Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-02-20

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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] Ozersay: We are going well; We entered into the substance

[02] Turkish daily argues that if there is no solution in Cyprus negotiations the Kosovo model could be adopted for the breakaway regime

[03] Kayalp: Even if Turkey decides tomorrow morning to open Varosha", it will take five years for the city to open for settlement

[04] Nami called on the EU to promote a resolution on the Cyprus problem

[05] Siber called for the opening of observer status office for the "TRNC" in Jeddah

[06] Yildiz: Pipeline through Turkey is best route for Cyprus gas

[07] Eroglu called the Greek Cypriot side to proceed to the negotiation table with "healthy" proposals

[08] Sertoglu calls on for the creation of a Cyprus national football team consisting of Greek and Turkish Cypriot players like in the past

[09] UBP and DP move forwards to cooperate in "local elections"

[10] Israel and Turkey step up gas exports negotiations

[11] CHP takes law on judiciary to top court before presidential approval

[12] Europeans express concerns over Turkey's EU bid

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay: We are going well; We entered into the substance

In statements after the meeting, Ozersay said the following: "We left the meeting satisfied. Moreover, as far as we understood, not only the Turkish side, the Greek Cypriot side also left satisfied. This is something positive. I think that it was a good start and I could easily say that we have now started entering into the substance of the issues. Certainly it is possible to reach the following conclusion: There is in general a common understanding between the sides regarding the method of the negotiations. We have started debating the substance of the issues one by one. I could say that there is an agreement on the method connected to the issues from time to time but in general on how the negotiations will be conducted".

Replying to a question Ozersay said that the details of the negotiators' visits to Athens and Ankara respectively started to be clarified and added that during the meeting the sides informed each other on the names of the persons who will participate in their delegations during the above-mentioned visits. He noted that he will be accompanied to Athens by the "political affairs director", Gunes Onar and the "representative of the director", Gulfem Veziroglu.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish daily argues that if there is no solution in Cyprus negotiations the Kosovo model could be adopted for the breakaway regime

The same officials stated that the continuation of negotiations will be determined by the Greek Cypriot side's behavior. "Until now there is no issues left which were not discussed. If there is will, the negotiations could be completed even within a week", the officials stated.

The paper also cites diplomatic sources according to which this is the first time that the Turkish Cypriot side is sitting at the negotiations table under equal conditions with the Greek Cypriot side. According to these sources, conditions are quite different than 2004, the Turkish side's position is stronger and "yes" can be said easier than the Annan Plan.

The paper also reports about the forthcoming visit to Ankara and Athens by the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavrogiannis and the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay accordingly and writes that the visits will take place on February 27.

[03] Kayalp: Even if Turkey decides tomorrow morning to open Varosha", it will take five years for the city to open for settlement

"There is a six-kilometre long coast line and this place could be the biggest tourism centre of the Middle East", he noted pointing out that the area has the capacity to solve the problem of unemployment in both the occupied and the government-controlled area of the island in parallel to solving many other problems.

Recalling that the US President Barack Obama and the President of the EU Commission, Jose Manuel Barosso had referred to the issue last week, Kayalp argued: "I think that not only Varosha, but the port of Famagusta, the airport in Tymvou and Varosha and perhaps the within the walls area of Famagusta could come onto the agenda in a package as confidence building measure, if this will trigger off the negotiating process of the Cyprus problem".

Kayalp recalled that during meetings held at the United Nations in 1975, the then Turkish Foreign Minister Turan Gunes was committed that the closed area of Varosha would be returned to its legal owners, in case of a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. He argued:

"All the governments of the Republic of Turkey that followed, Ecevit, Demirel, Tansu Cller, Erbakan etc. are standing behind this commitment since then. From this point of view, the UN has given to Varosha the status of ''fenced area under the control of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF)'. The closed area of Varosha is not in the borders of the TRNC. It is not in the maps of the TRNC as well. Because, due to an agreement reached between the UN and Turkey, it will remain under the control of the TAF until the solution, and in a solution it will be returned to its old owners, that is the inhabitants of Varosha. This is the agreement?"

Noting that no works are being held now in the occupied closed city of Varosha, Kayalp said: "?The place is under the control of the TAF. The authority which will give permission for carrying out any works in Varosha is the Turkish General Staff in Ankara. Therefore, only in case the sides reach a mutual agreement on this issue, it is possible for works to be held there, that is, in case the Turks and the Greek Cypriots [agree] and Turkey gives its consent".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Nami called on the EU to promote a resolution on the Cyprus problem

He said: "I specifically underlined the historic nature of the joint statement issued for I believe this text paves the way for rapid progress at the negotiating table by addressing some of the critical issues related to governance and power sharing in a federal Cyprus.", adding that their goal is to achieve a bi-zonal bi-communal federation with political equality between the two sides, which will have a single sovereignty defined as sovereignty enjoyed by all UN member states under the UN Charter and which emanates equally from Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

He explained that various factors contributed to this positive development, as the economic challenges faced on both sides of the island, the discovery of natural resources, the politicians who supported the Annan Plan are currently in power on both sides, as well as the renewed interest in enhancing Turkey-EU relations as well as the strong support given by Turkey for rapid progress in the talks.

Referring to the participation of Turkish Cypriots at the European Parliament, Nami said: "We also need to find a way to enable elected representatives of the Turkish Cypriot community to actively participate in the European Parliament in anticipation of a united Cyprus. We welcome the initiative taken by the S&D group regarding this issue but the fact that the EU parliament could not manage to create a formula to accommodate this need continues to be a disappointment for the Turkish Cypriots."

On the same issue, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.02.14) Nami, answering questions after the meeting, said his Brussels contacts were fruitful and added that workings will continue towards enabling the effective use of the EU Financial Aid Regulation and the Green Line Regulation agreements.

He also provided information about the content of the speech he delivered at the European Parliament. "It was important that for the first time a Turkish Cypriot foreign minister addressed the Socialist Group at the European Parliament. As you all know, a joint statement was made by the two leaders in Cyprus which paved the way for the re-launch of the negotiations. I explained to the Socialist Group about the content of the joint statement. I also shared our views regarding our targets and expectations from the process. The meeting was held in a positive atmosphere and we got support of the Socialist Group MEPs. They are also wishing that a comprehensive solution will be found to the Cyprus problem so that the Turkish Cypriots will have their rightful place at the European Parliament", Nami said.

Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.02.14) reported that Nami, speaking at the Centre for European Policy Studies, asked the European Union on Wednesday to prepare the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) for the post-resolution period.

Nami said that "the joint declaration envisages the presence of both Turkish and Greek Cypriot governments authorized in specific parts of the island, adding that if the EU wants to promote a resolution, it needs to act now".

Nami also met with Belgian Foreign Minister Didier Reynders, representatives of political groups in the European Parliament, EU Commission officials, and Ambassadors of some member states to discuss the resolution process in Cyprus.

[05] Siber called for the opening of observer status office for the "TRNC" in Jeddah

Claiming that the "TRNC" is known for its democratic structure and freedoms and is a model country, Siber said: "The TRNC is a tourism island with its historical and cultural structure and with its natural beauty.

Meanwhile, Siber held meetings with Assembly Speakers from Azerbaijan, Libya, Sudan, Malaysia and Tajikistan. She also met with the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs Abdullah bin Abdul Rahman Alim. During the meeting, Siber briefed Alim about the "TRNC" and exchanged views on the Cyprus issue.

She also invited Alim to the "TRNC" and called for the opening of observer status office for the "TRNC" in Jeddah. As part of her contacts Siber also came together with the Iranian Parliament's Turkish-Iranian Friendship Group President Huseyin Bedir Sadir. Siber called for support for the Cyprus negotiations

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.02.14) reported that Siber said Wednesday she hopes the long-term Cyprus issue will be solved.

"We have a peaceful and reconciliatory culture and we wish to live together with the Greek Cypriots in peace," Siber said, speaking in Tehran at the ninth session of the Conference of Parliamentary Union of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation Member States (PUIC).

Claiming that the European Union promised to lift the "embargo on the TRNC", Siber said, "We are the ones who were punished for ten years,'' referring to the 2004 referendum's failure to unite the island.

"Our greatest desire is to live in peace and harmony and not to relive what happened in the past," Siber said.

Pointing out that the "TRNC" wants closer relations with the Muslim world, Siber said: "We sincerely look forward to your help to let our voice heard to the world."

[06] Yildiz: Pipeline through Turkey is best route for Cyprus gas

Replying to journalists' questions after the Turkish Wind Energy Association (TWEA) sector meeting, Yildiz said energy could not be evaluated separately from political issues in Cyprus but Turkey is optimistic on the benefits of a pipeline between Cyprus and Turkey.

[07] Eroglu called the Greek Cypriot side to proceed to the negotiation table with "healthy" proposals

Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu said that as the person being "elected" by the "people" to represent them at the negotiation table, he is obliged to think of the "people's" benefits.

Referring to the cross-talks that will take place in Athens and Ankara, he said that these talks will speed up the negotiation process.

Eroglu stressed the need for the sides to put forward "healthy" proposals at the negotiation table and added that the proposals to be submitted should be in the direction of the benefits of the two "people" and towards the acceptance of the existence of "two equal founding states in Cyprus and two people".

Eroglu went on and called the Greek Cypriot side to show respect to the Turkish Cypriot side's rights. He said that the Greek Cypriots should proceed to the negotiations with proposals that can be accepted and said that if the Greek Cypriot sides sit at the negotiation table with acceptable proposals; this will facilitate the work of the two sides.

AK

[08] Sertoglu calls on for the creation of a Cyprus national football team consisting of Greek and Turkish Cypriot players like in the past

The paper writes that in a speech he delivered at the reception Sertoglu suggested that Greek and Turkish Cypriot footballers to participate in the Cyprus national football team, like in the past. He also suggested Greek Cypriot footballers to be able to play in Turkish Cypriot teams and vice versa. On his part Koutsokoumnis stated that the procedure started with the agreement signed between TCFA and CFA which should be completed during summer.

[09] UBP and DP move forwards to cooperate in "local elections"

In addition, reporting on the same issue Turkish Cypriot Realist-Kulis newspaper (20.02.14) argues that the "Coalition government is over", and cites information according to which UBP and DP have agreed on everything and that the first meeting between the two parties which will deal on their cooperation, which may lead to the termination of CTP-DP "government" will take place at 15:00 today.

[10] Israel and Turkey step up gas exports negotiations

Turkey's Vatan daily said on Wednesday that representatives from US-based Noble Energy and Israel's Delek Group, two of Leviathan's largest stakeholders, are in talks with four Turkish energy firms for a possible deal in the construction of a natural gas pipeline via Turkey to Europe. Vatan said the Leviathan shareholders are in negotiations with Turkey's Turcas, Zorlu, Calik and Enka Energy for a pipeline that would carry 8 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Israeli gas via Turkey starting from 2017, the year Israel expects to start extracting gas.

Another option for the project would be to build a joint liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal with Cyprus.

Although an LNG terminal would allow access to global markets, the cheaper option of a pipeline to Turkey and the Palestinian Authority has recently gained traction. The pipeline to Turkey is estimated to cost $2.5 billion to construct, a much cheaper option when compared to the LNG terminal, estimated at $15 billion.

Vatan quoted Turkish energy company Turcas CEO Batu Aksoy as saying that around 8 billion bcm of natural gas could easily be transported to world markets via Turkey while the rest can be exported in the form of LNG. Aksoy says Israeli exports via Turkey could begin in 2017. "Turkey remains the safest energy corridor for Israel to sell its gas to global markets. ? We are talking about something that is more than a pipeline, something that can be a remedy for lingering political clashes with Israel and its neighbours," Aksoy commented.

[11] CHP takes law on judiciary to top court before presidential approval

The application comes despite President Abdullah Gul having yet to approve the law, and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government firmly arguing that such an appeal has no place in the Turkish legal system.

The CHP also asked for the annulment of the law boosting government control over the appointment of judges and prosecutors through the reshaping of the Supreme Council of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK).

[12] Europeans express concerns over Turkey's EU bid

Flautre noted that the Turkish government's increased pressure on the press, the media, and journalists contradict the exercise of freedom of expression and the notion of a free press.

Flautre also said that the on-going crisis has the potential to endanger Turkey's EU bid at a time when the governments of EU member states seem more open than ever to the resumption of negotiations with Turkey.

She called on Gul not to approve the HSYK bill so that Turkey's EU bid is not endangered.

Moreover, Socialist Group leader and one of the most veteran politicians of the European Parliament Hannes Swoboda harshly reacted to the new law on the HSYK. Swoboda said the law was an outright attack on the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law.

Speaking to Today's Zaman, Swoboda said the new law was deeply worrying for the European Union. Not bothering to mince his words, the Austrian politician said it was unthinkable in a democracy for the appointment of judges and prosecutors to not be protected from political interests.

Stressing that the law would not be in line with EU legislation, he warned President Abdullah Gul on the possible repercussions that the law would have on EU-Turkey relations if he approves the legislation.

Meanwhile, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks, in an exclusive telephone interview with Today's Zaman on Wednesday, said that passing controversial legislation in "haste and [with a] lack of transparency" in the Turkish Parliament, such as the newly approved law on the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) and the approval of a much-criticized Internet law, raises many questions about the motivations of the Turkish government. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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