Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-10-20

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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] Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel launches exploration activities

[02] Eroglu sent a letter to UNSG calling for the re-launching of negotiations without any precondition

[03] Nami: "The Greek Cypriots will certainly return back to the negotiating table"

[04] Nami's contacts in Budapest

[05] Ozersay: Our expectations do not match with the Greek Cypriots' expectations

[06] Turkish Cypriot columnist criticizes the breakaway regime's policy on the property issue

[07] "Turkish Cypriot Municipalities Union" participated in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

[08] Erdogan and Obama agreed to strengthen anti-ISIS fight; Erdogan: the PYD is the same as the PKK, it's a terrorist organization

[09] EU's Turkey Rapporteur hails new EU strategy

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel launches exploration activities

According to Bayrak, the Turkish research vessel Barbaros is to begin seismic research off the coast of Cyprus today amid growing tensions in the area. The Barbaros is being accompanied by supporting vessels M / V Bravo and M / V Deep Supporter close to blocks 2 and 3 in the island's EEZ.

[02] Eroglu sent a letter to UNSG calling for the re-launching of negotiations without any precondition

According to a statement issued by the so-called president's office, Eroglu asked from the UN Secretary General to use his good offices mission so that the Greek Cypriot side to return without any precondition to the negotiation table, for reaching a "fair, sustainable and negotiated solution", for the Cyprus problem, saying that negotiations are the only way for reaching a reconciliation.

In the letter Eroglu expressed his sorrow for the decision of the Greek Cypriot side to leave the negotiation table after the seismic explorations conducted by the Barbaros Turkish vessel in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus claimed that what is said on this issue by the Greek Cypriot side is wrong and claiming that this is a technical problem created by the Greek Cypriot side.

He also alleged that natural resources should be exploited in a fair manner under a united Cyprus and accused the Greek Cypriot side of aiming to usurp the Turkish Cypriots from their hydrocarbon resources rights. He further claimed that they expressed many times their concern and objections to the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to use unilaterally these sources adding that the hydrocarbon resources belong to t both sides of Cyprus.

[03] Nami: "The Greek Cypriots will certainly return back to the negotiating table"

Speaking about the Cyprus negotiation process which was suspended after the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades left the negotiating table, Nami said: "The Greek Cypriot leader got a blow in the process; however, the Greek Cypriots will certainly return back to the negotiation table".

Nami also alleged: "They will certainly return back to the negotiating table, since the excuse they provided has not been accepted by anybody as valid. They did not found the support they expected. Their entire tactic here was to create a crisis and get support by some countries that they considered to be close to them, in order to obtain a diplomatic profit. Since they have realized that this will not happen, they have driven their selves into the corner. Therefore, they will do their maneuver for their returning to the negotiating table and this process will continue".

Pointing out that a strong will-power is necessary by the United Nations in order for the Greek Cypriots to return to the negotiating table, Nami stated that the Turkish Cypriot leader's letter to the UN's Secretary-General is very important and said: "Hopefully, the Secretary-General will move more strongly to affect the Greek Cypriot side, after receiving this letter".

Regarding the exercise which is planned to take place in the Eastern Mediterranean, Nami said: "I hope that the Greek Cypriot side will not carry out the planned exercise, if it carries out the exercise then certainly the tension will be increased since for a long time several exercises were mutually being suspended. I hope that they will reconsider the materialization of the exercise which is actually a unilateral violation".

Alleging that both communities in the island have rights from the natural gas to be found, Nami stated that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to protect their rights. "Our aim is to reach to a comprehensive solution and then to utilize the natural gas, however; the Greek Cypriot side continues its insistent stance by taking unilateral steps", Nami claimed.

Alleging that the Cyprus problem is not possible to be solved only with the will of the Turkish Cypriot side, Nami said that they are expecting by everyone to make all the necessary.

Regarding the opening of a "TRNC's representation" in Hungary, Nami said: "We undertook our first steps for the opening of a representation, in order to contribute to the speedy development of our bilateral ties on the fields of economy and culture".

Nami added that the Hungarian officials are interested in citrus fruits, food products and the "universities".

(AK)

[04] Nami's contacts in Budapest

Nami also held a meeting with Gyorgy Kerekes, CEO of the Hungarian Undersecretariat for Foreign Trade, and his team.

In a statement during the meeting, Nami stated that the tourism sector in the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) is important and developing, that the hotels have a bed capacity of over 20,000 and that their 6-star hotels attract tourists from all over the world. Nami also claimed that foreign investors are welcome to invest in "North Cyprus" and that they are given incentive by the "government" through reasonable taxes.

Alleging that "North Cyprus" is an emerging centre for higher education in the Eastern Mediterranean, Nami stated that nearly 60,000 students from various parts of the world are receiving education there. Nami also claimed that their "universities" and "institutions of higher education" are accredited by many international institutions.

Nami invited potential businesspeople to visit the "TRNC" and become a part of this growing sector.

Nami also met with Turkish and Hungarian businesspeople who are involved in commerce in Hungary at a working meeting and discussed business opportunities in the "TRNC", as well as the Cyprus issue. Nearly 20 businesspeople, Turkish Ambassador to Budapest Sakir Fakili, and the representative of the breakaway regime in Budapest Arif Altay attended the working meeting. Suat Karakus, President of the Turkish-Hungarian Chamber of Commerce, presented a plaque symbolic of the day to Nami.

Finally, Nami gave also an interview to Levente Sitkei, Foreign Politics Journalist of the Magyar Nemzet newspaper.

[05] Ozersay: Our expectations do not match with the Greek Cypriots' expectations

Participating in a programme on Turkish Cypriot private channel Genc Tv, Ozersay said: "The negotiation table has been a table that has brought separation".

Asked to comment whether he believed negotiations would lead to unification Ozersay said; "It is not an easy issue. Especially when it comes to the timing of the negotiations and the solution it becomes evident that our expectations do not match with the expectations of the Greek Cypriot leadership". Ozersay claimed that the majority of Turkish Cypriots want a solution, but the Greek Cypriot community thinks that it does not matter if the solution happens now or 6 months later and added: "There is less interest for a comprehensive settlement. If I thought that the solution was impossible I would not have put this effort for the last 12 years. A comprehensive solution is possible but in today's circumstances it is extremely challenging".

Noting that relationships with the Greek Cypriots should be established regardless of the delays in finding a solution, Ozersay added: "We should sort out our own institutions."

Referring to "temporary Article 10 of the constitution", Ozersay said that it needs to be changed. He noted that the relationship with Turkey should be shaped within the framework of the agreements. Ozersay added that he supports the change of "article 10" and because of this "a military support agreement should be signed". He promised that if he becomes "president", he will take initiative on this matter.

On the same issue, in an interview to journalist Osman Kalfaoglu of the Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (20.10.14), Ozersay stressed that the future of the Turkish Cypriots should only be discussed through the Cyprus talks, adding that despite the fact that the negotiations are an important factor for the future of the Turkish Cypriots, the rights of the Turkish Cypriots regarding natural resources, their relations with Turkey, how their institutions will develop in relation to international law should also be taken into consideration. Ozersay explained that they only focused on the Cyprus talks, but they have to look more widely.

[06] Turkish Cypriot columnist criticizes the breakaway regime's policy on the property issue

We have listened to the experiences in Germany by Professor Dr Roland Czada. (?) The problem in Germany was the resources period or the solution period. Problems have been definitely experienced in both periods. However, I am sure that the problems were more intensified when those who had suffered losses would be given their rights. (?)

We have lived here by turning our back to the international law. (?) We have been mistaken. What have the Greek Cypriots done with the Turkish Cypriot immovable properties? They organized their use, their possession. They have not given 'title deeds' to anyone.

What have we done? We have made up a cover and created ownership of rights. Afterwards, we have distributed 'title deeds' [Translator's note: The columnist writes the word "title deeds" in inverted commas]. Forty years passed since 1974. And we still see the description 'property with Turkish title deed' on the for sale signboards. If these properties are with 'Turkish title deed', what is the title deed of the other properties? (?) That is, even we do not believe in the given title deeds. In the end, we have sweetly and docilely established by law a Compensation Commission. We have accepted the demands of the pre-1974 Greek Cypriot owners for the properties with TRNC title deeds in the lands 'watered with the martyrs' blood'. Efforts are exerted for settling the issue in the negotiations with return, exchange or compensations. The system seems to have been congested there as well. Why? Because when the issue comes to the point of compensations, 'there is no money'!!! When the night before Ersin Tatar [Translator's note: former self-styled finance minister of the regime] made an evaluation on the issue and asked a question, he said that ten billion euro are needed in order for the Greek Cypriots to be compensated. (?)"

Hasturer continues referring to the issue in his column today (20.10.14) and reports, inter alia, the following: "It is obvious that the Turkish Cypriot side will need a very serious amount of money for paying compensations. Some people say 'Turkey should give it'. However, everyone knows that this will not happen, could not happen in practice. (?)"

(I/Ts.)

[07] "Turkish Cypriot Municipalities Union" participated in the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe

The "Turkish Cypriot Municipalities Union" was represented by its chairman, "mayor" of occupied Geunyeli Ahmet Yalcin Begli and the member of the "union" and "mayor" of occupied Morfou Mahmut Ozcinar.

According to the paper, in the sidelines of the Congress Benli and Ozcinar held meetings with the Secretary of LRACE Jean Philippe Bozouls to whom they send a message for the importance of the solution of the Cyprus problem as well as for the importance of the participation of the Turkish Cypriots to European platforms.

[08] Erdogan and Obama agreed to strengthen anti-ISIS fight; Erdogan: the PYD is the same as the PKK, it's a terrorist organization

"There has been talk of arming the PYD to form a front here against ISIS. For us, the PYD is the same as the PKK, it's a terrorist organization," Erdogan said. "It would be very, very wrong to expect us to openly say 'yes' to our NATO ally America to give this kind of support. To expect something like this from us is impossible," he said.

Erdogan's reaction came after a U.S. State Department official held direct talks for the first time last weekend with the PYD. The direct talks with the PYD have raised doubts since it is the PKK's Syrian affiliate and officially listed as a terror organization by the U.S., EU and Turkey. "We have for some time had conversations through intermediaries with the PYD. We have engaged over the course of just last weekend with the PYD," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in Washington.

As Ankara and anti-ISIS coalition officials hold talks on an action plan against ISIS, the U.S. has pushed its demands to access the Incirlik base, but Ankara has listed its demands of a no-fly zone and safe zone to let the coalition use Turkish bases.

Commenting on the use of Incirlik, Erdogan said the U.S. is not clear on how it wants to use the base, located in southern Turkey. He added that once the U.S. puts its request down on the table, Turkish officials would discuss whether such a demand is acceptable or not. "If it's not a convenient demand, it won't be possible for us to say 'yes,' " he added.

[09] EU's Turkey Rapporteur hails new EU strategy

The Daily Sabah spoke with the new Rapporteur about Turkey's EU bid and other regional issues.

Asked to comment on the last progress report, regarding positive and negative aspects, Piri said: "I think it's a very balanced report. The positive things that have been going on for the last year in Turkey have been highlighted and honestly praised. Among them of course, there is the settlement [reconciliation] process that was also conceived as a very positive step taken by the government, as opposed to what has been seen for the last couple of years. This is a clear credit given by the European Commission to the latest government in Turkey. The Readmission Agreement, which is very important for the EU, has also been ratified. There is an ongoing visa liberation process that is a crucial thing for Turkish people. These are positive aspects, on the one hand. On the other hand, concerns have been raised mainly on the rule of law and the quality of Democracy, which is the core of the EU accession process in my opinion. The concerning points there are about the independence of the judiciary, freedom of media and freedom of expression. These issues are also debated in the European Parliament, and the resolution calls on the EU to open negotiations with Turkey on Chapter 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights and Chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security in order to accelerate reforms in these areas. Besides, there is a willingness from the Turkish government to intensify the talks through engagement with more dialogue.

In the question: "Despite all the efforts from Turkey for opening up chapters 23 and 24 because of the blockage made by the Greek Cypriots, talks have stagnated for a couple of years. Don't you think that it is conflicting to require Turkey to attain EU standards without any negotiations?", Piri said: "On the one hand, you're absolutely right. Not just me, but in the last report under the rule of this parliament, the opening of chapter 23 and 24 is called for. We know that it is not the Parliament or the Commission that did the blocking, but it is inside the Council. Frankly speaking, it is unlikely that this blocking will suddenly be removed. From this perspective, the best option would be to open negotiations, to look at the benchmarks and to make progress on that. On the other hand, I believe that what the EU sets as standards on the independence of the judiciary is quite clear. If the Turkish government wants to make progress on this issue, it does not have to wait officially for chapters to be opened; it can be done in different ways." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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