Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-02-02

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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 urges Greece to change policy on the Cyprus problem

[02] The Turkish Cypriots have low expectations on revival of the Cyprus talks

[03] The "foreign ministry" evaluates UNSC's Decision to extend the mandate of the UNFICYP

[04] Arinc: Turkey will restore all Evkaf foundation's properties

[05] TDP will give a lecture at the British Parliament

[06] 32 thousand foreign workers in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] The breakaway regime is being represented at a tourism fair in London

[08] 31 parties eligible to participate in June 7 elections

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu urges Greece to change policy on the Cyprus problem

"If Greece's new Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras really wants to have a positive and peaceful contribution to his country and to the region, he should change their Cyprus policies radically," claimed Eroglu.

"Tsipras should accept that there is also a Turkish community in Cyprus as sovereign as the Greeks," Eroglu alleged.

[02] The Turkish Cypriots have low expectations on revival of the Cyprus talks

Speaking to Daily Sabah ahead of Tsipras' visit to Cyprus, Turkish officials on the island said that Tsipras should convince Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table in order to continue the stalled talks over the reunification of the island.

Self-styled foreign minister Ozdil Nami said that there is no huge expectation from Tsipras' visit and added: "What we expect from Tsipras' visit is to convince Greek Cypriot President Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table unconditionally".

Ergun Olgun, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator, said that there is no huge expectation regarding the Cyprus issue, but Anastasiades should show determination over returning to negotiations to continue the stalled talks and added: "There is need of stability and peace on the island. We are here at the negotiating table as the Turkish side. There are two equal publics on the island ? Turks and Greeks. There is a need to have equal rights and equal administration to live in unity. There were pledges given by Tsipras before the elections in Greece. He said that he would be respectful to everyone's rights so Tsipras should give fair messages acknowledging the Turkish Cypriots' rights."

Professor Dr Niyazi Kizilyurek said that Tsipras would give positive messages during his visit. He expressed his hopes that Tsipras would give peaceful and solution-oriented messages during his visit. He further said that when the Cyprus issue is solved, Turkish-Greek relations would take one step further.

"I must say that unlike other Greek Prime Ministers, Tsipras' visit will not escalate the tension on the island. In his busy schedule, he will also hold talks with four Turkish Cypriot NGOs and listen to their expectations," Kizilyurek added.

[03] The "foreign ministry" evaluates UNSC's Decision to extend the mandate of the UNFICYP

"The United Nations Security Council Resolution (2197/2015) dated 29 January 2015, which extends the mandate of the UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) until 31 July 2015, states that it welcomes the Report of the UN Secretary-General on UNFICYP. In the said Report, the UN Secretary-General makes reference to the isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people and emphasizes the necessity for the removal of such restrictions and barriers. The omission of the UN Security Council to make a clear reference to the unfair and illegitimate isolation which is still imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people, has rendered the Resolution inconsistent and lacking. Similarly in the said Resolution, the customary reference to the so-called 'Republic of Cyprus', as well as the lack of reference to the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the extension of the mandate of UNFICYP, is not an acceptable approach and is contradictory to the historical, legal and political realities of the island of Cyprus.

It is amply clear that the call made in the Resolution towards the resumption of the comprehensive settlement negotiations in the shortest possible time is aimed at the Greek Cypriot leadership who withdrew from the settlement talks. The fact that the Resolution refrains from using a language which could be interpreted as a precondition for the commencement of the negotiations, clearly indicates the expectation of the Council in this regard.

Our expectation from the Greek Cypriot side is to act in line with this call by displaying a sincere approach and returning to the negotiation table as soon as possible without any preconditions in order to reach a settlement based on equality and compromise. The Turkish Cypriot side maintains its decisive stance towards the immediate resumption and conclusion of the negotiation process based on the established UN parameters, convergences achieved between the two sides and the Joint Statement of 11 February 2014 within a specific timeframe under the auspices of the United Nations Secretary-General's Good Offices Mission."

[04] Arinc: Turkey will restore all Evkaf foundation's properties

Arinc said that Turkey will restore all EVKAF religious foundation's properties in the occupied area of Cyprus. "We have signed a protocol in Cyprus, we will do [the restoration] of all the Evkaf's monuments", Arinc said yesterday.

According to the paper, this statement came after the self-styled prime minister Yorgancioglu told media that only two mosques were going to be restored by the Turkish Evkaf administration ? the Lala Mustafa Pasa (editor's note: the cathedral of St. Nicholas in occupied Famagusta) and the Selimiye Mosques (editor's note: the cathedral of St Sophia in the occupied part of Nicosia).

The Turkish Cypriot Building Contractors' Union postponed their protest at the last minute when Yorgancioglu announced that only two cultural buildings (the mosques) were going to be restored. Arinc's statements now contradict this, according to the paper.

The chairman of the association Cafer Gurcafer said that Yorgancioglu has taken a step back on it and he believes that the issue will be resolved. Gurcafer said that the association has given to Yorgancioglu 15 days and they will under no circumstance accept the restoration of all the heritage buildings. He warned that if the protocol is implemented fully, the contractors will protest in the streets.

[05] TDP will give a lecture at the British Parliament

According to the paper, the delegation will give a lecture at the British Parliament on February 3 and will held meetings with different groups of Deputies. On February 4, the TDP delegation will participate in an event on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem organized by the London Support association of TDP.

[06] 32 thousand foreign workers in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to information by the self-styled ministry of labour and social security, the workers of Turkish origin are 27 thousands and there are also 4,500 workers from third countries. According to the "ministry", the number of the foreign workers changes every day.

Some foreign workers from Turkey, speaking to the paper, said that the majority of the employers prefer the "illegal workers", who don't have a working permission, because they accept to work with much less money and more hours. Most of these illegal workers are citizens from Pakistan, Nigeria, Vietnam and Turkmenistan. They prefer them.

[07] The breakaway regime is being represented at a tourism fair in London

According to the self-styled deputy prime ministry and the ministry of economy, tourism, culture and sports statement, the "TRNC" was promoted by "ministry representatives" as well as tour operators operating in London at the fair which lasted until the 1st of February.

Over 50 thousand travel professionals were expected to attend this year's fair. General information brochures in English, road maps, tourist guidebooks, posters, CDs, promotional bags and fabrics were distributed at the "TRNC stand". Food and drinks reflecting Turkish Cypriot culture were also offered to visitors.

[08] 31 parties eligible to participate in June 7 elections

Political parties need to be organized in at least half of Turkey's provinces six months prior to the Election Day, or they have to have a parliamentary group in Turkish Grand National Assembly, which requires a minimum of 20 Deputies.

The High Election Board has also announced the election calendar. Voter lists will be announced by neighbourhood headmen on March 14. The sorting of political parties on voting tickets will be decided by the Board on April 3. The deadline for applications for independent candidacy to the provincial election board is April 7. As of April 24, definite candidate lists will be announced by the Official Gazette and media. Voting will begin at customs and consulates on May 8. Electoral prohibitions will begin at 6:00 p.m. on June 6.

With a 2007 constitutional change, Turkey changed the election periods to every four years from five years. In the last general election, which was held in 2011, the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) received nearly 50% of the votes, followed by Republican People's Party (CHP) with 26% and Nationalist Movement Party with 13% of the votes.

The political parties eligible to join the elections are as follows (in Turkish alphabetical order):

1- Adalet ve Kalkinma Partisi (Justice and Development Party, 312 MP's)

2- Alternatif Parti (Alternative Party)

3- Anadolu Partisi (Anatolia Party, 1 MP)

4- Bagimsiz Turkiye Partisi (Independent Turkey Party)

5- Buyuk Birlik Partisi (Great Union Party)

6- Cumhuriyet Halk Partisi (Republican People's Party, 125 MP's)

7- Demokrat Parti (Democratic Party)

8- Demokratik Gelisim Partisi (Democratic Improvement Party, 1 MP)

9- Demokratik Sol Parti (Democratic Left Party)

10- Dogru Yol Partisi (True Path Party)

11- Emek Partisi (Labor Party)

12- Genc Parti (Young Party)

13- Hak ve Adalet Partisi (Rights and Justice Party)

14- Hak ve Esitlik Partisi (Rights and Equality Party)

15- Hak ve Ozgurlukler Partisi (Rights and Freedoms Party)

16- Halkin Kurtulus Partisi (People's Salvation Party)

17- Halkin Yukselisi Partisi (People's Rise Party)

18- Halklarin Demokratik Partisi (Peoples' Democratic Party, 27 MP's)

19- Hur Dava Partisi (Free Cause Party)

20- Isci Partisi (Workers' Party)

21- Liberal Demokrat Parti (Liberal Democratic Party)

22- Merkez Parti (Center Party)

23- Millet Partisi (Nation Party)

24- Millet ve Adalet Partisi (Nation and Justice Party, 1 MP)

25- Milliyetci Hareket Partisi (Nationalist Movement Party, 52 MP's)

26- Muhafazakar Yukselis Partisi (Conservative Rise Party)

27- Ozgurluk ve Dayanisma Partisi (Freedom and Solidarity Party)

28- Saadet Partisi (Felicity Party)

29- Toplumsal Uzlasma Reform ve Kalkinma Partisi (Social Compromise Reform and Development Party)

30- Turkiye Komunist Partisi (Communist Party of Turkey)

31- Yurt Partisi (Homeland Party) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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