, who is expected to visit Turkey himself in February or March 2013, has spoken of France's will to establish a "stable and trusting relationship" with Turkey several times. The two leaders, Hollande and Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, came together in Brazil last June and agreed to open "a new chapter" in relations, following Turkey's abandonment of earlier sanctions against France.

[09] Israel's Deputy Foreign Minister stated that Israel is ready to apologize for Mavi Marmara incident; he proposed the adaption of the American-Pakistani formula

"I see some kind of improvement and opportunities," Daniel Ayalon said to Hurriyet while speaking about Turkish-Israeli relations, which have been frozen since the Mavi Marmara raid that resulted in the killing of nine civilians by Israeli commandos in 2010.

When asked about the preconditions of reconciliation with Turkey, Ayalon said: "For instance, I can think of creating a way of solving this by adapting the American-Pakistani formula. Remember, recently there were 24 Pakistani soldiers killed by mistake by American forces, and the Americans sent a letter that was accepted in Pakistan. And I believe this could be a good platform to clear away the issue."

When asked whether this was an apology, he said: "Yes. If you read the text, I think that should be very clear to everyone. The American text that was sent to Pakistan, I think this is a good base to work [from]. This is what I suggest."

"Right now, we have some lower level and we have some back channels," Ayalon said, when asked about the communication they have with the Turkish side.

[10] Turkish jets have reportedly bombed 50 PKK targets in Iraq

"Sixteen F-16 fighter jets took off from their base in Diyarbakir in the southeast at around 2000 GMT on Tuesday and bombed the targets in Qandil Mountain in northern Iraq, 90 kilometers from the border," military sources said. "More than 50 targets were hit in the three-hour operation." Turkey says around 2,000 militants are hiding in the mountainous region on the Iraqi side of the border.

The PKK listed as a terrorist group by Turkey and much of the international community, took up arms for autonomy in the Kurdish-majority southeast in 1984, sparking an insurgency which has claimed more than 40,000 lives.

The raids, the first in several weeks, come as the long-running conflict between the militants and Turkey appears to reignite and threatens to derail unconfirmed peace talks between Ankara and jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan.

[11] Turkey to participate at Davos summit

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz and Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Sahin as well as Erdem Basci, Turkish Central Bank governor, are expected to take part in the global event scheduled for January 22-27.

Prominent figures from the Turkish business such as Guler Sabanci, Ferit Sahenk, Ahmet Calik, Cuneyd Zapsu, Tuncay Ozilhan and Arzuhan Dogan Yalcindag as well as acclaimed Turkish novelist Elif Safak will participate in the economic forum.

Other major participants include German Chancellor Angela Merkel, British Prime Minister David Cameron, Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev as well as UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, IMF chief Christine Lagarde and President of the World Bank Jim Yong Kim. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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