Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-02-05

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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] Cavusoglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots are not determined for a Cyprus settlement

[02] Ertug criticized Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman's statements on Cyprus

[03] The TDP is holding contacts in London

[04] Izcan calls on Turkey and Eroglu to withdraw Barbaros and postpone NAVTEX and President Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table

[05] Eroglu called once again the Greek Cypriot side to give up its "excessive demands"

[06] Akinci says that he will try to achieve a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution

[07] Feminist groups react to Siber's ad campaign; Siber invites Eroglu for a debate

[08] Turkey and Finland signed a Joint Economic and Trade Committee agreement

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu claimed that the Greek Cypriots are not determined for a Cyprus settlement

During a televised interview at Ulke TV in Ankara, Cavusoglu said that Turkey is ready to give any kind of support in order to cooperate with the newly elected Greek government, adding that "a politically and economically strong Greece is good for resolving the Cyprus issue".

Cavusoglu said that he sent a letter to Greek Foreign Minister and he is going to have a telephone conversation with him in the coming days.

Cavusoglu, however, warned about one of Syriza's coalition partner parties, Anel, saying the populist right-wing Independent Greeks party is "anti-Turkey". "It may be populism but we take our measures. We don't want any more tension", he added.

Referring to the natural gas exploration activities in the East Mediterranean, Cavusoglu said that steps that exclude Turkey from the region are not possible to be implemented. He added: "We will not permit this. The sale of natural gas and oil that will be extracted from there, it will be through Turkey. Our proposals are fair proposals".

[02] Ertug criticized Greek Foreign Ministry spokesman's statements on Cyprus

In a written statement issued yesterday, Ertug alleged that they are trying to impose the Republic of Cyprus on the Turkish Cypriots. He also claimed that there are two equal and sovereign sides on the island, adding that this kind of statement is a violation of the spirit of the joint statement. Ertug noted that although the government in Greece has changed, their policy on the Cyprus problem has not changed.

Finally, Ertug called on the newly elected Greek government to persuade the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table without preconditions and to respect the joint statement.

[03] The TDP is holding contacts in London

Huseyin Angolemli and Deniz Birinci, TDP's "deputy" and foreign relations secretary respectively, are the other two members of the Turkish Cypriot delegation, which participated also in an open discussion regarding the latest developments in Cyprus.

Speaking during the conference held at the Parliament, Ozyigit noted that the negotiating process which started with the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014 was interrupted and recalled that the Joint Declaration provides for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation based on political equality, but at the same time agreement has been reached on the issues of single sovereignty, single international identity and single citizenship. He pointed out that while it was expected for the natural gas and oil to play the role of a catalyzer in the negotiating process, the opposite happened and it caused tension.

He said that the TDP has been supporting from the very beginning that simultaneous steps should be taken and added that it was seen that threats and provocations cause damage and have no benefits to the process. "We wish that cooperation and reconciliation prevails, instead of tension and showing of power", he said.

Referring to the issue of the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha, Ozyigit noted that TDP opposes to Varosha remaining a ghost city by hiding behind the expression that "it is a part of the comprehensive solution". He said that they support the return of Varosha to its legal owners and in return of this they demand the opening of Famagusta port for trade and the illegal Tymbou airport for direct flights. Ozyigit recalled that an article regarding Varosha was included in the second High Level Agreement of 1979, which clearly said that Varosha should be returned to its legal owners within the framework of confidence building measures adding that this was not contrary to the comprehensive solution.

Ozyigit reiterated the view that the negotiations should immediately resume and suggested that two separate negotiating processes at technical level should be established at which, in parallel to the negotiations for finding a comprehensive solution, the issues of Varosha and the hydrocarbons to be discussed.

Ozyigit argued that the British government, as a member of the EU, has "very important responsibilities as regards Cyprus" and added that it should contribute to the resumption of the negotiations and to the reaching of a permanent solution the soonest.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Izcan calls on Turkey and Eroglu to withdraw Barbaros and postpone NAVTEX and President Anastasiades to return to the negotiating table

Izcan accused in the statement the "AKP government" and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu for the policy they follow at the negotiating table and supported that they had prepared the basis for the collapse of the Cyprus negotiation talks. "By extending the NAVTEX and denying withdrawing the Barbaros vessel, they have blown up the possibility for the resumption of the negotiation talks. The postponement of the NAVTEX and the withdrawal of Barbaros are preconditions for the resumption of the talks".

Izcan stressed the need also for President Nikos Anastasiades to abandon the delaying tactics policy and return to the table, since as he pointed out, the non-solution of the Cyprus problem is against all Cypriots in the island.

Supporting the view that it is insincere to say that the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) should be part of the comprehensive solution, Izcan expressed his belief that the CBMs should be implemented in parallel to the negotiation process since, as he stated, the CBMs would ease the efforts for finding a solution.

Izcan supported further that the most important CBM that should be implemented is the simultaneous opening of occupied Famagusta port and the illegal Tymbou airport. "These would be a great benefit for all the Cypriots and will also contribute to the comprehensive solution".

(AK)

[05] Eroglu called once again the Greek Cypriot side to give up its "excessive demands"

"This effort should not last more than 1-2 years. If the Greek Cypriot leadership is willing to find a solution, it should give up its excessive demands", Eroglu said.

Reiterating his known position that the solution to be found should be a partnership to be established consisting of two founding equal states, Eroglu added that the Turkish Cypriots will continue to live freely under the umbrella of the "TRNC".

Supporting that the "existence of the TRNC" strengthened him at the negotiating table, Eroglu alleged that "if their state wouldn't exist, he would had been a community leader that would demand the rights of a minority".

Referring to the forthcoming "presidential elections", Eroglu said that the "leader to be elected" should be reliable, experienced, tolerant and a person who will be aware of what he wants.

(AK)

[06] Akinci says that he will try to achieve a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution

In statements yesterday during visiting various villages within the framework of his campaign, Akinci recalled that during his recent visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, the Turkish EU Minister Volkan Bozkir described the wall separating the island as a "wall of shame" and that during his visit to Greece Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu referred to the benefits of "planning considering Turkey and Greece as a single geographical area". "If we had heard these words in the past we would not have believed to our ears", he argued and expressed the view that the problem we experience in such a small area like Cyprus should be solved by protecting the rights of the people of both communities.

Akinci said that in parallel to the efforts for finding a comprehensive solution, a process of confidence building measures facilitating the everyday life of the two communities should be discussed. He noted that the occupied fenced off city of Varosha should open under the UN control for the benefit of the two sides and added that at the same time they will look for an agreement in the direction of the opening of the occupied Famagusta port for trade and launching direct flights from the illegal Tymbou airport.

Akinci said that the achievable solution is a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation as provided in the Joint Declaration of 11 February 2014. "This is the solution that is possible", he noted adding that they will spend their time trying to achieve what is possible.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Feminist groups react to Siber's ad campaign; Siber invites Eroglu for a debate

The activist groups said that the slogans used at the ad campaign as "A woman who can do a better job than a man", "Men should vote for us too" and references such as "lady" depict only the fact that she is a female rather than her intelligence or qualities.

Meanwhile, Siber, in a visit to Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Havadis in the framework of her election campaign, invited Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu to a debate.

Siber said that she is ready to have a one to one debate with Eroglu on any TV channel. Accusing Eroglu of nepotism, Siber said: "He uses his influence and position to enjoy public assets without any legal basis".

So far, Eroglu has not responded to Siber's invitation. However independent candidate Kudret Ozersay who invited all the "presidential candidates" to a debate last week reacted to Siber's invitation. "It was me who said we should hold a debate with all candidates. But Siber invited Eroglu but not other candidates", Ozersay said.

[08] Turkey and Finland signed a Joint Economic and Trade Committee agreement

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Zeybekci said that Turkey plans to make investments worth at least $300 billion over the next decade and urged Finnish companies to increase their investment in Turkey.

Turkey has attracted foreign direct investment worth about $140 billion, according to figures provided by the minister during the ceremony. "Overall, Finland's direct investment in Turkey is approximately $300 million. We are inviting Finnish investors to Turkey." Zeybekci said.

Toivakka said that the new agreement is a critical step in boosting cooperation and trade ties between the two countries. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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