Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-01-08

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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] BKP condemns Turkey for issuing a new NAVTEX; "Turkey has blown up the possibility for the resumption of the Cyprus talks"

[02] The reason for the tension in Eastern Mediterranean is said to be Turkey's wish to take a share from the natural resources of the area

[03] Noble Energy cooperates with Turkish Petroleum for drilling in the Black Sea

[04] Akinci: The natural gas could create a new dynamic for the solution of the Cyprus problem

[05] GAE opinion poll shows that the army and the "police" are the institutions trusted the most by the people in the breakaway regime

[06] Problems exist for the start of the construction works of the new building of the illegal Tymbou airport

[07] An agreement reached between "animal producers and breeders union" and Yorgancioglu

[08] Self-style ministry of health signs a draft deal on health tourism

[09] Ankara strongly condemns terrorist attack on French magazine

[10] Turkey's EU Minister: The EU needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the EU

[11] Erdogan proposes university campuses be called 'kulliye'

[12] Council of Europe says Turkey should take rightful place in the EU

[13] Turkey detains second Dutch journalist

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] BKP condemns Turkey for issuing a new NAVTEX; "Turkey has blown up the possibility for the resumption of the Cyprus talks"

"The policy of tension and demonstration of force is ineffective and condemned", said the BKP, adding that the re-launching of seismic explorations by the Barbaros vessel as well as Turkey's announcement, have blown up the possibility for the resumption of the Cyprus negotiation talks.

The BKP pointed out that the comprehensive solution and the federal Cyprus is the only way for the Turkish Cypriots to have rights on the natural gas and to the "administration of Cyprus" and stressed the need for the sides to proceed the soonest possible at the negotiating table.

BKP further said that the "TRNC government" and the "assembly" which licensed Turkey's TPAO to continue its explorations works are the responsible for the blowing up of the talks and for allowing Turkey to continue following the policy of tension.

BKP stated also that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and the so-called coalition government of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP)- United Forces (BG) and Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) serve the escalation of the tension and the non-solution.

BKP condemned and expressed regret over the statements made by the so-called foreign minister Ozdil Nami and the "secretary general" of CTP Kutlay Erk on the issue.

(AK)

[02] The reason for the tension in Eastern Mediterranean is said to be Turkey's wish to take a share from the natural resources of the area

The source said: "A deficit in natural gas will exist in Turkey in the near future. It wants to meet a part of the deficit from Israel's natural gas. It demands for the Israeli natural gas to be sent to Turkey through pipelines and from there to Europe. Thus, it wants to take natural gas in return of gas' passing fee".

The source pointed out, however, that it is difficult for this wish to be materialized because of the stance of Turkey against Israel and the Republic of Cyprus. International experts say that in order for the Israeli natural gas from Levantine basin to reach Turkey, it should pass through the continental shelf of Cyprus and this is why the permission of the Republic of Cyprus is needed. Diplomatic observers note that in order for this to happen, peace should come in Cyprus and the relations between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus should be normalized. This is the reason of the recent increased western interest on the Cyprus problem, they say.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Noble Energy cooperates with Turkish Petroleum for drilling in the Black Sea

Citing information published in the Turkish media, the paper notes that Noble Globerotter II platform will carry out explorations in a depth of two thousand meters in the western Black Sea area and 240 persons will be employed for this job.

Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister, Taner Yildiz, who watched the ship departing from Istanbul, told reporters that "our first target is to contribute in the development of the energy resources in order for being able to be included among the ten biggest economies of the world in 2023".

Yildiz said that Turkey continues to work in cooperation with private companies in this field and added that in 2014 Turkish Petroleum carried out 226 drilling activities with 28 local and 17 foreign companies in an area of 310 thousand square kilometres of Turkey's land and sea. He noted that during the same period they opened 188 wells, 90 of which were for exploration and evaluation and 98 for production.

According to Yildiz, an increase of 9% was observed in the number of the wells they found in 2014 compared to 2013. He said that they found oil in 60 wells and gas in two, something which resulted in the decrease of the imports of Turkish Petroleum by 1.9 billion dollars.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Akinci: The natural gas could create a new dynamic for the solution of the Cyprus problem

Akinci made these statements during visits he paid to the "Turkish Cypriots public vehicles managers union" (KAR-IS) and to the illegal "international Cyprus university" in the framework of his "election campaign".

During his visit to "Kar-IS", Akinci stated that the problems faced by the "union" as regards their crossing to the free area of the Republic of Cyprus, could be solved with the solution of the Cyprus problem and added that solution to their problems can be given in the framework of building confidence measures. He also stated that the solution of the Cyprus problem should be the main duty and concern of the elected "president".

During his visit to the illegal university, Akinci stated that despite the solution opportunity that was lost ten years ago, a new opportunity appears nowadays and efforts must be exerted so this is not lost again.

[05] GAE opinion poll shows that the army and the "police" are the institutions trusted the most by the people in the breakaway regime

According to the survey, asked to list the three main problems that must be solved in the "TRNC", 20.02% said "the Cyprus problem", 18.9% said "health and social security" and 16.1% replied "unemployment".

To the question, which institution they trust the most, 22.7% replied "the army", 13.5% replied the "police" and 9.8% replied the "courts of justice".

Asked about the expectations they have from the current "government", 48.9% stated that this is to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, 26.3% to solve the unemployment issue and 12.5% to carry out the economic protocol signed with Turkey.

In addition, 75% of the persons asked stated that they do not expect the solution of the Cyprus problem to take place in 2015; moreover 49.6% stated that the Greek Cypriot side is the one responsible for the non-solution.

To the question if the natural gas discovered in Cyprus will be helpful to the solution of the Cyprus problem, 49,1% replied negatively, 37.8% stated that it will help the efforts for solution, while 13,1% stated that has no opinion on the issue. To the question if the water transferred from Turkey will be helpful to the solution of the Cyprus problem, 48,1% said no, 39% said yes and 12,9% stated that has no opinion on the issue.

As regards the forthcoming "presidential elections" to be conducted in April, 46% stated that they will vote for the current Turkish Cypriot leader and "candidate" Dervis Eroglu, 30% stated that they will vote for Republican Turkish Party "candidate" Sibel Siber, 17% for independent "candidate" Mustafa Akinci and 7% for independent "candidate" Kudret Ozersay.

According to the survey, 15.5% of the people are not going to vote in the "presidential elections" and 40% of the people said no to a "presidential system", alongside the undecided of around 30%.

The survey was conducted in December 20 with a sample of 695 persons from the five "districts" in the occupied are of Cyprus.

[06] Problems exist for the start of the construction works of the new building of the illegal Tymbou airport

According to the paper, it was made known that the "ministry" has only allocated the necessary piece of land for the launching of the construction works and not the whole plot of land. The total space of land which should be handed over to the company is 2 million meters squares, writes the paper and adds that only one part of the military establishment which is located opposite to the illegal Tymbou airport was handed over to the Tasyapi company.

As the paper writes, after the handing over of the one part of the "airport" and in case that there would not be any problem, Tasyapi company plans to start the re-construction of the "airport" on forthcoming March. Concerning the land which was not able to be handed over yet, the paper writes that tomorrow is expected a "court decision" regarding the handing over of the hangar space which is used by Istanbul's Handling.

In statements to the paper on the issue, Suat Yeldener, "undersecretary" of the so-called ministry of transportation and public works said that the fields which were not handed over to the paper are not an obstacle for the company to start the construction works and added that they will expect for tomorrow's decision of the "court" on the issue.

Yeldener added that within a period of two years, the "military establishment" which is located opposite to the "airport" will be transferred to another place in the occupied village of Bekoyu.

(AK)

[07] An agreement reached between "animal producers and breeders union" and Yorgancioglu

According to the deal, the "animal producers and breeders" will receive their overdue payments in two instalments. The first lump of the money will be paid on Thursday and the second one will be paid on Friday.

[08] Self-style ministry of health signs a draft deal on health tourism

According to a press release, the draft agreement aims to develop health tourism in the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and alternative tourism areas.

Another aim of the agreement is to bring the changes and developments in health in Europe to the "TRNC".

[09] Ankara strongly condemns terrorist attack on French magazine

In a written statement, Erdogan said: "We strongly condemn the heinous terrorist attack on the Charlie Hebdo magazine in Paris today that has killed 12 and injured 20 people".

The President extended his condolences to the "friend and ally" country France and said he expected the perpetrators to be brought before justice as soon as possible.

Erdogan stressed that "terrorism has no religion or nationality and no excuse can be given for it". "It is of crucial importance that we have a common stance against terrorist attacks such as the one in Paris today. We have to take a firm stance against hate speech, intolerance to differences and attempts to present religious and cultural differences as ground for enmity," he added.

In his statement, the Turkish President maintained that Turkey will continue its fight "against all forms of terrorism with determination".

Moreover, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu strongly condemned the attack on the French satirical weekly magazine on Wednesday, in which 12 people died. He said, "Globally, we must act against today's attack in Paris so that tension does not spread to other areas".

Davutoglu also said, "Attempts to relate Islam to the terrorist attack would be wrong," and added, "Islam is a religion of peace."

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu condemned the attack as well, saying: "We, as Turkey, condemn terrorism in all forms. It does not matter where it comes from; we oppose all acts of terrorism. We need to fight against terrorism. There are two factors that need to be fought in our region and Europe as well ? regional and global counter-terrorism. There is a serious global shortcoming in counter-terrorism."

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (08.01.15) reports that Turkey's Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik has condemned Wednesday's gang shooting.

"We openly and unconditionally condemn this attack and its perpetrators regardless of their identities and nationalities, said Celik as he attended a conference of commercial counsellors at the Turkish Economy Ministry.

He also pointed out the way international news agencies broadcast its news which refers to it as an "attack on magazine publishing caricatures of Prophet Mohammed."

The magazine sparked controversy back in 2006 and 2012 for publishing comic cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed.

Celik maintained that use of such language by the press would mean a support to a "wrong effort to manipulate the public perception". "Each sentence that links Islam and Muslims to this attack and its perpetrators would serve both Islamophobia and xenophobia," he noted.

Celik cautioned that it would lead to negative perception of the world of Islam in the eye of Europe, saying "it is exactly what the assailants aimed at".

The Minister also called to act against terror in unity and integrity with the European politicians.

[10] Turkey's EU Minister: The EU needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the EU

"We see our relationship with the EU as a win-win relationship, based on mutual interests," Bozkir said during a speech on the third day of the annual Turkish Ambassadors conference, adding that the EU needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the EU.

"Today, strong economic markets are not in Europe, but in Turkey," Bozkir added. "The young population is not in Europe, but in Turkey. There is no military in Europe, but Turkey has a very powerful army. There is no any other country that will ensure the EU's energy security."

To gain membership, Turkey has to successfully conclude negotiations with the EU in 35 policy chapters, which involve reforms and the adoption of European standards. So far, 14 chapters have been opened, while 17 remain blocked and another four have yet to be discussed. "Opening chapters is no longer a problem for Turkey," Bozkir said. "Opening chapters is the responsibility of the EU. We will be glad if they open the chapters, but we will not, if they do not."

[11] Erdogan proposes university campuses be called 'kulliye'

"We just had a discussion with the Education Minister about the word campus. Should this be the word? ? I thought of revisiting our history and thought perhaps kulliye would be better. It would be a first in this new period," he said while attending a ceremony marking the opening of a new campus for Yildirim Beyazit University in Ankara. He then proposed that the name of the newly opened campus be "Esenboga Kulliyesi" instead of "Esenboga Kampusu".

The word "kulliye" is derived from the Arabic word "kull," which means all. Kulliye was mostly used in the Ottoman times to refer to a complex of buildings around a mosque that are generally run by a foundation for charitable purposes.

Erdogan recently vowed that the Ottoman language would be introduced in schools, saying it will be taught whether critics "like it or not," fuelling criticism that he and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) are trying to undermine secularism.

During the same speech, Erdogan also repeated his criticism to the UN Security Council, calling for an expansion of the world body to include 20 members who rotate annually or bi-annually.

"Let the UN Security Council have 20 members and let the members rotate every year or every two years," Erdogan said. He also said that the members should be chosen to reflect religious and continental representation.

"We will [say] to the world that the world is bigger than five," Erdogan said, in reference to the five permanent members of the Security Council. "Right now, three continents are being represented [at the Security Council]. Looking from the aspect of religion, there is not a single Muslim country represented. Then, what is the UN Security Council good for? I am not represented there. A Security Council where I am not represented cannot speak on my behalf."

[12] Council of Europe says Turkey should take rightful place in the EU

Jagland said in a speech that Europe needs Turkey, and that Turkey needs Europe. "Turkey should take its rightful place in the European Union. Europe needs Turkey because Turkey is bordering one of the hot spots for Europe," he said.

Turkey wants to be the sixth-biggest contributor of the Council of Europe, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Wednesday. He made the remarks in a welcome address for Jagland, at the Seventh Annual Ambassadors' Conference in Ankara. "At a time when Europe needs dialogue, mutual understanding and respect for diversity, the Council of Europe should take a step forward," Cavusoglu said, "We are one of the founding members of this organization, now we would like to be one of the grand payers of the Council of Europe". He said that Turkey paid 13 million euro annually to the Council of Europe, adding: "We would like to increase this number to 33 million euros. The Council of Europe has five grand payers and we would like to be the sixth one." Turkey also made an active financial contribution to the U.N. budget between 2013 and 2015. With $63 million, Turkey is the 16th-highest paying country to the U.N. budget.

Jagland also questioned the wisdom behind not allowing Turkey into the EU. "Who can say no to add 70 to 80 million new customers to the internal market?" he said, adding that Europe was witnessing "very worrying signs" in terms of economic and social situations. Jagland also said that since Turkey borders Syria, Iraq and Iran, it is very important for Europe to solve problems in that region.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 08.01.15), under the title "Turkey's Constitutional Court must remain free, Council of Europe's Jagland says", reports that Jagland, in an interview to the paper said that the separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary is an indispensable principle in any democracy, adding that the country's Constitutional Court must remain free.

Jagland had meetings with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Constitutional Court President Hasim Kilic, and the leaders of opposition parties during his visit to Ankara.

"The media also plays an indispensable role in a democracy like the independent courts. The separation of powers, checks and balances is a fundamental principle in any democracy. Without independent institutions, we always get corruption and misuse of power. We have seen it recently in Ukraine, in Tunisia and elsewhere that if you don't have it, it can even lead to revolutions," Jagland said.

He said there were "systematic problems" in Turkey, particularly in the judiciary, with regard to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly. "Most of the applications and judgments from the court in Strasbourg [The European Court of Human Rights] are about these issues," he observed.

Jagland said that he had also discussed issues on gender equality. Asked about Turkey's Health Minister Mehmet Muezzinoglu's recent statement that motherhood should be a woman's only career, he said: "This is not my view". "I know that some hold that view. But I don't think it can be implemented in practice in any society because we are dependent on people being a part of the society and being able to contribute to the economy and society at large," he added.

Jagland also stressed that women and men have the same rights under the European Convention. "These are the basic rights. There is a large appreciation in societies on how they apply it. But no member country can harm the fundamental rights of any of the sexes, men and women. My fundamental thinking on that is that women represent half the population and therefore constitute very important resources for any society that should be used fully," he said.

[13] Turkey detains second Dutch journalist

Mehmet Ulgur, a Dutch citizen of Turkish origin, was arrested at Istanbul airport, the Dutch Journalists' Association said. He was released after questioning, but ordered to attend court on January 21.

His detention follows that of Frederike Geerdink, a freelance reporter specializing on Kurdish issues, who was questioned and later released on Tuesday.

The detentions coincided with a visit to Turkey by Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders, who said on Tuesday that he was shocked by the first incident. "Intimidation of journalists is unacceptable," he said.

Ulgur, a documentary-maker, was taken aside while queuing for a passport check. He was told to attend a court hearing relating to an incident when he took photos at the 2013 trial of another Dutch journalist, news portal villamedia.nl reported.

Officials from Turkey's Justice and Foreign Ministries said Ulgur had been brought in for questioning and then released.

The detentions come at a time of political tension between Turkey and the Netherlands, home to one of the world's largest Turkish diaspora communities. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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