Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-05-21

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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] According to diplomatic sources Biden is expected to announce that the US will finance a project for the reconstruction of the fenced off town of Varosha

[02] Statements by Ozersay after yesterday's meeting with Mavroyiannis

[03] Eroglu accuses President Anastasiades for ignoring the convergences reached in the past; The next meeting of the two leaders on June 2

[04] Interview by Talat; Biden is visiting Cyprus in order to put pressure

[05] Logoglu said that Davutoglu is pushing the Turkish Cypriots towards a US-backed plan

[06] Izzet Izcan comments on Biden's visit to Cyprus

[07] Statements by Toros and Cirali: "Varosha can be opened as long as there is something in return"

[08] Deep Purple rock band to give a concert in the occupied area of Cyprus; They will arrive to Cyprus via illegal Tymbou airport

[09] A technological war between "YDU" and Harvard MIT

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] According to diplomatic sources Biden is expected to announce that the US will finance a project for the reconstruction of the fenced off town of Varosha

According to the paper, international and local experts for Varosha will meet together and prepare a "feasibility report". How the result of this work will be produced will be decided accordingly to the course of the negotiations. All the technical details how Varosha will be reconstructed will be examined and reported. The experts will also give answers for questions like "how a new port can be created at Famagusta?", "how can Famagusta be opened to international cruise and trade ships?", "what will be the cost for the reconstruction of the fenced off town of Varosha?"

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay, in statements to the paper, repeated that the interlocutor both at the talks for a comprehensive solution and at the Confidence Building Measures is the Turkish Cypriot side. He added that he only can say this at this stage. However, he said that it is not correct to make any broad statement in order not to harm in any way the process. He also said: "If a confidence building measure emerges that can aid the comprehensive solution, and we are also convinced on this, and if there is a just balance, then we will negotiate it. As he said this is a commitment that was undertaken on the joint statement of February 11.

Speaking on the same issue, the self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami, stated that the focus of Biden's visit will be on the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem and how the negotiations can be speed up. "Varosha is part of a comprehensive solution and every proposal as regards Varosha must be on the framework of a comprehensive solution", he said.

In addition, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (online, 20.05.14) reported that according to a diplomatic source, who wished to remain anonymous, Biden's visit is a "positive development" regarding the peace talks between the Greek and the Turkish Cypriot side that kicked off at the beginning of this year and may add momentum to the negotiations.

[02] Statements by Ozersay after yesterday's meeting with Mavroyiannis

According to the paper, the meeting lasted five and a half hours and substantive issues were on the agenda.

Speaking after the meeting, Ozersay noted that "important progress" has been achieved on property and foreign relations issues during the meeting.

Referring to the reports leaked in the Greek Cypriot press about allegations that the US Vice President Joe Biden will make statements on a confidence building measures' package, Ozersay criticized this and called on everyone to act responsibly.

Ozersay went on and said that it is not possible to confirm whether a "give and take" process will take place in this round of talks, he however said, that in the joint declaration there is a commitment of the sides on the issue of confidence building measures (CBM).

He also said that both sides exchanged views towards the issue of CBM and added that from time to time they had the opportunity to bring the issue into the agenda with the UN. Ozersay said that the important thing is that there is a balance in the elements that are included in the measures.

As regards yesterday's meeting, Ozersay described the meeting as fruitful, saying that the sides discussed and exchanged views on the proposals submitted in the past and added that there was an approximation and understanding on each other's proposals.

Ozersay added also that the Turkish Cypriot side expects the Greek Cypriot side's proposals on the issue of the Federal Public Service and the Commission of the Federal Public Service, proposals which the Turkish Cypriot side had already submitted as he said.

He went on and said that at the next meeting they will continue the discussion on the issue of the Federal executive power together with the property and foreign relations issues.

Ozersay stated further that the negotiators will meet again on May 30 whereas the two leaders are expected to meet on June 2. He added that during this week, the negotiators will carry out cross talks in Ankara and Athens.

[03] Eroglu accuses President Anastasiades for ignoring the convergences reached in the past; The next meeting of the two leaders on June 2

Eroglu said that the important thing was to reach a settlement in Cyprus and added: "Hopefully we can reach a settlement before the end of this year but that solution could not be possible by hoping and wishing for one. The Greek Cypriot side must start believing and thinking that the time to finish the Cyprus problem has come".

Reminding that a number of convergences existed on the 6 chapters being negotiated, Eroglu said that despite this, the Greek Cypriot leader had ignored all convergences resulting in a loss of time because the talks had started from scratch. "It's been 2 months since I've met with Mr. Anastasiadis. If we manage to go over the convergences and focus on areas where divergences exist, we can complete the negotiations in a short period of time and hold simultaneous referenda", Eroglu said.

Stating that it was the Turkish Cypriot side's desire to reach a solution by the end of this year, he said that the Greek Cypriot leader, during a recent visit to Brussels, had given the end of 2015 as a possible timetable for the talks to be completed which meant an open ended process.

Pointing out that a solution should benefit both sides, Eroglu said that they conveyed this view to the foreign dignitaries and representatives that they have met with.

Meanwhile, under the title: "The Turkish Cypriots want an agreement", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.05.14) reports in its front-page on statements by the Turkish Cypriot leader.

Eroglu underlined that it's been two months since the two leaders had met for the last time and added that the next meeting with President Anastasiades will take place on June 2.

AK

[04] Interview by Talat; Biden is visiting Cyprus in order to put pressure

Referring, inter alia to Biden's visit to the island today, Talat said that Biden will visit the island with the aim to put pressure on the solution of the Cyprus problem. "In spite of the fact that the USA is an imperialist power, I believe that the USA can contribute to the solution", added Talat, pointing out that what is necessary first is that the two sides to speak the same language as regards the solution parameters.

Talat pointed out to the need for the two sides to establish a bridge of culture between them. He said that it is important all involved sides of the two communities to enter into a dialogue in order to increase the trust and mutual respect amongst them. He cited as an example the teaching of the two languages, Greek and Turkish to Turkish and Greek Cypriot schools, to broadcast TV programs in both languages and to organize common activities and events by different NGO's in the island.

Talat stated also that he is in favor of the opening of more crossing points but he added that it is not essential at this moment.

As regards the issue of the returning Maras to the Greek Cypriots under the name of the "Confidence Building Measures", Talat expressed the belief that it would be a big blow for the comprehensive solution the returning of Maras to the Greek Cypriots under this status. "In my opinion, the solution on the issue of Maras is a much more difficult than the solution of the Cyprus problem in general", said Talat.

Speaking on the possibility of returning Maras to the Greek Cypriots, Talat said that they should estimate very well what will be the exchange of this. Talat added that the Turkish Cypriot side should ask as an exchange the opening of its "ports" for international traffic and the lifting of the "embargoes".

AK

[05] Logoglu said that Davutoglu is pushing the Turkish Cypriots towards a US-backed plan

The paper reports that as Biden will journey to Cyprus today for a historical visit to the island, the main opposition party in Turkey has said that the Turkish government has imposed a plan prepared by the U.S. administration for Turkish Cypriots.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu paid a visit to the island over the weekend in order to "push the Turkish Cypriots for a primary package that was served by the U.S. and accepted by the Foreign Minister," deputy chair of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Faruk Logoglu said in a written statement yesterday.

Citing Biden's visit to the Island, along with an expected visit from U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, "gives the impression that the Justice and Development [AKP] government is implementing a scenario step by step," Logoglu said, noting Davutoglu's remarks during a recent visit to Turkish Cyprus affirms this impression. Logoglu said Davutoglu's foreign policy on Cyprus should be questioned.

The CHP chair said his party sides with a fair and lasting settlement on agreed principles.

The U.S. and the EU are throwing their weight about Cyprus due to energy security concerns, "but one should resist against pressure," Logoglu said.

The Turkish side should not make any concessions on the issues of Varosha, an exclusive economic zone, oil and gas "under guise" of confidence building measures, Logoglu said, adding that those would only be for "short term political acquisitions, but not long term."

[06] Izzet Izcan comments on Biden's visit to Cyprus

Izcan said that it is not right for the two sides to look for the assistance of foreign states towards the solution of the Cyprus problem. Izcan underlined the need for the two sides in the island to work together and go into action in order for a comprehensive and an early solution to be reached.

Stating that it is not possible to accept any impositions by the USA which defends NATO's interest, for the sake of the solution, Izcan pointed out that the most important thing is to reach to a comprehensive and a fair solution which will defend the common interests of all Cypriots in the island.

Pointing out that the Cypriots should be the masters in an independent Cyprus, Izcan said that they will continue to reject living under the oppression of the imperialist USA.

Referring to the fenced off city of Varoshia (Maras), Izcan said that Maras is not a part of the comprehensive solution but as he said it is the key for the solution. He went on and asked for the simultaneous return of Maras and the opening of occupied Famagusta port and illegal Tymbou airport.

AK

[07] Statements by Toros and Cirali: "Varosha can be opened as long as there is something in return"

The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade Fikri Toros and the chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry" Ali C?ral? spoke to K?br?s Postas? and said that they would support the opening of Varosha "but of course there has to be something in return for the Turkish Cypriot community" as they said.

"Opening of Varosha will motivate the Greek Cypriots for a solution; the same applies to the Turkish Cypriots regarding confidence building measures. Therefore, if the Turkish Cypriots are included in the borders of the customs union as a confidence building measure, they will also be motivated for a solution", said Toros.

Speaking to the paper on the same issue, C?ral? said: "The give-take phase should start soon. In the framework of confidence building measures Varosha can be opened and in return embargoes should be lifted. In addition to that, if "Ercan airport "opens for direct international flights, that would bring very important outcomes".

[08] Deep Purple rock band to give a concert in the occupied area of Cyprus; They will arrive to Cyprus via illegal Tymbou airport

According to the paper, the band will arrive to Cyprus via illegal Tymbou airport. The group is composed by 80 persons. The paper underlines that it is not known yet where the group will stay.

AK

[09] A technological war between "YDU" and Harvard MIT

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