Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-02-13

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Arinc: "The Turks of Cyprus are being integrated with the world"

[02] Arinc met with Eroglu, Yorgancioglu and Siber

[03] Nami describes as "a great shame" the fact that the UNSC did not refer to the "isolations" in its recent Resolution on Cyprus

[04] Bozkir: Turkey is ready to withdraw Barbaros if the Greek Cypriot side accepts that natural gas belongs to both "peoples" of the island

[05] Ertug warned that the "KTFF" membership to KOP will have a political cost

[06] US Defense Secretary Spokesperson: We are aware of Russia request on Cyprus

[07] TPAO's deputy director: If I were in Greek Cypriots' shoes I would receive Turkey with open arms

[08] Celer condemned a "cooperation protocol agreement" signed between Turkey and the occupation regime

[09] Roth: We are working towards opening new chapters for Turkey

[10] Bayrak to start regular HD transmissions as of Friday and will change its name to BRT HD

[11] The breakaway regime and Turkey rank low in the Press Freedom Index

[12] Erdogan called Obama not to remain silent against the murder of three Muslim students

[13] Turkish President Erdogan presents Cuba mosque project to Castro; He will complete his Latin American tour with a visit to Mexico

[14] PM pledges to eliminate 'minority' concept in social life

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Arinc: "The Turks of Cyprus are being integrated with the world"

Arinc said that a great distance has been covered in spite of what he called as isolations implemented on the "Turkish Cypriot people" and claimed that the political, economic and social level which the regime reached "is candidate for becoming a success story". He noted that the illegal airport is the biggest investment of the private sector in the occupied area of Cyprus and argued that except for its economic dimension, this investment is also a political success.

Pointing out that transportation to Cyprus is conducted through air, Arinc said that "we offer services to approximately eighty airplanes which land and depart every day and three million persons annually". "Making an airport which has the capacity of five million passengers with this move is a meaningful and primary investment", he added.

"We attach great importance to northern Cyprus, we are offering all our support for its strengthening from economic, social and political point of view, and we will continue offering it", he said.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, the Turkish Minister alleged that the "northern Cyprus side" has shown great decisiveness for reaching a "comprehensive peace" and attached importance to staying at the negotiating table and concluding the solution process. "We wish for these comprehensive negotiations to continue, first of all to start and be concluded as a result of our decisiveness", he claimed.

Addressing the same ceremony, Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu said that tourism is the first thing that comes to mind when referring to airports and expressed the view that the infrastructure should be strengthened in order for increasing the number of tourists.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Arinc met with Eroglu, Yorgancioglu and Siber

The so-called deputy prime minister and "minister of economy, tourism, culture and sports, Serdar Denktas, the so-called Turkish ambassador in the occupied area of Cyprus Halik Ibrahim Akca and the "undersecretary" of Eroglu, Hasan Gungor were present also during the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Arinc referred to the strong ties between Turkey and the occupation regime and assured the Turkish Cypriot leader that Turkey will always be by the side of the Turkish Cypriots and support them. "We care about North Cyprus. We fully support the economic, social and political strengthening of the TRNC, and we will continue to do so", Arinc said.

Referring to the efforts exerted for finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, Arinc alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has shown a great determination. He claimed also that the Turkish Cypriot side which is still at the table pays great importance for the problem to be solved, something that cannot say for the Greek Cypriot side, as he alleged.

Also speaking, Eroglu thanked Arinc for his words and expressed his pleasure over Arinc's visit to the occupied area of Cyprus.

Pointing out that they feel honored from the fact that "motherland Turkey", as he described Turkey is always by their side and supports them, Eroglu referred to the joint project and investments between Turkey and "TRNC" and to the foundation ceremony for the new terminal to be constructed at the illegal Tymbou airport and stated that this new project will give them the opportunity to reduce the unemployment in the "country".

Asked to comment on the joint exercise to be carried out by Greece, Egypt, Israel and "south Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, Eroglu said that this situation is not pleasant.

Eroglu stated also that they consider as malevolence the announcement of a joint exercise by the Greek Minister of Defense, as soon as he undertook duties.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (13.02.15) reports that Arinc met also with the so-called prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu and the so-called speaker of the "assembly" Sibel Siber.

No statements were made during Arinc's meeting with Yorgancioglu.

During the meeting with Sibel, Arinc referred, inter alia, to the "cooperation program" between Turkey and the "TRNC", stressing the need for this to be revised.

(AK)

[03] Nami describes as "a great shame" the fact that the UNSC did not refer to the "isolations" in its recent Resolution on Cyprus

Addressing yesterday the "assembly" of the regime, Nami recalled that the UN Secretary-General included the issue of the "isolations" in his report and argued that the UNSC adopted a "more balanced" report "responding to many demands of the Greek Cypriot side".

Nami alleged that their aim is to reach a comprehensive solution and that the Turkish side is not interested in interim formulas. Nami called on the Cyprus government to avoid what he described as "diplomatic war", like in the case of the NAVTEX and the halloumi-hellim cheese issues.

Nami said that his "ministry" is closely following the developments on the Cyprus problem and is showing the necessary reactions.

Referring to the recent visit of the Greek Prime Minister to Cyprus, Nami described it as a "lost opportunity" and alleged that Greece should positively contribute in the solution of the Cyprus problem, but no such contribution is seen until now.

Nami argued that the Greek Defense Minister is continuously making negative statements and criticized the Greek Defense Minister's statement that joint military maneuvers will be held, noting that he is "crying for war". "The joint maneuvers have been postponed since a long time. The Greek Cypriot-Greek duo should also avoid joint maneuvers", he claimed.

Referring to the postponement of the participation of the Greek Cypriot side in the negotiations because of the Turkish NAVTEX [including the Republic of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone], Nami alleged that this was unacceptable and that "if both sides postponed their actions, this would be a good approach". "Balance is very important, if they take a step, the Turkish side will also take a step", he argued alleging: "We want the leaders to sit at the negotiating table again. The Turkish Cypriot leader did not abandon the table. If the Greek Cypriot leader returns without preconditions, the Turkish side will also be at the table. Our call to the Greek Cypriot leader is: Stop putting preconditions, speak the truths, abandon the unilateral sovereignty".

Nami alleged that as long as the Greek Cypriots do not abandon what he called as "their dominant stance", reaching a solution in Cyprus is not possible.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Bozkir: Turkey is ready to withdraw Barbaros if the Greek Cypriot side accepts that natural gas belongs to both "peoples" of the island

He also said that steps towards a solution could be taken more easily with the new government in Greece. Bozkir who is holding contacts in Brussels responded to reporters' questions on the Cyprus problem.

Expressing that he found positive Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras' meeting with representatives of Turkish Cypriot civil society organizations within the framework of his visit to Cyprus, he said: "I hope positive steps will be taken in Cyprus after April."

Bozkir also stressed that the natural gas of the island belongs not only to "south Cyprus" as he called the Republic of Cyprus, but to the whole island. He said that the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa vessel is on the island "as the registration of rights of the Turkish Cypriots", and added the following: "If the Greek Cypriot side accepts this then we can withdraw the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa vessel. So there would be a progress on the negotiations and in that case reaching a conclusion seems highly possible for me."

[05] Ertug warned that the "KTFF" membership to KOP will have a political cost

"This is a move that could create a political cost for us. For this reason, this is an issue which needs to be examined very well. Our president is very sensitive on this issue. Still, beyond of this sensitivity, initiatives were undertaken on this matter. We follow the issue very closely. Our football confronts difficulties but those difficulties are not related only with football. We achieved to put this issue into the report of the UN's Secretary General. This is an issue which interests all of us. But, I say that the remedy for this is certainly not to become members of the Greek Cypriot Football Federation", Ertug said.

Referring to the Cyprus negotiation process and the issue of NAVTEX, Ertug claimed once more that the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus has used the issue of NAVTEX as a pretext in order to leave the talks. Stressing the need for the Greek Cypriot leadership to return to the negotiating table with no preconditions, Ertug alleged that they have the psychological advantage since they are the side which is at the table.

Evaluating the latest statements made by the British High Commissioner Damian Roderick Todd on the issue of "embargoes and isolation", Ertug alleged that the UK has approved the balances and described as steps on the right direction the efforts exerted by the UK recently on the issue of the implementation of direct trade and especially the issue of the "lifting" of the so-called embargoes.

Ertug stressed further that "the isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots in sports, in culture, economy and politics constitutes in fact violation of human rights" and stated that the Turkish Cypriots should not pay the price for the "lifting" of all these obstacles.

(AK)

[06] US Defense Secretary Spokesperson: We are aware of Russia request on Cyprus

Hillman responding to a question by the Anatolian News Agency reporter of the possibility of Russia building an air base in Cyprus, said that the relations between the two countries were based on long military, economic and cultural ties. She said that they were aware that Russia was pressing for a base and if a change in the relationship comes about, then the US would be assessing these effects.

[07] TPAO's deputy director: If I were in Greek Cypriots' shoes I would receive Turkey with open arms

He alleged the following: "Like every other company, we were also interested in the area. Our licenses are only in the TRNC's territorial waters. We have applied only to the TRNC. And they gave us permission to work in their licensing fields. We cannot say anything as regards the potential, because the seismic explorations are still continuing. They will be evaluated and decisions will be taken afterwards".

Sisman argued that they want to establish good relations with the "Greek Cypriot sector", as he described the Republic of Cyprus and claimed that the projects and investments to be made here will be for the benefit of the Greek Cypriots as well. "If I were in Greek Cypriots' place, I would, in the contrary, receive Turkey with open arms", he said.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Celer condemned a "cooperation protocol agreement" signed between Turkey and the occupation regime

Celer described the above "protocol" which was signed on the 12nd of March 2014 and approved by the "council of ministers" in June, as unacceptable and added that this "agreement" is contrary to the law and the international agreements.

Supporting that with the signing of this protocol all the sporting and cultural activities of the "country" will be transferred to Turkey, Celer added that the "country" will be led to a dangerous organization and called for an answer to the question: "To whom we entrust the youth of this country?".

Celer stated that the Turkish Cypriots should not be assimilated to any "power". He also called this "agreement" as unacceptable and said that they would do all necessary in order to prevent its implementation, since as he stated, the "government" approved the "agreement" bypassing the "assembly".

(AK)

[09] Roth: We are working towards opening new chapters for Turkey

Roth and his delegation are in Turkey holding contacts with the Turkish-German Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group president Cigdem Munevver Okten in the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

Roth said they considered Turkey as a friend and this meant there was an EU perspective. He said however that the Republic of Cyprus ?s a difficult partner and said that if it opposes the opening of new chapters, this will be a very sad situation. Roth said they wanted to encourage Turkey to continue with their EU process and hoped Turkey would continue to defend freedom of press and fair justice as ?f it was in the EU.

[10] Bayrak to start regular HD transmissions as of Friday and will change its name to BRT HD

[11] The breakaway regime and Turkey rank low in the Press Freedom Index

In addition, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (13.02.15) reports that Turkey has ranked 149th out of 180 countries in the Reporters Without Borders' world press freedom index, climbing five places in one year due to the release of a number of journalists, despite mounting criticism against the government's approach to freedom of expression and the media. This is the first progress Turkey has recorded in the index since 2005, when it jumped 15 places to rank 98th.

[12] Erdogan called Obama not to remain silent against the murder of three Muslim students

Speaking in a press conference in Mexico City on Thursday, Erdogan said it was rather significant that no statements have been made by President Obama or his officials Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry ever since the students were murdered.

"As political leaders, we have responsibilities for the murders committed in the countries we are in charge. We have to show our stance. If you stay silent when faced with an incident like this, and don't make a statement, the world will stay silent towards you," Erdogan said.

[13] Turkish President Erdogan presents Cuba mosque project to Castro; He will complete his Latin American tour with a visit to Mexico

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Castro in Havana on Feb. 11, Erdogan said Cuban officials had already made an agreement with Saudi Arabia for the construction of a mosque in Havana. "We want to build the mosque ourselves. We don't want a partner. If you find it appropriate, we would like to build it in Havana. But if you have promised a Havana mosque to other people, then we can build our Ortakoy Mosque in another Cuban province," Erdogan quoted himself as saying to Castro.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency, (13.02.15) reports that Erdogan has begun his two day visit to Mexico Thursday to enhance bilateral ties.

Mexico is the last destination of the Turkish President's Latin America tour that seeks to boost business and cultural ties. Cuba was his second stop after Colombia.

[14] PM pledges to eliminate 'minority' concept in social life

"I consider this table to be a conversation circle around which not only the new Turkey but also the new Balkans, the new Middle East and the new Caucasus will be built together," Davutoglu said in his speech at the dinner he hosted late on Feb. 11.

"Whoever makes a distinction between 'primary' and 'second-class' citizens merely on the basis of the concept of being a religious minority, then that person is putting dynamite in the foundations of th?s state," he added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION (CS/, AM/)

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article