Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-09-03

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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 to CNN: "We exert efforts for the establishment of a new state, consisting of two founding states"

[02] Erdogan: We will not compromise on Cyprus

[03] Bozkir: We have never connected the territorial issue with the opening of chapters

[04] Afrika argues that Erdogan asked from the Turkish Cypriot political parties not to put obstacles to the granting of "citizenships"

[05] Korkmazhan: "Erdogan's aim is not solution but integration"

[06] Erdogan paid a visit to Azerbaijan

[07] Columnists evaluates Erdogan's statements on his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu to CNN: "We exert efforts for the establishment of a new state, consisting of two founding states"

Referring to the ongoing Cyprus negotiation talks, Eroglu reiterated that the territory issue will be discussed only after all issues are agreed and added that the Greek Cypriot leader, as he called the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nicos Anastasiades, came to the negotiating table with names of villages he wanted to give. "If you look at these names in the first place, a map comes on the scene", Eroglu said.

Asked on the incident of July 24 when Anastasiades reportedly abandoned the negotiating table, Eroglu stated: "While the leaders were looking for reconciliation points in their proposals, Anastasiades had the perception that everything would be the way he wanted". Eroglu accused President Anastasiades for not having the will to accept any of the convergences which were reached in the past.

Eroglu added: "Anastasiades wants the talks to start from scratch. It was because of this that the 24th July dispute started. He got angry because we submitted proposals opposite to his proposals. That day, he got angry. And I told him: 'we cannot reach anywhere by raising your voice. So, answer to the proposals we submitted'. Later, he submitted another proposal and I told him that it would be better to be like this. After this answer, he got annoyed; he threw his glasses on the table and walked out. We did not want to share this with the public opinion. Because we are in favor of the continuation of the negotiations that will yield result".

Asked why the 2nd of September meeting which was scheduled to take place between the two leaders, was postponed, Eroglu said that the negotiators held a meeting the day before and that it was the Greek Cypriot negotiator who asked for the meeting to be postponed, because of Erdogan's visit to the "TRNC". "We did not accept this. We have not connected these two issues. (?)". Eroglu continued and said that it was not possible for the meeting to take place because of the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Lisa Buttenheim's absence abroad.

(?)

Asked to reply to a question "Why the Greek Cypriot leader is playing with time", Eroglu replied that former Greek Cypriot leader, Demetris Christofias was carrying out negotiation talks with him and Talat. He added that in spite of the fact that Anastasiades' election has created hopes in the international community, since he was a person who was in favor of the Annan plan, "he used those hopes to his own benefit, in order to make his plans".

Asked to comment on the forthcoming "presidential elections" scheduled to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus on April 15 and whether he will be a candidate or not, Eroglu said that it is too early to say something about this. He, however, added that in spite of the fact that he has not decided yet, the two parties in the occupied are of Cyprus (the National Unity Party-UBP and the Democratic Party (DP), announced that they will support him.

Eroglu continued to allege that if the Greek Cypriots continue to have this vision, then no solution is possible to be found, no matter who will be in his post.

Referring to the meeting he held with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during his visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, Eroglu said that during their one-hour face to face meeting, he informed him in detail on the negotiation process.

Stating that they are in full consensus with Erdogan, Eroglu said that Erdogan's visit in the "TRNC", his first one after his election to the Presidency of Turkey, has sent important messages and added: "Anastasiades considers Erdogan a generous man. So the statements he made when he came created disappointment to the Greek Cypriots".

Pointing out that the Cyprus cause is a national cause both for Turkey and the "TRNC", Eroglu stressed that they are in full consensus with Turkey on this issue and thanked Erdogan for his sincerity.

Underlining the importance of Erdogan's statement that the solution to be found should be based on "two states", Eroglu said: "You know that we speak of a new partnership and not of the continuation of the "Cyprus Republic" as the Greek Cypriots call it. We exert efforts for the establishment of a new state which will be consisting of two founding states", he said.

(AK)

[02] Erdogan: We will not compromise on Cyprus

Erdogan accused the Greek Cypriot side of continuously finding excuses and of not being sincere and added that hopefully they will convey these issues, which will be an important ingredient of their agenda, to UN General Assembly during their talks. He went on and added that everyone knows and must know that Turkey will not compromise on Cyprus and added that Turkey's EU process has disappointed them.

[03] Bozkir: We have never connected the territorial issue with the opening of chapters

In an interview with the private NTV channel on Tuesday, Bozkir, former ambassador to Belgium, commented on the developments in Turkey's EU process.

Commenting on the initiatives of the Greek Cypriots to connect the opening of new chapters at the EU accession process with different conditions regarding Cyprus, like the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha, Bozkir said that they have never related the territorial issue with chapters and this is not in question.

On the issue of chapter opening, Bozkir said: "We have never connected the territory issue with the opening of chapters. I don't accept anyone saying 'give permission to direct flights to Ercan airport (translator's note: the occupied airport of Tymbou), let's open Varosha (translator's note: the fenced off town of Varosha in exchange of this'."

Bozkir also said that in the whole world all walls and fences have been removed, but in Cyprus they are still there.

Noting that five thousand people profit from the continuation of the Cyprus problem, Bozkir said that those people do not desire a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Claiming that the Greek Cypriots also connect the continuation of this problem to the identities, Bozkir said that the biggest problem on the island is water. Noting that when the water problem is being solved, the whole island would obtain water, Bozkir added: "Natural gas is being searched; if this is extracted they may transfer the natural gas through Turkey."

Noting that some EU countries are hiding behind Cyprus, Bozkir said: "Like Germany for example. They are concerned about coming into the picture as countries that decelerate Turkey's speed during its EU process. That is why they say it would be great if you solve the Cyprus problem. However, they know that when the Cyprus problem is solved, all eyes will turn to those countries. We can also include France in this list," he said, adding that "I personally wish that the Cyprus problem is solved so that we can clearly see those who oppose [Turkey's EU accession]."

Bozkir also said that the natural gas and water factors have attracted the attention of the USA again, adding that the contribution of the USA is great.

Evaluating Greece's reactions on the illegal visit of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Bozkir said that they wish to establish good relations with Greece. He also claimed that the statements by Erdogan during his illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus do not contain any hostile words.

Bozkir also claimed that the EU has the wrong picture about Turkey, adding: "We, as Turkey, want them to look at the right picture. When they stare at the wrong picture a wrong perception comes out. The first thing to do is to correct this perception. It is wrong that Turkey is not taking its place in the family picture. We are going to fix this". Bozkir stated that the Ministry of EU Affairs undersecretary will travel to Brussels in the near future to contribute to the EU's progress report on Turkey.

Bozkir also eased concerns about an influx of Turkish migrants to the EU countries after Turkey becomes a full member of the EU. He cited allegations suggesting 20 million Turks will travel to the EU countries to seek work and said that Turkey will shut its own door even if the EU opens itself to Turkish workers. However, he said that the Turkish people will not choose to travel to these countries as there are no jobs in the EU states.

[04] Afrika argues that Erdogan asked from the Turkish Cypriot political parties not to put obstacles to the granting of "citizenships"

According to Afrika, during the meeting which was organized by the "Turkish embassy" to occupied Lefkosia, Erdogan asked that the population in the breakaway regime not to linger behind the population of the Greek Cypriots. The paper also points out that the population policy of Turkey in the breakaway regime is well known.

[05] Korkmazhan: "Erdogan's aim is not solution but integration"

"Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party like the other governments before them, are in search of a permanent division and an integration of Cyprus," he said. He added that the people expecting a solution of the Cyprus problem with Erdogan's presidency should read his words carefully. He stated that the negotiations have plummeted and that the two state system is being put forward because of Erdogan's "separatist and uncompromising politics"

Abdullah Korkmazhan noted that the people expecting a solution of the Cyprus problem from foreign states, Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party are in a misconception and that they are misleading both communities. "Expecting a solution from foreign states and from the Justice and Development party is no different than expecting a tear from a dead body. For a comprehensive solution action of the internal dynamics is a must," he said. Korkmazhan stated that the key elements for the solution are the negotiating leaders.

[06] Erdogan paid a visit to Azerbaijan

Speaking to the press ahead of his Azerbaijan visit, Erdogan said that the two leaders will hold talks regarding the latest regional and international developments concerning both Turkey and Azerbaijan along with further opportunities for cooperation between the countries.

[07] Columnists evaluate Erdogan's statements on his illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

Under the title: "What did Erdogan say, and what did he not say?", Turkish Cypriot Yeniduzen newspaper (02.09.14) published the following article by Sami Ozuslu:

"[?] When one looks between the lines at the things Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's said, [?] a few points come to the fore. One of these was the emphasis he made on the "guarantor countries"? In all the statements Erdogan made in both Istanbul and Nicosia, he made references to Greece and Great Britain, and conveyed to them the message of "do what is incumbent upon you as guarantors." He even added the United States to this.

Why might Erdogan have stressed this? The possibility which immediately comes to mind is that there may be models of a "four-way or five-way" conference behind the scenes. [?] But there is another possibility? And that involves NATO?

The claim that NATO, of which Turkey and Greece are members, could play a role on the Cyprus issue" is not very new. [?] we know that [Greek Cypriot President] Nikos Anastasiadis looks positively on NATO membership, and that he conveyed messages in this regard as a candidate. [?] And naturally, there is a Turkish veto standing before NATO membership for Cyprus, [?] just as there is, similarly, a Republic of Cyprus veto in every stage of the relations between Turkey and the EU. [?] Behind the insistent message sent to the guarantors by Turkish President Erdogan is the possibility of these reciprocal vetoes playing a role in connection to NATO and the EU. [?] In order to say "yes" to NATO membership for Cyprus, Turkey could bring up demands such as the lifting of obstacles to Turkey's relations with the EU and the gas passing through Anatolia. [?]

A good many of the Turkish President's messages on yesterday's visit can be considered as "routine" and "normal." [?] But Erdogan's words in the form of "we absolutely cannot accept the current situation on Cyprus" were important from the standpoint of confirming Turkey's intentions of escaping the problems it faces with the deadlock on Cyprus. [?]"

In addition, under the title: "Erdogan pleased with developments", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (02.09.14) published the following article by Hasan Hasturer:

"[?] Before the press conference Dervis Eroglu and Tayyip Erdogan had a lengthy face to face meeting at which Erdogan clearly stated he was pleased with the Turkish Cypriots' attitude at the negotiating table. While Erdogan and Eroglu were talking on the ground floor of the Presidency, delegations headed up by Foreign Minister Ozdil Nami and Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu were on the top floor evaluating the latest developments in the Cyprus problem and what was to come next. Like Erdogan, Cavusoglu said he too had no worries about the process.

Naturally, Ozdil Nami's approach saying that 'it would be best for us to tell the world that we were the side that wanted a solution and also the side working hard for', it was well received.

This evaluation made by one diplomatic source commenting on Erdogan's attitude during his visit gave important clues as to what is to come: "Erdogan and the AKP [Justice and Development Party] promised the West they would contribute right at the start of the Annan Plan. When the Turkish Cypriots said yes and the Greek Cypriots said no in the referendum, that process failed. Despite failing, Turkey was seen as the side that did its homework as its best. Ever since then, no country, not even the United States, has pressured Turkey for a solution or made any special demands.

"This was Erdogan's position when he answered questions at the press conference. Turkey is not uncomfortable with the fact that the problem remains unsolved and as it is not uncomfortable Turkey is currently not thinking about taking steps that could cause debate in public. If the Greek Cypriots can stop being so severe and make overtures that the Turkish Cypriots can accept, then Ankara will sit down with Lefkosia and discuss a counter move." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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