Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-03-11

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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] Reactions on the request of the Turkish Football Federation to open a "representation" office in the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] Serdar Denktas met with Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports; Serdar: "Turkey is the place for the Turkish Cypriot athletes to make openings abroad"

[03] Denktas carried out contacts in Ankara; He met with the Turkish Ministers

[04] Eroglu claimed that the demands of the Greek Cypriot side on the territorial issue are extreme

[05] A "parliamentary delegation" carries out contacts in Strasbourg on the Cyprus problem, the halloumi issue and the DTR

[06] Turkey's YSK announced election calendar for June 7 elections

[07] EP member: "Security package will make Turkey more authoritarian"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Reactions on the request of the Turkish Football Federation to open a "representation" office in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (11.03.15) reports that the General Secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Kutlay Erk condemned the initiative of TFF at FIFA to open a branch in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus by ignoring the "KTFF" by describing it as unacceptable. In a written statement, Erk criticizes the mentality that see "North Cyprus" (translator's note: the occupied area in the Republic of Cyprus) as Turkey's branch. Erk noted that while the Turkish Cypriot youth is trying to unite with the world, they go through pain by being exploited by their own leadership for its separatist policies. Erk called on Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu to stop playing with the youth's future, adding that he expects from the TFF to show respect to the "KTFF".

On the same issue, Yeniduzen reports that the administrative board of the "KTFF" announced that they sent a letter to FIFA saying that they do not approve the opening of a "representation office" by the TFF in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Hasan Sertoglu, chairman of the "KTFF", said that this situation is unacceptable, adding that "TFF in every opportunity says that FIFA does not recognize you (KTFF), we cannot compete with you, not even take a photo with you because FIFA will punish us. But TFF always say to us that they know that FIFA's stance is wrong". Sertoglu noted that in their letter to FIFA, they also asked for a meeting with the General Secretary of FIFA in order to explain the ongoing developments with the Cyprus Football Association (CFA).

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 11.03.15) reports that self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu has sharply criticized the request by the TFF to FIFA to open up a "representation office" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Speaking before today's "council of ministers" meeting, Yorgancioglu said that any proposal, initiative or move which ignored the "KTFF" is unacceptable.

Noting that such a move is wrong from a political point of view, Yorgancioglu reminded that the Turkish Cypriots have been for years waging a struggle not for individual rights but for communal rights.

He also said that he did not find right the self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas' support to the TFF's move. He added that he will be taking up the issue with Denktas as soon as he returns from Ankara.

Meanwhile, Sertoglu has also criticized the support given to the initiative by Denktas. Reminding that the "KTFF" is the sole authority and governing body on football in the "TRNC", Sertoglu criticized the TFF for taking such a step without consulting the "KTFF". "We are ready to cooperate with the TFF under all terms under the condition that it is done through mutual respect. However they will not be able to achieve anything by ignoring us", Sertoglu said.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 11.03.15) reports that Mustafa Akinci, the independent "presidential candidate", slammed the TFF's application to FIFA for opening a branch in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. He said that TFF's initiative to open a branch by ignoring "KTFF" is unacceptable.

In a written statement, Akinci said: "This structure that forces our young Turkish Cypriots to stay at the tribunes, watching the international sports activities in which young Greek Cypriots also participate is unacceptable and unsustainable".

Noting that he learned about TFF's move from FIFA authorities, Akinci said that this should not have been the case. "We are outside the international law and as long as we remain outside these types of issues will continue. Therefore we need to work towards a solution immediately", Akinci stressed.

(DPs)

[02] Serdar Denktas met with Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports; Serdar: "Turkey is the place for the Turkish Cypriot athletes to make openings abroad"

Speaking during the meeting, Kilic expressed pleasure over the efforts exerted in the "TRNC" for the opening of "a coordination office abroad" and said: "I would like to say that we are ready to provide any kind of help towards this issue. We had the opportunity to evaluate the works that could be done in the future in the field of sports for our youth. (?)".

Also speaking, Denktas said that they pay great importance to the cooperation of Turkish Cypriot and Turkish youth, adding that the newly opened "coordination office abroad" will give youth the opportunity to implement their projects.

Referring to the transfer problem of the Turkish Cypriot football players, Denktas commented on the attempts of the Turkish Football Federation to open a "representation office" in the "TRNC" and described this proposal as "gorgeous".

Pointing out that the attempt of the TFF to open a representation office is a very positive development, Denktas said that this is a step he expected long ago and thanked the chairman of the Turkish Football Federation, Demiroren for this.

Commenting on the reactions expressed in the "TRNC" by several "football clubs" which did not find the TFF's approach on this issue as correct, Denktas said: "As soon as I return to the TRNC, I will discuss this issue. What I can say right now is that this attempt is an attempt we have been waiting for years. Occasionally there are some objections, but we continue our path. Together we can achieve great projects. Turkey is the place for the Turkish Cypriot athletes to make openings abroad. (?)".

(AK)

[03] Denktas carried out contacts in Ankara; He met with the Turkish Ministers

Speaking during the meeting, Denktas said that the aim of his visit to Turkey was to exchange views on how the "TRNC economy" would become more stable and trustworthy in the future and the steps to be taken in the forthcoming period for the lifting of the economic and trade obstacles.

Stating that the "TRNC economy" should be strong in case of a solution", Denktas stressed the need for the Greek Cypriots to realize that Turkey is not an enemy for them but an opportunity.

"Irrelevant of a solution in Cyprus, we need to have a strong economy that can compete with other strong countries. According to us, the best way to achieve this is to act together with Turkey on the field of economy" Denktas said.

Also speaking, Zeybekci said: "We will complete our goals for 2023 together with our Turkish Cypriot brothers".

Stressing that the "TRNC" is also amongst Turkey's priorities, Zeybekci said that under any circumstances, Turkey will always be by the side of the Turkish Cypriots.

Pointing out that Turkey had never made the "rightful cause" of the Turkish Cypriots a subject of negotiation during its talks with the EU, he added that Turkey will continue to support the development of the "TRNC"

Zeybekci continued and said that Turkey, a country with a 78 million population would like to see the "TRNC's 300 thousand population to fly its own flag as an independent state forever".

Meanwhile, as part of his contacts in Ankara, Denktas met also with the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik.

Speaking during the meeting, Denktas referred to the occupation regime's cooperation with Turkey in the field of tourism and expressed the wish that they will attract more tourists from Turkey.

In his turn, Celik stated that they always exert efforts so that the "TRNC" to be benefited from Turkey's tourism potential and added that tourism delegations from both "countries" will meet soon in order to discuss further the strengthening of their cooperation.

(AK)

[04] Eroglu claimed that the demands of the Greek Cypriot side on the territorial issue are extreme

Eroglu claimed that the demands of the Greek Cypriot side on the territorial issue before the withdrawal of the Greek Cypriot leader from the negotiating table were extreme. Eroglu alleged that "the Greek Cypriot side demanded the land of South Mesaoria, from the Famagusta municipality until the village of Mia Milia. They want to stretch it from Gerolakkos to Morphou. They want also some villages in Morphou along with the coastline. They want all the peninsula of Karpasia from Koma Yialou. They want Salamis ruins, the church of Apostolos Barnabas, Engomi, Limnia, Stylli, Kythrea, Neochorio Kythrea, Trachoni and Voni".

Eroglu said that they will only sign an agreement that will make the Turkish Cypriot "people" happy. An agreement that the future of the Turkish Cypriots will be in prosperity, Eroglu added. He concluded by saying that he wishes an agreement to be found within two years and if it is not, the Turkish Cypriot "people" will continue to live in security and peace.

(DPs)

[05] A "parliamentary delegation" carries out contacts in Strasbourg on the Cyprus problem, the halloumi issue and the DTR

Evaluating their contacts to BRT, The Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) "deputy" in occupied Morphou Armagan Candan as part of the delegation, said, inter alia, that the delegation is holding contacts on the Cyprus issue, the halloumi/hellim issue and the Direct Trade Regulation.

Explaining that they held bilateral meetings with various political groups, Candan said that they are also due to meet at dinner with the cabinet members of the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz and the advisers of the members of the European Parliament.

Touching upon the importance of carrying out contacts at such social environments, he said that the European Parliament has lately attached great importance to the Cyprus issue.

Noting that there are expectations in Europe towards the resumption of the Cyprus negotiations process, Candan said that they demanded from the European officials to call on the "Greek Cypriot Administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus to return to the negotiating table.

[06] Turkey's YSK announced election calendar for June 7 elections

According to this, the political parties which will participate to the elections should submit to YSK their final list of candidates until April 7 the latest.

On April 24, the final list of candidate Deputies and of independent candidates is to be announced.

On May 28, election propaganda will be launched whilst one part of election restrictions will be set into force.

On June 6, the election propaganda will be terminated.

Meanwhile, the paper writes that the Turkish citizens living abroad will be able to cast their vote at the ballot boxes to open at Turkish representations abroad or at customs gates.

YSK has also established for the first time Call Centers abroad in order to provide general information about the elections to all Turkish citizens.

(AK)

[07] EP member: "Security package will make Turkey more authoritarian"

Gomes criticized the AK Party government for its efforts to approve the security package bill and warned that if the bill is passed through Parliament, it will turn Turkey into an authoritarian country.

Speaking to the "European Desk" program aired on Samanyolu Haber on Monday, Gomes said that Turkey has been moving in the wrong direction since a corruption scandal broke out on December 17, 2013.

Gomes, who has consistently supported Turkey's membership bid in the EU, said she was extremely concerned about developments in Turkey, particularly in the areas of media freedom, independence of the judiciary and fundamental freedoms.

"Turkey is just going the wrong way. Indeed, I think it is very significant that journalists and bloggers are at the forefront of the victims of the repressive campaign. There are many other very worrying aspects which give the impression that Turkey, instead of becoming more democratic, is getting more authoritarian," she went on to say.

Asked about the government's narrative of a "parallel state" endorsed in the wake of the corruption allegations, Gomes said she was worried to see so many conspiracy theories thriving in the EU-aspiring country, stressing that: "Look, I lived under a dictatorship in my country for 40 years. And I know how dictatorships need conspiracy theories," she said.

(?)

During the interview, Gomes on several occasions insisted that the Turkish government has been doing just the opposite of what the Copenhagen criteria have asked from Ankara.

She also cited the resurgence in arrests of dozens of people for posting tweets critical of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, saying that it is "paranoid" behavior to go after critics, in reference to the latest case of former Miss Turkey Merve Buyuksarac, who is to be tried for insulting Erdogan.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AM)

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