Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-01-19

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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] Olgun and Ertug criticized the UN report on Cyprus; Criticism to Eide for having a mild stance

[02] Olgun: Barbaros vessel's seismic explorations south of Cyprus is an indication of the Turkish side's will for a partnership

[03] Nami says that they expect the lifting of their "isolations" from the international community

[04] Eroglu: I am candidate in order to complete the process which we have started and continue successfully

[05] Cavusoglu: "The observer status of the TRNC must continue in OIC"

[06] Ozersay met with the British High Commissioner

[07] Serdar Denktas: "Our aim is to bring 1 million tourists for 2015"

[08] Dincyurek discussed the water transfer project with Veysel Eroglu; Eroglu: "On the 20th of July, water will flow from Turkey to the TRNC"

[09] "Turkish Cypriot Constructors' Union" will boycott all tender bids opened by the breakaway regime because these are all submitted to Ankara

[10] A decline in trade across the Green Line Regulation

[11] The "No to Nuclear Power Platform" organized a protest against Akkuyu

[12] 12,555 "public servants" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[13] Davutoglu on his contacts in Brussels and Germany; The Cyprus problem among the matters of discussion

[14] Erdogan questions the timing of the government's transparency package ahead of elections; first rift with Davutoglu's government

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Olgun and Ertug criticized the UN report on Cyprus; Criticism to Eide for having a mild stance

Speaking to illegal BRT, Olgun claimed that the preconditions demanded by the Greek Cypriot side for returning to the talks was in contradiction with the February 2014 Joint Declaration and was aimed at maintaining the current status quo.

Olgun alleged that the preconditions set forth by the Greek Cypriots would in some way legitimize the "Greek Cypriot side's occupation" of the 1960 partnership Republic. "We have failed to see the international community; the UN and Mr Eide take any steps to dissuade the Greek Cypriots from demanding such preconditions to return to the table. This is a great source of disturbance for us", he said.

Commenting on the UN Special Adviser's latest visit to the island, Olgun criticized Eide of adopting a soft stance in the face of Greek Cypriot persistence regarding the issue of hydrocarbon exploration.

Reminding that the UN Special Adviser had stated that the issue of hydrocarbons could not be taken up separately from the Cyprus issue, Olgun said that despite these remarks, the UN refrained from exerting pressure on the Greek Cypriots to return to the talks without any preconditions.

Stating that the issue of hydrocarbon exploration could act as a catalyst for a settlement, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator alleged that the natural gas is the common property of all the inhabitants on the island.

"Both sides have rights over this gas. The best way to benefit from this natural gas is a comprehensive solution. If there is not going to be a solution we need to cooperate on the issue" he said, reminding that the Turkish Cypriot side has a standing proposal on this issue.

He said that the current deadlock could be overcome if the UN adopted a positive stance over the issue.

Asked to comment on the UN Secretary General Ban Ki moon's report, Olgun said that observations made in article 26 were not accurate.

"The mention that the Greek Cypriot side pulled out of the talks because of the NAVTEX issued by Turkey is incomplete. The NAVTEX was issued by Turkey on behalf of the TRNC. The Greek Cypriot side's collocutor on the matter is the Turkish Cypriot side and not Turkey. However the report does include positive elements too", he added.

Olgun said that the aim of the activities of the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic research vessel was to demonstrate that the Greek Cypriot side did not possess sole sovereignty over the island of Cyprus and to encourage it to return to the negotiating table.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.01.15) reported that the so-called presidential office has condemned the statement by the United Nations (UN) Secretary General's Special Cyprus Adviser, Espen Barth Eide to the effect that "the ball is in the Turkish side's court" and has made a proposal.

According to the paper, the so-called presidential spokesman Osman Ertug has asserted that they [the Turkish Cypriots] vehemently condemn the statement made by Eide, to the effect that "the ball is in the Turkish side's court." Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side is at the table, Ertug stressed that the side that has fled from the table needs to be persuaded.

Eide, who gave interviews to the Turkish media during the two-day period he spent on the island, indicated that the Greek Cypriot side, by saying that "we are prepared to discuss, in the final phase of the negotiations, all the issues on which compromise has not been able to be reached," had made an overture, and that the Turkish Cypriot side needed to respond to this.

Commenting to Kibris newspaper on Eide's statements, Ertug said that "we are expecting Mr. Eide to correct his statements".

Ertug said: "We were saddened and disappointed at Mr. Eide's assessing the affair in this way. We understand that he wants to see some light for the sake of his own mission. But he should not avoid assessing the facts correctly just in order to see this".

Ertug said that there were three very harsh conditions in the statement that Anastasiades made on 5 January and added that one of these was the recognition of the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, which Turkey would never accept.

Regarding the issue that Anastasiades had said that the hydrocarbon issue was open and could be discussed following a solution, Ertug explained that the word "hydrocarbons" had not been mentioned in the words that Eide had characterized as an "overture," and that Anastasiadis had said: "I am prepared to discuss the topics that have been unable to be resolved in the final phase of the negotiations" but had denied this because of the reactions that had resulted.

Supporting that the Turkish Cypriot side is still at the table, Ertug indicated that the side that has fled from the table needs to be persuaded and added: "This issue existed during the period of [former Cypriot President Demetris] Christofias as well. The Piri Reis vessel explored in the south of the island, but Christofias did not run away from the table. Now Mr Anastasiades, prefers to leave the table because he is not prepared for partnership and sharing. And he is concocting such a pretext in order to camouflage this."

(?)

[02] Olgun: Barbaros vessel's seismic explorations south of Cyprus is an indication of the Turkish side's will for a partnership

"If Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa was holding explorations in the north, it would have been said that the Turkish Cypriot side is following a separatist policy", argued Olgun in an interview with Havadis claiming that the existence of Barbaros vessel "is the biggest power that will change the status quo".

Commenting on the Greek Cypriot side's statement that no negotiations are possible while Turkey's NAVTEX is valid, Olgun argued: "It will have to think about it tomorrow when a platform comes there and starts drilling [?] I think that the emergence of this crisis could cause a result that might open the door for change in Cyprus [?]".

Olgun alleged that the existence of Turkey in the area with Barbaros vessel for carrying out explorations on behalf of the "TRNC" [Translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] is a chance for bringing the Greek Cypriot side back to the negotiating table and claimed that the Turkish NAXTEX and the existence of Barbaros "is the only way for changing the status quo which the Greek Cypriot side preserves for years".

He alleged: "The NAVTEX and Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa are the only dynamics in the direction of changing the status quo, de facto adding power and showing the need for its change. Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa and the area for which the NAVTEX was announced are confirming this".

When the journalist told him that the Greek Cypriot side does not perceive the existence of Barbaros and the NAVTEX in the manner which the Turkish side wants it to perceive it, Olgun claimed that the reason for this is that the Greek Cypriots still think that they could preserve what they have, but "this is becoming more difficult now".

Asked what kind of change he is referring to with the NAVTEX and the existence of Barbaros, Olgun said that Barbaros is in the occupied Famagusta Port at the moment. He alleged: "We are giving another chance. Barbaros cannot remain there forever. This is a window of opportunity for a short period of time. It should be used well. This opportunity is not only for the south, but it is an opportunity for the UN and [the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth] Eide as well [?] With our move, the Greek Cypriot side is de facto seeing that it is not the only sovereign in an area which is under its sovereignty".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Nami says that they expect the lifting of their "isolations" from the international community

In an interview with Yeni Duzen, Nami said that their life should be normalized and added: "It is not our fault that Cyprus is still divided and no solution has been reached. They should stop forcing the Turkish Cypriots to continuously paying the price for this. The beginning of this process will of course have an influence on the Greek Cypriot side's waking up".

Nami alleged that there is absolutely no reason for the Turkish Cypriots not being able to trade with the EU and the world, that mechanisms for this could very easily be established and that the existing obstacle is political not legal. "They must overcome the political obstacles which they themselves have created", he argued.

Replying to a question, Nami said that no Turkish Cypriot politician can give the Greek Cypriot side the promise it wants when it allegedly says that "I have launched hydrocarbon explorations in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone, I will continue these explorations, the Turkish Cypriots should do nothing and promise that they will do nothing in the future". He argued that they cannot give such a promise because they are people "elected" to protect the "legitimate rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people over the natural resources belonging to the entire island".

Asked to comment on the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide's statement that President Anastasiades has taken a positive step and that they expect a similar step by the Turkish Cypriot side, Nami described this statement as "extremely unfortunate", noting that they had explained to Eide why they think that the move made by President Anastasiades was not a positive step. He noted that in the past the issue of how the natural gas will be administered by the federal government after the solution had anyway been discussed and therefore it is the leaders' job to anyway discuss the way by which the federal government will administer the matters.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu: I am candidate in order to complete the process which we have started and continue successfully

Eroglu suggested what the Greek Cypriot side should do is to digest that the Turkish Cypriot side is as much sovereign in the island as themselves and behave accordingly.

Eroglu noted that although the Greek Cypriot side abandoned the negotiating table, they still continue to have contacts with foreign diplomats especially with UN Secretary General's Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide. He alleged: "When they come to us, I say to them that the Greek Cypriots have abandoned the negotiating table, and you should go to them. The latest, I had a meeting with Eide. When he started his duties, he visited me and I warned him on this issue. I said: 'The Greek Cypriots have a tactic; they will try to suppress you and they play with time'. As a result, I was proved right."

Eroglu also said that the existence of the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) for years now made them stronger in the table of the negotiations, adding that they sit at the negotiating table in equal status because there is the "TRNC".

[05] Cavusoglu: "The observer status of the TRNC must continue in OIC"

In a report from the AA news agency, Cavusoglu made the statement following a meeting he had with his Kuwaiti counterpart Seyh Sabah el-Halid es-Sabah. He pointed out that Kuwait is an important 'brother country' for the stability, security and peace in the region.

(?)

[06] Ozersay met with the British High Commissioner

The meeting took place upon a lunch invitation addressed to Ozersay by Todd. Ozersay shared with Todd his thoughts regarding "how to overcome the current deadlock at the negotiations", writes the paper.

[07] Serdar Denktas: "Our aim is to bring 1 million tourists for 2015"

Noting that 850 thousand tourists had visited the "TRNC" in 2014, Denktas said that for 2015 his "ministry" aims to bring 1 million tourists to the "country".

Stating that it is the first time the "TRNC" was being represented at a tourism fair in Helsinki; Denktas explained that along with Helsinki and 4 other fairs that are taking place at the same time, it would be possible to reach this target. Denktas added that with the tourists that will be gained from the Scandinavian regions it will be possible to revitalize the dead tourism season in the "county".

"Instead of focusing on taking part in more fairs, we will be concentrating on building cooperation through sectors and strengthening online sales", said Denktas.

The so-called minister also said that charter flights and commercials will continue and added that problems such as environmental pollution will be dealt with swiftly.

[08] Dincyurek discussed the water transfer project with Veysel Eroglu; Eroglu: "On the 20th of July, water will flow from Turkey to the TRNC"

Dincyurek met Turkey's Minister for Forestry and Water Works Veysel Eroglu.

During the meeting views were exchanged regarding the water transfer project.

Evaluating to illegal BRT his contacts in Turkey and his meeting with the Turkish Minister, Dincyurek said that the "project of the century's" land phase is continuing unhindered but the sea phase is problematic due to seasonal weather conditions. "In line with the project on the 25th of January, the dam in Turkey will be filled with water and I together with Veysel Eroglu will be there to witness the event", Dincyurek said.

Noting that Eroglu has also announced the date regarding the completion of the project, Dincyurek said that "within the framework of the TRNC water transfer project, on the 20th of July, on the anniversary of the Turkish peace operation, water will flow from Turkey to the TRNC".

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.01.15) reported that Eroglu, in statements during a press conference held at the Ministry in Ankara on Friday said that Turkey will begin transferring water to the "TRNC". "Water will be supplied to northern Cyprus as part of the northern Cyprus water supply project on the anniversary of the July 20 Cyprus peace operation".

The water supply project will provide the "TRNC" with water for the next 50 years.

"The investment cost of the Alakopru and Gecitkoy dams for the water project are close to 80 million Turkish lira ($36.6 million) and the project will supply around 130 million cubic meters of water to the TRNC every year", Eroglu said.

(?)

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (19.01.15) reports on the same issue and makes fun on the announcement made by Veyzel Eroglu that the water will be transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus "on July 2015 at 10:59 a.m".

The paper notes that this is not the first time that various lies are said about the time that the water project will be completed and adds that it obtained information according to which the project faces a lot of problems. The paper writes that problems occurred in the efforts to place the pipes under the sea and that help was asked from Sweden to overcome the problem.

[09] "Turkish Cypriot Constructors' Union" will boycott all tender bids opened by the breakaway regime because these are all submitted to Ankara

Gurcafer who criticized strongly the "government" stated that as of January 16 the union will boycott all tenders and added that the union will publish this decision to the press. As he said the union will boycott every tender regarding "state buildings, municipalities, state universities and official institutions". He also said that a big demonstration will be organized on January 28 on the issue and from that date all deed transfers on behalf of the union will be also stopped.

[10] A decline in trade across the Green Line Regulation

The trade was estimated at a value of ?3.063.923,49 in 2014 and is the lowest recorded since 2005.

The annual trade figures from 2004 to 2013, from "North Cyprus" to "South Cyprus", across the Green Line are as follows:

2004 - ?470.821,11

2005 - ?1.673.459,57

2006 - ?3.228.342,97

2007 - ?4.125.547,85

2008 - ?7.172.115,72

2009 - ?6.006.347,89

2010 - ?5.909.238,15

2011 - ?5.304.725,15

2012 - ?4.195.321,18

2013 - ?3.928.589,61

2014 - ?3.063.923,49

[11] The "No to Nuclear Power Platform" organized a protest against Akkuyu

Around 200 protesters gathered to stop the nuclear plant from being built in Akkuyu. Around 4,000 people signed a petition which was handed over to the Turkish Embassy.

The demonstrators held up banners and placards which called for the end to nuclear power and chanted slogans as they marched.

[12] 12,555 "public servants" in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper reported that 12,555 "public servants" give services to 300,000 people in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

[13] Davutoglu on his contacts in Brussels and Germany; The Cyprus problem among the matters of discussion

Davutoglu, who met with European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker, the European High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini and the European Council President Donald Tusk during his visit, noted that there were thousands of newspapers in Turkey with varying views and four of the five newspapers with the highest circulation were openly anti-government.

"Commission members are accosted with such propaganda. Some are trying to portray Turkey as if it is similar to North Korea or Venezuela", said Davutoglu.

(?)

He also criticized the European Parliament's 2014 progress report on Turkey for being fooled by the anti-Turkey campaign. He said the report, which praised the government's efforts to further the reconciliation process but ignored the threat posed by the Gulen Movement, would be returned with a diplomatic note when it is received. "We presented to each European parliamentarian an information note. What they produced is one-sided," he said.

He said that he had asked officials at the European Parliament to name a single one of the arrested journalists mentioned in the report. "No one could give me a single name", added Davutoglu.

(?)

Referring to his meeting with Juncker, where bilateral ties, Cyprus, Syria and Ukraine were discussed, Davutoglu described the meeting as "warm," noting that the Commission's President was knowledgeable. "The meeting with European High Representative for Foreign Affairs Federica Mogherini was equally comprehensive," he said, adding that a new era had begun between the two sides.

Davutoglu also said that Europe is gradually becoming more introverted. "We are faced with a Europe that is focused solely on its internal problems, failing to lead the world," he said, adding that this withdrawal had more to do with the certain economic and political problems it faced. "Governments change too often. There is a lack of visionary leaders, unlike in the 1950s and 1960s," he said. Davutoglu also noted that he had met with 70 European Ministers during his tenure as Foreign Minister and said: "The number of ministers I listened to with interest would be five. There is no one with a vision, who can describe what the EU will look like in five years. Those who have the final say on Turkey's membership process are not courageous," he argued.

Regarding his meeting last weekend with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Davutoglu said that it was better than expected. "We decided to increase the frequency of meetings between delegations. All European countries, left alone, want to maintain good relations with Turkey. They want to utilize Turkey's strategic power. However, when they come together they push the brakes on Turkey's membership process."

(?)

[14] Erdogan questions the timing of the government's transparency package ahead of elections; First rift with Davutoglu's government

"The timing and content of such a package is very important. It does not seem correct to me ahead of elections [slated for June 2015]," Erdogan was quoted as saying on Saturday.

The package announced last week by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu requires the Deputy Chairman and provincial heads of the political parties that are in Parliament to present a declaration of assets to Parliament every other year. Members of the high courts will also be subject to the same regulation.

Erdogan criticized the proposal, saying that the party would have a difficult time appointing provincial and district chairmen. He also said this proposal would negatively affect the economy and the construction sector in particular. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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