Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-03-20

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] Olgun explained the Turkish Cypriot's vision in a conference in Manchester

[02] The President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the British Parliament worries about Cyprus' agreements with Russia

[03] "Very important" developments are reportedly expected on the issue of "direct flights" to the occupied area of Cyprus

[04] So-called presidency: "Eroglu has sent five letters to EU officials on the issue of hellim"

[05] Gurel: The companies will slow down their hydrocarbon exploration activities in order to a give a chance for a solution in Cyprus

[06] Ozyigit: Eide's statements positive and hopeful

[07] CHP boycotts Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission meeting; Cicek: "Ankara's EU Ministry is almost non-functional"

[08] CHP leader to run for primary elections in Izmir

[09] A 28-years old journalist has been sentenced to prison for insulting Erdogan

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Olgun explained the Turkish Cypriot's vision in a conference in Manchester

At the conference, Olgun shared with the participants the Turkish Cypriot's vision on the Cyprus talks and what they should do in order for the negotiations to be concluded in success.

According to a press release by the "presidency", Olgun, in the conference, talked about the obstacles in the process, how these obstacles can be overcome, how the current window of opportunity can be used correctly and what kind of catalysts can contribute to the process.

Noting that the conference was quite productive, Olgun said: "Our desire is that when we will return to Cyprus to be engaged in a positive way to the process by using the ideas that we gained there to build a health process which will result in a win-win outcome for both sides and to share this with the UN".

Referring to the hydrocarbons issue, Olgun said that they should find a way to act with mutual understanding and unilateral initiatives to be avoided. He added that the transformation of the hydrocarbons issue from a curse to an opportunity for Cyprus, will contribute to the Turkish and Greek Cypriot's economies to gain acceleration.

Olgun also claimed that in case the Greek Cypriot side returns to the negotiating table with a new perceptivity in a short time the Cyprus time may be finalized.

Meanwhile, Olgun went afterwards to Brussels to deliver a speech at the European Policy Centre.

(DPs)

[02] The President of the Foreign Affairs Commission of the British Parliament worries about Cyprus' agreements with Russia

Arguing that the European communities should convey Russia and other regional players the message that the problems are solved through diplomacy and not with the use of force, Ottaway noted that they are worried about some agreements signed during President Anastasiades recent official visit to Russia which include the use of Cyprus' ports by Russian warships in return of making a several-billion-euro discount in Cyprus' debt to Russia.

He claimed that Europe should act in unity against what he called as Russia's aggressive stance in Ukraine and said that he finds it difficult to understand this decision which gives Russia the opportunity to anchor in the Mediterranean during such a period.

Ottaway alleged that this decision has showed the urgent need for a comprehensive solution for ending the division between the sides which "further deepened with the Greek Cypriot side abandoning the negotiating table". He finally expressed the hope for the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots returning to the table the soonest and creating practical solutions to the problems.

(I/Ts.)

[03] "Very important" developments are reportedly expected on the issue of "direct flights" to the occupied area of Cyprus

During his speech, Yasarata reiterated the Turkish views regarding the so-called isolation allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots and said that all countries which will trade with "north Cyprus", as he called the Turkish occupied area of the island, will benefit from the lifting of the "isolation".

Yasarata said that he exchanged views on the beginning of "direct flights" to the occupied area of Cyprus and on paving the way for "direct trade". He noted: "Very important developments will happen soon! Let Allah pave the way of the Turkish Cypriot people!"

(I/Ts.)

[04] So-called presidency: "Eroglu has sent five letters to EU officials on the issue of hellim"

The statement added that Eroglu, together with his recent letter, has sent in total five letters to EU officials on the issue of hellim, mentioning also in the letters the Turkish Cypriot "people's rights".

"Supporting thoroughly and in every platform the Turkish Cypriot people's rights, is among the issues our president Dervis Eroglu pays importance and gives priority", the statement said, adding, also the following: "Since Eroglu undertook duties, he held several contacts not only with EU officials in Brussels and in other EU centers but also in his "office", where he conveyed the Turkish Cypriot "people's rightful demands". Like in all other issues, he paid attention and insisted on the issue of halloumi, as well. Within the framework of our efforts, our president held several contacts with related organizations. The economic and cultural importance of this product for our people is obvious and thus the monopolistic approach of the Greek Cypriot side on this issue is unacceptable", the statement said.

The statement said further that Eroglu has warned recently that a possible wrong step by the EU on the issue of halloumi/hellim will constitute a big blow for the "TRNC' economy".

Eroglu has underlined in all his letters to the EU that the halloumi cheese issue is a common product of both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, he explained the "realities" on this issue, he stressed that any steps to be taken without taking into consideration the Turkish Cypriot "people' rights" will constitute an "injustice", while at the same time, he stressed that any decision by the EU against the Turkish Cypriots will be contrary to EU decision of 26 April 2014, towards the "lifting of the isolations".

(AK)

[05] Gurel: The companies will slow down their hydrocarbon exploration activities in order to a give a chance for a solution in Cyprus

In statements to Kibris, Gurel said that the three-month period of laying up the Saipem-10000 platform by ENI/KOGAS partnership and the possibility of extending this period will give time to the solution of the Cyprus problem. "The issue of Saipem's maintenance was made up a little bit. ENI has two more drillings to do, but due to economic reasons they want to extend these drillings for the long term", she argued claiming that Noble Energy has "immunity" because of the presence of the USA. "As far as I understood recently, the other companies will slow down their activities", she said.

Expressing the view that the solution of the Cyprus problem will be difficult if the international players leave the Cypriots alone when the negotiations resume, Gurel said that the signs given by UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide show that the international community will force a solution in Cyprus.

Arguing that the sides should mutually make sacrifices for cooperating on the hydrocarbons issue, Gurel claimed that the Greek Cypriot side uses the natural gas as trump card and expects the Turkish Cypriot side to give concessions. That is why, she alleged, the Greek Cypriots do not discuss the issue with the Turkish Cypriots and prevent them from taking their share from the income which will be obtained.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ozyigit: Eide's statements positive and hopeful

In a written statement, Ozyigit said that they, as TDP, proposed the withdrawal of the war vessels from the territory by ending the NAVTEX and the return of the Greek Cypriot leadership to the negotiating table by stopping all the drilling activities. He reminded that they have made several times a call that simultaneous steps should be taken in order to overcome the crisis and deadlock in the negotiating table.

(DPs)

[07] CHP boycotts Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission meeting; Cicek: "Ankara's EU Ministry is almost non-functional"

In a press conference, CHP Deputy Oguz Oyan cited rumors that the government was planning to shut down their party and said that a "systematic campaign" was being carried out to this end. Oyan particularly referred to "slander" against CHP Deputy Umut Oran for the latter's supposed involvement in an alleged assassination plot targeting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's daughter, Summeyye Erdogan.

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmakers have criticized the CHP's decision to protest the meeting, saying Oran had sent the relevant letter to European Parliament Deputies but not to Turkish participants of the Commission.

At the meeting, several European Parliament Deputies expressed concern about the state of freedom of expression and freedom of the media in Turkey, along with concerns about the under-discussion domestic security package. Greek and Greek Cypriot parliamentarians also reiterated the necessity of Turkey's "recognition of Cyprus and its economic zones in the Mediterranean Sea."

Speaking at the opening of Committee meeting, Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek has stated that no chapters are currently being negotiated with the EU at the moment, so Ankara's EU Ministry was almost "non-functional."

"We established the Ministry for EU Affairs in order to show the importance we attached to the process. But the Ministry has almost become non-functional," Cicek said.

EU Minister Volkan Bozk?r, meanwhile, called on European Parliament members to "avoid harming relations between Ankara and Brussels," recalling the 442 motions given for a report prepared by the EU's Turkey Rapporteur Kati Piri.

Bozk?r stressed that the report is "not a report of the European Parliament," but rather a joint one.

Both Cicek and Bozk?r also repeated Ankara's line that the European Parliament should "leave the issue of the 1915 incidents to historians," referring to the massacres of Ottoman Armenian subjects, which most historians say amounted to genocide.

Cicek criticized attempts in the European Parliament about the "Armenian claims for the 1915 incidents," adding that these "biased steps do not serve Turkish-Armenian friendship, but rather interrupt the efforts of Turks and Armenians to jointly build their future."

[08] CHP leader to run for primary elections in Izmir

Answering to reporters' questions while traveling to Elaz?g, K?l?cdaroglu explained how he took this decision, a rather rare move given the political traditions of the country. "Our mayor in Izmir proposed to me that I run for primary elections [from Izmir]. It was a surprise proposal for me, too. I said I would consider it, and after listening to the calls of the city, I decided to run for pre-elections," he said.

Underlining that he was not worried by primaries, K?l?cdaroglu said he would fully respect the choices of the CHP delegates who will vote in pre-elections. Asked whether his move was also a message toward senior CHP officials who tend not to compete in primaries but instead seek guaranteed positions to enter parliament, he said: "A lot of things will change at the CHP. Of course we respect the decisions of all of our members. However, forcing someone to enter the pre-elections is as wrong as forcing quotas".

Every political party should, of course, have a quota. Pre-elections should be a chance given to everyone, especially those who are starting up in politics. But we always favor those who have already been in politics in pre-elections. I believed that this is what is right and what is democratic. I do not know if some of our friends will drop out due to quota issues," he said.

(?)

[09] A 28-years old journalist has been sentenced to prison for insulting Erdogan

Dogan News Agency reported that Mine Bekiroglu, a 28-year-old local journalist from Adana, was sentenced to a five-month prison sentence by Adana 6th Criminal Court of First Instance on March 19.

The cybercrime unit of the police detained Bekiroglu and confiscated her computer to investigate her Facebook messages. Ignoring the defense of Bekiroglu, who said her messages were "critical but not insulting," the court sentenced her to prison during the first trial session, but suspended the ruling. The sentence will be executed if Bekiroglu repeats the crime.

Meanwhile, the police raided the houses of Abdullah Ozyurt, a Cihan News Agency correspondent in Adana, and Aytekin Gezici, a former journalist, early on March 19, according to the Cukurova Journalists Association.

"I don't think that there is any insult in the messages I shared on social media. I expressed my views, and I did not name anyone in my criticism," Ozyurt said.

Gezici, on the other hand, claimed that the police raid was "illegal" and that he was not notified of its reason. "I did not insult anyone. In this country, there are people who are being investigated for sharing the Hadith [quotes from Prophet Muhammad]," he said.

More than 70 people in Turkey have been prosecuted for "insulting" Erdogan since he was elected to office in August 2014.

(?)

Beside journalists, there are many other people from all professions, including a former Miss Turkey, as well as children, who are being prosecuted for insulting Erdogan. The Turkish President, through his lawyers, is involved in many of the cases as plaintiff.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(AC/ AM)

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