Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-11-24

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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] Biden says US, Turkey need each other despite differences

[02] Davutoglu: Turkey will carry out explorations for natural resources at the same area with the Republic of Cyprus

[03] Eroglu evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus issue with Erdogan

[04] Nami: Maximum efforts are being exerted to voice the Turkish Cypriot side's views and positions to the international community

[05] Turkey to send sewages to the occupied area of Cyprus for irrigation use

[06] The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce held contacts in Brussels last week

[07] Reactions to the resignations of some "deputies" from the DP-UG and Eroglu's possible candidature in the forthcoming "elections"

[08] Hundreds of stranded migrants rescued off the Cyprus coast

[09] The so-called minister of labour and social insurance to attend a summit in Istanbul

[10] The project of opening Cukurova University in occupied Trikomo is suspended

[11] UFTAA's meeting of the executive board and congress to be held in the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Biden says US, Turkey need each other despite differences

Arriving in Istanbul on Friday evening, Biden had a working dinner with Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and on Saturday he met with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Beylerbeyi Palace for a lengthy conversation, which lasted close to four hours, even though it was planned to last 45 minutes.

Biden and Erdogan held a joint press conference, but after making statements the leaders left without taking any questions from journalists.

During the press conference in Istanbul, Biden said: "We need Turkey. And I think Turkey believes that they need us, as well. We are close. We are going to continue to discuss how to approach each of these problems in the region."

He also strongly emphasized that the US-Turkish partnership is "as strong as it ever has been", adding: "Today we're working closely together once again to meet the very pressing challenges of this moment and to further strengthen the strategic partnership between Turkey and America".

The US is pushing Turkey to allow expanded access to the coalition forces to Incirlik Air Base in Adana province, which is in close proximity to ISIL targets inside both Syria and Iraq.

A senior US administration official told journalists en route to Turkey on Friday that the US has an "ISIL first, Iraq first strategy," Today's Zaman has learned. Turkey insists on removing the Assad regime from power as a priority and pushes for the establishment of an internationally accepted safe zone inside Syria.

"We agree with the Turks that there needs to be a political transition away from Assad as part of the endgame here. So we don't disagree with them on that. But at the moment our highest priority in Iraq and Syria is degrading and eventually defeating ISIL. We've stated that explicitly. We have an ISIL-first, Iraq-first strategy. But not an ISIL-only, Iraq-only strategy," the senior administration official said.

On Cyprus, Biden recalled that he travelled to the ethnically divided island in May and met with both Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders, as the highest-ranking American in five decades to visit the island.

"Today, the potential exists -- if the political will is there -- to reach a solution that benefits everyone on the island and in the region. Right now, that requires a focus on de-escalating tensions and returning to the negotiating table in Cyprus," he said.

Biden also said that given the significant energy potential in the eastern Mediterranean, the rewards to both communities on Cyprus of finding a cooperative path forward have never been greater.

The US Vice President also delivered a speech on European energy security at a conference held in Istanbul by the US-based think tank The Atlantic Council called "Energy and Economic Summit."

During that speech Biden said he visited Cyprus because he wanted to encourage the Cypriots to develop their energy resources in cooperation with all of their neighbours and to make clear that everyone benefits if the entire eastern Mediterranean can work together to become a hub for natural gas markets.

The energy potential in the eastern Mediterranean holds the promise of enhancing stability and prosperity by bringing together Israel, Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and Lebanon. "It also has the potential to bring new supplies into Europe, to increase its energy security by diversifying energy resources," he said.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.11.14) reported that Biden and his wife also visited the principal Greek Orthodox cathedral and the historic Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.

Meanwhile, A.A. reports that during his visit, Biden met also with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

[02] Davutoglu: Turkey will carry out explorations for natural resources at the same area with the Republic of Cyprus

"Therefore, they should return the soonest to the negotiating table for a solution, peace as soon as possible. Peace has a heavy cost when it delays even for a minute", he said.

Addressing to the Republic of Cyprus, Davutoglu alleged: "If they monopolize the natural resources by unilaterally inviting tenders as if this resource belongs only to them and want to unilaterally offer to the world markets these resources on which the Turkish Cypriots have also rights, then we will also carry out explorations at the same place and we will use the same right based on agreements?"

Reiterating a Turkish proposal submitted two years ago, Davutoglu argued that if the Cyprus negotiations last for long, a joint committee could be established between the "TRNC" and the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the island and the Republic of Cyprus respectively. He claimed that the natural gas could be extracted through this committee and be used for peace.

Davtoglu alleged that Turkey is the place which the Cypriot gas could reach and be used more easily than in any other place. He claimed that Turkey is also the place through which this gas could reach the international markets in the easiest manner. Davutoglu alleged that trying to use energy as a weapon to impose the solution you wish on the other side will deal the biggest blow to the negotiations.

Referring to Turkey's project for carrying water with undersea pipelines to the occupied area of Cyprus, Davutoglu said that "Anatolia's clean water will reach Cyprus and as Recep Tayyip Erogan had said when this project was announced, "we will share this water with the Greek Cypriots".

Davutoglu said that he will discuss the issue of the use of Cyprus' natural resources during his forthcoming visit with his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras in Athens.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus issue with Erdogan

During the meeting, Erdogan and Eroglu evaluated the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and the efforts to overpass the problems of the Turkish Cypriot "people". Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was also present at the meeting.

On the same issue, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 24.11.14), Eroglu, evaluating the contacts he held in Istanbul over the weekend, said that restarting the suspended comprehensive negotiations and conducting result-oriented talks is the Turkish Cypriot side's main strategy.

Eroglu said that his meeting with Erdogan who had also met with the US Vice President earlier was quite meaningful. He added that they had found an opportunity to discuss their joint strategy for Cyprus during the meeting.

"Firstly, Turkey will not withdraw its ships or give up its exploration activities. Secondly, we too have an equal right and say over any natural resources surrounding the island. Thirdly, Turkey supports a political settlement in Cyprus and the resumption of the negotiations process. However we are aware that the Greek Cypriot side is putting forward preconditions so as to delay the process" he claimed, pointing out that Turkey like the "TRNC" is running out of patience.

"The negotiations have been going on for years. Turkey, like us, has no intention of sitting at the negotiating table for years particularly when one takes into account the fact that the Greek Cypriots have rejected all agreements put on the table to this day, particularly the Annan Plan", he noted.

[04] Nami: Maximum efforts are being exerted to voice the Turkish Cypriot side's views and positions to the international community

He claimed that the Greek Cypriot administration (editor's note: as he refers to the Cyprus government) needs to be encouraged to abandon its intransigent stance to and to focus its efforts towards achieving a permanent solution.

Touching upon the Cyprus issue during a debate on the "budget" of the "foreign ministry" in the so-called parliament yesterday, Nami reminded that it is his "ministry's" vision to achieve a just, lasting and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue.

He said that the "ministry" is working hard to ease the reportedly isolations imposed on the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), to promote the Turkish Cypriot "people" and explore or develop economic, cultural and political relations with other countries and international actors.

Nami also pointed out that he is frequently holding meetings with civil society organisations and trade unions, briefing them on the latest developments, the negotiations process as well as their activities.

Nami said that maximum efforts are being exerted to voice the Turkish Cypriot side's views and positions to the international community.

Nami also briefed "parliamentarians" on his contacts abroad as well as on the newest "TRNC representation office" which was opened up in the Hungarian capital Budapest.

[05] Turkey to send sewages to the occupied area of Cyprus for irrigation use

The Turkish Minister said that if they achieve doing so it would be a historical step.

(AK)

[06] The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce held contacts in Brussels last week

Toros argued that it is absolutely necessary for halloumi-hellim cheese to be registered in the EU in a manner which to include the Turkish Cypriot producers and take into consideration the economic interests of the Turkish Cypriot community. Toros said that the EU has the "necessary legal instruments" for producing solutions "by taking into consideration the political realities in Cyprus" and added that this is what the Turkish Cypriot businessmen and the community expect. Toros noted that all his interlocutors accepted that halloumi, which is a common product of all Cypriots, should become a means for reconciliation and not for quarrel.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Toros alleged that the issue of Cyprus' exclusive economic zone is a controversial one, just like the territory and the property issues and added that the solution process should not be sacrificed for such controversial issues. Toros said that he has told all his interlocutors to convince the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table and explained the so-called vision of his chamber as regards the solution in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Reactions to the resignations of some "deputies" from the DP-UG and Eroglu's possible candidature in the forthcoming "elections"

The paper writes that Ozgurgun left the door of the UBP open for the return of the three "deputies" who have resigned from the DP-UG and said that they should file an application for this.

Ozgurgun noted, inter alia, the following: "Zorlu Tore has returned. Those who want to return will return. As long as the competent organs accept it, everyone can apply to return. There is always a return to the UBP. Those who in principle criticize the resignations should reexamine their own principles. When Ahmet Kasif and our eight friends left the UBP and the government collapsed, no one questioned whether this was based on principles. There was a reaction against the UBP?"

Referring to the issue of the possible candidature of the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Ergolu in the forthcoming "presidential elections", Ozgurgun said that Eroglu not becoming a candidate is out of the question. "We do not see such a possibility. Dervis Eroglu is a candidate. We are waiting for his announcement. If he does not become a candidate, then we will think about it. Of course, I have some names in my mind, but it is not possible for me to say them at this stage".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.11.14) reports that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the DP-UG, has said that the four "deputies" who left his party will be taken to "court" because of a "certificate of debt" they have signed before being "elected". He noted that Zorlu Tore, who left the DP-UG and joined the UBP sometime ago, has already been sued because he had signed a document saying that he would pay 500 thousand Turkish liras (TL) if he resigned from the DP-UG. Referring to the recent resignations of Ahmet Kasif, Hamit Bakirci and Ergun Serdaroglu, Denktas noted that his party will demand 300 thousand TL from each of these "deputies".

Denktas reiterated that his party will support Dervis Edroglu, if the latter announces his candidature for the forthcoming "presidential elections".

(I/Ts.)

[08] Hundreds of stranded migrants rescued off the Cyprus coast

The vessel broke down on Saturday, 4.5 miles away from the occupied port of Keryneia in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

The survivors were transported to a sports hall in occupied Keryneia for accommodation, after being successfully rescued from the wrecked vessel on Saturday.

A total of 10 migrants, including one pregnant woman, have stayed in the occupied area of Cyprus to receive medical treatment, an Anadolu Agency correspondent reported.

The rescue ship was escorted by security forces and medical teams, until it arrived in the Turkish port province of Mersin.

The migrants said they paid thousands of dollars to human traffickers to escape the civil war in Syria.

The smugglers promised the migrants they would end up at a European destination.

"We were stranded in the middle of the sea without food and water for four days. The ones to whom we paid money promised to take us to Italy," Ahmad Suruf, one of the survivors, said.

The rescue operation, which was launched on Saturday, was hampered by poor weather conditions. The migrants, however, were eventually rescued.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 23.11.14) reported that the boat, which left from Mersin (Turkey) 3 days ago, was probably heading to Greece or one of the Greek islands.

[09] The so-called minister of labour and social insurance to attend a summit in Istanbul

The two-day summit is organized by Turkey's Women and Democracy Association (KADEM) and the Family and Social Policies Ministry. The summit will be launched today and finish tomorrow.

The so-called ministry in a written statement said that representatives from NGO's, the business world, academicians and ministers from several countries are expected to attend the summit.

(AK)

[10] The project of opening Cukurova University in occupied Trikomo is suspended

According to the paper, Cukurova University's project which aimed to open a new "university" in the occupied area of Cyprus and increase the number of students from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, was suspended since the Turkish students who were supposed to study medicine and dentistry in the occupied area of Cyprus instead of other Balkan countries, have lost their right to submit application.

The paper writes that in spite of the fact that the "bill" envisaging for the establishment of a Cukurova university campus was approved by the Turkish National Assembly and the so-called assembly two years ago, it was not possible to set into force and as a result of that the project was postponed.

In statements on the issue, the chairman of the "Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council" ("YODAK") Prof. Dr Huseyin Gokcekus explained that since the project was not possible to be set into force within a period of two years, the right of application by the students was lost.

As the paper writes, the "framework protocol for the estasblishment of a campus by the Cukurova University" was singed in occupied Lefkosia on November 15, 2009.

(AK)

[11] UFTAA's meeting of the executive board and congress to be held in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to a statement issued by the honorary "chairman" of the "Turkish Cypriot Association of Tourism and Travel Agents" "KITSAB" Ahmet Necati Ozkan, the organization of the next congress of UFTAA in the "TRNC" as well as the meeting of the executive board will be a step ahead for the future.

According to the statement, during the congress in Bali, the participating delegations were briefed about the occupation regimes' transportation problems. The paper writes that the issue will be discussed in detail during a meeting of UFTAA-IATA (International Air Transport Association) -KITSAB which is planned to take place next March in Geneva.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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