Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-11-13

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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] Bozkir: Turkey does not give any validity to the vote

[02] Nami: EU institutions and the EP should convey balanced messages

[03] Bozkir: ''The Greek Cypriot Administration controls only half of the island"

[04] Ertug: The Greek Cypriots submitted names of villages at the table; Tatar: There was no map; Akansoy: Eroglu bombed the negotiations

[05] Eroglu briefed foreign journalists on the Cyprus problem

[06] Siber and Yorgancioglu briefed a delegation of foreign journalist accredited in PACE on the Cyprus problem

[07] The schedule of Arinc during his visit to occupied Cyprus for the breakaway regime's establishment celebration

[08] Reception in Rome on the occasion of the "celebrations" for the UDI

[09] A delegation from Kirgizia to carry out an illegal visit in the occupied area of Cyprus

[10] Toros met with the British High Commissioner

[11] The US Ambassador to Lefkosia paid a visit to Evkaf Religious Foundation

[12] Korkmazhan: The student dorms of Hala Sultan Theology college are given to religious sect

[13] Turkish columnist: Turkey's guarantor status for the "TRNC" has no international basis

[14] Northern Tourism Agency, aims to bring 50 thousand tourists in the breakaway regime until May 2015

[15] The new minimum wage is 1,675 TL

[16] Cavusoglu discussed with his counterpart of New Zealand the Cyprus issue too

[17] Turkey's MFA condemns anti-American activist group who 'sacked' US soldiers

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Bozkir: Turkey does not give any validity to the vote

Speaking during the session, the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, Johannes Hahn, urged both leaders to return to the negotiating table.

Stating that in case of a comprehensive solution in Cyprus, all Cypriots could benefit from the natural resources of Cyprus, he called on both leaders to find ways of returning to the negotiating table and to restart the comprehensive negotiations process as soon as possible.

Noting that the United Nations was sharing the same view, he stressed that the EU is fully supporting the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide.

Meanwhile, Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkir made evaluations regarding the decisions that will be voted on at the European Parliament regarding Cyprus and said that Turkey does not give any validity to the vote.

"Once the resolution is approved it will be sent to our permanent representative in Brussels in accordance to procedures and therefore it has no other meaning at this time", said Bozkir.

[02] Nami: EU institutions and the EP should convey balanced messages

According to a press release by his "office", Nami, during the meeting, emphasized that the current problems pertaining to hydrocarbon reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean stem from the Cyprus problem and that dialogue is essential in order to resolve such problems. He claimed that it is unacceptable that the Greek Cypriot side has withdrawn from the negotiating table.

Nami expressed the view that EU institutions and the European Parliament should convey balanced messages through their decisions and statements, and should display an effort towards the resumption of the negotiations in a result-oriented manner.

Nami underlined the need for all parties to remain calm and added that these institutions, in which Turkish Cypriots are not represented, produce unilateral positions which may not contribute in any way to the resolution of the Cyprus problem, but may rather raise tensions in the region. Emphasizing that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to do its utmost to further the negotiation process, Nami stated that he expects the international community to encourage the Greek Cypriot side towards compromise.

Nami made concrete proposals regarding what can be done in order for the so-called reported isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriots to be lifted and for Turkish Cypriots to be represented at the European Parliament, also reminding that all international actors, particularly the European Union, have a role to play in this regard.

Moreover, illegal Bayrak television (online, 13.11.14) reports that Nami, evaluating his contacts to the "BRT", said that besides the President of the European Parliament, he came together with technical members of the Commission. Nami added that during this meeting, they discussed the issue of Hellim and put forward their views on how to overcome the current problems.

Responding to a question regarding how the European Parliament perceived Cyprus during the latest process, Nami said that the European Parliament was displaying an approach relevant to its relations with Turkey.

"Unfortunately the rightful situation and benefits of Turkish Cypriots are not so much on their agenda. Mainly, we see negative evaluations against Turkey and the reflections of these on Cyprus. I presume that this will be reflected on the voting to be held at the European Parliament. We will continue with our contacts and initiatives on many levels to rectify this", Nami added.

Referring to his meeting with the Turkish EU Minister and the Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozkir, Nami said: "We are in a coordinated effort with Volkan Bozkir" and added that during their meeting they shared the results of the meetings they held separately as well as the information and data they had gathered.

Nami also stated that during the meeting they evaluated how they could take concerted steps in cooperation and expressed the hope to see Bozkir in the "TRNC".

[03] Bozkir: ''The Greek Cypriot Administration controls only half of the island"

Turkey and the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) does not accept the "Greek Cypriot Administrations" efforts to create 'false perceptions' in recent years, which are intended to block the efforts for a solution, Bozkir said.

''The Greek Cypriot Administration controls only half of the island and the use of the entire island's natural resources, as it possesses them, will not be accepted by the TRNC'', Bozkir warned.

"The Cyprus problem is also interfering with Turkey's admission to the European Union. Turkey will also respond in a much stronger way to this, by refuting these misperceptions, by revealing the truth,'' Bozkir said.

Bozkir's comments came a day before the European Parliament is set to vote on a resolution on the tension between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus over oil and gas exploration in the waters off the island.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (13.11.14) reports that Nami, for his part, said that he is carrying out contacts due to the draft resolution regarding Cyprus that the European Parliament will be put in vote on Thursday. He claimed that the unilateral decisions, which emerge from this institution, are due to the fact that the Turkish Cypriots do not have the right to speak at the EP, adding that it is not possible for the EU to contribute positively in any way to the Cyprus issue.

[04] Ertug: The Greek Cypriots submitted names of villages at the table; Tatar: There was no map; Akansoy: Eroglu bombed the negotiations

Ertug argued that the statement that the Greek Cypriot side submitted only criteria on the territory issue is not correct and added that the Greek Cypriots brought names of specific villages and areas and referred to a percentage, but the Turkish Cypriot side reacted recalling that there is an agreement that the map and the numbers will be discussed at the last stage. Therefore, he noted, the Turkish Cypriot side ignored all these and the Greek Cypriots could not put a map on the table.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (13.11.14) reports that the Cyprus problem was debated at the "assembly" of the regime yesterday. The self-styled "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Omer Kalyoncyu accused the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu of not being in favor of a solution to the Cyprus problem and noted that Eroglu is responsible for the existence of the property problem in Cyprus. He argued that Turkish Cypriots are those in need of the solution the most and that Greek Cypriots used the negotiating process for bringing to the table many proposals which are allegedly contrary to the joint declaration of last February. Kalyoncu said that Eroglu is going around in various villages inciting people with the aim of preventing the recommencement of the negotiations. According to Kalyoncu, everyone at the negotiating table knew that the person who was carrying out the negotiations for the Turkish Cypriot side was Ergolu's former special representative, Kudret Ozersay and not Dervis Eroglu himself.

Furthermore, Armagan Candan, also "deputy" with the CTP, argued that the statements made on the territory issue "instil negativity to citizens" and added that as a person living in [occupied] Morfou, he condemns Eroglu on this issue. Candan expressed the view that these statements are not in favour of the community and that they create the "biggest harm" against the community.

Replying to the criticism, Ersin Tatar, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP), said that there is no map, but the names of the villages are true, that there was nothing wrong in bringing these names to the "people's" attention and that there was no need to hide these things.

Moreover, Asim Akansoy, so-called deputy with the CTP, responded to Tatar saying that even the late Turkish Cypriot leader Denktas had not done what Eroglu has done. Akansoy accused Eroglu of "throwing a bomb at the negotiating table".

Furthermore, Faiz Sucuoglu, self-styled deputy with the UBP, argued that Eroglu is not the one who abandoned the negotiating table, but the Greek Cypriot leader who was allegedly looking for ways not to meet with Eroglu. He noted that Eroglu informed the political parties about the villages the return of which was asked and that the map had not been printed out by Eroglu. Sucuoglu argued that the names of the villages were already known and if Eroglu had printed out a map, he would have presented it.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Eroglu briefed foreign journalists on the Cyprus problem

During the meeting, Eroglu informed the foreign journalists about the Cyprus problem by claiming that the Turkish Cypriot "people" had lived through many hardships to reach where they are today.

Referring to the latest phase reached on the Cyprus issue, Eroglu alleged: "It is my view that the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades used unfounded excuses to leave the Cyprus negotiations table but we are still at the table. We expect him to return to the negotiations table and continue with the negotiations."

In response to a question, Eroglu claimed that "in the south Greek Cypriot Orthodox Christians live on the island and in the north Turkish Cypriot Muslims live on the island".

"They see Greece as their motherland; we see Turkey as our motherland. This situation has been noted in agreements", Eroglu alleged and claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side had always strived to reach a viable agreement to the Cyprus problem.

He alleged that despite the Greek Cypriot side's intransigent stance, the Turkish Cypriot side is continuing with the negotiations process as they hope to reach a solution based on two federal states.

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side's constant demands and rejection of the peace plans had weakened the Turkish Cypriot "people's" belief in a solution, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots have shown much patience during the talks and that it would be incorrect to stay at the table for another 46 years because there may be an agreement.

He also reiterated his call to the UN, US and other countries involved in the issue to persuade Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table without any preconditions.

[06] Siber and Yorgancioglu briefed a delegation of foreign journalist accredited in PACE on the Cyprus problem

According to a statement released by the so-called assembly, the "deputy" of the Republican Turkish Party-UF, Mehmet Caglar and the "deputy" of the United Cyprus Party (UBP) Tahsin Ertugruloglu were also present during the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Sibel expressed pleasure over the visit of the media members of PACE in the occupied area of Cyprus and explained to them that the Turkish Cypriot community lives under "embargoes" in all fields. She alleged that the Greek Cypriot side puts obstacles and prevents their "representatives" from participating in several international platforms. "It is unacceptable to prevent one community from attending the international arena, while speaking about a bi-communal solution", Sibel said, adding that their representation as observer and their existence in the international arena, does not mean their recognition". On the contrary, she said, "making the voice of the community heard, and carrying out contacts, will contribute positively to the solution process".

Referring to the latest developments experienced in Cyprus, Siber said that these developments destroy the bridge of confidence between the two communities instead of building it. "The Cyprus problem is a bi-communal problem and the solution should be found by the two communities", Sibel said, adding that the Greek Cypriot leadership should show sensitivity towards this issue.

Ertugruloglu pointed out that the Greek Cypriot side is benefiting by the advantage of having a state status which is internationally recognized, while the Turkish Cypriots confront several problems since they are not recognized.

Caglar on his part stressed the need for a decision to be taken on the issue of the two seats in PACE and added: "We should be more visible and audible in the international arena".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (13.11.14) reports that PACE's accredited journalists met also with the so-called prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu.

According to a statement issued by the so-called prime ministry's office, Yorgancioglu evaluated during the meeting the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and replied to questions about the ties between the Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot side and the ties between Cyprus-EU.

(AK)

[07] The schedule of Arinc during his visit to occupied Cyprus for the breakaway regime's establishment celebration

On November 14, Arinc will hold a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and with the self-styled speaker of the "assembly" Sibel Siber. He will also have lunch with the "universities' rectors" and later he will meet the "prime minister" Ozkan Yorgancioglu. In the evening he will participate in a dinner organized in his honour by Siber.

On the 15th Arinc along with the other members of the delegations from Turkey, will participate in the celebrations organized and will address the military parade.

[08] Reception in Rome on the occasion of the "celebrations" for the UDI

According to the paper, the Turkish ambassador in Rome, Aydin Sezgin, the Italian former senator who has the occupation regime's citizenship, Paolo Petro Amato, the former Ambassador of Italy to Ankara, Carlo Marsili and a large number of Italian military officials and other friends of the "TRNC" attended the reception.

In statements during the reception, Vechi reminded that it is the fourth time they organize a reception in Rome and expressed his pleasure over the fact that they "celebrate" such important events in Rome.

(AK)

[09] A delegation from Kirgizia to carry out an illegal visit in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to a statement released by the "municipality of Kioneli", the visitors will stay in the occupied area of Cyprus for four days and will carry out contacts with "state" and "government officials".

The delegation will depart on November 16.

(AK)

[10] Toros met with the British High Commissioner

According to a statement released by the KTTO, Toros and Todd exchanged views during the meeting on the developments related to the natural resources in the island and on the recent developments on the Cyprus problem.

Toros informed also the British High Commissioner about the joint projects which the Chamber of Trade and Industry of the Republic of Cyprus carries out with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade.

Toros stated during the meeting that they want the UK's contribution for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiation talks.

(AK)

[11] The US Ambassador to Lefkosia paid a visit to Evkaf Religious Foundation

During the meeting the importance of the restoration of the Armenian Church in the Arabahmet region in occupied Lefkosia was stressed. The restoration took place with the cooperation of Evkaf Religious Foundation and USAID. During the meeting the restoration works taking place in all the religious workshops and foundations (churches, mosques, commentaries and others) both in the occupied area of Cyprus and in the free areas, were also discussed.

[12] Korkmazhan: The student dorms of Hala Sultan Theology college are given to religious sect

Korkmazhan requested from self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu and self-styled education minister Ozdemir Berova to inform the public regarding this issue. Korkmazhan accused the "coalition government" CTP-BG/DP-UG (Republican Turkish Party-United Forces / Democratic Party-National Forces) of being unable to close the present vacancy slots and of being unable to repair the schools with the claim that there is not enough budget, adding that despite this the construction of the Hala Sultan Theology college continues quickly.

Korkmazhan said that the project and the construction of the College are illegal. He claimed that the construction of the Hala Sultan Theology College is the biggest step taken by the AKP ruling government to bring the religious and Sunni Islam lifestyle to Cyprus and eliminate the secular, democratic and modern lifestyle of the Turkish Cypriots, adding: "This college is not an educational institution as it is claimed, it is a degeneration centre which will seed political Islam positions."

Korkmazhan noted that CTP's approach regarding the Hala Sultan Theology college is hypocritical since they claim that they are socialists at every given chance. "CTP leader and prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu's message at the inauguration is hypocrisy, since he used to make statements against the college when CTP was in the opposition. Unfortunately, deceiving the people has become a habit for CTP," he said.

[13] Turkish columnist: Turkey's guarantor status for the "TRNC" has no international basis

"Ever since the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) became a 'global player', it has no longer dealt with minor questions such as the Cyprus stalemate.

This is why these centuries-old questions are still very much in existence. Today we see that the northern province of the island of Cyprus represents, for Turkey, an economic, political, military and human fiasco. Until recently, relations with the southern part had been defined by begrudging support from Ankara to the recently resumed reunification talks, and all sorts of poor sportsmanship coming in the wake of the discovery of enough fossil fuel in the deep waters off Cyprus to provide an answer to all of Turkey's energy needs. But on Oct. 20, the Barbaros seismic vessel and its accompanying fleet carried this poor sportsmanship to a new dimension. What Ankara has done is, to quote columnist Niyazi K?z?lyurek, expand the 40 years of land occupation into the sea. Ten days later, an Oct. 30 meeting of the Turkish National Security Council (MGK) took up the drilling activity in the Cypriot Republic's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as an item on its agenda. In a statement made after the MGK meeting, it was announced: 'It has been clarified that in the future, Turkey will resolutely take every precaution necessary to protect its rights and interests in its own continental shelf, and that of the TRNC in licensed areas, in its capacity as a guarantor state.' Never mind that Turkey, according to the 1959 Zurich Agreement, is the guarantor, together with Greece and the UK, of the Republic of Cyprus. Its guarantor status for the TRNC has no international basis!

The declaration from the MGK occurred despite the fact that just 10 days prior, on Oct. 20, Cyprus had condemned the violation of its EEZ, indicating that it would be prepared to veto any positive developments in Turkey's ongoing EU accession talks as a result. Clearly, the MGK declaration completely discounts Cyprus' reaction. It also discounts the possible negative repercussions that might damage both the Cyprus reunification talks and the EU accession talks, ignoring the ex-officio sponsor of the Cyprus talks, the US. It also undermines neighbouring countries such as Egypt, Greece and Israel, which also have EEZ's, while also failing to recognize the United Nations, which is in charge of the implementation of EEZ rules in the seas.

On the weekend following the MGK decision, the fleet sent out this salvo, 'If we encounter any problems on this front, we will follow the rules of engagement.' What thus appeared before the world was the vision of a real toughie, one that recognizes no rule of law!

Many people cannot help wondering, in the face of such a frightening tableau, whether the ruling party is in pursuit of a cheap foreign victory -- that actually may come at great cost -- in the run up to the increasingly unclear general elections. Or perhaps more frighteningly, could the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) be in pursuit of guaranteeing its perpetual presence on the island?

In the meantime, the bridges connecting Turkey to other actors it has ignored and tried to intimidate are about to be burned. Ankara no longer seems to care a whit about accession talks with the EU. Disagreements with the US increase day by day. And its relations with four neighbors are in poor shape. Ankara does not recognize any country named Cyprus; its animosity toward Israel is endless. The word "Egypt" alone is enough to make the ruling party mad, while 15 years of supposedly thawing relations with Greece appear to have made no real concrete gains. And on top of everything, in the wake of the UN Security Council (UNSC) voting fiasco, Ankara's umbrage with the UN may in fact be greater than ever.

Nevertheless it appears that the other actors are not even really aware of Turkey's single-sided interventions. The freezing of Turkish accession talks is about to become an EU policy. As for the US, while it gives support to the Noble Energy Company, it appears to have given no priority to the temper of its 'difficult ally', Turkey. At the same time, Cyprus-Egypt-Greece have signed an important agreement on the storage of gas in Egypt, and a similar three-way agreement is about to be signed by Cyprus-Greece-Israel. Meanwhile, the Israeli Foreign Minister has issued a guarantee for Cyprus and the same for Greece.

All this when, until just recently, the fossil fuels found off the southern waters of the island would have belonged to the entire island, had the island unified as the Federal Cypriot Republic. The water that is piped in from Anatolia would have been shared, the way forward in the EU accession talks would have been cleared, Turkish soldiers would have returned home, and then a peaceful atmosphere, so needed in the Eastern Mediterranean, would have settled into place.

This is a perfect case of how to end up a solitary toughie when you are looking to become a global player."

[14] Northern Tourism Agency, aims to bring 50 thousand tourists in the breakaway regime until May 2015

The paper writes that as of October, tourists from Germany and Belgium are visiting the occupied area of Cyprus, travelling from Antalya Turkey via airplane adding that the planes are conducting a touch-down in Turkey and then arrive directly in Cyprus. The tourists who are mostly interested in visiting historic monuments stay in occupied Cyprus for four days and later continue their holidays in Turkey.

[15] The new minimum wage is 1,675 TL

The representatives of the employers in the "commission" did not vote in favor of the increase arguing that this was no time for readjusting the salaries. The representatives of the employees said that they voted in favor of this increase, in spite of the fact that they think that the minimum wage should be 2,100 TL.

(I/Ts.)

[16] Cavusoglu discussed with his counterpart of New Zealand the Cyprus issue too

During his official visit to New Zealand, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met with his counterpart Murray McCully in Auckland.

According to diplomatic sources, Cavusoglu said that the visit was important.

Cavusoglu also congratulated McCully on his country's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

A free trade agreement could be signed between the two countries, McCully added.

The counterparts exchanged views on regional issues, including Cyprus, the peace process in the Middle East and developments in Syria and Iraq.

Meanwhile, Cavusoglu also met with Craig Foss, Minister of Veterans' Affairs.

Cavusoglu acquainted him with the preparations of the 100th anniversary of the battle of Gallipoli, according to diplomatic sources.

[17] Turkey's MFA condemns anti-American activist group who 'sacked' US soldiers

Unidentified soldiers in civilian clothes were walking in Eminonu, a central district of Istanbul, when activists from the TGB approached one of them and asked whether he was with the sailors aboard the USS Ross, a U.S. navy ship anchored on Istanbul's Sarayburnu coast that was returning from a military exercise in the Black Sea. When the soldier nodded yes, one of the activists said, "You declared that you are a member of the U.S. army and now because we define you as murderers, as killers, we want you to get out of our lands. We are using our right to protest you."

Then, the angry mob threw red paint on the soldier and placed sack on his head. The terrified soldiers managed to get away while the mob chased them shouting, "Yankee, go home". Turkish police arrived at the scene and detained 12 members of the 50-strong mob. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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