Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-01-10

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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] Nami: It is important to start negotiations after agreeing on a joint statement

[02] Businessmen call on the sides to start negotiations

[03] Eroglu will meet with Downer on the 13th of January

[04] TUSIAD's delegation holds contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] Nami met with the US Ambassador to Lefkosia

[06] KTAMS: Eroglu's and Ertug's statements aim at making the non-solution permanent

[07] Ozersay: The Turkish Cypriot side must be careful on Greek Cypriot side's proposals on the joint statement

[08] Turkey's MFA spokesman: The Cyprus problem is going through a critical phase

[09] Self-styled minister of environment said that the water coming from Turkey will start to flow by the end of this summer

[10] Pentadaktylos slaughtering continues

[11] A "mutual understanding agreement" was signed between the breakaway regime and Ankara on the economic protocol

[12] US Defence Secretary to pay key visit to Turkey in late January

[13] Sonar survey: Turkish ruling party's popularity slips amid graft scandal

[14] Vimeo blocked in Turkey after amendment to Internet law

[15] AKP Deputy likens Turkish prosecutor Oz's fate to prosecutor found dead at home

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami: It is important to start negotiations after agreeing on a joint statement

"If we start without this text, we might be forced to renegotiate these issues for another 3-4 months after spending these three months. An important text has emerged. Come and let us put an end to this. Then the negotiations could continue", he said.

Nami said that they had conveyed to the Greek Cypriot side their last proposal as regards the joint statement during the illegal visit of Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu to the occupied area of the island. "Our expectation was not the last reply given by the Greek Cypriot side which could be described as provocative", he argued.

Nami said that their expectation at this stage is for the Greek Cypriot side to accept the text proposed by the Turkish side and come to the negotiating table. Nami alleged that the last paper proposed by the Greek Cypriots includes elements which could be described as "provocative" and added that "there was no need for this".

Nami said that reaching a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem has become a necessity for the entire region and added: "We are obliged to succeed". He noted that the solution is a necessity both for Turkey and the sides on the island. He said that the businessmen in Turkey are aware of the importance of the solution in Cyprus for Turkey and this is why a delegation from the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD) visited the occupied area of Cyprus yesterday.

Nami expressed the hope that the UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Cyprus Alexander Downer's forthcoming visit to the island "will gain meaning" by the Greek Cypriot side "adopting a constructive stance in the exchange of documents carried out for months".

Replying to a question, Nami argued that Downer executes his duties successfully and that "Downer carries out his duty here representing the will of the UN. He said that the Turkish side should be extremely "selective and careful" in its statements regarding the UN officials.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Businessmen call on the sides to start negotiations

Speaking yesterday at a press conference in the buffer zone in Nicosia, the chairmen of Turkish Cypriot Businessmen's Association (ISAD), the Cyprus Industrialists' and Employers' Federation (OEB), the Turkish Industry and Business Association (TUSIAD) and the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV) announced that they have agreed on a joint statement calling on both communities in Cyprus to start negotiations with good will aiming at reaching a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem.

In the statement which was read by Metin Sadi, chairman of ISAD, it is said that the mentality that the political and economic issues are connected to each other constitutes an opportunity for a solution in Cyprus. The statement noted also that a solution in Cyprus would create economic cooperation at a high level among all sides concerned.

In his statements at the press conference, Muharrem Yilmaz, chairman of TUSIAD, said that "we have before us a new opportunity for the solution of the Cyprus problem" and added: "There is a Turkey which wants to open new chapters in order to revive its EU accession process and for this reason to end the vetoes related with Cyprus. There is a northern Cyprus which unfortunately lives under isolations. There is a south Cyprus and a Greece, which have been influenced at the highest level by the global economic crisis and live all the consequences of the financial crisis".

He pointed out that the developments in the field of energy "offer potential for regional economic cooperation and prosperity" and expressed his satisfaction with the fact that international players see positively the solution of the Cyprus problem, because they worry about stability in the area.

He expressed the view that positive results might be produced by Turkey playing a leading role in the new negotiating process and described the climate on the island as the most appropriate of the past few years for launching an initiative towards a solution.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (10.01.14) reports that responding to questions after the press conference, Yilmaz said that Turkey should open its ports for Cyprus. He noted that the politicians should create the necessary climate in order for the business circles to cooperate. He added: "The opening of the ports could be an important step for the development of trade. I think that the Greek Cypriot side could also be helpful in the creation of a climate that would facilitate the Turkish side's taking this step".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu will meet with Downer on the 13th of January

Speaking during the meeting, a member of TUSIAD's Board of Directors Volkan Vural reminded that their association was always working for a lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem and were preparing reports in that direction.

"Today we continue with our efforts to contribute to a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus. We see the absence of a solution to the 50 years Cyprus problem at a time when there is great economic and political instability in the region as a drawback. Not only the Turkish Cypriots but the whole region will benefit from a solution. New opportunities will be born", he argued.

For his part, Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side was working hard for a solution to the Cyprus problem, repeating that he had expressed his full commitment to convergences reached in the Cyprus talks by his predecessor when taking "office". Eroglu criticized his Greek Cypriot counterpart for not doing the same.

Claiming that it was the Turkish Cypriot side's sincere desire to return to the negotiating table and to restart full-fledged negotiations aimed at reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem, Eroglu added: "We cannot solve anything without sitting at the negotiating table. You can't achieve anything by just exchanging papers or letters. My proposal is that since Mr Anastasiades refuses to resume the talks from where they left off, let's sit at the negotiating table without any preconditions and renegotiate the 6 chapters. Whether it was the convergences reached during my predecessor's term or during my term and had we continued from where the talks were left off, we would have made good progress and perhaps crowned the talks with a settlement".

[04] TUSIAD's delegation holds contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

Noting that the solution in Cyprus could contribute not only to the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities, but to the whole area and the world, Yorgancioglu said that due to the non-solution in Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots are kept outside the international law. "As long as the problem is not solved, production is a problem, exports are a problem, property is a problem and claiming rights at the international arena is a problem", he argued.

Referring to the hydrocarbon resources in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone, Yorganicolgu expressed the view that it would not be very easy for these resources to be transferred to the world if the Cyprus problem is not solved.

Moreover, Kibris reports that the TUSIAD delegation met also with the self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the regime, Ozdil Nami, who in statements at the meeting said that the Cyprus problem has come to a critical stage. He reiterated that progress has been achieved on the issue of the joint statement, but it has not been concluded. He recalled that TUSIAD "encouraged" the Turkish Cypriots in taking "difficult decisions" during the Annan Plan period and added that it secured that the Turkish Cypriots always feel the support of Turkey is behind them.

On the same issue, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 09.01.13), the delegation from the TUSIAD visited the EU Coordination Centre in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking during the visit, the Coordinator of the EU Coordination Centre Erhan Ersin pointed to the importance of the meeting between TUSIAD and its adjacent NGOs in the UN Controlled Buffer Zone at a time when initiatives and efforts aimed at re-launching the Cyprus negotiations process intensified. Ercin also praised TUSIAD for assuming important tasks for the Turkish Cypriots.

Also speaking, the member of the TUSIAD Board of Directors Volkan Vural said that the Association pays great importance to the living standards of the Turkish Cypriots just as much as it pays to the European Union. He added that they are always arguing in favour of the Turkish Cypriots as being part of the EU.

Also speaking during the visit, the President of the Cyprus Turkish Businessmen Association (ISAD) Metin Sadi said that the Turkish Cypriots' place within international law and the solution of the Cyprus problem were amongst the goals and strategies of the association.

[05] Nami met with the US Ambassador to Lefkosia

According to a statement issued by the "foreign ministry", Nami conveyed to Koenig the Turkish Cypriot side's views and evaluated the latest developments regarding the common statement between the two sides in Cyprus.

Nami, writes the paper, also conveyed the strong will of the Turkish Cypriots for a solution as regards the Cyprus problem adding that for this will to be realized negotiations must be launched the soonest possible and also must give a result.

On his part, Koenig stated that his country supports the procedure and is ready to offer any assistance needed for a positive outcome of the negotiations.

[06] KTAMS: Eroglu's and Ertug's statements aim at making the non-solution permanent

Noting that KTAMS is determined to continue its struggle for the establishment of a bi-communal, bi-zonal "federal roof" in Cyprus based on political equality, Kaptan said: "We are watching with concern the last point to which the Cyprus problem has come and is closely related with the future of our country. Undoubtedly, both sides' using delaying tactics is unacceptable. We evaluate the statements made by both President Dervis Eroglu and his spokesman Osman Ertug as a stance aiming at making non-solution permanent?"

Moreover, Kaptan described as "unacceptable the statements made by Huseyin Ozgurgun, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), against Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General's special adviser for Cyprus, and the pro-solution forces in the occupied area of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ozersay: The Turkish Cypriot side must be careful on Greek Cypriot side's proposals on the joint statement

Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side must be very careful on the proposal of the Greek Cypriot side on issuing a shorter joint statement and on insisting that all the UN Security Council Resolutions, especially Resolution 1251, to be included in the joint statement. He noted that the Resolution 1251 is not about the continuation of the good mission of the UN Secretary General in the island and the finding of a solution via the negotiations, but is related with the continuation of the Peace Forces duty in the island. Therefore it shows the Greek Cypriot side's mentality, alleged Ozersay.

[08] Turkey's MFA spokesman: The Cyprus problem is going through a critical phase

Gumrukcu also said that the Cyprus problem is going through a critical phase, adding that it was the joint statement which was preventing the two leaders from starting full-fledged negotiations between the two sides.

[09] Self-styled minister of environment said that the water coming from Turkey will start to flow by the end of this summer

Noting that pipes were being piled up along the route where the pipeline which will distribute the water to the major areas of settlement will be installed, Bakirci asked the public to be understanding regarding the visual pollution caused by the pipes.

[10] Pentadaktylos slaughtering continues

He said that the destruction of Pentadaktylos continues for 20 years now and reminded that the Greek Cypriot side brought the issue at the European Parliament agenda. He went on and said that despite the area is included in the EU 2000 Natura program" of the EU and the Turkish Cypriot side received 5-6 million Turkish Lira for its protection, the area's destruction continues.

[11] A "mutual understanding agreement" was signed between the breakaway regime and Ankara on the economic protocol

The paper writes that the self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, said that a "mutual understanding agreement" was signed between his "government" and Ankara. According to Yorgancioglu, the economic and political needs of his "government" were taken into consideration as regards the economic protocol.

[12] US Defence Secretary to pay key visit to Turkey in late January

Hagel's visit will be the highest-level encounter between the two countries since Turkey was shaken by a massive internal political earthquake that also impacted the Washington-Ankara relations.

Hurriyet Daily News has learned that Hagel's visit to Turkey will take place on Jan. 27 as part of the Secretary of Defence's European tour. Hagel is expected to meet Turkish Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz and other senior Turkish government officials. The last high-level Turkish official Hagel met was Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who was in Washington last Novembe.

What makes Hagel's visit more important is that ties between the two allies have hit a low point, especially after Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan publicly threatened the U.S. Ambassador to Turkey, Francis Ricciardone, with expulsion because of Washington's supposed role in an ongoing corruption operation against his government. The U.S. Department of State issued statements to dismiss the claims and called on the Turkish government not to draw the U.S. into an internal fight, something that would negatively affect bilateral ties.

Apart from the bitter political ties, the issues the two sides will touch on during the visit have the potential to even worsen relations. At the top is Turkey's decision to launch negotiations with a Chinese company under U.S. sanctions for the co-production of an anti-ballistic air defence system.

[13] Sonar survey: Turkish ruling party's popularity slips amid graft scandal

The survey by SONAR research, one of Turkey's main pollsters, put support for the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) at 42.3%, two percentage points below its previous poll last August and well below the 50% the party won at the last election in 2011.

The main opposition Republican People's Party CHP scored 29.8% in the poll, its highest since June 2011 according to SONAR, whose surveys tend to put ruling party support below the AK Party's own estimates.

The government has said neither street protests last summer nor the corruption scandal have had a major impact on AK Party popularity. Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said last week the party enjoyed support of around 52%, based on four surveys commissioned by the government.

[14] Vimeo blocked in Turkey after amendment to Internet law

The decision came after a Deputy from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) introduced an amendment to Law No. 5651 on cybercrimes, a move that could pave the way for the government to censor the Internet and social media as well as profile Internet users.

The move has raised concerns over the government's widening encroachment on private lives of people as well as different mediums where people express their social and political thoughts.

"The government is making an effort to silence the Internet and social media, just as it did with the media following the [recent] corruption operation," Emrehan Halici, deputy chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP), said on Thursday.

The move is seen by many people as silencing internet tools to prevent dissidents and citizen journalists from sharing video footage regarding any social and political activity.

[15] AKP Deputy likens Turkish prosecutor Oz's fate to prosecutor found dead at home

"Prosecutor Oz will prepare his end like Prosecutor Murat Gok did! What was the saying: Don't do wrong to those suffering; it will come back to you," Aslik posted via his Twitter account late on Jan. 8.

Gok opened several investigations into corruption allegations in a number of district municipalities in Izmir, before being removed from the Izmir prosecutor's office and appointed to the Black Sea province of Samsun in April 2013.

On April 12, a friend of Gok found him dead in his apartment in Samsun.

Before his death, he had been receiving treatment for lung failure. In November 2013, forensic reports announced Gok's cause of death to be "natural." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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