Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-03-21

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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] Ertug on the financial crisis in Cyprus

[02] Hurriyet: "Natural gas will be 'Trojan Horse'"

[03] The Turkish Cypriot press continues covering the economic situation in the government-controlled area of the island

[04] How the Turkish press covers the current developments in the Republic of Cyprus after Eurogroup's decision

[05] Havadis: "EP's way to the Turkish Cypriots is being opened"

[06] Erdogan's contacts in Denmark

[07] Erdogan's interview to Danish daily Politiken on the EU bid

[08] Ocalan calls for cease-fire, withdrawal of PKK from Turkey

[09] Eroglu met with students from Bursa; statements on the Cyprus problem

[10] An oncology hospital will be built in the occupied area of Cyprus

[11] An opinion poll shows DP candidate as the winner in the so-called by-elections

[12] DHKP/C undertook responsibility for Ankara attacks

[13] Kucuk in Istanbul

[14] The illegal AKU university to establish a Research Centre in the occupied area of Cyprus

[15] The 5th International F3J Model Aircraft Championship to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ertug on the financial crisis in Cyprus

Evaluating the latest developments on the Cyprus problem as well as the financial crisis in Cyprus, Ertug said that "the Turkish Cypriot side was following developments in South Cyprus with concern". He added: "We do not want a weakened and worn out Greek Cypriot leader at the negotiating table. If our collocutor falls weak, then this could make him more uncompromising."

Ertug said that there might be a need to renegotiate the chapter on economy as and when, the negotiations restart.

Pointing out that the Cyprus government had an alternative B-Plan against the EU's bailout package, Ertug said: "They are saying that they will issue bonds in exchange for revenues from the extraction of natural gas."

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriots too had rights over any hydrocarbons off the coast of Cyprus, Ertug said: "We want to benefit from our share now, not after a settlement. No one should even consider usurping the rights of the Turkish Cypriots".

He also expressed his view that nationalist sentiments tend to rise at times of economic crisis, adding that "anger and reaction against the EU was growing in the South Cyprus".

"All crises lead to opportunities. We can transform these crises into opportunities. We can launch a dialogue but we must determine a road map" he concluded.

[02] Hurriyet: "Natural gas will be 'Trojan Horse'"

"Confusion has been caused by the allegation that the Russian energy giant Gasprom has proposed a special rescue plan, which includes giving credit to the Greek Cypriots in return for the rights on the natural gas in the surrounding area of the island of Cyprus. Turkey, which argues that the entire island has rights on the Cypriot gas, thinks that such an agreement cannot be materialized. Experts noted that the Russians would want to use the Cypriot gas as 'Trojan Horse' against the Europeans.

During the difficult days it experiences, the South Cyprus Greek Administration (GKRY) is trying to use the natural gas resources around the island as trump card. It has been alleged that the GKRY, which tries to make unilateral agreements in the waters in which the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus has also rights, is holding negotiations with Russia for agreeing on the issue of natural gas in order to be rescued from the economic crisis which it experiences. While there was an allegation that the Russian natural gas giant Gasprom has submitted a proposal in the direction of giving credit to the Greek Cypriots in return of the rights on the natural gas in the Mediterranean, it is noted that Gasprom denied these allegations. In the past, Turkey had sent a hard warning letter to the companies which participated in the tenders invited by the GKRY. It is noted that the signing by the Russians and the Greek Cypriots of an agreement in which the TRNC will not be participating, will cause political consequences.

Subtitle: The hope is natural gas

Cyprus, which has rejected the European Union's (EU) rescue package that imposed additional tax on the deposits, is looking for a solution in the natural gas. The GKRY's Finance Minister Michalis Sarris, who has turned his attention to Russia on this issue, went hurriedly to Moscow. It is said that the Greek Cypriots are on the one hand looking for various ways with the Russians in the financing sector and on the other they are bargaining with Gasprom on the issue of the rights on the natural gas around the island. While newspapers such as New York Times note that Gasprom has submitted a special rescue package to the Greek Cypriots in return of the exploration rights for natural gas in the Mediterranean, it has been reported that Turkey will oppose to this. However, Gasprom officials, with whom we have spoken, said that Gasprom denied the allegations.

Subtitle: Russia's Trojan horse

Energy analysts stress that Gasprom, which had a problem last year with Europe on the issue of the price, will want to use the Cypriot natural gas as 'Trojan horse' against the Europeans and aims at preventing an independent gas industry in Cyprus. Europe has for years been looking alternative ways to the dependency on Gasprom for natural gas. It is stressed that getting hold of possible Cypriot gas would secure a strategic advantage against Russia to Europe, which keeps on the agenda projects such as the Nabucco and ITGI in order to create alternatives to the Russian gas.

Subtitle: TRNC has equal right

Stressing that the GKRY should sign an agreement with the TRNC on the issue of the rights on the natural gas, Turkish officials say the following: 'An issue which everybody should take notice is that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights on the gas in the Mediterranean. A comprehensive agreement should be made on the issue of the resources of natural gas and oil in the sea. The TRNC says that we have equal rights son the offshore energy resources around the island. For this reason, the Turkish Cypriots determined parcels and gave licenses to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). There are also some parcels which coincide. This is not a simple issue. It has political, economic and strategic dimension. Which rights could Gasprom take? It is not reasonable'. (?)

Subtitle: The only way is Turkey

Noting that it would be possible for the natural gas resources in Eastern Mediterranean to reach the European markets through Turkey, sources from the Energy Ministry stress that there is no other way to marketing other than Turkey. An official of the Ministry said: 'The Greek Cypriots do not have so much gas. Israel has gas. The Russians want to be active, to be in the field in all gas reserves except their own. However, such a thing will have a negative influence on the relations between Turkey and Russia'".

(I/Ts.)

[03] The Turkish Cypriot press continues covering the economic situation in the government-controlled area of the island

Under the title "At the door of hell", Havadis reports that the EU was confused after the rejection of the Eurogroup's "rescue package" proposal by the House of Representative of the Republic of Cyprus. Noting that "there is a rejection and no proposal", the paper writes that the European Commission waits a proposal from the Greek Cypriot politicians for overcoming the crisis. According to the paper, the "rescue package" caused concern to the whole world. Havadis refers to the statement of the President of the Eurogroup that their proposal is still on the table. It also writes that Victoria Nuland, Spokesperson of the US Department of State said that the USA was closely following the economic developments in Cyprus. Havadis writes that "everybody is after his money" and that the Russian capital holders are panicked, as they own a big share in the Cyprus banks.

Under the title "The rescue package of the Greek Cypriot economy was rejected in the Parliament, but the EU insists", Vatan reports that while the rejection of the package shook the EU, the Eurogorup recalled that it insists on the haircut of the deposits. The paper writes also that the German Chancellor Merkel stated that they have in front of them difficult discussions with Cyprus in order to overcome the crisis. Moreover, referring to the contacts of Finance Minister Sarris in Moscow, Vatan writes that "the contacts of the Greek Cypriots in Russia did not start well". The paper reports also that in statements on the issue, Osman Ertug, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has said that the crisis might be turned into opportunity, but they would not allow any opportunism. He alleged that they could not accept the distribution of bonds by the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the government of the Republic of Cyprus, as a return to the natural gas, on which the Turkish Cypriots have also rights.

Under the title "The world's eye in south Cyprus", Ortam reports that according to sources from the European Central Bank there will be a problem in the continuation of liquidity without the rescue package. The paper writes that sources from the Eurogroup do not exclude the renegotiation of the package and that the "domino effect in Europe made depositors lose their sleep".

Yeni Duzen reports that "the south looks for 5.8 billion Euros" and that "the contacts of the Greek Cypriots in Russia did not start well" as there was a "negative reply from Moscow". The paper refers to the visit of Troika to the presidential palace yesterday, the meeting of President Anastasiades with Archbishop Chrysostomos II and his telephone conversation with the French President.

(I/Ts.)

[04] How the Turkish press covers the current developments in the Republic of Cyprus after Eurogroup's decision

Following are the title of the Turkish dailies today:

Hurriyet: "Immoral proposal". The paper's correspondent in Athens, Yorgo Kirbaki writes that the Russians, after the "no" of the Greek Cypriots to the EU for the economic support, submitted to the Greek Cypriots a proposal which closely interests Turkey. The proposal is to give to Russia naval and air force bases in Cyprus, so that to take money. According to information by the State run channel RIK, the paper writes that Moscow has demanded to have rights to the Pafos airport in Cyprus and the naval bases in Mari, as an alternative to the military bases in the town of Tartus in Syria. However, the paper writes that Russia has announced that only issues related to the economy were discussed. Kirbaki goes on and writes that the natural gas reserves to be found in the Eastern Mediterranean, an issue which interest Turkey as well, has being bargained in Moscow, since, the "Greek Cypriot administration", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, has put to the table the right of the use of the energy resources, in exchange for the credit to be given. Yorgo Kirbaki underlines that Turkey has sent in the past a letter of warning to the companies which were to participate to the tender of the "Greek Cypriot administration".

Sabah: "The only support to the Greek Cypriots from the church". "No agreement has been reached with Russia".

Milliyet: "Condition for the Greek Cypriots to find a solution the earlier". "Four scenarios under discussion". "Tour to Moscow with 'hope'".

Cumhuriyet: "The Greek Cypriot administration hopes to Russia".

Taraf(online): "Take the money and give the Mediterranean". The paper writes that Gazprom submitted proposal to the Greek Cypriots to give them rights on the natural gas in the Eastern Mediterranean in exchange for economic support.

Radikal(online): "Banks to remain close until the plan B of south Cyprus".

Aksam (online): "Let's Turkey give the 5.8 billion euro and let the Greek Cypriots to give up from the 'north'". The paper writes that the online magazine "Slate" in the USA, has made a speculative proposal...The magazine writes that the "country's salvation" can pass from Turkey. According to the proposal, Turkey shall pay to the Greek Cypriots money for the natural losses from the Turkish invasion in 1974, and, in return, the Greek Cypriots to give up from their right in the "north" and give the control of the "north" to "TRNC".

(AK)

[05] Havadis: "EP's way to the Turkish Cypriots is being opened"

In statements on behalf of the Liberals' group, British MEP, Andrew Duff emphasized the importance of Turkey following a policy that coincides with the one of NATO and the EU while international crises are experienced in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and the Sahel zone. He argued that Prime Minister Erdogan should be invited to the EU Summit in December where the security and defense policies will be discussed.

According to the paper, today the voting on 415 amendments to the draft-report will take place.

Regarding Cyprus, the report calls on Turkey to start withdrawing troops from the island, return the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to the UN and in parallel to that to open the occupied Famagusta port under EU control and direct trade.

According to the paper, it is said that the groups of the Liberals, Greens, and European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) are exerting pressures in the direction of granting to the Turkish Cypriots the observer status in the EP. Turkey's supporters object to the inclusion of the word "in parallel" and the correlation of what they call EU's obligations against the Turkish Cypriots with the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army from the island and the return of occupied closed city of Varosha.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Erdogan's contacts in Denmark

"As you see, despite a history of cooperation spanning more than 250 years, 65,000 Turkish citizens living in Denmark, and our shared vision within the European Union, our bilateral trade volume with Denmark remains at 1,7 billion dollar mark in 2012. Now is the time we surpass this figure," Erdogan said, adding that officials from both countries had set the target at 5 billion dollars by the end of 2015.

Regarding Turkey's EU membership bid, the Prime Minister thanked Denmark for its support, while saying that Turkey's serious potential, manifest in its geopolitical advantage, investment opportunities, young and qualified workforce, would make significant contributions to Europe's economy.

Moreover, A.A. reports that Turkish and Danish delegations met under the leadership of Erdogan and Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning-Schmidt in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Erdogan said that currently, 550 Danish companies were operating in Turkey, expressing belief that Turkish-Danish economic relations would be developed further by the end of 2015.

Erdogan also thanked Denmark as it sent military experts while Patriot defence systems were being installed in Turkey as well as for its support to Turkey's EU membership process.

Meanwhile, Danish Prime Minister said that there were very sound relations between Turkey and Denmark, adding that the commerce and investments between the two countries were increasing each day. Schmidt also said that they envisaged to increase Denmark's exports to Turkey by 50% till 2016.

[07] Erdogan's interview to Danish daily Politiken on the EU bid

"The fact that France has recently lifted its block on Chapter 22 is a positive step. However, I should also say that this is not sufficient; we expect the accession talks, stalled for the last 2 years, to be revitalized and believe that complementary steps should be taken in order to achieve progress towards our EU membership which shall be to the benefit of both sides. If there is political will in the EU, then our country is in a position to rapidly open chapters on economy, monetary policy, education, culture and energy as well as all others for negotiation. In our estimate, it is possible to technically open 10 chapters in 12 months and 15 chapters in 18 months," Erdogan said.

[08] Ocalan calls for cease-fire, withdrawal of PKK from Turkey

"Our fight has been against all kinds of pressure, violence and oppression... A door is now opening on a democratic process after a period of armed struggle. Guns should fall silent and politics should come to the foreground. The stage has been reached where our armed forces should withdraw beyond the borders... It is not the end, it is the start of a new era," Ocalan said in a statement read by Kurdish politicians at Nevruz celebrations attended by a quarter of a million people.

The PKK leader's announcement follows months of talks with Turkish intelligence officers and Kurdish politicians on the island prison in the Marmara Sea where he has been held since his capture by Turkish Special Forces in Kenya in 1999.

Ocalan's statement is expected to cement peace talks with Turkey that have been edging forward since October, possibly commanding PKK members to withdraw to northern Iraq where most of its several thousand PKK militants are based.

Such moves would lift a huge burden off European Union candidate Turkey, which has been fighting the PKK since 1984 in a war which has drained state coffers, stunted development of the mainly Kurdish Southeast and scarred Ankara's human rights record.

A settlement would bolster the NATO member's credibility as it seeks to grow its influence across the Middle East and remove a stumbling block in its ailing EU accession process.

[09] Eroglu met with students from Bursa; statements on the Cyprus problem

In statements during the meeting, Eroglu alleged that the "TRNC" is a small Turkish state and said: "Our ancestors came from Turkey and settled to these lands. We had established a separate state by protecting until today both, our religion and our Turkishness. Motherland Turkey has contributed a lot o the establishment of the TRNC".

Referring to the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, Eroglu said that with the "operation", as he called the Turkish invasion, the "borders" of their "state" were designated. "There are the Greek Cypriot people in the south and the Turkish Cypriot people in the north and they live in two separate states; we are exerting efforts so that to live in good neighbourhood terms", Eroglu said.

As regards the Cyprus negotiation talks, Eroglu stated that he cannot say that there were successful until now. He however, went on and said that this is due to the "intransigent" attitude of the Greek Cypriot side which is as he alleged the side which is not willing the solution.

(...)

(AK)

[10] An oncology hospital will be built in the occupied area of Cyprus

Hasipoglu, in statements after the meeting, said that they will take important steps in the coming months on the field of health, adding that Turkey's support is very important on health as in every sector. He also said that working groups will be established from Turkey's Ministry of health and the so-called ministry of the breakaway regime and they will work for a new protocol until May.

Hasipoglu said that on May 2013 they plan to lay the foundations for the oncology hospital in the occupied area of Cyprus, adding that Atalay and Muezzinoglu are also invited at the ceremony.

[11] An opinion poll shows DP candidate as the winner in the so-called by-elections

According to the paper, the opinion poll was carried out with face-to-face interviews as well as with telephone's interviews using a sample group of 813 persons, who are living inside the boundaries of the "municipality" of the occupied part of Lefkosia.

According to the results of the opinion poll, the candidate of the Democracy Party (DP) Mustafa Arabacioglu will be the winner from the first round of the "by-elections" on the 7th of April with 30.9 %. Kadri Fellahoglu, candidate of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), will be second with 27.2%, Hasan Sertoglu ? candidate of the National Unity Party (UBP) ? will be third with 18.8% and Dr Suphi Hudaoglu ? candidate of the Social Democratic Party (TDP) ? forth with 16.5%. Murat Kanatli, candidate of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), will take 3.06%, Zehra Cengiz, candidate of the Cyprus Socialist Party (KSP), 1.0% and an independent candidate 2.0%.

The paper also reports that 16.9% of the voters are undecided and 10.4% will not even vote.

According to the opinion poll, 52.1% of the voters believe that the integrity of the candidate is very important.

[12] DHKP/C undertook responsibility for Ankara attacks

"The Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C) on Wednesday claimed responsibility for two recent attacks on the Ministry of Justice and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) headquarters in Ankara.

?

The group said in a statement that its 'fighters' had attacked the Ministry of Justice, which is the symbol of 'injustice' in Ankara, and the AKP headquarters. The statement said the two buildings were the most well-guarded buildings in Turkey and said that the group had chosen after-work hours to minimize injury to ministry and AKP headquarters staff. It also said that it had not aimed to injure the one person who was hurt in the attack and even offered sympathy to him and his family.

The group's statement came as no surprise, as it was already believed to be behind the attacks. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said early on Wednesday that evidence points to the DHKP/C being behind the explosions, although there was no immediate claim of responsibility."

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.03.13) reported that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the attacks to the headquarters of Justice and Development Party (AKP), said on Wednesday during his visit to Denmark that Turkey will neither step back nor delay the peace process.

[13] Kucuk in Istanbul

During the visit, Kucuk will also meet with representatives of various societies and institutions.

[14] The illegal AKU university to establish a Research Centre in the occupied area of Cyprus

(AK)

[15] The 5th International F3J Model Aircraft Championship to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to a statement issued by the federation, the championship will take place between March 23-24, at the occupied Lefkoniko airport.

According to the federation, a total of 45 model aircraft pilots from several countries besides Turkey and the "TRNC" are expected to participate. The countries are: "TRNC", Turkey, the UK, Germany, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, Ukraine, Norway and Russia.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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