Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-05-15

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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] Reactions in the Turkish Cypriot side over Biden's visit to Cyprus and ECHR ruling

[02] Ozersay met the US Ambassador to Nicosia; The Cyprus negotiation process and Biden's visit were discussed

[03] Famagusta Initiative called on Turkish Cypriot politicians to abide to the joint declaration

[04] Reactions in the occupied area of Cyprus against Turkey for the mine blast in Soma; Turkish Cypriot politicians and President Anastasiades send messages of condolence; two days of mourning in the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] So called education minister met with foreign teachers who are illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] Turkish columnists write that Erdogan is able to turn even the ECHR's decision on Cyprus to an advantage for his governance

[07] Schulz's interviewed by Today Zaman: "Currently, it is very difficult for a new chapter to open in the membership negotiations between Turkey and the EU

[08] Turkey's Turcas Petrol Company in talks for building a pipeline for Israel's gas

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Reactions in the Turkish Cypriot side over Biden's visit to Cyprus and ECHR ruling

Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, commenting on Biden's visit, stated that "for sure he (Biden) will not use expressions in favor of us but in favor of the Greek Cypriots". Eroglu made these statements during a meeting he had with a delegation of the Political Academy Istanbul Aydin University. He said that the Greek Cypriot side demands the return of Varosha as part of the confident building measures but the Turkish Cypriot side does not accept this saying that this is part of a comprehensive solution.

The self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu before entering the "council of ministers meeting", highlighted the importance of Biden's visit to Cyprus, stating that it will contribute to overcoming some of the deadlocks present in the current Cyprus negotiations process, as he alleged. "I hope that his visit will contribute to the comprehensive solution process on the island as well", he stated.

On his part, Osman Ertug, the spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu, stated that Biden's visit is very important adding that the Cyprus problem is becoming more visible from the international point of view. This means more acceleration and interest, which is what the Turkish Cypriot side wants, he claimed. He also said that USA a super power is showing to the Cyprus problem the same interest that shows to every other problem of the world. Ertug described the ECHR ruling as a "compunction" ruling.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Bakis newspaper (15.04.14) writes that the leader of the Democratic Party Serdar Denktas asked to comment on Biden's visit stated: "We are a hospitable nation. Come to the island but do not expect any statements to be made by us. Knowing this we can say that you can visit", he stated adding that the Turkish Cypriots are in a passive position and no one is taking them seriously. Also Denktas described the ECHR ruling against Turkey as a "dynamite" thrown to the negotiation table. According to Denktas the table is "broken into pieces, and negotiations cannot continue. Denktas also criticized the Turkish Cypriot the negotiating team, without naming anyone and said: "We are in a passive position and we seem like we could easily be convinced. So, no one takes us seriously".

[02] Ozersay met the US Ambassador to Nicosia; The Cyprus negotiation process and Biden's visit were discussed

Koenig and Ozersay evaluated US Vice President Joe Biden's Cyprus visit which is due to take place between 21-23 May.

Speaking to the press, Ozersay said: "We evaluated the latest state of the negotiations and its challenges, as well as Joe Biden's visit and the ways this visit could contribute to the process"

Noting that Biden's visit will mark the first time as one of the highest ranking officials of US will be visiting Cyprus for an official visit since the early 1960s, Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side is making a constructive effort in order to make sure that results can be reached during Biden's visit.

[03] Famagusta Initiative called on Turkish Cypriot politicians to abide to the joint declaration

Speaking on behalf of the Initiative Mertkan Hamit said that in the last few days various statements are made by the Turkish Cypriot side which are against the joint declaration's spirit, adding that this is sad and causes uneasiness in the on-going negotiations. He also said that the decision of the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ordering Turkey to pay the Republic of Cyprus the total sum of EUR 90,000,000, shows how urgent the solution of the Cyprus problem is.

[04] Reactions in the occupied area of Cyprus against Turkey for the mine blast in Soma; Turkish Cypriot politicians and President Anastasiades send messages of condolence; two days of mourning in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, around 300 persons from DEV-Is Trade Union, the United Cyprus Party (BKP) the Communal Democracy Party (TDP) the Baraka Culture Center, the Student's Initiative of the "Cyprus International University" and others, gathered yesterday in front of the "Turkish embassy" in the occupied area of Cyprus and protested against the incident which took place in Turkey. The protestors were holding placards writing slogans such as: "AKP killer, collaborator CHP", "Murderer state give an account", "It is not a working accident it's a massacre".

Also the protestors, issuing a written statement expressed their condolences to the families of the victims and condemned Turkey for not taking measures to safeguard the lives of the workers in Turkey.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (14.05.14) "state and government officials" in the occupied area of Cyprus issued messages of condolences for those who lost their lives in the explosion at the coal mine in Soma in western Turkey.

Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, "prime minister" Ozkan Yorgancioglu and the so-called deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas have all issued messages of condolences.

Meanwhile today and tomorrow are declared as national days of mourning in the "TRNC" due to the coal mine tragedy in Turkey. The "national flag" will fly at half-mast across Turkey and the "TRNC" and all celebrations apart from the "19th of May official celebration" have been cancelled.

Also, all Turkish Cypriot dailies reported today that the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades has also sent to Turkey a message of condolences for the incident.

[05] So called education minister met with foreign teachers who are illegally visiting the occupied area of Cyprus

In statements during the meeting, Arabacioglu welcomed the delegation and underlined the importance of their visit to the "TRNC" adding that their visit is important for "promoting the country" abroad, as he said.

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[06] Turkish columnists write that Erdogan is able to turn even the ECHR's decision on Cyprus to an advantage for his governance

"The more Erdogan hits at the West ? the way he did on Tuesday, May 13, again ? the more points scores in Turkey, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and even parts of South America. He is not just a source of admiration for Islamists anymore. He has become the voice in the world of the previously voiceless masses against what is seen as an arrogant West, riddled with double standards.

Western leaders and politicians may throw barbs in his direction, but this is all water off a duck's back for him. He has no worries or concerns about any political or economic retribution from anyone. Turkey has enough critical mass politically and economically today for him to wipe this aside with the back of his hand.

He can shut down the German President, tell the U.S. Ambassador he is only in Ankara on sufferance, and blast at Freedom House for spreading misinformation about press freedoms in Turkey and it all works to his advantage.

Erdogan will even turn the European Court of Human Rights' (ECHR) latest ruling against Turkey on Cyprus to an advantage, in which Ankara is being ordered to pay an unprecedented sum of money in compensation to Greek Cypriots.

There was a day when this might have caused concern in Ankara, but no longer.

Having no faith, trust or love left for Europe, he is prepared to risk Turkey's Council of Europe membership by telling the ECHR where it can get off.

Erdogan will refuse to pay the compensation, of course, which is bound to score more points for him at home being an issue that unites everyone. As far as his position on Cyprus is concerned it is no different to that of the former Kemalist establishment.

This Cyprus problem was settled "de facto" in 1974, and if a "de jure" settlement has not been found because the West refuses to look at it objectively in its historic context, then so be it! The caravan moves on.

In the meantime, no one should threaten that until this settlement is found, Turkey will never be admitted into the EU. Erdogan believes that Europe will never give EU membership to predominantly Muslim Turkey anyway, even if Cyprus is resolved.

His remarks about remaining committed to Turkey's EU membership bid, on the other hand, are only uttered for the sake of diplomacy. Erdogan is, after all, the one who half-jokingly and half-seriously asked President Putin to help Turkey join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, in return for which he said he would dump the EU.

He also believes Europe can only go so far in "punishing Turkey" because of strategic reasons that still require Turkey to remain in the Western fold. This is the Erdogan the West is going to have to contend with once he is elected President, as many expect him to be.

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[07] Schulz's interviewed by Today Zaman: "Currently, it is very difficult for a new chapter to open in the membership negotiations between Turkey and the EU

Referring to Turkey's Prime Minister Erdogan, he said that he accuses his critics at home of treason or of being part of an international plot. He also claims that there is a "parallel state" in Turkey trying to undermine his government. The international community has agreed on international legal principles and the International Declaration of Human Rights. Anybody who violates these standards will be criticized", he said.

"We are seeing major problems especially in terms of the principle of rule of laws, freedom of speech and pluralism. The responses [Prime Minister Erdogan] gives to criticism directed at himself and the bans he has imposed on social media are not in line with the standards of the modern state. I am also not under the impression that Prime Minister Erdogan is interested greatly in changing his stance regarding the issues of Twitter or Facebook. Under the current circumstances, Brussels opening the chapter on freedom of speech with Turkey is out of question."

Schulz added that currently it is very difficult for a new chapter to open in the membership negotiations between Turkey and the EU. He also said he found Erdogan's attitude in response to criticism and opposition directed at himself surprising. "This attitude makes many people wonder if the path [Erdogan] is on is a civil path."

But what can the EU do to stop the anti-democratic developments in Turkey? Schulz said: "Restrictions on freedom of speech cannot be accepted and many people in Turkey don't like this being done to them. We strongly criticize these restrictions because there are clear democratic standards in Europe if Turkey wants to become a member of the EU. I believe that we should talk about the developments that pose a problem as part of Turkey's negotiation process."

[08] Turkey's Turcas Petrol Company in talks for building a pipeline for Israel's gas

Last month Turcas informed Istanbul's stock-exchange BIST that they were in talks with Istanbul based Enerjisa, which is owned by Turkey's Sabanci Holding and German utility E.ON, to buy the gas from the Israeli field.

Turcas CEO Batu Aksoy announced that Turcas and E.ON unit Enerjisa may grow their alliance to buy Israeli gas and the company may consider building a pipeline for gas from the Leviathan field.

According to Aksoy the pipeline may cost about $2 billion (TL 4.15 billion) and could supply 7-10bcm gas annually to Turkey via a 500km undersea route.

The Turkish consortium is planning to transport the natural gas in Israel's Tamar and Leviathan areas through pipelines for the first stage. In the medium term the consortium also planned to add Cypriot gas to the route. The consortium envisages that 7 to 10 billion cubic meters of gas will be transported to Turkey annually through the yet-to-be built pipeline. Turcas wants to move ahead of its competitors by building a strong supply chain, following the transmission of the gas to Turkey.

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