Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-01-22

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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] Erdogan says he ignores proposals such as withdrawal of troops from Cyprus; Schultz: Accept that the whole of Cyprus joined the EU

[02] Barroso and Rompuy's statements on Cyprus during their joint conference with Erdogan

[03] Eroglu says territorial concessions are not on their agenda

[04] Nami: Instead of writing letters, leaders must start negotiations

[05] UBP: Britain maintains the non-solution with the agreement on the properties in the British bases in Cyprus; More reactions by the press

[06] Sources expect Ban Ki-moon to call on the sides to agree on how the solution process in Cyprus will advance

[07] Traffic in "ports" and barricades in the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan says he ignores proposals such as withdrawal of troops from Cyprus; Schultz: Accept that the whole of Cyprus joined the EU

In statements yesterday in Brussels during a joint press conference with the President of the European Parliament (EP), Martin Schultz, Erdogan claimed that they have always supported the "TRNC's" [Translator's note: the breakaway regime established by Turkey in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] approach to the process "with a constructive method". Erdogan went on and alleged: "We think that Greece, because it is a guarantor power, should also support this process in the same manner. Especially, our fundamental principle is a federal structure based on two founding states. The acceptance of anything outside this is in any case out of the question".

Erdogan said that the negotiations should be held with good will and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side should not run away from the negotiations.

Referring to the issue of the Turkish occupation troops in Cyprus, Erdogan argued: "Those who try to lead us to different places are behaving wrongly. For example, they told us something else today. Something such as the withdrawal of troops. We did not listen to such a proposal, we are not listening to such a proposal. Because this had come up in the Annan Plan. While we had accepted it in the Annan Plan, the Greek Cypriot side then had not accepted it".

When Martin Schulz said that the Republic of Cyprus joined the European Union representing the entire island, Erdogan alleged that "south Cyprus", as he described the Republic of Cyprus, does not represent the entire island. Erdogan claimed that according to the acquis communautaire, no country with internal problems could join the Union. He went on and alleged:

"Besides, in a Cyprus which is divided with the UN green line, the south has no right to represent north Cyprus. This is contrary to the acquis as well. If there was such an authority, then why are these negotiations conducted? Ignoring the Turks in northern Cyprus and presenting south Cyprus as the owner of the entire place there does not comply with the understanding of justice from the point of view of the international universal values.

At the moment there is unfortunately a wish for the TRNC to be condemned to nonexistence by force. Then, I can easily say this. Why we have held those meetings at Burgenstock in Switzerland? During those meetings we came to a final point. Until then, south Cyprus was not a member of the EU. After the meetings referendum was held. The TRNC kept its promise at the referendum. It said 'yes' by 65%, while south Cyprus said 'no' by 75%. Those who said 'no' were rewarded, while those who said 'yes' were not accepted into the EU. As a matter of fact there is an unjust practice there. The acceptance of south Cyprus into the EU is political. It is not in harmony with the acquis of the EU. If my esteemed friend Schultz reads the book written by the former German Chancellor Schroder, there is a six-page chapter there. In this chapter he explains how unjust the decision taken on Cyprus was".

After Erdogan's statements, Schultz said that they should prevent a quarrel in public between the Turkish Prime Minister and the President of the EP and added "we have to find a reasonable solution" to the Cyprus problem. He noted that he understands Erdogan's position on this issue, but added: "The entire island has entered into the EU. Please accept this situation".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Barroso and Rompuy's statements on Cyprus during their joint conference with Erdogan

Issuing a written statement following his meeting with Erdogan, Barroso stated that they share with the Turkish Prime Minister the view that a solution must be found the sooner possible in Cyprus adding that this will contribute to Turkey's wider relations with the EU.

On his part, Rompuy stated that all parties must start negotiations as soon as possible and added that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be beneficial for both Turkey and the EU.

[03] Eroglu says territorial concessions are not on their agenda

Eroglu added: "As we understand, in case we sit at the negotiating table, Anastasiades will bring the territory issue onto the agenda. However, asking is one thing and giving is another thing . I will not discuss the territory before sitting at the negotiating table. The territory will be the very last issue we will discuss after we sit at the negotiating table. We have no policy on our agenda such as giving Limnitis or any other area".

Arguing that some people are concerned that the territorial concessions will come onto the agenda, Eroglu noted that in case of a possible solution, a referendum will be held and people will take the final decision.

Koycu said that they were concerned because a newspaper had published a map showing that Limnitis would be returned under Greek Cypriot administration in the event of a solution to the Cyprus problem. "We do not accept this. This kind of news and discussions cause us pain and demoralize us", he argued noting that in case of a solution, they want to live within the borders of the Turkish Cypriot administration.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Nami: Instead of writing letters, leaders must start negotiations

Nami made these statements during a meeting he held with the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOEOS). He is informing trade unions and civil society organizations on the latest developments on the Cyprus negotiations and said that the exchange of views with them will play an important role in policy making regarding the Cyprus problem.

Nami said that UN special envoy Alexander Downer met with both leaders in a non-successful effort to overcome the deadlock regarding the common statements and following this the leaders sent a letter to the UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon. Nami argues that instead of sending letters, the two leaders should start negotiations without any further delay. He went on to add that both communities on the island want the launching of comprehensive negotiations.

[05] UBP: Britain maintains the non-solution with the agreement on the properties in the British bases in Cyprus; More reactions by the press

Ozgurgun said it was not possible for him to "give a reasonable explanation to Britain's ignoring the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people" by responding to the long-lasting Greek Cypriot demand. He alleged that this was a "scandal" from the point of view of its timing and claimed that as guarantor power, Britain treated unjustly one of the sides.

"With such initiative, Britain maintains the non-solution instead of contributing to an agreement based on the equality of the two peoples in Cyprus and to a just and lasting solution that is seeked with this agreement", he alleged.

Ozgurgun said that the view of the Turkish officials had not been asked as regards the situation of the Turkish-owned properties in the area and added that "many Turkish villages and immovable properties" will be influenced by this agreement.

Meanwhile, writing in his column in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.01.14), Ata Atun alleges that he possesses the original text of the agreement reached on 15 January, 2014, between Britain and the Republic of Cyprus. He claims that it is not true that with the joint statement between the two countries, Britain supports the positions of the Greek Cypriots and with the agreement 198 square kilometres from the British bases are returned under Greek Cypriot ownership.

Noting that the text consists of eight paragraphs, Atun concludes by saying that Britain did not give away the above-mentioned territories to the Republic of Cyprus, because "it is in any case impossible to do this without the approval of Turkey and the TRNC". Atun says that the coordinates of the borders of the British bases are mentioned in the 1960 Zurich – London Agreement and the Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus and could change only with the consent of the sides which had signed these agreements. "One of the sides is Turkey and the other is the Turkish Cypriot community whose current name is TRNC", he alleges and concludes by arguing that "without the approval of these sides absolutely no change will have international validity".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Sources expect Ban Ki-moon to call on the sides to agree on how the solution process in Cyprus will advance

The sources, which wished to remain anonymous, told Kibris that no development should be expected on the "alternatives", which Downer had submitted to the sides before departing for Australia in December 2013. "The UN will express its anticipation for an agreement on the issue of how the negotiations will continue the soonest", the sources said adding that the UN expects an agreement and wants the sides to decide whether this [continuation of the process] will happen with or without a joint declaration.

The sources went on and said that there are "some misunderstandings as regards the position of the UN on the island" and added that it is out of the question for the UN to accept or reject any proposal submitted by the sides. They noted that it is impossible to implement any formula which is not accepted by the sides.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Traffic in "ports" and barricades in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, in 2012, there were 3.157.835 individuals crossings to the breakaway regime while 3.151.841 crossings to the free area of the Republic of Cyprus. For 2013, these numbers were 2.999.522 and 3.083.293 respectively.

As regards the "air and sea traffic" from "airports" and "ports", in 2012 1.413.021 persons entered and 1.416.200 departed from the breakaway regime. For 2013, these numbers were 1.490.654 and 1.464.124 respectively. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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