Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-02-16

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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] More about Arinc's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] Turkish MFA and Eroglu responded to Greek Defense Minister's statements on the Cyprus problem

[03] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the resolution on mass graves in Cyprus

[04] Turkish Cypriot political parties argue that proximity talks might be the way out in the hydrocarbons issue

[05] Akinci stated that he does not oppose to the Turkish settlers who voted to the UN referendum to stay on the island

[06] Siber: The international community should exert pressure on the Greek Cypriot leader to return to the negotiations

[07] Ozersay: I will open Varosha under Turkish Cypriot administration

[08] Denktas is criticized for his stance on the tender for illegal Tymbou airport; He accuses Yorgancioglu of preventing the annulment of the tender

[09] Twenty thousand trees to be cut off for the construction of the new building and the new landing field at the illegal Tymbou airport

[10] The bell of the church in occupied Kilanemos village was stolen

[11] A travel agency in Norway which was planning to bring five thousand Finish tourists to the breakaway regime went bankrupt

[12] The breakaway regime participated in the "BIT Milano 2019" Tourism fair

[13] Vaccination program for LSD disease in cattle has begun; Scrapie disease has also appeared in the occupied area of Cyprus

[14] Clashes in southeastern Turkey between PKK members and the police

[15] Erdogan admitted being isolated by the world; He evaluated ties with Obama

[16] Davutoglu to visit Pakistan to discuss bilateral ties

[17] Turkey became an observer to the Central America Integration System

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] More about Arinc's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

In a short statement to journalists before the event, Arinc explained that he is the Minister in charge of Cyprus affairs in the new government term.

Recalling that his last "visit" to the "TRNC" was on 15 November, Arinc stated that he would visit the occupied area of Cyprus more frequently and be involved with it more closely as a requisite of his new position.

Evaluating his contacts, Arinc said that a technical delegation is reviewing the "Turkey-TRNC economic program" and explained that the real purpose of his "visit" was his will to attend the closing session of the technical delegations.

(?)

Referring to the meetings he held with "Turkish Cypriot" officials regarding the "economic and financial protocol", Arinc said: "Although few developments have occurred on some issues, progress has been made on others. The government has clearly told us that it will act as the political authority on some issues."

Referring to the so-called presidential elections which are scheduled to take place next April, Arinc said that the Turkish government will watch carefully the "presidential election in the TRNC" on 19 April and review the significance of its outcome, adding that only the "voters" have the power to decide the outcome. "We may have certain preferences in our hearts but it would be unbecoming if we said these openly in a way that people would sense what they are", Arinc stated also.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (14.02.15) Ar?nc who has also attended the opening ceremony of the HD studio on the 15th of November 2014, has visited the Bayrak Radio Television on the first day of HD broadcasts.

On the occasion of his visit to BRT, Arinc gave also an exclusive interview.

During the interview, he expressed the hope that the new adventure would be very beneficial for the BRT.

(?)Touching upon the Cyprus issue, Arinc gave the clear message that Turkey's support to the "TRNC" would continue. "The world is aware that after the peace movement the Turkish Cypriot people were enforced under unjust isolations and embargoes. We can't stand by while thousands of our kin are under isolations. The Republic of Turkey will use all of its rights stemming for international agreements and we all know that the road to a comprehensive solution in Cyprus lies with the negotiations process", said Ar?nc.

Alleging that both Turkey and the "TRNC" have always displayed a constructive stance at the negotiating table, Ar?nc said: "We have always been constructive and never left the table. We are ready to discuss the most important issues but the other party has always found excuses and left the table. Just because this is always going to be like this, it doesn't mean we will ignore some issues".

Claiming that despite everything Turkey and the "TRNC" will continue to displace a constructive stance during the Cyprus negotiations process, he added that they believe that the negotiations will resume, even if some circles believe otherwise.

Referring also to the "project of the century", as the water transferred project from Turkey is called, Arinc supported that the project will set an example to the world.

[02] Turkish MFA and Eroglu responded to Greek Defense Minister's statements on the Cyprus problem

"It is obvious that such actions and statements will not contribute to preserve peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, to further develop Turkish-Greek relations and to the ongoing negotiation process towards establishing a new partnership in Cyprus," the Ministry statement said.

The Foreign Ministry's remarks came three days after Kammenos said that the Cyprus problem remains a subject of "invasion and occupation" for the Greek government.

Kammenos criticized the presence of the Turkish seismic vessel Barbaros in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone in the eastern Mediterranean, calling it a "provocation."

Kammenos also said that Greece plans to conduct a joint drill with the "Greek Cypriot administration", Israel and possibly Egypt in the coming months.

The Ministry added that Turkey wanted both sides to engage in the development of a friendly relationship, but was disappointed by "Greek Defense Minister's initial actions and his statements during his visit to the "Greek Cypriot Administration," where he held "a provocative tone, to say the least."

The statement added that the Greek authorities are expected to maintain a responsible attitude in terms of both regional security and Turkish-Greek relations.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (16.02.15) under the title: "We cannot give up from Turkish troops", reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, evaluating Kammenos' recent statements, reiterated that the Turkish Cypriots will never give up from the existence of the Turkish troops, since as he claimed, they live under their security. "Turkey's effective guarantees are a sine qua non for us. The solution to be found should safeguard our people's happiness, prosperity, unity and peace. The solution to be found should not path the way again for more conflicts in the future", Eroglu stressed.

AK

[03] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the resolution on mass graves in Cyprus

"The Resolution on mass graves in the Ekmekciler (TR. Note Ornithi district)district, which contain the remains of missing persons with origins from Pasakoy (TR. Note: Assia village) in Cyprus, adopted at the European Parliament (EP) Plenary of 12 February 2015, is entirely a unilateral decision and undermines the reputation of the EP.

The issue of missing persons in Cyprus, which is a human tragedy, has sensitive aspects involving not only the Greeks but also the Turkish Cypriots on the Island. Indeed, there are many Turkish Cypriots who are still missing since the 1963-1974 period. Although the European Commission has already recognized this fact, it is unacceptable that there are no references to the missing Turkish Cypriots in the Resolution. It has been an extremely unfortunate development that the EP ignored the losses of Turkish Cypriots and adopted a biased Resolution on such a sensitive issue that should have been addressed by staying away from political polemics.

We do not believe that the above-mentioned Resolution will make any positive contribution to "the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus", which is continuing its works between the parties and supported financially by Turkey. We will not accept this unilateral Resolution in any way.

What needs to be done is to provide more support to the "the Committee on Missing Persons in Cyprus" rather than making such futile statements".

[04] Turkish Cypriot political parties argue that proximity talks might be the way out in the hydrocarbons issue

In statements to Kibris, representatives of the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG), the Democratic Party ? National Forces (DP-UG), the National Unity Party (UBP), the Social Democracy Party (TDP), the United Cyprus Party (BKP), the New Cyprus Party (YKP) and the Social Democratic party (SDP) expressed the view that proximity talks which will be carried out by the UN are important for paving the way and overcoming the stalemate in an environment in which communication between the sides has ceased to exist after the interruption of the talks. They said that proximity talks could be a temporary measure and will not substitute the direct negotiations.

CTP-BG's public relations and human resources' secretary, Birikim Ozgur said that UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide has such a mission and his party supports this mission. He noted that the Turkish Cypriot leadership should undertake more initiatives as regards the negotiations and develop some new alternative proposals. "We are worried by the fact that the Turkish side has made no proposal as regards the natural gas crisis since 2012 for turning it to an issue of cooperation and not a conflict", he noted.

DP-UG's foreign relations secretary, Serhat Kotak argued that proximity talks cannot substitute the direct negotiations, but these could be used as initiative for the commencement of the direct negotiations.

UBP's general secretary, Sunat Atun said that they have no objection for the beginning of proximity talks, but alleged that the Greek Cypriots might use these talks as a ground "for creating new preconditions" and expressed doubts for the stance of the Greek Cypriots in these talks.

TDP's deputy general secretary responsible for foreign relations, Deniz Birinci said that any kind of communication is useful and added that their party is very positive for developments such as proximity talks and cross-visits of Greek Cypriots to Ankara and Turkish Cypriots to Athens. She noted that TDP will visit Athens within the forthcoming weeks and meet with Greek Prime Minister Tsipras.

BKP's chairman, Izzet Izcan said that what Eide is doing is proximity talks. He noted that proximity talks could cause no harm and his party supports this because it is correct for paving the way for direct talks. He noted, though, that what we need is direct negotiations.

YKP's member of the executive council, Alpay Durduran noted that the problems are solved through dialogue and a solution through the use of force created new problems. Therefore, he added, holding even indirect negotiations is useful.

SDP's chairman, Tozun Tunali said that his party is in favor of the proximity talks and alleged that the negotiations have been interrupted for "minor reasons".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Akinci stated that he does not oppose to the Turkish settlers who voted to the UN referendum to stay on the island

Speaking during his visit, Akinci replied to several questions of the "people" who live in Maras (Varosha) and touched on the rumors being spread that he was not accepting the Turkish settlers on the island.

Akinci rejected these claims and said: "How can I be opposed to those people who came to the island years ago and lived and married here; whilst these people were accepted as citizens and voted in the UN referendum, how can I reject them?" Akinci stated and added that it is clear that he opposed only to the 1,516 people who were given the "TRNC citizenship" in one day, presenting their address to be that of "prime minister's home", so that the "prime minister" at the time to be able to stay in his seat. "This is the kind of act I oppose", Akinci stated.

Akinci underlined further that he would do his utmost for a solution so that the "people" to have a brighter future.

AK

[06] Siber: The international community should exert pressure on the Greek Cypriot leader to return to the negotiations

Siber alleged that isolation and embargo are implemented on "northern Cyprus", as he described the occupied area of the island, no direct fights or trade could be conducted and no tourists visit "our island which is like a paradise".

She claimed that the Turkish Cypriot teams cannot play international matches and the Turkish Cypriots cannot participate in cultural activities. She went on alleging the following: "We are people who struggled for many years, lived in ghettos in the past, but continued to exist without losing our hope even for a single moment and we have come to these days. Now we have institutional existence, a state, a democracy, but we want to become a part of the world. 2004 was a disappointment for the Turkish Cypriots. We have said yes by a vast majority, but the vast majority of the Greek Cypriots said no. The Greek Cypriot leadership has not prepared its people for a federation model and the people said no as a result of the negative propaganda conducted during that period. [?]"

Siber described the existence of Turkish Barbaros seismic explorations vessel in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Republic of Cyprus and the Turkish NAVTEX as "an excuse" for President Anastasiades abandoning the negotiations prior to entering into a new stage and argued that the place for solving a crisis is the negotiating table, otherwise other crises might occur.

"If you negotiate for an agreement, and reconciliation, you do not sign agreements by using the recognized status of the Republic of Cyprus", she alleged arguing that hydrocarbons belong to both "peoples", something which the Greek Cypriots also accept, but say that 'we will give you your share after the solution". "No, we want to be involved in the process", she noted adding that their proposal is the establishment of a committee regarding the hydrocarbons issue and work in parallel with the comprehensive negotiations.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (16.02.15) reports that Siber talked just like Eroglu and said nothing different. The paper points out to the fact that Siber described the existence of Barbaros in Cyprus' EEZ as an "excuse" and did not criticize Turkey's creating a crisis by sending Barbaros in the area and blowing the negotiations up. The paper notes that Siber argued that the occupied fenced off city of Varosha could be returned to its legal owners only after the comprehensive solution and asked for the sharing of the hydrocarbons before the solution.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Ozersay: I will open Varosha under Turkish Cypriot administration

Ozersay who was speaking in his tour in occupied Engomi, Leonarisso and Famagusta, stated that in case he is elected "president" he will give the fenced off Varosha city to the Turkish Cypriots to administrate it.

Ozersay stated that he will open the fenced city to its older inhabitants to be established under Turkish Cypriot administration, adding that this will be beneficial for the economy of both the "country" and the region. As he said, this will be beneficial not only for the construction sector but for solving the unemployment issue in the area as well.

(CS)

[08] Denktas is criticized for his stance on the tender for illegal Tymbou airport; He accuses Yorgancioglu of preventing the annulment of the tender

In order for explaining that the tender had not been well planned, Denktas drew attention to something he described as a scandal, noting that 20 thousand trees the youngest of which are 15 years old will have to be uprooted for the construction of the new terminal and the new landing field.

Faiz Sucuoglu, "deputy" with the National Unity Party (UBP) in occupied Nicosia described as unacceptable the fact that Denktas is avoiding his responsibility and blames Yorgancioglu. He noted that apologizing is not enough and Denktas should resign.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (14.02.15) reports that Yorgancioglu said that a "legally binding" agreement had been signed during UBP's term in "power" adding that this agreement was binding for their "government' from the point of view of the continuity of the "state". He noted that they would pay a very big amount of money as compensation in case they revised or annulled the agreement.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Twenty thousand trees to be cut off for the construction of the new building and the new landing field at the illegal Tymbou airport

According to the paper, 20 thousand trees will be cut off at the area for the additional buildings of the illegal airport. Speaking to Halkin Sesi the chairman of the "Biological Association" Dilge Ozerdem and the chairman of the "Environmental Engineering Chamber" Nilden Bektas stated that they follow the developments closely and will react very strongly on the issue.

(CS)

[10] The bell of the church in occupied Kilanemos village was stolen

The paper writes that this is not the first attempt to steal the bell since last year someone tried to stole the church bell as well.

[11] A travel agency in Norway which was planning to bring five thousand Finish tourists to the breakaway regime went bankrupt

The paper reports that the "Go international Travel agency", a firm owned by a Turk in Norway, announced its bankruptcy citing economic problems and announced just yesterday to 400 Finish tourists who were to visit the breakaway regime today that their trip was cancelled. The tourists paid 1,500 euro each for the trip and only a part of this amount will be returned to them. The issue is also reported in the Finish press.

Commenting on the issue, the "permanent undersecretary" of the so-called ministry of tourism, Sahap Asikoglu, stated that the five thousand Finish tourists were planned to stay in hotels in occupied Keryneia and Famagusta and added that the tourism sector in the breakaway regime will be negatively affected due to this development. He also said that the economic developments in Russia and Europe affected negatively the tourism sector as well and added that they have to increase the tourism budget in order to deal with these issues.

(CS)

[12] The breakaway regime participated in the "BIT Milano 2019" Tourism fair

The fair took place in Milan, Italy between 12-14 of February and the breakaway regime was represented by the "ministry of culture and tourism".

(CS)

[13] Vaccination program for LSD disease in cattle has begun; Scrapie disease has also appeared in the occupied area of Cyprus

(?)

In statements on the issue, Mustafa Naimoglulari, "chairman" of the "Livestock breeders union" confirmed reports that LSD had been encountered in occupied Mora village and announced that the necessary action had been taken and the animals were put down.

Naimoglulari stated that the vaccinations brought into the country to combat the disease are going to be applied as of today.

Naimoglulari also said that the vaccinations would begin at the "state Livestock Farm" and priority is given to those places where the disease had been spotted.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Detay (16.02.15) another disease affecting cattle has appeared in the occupied area of Cyprus called "Scrapie".

According to the paper, the so-called ministry of agriculture and energy is mobilized on the issue and keeps the new disease secret since it is very dangerous.

The paper writes that the animals which were contracted with the new disease should be killed.

AK

[14] Clashes in southeastern Turkey between PKK members and the police

A delegation of pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Deputies recently announced that Ocalan had said that the organization would lay down its arms as part of an ongoing settlement process between the PKK, Ocalan and top PKK leaders and the government.

The latest conflict in the mainly Kurdish-populated southeastern provinces of Turkey started out as thousands protested the 16th anniversary of the capture of jailed PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan and called for his release. Seventeen people were detained in S?rnak province on Sunday for attending illegal protests, where one unlicensed firearm, 50 Molotov cocktails and a sizeable quantity of fireworks apparently intended for use as weapons were seized.

The clashes come on the heels of the HDP delegation announcement earlier this month that Ocalan told them: "The PKK and all of its divisions are to lay down arms. Now, the armed struggle has finished, the political struggle has begun."

The government and the HDP were expected to issue a joint statement announcing a long-awaited laying down of arms.

(?)

[15] Erdogan admitted being isolated by the world; He evaluated ties with Obama

"When Obama came to office, we got along very well with each other. As you know, the Obama family hosted us at the White House. We held one-on-one meetings there. After all of these meetings, things began to change and I do not know why", Erdogan said, noting that he does not care about the negative reactions to his words and deeds upon questions about the claims that some of Erdogan's statements have made him isolated.

"I do not care about being alone in the world. What we care about is what our people think about us. As we all saw during the presidential elections, the people did not leave us alone. ... It is the same for many peoples across the world. In the eyes of some leaders, isolation claims may exist, but the only thing behind this is jealousy," he said.

(?)

[16] Davutoglu to visit Pakistan to discuss bilateral ties

During the visit Davutoglu will meet Pakistan's political and military leaderships and discuss bilateral, regional and global issues.

Sources say that Davutoflu is expected to discuss Afghanistan and ISIS with Pakistani officials among other topics.

Davutoglu will also lead the Turkish delegation in the fourth Turkey-Pakistan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting on February 17 in Islamabad. Several bilateral agreements relating to energy, trade, development and housing sectors are also expected to be signed during the occasion. Around 15 Turkish private companies will accompany Davutoglu in the "Pakistan Turkey Business Forum 2015."

Both countries have pledged to enhance cooperation in energy, trade, urban development, infrastructure and the housing sector.

(?)

[17] Turkey became an observer to the Central America Integration System

The agreement was signed by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Guatemalan counterpart Carlos Raul Morales Moscoso at the SICA Foreign Ministers forum in Guatemala City on Friday.

SICA was established in 1991 to extend cooperation among countries for regional peace, democracy and economic development.

It has eight member states - Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, Costa Rica, Belize and the Dominican Republic - and 10 extra-regional observers, including Germany, Spain, Japan and China.

"Being an observer member to SICA will strengthen our ties among Central American countries," Cavusoglu said after the signing ceremony. "We can have cooperation with SICA in many fields such as the economy, social development, disaster management, regional security and education.

Meanwhile, Moscoso expressed his pleasure over Turkey's membership and hoped for further cooperation.

Cavusoglu also stated that Turkey would open an embassy in Guatemala.

During the forum, Cavusoglu also signed a trade and economic cooperation agreement with Nicaragua, a trade and economy agreement with Honduras and a diplomatic cooperation deal with Guatemala and Panama. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/, AM)

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