Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-11-07

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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: The Greek Cypriots' demands are more than the Annan plan

[02] Eide: I have come with specific proposals on the hydrocarbon resources issue

[03] Eide: If the sides insist on their current positions, the problem will get bigger

[04] Nami continues his contacts in Brussels

[05] Bozkir to the Greek Cypriot side: We are not married so we cannot get divorced. We are already divorced and are trying to get married

[06] So-called minister of finance met with Arinc in Turkey

[07] The "association of retired sergeants of the security armed forces (GKK) in the TRNC" attended the 110th Meeting of EUROMIL

[08] The Turkish government announces ambitious economic goals

[09] "Problems emerge in Turkey's Kurdish bid"

[10] Defense spending more than doubles under AK Party in Turkey

[11] Arinc and Erdogan seem to disagree over the expenses of the "Ak Saray"; Prime Ministry on the same line with Erdogan on the issue

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: The Greek Cypriots' demands are more than the Annan plan

According to a press release issued by his "office" yesterday, Eroglu evaluated the suspension of the Cyprus talks, the natural gas crisis, as well as the domestic issues in an interview to a television program.

During the program, Eroglu repeated his known views that the Greek Cypriot side abandoned the Cyprus talks with the "excuse" of the arrival of the Turkish vessels when the bargaining stage at the negotiations would have started. He also repeated that all the "citizens" of the "TRNC" will be citizens of the new partnership state in case of the Cyprus settlement.

Referring to the issue of territory, Eroglu said: "If you look at this moment the names of the villages submitted to the table, I can say that their demands on the territory issue are very extreme and it is not possible to be accepted." Eroglu claimed that on the territory issue the Greek Cypriot side wants much more than from those mentioned at the Annan plan.

Replying to a question whether the Greek Cypriots want to return to the situation before 1974, Eroglu said that 40 years have passed from 1974 until now, adding that the changes, which have been made in the meantime, cannot be ignored.

Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side wants to depart from these negotiations with an agreement, adding, however, that if the Greek Cypriot side continues to insist on their demands, then with such attitude it is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot "people" to give a positive reply. He also said that the international forces, who desire a Cyprus settlement, should evaluate it.

Asked to comment on the reaction of the Turkish side on the upcoming tripartite meeting among Greece, Cyprus and Egypt, Eroglu said this cooperation will make it even harder to reach an agreement in Cyprus. Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriot side with this alliance will strengthen its hand and it (Greek Cypriot side) will think to aggravate its positions at the negotiating table.

Asked to comment on the allegation that the suspension of the Cyprus talks by the Greek Cypriot side will strengthen him prior to the "presidential elections April 2015", Eroglu said that he aims to sit at the negotiating table until the "elections", adding that he has already conveyed this to the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide and to Ambassadors. Eroglu noted: "Like the allegation that the Greek Cypriot side does not want me, there is also this allegation. All along, I say that I am ready for an agreement based on the realities existing in Cyprus."

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 06.11.14) during a reception on Thursday, on a remark regarding the claims of the existence of a map at the negotiation table, Eroglu claimed that during the trilateral summit in Geneva, the Greek Cypriot insisted on bringing a map to the table, while the Turkish side expressed their criteria on land, convincing UN Secretary Ban Ki Moon that the map issue will be the last to come up at the table. According to Eroglu, it was agreed that when an agreement was made on the other headings and the decision to have a meeting with the guarantor states was given, the map and a number issues would arise at the table, adding that this has been continued since the Christofias period.

Eroglu claimed that despite this, Anastasiades insisted on brining a map to the table and when the decision which was written down on the report of Ban Ki-moon at Geneva, was transferred to him, he put forth the name of villages. Eroglu noted that despite the Turkish side stating that "We will not take into consideration the list with the village names," the list was still brought to the table. Eroglu noted that the list which included the whole area of occupied Karpassia, the occupied village of Kythrea and its surroundings, the occupied village of Agios Sergios and its surrounding and the occupied Morphou, formed more or less a tableau.

Eroglu further said that the village names were the areas wanted by the Greek Cypriots and that the official reports including the names of these villages were brought to the table and that despite the Turkish side expressing that they will not consider these and the UN transferring these to their documents, these names were put forth at the table, adding that the names were also present at the Turkish side.

On the other hand, source close to the government of the Republic of Cyprus told to the paper that the names were given as an "example" and that the Greek Cypriot negotiating team communicated that the names were only "examples" and that they were not meant to refer to any decided map.

[02] Eide: I have come with specific proposals on the hydrocarbon resources issue

In statements yesterday after meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, Eide noted that he is "realistically optimistic", because the status quo in the island is being strengthened every day and expressed the view that this status quo might not be as stable as in the past, due to the conditions in the region. "It is a bad time for the non-solution", he pointed out adding that the UN Secretary-General believes in him and that Ban Ki-moon himself might be involved in the process it this is needed.

Noting that his aim is to create conditions for the resumption of the negotiations, Eide reportedly said: "You know Eroglu is ready to start the negotiations, but Anastasiades is not. We have to discuss how we could create the conditions for the two sides to return to the table and the negotiations to be speeded up".

Asked whether he had acquired the impression that the Turkish exploration vessels will be withdrawn [from Cyprus' exclusive economic zone] before 30 December, Eide argued that Ankara is ready to support constructive ideas. Noting that the ships are only one element, Eide said that the only thing he can do is to express his impressions and that the sides can express their own views.

Eide went on and recalled that the hydrocarbon resources could be both a blessing and a curse and added that for some countries their hydrocarbons have been turned into a curse.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eide: If the sides insist on their current positions, the problem will get bigger

In an exclusive interview with Yeni Duzen and Kanal Sim television, Eide noted: "The sides have different stances and I can understand them. It is not my duty to say who is right and who is wrong. However, if the sides insist on their positions, the existing problem will get bigger. (?) Since I have come to Cyprus, absolutely no map was submitted. I have absolutely no map on my table. Besides we had not had the chance to yet to discuss this issue. (?) The Cyprus problem is a problem of both communities and not only of the leaders. Everybody should express their views and as a part of the process should try to prevent. (?)"

Eide said that together with the solution both communities will obtain important benefits and added: "The decision is yours: You will choose either to get rich together or to get poor separately".

The Norwegian diplomat pointed out that he is continuing his contacts and added that it is not yet evident whether the negotiating process will recommence. He went on and called on the sides to stop acting by thinking that the other side will change its position.

Asked to say at which stage the "hydrocarbon crisis" in the negotiating process is and whether he has a plan in his bag, Eide said that "the negotiations may continue, but if they do not, a period of serious stagnancy may begin". He expressed the view that the Cyprus problem could be solved, "especially if there is a will", in spite of some difficult issues that exist. He added: "You are right, the reason of the current crisis is the hydrocarbons and there is a deep disagreement on this issue. We have to find how to approach the issue. However, there is a point on which the sides seriously agree as regards the future: And this point is that the hydrocarbons is an important resource for the entire island and that after the solution it will be taken up within the scope of a power executed under the federal administration. Both the current leaders and the former leaders Talat and Christofias say and confirm that these resources belong to the island and will be taken up at a federal level. My approach is actually to focus on the future. Because we, in Norway, had also had similar efforts. The oil and natural gas issue is actually an issue concerning the future and it will take years for it to come to the point of being usable".

Asked how many years it will take, Eide said that it might take ten years for income to be obtained. He expressed the view that it would be beneficial, if issues regarding the future administration of the natural resources were considered from now.

Asked when the negotiations will recommence taking into consideration the forthcoming "elections' in the occupied area of Cyprus, Eide replied that he wants to handle the negotiating process separately from the "elections" and added that the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu has told him that even though there will be "elections" he is determined to continue the negotiations.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Nami continues his contacts in Brussels

According to a press release issued by his "office", Nami drew attention to the importance of adopting a balanced approach on Cyprus at the session of the European Parliament, which is due to take place next week. Nami added that "the EP should be cautious not to reward the side which has abandoned the Cyprus negotiations and should, in this connection, take decisions and steps which will encourage the Greek Cypriot side towards a settlement and compromise."

Nami expressed the necessity for the Greek Cypriot leader to return to the negotiation table in the shortest possible time in order to resume the comprehensive settlement negotiations, as well as the need to engage in dialogue in order to resolve all issues, including the issue of the management of hydrocarbon reserves. Nami also mentioned some of the issues regarding the work conducted between the Turkish Cypriots and the European Union, and exchanged views with his counterparts on how these issues can be resolved.

Evaluating his contacts to the "BRT" (online, 06.11.14), Nami pointed out that a debate on the Cyprus issue will be held at the General Assembly of the European Parliament on the 12th of November upon a request by the Cypriot MEPs.

"The Greek Cypriots are aiming to transfer the crisis which they had created on the natural gas issue to the European Parliament and for a report which will blame the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey to emerge. They have been carrying out intensive lobbying activities. We are here to convey our views to the MEPs. I hope our efforts will have a positive outcome and a result which will also protect the rights and benefits of the Turkish Cypriot side will emerge", Nami added.

[05] Bozkir to the Greek Cypriot side: We are not married so we cannot get divorced. We are already divorced and are trying to get married

"Excuses recently produced by the Greek Cypriots indicate that they do not want to solve this issue," he alleged, adding that Turkey would preserve its willingness for a resolution no matter what the Greek Cypriots do.

"We are not married so we cannot get divorced. We are already divorced and are trying to get married. This marriage, however, should be carefully built based on past experiences," he replied when asked whether a "velvet divorce" could take place on the divided island.

[06] So-called minister of finance met with Arinc in Turkey

Speaking during the meeting, Arinc referred to Turkey's ties with the "TRNC" and said that these are very special.

Arinc said that their government's aim is to have more strong ties with the "TRNC", in order as he said for the "people" in the "TRNC" to be able to live in security and prosperity, to be able to increase their investments and revive their "economy". "Today, we have very good ties with our government in the TRNC. We have discussed with the minister some specific issues and now we are going to discuss some technical details", Arinc said.

Speaking during the meeting, so-called minister Mungan described the occupation regime's ties with Turkey like "a flesh and nail" and said that Turkey is always by the side of the "TRNC" in all fields.

Stressing the need for Turkey to continue supporting the "TRNC" in order to be able to stand on its own feet, Mungan said that in order for this to become a reality, they should achieve the economic transformation and development and austerity on their expenditure.

Explaining that their ties with Turkey continue with the implementation of the economic protocol, Mungan said that these programs are prepared every three years. Stating that the program will be completed by the end of 2015, Mungan added that they need Turkey's technical support for the preparation and regulation of the program covering the period 2016-2018.

Meanwhile, the paper points out that Arinc will be visiting the occupied area of Cyprus next week in order to attend the "celebrations" for the anniversary of the "UDI".

(AK)

[07] The "association of retired sergeants of the security armed forces (GKK) in the TRNC" attended the 110th Meeting of EUROMIL

According to the paper, the "association" became a member of the Turkey's Sergeants Trade Union, which attends the (EUROMIL).

In statements on the issue, Esen Omurlu, "chairman" of the "association" said that their membership to Turkey's Sergeants Trade Union was accepted unanimously.

Omurlu added that after becoming a member of the Turkish Trade Union, they submitted a proposal for attending the 110th meeting of EUROMIL, which took place in Rome, Italy between October 16-18, under the umbrella of the "association of retired sergeants of the security armed forces (GKK) in the TRNC". Omurlu said that after the efforts exerted by the Greek and Greek Cypriot delegation to prevent their participation, the EUROMIL issued a statement supporting that the organization's aim is not political and thus they could attend it.

Omurlu added that several Balkan countries are members of the EUROMIL.

(AK)

[08] The Turkish government announces ambitious economic goals

"Our aim is to increase our GDP from $800 billion to $1.3 trillion by 2018, decrease the rate of the GDP's current account deficit from 6 % to 5.2 % and decrease the unemployment rate to 7 % from around 10 %," Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said at a press conference Nov. 6.

The plans announced yesterday include nine of the 25 transformational programs, mainly focusing on boosting the real sector. The remaining programs will be announced in the future. The first nine-point plan includes 417 action plans.

The plans were announced as Turkey prepares to take over the presidency of the G-20 for a year, beginning on Dec. 1.

"Our transformational process will be based on five pillars. The first of them is to maintain the balanced relationship between political stability and economic predictability," said Davutoglu. The second element of this structural transformation will be to foster human development and human sources, while the third includes the Turkish real sector adapting to the latest production technologies, he said. "The fourth element will be an integrated and holistic economic approach, and the fifth will be the full integration of the Turkish economy into the global economy," he said. "During this period everyone will see that Turkey's economic capacity, economic logic and intellectual level is capable of guiding the global economy for a year," Davutoglu said.

[09] "Problems emerge in Turkey's Kurdish bid"

""Is the Kurdish bid frozen?" a reporter asked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a press conference before he was to take off for Turkmenistan. The reporter was referring to the words of Selahattin Demirtas, the co-leader of the Democratic Peoples' Party (HDP), a party focused on the Kurdish issue. Demirtas had said a day before that the government's initiative in the pursuit of a political solution to the country's chronic Kurdish problem "started on Imrali," the island-prison where Abdullah Ocalan, the founding leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is kept, and thus "could come to an end there if it should."

"If you caused the killing of 40 people on the streets, you have nothing to do with a [peaceful] solution" Erdogan replied with a long face. "It has nothing to do with Imrali." Erdogan's reference was to the bloody protests on Oct. 6-7 after the HDP's call to supporters to take to the streets against Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's reluctance to take a more active position in giving military assistance to PKK-affiliated fighters in the Syrian town of Kobane (Ayn al-Arab) near the Turkish border, which is under the attack of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

[?]

It is obvious that something is going on, but it may take some time to understand what those are."

[10] Defense spending more than doubles under AK Party in Turkey

The share of defense spending in gross domestic product (GDP), however, declined over the past 12-year period, according to Turkish Ministry of Defense figures released this week. Turkey allocated 1.71 % of its GDP to defense spending in 2014, while this figure was 3.45 % in 2002. The ministry figures also showed that defense spending per capita was TL 470 in 2014, a TL 4 decline from 2013. This was still more than double the figure, TL 201, seen in 2002. This defense spending is comprised of arms purchases, upgrading of current armory and military equipment and military staff's salaries and pensions.

Turkey exported military equipment worth TL 1.39 billion last year and sold military equipment worth TL 1.32 billion overseas in 2013.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) figures, Turkey was 14th-highest on the list of countries ranked by defense spending. Global defense spending per year is estimated at $1.75 trillion.

[11] Arinc and Erdogan seem to disagree over the expenses of the "Ak Saray"; Prime Ministry on the same line with Erdogan on the issue

Responding to questions about the Ak Saray from opposition Deputies during budget talks in Parliament on Wednesday, Arinc shared his personal views about the new presidential complex. "More than TL 1 billion was spent [on the complex]. If you say it should not have been this much, this could be debated. It is not a small amount of money. Custom manufacturing, elaborate artisanship were used [in the building]. These are right but costly," he said.

The Deputy Prime Minister said he is personally against wastefulness and even asked for reports related to wasted water in government buildings when he was Parliament Speaker.

In addition, the paper writes that the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed public criticism concerning the lavish expenses on the country's new presidential palace and new Prime Minister's office, calling the buildings a "show of a country's prestige."

Erdogan also added that there are plans to build a mosque inside the new presidential complex as well as a 2,000-seat conference hall.

The Prime Minister's Office also issued a written statement on Thursday in response to the ongoing debates about the extravagant spending on the new offices, claiming that the public has been misled on the issue. The statement said, "All these opportunities indeed belong to the people." The presidential palace, the prime minister's office and aircrafts used by the President and the Prime Minister were allocated to these offices, not to individuals, the statement said, adding that these "opportunities" will be used to serve the people and the state. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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