Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-03-24

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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] Nami spoke to Voice of America

[02] Statements by Ozersay to the Voice of America

[03] The general assembly of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce was held

[04] Eroglu: The Greek Cypriots should understand that the existing realities cannot turn back

[05] Denktas: It would be wrong to sign an agreement for the sake of the hydrocarbon resources

[06] Yorgancioglu: Eroglu and I have different view on the Cyprus settlement

[07] UBP reportedly blackmails Sertoglu for his "Lefkosia municipality" candidacy

[08] New alliance between Turkish Cypriot parties announced its principles

[09] The restriction on Twitter affected also the occupied area of Cyprus

[10] Ban on Twitter in Turkey criticized around the world

[11] Turkish military shoots down Syrian aircraft near Turkey border

[12] Turkey and EU to re-examine Customs Union agreement

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami spoke to Voice of America

Below is the interview VOA published on their website:

"My visit to the United States started with the meeting with Bill Burns, Deputy Secretary of State. Then we met with officials at the State Department. Yesterday we met with the officials from the National Security Council at the White House. Today, we're at the Congress. We are discussing about the latest developments in Cyprus with effective members of the Congress. As you know the Cyprus issue continues since 1964. Cyprus is in UN Security Council's agenda for 50 years. This should definitely end. Turkish Cypriots have been isolated from the rest of the world and they don't deserve to. We always support a federal solution to end this problem. In this regard, of course, the role of the US is very important, we think.

A joint statement was issued last month by the two leaders. This is a very important statement. US's role was important in the creation of the joint statement which is the basis of further steps. We expressed our wish for this support to continue. [?] When we look at the negotiations on the Cyprus issue we know that it is the international factors that determine both sides' steps. Therefore, decisions taken by Washington influence the decision of the parties there. For example, a significant amount of hydrocarbon deposits found off the coast of the island. Extracting them to be delivered to the international market require cooperation with big companies. At this point, the role of big American companies comes into play. On the other hand Israel found hydrocarbon gas in amounts that are much more than their own needs. They also need Europe to export that. We are in that region of the world where we believe Cyprus, Israel, Europe, Tukey can collaborate with each other and United States can help with creation of this collaboration atmosphere".

[02] Statements by Ozersay to the Voice of America

In statements to the Voice of America radio, Ozersay expressed the view that the number of people in the Greek Cypriot side, who realize that the status quo on the island is not sustainable, is continuously increasing and added that time will show to what extent this will be reflected on the Greek Cypriot political leadership. "I think that, especially the pessimism created by the economic crisis, the haircut in the bank deposits, and the serious increase in the unemployment rate, have somewhat started causing a change in the Greek Cypriot community in comparison with 2004", he argued.

Ozersay claimed that with his 12-year long experience he could assure everyone that if the sides in Cyprus are left alone to negotiate, like in the past, this process might continue for another 50 years. "Therefore, I think that the third parties have the responsibility to exert any effort they can for encouraging, for directing in a manner that will not harm the will of the sides at a certain level, if they are sincere in wanting a comprehensive solution in Cyprus", he argued explaining that this reference concerns not only the USA but also the UN itself. He claimed that if the duty of the UN is the solution of the "Cyprus dispute" through negotiations, the UN institutions, including the UN Secretary-General must undertake an initiative.

Ozersay alleged that someone should explain to him why the Greek Cypriot side will want a solution, if the international players ignore what he called as its "unilateral efforts" to exploit and sell the energy resources in the Mediterranean in the international markets. Therefore, the international players should take some "rational steps" on many issues, including the energy, he claimed alleging that if the sides are prevented from avoiding cooperate and they face problems when they try to do this, they will start cooperating for a solution.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The general assembly of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce was held

Cerkez noted that the world is being turned into a single market with the developments in the field of communication and transport and added: "A new system in harmony with this is needed now. The basis of this system is cooperation. And the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots are part of this process".

The Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, the Turkish self-styled ambassador Halil Ibrahim Akca and a nine-member delegation from the Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KEVE) were among the participants in the opening ceremony of the General Assembly of TCCC.

Referring to the number of the Greek Cypriot delegation, Cerkez said that "we consider the fact that they participated for the first time with such a big team as indication of the importance they attach to the process".

Cerkez expressed the view that the solution process in Cyprus offers them big opportunities. "Therefore focusing on the opportunities without ignoring the threats, evaluating the new process with the opportunities it offers will help us in seeing the big picture", he said.

Arguing that the Turkish Cypriots have a privileged role in the area, Cerkez alleged that they should benefit from Turkey's power when the area is reshaped and use its [Turkey's] proximity to both the Western and the Islamic world for creating a model in Cyprus in which different cultures could live in harmony.

According to the paper, the 50-member Board of Chamber was elected during the general assembly. The Board is expected to determine the new chairman and the administrative council of the Chamber.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu: The Greek Cypriots should understand that the existing realities cannot turn back

Addressing the 51st General Assembly of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) on Saturday, Eroglu argued that their target is to "integrate the Turkish Cypriot people in the international system" by protecting their rights.

"No one has the right to victimize us any more", he claimed and alleged: "We believe that if the expressions in the joint statement are interpreted with a good will and constructively, we can reach an agreement. As long as our Greek Cypriot neighbours understand that it is not possible to turn back the existing realities in Cyprus ?We are under the roof of a state today and we are exerting efforts to further advance in our country with the great support of our motherland Turkey?"

(I/Ts.)

[05] Denktas: It would be wrong to sign an agreement for the sake of the hydrocarbon resources

Addressing the 51st General Assembly of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (TCCC) on Saturday, Denktas made a call on the European Union to launch an accession process with the Turkish Cypriots by leaving aside the political recognition.

Denktas said that the economy of the Turkish Cypriots was not ready for a solution in 2004 and it is also not ready now. He expressed the belief that an agreement will be signed in Cyprus, claiming that "most probably an agreement will be signed with pressures coming from outside".

Denktas noted that they expect support from the Chamber of Commerce on the issue of what kind of derogations could be demanded from the EU in case of a solution taking into consideration the "deficiencies of the country's economy".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Yorgancioglu: Eroglu and I have different view on the Cyprus settlement

Yorgancioglu said that he is meeting in a lunch every week the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, where they discuss different issues.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Yorgancioglu said that it is known that they have different views regarding the solution formula of the Cyprus problem. He said that he wants a Cyprus settlement as it is defined within the framework of the top-level agreements and in the period of Talat-Christofias, adding that this is also the aim of Nami. However, he continued, there is a joint declaration, and the Cyprus talks should be continued within the framework of this joint declaration. Of course, there is the contribution of the "government" at some points of the joint declaration and Nami discusses with him first, all of his works, Yorgancioglu added.

Commenting on the trip of Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay in the USA, Yorgancioglu said that it was unnecessary. He noted that he also shared this with Eroglu that it was not a correct method, adding that as far as he knows, Ozersay follows Eroglu's instructions. He noted that Ozersay's duty is to meet with his reciprocal interlocutor

[07] UBP reportedly blackmails Sertoglu for his "Lefkosia municipality" candidacy

Sertoglu is the chairman of Turkish Cypriot "football federation".

The paper argues that a meeting was held between UBP and Sertoglu in which Sertoglu was given four days to decide whether he will withdraw the signature he put on the Provisional Agreement. The paper also argues that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu is behind this initiative.

(TR. Note: UBP and DP formed in March a political alliance for the "municipal elections" to be held in June).

[08] New alliance between Turkish Cypriot parties announced its principles

Faika Deniz Pasa, Executive Board member of YKP stated during the conference: "We aim to cooperate on social issues, the Cyprus problem and local elections and form the widest opposition block possible".

[09] The restriction on Twitter affected also the occupied area of Cyprus

However, the self-styled director of the information and communications technologies authority Kadri Buruncuk, in statements to the paper, said that they have already informed the Turkish officials regarding this problem and they verified them that "north Cyprus will not be affected by this restriction".

[10] Ban on Twitter in Turkey criticized around the world

The European Commissioner for Digital Agenda Neelie Kroes tweeted that the move to block Twitter in Turkey is "groundless, pointless [and] cowardly".

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Stefan Fule also issued a statement on Friday, saying that "the ban on the social platform Twitter.com in Turkey raises grave concerns and casts doubt on Turkey's stated commitment to European values and standards".

The Member of European Parliament (MEP) Marietje Schaake tweeted on her account, mentioning Erdogan's own remarks right after former president of Egypt Hosni Mubarek cut all access to the Internet in Egypt in 2011, when the Turkish prime minister said "No government can survive against the will of its people." European Parliament (EP) President Martin Schulz said on Friday that Erdogan is waging a campaign against media that he cannot directly influence or control.

The US also expressed deep concern over the blocking of Twitter in Turkey.

Statement by the Press Secretary on blocking of Twitter in Turkey was as follows: "The United States is deeply concerned that the Turkish government has blocked its citizens' access to basic communication tools. We oppose this restriction on the Turkish people's access to information, which undermines their ability to exercise freedoms of expression and association and runs contrary to the principles of open governance that are critical to democratic governance and the universal rights that the United States stands for around the world. [?]"

The Council of Europe's (CoE) Director of Communications Daniel Holtgen wrote in a twitter message: "Twitter blanket ban in Turkey is contrary to ECHR [European Convention on Human Rights] freedom of expression. CoE examining legal basis."

Ria Oomen-Ruijten, Rapporteur on Turkey for the EP, strongly criticized Turkey for blocking access to Twitter and expressed great concern about the issue, condemning the recent ban by saying in a statement that "blocking social media is unacceptable in a functioning democracy and rule of law".

The vice-chairman of the Liberal Group in the EP, German MEP Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, called for the suspension of accession talks following the Twitter ban. Lambsdorff, who is also his group's shadow rapporteur on Turkey, said that negotiation with Erdogan is no longer necessary.

Hannes Swoboda, leader of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the EP, commented on the issue in a press release issued on the group's website. "Mr Erdogan has lost all sense of direction and balance".

Helene Flautre, co-chair of the EU-Turkey joint parliamentary committee, called the ban "an absurd attack on fundamental rights and freedoms in Turkey".

"What we are hearing from Turkey does not comply with what we in Germany understand as free communication," German Chancellor Angela Merkel's spokesperson Christiane Wirtz said. "It doesn't fit with our idea of freedom of expression to forbid or block any form of communication."

The British Foreign Office made a statement on Friday, saying "The UK urges the authorities in Turkey to reconsider any ban on access to social media. Freedom of speech and expression is a fundamental right for all."

Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said in a tweet on Friday that "Turkish PM Erdogan is not only damaging himself, but his entire nation by his latest threats against Twitter."

[11] Turkish military shoots down Syrian aircraft near Turkey border

Speaking on Sunday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkish F-16 fighter jets shot down a Syrian aircraft which crossed Turkey's border. Speaking at a rally in north- western Turkey ahead of local elections on March 30, Erdogan congratulated the Turkish military for protecting the border. "If you violate our border, our slap will be hard," he said.

The incident came as the Turkish government was mulling options to briefly intervene in Syria to protect the tomb of Suleyman Sah, the grandfather of the founder of the Ottoman Empire, whose security is provided by the Turkish troops as part of an agreement with the Syrian authorities.

[12] Turkey and EU to re-examine Customs Union agreement

Speaking in Burdur province, Zeybekci said that he discussed the agreement with his EU counterparts in a recent meeting and convinced them to re-negotiate it no later than June. "We will put it on the table once again," he said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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