Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-10-15

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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 claimed that a solution is not difficult to ne achieved

[02] Ertug: the negotiations should start even without a joint statement

[03] Koening: US is preparing to take on a more active role on the Cyprus problem

[04] Cakici and Izcan accused CTP and DP of following the same policy with UBP

[05] Hugh Pope: Cyprus settlement is a condition in order Israel gas goes to Turkey through a pipeline

[06] Yildiz: Turkey to develop oil fields in Afghanistan

[07] Demirtas not among BDP delegation visiting PKK leader

[08] 74% of the project carrying water to occupied Cyprus is completed

[09] Erdogan says surprised by resignations in Turkish navy

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu claimed that a solution is not difficult to ne achieved

Eroglu who issued a message for the Kurban Bayram (Feast of Sacrifice), claimed that if the Greek Cypriots have the intention, is not difficult for a solution to be reached if we are based on the realities of Cyprus. "But if (the Greek Cypriots) dream of returning to the pro 1974 situation, they are wasting our time to no avail", he alleged.

He went on and added that if we are concentrated on the negotiations, is possible for the two sides to hold referenda simultaneously until March 2014.

[02] Ertug: the negotiations should start even without a joint statement

In statements yesterday to illegal Bayrak television, Ertug argued yesterday that the negotiations should start even without a joint statement.

"The other side behaves as if the joint statement is the negotiations itself. Negotiations should start even if the preparation work does not produce the anticipated joint statement", he claimed.

Explaining what the Turkish side wants to be included in the joint statement, Ertug said: "The joint statement should be related to the fact that the works, the negotiations will continue from the point they were left. This is what happened in 2010 as well. The president has even sent a letter to the [UN] Secretary-General".

Ertug claimed that the Greek Cypriot side tries to include in the joint statement issues that should be discussed at the negotiating table and described this "demanding" stance as "putting the cart before the horse".

Ertug said that the time table of the visits of the representatives of the two sides to Athens and Ankara has not been determined yet. He noted that they think that these meetings will take place in the second half of October and added that "the place of the negotiations is Cyprus". He said that the mutual visits will aim at "understanding each other and softening the climate".

Ertug alleged that taking into consideration the elections in Turkey and the so-called elections in the occupied area of Cyprus, "March is a natural time table". He argued that the international community has been tired of the Cyprus problem and that the UN Secretary-General himself has said this.

"The target for a referendum in March is realistic. Political will is enough for this to happen", he claimed and alleged that President Anastasiades is putting preconditions for the procedure with his statements regarding the occupied closed Varosha, single identity and the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Koening: US is preparing to take on a more active role on the Cyprus problem

The US Ambassador said that the United States is preparing to take on a more active role on the Cyprus problem in the period ahead.

Reiterating US support for a solution in Cyprus, Koening based the US's position on Cyprus with its common interests with its allies in the region. He added: "We play a political role in encouraging the two sides to look hard as to where the opportunities might lie, how they can adjust perhaps their position on a certain issue so that they can gain an overall benefit of the settlement of the Cyprus problem".

Evaluating the special representatives' visits to Ankara and Athens as useful with respect to the opening of new channels of communication, he said he does not agree with claims that the Turkish Cypriots were alienated from the process. "We never think that the Turkish Cypriots can be cut out of the process, to reach a settlement to the Cyprus problem. The Turkish Cypriots are key players. They are one of the two communities that need to build a united Cyprus", Koening added.

Referring to the natural gas resources on the island, the US Ambassador said the natural resources must be shared equally on the island.

On the issue of the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha and the occupied airport of Tymvou, Koening said: "The logic is that Cypriots need hope to carry them through this settlement process, therefore this is very important".

[04] Cakici and Izcan accused CTP and DP of following the same policy with UBP

Cakici said that the "people" gave a very important lesson to UBP with the "elections"; however the CTP-DP "government continues from where UBP left. He said that the new "government" continues with the chaos left with UBP and gave no hope to the Turkish Cypriots.

On his part, Izcan said that there is no difference between UBP and CTP. He also said that the cultural, economic and political enforcement of the Turkish Justice and Development Party is applied step by step by the CTP-DP "government".

[05] Hugh Pope: Cyprus settlement is a condition in order Israel gas goes to Turkey through a pipeline

Noting that the problem actually is political, Pope wonders if Turkey wants to do this project with Israel. Another reportedly just danger of Ankara on this issue is that the pipeline to Turkey would have to go through the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Cyprus. There is no other route. Pope added that he does not think that they will build it (pipeline) without the permission of the Cyprus government.

The huge natural gas reserves of Tamar and Leviathan found in the opening of Israel may be a landmark from the point of geopolitical balance in the Mediterranean, Pope noted. He added that while it is appeared as a condition the cooperation between Turkey and Cyprus for Israeli gas exports, Turkey's approach will determine the gas route.

Stressing that in an ideal world the most natural place of the Israeli gas to go is Turkey, however, he said, the pain reality of this area is that the populist approaches of all the countries in this region is everyone keeps to his own line. They never work together.

According to Pope, if the Israeli gas goes to Turkey, there are three options:

It can be joined directly to Turkey's national grid.

It can be joined to the TANAP (Trans-Anatolia Natural Gas Pipeline)

It will link directly to the TAP (Trans Adriatic Pipeline)

[06] Yildiz: Turkey to develop oil fields in Afghanistan

Yildiz said that the Afghan government has approved the participation of the Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO) in the development of the country's oilfields. He also noted that in the near future TPAO and the Dragon Oil company from the UAE will start drilling exploration wells at the Afghan-Tajik oil field, located in the north of Afghanistan.

[07] Demirtas not among BDP delegation visiting PKK leader

BDP parliamentary group deputy chairman Idris Baluken and parliamentary group deputy chairwoman Pervin Buldan went to visit Ocalan on Imral?, an island prison in the Sea of Marmara, on Sunday.

Furthermore, Demirtas has recently denied claims that he has decided to resign from his post after his party administration rejected his request for an extraordinary congress.

"There is no crisis in the party. There is also no dissidence in our party. I have no plans to resign. Such [elected] positions are temporary duties given to us by our people. When the time comes, we will also leave our posts," Demirtas said, adding that there is no extraordinary congress issue on the party's agenda for now.

Furthermore, under the title "PKK leader Ocalan says still hopeful of Turkey peace deal", HDN reported that Ocalan said on Monday he was still hopeful a peace deal with the Turkish state was possible but argued that Ankara needed to shift the process into a new gear. "The process that we started last year has great meaning," Ocalan said in a statement relayed by Peace and Democracy lawmakers who visited him in prison.

"I have presented my proposals to the state both in writing and verbally. I am waiting for the state's response for meaningful, deep negotiations," Ocalan said, without elaborating.

In exchange for a withdrawal of its forces to bases in Iraq, the PKK had demanded changes to the electoral system, right to education in the Kurdish language and a degree of regional autonomy. On September 30, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced a package of democratic reforms, many of them aimed at enhancing the rights of the sizeable Kurdish community. However the PKK argued that the reforms fall short, accusing Erdogan of trying to buy time and being focused solely on the next election.

[08] 74% of the project carrying water to occupied Cyprus is completed

The project is very close to completion as the construction of the dam is almost finished. The project manager for the building of the dam, Ali Cakmak, recently told reporters that 74% of the work is done. The wall of the dam will be finished in two weeks.

The land on which the dam is constructed and over which the water distribution pipeline passes was bought by the government, Cakmak said, adding that TL 67 million was paid for the land. The Ministry of Environment and Urban Planning will put the building of new residences for the families who lived on the land out to tender on April 14.

In a recent event, Mersin Governor Guzeloglu called the project the "pride of Turkey" and the prestige of the country. He said the construction of the dam is one of the phases of the project.

The plan, which is called the "dream project" and is the first of its kind in the world, aims to carry 75 million cubic meters of water annually from the Dragon River to the occupied Panagra dam near the occupied town of Kyreneia through a pipeline 78 kilometres in length. Around 15 million cubic meters of this water will be used as tap water, whereas the remaining 60 million cubic meters will be designated for irrigation purposes.

[09] Erdogan says surprised by resignations in Turkish navy

Speaking after Eid al-Adha prayer on Tuesday, Erdogan wished for a happy and peaceful Eid for all Muslims in the world. He also touched upon several issues regarding Turkish politics and regional affairs.

Erdogan said he was surprised by a series of resignations in the Turkish navy, expressing his fury over timing of the move of commanders.

Turkish Coast Guard Commander Vice Admiral Atilla Kezek, Coast Guard Commander Rear Admiral Sami Orguc and several other high-ranking members of the Turkish navy have allegedly resigned from their posts in protest against the decision of a Turkish appeals court that upheld the convictions of leading members of the Turkish military charged with plotting to overthrow the civilian government.

Erdogan said a commander who loves his nation and state, should put his country's interests and priorities above anything else.

He also lamented the fact that many countries in the Middle East region, namely Syrian and Egypt, entered the Eid with prolonged conflicts that risk tearing the region apart.

When asked about the remarks of imprisoned leader of the PKK on a new round of talks to accelerate the peace process, Erdogan declined to comment and said his government will assess the latest meeting between the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) delegation and PKK Chief Abdullah Ocalan on Monday.

Erdogan also warned the BDP deputies to avoid inflammatory remarks if they don't want to risk losing right of meeting with the PKK chief in the island.

According to the Turkish Penal Code, a convicted prisoner can't meet with outsiders other than his lawyer and family, if he serves life in prison. Ocalan is able to meet with the BDP deputies with a special permission from the Justice Ministry. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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