Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-02-24

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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] Nami holds contacts in Saudi Arabia with OIC officials and local businessmen

[02] Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey's strong support to the breakaway regime

[03] The "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry" wants the establishment of a supervisory committee on halloumi registration

[04] Eroglu: "It is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot football federation to become member of KOP"

[05] Akinci condemned Demiroren for not visiting the "KTFF" first and then Eroglu; KTOS released a statement

[06] Siber announced her manifesto

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily refers to possible "big complications" in the occupied area of Cyprus due to decisions taken by the "Immovable Property Commission"

[08] Reactions continue regarding the new terminal and landing field of the illegal Tymbou airport

[09] Gas stations in the breakaway regime not in line with EU standards

[10] Reactions over Turkey's military operation in Syria to retrieve the remains of Suleyman Shah Tomb

[11] Veto to Turkey from Egypt and Libya for its policy on Syria

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami holds contacts in Saudi Arabia with OIC officials and local businessmen

According to a statement issued by his office, during his meeting with Madani, Nami claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side supports the solution of the Cyprus problem and exhibits a constructive stance in this direction, as it wants a solution to be reached the soonest. During the one and a half-hour meeting held at OIC's headquarters, Nami told his interlocutor that they are expecting President Anastasiades to unconditionally return to the negotiating table the soonest. He said that the comprehensive solution in Cyprus will contribute in the cooperation among the countries in Eastern Mediterranean and hydrocarbons could serve peace.

Referring to the breakaway regime's relations with the Islamic countries, Nami thanked Madani for the support they offer to the Turkish Cypriot "people" and wished for the existing relations between the "TRNC" [Translator's note: The breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] and the OIC's member states to further develop within the forthcoming period.

On his part, Madani said that their cooperation will further develop in various fields, the support they offer to the Turkish Cypriot side will continue and they will be pleased to prepare joint projects within the forthcoming period.

During his meeting with Al Madani, Nami thanked the IDB for the activities it had organized in the occupied area of Cyprus and the support is offered to various projects. In his reply, Al Madani said that the good relations and the cooperation between the IDB and the "TRNC" will be strengthened. Al Madani and Nami discussed joint projects which could be materialized in the occupied area of Cyprus.

During his visit to the JCCT, Nami briefed Al-Bassam on the investment possibilities in the occupied area of Cyprus and the products produced and exported by the producers there. Nami stressed the importance of the cooperation between the JCCT and the Turkish Cypriot "chambers of commerce and industry" and invited Saudi Arabian investors and businessmen to the occupied area of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey's strong support to the breakaway regime

In a joint press conference with self-styled minister of foreign affairs Ozdil Nami, who was in Ankara for contacts, Cavusoglu called on the international community to lift the "restrictions" imposed on the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and to end the "injustices" on this issue.

Noting that they made a list of issues during their previous meeting on January 14 in the occupied part of Nicosia, Cavusoglu said that from that day they have covered an important distance on discussed issues. He reiterated that Turkey will continue to support "TRNC" and the Turkish Cypriot "people". Cavusoglu said: "Our desire is 2015 to be a year for solution in Cyprus and for this reason we will continue our sincere efforts. On this issue, there are no differences in view between Turkey and the TRNC. There is a harmony in the TRNC, there is a consensus from the president (translator's note: the Turkish Cypriot leader) to the government and the opposition. Our desire is the return of the Greek Cypriot side to the negotiating table in a sincere way." Cavusoglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side with its several excuses did not pass the sincerity test and withdrew from the talks.

Cavusoglu further said that they oppose the one-sided drilling activities in the East Mediterranean, adding: "We are against the one ?sided drilling activities. We support every kind of effort that will guarantee the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people." He claimed that their proposals, which are sincere and constructive on this issue, are still pending, and added that they will never give the permission for the "TRNC" and the Turkish Cypriot "people" to be suffered.

Nami, for his part, said that Turkey's support to their "just" struggle carries a great importance. He reiterated that they will continue their efforts so the Greek Cypriot leader will return to the negotiating table without preconditions, adding that this responsibility should not be encumbered only by the Turkish side. Nami also said that the international dimensions of the Cyprus problem are known and the international community should indoctrinate the Greek Cypriot leader without a delay. Nami claimed that if the international community is unable to give the Greek Cypriot side the necessary warnings, 2015 will not be a solution year.

(DPs)

[03] The "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry" wants the establishment of a supervisory committee on halloumi registration

Cirali said that the export of halloumi holds the one fourth of the total exports of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, adding that the income of the 17% of the population comes from the halloumi trade.

(DPs)

[04] Eroglu: "It is not possible for the Turkish Cypriot football federation to become member of KOP"

Eroglu made these statements speaking during a meeting, in the framework of his "election campaign" where he commented on the recent visit of the president of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), Yildirim Demiroren.

Eroglu stated that he called Demiroren 20 days ago after the issue of the transfer of Turkish Cypriot footballers to the regional championship of Turkey occurred by the chairman of the "TCFF" Hasan Sertoglu. Eroglu stated that Demiroren promised to help in solving the issue and that after some other developments occurred, he personally invited Demiroren to visit the breakaway regime. He also said that during his visit, Demiroren met with the "minister of sports" and with the chairman of "TCFF" and that an agreement was reached on the issue, which was announced both by the "ministry" and by the "TCFF".

He went on and stated that as a "president" he follows closely and takes steps regarding issues related to the Cyprus problem. "This is a part of my duties. I know very well what some people try to do. Their provocation is to put our federation under KOP. There were some issues and with discussion we found out that these can be solved", he stated and added that they saw the danger and they did what was necessary to solve the problem. "There is no show involve on this issue, we did what we had to do", he stated.

(CS)

[05] Akinci condemned Demiroren for not visiting the "KTFF" first and then Eroglu; KTOS released a statement

Criticizing the fact that Demiroren did not visit the "KTFF" but instead he attended a meeting at the so-called presidential palace, Akinci said: "He came hurriedly for three hours and then returned to his country. In my opinion, a lot of negative things came up after this visit. Firstly, the president of the Turkish Football Federation of the Turkish Republic, which recognizes the TRNC, did not even visit the Cyprus Turkish Football Federation which is its interlocutor. Instead of this, he went to the president. And the president hosted this meeting aiming to create the impression that 'he could solve this issue in the eve of its election campaign'. Of course this kind of meetings could take place, but first, he should meet with the Cyprus Turkish football federation and then with the president; his main interlocutor should be the Cyprus Turkish football federation".

Pointing out that Demiroren in his short visit said that the solution to be found should be in the framework of FIFA's regulations, Akinci said that Hasan Sertoglu, "chairman" of the "KTFF" has exerted great efforts for the Turkish Cypriot football players to make openings in the international arena and added that it is expected that Sertoglu will take more decisive steps towards the membership to KOP.

Stressing the need for efforts to be exerted in order to reach to an appropriate formula for solving the problem with football, Akinci said that all these problems have shown how important is the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile, Afrika newspaper (21.02.15) under the title: "One more support to Sertoglu from KTOS", reports that the Turkish Cypriot Primary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOS) in a written statement, evaluating Demiroren's recent "visit" to the "TRNC, described it as an "attempt aiming to exclude the Turkish Cypriot community from the International law".

According to the paper, KTOS' secretary general Sener Elcil stressed the need for KOP and the "KTFF" to come to an agreement in order for the Turkish Cypriot youth to be able to make openings abroad.

Describing Eroglu's initiative to invite the chairman of the Turkish Football Federation to the occupied area of Cyprus as an "attempt towards protecting the current status quo", Elcil said that this attempt is "separatist".

(AK)

[06] Siber announced her manifesto

According to the paper, Siber's first five targets are:

1. A bi-zonal, bi-communal solution based on political equality.

2. "Revolution in the mentality" for solving the problems of the community that have been accumulated for years.

3. Establishing relations with Turkey on a healthy basis of mutual respect.

4. A brand new administration mechanism that will keep equal distance from everyone.

5. A "presidency" without a stain, integrated with the "people", participatory, transparent and accountable.

Siber stated that she will establish the following five working groups at the "presidency": 1. Breakthrough in Cyprus working group, 2. Safe life working group, 3. Economic development working group, 4. Working group for the Youth and 5. Working group for women.

Siber said that on the one hand she will exhibit a strong will for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and on the other she will seek for the Turkish Cypriot communal rights. Noting that the so-called president has the internationally recognized status of the "community leader", Siber said that thanks to this status she will achieve "active contacts" with the world and argued that it will be possible for the so-called embargoes allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots to be lifted only with a leadership actively working with a team spirit, struggling and making their voice heard in the world. "The period of the passive leadership has ended", she argued.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily refers to possible "big complications" in the occupied area of Cyprus due to decisions taken by the "Immovable Property Commission"

The paper notes that after the application of the Greek Cypriot owner of a property is accepted by the "Commission", the "ownership right" of the person who possesses that Greek Cypriot property holding an [illegal] "TRNC" title deed "is endangered" and adds that it is not known to whom the properties "for which money were paid within the framework of the Turkification project of Greek Cypriot properties" will belong.

All "officials" accept the "complications" which come up because of the contradictions between the "Immovable Properties Commission law" and the "constitution" of the regime, writes the paper pointing out that the possible procedures regarding the cases concluded with compensation or exchange of property are assessed as "couriers of a big social crisis".

Mahmut Demirci, former general director of Turkish Ziraat Bankasi, the bank which gives the money for the compensations decided by the "Commission", said: "If our bank has paid compensation, the property belongs to the bank. Our bank will give long-term credit to the person living [in the property] and mortgage the property. Of course, in case the person who lives in wants to take it?"

According to the paper, even though the chairman of the "Commission", Gungor Gunkan has stated that properties for which applications are submitted are transferred to the "TRNC", some former "high ranking officials", who wanted to stay anonymous, have said that Turkey will become the owner of the properties for which it pays compensation and that currently the title deeds of some properties have been transferred to Turkey. They also note that Turkey opened the way for the Turkish Cypriots to apply to the "Commission", in which exchange of property could be made, and thus Turkey will get hold of the title deeds of Turkish Cypriot properties which are in the government-controlled area of the island.

A former "minister" of the breakaway regime, who also wanted to stay anonymous, said that the "banks consortium model" had been produced by an American expert upon suggestion by the UN Secretary-General's former Special Adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer. Due to the fact that the "commission" faces problems in paying the money for compensations, the banks from Turkey have come forth as financing source.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Reactions continue regarding the new terminal and landing field of the illegal Tymbou airport

Denktas stated that the procedures regarding the illegal airport were speeded up and added that the privatization of Tymbou airport was wrong and that he tried to prevent it: ""I have done everything I could do, my authority was up to this", he stated.

In addition, the paper also writes that the Biologists Association (Bio-DER) of the breakaway regime commenting on the same issue stated that the building of the new terminal is "uneconomical, unstudied and against the law". According to the Association, the necessary permissions and advices followed in similar developments were not taken into consideration since neither the environmental impact not the increase of the number of tourists visiting the breakaway regime were calculated.

(CS)

[09] Gas stations in the breakaway regime not in line with EU standards

According to statements by the chairman of the gas stations owners union, Levent Cagdal, 100% of the gas stations do not follow the EU standards Cagdal stated that if the EU rules regarding their regulations were to be followed, then every single gas station in the breakaway regime should have been closed down.

(CS)

[10] Reactions over Turkey's military operation in Syria to retrieve the remains of Suleyman Shah Tomb

Suleyman Shah was the grandfather of Osman I, the founder of the Ottoman Empire. His tomb, and about 40 Turkish soldiers who guarded the Turkish territory inside war-torn Syria, were relocated on Saturday during the "Shah Firat" military operation.

Speaking about the operation, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Turkey's policy on Syria did not change following Saturday's military operation into Aleppo to retrieve the remains of Suleyman Shah.

"The reason is to protect our rights designated by international law, ensure the safety of our soldiers and preserve our historical heritage," he told a press conference at Ankara's Esenboga Airport after the Council of Ministers meeting and before his departure to Hungary for an official visit on Monday.

Davutoglu also said that the operation was a strategic step to prevent any exploitation of the tomb and Turkish presence there, in addition to other possible attempts to use it as a threat or a way to blackmail Turkey.

The Turkish Premier said that the Shah Firat operation displayed Turkey's power and set a good example of its "deterrent force" before the eyes of all related parties of the Syrian war and the whole world.

"Just as on Saturday night, we will not hesitate to take any unilateral step in the context of our national strategy when it comes to our national security," Davutoglu added.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet (24.02.15) reports that Turkish President Erdogan, commenting on Turkey's military incursion into Syria to relocate a tomb surrounded by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) militants and evacuate the soldiers guarding it, said that it was a temporary move to safeguard their lives and not a retreat.

"The Suleyman Sah tomb operation is not a retreat, it is a temporary move in order not to risk soldiers' lives," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara.

"The game of those who tried to use the tomb and our soldiers to blackmail Turkey has been disrupted", Erdogan added.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu reacting to Turkey's government decision to carry out a military operation in Syria, in a post to his Twitter account condemned strongly the government's decision describing this attempt as shameful. "Bowing before terrorists and parceling off the homeland piece by piece, the government has shown how it's first reaction against other threats in the future will be 'to flee'" K?l?cdaroglu tweeted.

"You don't become a strong state by abandoning your soil at the first threat, he continued, but rather by punishing the terrorists".

HDP co-chairman, Selahattin Demirtas, also criticized the government, saying that the government's presentation of the military operation as a "victory" is not right. "As we have seen once again on the Suleyman Sah issue, the government's Syrian policy has been built on faulty foreign policies," said Demirtas, speaking to journalists on Monday. He also criticized the government for not taking a clear position against ISIL as they are a threat to Turkey.

"It is clear now that ISIL is in a position to threaten Turkey. I believe it will be even a bigger threat to Turkey from now on. The Turkish government should take a healthy stand against ISIL," said Demirtas.

Also, commenting on the operation, Devlet Bahceli, leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (M) described the operation as "vulgarity".

(AK)

[11] Veto to Turkey from Egypt and Libya for its policy on Syria

According to the paper, the Egyptian government decided not to renew the Ro-Ro agreement signed between Turkey and Egypt in 2012, after it ends in April 2015. This was decided after a meeting that involved all the concerned parties to this agreement, which included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs who will be informing the Turkish government of the decision of non-renewal.

The agreement envisaged the establishment of a Ro-Ro line between the ports of Alexandretta-and Port Said for the ease of exports of textile products, electrical devices and aliment products between Turkey and the Gulf countries.

Based on the memorandum of understanding between the two countries, Ro-Ro ships transported trucks between the Turkish ports of Iskenderun and Mersin and Alexandria of Egypt.

The route not only allowed Turkish exporters to reach Saudi Arabia in three-and-a-half days, but also paved the way for easy access to the African market through Egypt.

As the paper underlines, Libya has also called all Turkish companies to leave the country.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs / AM)

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