Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-11-27

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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: we understood each other better

[02] Ertug and Mavroyiannis: we will continue the efforts to reach a joint declaration

[03] Sibel continues her contacts in Ankara

[04] Davutoglu hopes that the breakaway regime will soon participate in the ECO Parliamentary Assembly Committee

[05] Nami's contacts in the side-lines of the Economic Cooperation Organization meeting

[06] The final decisions of the "3rd World Turkish Cypriot Congress": The breakaway regime is a legitimate state

[07] Denktas continues his campaign against the Cyprus Turkish Football Association - Cyprus Football Association agreement

[08] The breakaway regime organized a photograph exhibition in Kuwait

[09] Turkey, Iran to become backbone of regional stability: Davutoglu

[10] AKP announced 10 mayoral candidates

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: We understood each other better

Evaluating the meeting with Anastasiades during a visit with Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association (ISAD), Eroglu, referred to statements made after the United Nations hosted dinner on May 30th that they two men were engaged in a process so that fully-fledged negotiations can begin in the first half of October. However, he argued, two and a half months ago, the Greek Cypriot side suggested a joint declaration. The Turkish Cypriot side accepted the first text of the joint declaration prepared by the UN committee, but it was rejected by the Greek Cypriot side, so the papers have continued to be passed back and forth over the last two and a half months, Eroglu said.

Eroglu went on: "My proposal is to resume the negotiations without a joint declaration. Besides, all our requests are within the Government and Power Sharing chapter. We will discuss this. It is an issue that will be solved through the process of give and take at the negotiation table. If we accept the things that the Greek Cypriot side wants before sitting at the negotiation table, what will we do at the negotiation table?"

Eroglu said that during the meeting with Anastasiades on Monday night, he proposed to him to resume the negotiations without preconditions, adding that he gave the Cypriot President two comprehensive proposals.

Eroglu noted that he reiterated his proposal for a joint visit with President Anastasiades to the occupied Apostolos (Saint) Andreas Monastery, but he added that he has not received any answer yet.

Referring to the issue of occupied Varosha, Eroglu claimed that the issue of occupied Varosha was discussed before, adding that their proposals were rejected by them (Greek Cypriots).

Commenting on the proposal by the Cyprus government to return the fenced town of occupied Varosha to its lawful inhabitants under UN control, in exchange for opening Famagusta port to international trade and unfreezing a number of chapters in Turkey's EU accession negotiations, Eroglu said that it seems impossible to go anywhere on this matter. He argued that they will carry on in good faith and that the issue can be solved at the negotiation table through a give-and-take process, but they cannot bring President Anastasiades at the negotiation table.

Eroglu concluded by wishing that the Greek Cypriot side also accepts an invitation by them in the future, as they have accepted theirs.

On his part, ISAD Chairman Metin Sadi said that they give their full support to Eroglu on the Cyprus talks.

Meanwhile, the paper also reports that Eroglu met yesterday with U.S Ambassador to Cyprus John Koenig at his office. No statement was released regarding the meeting. The press was only allowed to take photographs.

Furthermore, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 26.11.13), Eroglu touched upon his social visit with the Cyprus President on Monday night by saying that the necessary agreements were not reached and therefore patience was needed. "Patience is not the only thing that is needed, our people must see the realities and take steps accordingly", said Eroglu, during a meeting with a delegation from the "TRNC Grey Wolves Association" led by Adem Yurdagul.

Speaking during the visit, Yurdagul said that their mission for the "TRNC" [editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus], as the Grey Wolves, was to unite with the "TRNC people" and better serve the people.

Eroglu said that young people must show solidarity, unite under one roof and stand by their state. "The youth must unite and cooperate on the national cause, this is what we are looking for in the youth", said Eroglu and called for everyone to unite on the national cause.

"Those who will benefit the most from a weakness between motherland Turkey and the TRNC are countries and peoples who cannot bear the existence of the TRNC and the Turkish people", said Eroglu and added that as long as there is unity on the national cause both Turkey and the "TRNC" will reach a better position.

[02] Ertug and Mavroyiannis: we will continue the efforts to reach a joint declaration

Ertug said that it is not possible to say anything positive regarding the meeting on Monday night apart that it helped to know each other. Claiming that he does not want to create empty hopes, Ertug said that during the meeting the Greek Cypriot side repeated its position. Noting that all the core issues are under the chapter of Government and Power sharing, Ertug argued that the Turkish Cypriot side is the side, who wants solution, who will put constructive proposals at the table and who will continue to remain at the table.

Mavroyiannis, in a written statement to the paper, said that without the agreed basis as defined by UN Security Council Resolutions and without an understanding on the methodology in order to have a result oriented we cannot have a meaningful negotiation, adding: "We hope that Mr Eroglu will understand this and move from his intransigent position".

Mavroyiannis also said: "We want Cyprus to be reunified as a European country, fully respecting democracy, human rights of all citizens and the EU principles, one country with single sovereignty, international personality and citizenship, of course upholding the bicomunal, bizonal character of the federation and political equality of the two communities."

The paper reports that the Greek Cypriot negotiator also said that this is the only way to build the future and they will remain fully committed to that goal. He also said that the negotiators will continue the talks in order to reach a joint declaration and concluded by saying: "We want to be together with our Turkish Cypriot compatriots and we will not give up the effort".

[03] Sibel continues her contacts in Ankara

Sibel held a meeting with the Turkish deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay in Ankara who stated that Turkey, as the guarantor country, is aware of its responsibilities in protecting Turkish Cypriots' rights.

Atalay said they wished everything is better in the breakaway regime and because Turkey's experience in economy was shared, no economic crisis hit occupied Cyprus in 2012?2013, while a great financial crisis was experienced in the Republic of Cyprus.

Atalay also alleged that Turkey is in favour of negotiations with Greek Cypriots and for this reason both President Abdullah Gul and PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan met UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu came together with his Greek counterpart.

Siber for her part said that they are working on restarting talks in Cyprus. She also claimed that Turkish supports this with its peaceful stance.

Atalay also stated that he will visit occupied Cyprus together with the Turkish Ministry of Forest and Water Affairs Veysel Eroglu and with the Turkish Ministry of Energy Taner Yildiz in order to discuss issues on energy and water.

[04] Davutoglu hopes that the breakaway regime will soon participate in the ECO Parliamentary Assembly Committee

Davutoglu stated that the presence of the breakaway regime enriched the ECO meeting and expressed the hope that very soon will participate in the ECO Parliamentary Assembly Committee.

[05] Nami's contacts in the side-lines of the Economic Cooperation Organization meeting

Nami met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Ibrahim Rahim and they exchanged views on various issues. He also met with the deputy Prime Minister of Pakistan Sertac Aziz and with the Turkish foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

The breakaway regime participated in the meeting with the observer status.

[06] The final decisions of the "3rd World Turkish Cypriot Congress": The breakaway regime is a legitimate state

According to the final decisions of the Congress, the breakaway regime is a "legitimate state according to the international criteria". It is also stated that in case the negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem will not come to a positive results this time, a contractual division must come into the agenda for the establishment of two independent states. It is also stated that the efforts for the recognition of the breakaway regime must continue.

[07] Denktas continues his campaign against the Cyprus Turkish Football Association - Cyprus Football Association agreement

According to the paper, Denktas who is against the agreement, called to his "office" the chairman of the Football Clubs Association Yurdaer Garip and the chairman of Football Players Assocuation Salih Isik to whom he expressed his views on the issue. According to the paper, Serdar stated that the agreement cannot be accepted and that it weakens the hands of the Turkish Cypriots.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (27.11.13) reports that the chairman of the Cyprus Turkish Football Association Hasan Sertoglu stated that the federation will meet on Friday November 29 to discuss the issue and to give information about the agreement. On Denktas' disagreement over the agreement, Sertoglu said that they expect from politicians to show the same respect to their opinion as the federation does.

[08] The breakaway regime organized a photograph exhibition in Kuwait

Works of photographer Huseyin Sayil were exhibited. The opening ceremony took place on November 17 and the following persons participated: The so-called representative of the breakaway regime in Kuwait Oktay Ozturk, the Turkish ambassador to Kuwait Murat Tamer, the ambassador of Azerbaijan Tural Rizayev and the counselor of the Ukrainian embassy Adrii Melcychenco.

In addition Abdul Rasoul Salman the Chairman of the Kuwait Art Association, who cooperates with the representation of the breakaway regime in Kuwait for the exhibition, was also presented in the event.

[09] Turkey, Iran to become backbone of regional stability: Davutoglu

"In my point of view, when Turkey and Iran join hands, this will not only benefit both countries, but also become the backbone of regional stability," Davutoglu said, pointing to the potential of further cooperation in energy.

"Turkey's annual energy demand is $60 billion. Turkey is a corridor country, Iran is a producer country. If we fuse both potentials, Turkey could become the corridor of energy provider Iran," Davutoglu said. He also added that closer ties would also have a major impact on the sectarian divide in the Middle East.

"At a place and time where some try to instigate sectarian conflicts, the dialogue between Iran and Turkey is the most important dialogue in the region," Davutoglu said.

"It's now time for cooperation. The dialogue between two regional powers such as Turkey and Iran who share an historic relationship will not only enable our region to gain stability, but also prevent the negative effects of conflicts."

Davutoglu also praised Iran for the agreement with Western powers in the nuclear talks. "I still remember the 15-hour non-stop meetings that we had on May 17, 2010, here in Tehran. It lasted from six o'clock in the morning to 10 o'clock at night, we couldn't even eat. That's why I know how hard negotiations on this issue were," Davutoglu said.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.11.13) reported that Davutoglu met also with Iranian First Vice-President Eshaq Jahangiri. Talks touched on bilateral economic relations, energy and transportation, said diplomatic sources.

"Turkey is determined to increase trade volume between the two countries to over $30 billion and it aims to increase this figure to $100 billion by 2020," Davutoglu said.

Noting that Turkish companies face some problems in Iran, Davutoglu said "solving these problems will enhance the trade volume and Turkey is ready to cooperate to solve these problems."

Meanwhile, Jahangiri said removing obstacles before Turkish companies is Iran's one of the most important priorities.

[10] AKP announced 10 mayoral candidates

Gokcek, who has been running the Turkish capital city's municipality since 1994, will run in the March 30, 2014, local elections.

Erdogan announced 10 of the party's 81 provincial candidates, five of them running in metropolitan municipalities, at the end of his weekly Parliamentary group address.

The AKP will try to dethrone Eskisehir's three-time incumbent mayor, Yilmaz Buyukersen of the Republican People's Party (CHP), with its candidate, Harun Karacan.

Four-time Mayor Mehmet Ozhaseki will try to extend his term in the Central Anatolian province of Kayseri.

Tahir Akyurek, who has administered Konya Metropolitan Municipality for two terms, will also run in the next elections.

Fatih Mehmet Erkoc will run for the seat in Kahramanmaras, which will become one of Turkey's newest metropolitan municipalities next year.

Ercan Cimen will run for the AKP in the northern province of Gumushane, Seyfettin Kalay will look to win the western Black Sea province of Bartin, Yasar Bahceci will be the candidate in the Central Anatolian province of Kirsehir. Elsewhere, Mayor Cafer Ozdemir will try to keep his post in the northern province of Amasya, as will Mayor Burhanettin Coban in the inner Aegean province of province of Afyon. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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