Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-02-18

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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] Demiroren: The Turkish Football Federation wants the "TRNC" to be recognized by FIFA; Columnists say that the visit was only for the show

[02] Eroglu met with a delegation of AECR

[03] The "KTSO" evaluated the developments on the halloumi/hellim cheese issue; AB Haber report supports that the decision on the issue is already taken

[04] Turkish Ambassador to London: Britain should persuade the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table

[05] Ertug accused Christodoulides of distorting the truth and not respecting the Turkish Cypriots

[06] Turanli: Aviation rules were not taken into consideration when the illegal Tymbou airport was build

[07] The occupation regime participated in a tourism fair in London

[08] Erdogan made statements against feminists and spoke about the presidential system

[09] The Kurdistan Communities Union calls on the Turkish government to take steps so that the peace process continue

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Demiroren: The Turkish Football Federation wants the "TRNC" to be recognized by FIFA; Columnists say that the visit was only for the show

Demiroren visited yesterday the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu at his office in the occupied part of Nicosia and held a meeting with him with the participation of Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister and responsible for sports, the chairman of the so-called Turkish Cypriot football federation ("KTFF"), Hasan Sertoglu, the chairman of the so-called clubs' union, Arslan Bicakli, the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot sport writers' association, Ogun Kacmaz and other persons dealing with the Turkish Cypriot football.

Demiroren argued that "we consider the problems of this place as our own" and added: "The problem will definitely be solved, but whatever the form of its solution is, it will be solved within the framework of FIFA's regulations".

On his part, Eroglu argued that the relations between the TFF and the "KTFF" are facing problems at FIFA and added that what the Turkish Federation can do is limited due to the fact that it is bound by FIFA's rules, but "it is important for the federations of the two countries to have good relations".

In his statements, Serdar Denktas said that Eroglu's initiative has lit a light, but it is not possible for the problem to be solved at the TFF because of FIFA's regulations. He noted that they will launch initiatives, but it does not seem possible for the problem to be solved between the "federations". Denktas noted that soon he will hold face to face meeting with officials from the Turkish Ministry of Sports.

On his part, Sertoglu said that from the meeting they had the impression that the problems will be solved soon. When he was reminded of the 45-day deadline they had given for the solution of the problem, Sertoglu said that this deadline was given by the general assembly of the clubs and it is not possible for him to annul it, but he expressed the belief that the problem regarding the transfers [of Turkish Cypriot football players to Turkey's Regional Amateur League (BAL), without the clubs playing in that league paying any money to Turkish Cypriot clubs or acquiring any permit] will be solved "between states' before the deadline ends.

The issue was further clarified in the statements made by Ogun Kacmaz, who said that, because they cannot go outside FIFA rules, the problem will be solved with a protocol signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime. A formula by which the football clubs and the players transferred to Turkey will not be unjustly treated will be produced and a fund will be created on this issue.

According to Kibris, after his meeting at Eroglu's office, Demiroren visited the so-called embassy of Turkey in the occupied part of Nicosia and met with Halil Ibrahim Akca. Then he went directly to the airport and departed without visiting the premises of the "KTFF".

In a short statement issued by the "KTFF" after Demiroren's departure it is noted that many matters concerning football in the occupied area were discussed during the meeting at Eroglu's office and the result was that solution to the problems will be found soon by the "competent inter-state authorities".

The visit was extensively covered by Turkish Cypriot columnists today (18.02.15). Sukru Buragan in Kibris writes that two conclusions can be drawn from the recent developments. The one is that the current situation cannot continue and the second is that joining international organizations is a must and this can happen only through the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP) and not through TFF.

Writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen, Cenk Mutluyakali notes that "there is no solution, there is only a show". He argues that it could be nothing more dangerous than dragging a sports issue into the political arena and accuses Eroglu of using the issue in his propaganda for the "elections". Pointing out that FIFA recognizes only one football federation in Cyprus, Mutluyakali recalls that "autonomy" is the issue about which FIFA, UEFA and other international sports organizations are more sensitive than any other issue. He argues that Eroglu "caused a big harm" to the "KTFF" with the picture he has given.

In his column in Yeni Duzen, Hasan Ecer asks what happened with the text they had signed with KOP during their joint meeting with FIFA and what have they done for their international representation in sports. "Have we not said that we will not include politics in sports?" he wonders and asks why Eroglu interfered in this issue. Referring to the invitation made to Demiroren to visit the occupied area of Cyprus, he notes: "Unfortunately, inviting such unsuccessful persons to our island and ask for help is our shame. As long as we cannot solve our own issues, as long as we cannot put the rules, it means that we deserve any kind of insult. I am ashamed as a Turkish Cypriot of being exposed to such a situation".

Writing in Havadis, Mustafa Ozsoy describes Demiroren's statements as "fairy tales" and points out that no TV station in Turkey covered Demiroren's visit to the occupied area of Cyprus. Only the news item sent by Anatolia news agency was published on some websites and nothing more, he says adding that "in brief we once more came face to face with the reality that Turkey will not support us in the field of sports".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu met with a delegation of AECR

The meeting took place at the so-called presidential palace yesterday. Tahsin Ertugruloglu and Hamza Ersan Saner, "deputies" with the National Unity Party were also present at the meeting.

Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu referred to the Cyprus negotiation process and claimed that it was suspended because the Greek Cypriot leader, as he called President Nicos Anastasiades has left the talks.

Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot side wishes for the process to continue, he said that they will do all necessary in order to reach to a solution which will satisfy both sides.

Supporting that the Turkish Cypriot "people" were disappointed over the fact that Anastasiades has left the table during the 3rd phase of the talks and at a time when progress was going to be achieved, Eroglu added: "We are a people tired of negotiations. The negotiations continue since 1968. Our people want an agreement which will take into consideration the developments of the past 40 years".

For his part, the President of AECR, Zahradil referred to the Cyprus problem and expressed the view that the European Parliament as well did not behaved in a fair and objective manner on the Cyprus problem.

Zahradil alleged that they consider one sided and unilateral the resolution adopted recently by the EP on the issue of missing persons.

Explaining that they do not support this decision, Zahradil added that they do not also support other drafted resolutions and declarations of the EP on the Cyprus problem.

He further said that they are aware of the fact that reaching to a mutually accepted solution on the Cyprus problem is not an easy matter. He then pointed out that they know that Eroglu exerts efforts for the solution.

Referring to the so-called presidential elections, Zahradil wished Eroglu success and expressed the wish for the resumption of the talks that will bring a positive outcome.

(AK)

[03] The "KTSO" evaluated the developments on the halloumi/hellim cheese issue; AB Haber report supports that the decision on the issue is already taken

Commenting on the reports published in the Greek Cypriot press regarding the application of the "Greek Cypriot authorities", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, on the geographical registration of hellim/halloumi cheese, the statement said that according to these reports, the Greek Cypriot authorities will oppose to any regulation that will envisage that the inspection authority of hellim for North Cyprus is given to any other authority beside the Greek Cypriot Ministry of Agriculture. The statement said that the Greek Cypriot authorities have stated that they will transfer the issue to the European Board of Justice.

Supporting that he Greek Cypriot side exerts efforts these days and tries to turn the halloumi/ hellim issue into a political instrument, the statement stressed the need for both sides to exert efforts for a solution to be found on the issue of halloumi/hellim within the framework of the Confidence Building Measures (CBM), since halloumi is one of the most important cultural and economic products of both the Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

"Both sides which produce this product in the island for a century, should come together and create the opportunity to establish a mechanism outside of politics which will solve this problem. In this framework, South Cyprus should give up from exerting pressure to the European Commission by making political statements on the issue", said the statement.

The "KTSO" recalled in the statement that the "Hellim Supervisory board" which was established in "North Cyprus" under the supervision of the chamber for the control of hellim cheese which is produced in the "north", has until today carried out its work effectively under the conditions of hygiene and good quality of products and added that in this framework, the Turkish Cypriot producers will not abstain from the control to be carried out from the mechanism to be established with the cooperation of the EU.

The "KTSO" underlines that there is still time for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to try to find an approach besides politics for solving the issue of halloumi/hellim cheese and calls the Greek Cypriot side to cooperate.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.02.15) under the title: "It will be as the Greek Cypriots want it to be", reports that according to information received by AB Haber from the European Commission, the issue of halloumi will end up in the way the Greek Cypriots want.

According to this information, the European Commission has already reached to the conclusive decision that the official authority for the supervisory mechanism to be established for the control of hellim, will belong to the Greek Cypriot side. The paper adds that the EU Representation in Cyprus evaluated these reports and described them as "speculations".

In statements to the paper, an official from the EU Representation in Cyprus said that the issue is still under discussion and examination and added that no specific decision has been taken yet.

(AK)

[04] Turkish Ambassador to London: Britain should persuade the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table

Bilgic who was speaking to Ankara Anatolia news agency stated that the UK supports Turkey's efforts to become full member of the EU and added that in order for this support to continue the political obstacles in front of Turkey's candidacy must be lifted and greater effort must be exerted by Turkey for its EU bid.

He went on and added that because Britain is one of the Republic of Cyprus' guarantor states, it has a more special position on Cyprus than the EU and added that Turkey expected the UK to encourage and persuade the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table. He also said that Turkey wants the two sides in Cyprus to continue with the negotiations in order for lasting and just solution to be found.

He went on and accused the Republic of Cyprus of acting like the sole owner of the natural resources of the island and said that this has to stop. He added that the international community should be held responsible for preventing the Greek Cypriot side from acting like the sole owner of the natural resources of Cyprus.

(CS)

[05] Ertug accused Christodoulides of distorting the truth and not respecting the Turkish Cypriots

Ertug claimed that Christodoulides with his recent statements gave a new dimension to the game which that as Ertug alleged is played by the Greek Cypriot side. "He continues to distort the truth and to play the blame game in order to mislead the public", Ertug stated for Christodoulides. He also alleged that the Greek Cypriot side left the negotiations with no real excuse and insisting on not returning to the table; however "the Greek Cypriot side claims that they make great effort to create a positive atmosphere. This contradiction is far from the truth", Ertug alleged.

(CS)

[06] Turanli: Aviation rules were not taken into consideration when the illegal Tymbou airport was build

In statements to Havadis, Turnali said that those who are responsible for this delay will pay the price of his money staying deposited in the bank, his forgone profits and the increase of the costs. He noted that what they want is to make this investment and called on the regime to hand over the area the soonest.

Referring to the self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas' statement that 20 thousand trees will be uprooted, Turanli said: "It has been known for 40 years that this airport was not enough and it would have to be enlarged. In spite of knowing this, you have planted trees in the area where a landing field would be build. Now you come and try to force the investor to pay the price".

Turnali argued that according to the aviation rules, the distance between two landing fields and between a landing filed and trees should be 150 meters. He claimed that the aviation rules were not taken into consideration when the illegal Tymbou airport was build.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The occupation regime participated in a tourism fair in London

According to a statement issued from the so-called ministry of tourism, culture and sports, the occupation regime attended the fair with its own stand.

The occupation regime has been represented in the fair by two "officials" of its "coordination tourist office in London.

(AK)

[08] Erdogan made statements against feminists and spoke about the presidential system

Erdogan accused the feminism organizations in Turkey who reacted against the murder by declaring that women cannot be entrusted to men and said that feminists' reaction has nothing to do with the religion and culture of Turkey. He also said that the government follows the Prophet's words who said that women are entrusted to men.

Erdogan also said that one of the ways to strengthen Turkish democracy is through the implementation of a presidential system, where the head of state would be directly elected by the people and added that Justice and Development Party (AKP) will need 400 Deputies to be able to amend the Constitution and make the necessary changes in this respect.

Finally he referred to the reconciliation process and said that this process bonds Turkey together and will open the door for the "New Turkey".

(CS)

[09] The Kurdistan Communities Union calls on the Turkish government to take steps so that the peace process continue

The KCK, which accused the Turkish government for pursuing "stalling tactics" on the issue, reject the possibility for imprisoned Kurdish leader, Abdullah Ocalan, to call on PKK to lay down its arms and instead urged the Turkish government to open official talks with Ocalan immediately in order for a lasting settlement to be reached on the Kurdish issue. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/, AM)

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