Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-12-29

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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 on the Cyprus problem and the so-called presidential elections; He called President Anastasiades to withdraw recent statements

[02] Olgun evaluated the Cyprus negotiation process

[03] UN is reportedly exerting efforts for the resumption of the Cyprus talks after Barbaros seismic explorations vessel leaves Cyprus' EEZ

[04] Ozyigit: "Not extending NAVTEX is a positive move"

[05] The Turkish General Staff announced that the two Turkish frigates have completed their duties on the "Mediterranean Shield Operation"

[06] Akdogan: "Non-solution is not a solution"

[07] Serdar Denktas on Cyprus Airways: "Let's fly the airline jointly"

[08] "Compensation Committee" paid 189.219.093 Sterling to Greek Cypriots during the last nine years

[09] Bright Future Movement chairman sent a letter to the European Commission on the halloumi / hellim issue

[10] The reconstruction of the occupied airport of Tymbou will start by the 1st of January 2015

[11] Dincyurek backs the construction of a power plant in Akkuyu; The "No to Nuclear Plant Platform" has started a petition

[12] Per capita income decreased in the breakaway regime during 2014

[13] The water will start to flow to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus next May

[14] Erdogan congratulates EC's President; He invited him to Turkey

[15] Erdogan speaks about media freedom in Turkey; No one in Turkey was jailed for journalistic activity

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu on the Cyprus problem and the so-called presidential elections; He called President Anastasiades to withdraw recent statements

Stating that he is a candidate for the last time, Eroglu stressed that he does not want anything for himself, and that indeed, in the event of being re-elected, he proposes a move to a "presidential system" after this term is over.

Eroglu gave a New Year reception in honor of members of the press yesterday evening in the occupied part of Lefkosia.

Speaking during the reception, Eroglu expressed hopes that the New Year will bring happiness and health to the press community, to the "country", to humanity, to "motherland Turkey", and to all the world and noted that a year of intense and important contacts is coming to an end.

Eroglu stated that the Greek Cypriot side, which was brought to the table by showing good intentions and flexibility, was able to remain at the table for eight months, and that it left from the table on 7 October.

Pointing out that [Turkish] President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Parliamentary Speaker Cemil Cicek, and Deputy Prime Minister visited the "TRNC" during the past year, Eroglu said: "We are continuing further with the Cyprus cause in full harmony with motherland Turkey."

Claiming that the Greek Cypriots, in a manner contrary to the vision set forth in the joint statement text, have continued in an insistent way to take unilateral decisions and actions with regard to the hydrocarbon resource in the vicinity of the island, Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side began hydrocarbon exploration in early October, in the number nine parcel contained in the exclusive economic zone that it unilaterally declared.

Pointing out that the "TRNC" in consultation with the Republic of Turkey, has taken important steps on behalf of preserving their "rights" and justice, Eroglu stated that [the Greek Cypriots] left from the negotiating table on October 7 by using the pretext of the Hayrettin Pasa ship's conducting petroleum exploration in the name of the "TRNC".

(?) Supporting that rights and justice need to be defended properly and in harmony with "motherland Turkey", Eroglu alleged that the period ahead will be difficult because of the uncompromising stance of the Greek Cypriot side.

(?)

Eroglu stated also that the public wants an effort of progress in a sustained way to begin and added that there are things that need to be done in the areas of health, education, justice, the universities, and the environment.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (28.12.14-online in English) reported that Eroglu in a written statement said that President Anastasiades' recent statements that he will never accept a partner which has tried to abolish the Cyprus Republic was "serious and worrying", adding that he hoped that Anastasiades will give up from this type of stance.

Eroglu also expressed regret over the fact that Anastasiades was referring to the Turkish Cypriot side as the side which was trying to 'abolish' the Cyprus Republic and called on him to give up this rhetoric and follow a path aimed for in the joint statement.

[02] Olgun evaluated the Cyprus negotiation process

Speaking during the press conference, Olgun said that the Turkish Cypriot side does not see the withdrawal of the Greek Cypriot side from the peace talks as "the end of the road" and expressed the hope that a solution to the Cyprus problem will be found in 2015.

Noting that the current negotiation process is "a last chance" for a solution in Cyprus, Olgun called on the Greek Cypriot side to return to the talks "without any preconditions".

Criticizing the Greek Cypriot side for trying "to separate the discovery and use of hydrocarbon resources from the solution process in Cyprus", Olgun alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is campaigning "to maintain the status quo by preserving the Republic of Cyprus."

Noting that the Turkish seismic research ship Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa is "about to complete its exploration work" and that "the Greek Cypriot side may halt its exploration work for technical reasons", Olgun said: "If such an opportunity exists, if the sides will take a break, the Turkish Cypriots would like to ensure that the sides return to the negotiating table without any preconditions by using this period appropriately."

Olgun also said: "The sides will probably maintain their positions until the hydrocarbon issue is discussed and brought to a conclusion. That is where we stand now."

Describing the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014 as a "road map" that "must not be wasted", Olgun said that the "unanimity of the Turkish Cypriot side with regard to a solution is a constructive factor." He said: "There is public support (for a solution consistent with the Joint Declaration)".

Noting that Turkey's "unreserved support" for the Turkish Cypriot side is making a "positive contribution to the process," Olgun said that Espen Bath Eide, the Special Adviser to the UN Secretary General on Cyprus, "has demonstrated a positive and constructive attitude."

Criticizing the Greek Cypriot side for opposing the "equality" of the two sides, Olgun alleged: "The top threat is the steadfast stance the Greek Cypriot side has taken against the division of powers and bi-zonality on a foundation of political equality. This stance has become institutionalized and [become part of] Greek Cypriot political culture. This has become the prevailing posture of all [Greek Cypriot] political parties."

He also quoted statements by former Republic of Cyprus President Tassos Papadopoulos as examples of Greek Cypriot reluctance to agree to a federation.

Olgun also criticized the international community for "statements that defend the status quo" in Cyprus. He said that "statements to the effect that exploration for offshore hydrocarbon resources on the island is a sovereign right of the Republic of Cyprus" serve "to support the status quo." He added that the international community must "treat both peoples equally if it is sincere about a solution."

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side "remains stuck to the idea of Enosis" and "has failed to adapt the dynamic structure of the 21st century," Olgun criticized the Republic of Cyprus' President Nikos Anastasiades for "pursuing Hellenism steadfastly".

Olgun said: "The conduct of the Greek Cypriot side until now suggests that [they want] to use the federation talks to expand their authority to north Cyprus, to create a basis for the Greek Cypriots to return to their properties, to undermine the guarantee treaties, and to drive out the Turkish military from Cyprus".

Noting that the Greek Cypriots have been conducting talks with Israel and Egypt "to create joint maritime zones", Olgun said: "The mindset of creating conditions to divvy up the entire Mediterranean and to deprive a country with a population of 78 million and with the longest coastline in the eastern Mediterranean from the resources of the eastern Mediterranean looms before us as a very serious risk".

Olgun also said that "the island of Cyprus is viewed as the forward outpost of Christianity in the region" and that "from this standpoint, there is a risk that the Turkish Cypriots may be viewed as 'the other' on the island."

Stating that cooperation with the Greek Cypriot side is possible with regard to the water that will be brought from Turkey, Olgun said: "The hydrocarbon issue is part and parcel of the negotiations. We remain steadfast that the hydrocarbon issue be part of the negotiations so that we can take advantage of its catalyzing power."

Olgun added that a settlement in Cyprus will "open up Turkey's markets for companies in the Greek Cypriot sector" and that "hydrocarbon resources will be sold most profitably once restrictions on the Turkish Cypriot side are lifted".

Commenting on President Anastasiades's remark that "an entity that does not wish to join the Republic of Cyprus cannot be treated as a partner", Olgun said that "the Turkish Cypriot side has no plans to join the Republic of Cyprus to seek its rights".

Speaking at the same press conference, Hasan Gungor, "undersecretary" of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, said that [cell phone] roaming and radio and television broadcast frequencies have been discussed but that they "all hit the wall of the sovereignty concept of the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus.

Noting that the bicommunal technical committees "are not performing at desirable levels," Gungor said that the Turkish Cypriot side is planning "to define new strategies in the new year."

Answering a question, negotiator Olgun said that the Greek Cypriot suggestion that the World Bank prepare a report about the creation of a joint commission for the use of hydrocarbon resources is aimed at "putting off the hydrocarbon issue" and that this issue "is something that the two sides can resolve by talking to each other."

Answering another question on "the villages the Greek Cypriot side has demanded for a solution," Olgun said that "territorial questions are some of the last issues to be discussed in the negotiations." Stating that "division of powers and property ownership will be the top issues on the agenda if the negotiations resume", Olgun said that the Turkish Cypriot side envisions "the return of a minimum amount of territory" to ensure that "a minimal number of people are forced to move." He added that, at this time a [Turkish Cypriot territorial share of] "somewhere around 29% plus" is being envisioned but added that "this is his personal opinion." He also said that these proposals are no different from what was proposed by former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Gunes Onar, a member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team, said that the Turkish Cypriot side has not discussed any figures or maps with regard to territorial adjustments and that "criteria related to territorial adjustments were discussed in Geneva during July 2011."

Onar also said that "a paper listing the places demanded has been obtained from the Greek Cypriot side" but added that "this was a proposal that was not a proposal."

[03] UN is reportedly exerting efforts for the resumption of the Cyprus talks after Barbaros seismic explorations vessel leaves Cyprus' EEZ

A "diplomatic source" from the self-styled foreign ministry of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus told Kibris that after the completion of its duties in the area, Barbaros will return to Turkey where it will study the information it has collected. The Turkish Foreign Ministry, however, has not issued any statement on this matter. Meanwhile, sources close to Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu's office, said that "the way by which Barbaros will leave the area" will be decided together with Turkey after consultations they will have with Ankara.

Recalling that the Italian-Korean ENI-Kogas partnership's drillings in parcel 9 of Cyprus' EEZ have not given the expected results, the paper notes that the drilling platform will be transferred to another area. A "high ranking diplomat", told Kibris that in spite of the statement that this transfer could start within a week, diplomatic efforts are being exerted in the direction of extending this period. The same diplomat said that especially the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide is exerting efforts for the resumption of the talks after the Turkish NAVTEX ends. The source added that Eide is making some inquiries in the direction of extending this one week period of "technical pause".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozyigit: "Not extending NAVTEX is a positive move"

Ozyigit said that this would lead to an opportunity for the talks to resume and expressed hopes that President Anastasiades would return to the negotiating table with the same positivity.

He pointed out that the TDP has always opposed tension building actions and statements and reminded that it is important to bilaterally take steps to reduce tension.

[05] The Turkish General Staff announced that the two Turkish frigates have completed their duties on the "Mediterranean Shield Operation"

[06] Akdogan: "Non-solution is not a solution"

Akdogan said whenever a solution was near, a dark hand always interfered with the hope of bringing Turkey down and pressuring the country. He noted that before the AKP came to power, the mentality that a non-solution was a solution reigned and the status quo was built on this.

Pointing out that the AKP had made serious headway with the EU, Akdogan noted that his party had changed the paradigms on matters such as Cyprus and Armenia and underlined that a non-solution was definitely not a solution.

[07] Serdar Denktas on Cyprus Airways: " Let's fly the airline jointly"

Denktas offered for the Turkish Cypriot side to purchase 50% of the airline so that the company will not close down. He said that the airline could operate jointly as an airline for the whole island and proposed the planes taking off from illegal Tymvou airport could fly to Turkey and those from Larnaca airport to fly to Europe.

Denktas said: "This would be an important rapprochement between the two sides" adding that the political aspect of things would continue to be discussed as well. He said this has nothing to do with recognition and reminded that the Turkish Cypriots had experienced the bankruptcy of their "national carrier".

In addition, Turkish Cypriot Kibris (27.12.14) reports that the employees of the "Turkish Cypriot airways", which were closed down four years ago, will be given their compensations and salaries on Tuesday. According to the paper Denktas promised that the employees who were to be given the compensations ten months ago, will be paid on Tuesday

[08] "Compensation Committee" paid 189.219.093 Sterling to Greek Cypriots during the last nine years

According to the paper, the economic crisis in the Republic of Cyprus increased the number of Greek Cypriots who applied to the "Compensation Committee", since from the 6.076 applications made the last nine years while, 4,864 were made in the years 2011, 2012 and 2013. The paper also writes that 134 applications were rejected by the "Committee".

Following is the data published by the "Committee" regarding the year, the number of applications and the compensations paid:

Year Applications Compensations paid (mln)

2006 100 2,221,000

2007 197 3,147,000

2008 76 1,646,600

2009 70 31,047,000

2010 397 12,724,900

2011 1,926 12,980,440

2012 1,601 33,952,775

2013 1,337 46,277,406

2014 372 45,221,972

Total: 189,219.093

[09] Bright Future Movement chairman sent a letter to the European Commission on the halloumi / hellim issue

According to the paper, Kaya who issued his letter to the European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Phil Hogan, stated that halloumi / hellim is a common product of both communities in Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriots cannot be cut off the discussion and the developments on the protected designation of origin (PDO) for halloumi.

Kaya stated that nobody takes into consideration the opinion of the Turkish Cypriots halloumi / hellim producers on the issue and added that these developments will affect negatively their life and their well-being.

[10] The reconstruction of the occupied airport of Tymbou will start by the 1st of January 2015

Tacoy explained that according to the protocol, the project will last for four years, with starting date the 1st of January 2015, and will include the construction of a new airport building and a new landing field. He added that the army has already withdrawn from the area.

Tacoy said that in four years they will have a new modern building with two landing fields and they will be able to give service to two million 500 thousand travelers per year.

[11] Dincyurek backs the construction of a power plant in Akkuyu; The "No to Nuclear Plant Platform" has started a petition

(?)Pointing out that a number of large countries have nuclear power plants which have been running without problems for years, Dincyurek said that they will continue to follow the issue closely despite the fact that the current "government" is against nuclear energy in principle.

He, however, added that the environmental impact report had been approved and accredited by some of the most reputable universities in the US, Europe and Russia.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (27.12.14) the "No to Nuclear Plant Platform" has started a petition to stop the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Plant.

According to the paper, the members of the Platform gathered in the occupied part of Lefkosia on Saturday and then the group opened petition desks at Ledras street check-point, Buyuk Han and Sarayonu.

A petition desk opened on December 28th at occupied Lefke as well. The Platform plans to open petition desks in other towns in order to reach as many people as possible.

Speaking to K?br?s Postas? on behalf of the Platform, Nazen Sansal urged everyone to sign the petition and said: "Yes, economic and social rights are very important but these would not mean anything if we don't have a healthy environment to live".

Sansal said the petition will end on the 17th of January with the Platform taking the signatures to the so-called Turkish embassy in the occupied area of Cyprus.

[12] Per capita income decreased in the breakaway regime during 2014

According to data acquired by the "state planning organization", the imports reached one billion 699 million and 400 thousand dollars in 2013 and increased by one million and 758 thousand dollars in 2014. The exports increased to 140 million and 200 thousand dollars in 2014 from 120 million and 700 thousand dollars in 2013. There was a slight decrease in the unemployment rate which fell to 9.6% in 2014 from 9.7% in 2013. Accordingly, the employment increased from 45.3% in 2013 to 45.8% in 2014.

The GDP increased by 2.6% in 2013 and by 2.9% in 2014. The total bed capacity of the accommodation facilities was around twenty thousand and in the first ten months of 2014 their occupancy rate reached 49.2%. The number of the tourists who accommodated in the occupied area of Cyprus in the first eleven months of 2013 was 674,046 and increased by 9.5% in the same period of 2014 reaching 738,090. During the same period of 2014, 325,327 foreign tourists, not including Turkish and "TRNC" citizens, entered into the occupied area of Cyprus through its "seaports" and "airports".

The number of students from Turkey who registered in the illegal universities of the occupied area of Cyprus reached its highest level of the past four years. In 2010 this number was 3,940 and in 2014 reached 7,925.

(I/Ts.)

[13] The water will start to flow to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus next May

Karacuha stated that the terrestrial part of the project has been completed and when the works of piling water pipes in a distance of 10.5 km in the sea is finished, then the water will start to flow to the "TRNC" on May 2015.

Meanwhile, during the inspection works, the people, who have evacuated their houses, for the construction of the dam, made a protest asking for new houses free of charge.

[14] Erdogan congratulates EC's President; He invited him to Turkey

Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Juncker and congratulated him for taking over as President of the European Commission and wished him success.

The sources said that both Erdogan, who served as Turkey's Prime Minister from early 2003 until being elected President in August, and Juncker, Luxembourg's former Prime Minister, underlined their "friendship".

Erdogan and Juncker also emphasized the importance of making progress in Turkey's EU membership process in the future, according to the same sources.

Recalling that Turkey considers the EU membership a strategic choice, Erdogan extended an invitation to Juncker to visit the EU membership candidate country, the agency reported. In response, Juncker said he would be happy to pay such a visit, while noting that he would try to do so in the spring of 2015.

[15] Erdogan speaks about media freedom in Turkey; No one in Turkey was jailed for journalistic activity

Touching on claims of censorship on media in Turkey, Erdogan spoke about the journalists who were arrested and said: "There are only seven arrested journalists in Turkey and I should make it clear that the reason behind their arrest has no relevance to journalistic activities, but rather their connection to terrorist organizations".

"If journalists commit a crime, they should pay the price for it", Erdogan added supporting that "it is not possible to say 'they are innocent' when they have committed a crime".

Erdogan said that the country has progressed in the area of press freedom since the previous century.

(?)

Erdogan criticized the "double standards" of Western countries against Turkey, referring to the Ferguson riots, saying that journalists were detained during the Ferguson riots and a reporter of the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA) was detained and tortured.

He described the stance of Western countries toward the freedom of press issue as a "double standard," and brought up the closure of British tabloid News of the World, which was in circulation for 168 years, in 2011 due to wiretapping activities and the censorship against the British daily Guardian when National Security Agency official Edward Snowden published documents regarding the surveillance activities carried out by the NSA.

Erdogan further urged the West to self-criticize and added: "When they fail to self-criticize, they only harm their own reputation". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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