Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-01-27

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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] Schulz: Turkish Cypriots' representation in the EP can be solved with the Cyprus settlement

[02] More reactions to the decision of the Council of Ministers to facilitate the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP elections

[03] Sener Levent will be a candidate in the EP elections

[04] Davutoglu: Turkey is stronger on the Cyprus issue because of the Burgenstock talks

[05] Eroglu: Erdogan's stressing on two founding states relieved us

[06] Columnist assesses the information that Ankara directly submits proposals to the Republic of Cyprus

[07] Swedish Ambassador to Lefkosia held contacts

[08] More than 100.000 settlers reportedly left the breakaway regime due to economic conditions

[09] Three Turkish Minister are illegally visit occupied Cyprus

[10] Realist-Kulis newspaper begun its circulation

[11] Public opinion polls shows that Nami is the most and Serdar Denktas the least popular "ministers"

[12] Turkish Ambassador in Paris views Hollande's stance on Ankara's EU Bid

[13] Fule welcomes suspension of controversial HSYK bill

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Schulz: Turkish Cypriots' representation in the EP can be solved with the Cyprus settlement

Replying to written questions of Havadis' correspondent Esra Aygin, Schulz stressed that it cannot be accepted that the Turkish Cypriots are not represented in the European Parliament and the European Parliament is concerned about this issue.

Schulz repeated that a Cyprus settlement will be for the benefit of both sides. He noted that everybody knows that achieving solution in Cyprus will not be easy; however, he added that he is an optimist politician. He stressed that the situation that Cyprus is in at this moment is neither to the benefit of the island nor the EU.

Commenting on the decision of the Cyprus Government to approve legislation that facilitates Turkish Cypriots casting ballots in the upcoming European Parliament elections on 26 May through automatic registration on the electoral roll, Schulz encouraged the Turkish Cypriots to use their vote on the European Parliament elections and added: "I would like to remind that the one third of the seats for Cyprus in the European Parliament belong to the Turkish Cypriot community".

Noting that some circles demand giving to the Turkish Cypriots "observer" status in the European Parliament as they have in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), Schulz said: "We should take into consideration that the structures and the authorities of the two institutions are very different. The status of observer in the European Parliament is for the countries that are carrying on negotiations in order to enter into the EU. This status is not logical and meaningful for the Turkish Cypriots."

Commenting on the normalization of Turkey's relations with the Republic of Cyprus and Turkey's stance for opening its ports and airports to Cyprus vessels, Schulz stressed that all countries wishing to join the EU should respect and adapt its regulations and institutions. He went on: "I would like to remind that Turkey is carrying out at this moment negotiations with the EU. If Turkey wants to be an EU full member, then it should behave as any other EU member country. In other words, Turkey should comply with all EU regulations and legislation and should respect all the political institutions of the EU."

[02] More reactions to the decision of the Council of Ministers to facilitate the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP elections

In statements to Kibris, the general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party – United Forces (CTP-BG), Kutlay Erk referred to the 1960 Constitution of the Republic of Cyprus and argued that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots should determine their representatives in separate elections. He said that in the current situation, the Turkish Cypriots cannot hold separate elections in the occupied area of the island to determine their representatives and claimed that there are some political parties in the Greek Cypriot community which are against the draft-law and it is not known whether the draft-law will pass from the House of Representatives in its current form.

Erk expressed the view that the sides in Cyprus and the EU should work together and produce a solution for the Turkish Cypriots filling up the two seats at the EP which it is their right. He alleged that participating in the elections in the government-controlled area of Cyprus is not an "applicable method" and that the Greek Cypriots were not pursuing for an applicable method. He said that the Turkish Cypriots are undertaking some initiatives at the EP and they are determined to continue these initiatives.

Hasan Tacoy, self-styled "MP" with the Democratic Party – National Forces (DP-UG) alleged that the practice suggested by the Greek Cypriots is a wrong practice. He added: "They are saying to us: 'become a voter', 'come and register'. The so-called representation right is given to the Turkish Cypriots under the name of the Republic of Cyprus. This is not a method that represents the Turkish Cypriots". He said that the Turkish Cypriots want to hold their own elections and send their representatives to the EP.

Izzet Izcan, chairman of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) said that technically they are not against the participation of the Turkish Cypriots in the EP elections, but the representatives who will come out from within the Turkish Cypriot community should represent the Turkish Cypriot community in the EP. He claimed: "The way for this has not yet been opened. The registration in the lists is not enough. An agreement should be reached between the sides, the EU should recognize this agreement and we should send our two representatives to the EP… All voters should go and vote in order for us to send a representative to the EP. This election should be held freely and we have to be represented proportionally to our population. The Greek Cypriots are saying 'come and enter into the elections under me'. There is a defect in the procedure".

Murat Kanatli, organizational secretary of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), said that his party believes that the amendment of the law is positive and that the Turkish Cypriots should be encouraged to vote. He noted that the EP elections are held on ideological basis rather than on ethnic basis. Kanatli said that when a solution to the Cyprus problem is reached, the elections will be separately held in the Greek and Turkish constituent states, but the YKP will have in its lists Greek Cypriots, who will be residing in the Turkish Cypriot constituent state, because this is not a debate on ethnic basis.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Sener Levent will be a candidate in the EP elections

"…They met at the same point with our chauvinists, something which rarely happens. All, except the New Cyprus Party (YKP), believe that the Turkish Cypriots were unjustly treated. They all demand a separate election to be held for the two seats which belong to the Turkish Cypriots out of these six seats. That is, in their view, the Greeks should elect the four MPs and the Turks the other two MPs. If we had continued our way as one of the two partners of the Republic of Cyprus, this is what would have happened now. However, is this possible in the current status quo? You are absent in the north, Turkey's subordinate administration exists. It is under the occupation of Turkey for 40 years. It said that it had come to re-establish the spoiled constitution of the Republic of Cyprus in 1974 and afterwards it changed its mind and stayed here. Turkey divided the island. It carried here population that multiplies the local population. And it established a ghost state by putting its collaborators in its administration. If now, after all these, you demand two seats at the EP, who will give them to you? Is this possible before a common state is reached on the island?...

Yes, I am a candidate. And I believe that these elections are a great opportunity for cooperation and solidarity between the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots… I am a candidate because I want to see here how much we have managed to overcome the wall of nationalism here… We will be saved on this island only when a Turk defends the rights of the Greeks and a Greek defends the rights of the Turks."

(I/Ts.)

[04] Davutoglu: Turkey is stronger on the Cyprus issue because of the Burgenstock talks

Speaking at a meeting of the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD), Davutoglu, referring to the Cyprus problem, said that they have carried out a diplomacy which opened their horizons and protected the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Davutoglu claimed that since 2004 referenda, in no case has Turkey or the "TRNC" (Translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) been accused by the world as the intransigent side. He argued that the parameters of a Cyprus settlement have changed because they have exhibited political will. He added that the national income in Cyprus has quadrupled and the Turkish Cypriot community can stand up right in front of the Greek Cypriots.

[05] Eroglu: Erdogan's stressing on two founding states relieved us

Asked to comment on Erdogan's statement in Brussels as regards the view on "two founding states", Eroglu argued: "Mr Prime Minister said it very correctly. With this reply to Mr Schultz [Translator's note: the President of the European Parliament, Martin Schultz] he drew attention to a reality".

Eroglu said that they are trying to establish a "new partnership state" and argued that "it is out of the question for the south to represent the north". "The reply given by Mr Prime Minister relieved us", he added.

Asked what the positions of the Turkish side are as regards the solution in Cyprus, Eroglu said that they want "a new bi-zonal, bi-communal federal state which will be established by two founding states based on political equality".

Replying to a question on the agreement between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Cyprus regarding the properties in the British Sovereign Bases on the island, Eroglu said that they had conveyed their objections on this issue to the British High Commissioner in Cyprus. He alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are the owners of one part of these bases and added that they object to the transfer of these properties to the Guardian of the Turkish Cypriot properties [Translator's note: The Guardian is the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Cyprus, which is responsible for all Turkish Cypriot properties in the government controlled area of the island].

Referring to the issue of the illegal Turkish settlers, Eroglu said that the first settlers had come to the island in 1975, got married and had children. "The father of two of my grandchildren is from Turkey", he added and reiterated the position that all the "citizens" of the "TRNC" will become "citizens of the partnership state".

Asked on how the water to be transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem, Eroglu said that 75 million cubic meters of water will come and added that "this is more than enough for the TRNC".

Meanwhile, referring to the same statements, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (27.01.14) reports that Eroglu said that there is a water shortage in the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus. "In the end they will be doomed to accept the water which will come from Turkey to the TRNC".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Columnist assesses the information that Ankara directly submits proposals to the Republic of Cyprus

The columnist argues, inter alia, the following: "…This initiative, which could be accepted as 'true' because no refutation came from Ankara or Nicosia or Washington, is very important. And it is important from many aspects.

One: Turkey has by-passed president Dervis Eroglu, who does not want a 'single sovereignty'.

Two: With this 'direct contact' Ankara has given the signal that she could make an opening in the direction of 'normalization' of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus.

Three: It is something new for Ankara to negotiate the 'single sovereignty' and the 'guarantees' not with the other guarantor powers, but with the one of the sides in Cyprus.

Four: With these initiatives Ankara itself has blamed Eroglu for the fact that the negotiations could not resume.

Five: Turkey has given the message to both the UN and the EU that 'do not pay attention to Eroglu's hard stance, we are at the point Talat left it'…"

(I/Ts.)

[07] Swedish Ambassador to Lefkosia held contacts

The meeting held at the DP-UG party headquarters. No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (26.01.13) reported that Gierow also held a meeting the general secretary of the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit and exchanged views on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem.

[08] More than 100.000 settlers reportedly left the breakaway regime due to economic conditions

He went on and added that the "country" needs population for the economy to come around again.

[09] Three Turkish Minister to illegally visit the occupied area ofCyprus

Denktas did not state who the Ministers are.

[10] Realist-Kulis newspaper begun its circulation

The general director of the paper is Harun Denizkan.

In its first publication note, the paper writes that it will view Cyprus as a whole during its publication life, will try to be realistic and will struggle for the rights of the "people" in Cyprus. It also writes that eight Greek Cypriot columnists will write articles for the paper.

[11] Public opinion polls shows that Nami is the most popular and Serdar Denktas the least popular "ministers"

The paper writes that the least popular is "deputy prime minister" and leader of Democratic Party Serdar Denktas with 5.24 out of ten. Second worse is "prime minister" and leader of the Republican Turkish Party Ozkan Yorgancioglu with 5.63 out of ten.

According to the opinion poll, only five out of ten persons trust the so-called government.

The poll was conducted with a sample of 654 persons.

[12] Turkish Ambassador in Paris views Hollande's stance on Ankara's EU Bid

"Hollande has a more moderate approach to Turkey's EU accession than Sarkozy, but he might change his stance due to the upcoming elections," Burcuoglu said.

In addition, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (27.01.14) reports that the French President pays historic visit to Turkey today, after 22 years aiming to promote bilateral ties after these regressed under former leader Nicolas Sarkozy.

Ankara's agenda for the talks will focus on opening EU accession chapters 17, 22 and 23 during Greece's EU presidency, which runs through June 30. "However, France is known to be hesitant about opening chapter 17, regulating economic and monetary policies, which is directly related to full accession and could create difficulties for Hollande in domestic politics given that his popularity level at home is low ahead of local elections in March", writes the paper.

The resumption of talks in Cyprus is set to be another topic of discussion during Holland's meeting.

[13] Fule welcomes suspension of controversial HSYK bill

In a tweet on Sunday, Fule, said that he welcomed the suspension, adding that it is time to reflect on how to ensure independence and impartiality in the judiciary.

In addition, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (25.01.14) argues that Brussels has played a key role in freezing parts of the controversial bill as Fule sent a letter to Ankara on Jan. 24 requesting more time and dialogue before the enactment of the draft bill, daily Radikal revealed.

Fule sent a first letter on Jan. 14 to EU Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Fule said that such a reform would have a negative impact on "the independence and neutrality of the judiciary and the separation of powers." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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