Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-12-08

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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] Davutoglu evaluated his contacts in Athens; Statements after his meeting with Samaras

[02] Cebroni: Reaching a solution in Cyprus is urgent

[03] Eroglu: Not possible to accept any agreement that will force "people" to leave "their soil"

[04] Kucuk: Most of the missing persons found until now were buried in wells

[05] Atalay met with a UN's official

[06] Turkish Cypriot daily argues that the CTP is in panic because Siber is in third place according to some opinion polls

[07] The UBP accepted the return of Kasif, Bakirci and Serdaoglu; Tension is created in the party

[08] Unemployment in the breakaway regime was increased to 18%

[09] Illegal Keryneia American University signed an agreement with British Glyndwr University

[10] Yorgancioglu met with Turkey's Jockey Club officials; The occupation regime plans to build a racecourse

[11] EU officials to visit Turkey today; The Cyprus problem, Turkey's EU membership and Turkish help in ISIL fight to be included in their agenda

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu evaluated his contacts in Athens; Statements after his meeting with Samaras

"We arrived in Greece with nine ministers and there was no psychological barrier [between the countries]. We talked about how we can develop transportation projects such as a bridge to be built over Gallipoli and a high-speed train between Istanbul and Thessaloniki. Both countries are determined to evaluate each other's potential and take steps regarding energy policies and investment in tourism", Davutoglu said.

Highlighting that he held talks with opposition parties in the country in addition to senior governmental figures, Davutoglu said that Turkey witnessed similar hard times that Greece is experiencing when the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) came to power, but a political perspective was drawn in line with the Turkish public's demands. "I advise Greece to seriously consider what the political figures offer to the public if they want Greece to be powerful" added Davutoglu.

On the disputed Mediterranean island of Cyprus that Turkey and Greece are guarantor countries, Davutoglu said that the countries agreed to develop a joint formula to revive the stalled peace talks in line with the share of the island's natural resources.

"Of course, these are not issues to be finalized in one setting, but there is a common will on both sides to progress the talks toward a positive agenda," Davutoglu added, reiterating the effectiveness of the visit.

Davutoglu said Turkey called for comprehensive planning to expedite the negotiations over the reunification of the island, and a new government to be established after the reunification would be able to further survey and research its natural resources. He added that if a delay occurs in the reunification on the island, a joint commission may be established by Turkey and Greece who will oversee research on offshore drilling. "Both sides realized that it is not possible to drill and manage the resources by only one side. Now, an opportunity for negotiation over how to conduct these studies has presented itself and Turkey and Greece have the will to cooperate," Davutoglu said.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.12.14) reported that Premier Ahmet Davutoglu said on Friday that Turkey and Greece agree that if they jointly utilize the natural gas resources around Cyprus, it will serve peace on the island.

Davutoglu gave the remarks to the press after a meeting with his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras in Athens, where he was on a two-day visit.

Davutoglu said that Samaras agreed that the joint Turkish and Greek-Cypriots efforts to drill gas around Cyprus, would serve as a peacemaker on the island. "If the natural gas is drilled jointly, then it will be a peace bridge between Turkey, Cyprus and Greece", he said.

The two leaders also agreed that the natural gas resources off the coast of the Mediterranean island belonged to all people living on the island, and their joint use could contribute to a comprehensive settlement to the decades-long conflict, Davutoglu said, adding: "Both sides have a strong will to enable resumption of Cyprus peace negotiations in a result-oriented way. At this stage, our aim is to eliminate the existing disagreements to resume peace talks. We will continue with the bilateral talks ... we need to go deeper and find a solution. We don't want tension, neither in the Aegean nor in the eastern Mediterranean", Davutoglu said.

"Let's solve this issue, in order to exploit our energy resources and connect possible natural gas resources with Greece through Turkey", Davutoglu further said.

(?) Davutoglu pointed out Turkey's position that it objected to any unilateral steps to solve the issue; Ankara maintains that any move to portray the Greek side as the sole ruling power on the island would not serve the peace process.

He stressed that Turkey wanted no side to create a unilateral, bilateral or trilateral line of sovereignty or dominance in the East Mediterranean. "Greece assured us that they are not in pursuit of such a goal," he said.

Referring to the relations between Turkey and Greece, Davutoglu said that their relations are no longer impeded by a psychological barrier.

"Now they are not only speaking with their tongues but also from their hearts to each other. This is a significant step," Davutoglu said, adding that they are committed to no longer allowing certain taboos or patterns in their minds about the ties between Turkey and Greece, but to open all doors between the two countries in the future.

"The new openness helped the ministers from both sides to speak without any fear of being misunderstood, Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu added that both sides saw the advantages of working together. "For example, our transportation policies in the Aegean Sea will complete each other. We are building the Canakkale Bridge between the two countries, and it will provide the best route from the Greek island of Lesbos to northern Greece," he said.

Davutoglu pointed out that Ankara's and Athens' energy policies also complete each other, as the energy corridors of the two countries are being connected through projects like the Trans Anatolia Natural Gas Pipeline, and the Trans Adriatic Pipeline.

"Once the Cyprus issue is resolved, we will continue to work shoulder to shoulder with Greece on the East Mediterranean energy corridor, and to cooperate in trade, customs policies, investment, culture and tourism," the Turkish Premier added.

(?)

[02] Cebroni: Reaching a solution in Cyprus is urgent

The Italian Ambassador said that the solution in Cyprus is important for the whole region and that the international community could assist in the resumption of the negotiations, but creating the necessary conditions for this depends on the sides.

Referring to the drilling works of the Italian ENI company in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Cebroni said that the first drilling works will be completed within the next few weeks and added that afterwards ENI has a long-term drilling program which will encompass the next 18 months.

Asked whether any chapter in Turkey's EU accession negotiations will be opened during the Italian EU term presidency which will end this month, Cebroni replied that he has some doubts on this issue because of the situation which has been created, noting that Italy was planning to open new chapters for Turkey during its EU term presidency, but the developments were not positive.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu: Not possible to accept any agreement that will force "people" to leave "their soil"

He made these statements speaking during an inauguration ceremony of a halvah factory in occupied Famagusta.

Eroglu also stated that every investment made in the "country" is important since a stronger economy strengthens the position of the Turkish Cypriot side at the negotiation table.

[04] Kucuk: Most of the missing persons found until now were buried in wells

According to Kucuk, 26% of the Turkish Cypriot missing persons and 31% of the Greek Cypriot missing persons have been identified until now.

Arguing that it would not be possible to find all missing persons, she attributed the reasons for this to the fact that eye witnesses have died, to some physical regional changes and to some environmental factors.

She said that in 2013 and 2014 the number of the identified Turkish Cypriots reached 160, something which is a record. She expressed the view that they will need another six years, if it is taken into consideration that the identification of 160 persons was made in one year and that 1,000 persons will be identified.

Replying to a question, she noted that the Cypriot Commission on the Missing Persons has become a model for the region and added that currently the Cypriot scientists are educating colleagues from Iraq in their laboratory. She added: "This is a 3-4 year program. Our scientists have come to the level of writing articles at international platforms. Two-three of our articles have been published. They have developed some methodologies. For example, because the most burial places in wells are located in Cyprus, they have become specialists on this issue. We have articles on this issue. [?]"

Asked about the procedure of the excavations in military zones, Kucuk said that they cooperate with the military authorities and that since 2006 permission for excavations in 24 military areas has been granted. "We are currently continuing excavations in one military zone. We have always received positive answers to our applications on the issue of taking permissions", she added.

Replying to another question as regards the number of the areas in which they suspect that missing persons have been buried, she said that there are 150-200 such places in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. She did not refer to the number for the government-controlled area of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Atalay met with a UN's official

Speaking during the meeting, Bielefeldt reminded that he had come to Cyprus two and a half years ago and noted that if the physiological barriers could be overcome, then a permanent solution could dominate the island of Cyprus.

"No matter how much the island of Cyprus is perceived to be a part of the European Union, it is also a part of the Middle East. The peace to be established hear will bring hope to a region where blood has been flowing for years", said Bielefeldt.

Atalay on his part noted the importance of the EU Rapporteur's special incentive and supports and added that the Swedish government's support could not be underestimated.

"In the future, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots will live together. We as religious leaders will play supporting roles and we must continue with these roles", said Atalay and added that politicians are ready to give the necessary support needed.

[06] Turkish Cypriot daily argues that the CTP is in panic because Siber is in third place according to some opinion polls

According to statements made by some CTP officials to Volkan, these opinion polls show Dervis Eroglu ahead with big difference, followed by Mustafa Akinci. CTP's candidate, self-styled speaker of the "assembly", Sibel Siber is at the third place.

The paper argues that a great quarrel still exists within the CTP and some circles within the party have been activated in order for Mehmet Ali Talat becoming their "candidate" in spite of his statement in support of Siber.

CTP officials are quoted by Volkan as saying that "we can lose the elections, but we cannot stay behind Akinci", because "in this case CTP will end and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) will start increasing its power".

Some CTP administrators and "deputies" will reportedly deliver a "memorandum" to the party's central administrative committee aiming to the withdrawal of Siber's "candidature" and nominating Talat for "candidate".

(I/Ts.)

[07] The UBP accepted the return of Kasif, Bakirci and Serdaoglu; Tension is created in the party

According to Havadis, the chairman of the party, Huseyin Ozgurgun said that there was a majority for the return of the three "deputies" to the UBP and closed the meeting. Ozgurgun noted that the three "deputies" have promised to him that they would sign a document saying that they would not participate or become candidates in any competent organ of the UBP until the "parliamentary elections". He added that they also promised that they will not demand any "ministry" in case the UBP comes to "power". The members of the committee, however, were not satisfied with these promises.

Havadis reports that Nazim Cavusoglu (UBP "deputy" in occupied Trikomo), Unal Ustel (UBP "deputy" in occupied Keryneia"), Recai Ergun, Gursel Uzun and Mustafa Tan were the members of the committee who voted against the return of the three "deputies" to the party. Ilker Edip, "mayor" of Pergamos village, abstained from the voting, while Huseyin Yenigun said that he would comply with the decision of the majority.

The paper argues that the general secretary of the party, Sunat Atun, "deputy" in occupied Nicosia, Ersin Tatar and two other members (Ata Tahiroglu and Mustafa Arikan) have not expressed any opinion.

Explaining the reason for his decision, Cavusoglu told Havadis that these persons had first overturned the UBP "government" because of their ambition and desire for posts and afterwards led the party to losing half of its power. "If we take this decision, the members will not forgive us", he said.

With these four new "deputies" [the above-mentioned persons and Zorlu Tore], UBP will increase its income from the "state budget" by 406 thousand Turkish Liras.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Unemployment in the breakaway regime was increased to 18%

According to data received by the "labor department", there are 1,034 more unemployed persons in this period and the majority of them (64%) are women.

[09] Illegal Keryneia American University signed an agreement with British Glyndwr University

According to the paper, GAU and Glyndwr University will share academic knowledge in many fields.

[10] Yorgancioglu met with Turkey's Jockey Club officials; The occupation regime plans to build a racecourse

The works towards building a racecourse for the occupied area are continuing.

Speaking during the meeting, Adal? informed Yorgancioglu that he had been visiting the "TRNC" for the past two years and working on the "TRNC racecourse" project.

He said that they would do all they can to assist in the project and expressed the hope that the building phase of the project will commence soon.

(?) Yorgancioglu for his part noted that horseracing and horse breeding had reached a certain success in Turkey and that it was a sporting branch and added that he was very pleased to see that Turkey is sharing its experiences with sportsmen in the "TRNC".

Noting that he is aware of the fact that the two "countries" are working in order for the "TRNC" to gain a racecourse, Yorgancioglu added that the "government" would do all necessary it can to assist the project in order for it to be realized.

[11] EU officials to visit Turkey today; The Cyprus problem, Turkey's EU membership and Turkish help in ISIL fight to be included in their agenda

The High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini, the Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and the European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides are the three officials who will visit Turkey.

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.12.14) the European Union will press Turkey to cooperate more closely in the fight against ISIL and urge it not to undermine EU sanctions on Russia during a visit this week intended to give new impetus to often fraught EU-Turkish relations.

"The visit ... is a strong indication of the strategic importance of the EU-Turkey relationship and our desire to step up engagement," Mogherini said in a statement.

The EU officials will meet Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and visit a refugee camp. They will also announce an increase in EU aid to help Turkey cope with an influx of refugees from Syria and Iraq.

(?)

The EU officials will also meet Turkey's EU Minister Volkan Bozkir and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu for a quartet meeting.

Bozkir said that Turkey's EU accession process and the Cyprus issue will be discussed with the EU officials. "Mogherini and Stylianides will also visit Gaziantep where Syrian refugees have taken shelter," Bozkir added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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