Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-02-12

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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: The joint declaration contains abstract and open to interpretation expressions

[02] Reactions by the Turkish Cypriot parties on the negotiations launching

[03] Reactions in Turkey on the launching of the Cyprus negotiations

[04] Ozersay: The negotiating process will continue from the point it is left; Eroglu does not want Nami in his negotiating team

[05] Ozgurgun met with the Italian Ambassador

[06] 1,257 students studying at illegal DAU University graduated yesterday

[07] Davutoglu defends new internet bill during talks with EU officials

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: The joint declaration contains abstract and open to interpretation expressions

He went on and added that within this framework they suggested a "defined negotiating process" and they pointed out that issues such as the sovereignty, the internal citizenship and the powers "should be concluded with concrete proposals by the sides through negotiations".

Eroglu noted that the negotiators of the sides will meet on Friday, 14 February, 2014, to prepare the "step by step program of the process" and the structured negotiations will be clarified.

Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots have experienced an "important trauma and many pains by being left out of the partnership after 1963" and that the Turkish Cypriots are actually the ones who "pay the price of the continuation of the problem".

Eroglu said that they have recorded that no one could unilaterally change the order which will be created on the island and this is important when the events after 1963 are taken into consideration.

Eroglu went on and added that the proposals he had submitted before continue to be at the negotiating table and he clearly put this forward yesterday.

Asked whether the international community is now active on the Cyprus problem, Eroglu replied that Cyprus is an international problem which continues for years and that outside interventions might happen in such problems, but the two sides on the island have given their approval for the joint declaration and the important thing is the beginning of the negotiations.

Arguing that no solution to the Cyprus problem could be reached with the joint declaration, Eroglu said that the solution will be found at the negotiating table and added that no negative development was experienced during the meeting between the leaders yesterday which was held in a "sincere climate".

When was reminded that according to some information, confidence building measures would come onto the table during the first meeting of the leaders, Eroglu said they are not opposed to confidence building measures and that if the issue of the occupied closed city of Varosha comes onto the agenda, they will evaluate it. He noted that no proposal regarding Varosha has been submitted to the table and added that in case such a proposal comes, they will give their reply.

Asked about the eighth paragraph of the joint declaration, Eroglu said that it remained empty because the proposals of the sides "could not meet at a common point" and therefore nothing was written in the paragraph upon his suggestion.

Eroglu said that their target is reaching an agreement which will include the rights of the Turkish Cypriot "people".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Reactions by the Turkish Cypriot parties on the negotiations launching

The chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun, called on for support and strength to be exerted to the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu "who properly supports the rights of the Turkish Cypriots at the negotiation table". He said that as UBP, they hope that the negotiations will provide a result based on the basic rights of the two "peoples" adding that the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriots regarding sovereignty and "motherland Turkey's guarantees" are known.

The self-styled prime minister and chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Ozkan Yorgancioglu, stated that his government and his party will support the procedure for reaching a solution. He also stated that CTP will be an active part during the negotiations and that they will support Eroglu.

CTP issued a separate statement noting that the party supports with all its strength the joint declaration adding that the launching of negotiations is a big opportunity for both Turkish and Greek Cypriots. "We know that this procedure will not be easy, but the expectation from the two leaders is big", the party stated.

The youth organization of the Democratic Party (DP) stated that they support a solution where Turkey's guarantees and equal sovereignty will be safeguarded, adding that the current status quo cannot continue.

The Social Democracy Party (TDP) stated that it is important the negotiations to lead to a permanent, just and early solution and noted that the solution must be supported by everyone.

The chairman of United Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan stated that Cyprus needs a federal solution the soonest possible and expressed his party's support for the negotiations launching.

[03] Reactions in Turkey on the launching of the Cyprus negotiations

Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.02.14) reported that Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan said that a brand new process is set to begin in Cyprus and expressed hope that it will succeed in solving the longstanding problem that divides the island. Erdogan was speaking at the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) weekly parliamentary group meeting. "I hope neither side will step back from the talks and that the Cyprus conflict will finally be solved," Erdogan said, adding that the new direction signaled by the resumption of the talks is a promising one.

In addition, Turkish daily Today's Zaman newspaper (12.02.14) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that there is a highly positive atmosphere on the Cyprus problem, adding that it had been discussed comprehensively during the recent EU-Turkey Political Dialogue meeting in Brussels.

Davutoglu said that there had been a few deadlocks while discussing the joint statement, "but thanks to the productive efforts and good intentions of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots, the problems are now overcome", he claimed.

He said that Turkey wants to see an accelerated negotiations process within a certain time frame, and added that the efforts of the UN, the EU, Greece, Turkey, Great Britain and the US played a role in overcoming the deadlock in Cyprus.

In addition, Today's Zaman, also reports that the Turkish Foreign Ministry has welcomed the start of the negotiations "as a chance to find a comprehensive solution under the UN auspices". The Turkish Ministry made a statement on Tuesday saying that Turkey supports a just, lasting and viable solution based on a new partnership consisting of two politically equal states in Cyprus.

"Turkey will continue its determined and productive support to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General in creating a new partnership on the island by the will of both communities, based on reconciliation and equal status. Turkey hopes that with a just and lasting solution, the island of Cyprus and the East Mediterranean will turn into a peaceful, stable and cooperative region," said the statement.

The ministry's statement also praised the efforts made by Eroglu and his leadership, as well as the productive attitude of the Turkish Cypriot parties in order to start the negotiations. 'Turkey, as it has done in the past, will cooperate closely and provide support to the KKTC with all its institutions for the success of the process, and it will continue to be one step ahead in meeting its obligations,' said the statement", according to the paper.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (12.02.14) reports that Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli, speaking at his party's parliamentary meeting, stated that the energy calculations between Israel, USA and the Republic of Cyprus are creating a route against the national interests of the Turkish Cypriots. He went on and added that efforts to make Turkish Cypriots secondary class citizens and to take revenge for 1974, will not be accepted "We will not accept any plan that will not safeguard the benefits and the sovereignty rights of the Turkish Cypriots", he stated.

[04] Ozersay: The negotiating process will continue from the point it is left; Eroglu does not want Nami in his negotiating team

Ozersay said that the negotiations will continue from the point they were left and that there are issues on which the sides have agreed. He noted that agreement has not been reached on some core issues and added that these issues will be put onto the table and be negotiated one by one. He argued that a give and take is necessary for being able to have a result in these issues.

Ozersay claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side will do whatever it can in the negotiating process and that he is hopeful for the new process.

Meanwhile, according to Halkin Sesi (12.02.14), the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has rejected the participation of Ozdil Nami, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, in his negotiating team. Under the title "Nami crisis", the paper cites information acquired from sources inside the "government" and writes that self-styled prime minister Yorgancioglu submitted a proposal to Eroglu to include Nami in his negotiating team. The sources said that Eroglu replied that the "interlocutor" of Nami is Foreign Minister Kasoulides. "Let him go and meet with him", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ozgurgun met with the Italian Ambassador

No statements before or after the meeting were made to the press.

AK

[06] 1,257 students studying at illegal DAU University graduated yesterday

As the paper writes, 1,257 students from 33 different countries received their diplomas during yesterday's graduation ceremony. With this number of graduates, totally 40 thousand students from 96 countries graduated from the illegal DAU.

AK

[07] Cavusoglu defends new internet bill during talks with EU officials

"The right to privacy is the most fundamental one after the right to live," he said. "We cited to the EU that it is, and should be protected by law both in real and virtual life."

The bill enables the Telecommunication Authority to block any internet material deemed offensive within four hours of it appearing. A court then convenes within 48 hours to decide if the ban be continued.

The EU Minister was speaking after a meeting between Turkey's top diplomat Ahmet Davutoglu, the EU Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, and Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton to discuss relations between the Union and Turkey. Fule - after meeting with Turkish Ministers Monday - said that Turkey should engage more closely with the EU regarding the recent amendments to its internet laws and proposed changes to the judiciary.

Turkey's chief negotiator, Cavusoglu said they were ready to compare the judiciary system proposal with EU legislation, but for now it was on hold due to discussions between the ruling AK Party and the opposition. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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