Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-09-23

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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 is not annoyed by the reference to the "Turkish Armed Forces" as occupation force in Cyprus

[02] Nami: agreements should be confirmed in order for the sides to continue the Cyprus talks

[03] Talat: the Cyprus negotiations cannot start under conditions; bringing the territory onto the agenda would be injustice to the Turkish Cypriots

[04] Denktas called on European Muslim Union to explain to world Turkish Cypriots problems regarding human rights

[05] TOMA purchase cancelled in the breakaway regime

[06] Afrika claims that occupied Gialousa has become a nest of illegal immigrants

[07] Visits to occupied Cyprus increased in the first seven months of 2013

[08] Yorgancioglu reportedly sent a letter to Ankara that he will implement the economic package

[09] Gul: There are other countries that are stronger than the five permanent members of the UN Security Council

[10] Davutoglu meets with Syrian delegation in New York

[11] Bagis: "Turkey will probably never be EU member"

[12] Kilicdaroglu accuses Turkish government of feeding radicalism in Syria

[13] Sisli Mayor Mustafa Sarigul may be CHP's for Istanbul's municipality election

[14] Turkey filed 50,000 times at Euro court between 2002 and 2012

[15] Turkey started to extract shale gas from the wells in East Thrace

[16] Erdogan: "Choose religious elective courses for your children"

[17] Eleven Turkish-origin lawmakers gain seats in German Parliament

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu is not annoyed by the reference to the "Turkish Armed Forces" as occupation force in Cyprus

Meanwhile, in statements during a reception in the occupied part of Nicosia before his departure, Eroglu said that the negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem should begin the soonest and in case an agreement is not reached this should be shown to the world. He alleged that because of the stance of the Greek Cypriot side, the negotiations, which according to what had been said before, would start in October, might not start in October. Eroglu reiterated the allegation that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to delay the process.

"Let us sit, discuss and finish it. If we will agree, we will agree. If we cannot agree, let us show to the entire world that we will not be able to agree", he claimed, adding that if we are not able to reach an agreement in a period during which the whole world accepts that the time for an agreement has come, "the world should accept that an agreement has not been reached until today because of the Greek Cypriots' lack of will".

Eroglu argued that the Greek Cypriots put forward a proposal on the issue of the occupied fenced city of Varosha and want a partnership on the basis of the Republic of Cyprus.

Eroglu said that they are not annoyed by the Greek Cypriot reference to the Turkish Armed Forces as occupation forces in Cyprus, because the Turkish army is allegedly in Cyprus for peace using its rights deriving from international agreements.

Meanwhile, Kibris (21.09.13) reported that during a meeting with the Businessmen Association (ISAD), Eroglu said on Friday that the time for the solution of the Cyprus problem has come and that as time goes by and generations change, finding a solution becomes more difficult.

Eroglu alleged that we could reach nowhere with the messages given by President Anastasiades through the press. He argued that the agreements or the convergences reached during the negotiations held until today should be protected. He claimed starting negotiations from the scratch would be tantamount to wasting the work done during the past four years.

Eroglu alleged that it would not be possible for President Anastasiades to drag the negotiations onto a ground which he desires. He argued that we came to the stage we are today as a result of many years of work.

Eroglu alleged that neither former President Christofias nor President Anastasiades have brought the issue of the occupied fenced Varosha to the negotiating table and argued that only statements are made on this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami: agreements should be confirmed in order for the sides to continue the Cyprus talks

Nami alleged that "with new scenarios" the Greek Cypriot side "is giving political rights in return of taking land" and claimed that "the Turkish side has already gained political rights and therefore making political rights an issue of bargaining, is out of the question".

Nami argued that President Anastasiades won the elections by criticizing former President Christofias and added that the statements made during the election period should be left behind and the existing convergences should be protected. He expressed the view that the UN has an important duty on the issue of the resumption and the continuation of the negotiations from the point they had been left. He said that all Cypriots, both Greek and Turkish Cypriots, should encourage their leaders so that the negotiations begin the soonest.

Nami reiterated the Turkish view that the issue of the occupied fenced Varosha could be discussed within the framework of the territorial adjustments during the negotiations and therefore it should not be separated from the comprehensive solution.

Nami said that his "government" wants to play an active role in the negotiating process and they are continuously consulting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Talat: the Cyprus negotiations cannot start under conditions; bringing the territory onto the agenda would be injustice to the Turkish Cypriots

In statements to a TV station, Talat referred also to the information that the airplane which carried the team of Trabzonspor to Cyprus had come with a direct flight to Larnaka and said that such things could happen in aviation. "This kind of oddities, which derive from the Cyprus problem, will cease to exist only with the solution of the problem" he added, arguing that the big reactions to the incident are due to the "disappointment of the Turkish Cypriots".

"Turkey which does not recognize south Cyprus [Translator's note: this is what he called the Republic of Cyprus] is forced to cooperate with this country in many fields and mainly in sports and sometimes to exclude the Turkish Cypriots from these activities. This is what upsets the Turkish Cypriots", he argued.

Talat reiterated the allegation that marketing the Cypriot natural gas over Turkey would be correct from the economical point of view. He noted, though, that the political situation prevents this from happening and added that the natural gas has not yet influenced positively the Cyprus problem.

Evaluating the call for starting the Cyprus negotiations unconditionally, Talat argued that the negotiations could not start under conditions and added that issues such as the territory, the guarantees and the security will be included in the negotiations.

Talat said that both sides will not gain equally from the solution of the territory issue and recalled that during his period they had agreed with former President Christofias to leave the map on the territory issue at the end of the negotiations. He said that the territory will be discussed of course, but "bringing the map onto the agenda now, would be an injustice to the Turkish Cypriots".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Denktas called on European Muslim Union to explain to world Turkish Cypriots problems regarding human rights

Speaking at the meeting, the self-styled deputy prime minister and minister of tourism Serdar Denktas, called the EMU to explain the "problems" the Turkish Cypriots face, regarding the issue of human rights

[05] TOMA purchase cancelled in the breakaway regime

This was announced by the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu.

Speaking at a press conference Yorgancioglu announced that the purchase of TOMA was cancelled after reaching an agreement with the self-styled security officials.

[06] Afrika claims that occupied Gialousa has become a nest of illegal immigrants

Yasasever said that the Club Cyprus Pearl started to operate in 2008, but due to difficulties in his work in Germany, he appointed Zekai Soyadi, as a temporary director, in 2010 for six months. Yasasever said that Soyadi is still there and he, cannot even visit his holiday village. He claims that the "police" has forbidden him.

Meanwhile, Zekai Soyadli had been arrested as the owner of the boat, which was sunk, and as a result, six Syrian illegal immigrants, who were in the boat, died in 6th of August, 2012.

Ceyhan Pasa, "police inspector assistant", in his testimony in the "court" accused Soyadli of assisting people to get in and get out from the "ports" and "borders" of the occupation regime in the occupied part of Cyprus. He also accused him that he uses this holiday site to shelter illegal immigrants and then send them in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Moreover, Abdullah Temiz, one of the arrested after the tragedy with the six Syrian, who died in the boat, told to the press: "They accuse me without a reason. Policemen do this job. Everyone knows this very well".

[07] Visits to occupied Cyprus increased in the first seven months of 2013

Most of the visitors (508.606 persons or 75.16%) were from Turkey. The second place is taken by the British citizens (30.671 persons and an increase of 31%) and the third by the Germans (22.323 persons and an increase of 100%). During the same period, 9.816 persons from the Netherlands, 8.392 persons from Russia, 8.234 persons from Ireland, 6.625 persons from Poland, 5.556 persons from Slovakia and 3.536 persons from the Czech Republic visited the occupied area of Cyprus.

During the same period, 1.755.280 persons entered into the occupied area of Cyprus through the barricades and 1.747.542 persons exited through the same way. The number of those entered through the barricades decreased by 3.8% compared to the same period last year. However, the number of the Greek Cypriots and the citizens of Greece, who visited the occupied area through the barricades, increased by 3.8% and 13.8% respectively, during the above-mentioned period.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Yorgancioglu reportedly sent a letter to Ankara that he will implement the economic package

Ceyhun also claims that while they keep the public in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus occupy with "TOMA" issue, the newly elected "government" of the Republican Turkish Party / United Forces and Democrat Party / National Forces (CTP/BG ? DP/UG) sent a letter signed by the "prime minister" to Ankara that they will conform word for word the "Economic package". Ceyhun wonders: "This "government" would not have been more transparent?"

[09] Gul: There are other countries that are stronger than the five permanent members of the UN Security Council

"There are many groups calling for reform. We are one of them," said Gul. Turkey is frustrated by the stalemate in the 15-nation UN Security Council (UNSC), where permanent members Russia and China have blocked attempts to pass a resolution criticizing the Syrian regime for bloodshed in the country.

Speaking to Turkish journalists in New York, where he will attend the UN General Assembly's 68th meeting between Sept. 24 and Oct. 4, Gul noted that the Muslim world is experiencing now what Europe experienced during the Middle Ages. "A Sunni leader will become a dictator and you will stay silent. You will fight with a Shiite that knows what justice is. These are all indications of primitiveness and a big trap. There is a big responsibility that falls to leaders to avoid the emergence of an atmosphere of disunity. When such an atmosphere arises, soon polarization and divisions emerge," said Gul.

President Abdullah Gul stated that the Middle East region should be careful not to be dragged into a sectarian conflict, saying that sectarianism is a trap for Muslims and an indication of being uncivilized.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (22.09.13) also reports that Gul speaking to the press during his New York visit on the occasion of the 68th United Nations (UN) General Assembly meeting, said they were in New York to attend the UN General Assembly meeting, which he described as to be the one held with record-high attendance of heads of state and government.

Gul noted that he would be the third world leader to address the UN General Assembly after his Brazilian and US counterpart. As part of his bilateral talks on General Assembly efforts, he said he would meet French and Iranian Presidents especially over Syria issue.

Besides, he mentioned the conference speeches he would give at the Council of Foreign Relations (CFR) and Princeton University. Gul said he would also have talks with the representatives of the Turkish and Meskhetian Turks communities living in the US.

Turkish President also received Ayse Cihan Sultanoglu, Assistant Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Director of the Regional Bureau for Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States, in New York.

[10] Davutoglu meets with Syrian delegation in New York

During the meeting, Davutoglu stated that Syrian people sooner or later would win their struggle for a life with dignity, adding that "Assad's massacres destroyed the country but Syria had the power of overcoming this crisis".

"Syrian delegation thanked Turkey for its sound stance and support for Syrian people from the very beginning", AA broadcast.

The delegation also conveyed their activities in order to inform US government and congress about the situation in Syria.

[11] Bagis: "Turkey will probably never be EU member"

"Turkey's status is likely to be similar to that of Norway, with access to the single market through free trade agreements but no membership", Bagis said.

"In the long run I think Turkey will end up like Norway. We will be at European standards, very closely aligned but not as a member," he said. This prediction would only change if European attitudes change towards this country, which would be the first Muslim nation to join the bloc, Bagis added.

[12] Kilicdaroglu accuses Turkish government of feeding radicalism in Syria

Noting that Hatay is a land of peace, brotherhood and freedom, Kilicdaroglu said the province is not a place for "al-Nusra and al-Qaeda" to get military training and cross over to Syria in order to shed the blood of their brothers.

As the Turkish Parliament will start a new legislative year on Oct. 1, the first issue up for debate is expected to be the renewal of a one-year mandate -- which passed last year on Oct. 4 -- allowing Turkey to carry out military operations in foreign countries.

Kilicdaroglu made his party's position clear, saying that they do not want war in Syria and added: "The two sides in Syria are killing each other while saying 'Allah, Allah.' Innocent people are made to clash with each other. We do not want a single Muslim's blood to be shed in the Islamic world."

[13] Sisli Mayor Mustafa Sarigul may be CHP's for Istanbul's municipality election

A former member of CHP, Sarigul initiated a campaign to topple the then-party leader, Deniz Baykal, and becoming a leadership candidate during a 2005 convention. Perceived as the flag-bearer of progressive factions, he founded Turkey's Change Movement in 2008, which has yet to register as a party up to now.

A senior Republican People's Party (CHP) official said Sarigul "will soon join the CHP [ranks]." "I believe that Sarigul will register as a member of CHP in the coming days. If the party assembly and the central executive board deem it to be suitable, he will run in the upcoming local elections," CHP's deputy head, Adnan Keskin, told reporters on Sept. 22 in 0
zmir.

Keskin, who is also responsible for the party's organizational management, said that there was a convergence of understanding between Sarigul and the party.

[14] Turkey filed 50,000 times at Euro court between 2002 and 2012

Between May 2004 and the first half of 2012, Turkey was fined 180.94 million Turkish Liras for violations, Ergin said. The figures were provided by Ergin in response to a written motion submitted by main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Istanbul deputy Sezgin Tanrikulu.

According to Ergin's response, the Justice Ministry paid 1.7 million euros (3.92 million liras) in compensation for violations handed down from the European court between Mar. 1, 2012 and Dec. 31, 2012.

According to the information provided by the Foreign Ministry the 3, 862 cases filed against Turkey in 2002 increased to 5, 792 in 2010; to 8, 656 in 2011 and to 9,053 in 2012. Hence, a grand total of 50, 249 applications were lodged over the period between 2002 and 2012.

[15] Turkey started to extract shale gas from the wells in East Thrace

Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said there was shale gas potential in East Thrace, south-eastern Anatolian, and inner Anatolian regions.

"[Turkey's state-run energy company] TPAO had been working to extract the oil and the gas deeper there, which cannot be extracted in traditional ways, for the last four years. The company specifically focuses on the Thrace region and south-eastern Anatolia. The operations will start in the old wells there to make them productive again by means of the hydraulic fracturing methods by the end of this year," Yildiz said.

"Shale gas is really something both for us and for the world. The TPAO and Turkish private sector will make more investment on shale in the near future by collaborating with foreign companies," he noted.

TPAO has already started to make initial preparations to explore and to produce shale gas by itself in the Thracian region, Yildiz noted. "We created a special team for this. If we become successful in the region, we'll continue our drilling activities there. For instance, the U.S. is very ambitious in shale gas production.

The country produces 1,000 cubic meters gas for $105 to $110 and sells it at the same price. If we can start to produce our shale gas, it will be very economical for us," Yildiz said.

Meanwhile, a delegation from the Ministry of Energy went to the United States and Canada to examine the existing wells there and to meet the representatives of the companies in the sector. The delegation members specifically examined the hydraulic fracturing operations for shale gas there.

Furthermore, they visited a number of R-D facilities which specialized in shale gas drilling and production. The delegation members also made short presentations about the new Petroleum Law of Turkey.

Shell and TPAO began exploring for shale gas in the eastern province of Diyarbakir's Saribugday-1 natural gas field in September 2012.

Five vertical wells were opened in the region and two horizontal wells are planned, Yildiz noted. "TPAO made one of the vertical well drillings by itself," he added.

The U.S.-based Energy Information Agency (EIA) estimated that the Dadas Shale in the Southeast Anatolian Basin and the Hamitabat Shale in the Thrace Basin contain 163 trillion cubic feet (tcf) (4.6 trillion cubic meters) of risked shale gas in-place, with 24 tcf (651 bcm) as the risked, technically recoverable shale gas resource. In addition, they estimated that these two shale basins also contain 94 billion barrels of risked shale oil in-place, with 4.7 billion barrels as the risked, technically recoverable shale oil resource.

Turkey could meet its gas demand for 14 years by using the technically recoverable shale gas resource, 651 bcm, the report estimated.

[16] Erdogan: "Choose religious elective courses for your children"

"You wanted us to do it. My brothers, mothers and fathers, the life of the most loved one, the only leader [the Prophet Muhammad] is a guide for us. We can achieve many things under his guide. This is why I believe it is important for mothers and fathers to be more careful in choosing their children's elective courses. Let's take such a step so that those who do not respect the will of the people will learn how to respect it," Erdogan said, speaking at a ceremony in the eastern province of Malatya Sept. 22.

While on the subject, he also stressed that the government had made the necessary changes in the education system so that students wearing headscarves could attend the schools. "Our heads carved daughters were not allowed to attend universities. They closed down the vocational secondary schools [including the religious imam hatip schools]. What happened? We told you to be patient and promised to remove all these," said Erdogan. "That day has come. With the 4+4+4 system, vocational high school students and imam hatip school students can now go to primary, secondary and high school."

[17] Eleven Turkish-origin lawmakers gain seats in German Parliament

Cemile Yusuf from Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democratic Union (CDU), Aydan Ozoguz, Metin Hakverdi, Mahmut Ozdemir, Gulistan Yuksel and Cansel Kiziltepe from challenger Peer Steinbruck's Social Democrats (SPD), Cem Ozdemir, Ekin Deligoz and Ozcan Mutlu from the Green Party and Sevim Dagdelen and Azize Tank from the far-left Die Linke all won seats in the legislature.

Yusuf was the first Turkish and Muslim lawmaker to be elected on a CDU ticket.

Merkel's conservative bloc stood at 41.5 percent, its strongest score since 1990 and just five seats short of the first absolute majority in the Bundestag in over half a century. The SPD, with whom Merkel ruled in a largely successful "grand coalition" in her first term from 2005 to 2009, finished second with 25.7 percent, little improved on their worst post-war result in 2009.

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