Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-12-01

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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] Eide: Solution including derogations from EU fundamental principles is not possible; Some countries question UNFICYP's presence

[02] Nami alleges that the world questions whether a solution in Cyprus is possible because of the stance of President Anastasiades

[03] Ozgurgun criticized a "candidate", who promised to return the occupied city of Famagusta

[04] Bozkir called on Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden to help open Turkey's chapters

[05] Venizelos and Cavusoglu met in Ankara and called for the resumption of reunification talks in Cyprus

[06] Self-styled deputies reportedly to hold contacts in Ramallah with the aim of opening up a "TRNC representation office" in the city

[07] Putin sees new opportunities for Turkey-Russia economic, trade ties; He said that Russia is not involved in any project in Cyprus

[08] Ozersay said that they should take steps to develop occupied Karpasia

[09] A survey shows UBP ahead for the upcoming "presidential elections"

[10] Kasif and the other resigned "deputies" from DP, say that they discuss their return to UBP

[11] Toros: Turkish Cypriots spend 120 millions euro in shopping in the government controlled area of Cyprus.

[12] The regime asks 150 million TL from Ankara to cover budget deficit

[13] British Prime Minister to visit Turkey on December 9

[14] Ocalan says deal possible within months on Kurdish issue

[15] Turkey blocked Today's Zaman editor's Twitter accounts

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eide: Solution including derogations from EU fundamental principles is not possible; some countries question UNFICYP's presence

Eide added: "My duty as Special Adviser is to help the sides on the issue of the reunification of Cyprus. The UN Security Council will decide if this will change. At the moment, all permanent members of the UN Security Council agree on the issue of Cyprus' unification and the UN helping in this. However, I have the feeling that some countries have started questioning the presence of the UN in Cyprus. Yes, the UNFICYP contributes to peace in Cyprus, but some circles have started asking the question 'does on the other hand the UN's presence in Cyprus serve the non-solution?' [?]"

Eide argued that the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots have to decide what they want to do. Asked whether alternatives other than reunification exist, he replied: "I think that there is only one good alternative and this is unification. It is up to you to think what the other alternatives outside this are".

According to Eide, the times we live in are bad for the continuation of the non-solution in Cyprus, as Middle East, which is next to Cyprus, is in flames, people are being killed and countries are being destroyed. He added: "It would be wrong for you to assume that Cyprus will remain always like this without conflicts and secure. [?] Negative dynamics are being spread very quickly [?] What I am trying to tell you is the following: Decide what you want to do. This is the time to decide. Do Cypriots want to live together, or do they want to abandon this and enter into a new course?"

Referring to the issue of possible derogations to the European Union's laws in case of a solution, Eide noted that because of the internal problems which the EU is facing, "it is not as easy as in the past to digest derogations". "I am not saying that there will be no derogations, in case of a solution in Cyprus. This depends on the extent of these derogations and on whether they are permanent or temporary. However, according to my observations, because of its internal problems, the EU is much more unwilling than in the past on the issue of derogations. It is very obvious that a solution which includes derogations that prevent the individuals from settling in other places or acquiring property in other places is definitely not possible. This is contrary to the principles which constitute the foundation of the EU".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami alleges that the world questions whether a solution in Cyprus is possible because of the stance of President Anastasiades

Asked to comment on an article published in The Economist magazine under the title "The Cyprus problem: Intractable?or insoluble?" Nami argued that "this is an important question" and alleged: "I think that the Greek Cypriot leader by abandoning the negotiating table, in spite of the 50 years of efforts that passed and the hopes that flourished after the joint declaration in February, caused such an article. Not only The Economist magazine, but many circles in the world are asking this question. Either we want it or not, the international community wonders whether there is a need for redefining the Cyprus problem and for how long the federal solution will be discussed?"

Nami alleged that the Turkish side is now trying for the negotiations held under the UN to succeed and result in a new referendum.

He added: "There is no change in our policy at the moment. After all these efforts are exhausted and if we are not still able to reach the expected result, we will put before us what the real politics will show us in the conditions of the time and we will see. Now, the UN Secretary-General himself has also said that this situation cannot continue forever. In any case, the UN itself says that this process cannot be open-ended and the negotiations cannot last forever. On the other hand, the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide was in our country until a couple of days ago and in an interview with the Greek Cypriot state television said that he assumes that he is the last Special Adviser appointed to this duty. Therefore, he also underlined that this effort will be the last one. For this reason, the international community needs to accept that the efforts ended and not one of the sides to declare non-agreement. It is important for the UN to come to the point of saying 'we cannot do anything more on this issue'. If things will really come to this point, we continuously pressure for this. The 15 February agreement is there, the joint declaration is there, the convergence papers are there, we say let us end this issue on the basis of these. If the Greek Cypriot side continuously runs away from the negotiating table, of course, the UN will need to take a decision on this issue. The Turkish side will press for this."

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun criticized a "candidate", who promised to return the occupied city of Famagusta

[04] Bozkir called on Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden to help open Turkey's chapters

Bozkir's comments came in a press conference in Stockholm, on Friday on his last day of a two-day visit to meet Swedish officials.

He told reporters: ''Turkey continuing with the 50-year-long process shows its desire to become a member, how tolerant it is and how determined it is. Fifty years is the most beautiful expression of this.''

He claimed that Turkey's accession was blocked by the Cyprus issue alone. Countries such as Latvia, Luxembourg and Sweden could help open Turkey's frozen "chapters" (on EU accession) he said, adding: ''However, Germany could solve the issue directly if it wanted to".

Bozkir said: ''Countries hiding behind the Cyprus issue need to start working on this. The Cyprus issue, by continuing for 50 years, is an embarrassment for world peace, for the EU, for the U.S. and for NATO.''

[05] Venizelos and Cavusoglu met in Ankara and called for the resumption of reunification talks in Cyprus

"The negotiations continued through even the hardest times. We wish to restart the talks in this period as well," Cavusoglu said during the news conference. "We desire an understanding and solution that will protect the rights of both nations and our efforts for this will continue," he added.

The Turkish minister also alleged that the Republic of Cyprus' hydrocarbon searches off Cyprus, consists of "violation of the Turkish Cypriots legitimate rights" and criticized the Greek Cypriot side for withdrawing from the talks. "These negotiations have been kicked for a solution on the island and the framework of the solution is included in the joint declaration," he said. "Amid focus on this solution, the Greek side's one-sided drilling activities that don't guarantee Turkish Cypriots' rights are not well-intended If we want a solution, why we don't focus on this?" he alleged.

"If we must do this urgently, if there are good intentions, there are many solutions. But if there is no good intention, if there will be an approach like 'I am an EU member, so I can use these rights,' these are of no use for a solution," he said.

For his part, Venizelos also pledged support for the resumption of talks, saying "It's our duty to exert efforts to restart the negotiations," however drew a red line at the protection of the Republic of Cyprus sovereign rights. "I always believe there is opportunity to avoid tension and [to find a] solution to the problems," he stated. "But these efforts shouldn't hurt Cyprus' sovereignty rights. Cyprus, a member of United Nations and European Union, has national sovereignty and national rights. Within the framework of maritime law, undersea resources belong to this state," he stated.

Venizelos also said that the gas to be excerpted by the Republic of Cyprus will be shared with the Turkish side as well.

"This state holds the responsibility of management of these resources in advantage to both Greek and Turkish citizens living in Cyprus. This happens in the equality and balance scope. Moreover, the distribution of natural gas is decided to also be in favor of Cyprus Turks, We should do these in a way to distribute equal rights to all citizens of Cyprus," he said.

"Moreover, there will be a federation and constitution as a result of the political solution that will be reached," he added, also noting the "importance of respect to Cyprus' sovereign right to reach before and reach this point."

Venizelos' visit came less than a week before senior Turkish and Greek officials will meet in the third edition of the "High-Level Cooperation Council," which will take place in Athens on Dec. 5-6.

[06] Self-styled deputies reportedly to hold contacts in Ramallah with the aim of opening up a "TRNC representation office" in the city

Speaking to BRT, Caglar said that they will also be holding bi-lateral contacts in Ramallah with the aim of opening up a "TRNC representation office" in the city. Caglar also said that they will find the opportunity to hold contacts regarding the energy crisis in the region.

[07] Putin sees new opportunities for Turkey-Russia economic, trade ties; He said that Russia is not involved in any project in Cyprus

According to the paper, Putin denied that Moscow was involved in any gas projects in and around Cyprus, in response to a question about how the Kremlin evaluates reports on potential Russian energy firms' projects in Cyprus. "I don't know who said what about the issue. But I know that neither the Russian state nor the energy ministry are involved in any gas projects in Cyprus. It is up to private companies to deal with the process, if there is one. They need to know that it will be their own responsibility to deal with any crisis and risks there," he said.

On Turkish-Russias relations, Putin stated: "Hopefully, together we will be able to increase our mutual trade and enhance the quality of investment cooperation for the benefit of the peoples of Russia and Turkey. We have already agreed with [Turkish President] Recep Tayyip Erdogan that we can bring our mutual trade up to $100 billion," Putin stated and added: "Turkey has been and remains an important foreign trade partner for Russia. In 2013, our bilateral trade turnover reached $32.7 billion. The accumulated Russian direct investments in Turkey exceed $1.7 billion, and similar Turkish investments in Russia are close to $1 billion. We are both interested in maintaining this positive trend," he added.

[08] Ozersay said that they should take steps to develop occupied Karpasia

During his visit, Ozersay promised to the inhabitants that he will take steps to develop the occupied area of Karpasia. He said that he believes with the necessary steps, like the "Karpasia development plan" he can achieve a lot of things even if the "government" does not change.

[09] A survey shows UBP ahead for the upcoming "presidential elections"

Asked who they would have voted if the "presidential elections" were held today, the respondents gave the following answers: 42% for the National Unity Party (UBP) , 33% for the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), 3% for the Democratic Party -National Forces (DP-UG), 3% for the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and 19% for others.

[10] Kasif and the other resigned "deputies" from DP, say that they discuss their return to UBP

Kasif stated that the return to the UBP, from which they have resigned two years ago to joint DP, is on their agenda. He also said that if they decide to return back to the party, they have to do so before December 20 so that UBP to be benefited by the financial aid given to the parties according to the "deputies' representation" in the self-styled assembly.

[11] Toros: Turkish Cypriots spend 120 millions euro in shopping in the government controlled area of Cyprus.

[12] The regime asks 150 million TL from Ankara to cover budget deficit

Citing information obtained by reliable sources, the paper notes that a delegation under the self-styled prime minister, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, which visited Ankara last Tuesday, in parallel to the Cyprus problem, discussed also economic issues with Turkish officials and asked for help. Ankara, however, did not accept this demand. It is said that the budget deficit has put the "government" in a very difficult situation, as it needs money for the employment of former Cyprus Airport Services (CAS) employees in the "public service" and for paying its debts in the agricultural and stockbreeding sectors.

(I/Ts.)

[13] British Prime Minister to visit Turkey on December 9

"This visit is not only important for Turkey-U.K. relations, but for the peoples of countries and regions going through a difficult period," he said during the fourth Turkish-British Tatli Dil [sweet talk] Forum, an annual meeting that was inaugurated between the governments of Britain and Turkey at the prime minister level in 2011.

[14] Ocalan says deal possible within months on Kurdish issue

According to the paper Ocalan also stated that a solution to the decades-old conflict could be attainable in the next four to five months if the process is handled with seriousness and commitment. Ocalan made the remarks to a delegation of politicians from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) during a meeting on Saturday, according to a statement released by the delegation on Sunday.

[15] Turkey blocked Today's Zaman editor's Twitter accounts

Sagir, who was the target of a criminal complaint in September by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, his son Bilal and daughter Sumeyye, as well as the President's adviser Mustafa Varank, defied the court ruling and vowed not to remain silent in the face of growing government pressure. Followed by nearly 55,000 users, Sagir had been an influential and outspoken voice, highlighting the government's wrongdoings in a mostly sarcastic fashion. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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