Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-01-20

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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] Ertug accused the Greek Cypriot side of carrying out a blame game against the Turkish side

[02] Sibel: The interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot side at the current phase of the talks is Turkey and not the Turkish Cypriot side

[03] The breakaway regime will participate at the 10th Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Union (OIC) Member States in Istanbul

[04] Akinci announced the website and the logo of his election campaign

[05] The "Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association" backs Eroglu candidacy

[06] "Turkish Cypriot hotel owners union" calls for opening to religious tourism

[07] The occupation regime attended two tourism fairs abroad

[08] A culture centre will be constructed in the occupied part of Nicosia

[09] A memorial Rauf Denktas Park was inaugurated in Izmir

[10] Erdogan chaired an eight hour Cabinet meeting for the first time as President

[11] Davutoglu due to London to boost bilateral relations

[12] Erdogan to tour African countries

[13] Kilicdaroglu criticized AKP government's foreign policy; He urged it to change its Syria policy

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ertug accused the Greek Cypriot side of carrying out a blame game against the Turkish side

In a written statement issued yesterday, Ertug noted that the Cyprus Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides had strongly criticized the report and at the same time the Greek Cypriot side is carrying out a blame game against the Turkish side. Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side with Christodoulides' criticisms aims to influence the decision that the UN Security Council will take by the end of the month regarding the report and the extension of UNFICYP in their favour, Ertug alleged that regardless its claims, the Greek Cypriot side cannot suppress the realities.

Referring to paragraph 26 of the UN Report, Ertug claimed that it contains for them the most important omission. It is not referred in the paragraph that the NAVTEX issued by Turkey was issued upon the request and on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot side. Ertug added that they will continue their initiatives in order this mistake to be corrected.

[02] Sibel: The interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot side at the current phase of the talks is Turkey and not the Turkish Cypriot side

According to the paper, during the meeting, Sibel briefed the chairman and the members of the Chamber about her candidacy.

Speaking during the meeting, referred, inter alia, to the Cyprus problem and said that in order for a positive result to be reached on the Cyprus problem, they need a leader at the negotiating table who would be in favor of peace.

Supporting that the current status quo had increased the lack of trust in politics and politicians in the "country", she added that only the Turkish Cypriots can change this disorder and pointed to the need for reforms and a policy that will renew trust.

Touching on the Cyprus negotiation talks, Siber said that Anastasiades had left the table unfairly but unfortunately due to the lack of effective politics, the Turkish Cypriot side was unable to prove to the international community their "legitimacy".

Stating that especially in this period and at the current phase of the negotiations, the interlocutor of the Greek Cypriots is not the Turkish Cypriot side but Turkey, Sibel said that some statements should not have been made by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but from the "presidency office".

AK

[03] The breakaway regime will participate at the 10th Parliamentary Union of the Islamic Union (OIC) Member States in Istanbul

According to the paper, the delegation which consists of the "deputy" with the Republican Party Armagan Candan, the "deputy" with the National Unity Party Izlem Gurcag, the "deputy" with the Democratic Party Fikri Ataoglu and the "deputy" with the Socialist Democracy Party Zeki Celer" will go to Istanbul on Thursday, January 22 for the one-day conference which will be held on the same day. The paper also writes that Siber will deliver a speech at the conference.

[04] Akinci announced the website and the logo of his election campaign

The address of the website is http://www.mustafaakinci.com/ and the words "peace", "production", "take roots", "togetherness", "devotion", will be some of the main logos in campaign.

The paper also writes that Akinci's campaign will be separated in four dimensions: "1. Politics focused on solution, 2. Sensitivity on the problems faced by the country, 3. Relations with Turkey based on individual and mutual respect independent and 4. Objective presidency".

[05] The "Turkish Cypriot Businessmen Association" backs Eroglu candidacy

Sadi who paid a visit to the paper, criticized the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) for not nominating the "person who could solve the Cyprus problem" as their "presidential candidate".

According to Sadi CTP-BG's choice of candidate revealed the party authorities insincerity regarding their party program in which CTP-BG states the party's dedication to solve the Cyprus problem.

[06] "Turkish Cypriot hotel owners union" calls for opening to religious tourism

Aktig stated to the paper that Cyprus hosted many religions in the past and the time has come to take advantage of this for touristic purposes since it can prove that it can be holly destination for many religions. He said that in 2015 the breakaway regime must put forward a strategy to attract religious tourism which he noted is a new huge market.

[07] The occupation regime attended two tourism fairs abroad

According to the information given by the "ministry", alongside the delegation from the "ministry", representatives from the tourism sector also participated at the fair where they carried out a series of promotional activities for "north Cyprus tourism".

Also, the occupation regime's tourism has been promoted at the 46th Dusseldorf Boot Messe fair in Dusseldorf, Germany.

According to the information given by the "ministry" during the fair which will be open till 25th of January, the promotion activities for "north Cyprus" is being carried out by the "tourism promotion and marketing department" office in Germany.

During this year's fair, 1,650 participants from 60 countries are taking part, apart from the host country Germany.

[08] A culture centre will be constructed in the occupied part of Nicosia

Siber, in a meeting with the "committee of founding a modern art museum", said that the non-existence of a museum in the occupied part of Nicosia is a great deficiency.

[09] A memorial Rauf Denktas Park was inaugurated in Izmir

Former leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal, who attended the ceremony, said that Denktas is one of the most important state persons, who has a place in history.

[10] Erdogan chaired an eight hour Cabinet meeting for the first time as President

The Council's meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Ankara on Monday and reviewed a host of internal and international issues.

The meeting began with Erdogan's opening remarks during which he said that he and the Turkish government led by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu were all working together towards the aim of being at the service of the Turkish people.

"Security and public order were the first items on the agenda", the Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said. He added that the council discussed security and public order, including the country's Kurdish solution process and efforts in the fight against the "parallel state".

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The meeting also evaluated last year's foreign policy and focused on the latest developments in Iraq, Syria and Palestine along with global terrorism threats.

Arinc said that the Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Economy Ali Babacan and Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci also briefed the council about economic developments at home and abroad during 2014.

The meeting also discussed the latest developments regarding Turkey's accession to the European Union.

Arinc also dismissed claims in the media that Turkey had switched to a presidential system because of the Cabinet meeting being chaired by Erdogan. "The parliamentary system is still functioning in Turkey. We have a President and a Prime Minister both of whom are working within their realms of authority", he said.

Arinc added that by chairing the Cabinet meeting, Erdogan had only exercised an authority given to him by the country's constitution 40 years ago.

Arinc said the next Cabinet meeting on Monday will be chaired by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as usual, adding that no "periodic" Cabinet meetings under Erdogan were planned.

Erdogan is the sixth President who headed a cabinet meeting after the country's transition to a multi-party system in 1946.

Before him, former presidents Cemal Gursel, Fahri Koruturk, Kenan Evren, Turgut Ozal and Suleyman Demirel have all chaired cabinet meetings in the past.

Turkey's 8th President Ozal headed the meeting seven times and the 7th President Evren four times.

The 4th President Gursel, the 6th President Koruturk and the 9th President Demirel each chaired cabinet meetings twice.

The last meeting was chaired by the 9th President Demirel on May 12, 2000, four days before his presidency came to an end.

[11] Davutoglu due to London to boost bilateral relations

According to a written statement released by the Prime Ministry on Monday, Davutoglu will meet his British counterpart, David Cameron.

During his visit, Davutoglu will also join a series of meetings about economic developments in Turkey and economic relations with the UK.

Relations between Turkey and the UK were strained following allegations that Turkey handed over British jihadists to terrorist group the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) in a hostage swap in 2014.

Following his visit to the UK, Davutoglu is scheduled to visit Sweden on January 21-23 and then to attend the World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting 2015, becoming the first Turkish Prime Minister to attend the gathering since his predecessor, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in 2009.

(?) Davutoglu will attend the WEF meeting as the head of the G-20 group of countries and will address the participants as the sole speaker at a session on January 24, according to Prime Ministry sources.

[12] Erdogan to tour African countries

Erdogan is to be accompanied by large group of Ministers, bureaucrats and businessmen.

According to a recent statement issued by the office of the President, during his visit to Addis Ababa, Erdogan will meet with the Ethiopian President Mulatu Teshome Wirtu and Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn.

Erdogan is also scheduled to visit Djibouti the following day, and meet with Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh. The visits will help businessmen from Turkey and these African nations to establish close ties, the statement said.

Erdogan's office also pointed out that Turkey has close historical and cultural ties with the countries of the Horn of Africa and that these countries are the strategic gateways to Middle Eastern and world markets.

The visit will also be an opportunity to discuss regional developments in Africa, the statement said.

Erdogan is expected to return to Turkey on January 24.

According to reports by the President's office, Erdogan plans to travel to 12 African countries this year.

(?)

[13] Kilicdaroglu criticized AKP government's foreign policy; He urged it to change its Syria policy

"Ankara's regional policy should remain at an equal distance from all religions and sects in the Middle East", Kilicdaroglu said at the fifth Istanbul Forum in Istanbul on January 19.

"Turkey can contribute to sustainability in the region only with such a policy. In this regard, its Syria policy should certainly change. The passage of foreign fighters should not be allowed by Turkey, which must take the required measures," stated Kilicdaroglu, adding that the current policy had led to Ankara's severe "isolation."

"A majority of the society is concerned about both the future of Turkey and of the world. People are afraid that their children will grow up fearing terrorist groups like the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [ISIL]", he said.

The CHP leader also argued that Turkey's continued "intervention in the internal business of Syria" is helping the formation of a counter-bloc of Iran, Russia and China. "The international community has a widespread view that the Justice and Development Party [AKP] government is supporting al-Nusra and ISIL, with the resources of Gulf countries being used in this process. This has caused a serious uneasiness not only in Syria but also in Iraq, Iran and Russia", he argued.

"All we want is Turkey to be the source of peace and stability in the region, as it was in the past. The government's zero problems with neighbors policy has turned into one of many unsolved problems".

"Today, Turkey is an isolated country that has no effect in the region," K?l?cdaroglu added, referring to current Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's much publicized "zero problems with neighbors policy," which has been badly compromised by tensions with Syria.

He warned that all democracies would face the problem of terrorism if they do not diagnose the problems properly, and said that there are "sleeping" cells of radical ideologies in Turkey, which is a "serious, open and close threat."

Referring to Turkey's EU bid, he said: "Turkey is moving away from the European Union membership, but we consider it a necessity for the country's democracy and economy," he added.

The AKP is trying to implement an understanding that collapsed at the start of the 20th century, rebranding it under the name "neo-Ottomanism," K?l?cdaroglu also said, adding that this had received a mixed reaction in Arab countries and took Turkey away from its historic allies. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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