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

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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 effort in Cyprus is to bring the "two states" under a partnership roof

[02] Davutoglu met with his Italian counterpart; The Cyprus problem among the issues being discussed

[03] Akansoy: Nature does not recognize artificial boundaries in the island of Cyprus

[04] The Environmental Platform against the construction of Akkuyu nuclear plant

[05] A Norwegian real estate businessman has sold 400 houses in the occupied area of Cyprus since January

[06] Animals in the occupied area of Cyprus contracted from Lumpy Skin Disease

[07] Yildiz: Turkey to search for oil and gas in Black Sea with Shell

[08] Davutoglu on Turkey's economic figures

[09] Erdogan to chair Cabinet in 2015

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: The effort in Cyprus is to bring the "two states" under a partnership roof

Addressing a conference yesterday at the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University ("DAU") in occupied Famagusta under the title "The Cyprus issue with its international dimensions and its future", Eroglu referred to a "diversification and increase of the number" of players involved in the Cyprus problem, because of the hydrocarbon resources in the area. He argued that this is "a turning point for putting an end to the uncertainty which continues for 50 years", but expressed the view that the developments on this issue could be turned into both opportunity and threat. He further claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side has been exerting efforts for turning this issue into an opportunity for all sides.

"The Turkish Cypriot side will not pay any price for the Greek Cypriot side coming to the negotiating table", he alleged and claimed that the Greek Cypriot side must unconditionally return to the table, which "is the place for solving every dispute". "We say: Let us either take steps together on the hydrocarbons issue or simultaneously stop our activities and solve the Cyprus problem through negotiations within a short period of time", he argued.

Eroglu also alleged that the time has come for the Greek Cypriot side to decide whether it is ready to share power and wealth with the Turkish side and to establish a partnership within the framework of a "bi-zonal federal vision". "If it is not ready, it should come out and say it sincerely", he added.

Eroglu expressed the view that the interests and the plans of international players are behind the fact that the Cyprus problem has not been solved yet and the Greek Cypriot "intransigence".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Davutoglu met with his Italian counterpart; The Cyprus problem among the issues being discussed

Davutoglu said that the EU and Turkey are struggling with the same problems and added that if Turkey was a member of the union, both sides could have responded to these problems more effectively. He also added that Turkey's full EU membership would benefit both Turkey and all other member states.

For his part, Renzi expressed his support for Turkey's bid for EU membership and said: "We will continue to work so that the EU opens its doors more decisively to Turkey".

"I believe that the international community needs to support Turkey more", Renzi added, referring to Turkey's providing shelter to 1.6 million Syrian refugees.

Answering a question on the UN's plan to implement a "free zone" in Syria and a possible cease-fire between opposition groups and the Syrian regime, Davutoglu said: "The Syrian regime did not keep any of the promises that have been made; establishing 'free zones' is not a lasting solution for Syria but we are ready to cooperate on any proposal which will stop the humanitarian tragedy in the country."

Davutoglu also touched on the reconciliation process and domestic security reforms saying: "People have the right to demonstrate, but the use of violence during protests is a crime, not a freedom."

He also said that the autonomy for Kurdish people or amnesty is not on the government's agenda.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (12.12.14) reports that the Cyprus problem has been discussed in detail during Davutoglu's meeting with his Italian counterpart.

[03] Akansoy: Nature does not recognize artificial boundaries in the island of Cyprus

Akansoy accused the regime's self-styled government of the regime of preparing a "National Physical Plan" for Nicosia perceiving the city as being divided, not taking any step for the protection of the "National Park" in occupied Karpasia Peninsula and not doing what is necessary on the issue of the stone queries.

Furthermore, Akansoy criticized the "government" for administrating the "country" with "plans prepared by other centers" and not "through platforms" in which the Turkish Cypriots participate.

Referring to the issue of the water which the regime plans to bring to the occupied area of Cyprus from Turkey through undersea pipelines, Akansoy said that except for some preparations that have been carried out "just for show", no road map has been shared with the civilian organizations, the professional organizations and the "people" in general.

Acknowledging that the construction of the nuclear power plant in Turkey's Akkuyu area did not depend on the Turkish Cypriots' will, Akansoy noted that, still, as their country would be affected more than anyone else, it would not be right for them to remain silent.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Environmental Platform against the construction of Akkuyu nuclear plant

The Environment Platform, consisting of 18 civil organizations and political parties, in an announcement yesterday, said that the island faced the risk of destruction in case of an accident. The announcement read: "The Turkish Cypriot people should warn the AKP government on the construction of the nuclear plant in Mersin and ask the cancellation of the project".

The Platform stressed that Turkey did not implement the international criteria on the nuclear plant, adding that according to the EU's environmental policy, consultation with the people of countries, whose environment might be affected by specific investments, was obligatory. The Platform pointed out that Turkey avoided its obligations and did not harmonize with the EU's environmental policy.

[05] A Norwegian real estate businessman has sold 400 houses in the occupied area of Cyprus since January

According to the paper, Kristensson has sold around 400 real estates in the occupied area of Cyprus since January, when he started his activities in real estate business in the breakaway regime. He has already opened offices in occupied Lefkosia and Famagusta. In statements, he said that retired people from Europe choose to buy a house in the breakaway regime and added that the biggest demand for buying a house come from Norway, Denmark and Sweden. "I live here for four years now. In the past, retired persons preferred to buy a house in Spain, but now, due to the economic crisis, they prefer to buy a house here", he stated.

He also said that a new real estate site under the name "New Cyprus magazine" has been established which is visited by 2,500 persons daily.

[06] Animals in the occupied area of Cyprus contracted from Lumpy Skin Disease

According to the paper, experts from the European Union arrived in Cyprus in order to examine the issue. The self-styled veterinary department stated that the results of the EU experts' examination would be announced in two weeks and added that the area under quarantine was extended from three to ten kilometers.

[07] Yildiz: Turkey to search for oil and gas in Black Sea with Shell

Speaking at a press conference at the Bosporus Energy Club's third meeting in Istanbul, Minister Taner Yildiz said that Turkey is planning to conduct drilling activities for oil and natural gas resources on its northwestern region, off the coast of Sile, with Royal Dutch Shell.

"Our seismic data indicate that drilling on this basin would be accurate, given the indications," said Yildiz, adding that the Turkish vessel Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa has conducted 3D seismic studies on a 1,540 square kilometer area.

Yildiz said that Turkey will have a 50% interest with Shell on the $300 million investment which is planned to begin in January 2015.

Yildiz said that Iraq is conducting studies to produce natural gas. He said that when it is extracted and after the country allocates gas for domestic consumption, Iraqi natural gas will be transported to Turkey. He added that the volumes involved will be dependent on Iraq's production.

[08] Davutoglu on Turkey's economic figures

In statements in a plenary session at the Turkish Parliament, where he made his remarks during the parliamentary discussions over Turkey's 2015 budget, Davutoglu said: "Now we have a Turkey that can develop without receiving external loans".

Turkey liquidated its 52-year debt to the International Monetary Fund, or IMF, when the Turkish Undersecretariat of Treasury paid the last installment on May 14, 2013.

(?)

Turkey even took a seat at the executive board of the International Monetary Fund in mid-July for the first time, as Ibrahim Canakci -- undersecretary at the Turkish Treasury -- was appointed as executive director to the Fund for the 2014-2016 term.

Ankara offered to give a loan of $5 billion to contribute to efforts to increase IMF funds as agreed at the G20 Los Cabos Leaders' Summit in Mexico back in June 2012.

Speaking on Turkey's macro-economic figures, Davutoglu stressed that the Turkish economy has grown more than three times over, under Justice and Development Party rule since 2002. "The economy scaled up from $230 billion to $822 billion", he added.

He also maintained that foreign exchange reserves climbed from $28 billion to $133 billion within the same 12-year period.

The Premier said that the 2002 export figure of $36 billion grew four-fold to $151.8 billion in 2013.

"When we took over the government, the poverty threshold in terms of the daily expenditure per capita was $4.20. Thirty percent of the Turkish population used to live under that threshold. Now only 2.7% live under the threshold", he added.

Davutoglu described Turkey as a country that now has one of the strongest middle classes in the world.

He further stressed that the ratio of public debt to national income fell from 74% to 33% in the same period, which he said is a figure better than all 28 EU member countries and well above EU standards.

He added that direct investments rose from $1.1 billion to $12.9 billion in 2013.

While direct foreign investment was $14.6 billion between 1984 and 2002, the figure is now $145 billion in total since 2003.

Davutoglu stated that Turkey now allocates $87.5 billion to education and $80.9 billion to health.

As for social services, he said the 2015 budget earmarked 26.5 billion Turkish liras for this sector compared to 1.37 billion Turkish liras back in 2002.

[09] Erdogan to chair Cabinet in 2015

"Fifty-two percent of this nation voted for our President. Although he doesn't have a certain responsibility within the constitutional framework, he is politically responsible to society", Y?ld?r?m said.

(?)

Recalling that Erdogan had recently signed a decree that changes the institutional structure of the Presidential office, NTV asked whether this would lead to a conflict of authority between the President and the government, as it was considered a move aimed at establishing a "shadow Cabinet" that will work under Erdogan and monitor the work of the Cabinet led by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

"No, it won't happen. If this happens, then weak governance would occur," Y?ld?r?m replied, adding that the Constitution clearly outlined all the authorities of the President.

"If acts are taken in line with those provisions, then there will be no confrontation at all", Yildirim said adding that "this is a matter of style and the President announced his style of practicing the Presidency."

Refuting suggestions that the institutional reorganization of the Presidency was actually paving the way for "a second Council of Ministers", Y?ld?r?m said: "When needed, the President gathers the Cabinet anyway. I suppose he will begin this practice in the new year". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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