Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-10-17

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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] Special representatives visits to Athens and Ankara reportedly to be held next week

[02] The EU Progress report: EU needs to step up its engagement and continue to support Turkey

[03] Arinc blames EU countries for Turkish people's diminishing beliefs in membership; Bagis declines to comment due to the Muslim Eid al Adha festival

[04] Kilicdaroglu: Report shows AKP cannot progress; Bahceli: it's a play

[05] How the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press covers the EU Progress report

[06] Columnist: "Reading the EU call to Turkey correctly"

[07] Istanbul to host "World Energy Congress 2016"

[08] Chambers of commerce of both side stressed the need for the solution of Cyprus problem

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Special representatives visits to Athens and Ankara reportedly to be held next week

The paper, citing information by a source close to "presidency", writes that the dates of the visits are not determined yet; however they may be held on 22 and 23 of October. The same source also told the paper that the visits of both representatives will be held in equal basis and that they will meet with Greek and Turkish undersecretaries of the Greek and of the Turkish Foreign Ministries.

The paper notes that the visits which are the first of its kind during the negotiation process of the Cyprus problem are considered to be very important by the Greek Cypriot leadership.

According to the source, the Greek Cypriot side will be disappointed if it expects to gain anything outside of the negotiations during the contacts in Ankara, since, the source noted, that the negotiator of the Greek Cypriot side in not Turkey but the Turkish Cypriots.

The source also denied reports of the Greek Cypriot press that Ertug will meet in Athens with Demetris Karataides, the honorary ambassador, consultant of Cyprus problem of the Greek Foreign Ministry.

[02] The EU Progress report: EU needs to step up its engagement and continue to support Turkey

The report also highlights a number of important steps taken by Turkey over the past 12 months, notably the adoption of the fourth judicial reform package and the peace process to end militancy and violence in the southeast of the country.

The report, however, said the political climate in Turkey continued to be marked by polarization. "This translated into an understanding of democracy as relying exclusively on a parliamentary majority, rather than a participative process in which all voices are heard, and finally in an uncompromising stance in the face of dissent and a failure to protect fundamental rights and freedoms."

On Cyprus, the report said Turkey had expressed support for a resumption of talks aimed at achieving a comprehensive solution to the issue under the offices of the United Nations. "However, Turkey has still not complied with its obligation of full non-discriminatory implementation of the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement and has yet to remove all obstacles to the free movement of goods," it said.

Overall, the European Commission urged EU states to confirm their willingness to give new impetus to ties with Turkey by resuming talks, and added that issues in the report underlined the importance for the bloc to enhance its engagement with Turkey on fundamental rights.

"It is in the interest of both Turkey and the EU that the opening benchmarks for chapters 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights) and 24 (Justice, Freedom and Security) are agreed upon and communicated to Turkey as soon as possible with a view to enabling the opening of negotiations under these two chapters. This would significantly contribute to ensuring that the EU remains the benchmark for reforms in Turkey," the report said.

Meanwhile, EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule said Oct.16 the "time has come" to put Turkey's accession process on track, in line with the understanding in the progress report.

Fule said the protests in May and June and the excessive use of force by police along with the overall absence of dialogue had raised serious concerns.

[03] Arinc blames EU countries for Turkish people's diminishing beliefs in membership; Bagis declines to comment due to the Muslim Eid al Adha festival

"There has been a noteworthy decline in our public's support for the EU. It has declined to around 18 - 20% from 75%. We are not to blame on this issue. The irresponsible EU counties who brought obstacles and who attempted to question Turkey are at fault in this [decline]," Arinc said on Wednesday.

His remarks came hours after the European Commission announced its new progress report on Turkey, which criticized Turkey for what it says, is "an uncompromising stance" against dissent and a failure to protect fundamental rights such as freedom of speech and assembly, while also praising some recent reforms.

On the same issue, Today's Zaman (online, 16.10.13), under the title "EU hails Turkish reforms, calls for 'truly participatory democracy'", reported that Turkey is deeply frustrated at what it sees as humiliating treatment by Europe, which has turned its public opinion against EU membership. Turkish EU negotiator Egemen Bagis complained this month that the EU has held dozens of summits with Russia, China, Brazil and other partners in the last decade but only one with Turkey and other candidate countries.

Bagis had complained on Twitter at the weekend about the EU publishing the report during the Muslim Eid al Adha festival, which began on Monday afternoon and lasts all week.

His press adviser confirmed to Reuters on Wednesday that the government would not issue a response until after the holiday.

[04] Kilicdaroglu: Report shows AKP cannot progress; Bahceli: it's a play

"The report basically reveals that the AKP cannot carry Turkey a step forward towards the EU. The AKP, which has not succeeded in opening negotiations on even a single chapter for years, will not be able to progress in the upcoming years. In fact, this report shows that it is the AKP that cannot progress, not Turkey," CHP deputy chair Erdogan Toprak said on Oct. 16 in a written statement.

Recalling that the report described the police's use of excessive force during Gezi protests as "unacceptable," Toprak said it was a "shame on the AKP." "Even this single issue is enough for the AKP to be ashamed," he said.

Also commenting on the report, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli dismissed it as "play." "The EU releases a report every October. It neither stands behind its report nor does it expect Turkey to take it into consideration. This is a play," Bahceli told reporters during a party meeting in Ankara.

[05] How the Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press covers the EU Progress report

Hurriyet: "Three good and two bad points from EU to the government" and notes that while the Turkish government is praised for the democratization package is criticized for the Gezi Park incident.

Sabah reports on the issue under the title: "Strong support by the EU for the package".

Zaman: "Fulle: What shall we say to the Turks?". The paper also writes that the EU Minister Egemen Bagis stated that he will not comment on the report until after the end of the Kurban Bayram.

Radikal: "Gezi Park, Gul and government at the EU report".

Kibris: "The EU Report announced". The paper writes that the same phrases that were used in the past are used at the report as regards the Cyprus problem.

Yeni Duzen: "Warnings against the violence, noting for solution (of Cyprus problem)"

[06] Columnist: "Reading the EU call to Turkey correctly"

"It seems that Erdogan's half-full glass package has served as a last minute move to save Turkey from a more bitter report and the EU from releasing one that could further sever relations with Turkey, which are already not in a bright stage after 50 years in the waiting room. (?)

The report says the Gezi Park demonstrations have 'reflected [an] emergence of vibrant, active citizenry' in Turkey, representing the most open praise ever by an international body so far regarding the largest wave of protests ever in Turkey, which have been condemned by the government as being 'ill-intentioned'.

Another interesting point made by the report is the distinction made between President Abdullah Gul and the Erdogan government, regarding political tensions including Gezi. Gul's role was described as 'conciliatory' and warning citizens against 'polarization', while the government was accused of 'adopting an uncompromising stance during protests, including a polarizing tone towards citizens, civil society organizations and business'. (?)

The report is a call to Turkey from the EU. Despite the exhausting duration and nature of relations, neither Brussels nor Ankara wants to sever relations completely. It is also true that the EU has not been fair to Turkey, as it was to adopt a number of eastern and southern European members, including the Cyprus government in 2004. Still, the call of the report should be read correctly in Ankara; the expectations are still high in Brussels about further democratization in Turkey, and Gezi is not seen as an obstacle but an opportunity for European eyes to bridge the political cultures in between."

[07] Istanbul to host "World Energy Congress 2016"

Attending the 22nd World Energy Congress, being held in Daegu, South Korea from October 13 to 17, Yildiz said the congress gave an opportunity to network with top global players, explore business opportunities, secure investment, and access new markets.

Stating that the next congress would be held in Istanbul in 2016, Yildiz said, "the city will host around 9,000 people including government Ministers, energy CEOs and respected analysts and researchers". He added: "Turkey deserves such a prestigious organization".

[08] Chambers of commerce of both side stressed the need for the solution of Cyprus problem

"The Cyprus problem can no longer be left unresolved as this situation benefits neither the Greek Cypriots nor the Turkish Cypriots. Therefore, we urge both leaders to intensify their efforts to reach a fair and sustainable solution as soon as possible," the statement notes.

"The two Chambers express their commitment to contribute to the process and are ready to support the efforts of the political leadership. A comprehensive solution will bring economic benefits to both communities while the continuation of the existing stalemate inhibits the improvement of the present economic situation", the statement concludes. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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