Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-01-29

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: The founding states in Cyprus will be sovereign and make international agreements, Erdogan also believes this

[02] Eroglu: It is out of question for the Turkish Cypriot side to put forward a new proposal

[03] Yorgancioglu will meet with Erdogan on Thursday

[04] Reservoirs to be built in occupied Morfou area

[05] A new programme of harmonization of the "TRNC legislation" with the "EU's acquis communautaire

[06] Industry in occupied Cyprus made a loss of 30% due to the exchange rate

[07] Opinion poll shows that 61% of households in occupied Cyprus were affected negatively by the economic crisis

[08] Turkish businessman says he is ready to invest in illegal Tymvou airport, but the land has not been yet handed over to him

[09] Free apartment e in a draw with newspaper coupons

[10] Gul departs for talks in Italy as part of busy EU agenda

[11] Erdogan's visit to Iran to focus on economy, energy projects

[12] Bagis appointed as PACE representative

[13] Turkey extends time for missile deal offers

[14] Turkey's Central Bank makes massive rate hike to stem Lira fall

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: The founding states in Cyprus will be sovereign and make international agreements, Erdogan also believes this

In statements to Ada television, Eroglu argued that sovereignty is important for the Turkish Cypriot "people" and that the Greek Cypriots do not accept that the Turkish Cypriots are sovereign. Eroglu recalled that during his recent visit to Brussels, Erdogan has emphasized on the "founding states" and claimed that sovereignty could not be rejected in the founding states.

Responding to a question, Eroglu alleged, inter alia, the following:

"If we had not had the self-determination right in the Annan Plan process, that is, if we had not had a separate structure, if we were not a separate people, if we were not a sovereign community, they would not accept us as a side and they would take a decision and impose it on us. Therefore, two separate sovereign peoples exist here… Of course, if we are going to establish a new partnership state, these two sovereign peoples will establish this partnership state. Otherwise, this will not be called partnership. There might be some people in the south who say 'let us return to the 1960'. However, this will be tantamount to rejecting our existence. We are searching for a new partnership state. Therefore sovereignty is important of course…"

Asked whether the substance of the problem as regards the joint declaration is the "insistence of the Greek Cypriot side" on the issue of sovereignty, Eroglu replied that the Greek Cypriots do not accept that the Turkish Cypriots are sovereign and added, inter alia, the following: "…During the meeting we had with Mr Erdogan we discussed that the sovereignty of the founding states is sine qua non. If I will enter again under the Republic of Cyprus, we will be rejecting the fact that we have lived in a separate state for years… Of course a state will be sovereign. Perhaps outside there will be a single sovereignty. This is a separate issue. However, the founding states will of course have the right of making international agreements. And this means that the founding states will be sovereign. If you present me only as a 'federal unit', I might find myself in the street again like in 1963. Because this is a matter on which we are sensitive, they found the opportunity and play with time. For example, in the constitutions of Turkey, Britain or Spain no reference is made to single sovereignty…"

Asked whether an alternative plan will come onto the agenda if the process ends in a negative manner, Eroglu said that they are looking for an agreement and if there is no agreement, the alternatives will come onto the agenda.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: It is out of question for the Turkish Cypriot side to put forward a new proposal

"The proposal put forward by the Turkish Cypriot side is a continuation of its constructive stance which aimed to open the way of the Cyprus negotiations process. The proposal put forward was praised by all sides concerned stresses the statement and adds that it is out of question to put forward a new proposal or for any other proposal to be approved or rejected", is alleged in the statement.

It is also argued that Eroglu since the day he has come to duty, is ready to make an agreement which takes the "realities" of Cyprus into consideration and is determined to do whatever is necessary to achieve this.

[03] Yorgancioglu will meet with Erdogan on Thursday

According to a press release issued by the self-styled prime minister's office, Yorgancioglu will be accompanied by self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami, self-styled undersecretary of the "prime ministry" Alpay Afsaroglu and the self-styled director of personnel Huseyin Gursan. The delegation will meet on Thursday with Erdogan and later on with the Assembly Speaker of the Turkish Parliament Cemil Cicek.

After completing his contacts, Yorgancioglu and his accompanied delegation will return to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on Friday. Meanwhile, in his return flight, he will be with the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, Minister of Energy Taner Yildiz and Minister of Water Affairs Veysel Eroglu, who will pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Havadis (29.01.14), in its front page, reports that economy will be the priority in the agenda during the meeting between Yorgancioglu and Erdogan.

[04] Reservoirs to be built in occupied Morfou area

Bakirci met with a delegation from the Investigation, Planning and Allocation Department that operates within the General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works of Turkey that is currently carrying out technical workings with the so-called Water Works Department of the breakaway regime

During the visit Bakirci said that close to 7.5 million cubic meters of water is flowing into the sea around the occupied Morfou area and that for some time now they have been working on a reservoir project and finally they will be implementing this project. He also said that during the workings none of the areas in question will be left submerged under water as the reservoirs will be made with an underground retention system.

[05] A new programme of harmonization of the "TRNC legislation" with the "EU's acquis communautaire

The new programme envisages the preparation within three years 228 "regulations" and a total of 83 "laws", from which the 54 "regulations" will be within 2014 and the 18 "laws" will include 16 EU acquis chapters. He added that despite the economic difficulties, as much as 50 "laws" and "secondary legislations" have been approved and come into effect.

Ercin explained that the "legal regulations" aimed at the programme are a condition in order to solve the financial and social problems and to raise the standard of living whether there will be a Cyprus settlement or not.

[06] Industry in occupied Cyprus made a loss of 30% due to the exchange rate

Meanwhile, Alpay Afsaroglu, advisor at the self-styled prime minister's office, said yesterday that they continue their work on the measures they could take regarding the rapid increase of the foreign exchange rate. He noted that the issue will be discussed today at the "council of ministers" and the decisions will be announced to the public.

The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Gunay Cerkez noted that the Turkish Lira lost 30% of its value as regards the foreign exchange. He noted that the "government" should prepare measures quickly.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Opinion poll shows that 61% of households in occupied Cyprus were affected negatively by the economic crisis

According to the poll, 61% of households stated that are in a worse condition compared to five years ago, 27.1% stated that are in the same condition while 11.9% stated that are in a better condition.

The poll also revealed that households are having trouble paying their debts.

[08] Turkish businessman says he is ready to invest in illegal Tymvou airport, but the land has not been yet handed over to him

Turanli said that they will have no profit from the "airport" during the first ten years, but after the ten years their investment will become profitable. He noted: "We saw that it is profitable. For example, this year there is an increase of 5.5 % in passengers. If there is an increase of 7-7.5%, there will be no problem".

Turanli said that the delay in overtaking the land exists because some other buildings are on this land. He argued that they are suffering loses because no land is given to them. He claimed that 50 million euros remain unused and that they lose four million euro annually. Turanli said that they do not want the "TRNC" to compensate them for this money.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (29.01.14), in statement's to Kibris TV, Turanli expressed the belief that ten million passengers could be carried annually to the occupied area of Cyprus and argued that if the people give priority to development, the illegal airport could grow not only by 7.5% annually, but by 10%. He said that if the obstacles in front of him cease to exist, he could start working with his team after ten days and hand over the illegal airport within two years.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Free apartment e in a draw with newspaper coupons

The paper asks the self-style minister of finance Mungan if he has given the necessary permission. The paper wonders if the apartment, which will be in the draw, has a "title deed". It also wonders whether the necessary licenses given to the "Realist" paper in order to hold a draw.

[10] Gul departs for talks in Italy as part of busy EU agenda

Paying an official visit to Italy at the invitation of his Italian counterpart, Giorgio Napolitano, on Jan. 28-31, Gul will have talks with Italian officials on political and economic issues. Bilateral relations between Rome and Ankara as well as regional and international developments will most likely be discussed during Gul's visit. His visit to Rome comes at a time when Turkey's EU schedule has intensified in the last two weeks.

During Gul's visit to Italy, a Turkey-Italy business forum organized by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodities Exchanges (TOBB) and Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) will take place. Gul is expected to attend the forum and address the Turkish and Italian businessmen attending the conference. He is also scheduled to attend the opening of the Yunus Emre Turkish Cultural Center in Rome.

[11] Erdogan's visit to Iran to focus on economy, energy projects

In Erdogan's portfolio for his Iran visit, which began yesterday, are the topics of energy, the embargo against Iran, and Syria. Erdogan, who will meet with Iranian President Hasan Ruhani is also expected to meet with the Supreme Religious Leader, Ali Khamanei.

In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (29.01.14) reports that during the meeting Turkey and Iran will sign an agreement to establish a high-level cooperation council. Western countries eased sanctions on Tehran over an interim nuclear deal. According to Iran's Foreign Ministry, a visit to Turkey by President Hassan Rouhani will also be on the agenda. Spokeswoman Marzihe Afkham described the visit as "very important."

Ankara Anatolia news agency (29.01.14) reported that ahead of Turkey PM's visit to Iran, energy minister Yildiz says that no new oil agreement has been reached with Iran, despite Turkey's increasing energy demand.

Yildiz also hinted that Turkey and France are planning to invest in a US$22 billion nuclear energy project with a Japanese partner, aiming to reduce Turkey's dependence on imported natural gas and focus on nuclear and renewable energy.

[12] Bagis appointed as PACE representative

[13] Turkey extends time for missile deal offers

Turkey announced its decision to negotiate with China's Precision Machinery Import and Export Corp. (CPMIEC) to co-produce anti-ballistic missile system last September. It then extended the deadline to Jan. 31, after firm statements from NATO and U.S. officials that the Chinese MD-2000's would not be interoperable with the NATO defence architecture. Turkish leaders said the deal had yet to be finalized, and that Ankara remained open to new offers from the other two bidders.

[14] Turkey's Central Bank makes massive rate hike to stem Lira fall

The bank raised its overnight lending rate to 12% from 7.75%, its one-week repo rate to 10% from 4.5%, and its overnight borrowing rate to 8% from 3.5% - all much sharper moves than economists had forecast.

The Turkish Lira strengthened to 2.18 per dollar after the decision, from 2.25 late on Jan. 28 and after touching 2.39 a day earlier - the latest in a series of record lows.

The Central Bank had been struggling to contain the lira's precipitous slide, with investor confidence damaged by a corruption scandal shaking the government and the global impact of a cut in U.S. monetary stimulus. In a statement, the bank said it would maintain tight monetary policy until the inflation outlook showed a clear improvement. That could have a marked impact on Turkey's economic growth, which the government has forecast at 4% this year.

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