Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-03-31

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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 to "KTFF's" decision to apply for becoming a member of the Cyprus Football Association

[02] Eroglu: We will put a time limit and go to referendum

[03] Nami: Absolutely no progress was achieved during the past five years in the Cyprus negotiations

[04] Turkish Cypriot daily says that tension in the Mediterranean decreased

[05] Durduran: If Eroglu remains as a negotiator, the Cyprus talks will come to a deadlock

[06] The number of registered voters for 19 April's "election" is 176 thousand 912

[07] The regime registers traditional zivania alcoholic beverage

[08] Disagreement emerged between the companies which operate illegal Tymbou airport

[09] A "union of universities" has been established in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Reactions to "KTFF's" decision to apply for becoming a member of the Cyprus Football Association

Kibris reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stated that he has discussed the issue with Sertoglu and told him that the "federation" cannot join KOP, since it is contrary to its "statute" and "regulations". Noting that an amendment may be needed to the "statute" and the "regulations" for joining KOP, Eroglu expressed the view that "KTFF" cannot join KOP before taking the necessary steps within its own structure. He also argued that "entering under KOP will bring no benefit to Turkish Cypriot football". The Turkish Cypriot leader claimed that the "federation" and the clubs must evaluate this well, especially in a period during which the Cyprus talks will intensify.

He alleged: "As far as I know, anyway the church does not allow the Greek Cypriot clubs to play matches in the north [Translator's note: This is how he called the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus]. The chairman of KOP made a speech to convince his clubs for this cooperation with the Turks. In his speech he said that 'with this move I prevented the Kosovo example being implemented for the Turks'. This must have escaped the majority of the sporting editors. I cannot say that I see sincerity in the Greek Cypriots".

Meanwhile, Kibris reports that Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister and "minister" of economy, tourism, culture and sports of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, noted that they will reexamine their relations with the "KTFF" to which they allocate a "significant part" of the so-called sports ministry budget. "Our ministry is determined to freeze its relations with the KTFF as long as the process continues [Translator's note: The process of "KTFF" accession to KOP]", Denktas stated yesterday, arguing that the "TRNC" has been established after many difficulties and it helps its "institutions" with the contribution of Turkey. Referring to Sertoglu's statements, Denktas claimed: "With the statements that have been made, it is understood that the contribution of our state to football is underestimated and the effort we exert both politically and financially when this is asked from us is ignored".

Furthermore, commenting on the same issue, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime and leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), described as "unacceptable" the fact that Denktas ignores his own institutions, does not trust them and freezes the relations with them". Yorgancioglu noted that Denktas' stating his own views and unilaterally announcing the freezing of the relations with the "KTFF" "does not comply with the way a state is administrated". Referring to the process launched with the agreement reached between "KTFF" and KOP in the presence of FIFA and UEFA, Yorgancioglu said that after the completion of this process FIFA will establish relations with "KTFF", which is "a correct approach".

Finally, Huseyin Ozgrugun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), said yesterday that "KTFF's" joining KOP will not benefit Turkish Cypriot football. In a written statement, he claimed that for the creation of the ground that will weaken the struggle of the Turkish Cypriot "people" and for not solving mainly of the financial problems of the clubs, the "coalition partners in the government" are equally responsible as the "KTFF's" administration which insists on being on a wrong path".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: We will put a time limit and go to referendum

Eroglu said that he has submitted the proposal to UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide for the UNSG heading the first meeting within the framework of the negotiations which will be held after the 19 April "elections" in the occupied area of the island.

Referring to the hydrocarbon explorations in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Eroglu said that the company ENI has not found anything and argued that in case the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, does not issue another NAVTEX and launch a drilling, the Turkish Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic exploration vessel will return to Turkey. He alleged that Barbaros anchored in occupied Famagusta port with the aim of showing that the Turks have no bad intentions.

Eroglu said that he does not think that President Anastasiades is sincere, as he has excessive demands at the negotiating table.

Referring to the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal owners, Eroglu reiterated his view that this issue is a part of the comprehensive solution and argued that those who promise the opening of Varosha, do this for securing votes in the "elections". He argued that opening Varosha is not easy and it is wrong to say that this development will create an activity in the business community, wondering why someone should prefer buying building materials from occupied Famagusta when the choice of buying them from "south Cyprus", as he described the government controlled area of the island, exists.

Ergolu said that in case Varosha opens under Turkish administration, the negotiations will be torpedoed and noted that those who say this do not want a solution.

Referring to the criticism about his age and health, Eroglu said that those who deal with his age should be dealing with his mind instead. "Every white strand on my head is an experience", he argued noting that "people want an experienced person". He noted that he had undergone a heart surgery, but he is active and he can compete with young persons. He said that he had visited all occupied villages except for four within the framework of his "election campaign" and soon he will visit all of them.

Eroglu alleged that all six "candidates" are candidates for the "presidency of the TRNC" and claimed that the expression that "the non-solution is a solution" in Cyprus belongs to late President Clerides. Eroglu noted that he also said that "the non-solution is also a solution" and pointed out that if an agreement is not reached, the "TRNC state" will live.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Nami: Absolutely no progress was achieved during the past five years in the Cyprus negotiations

Nami alleged that the return of Turkish Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa seismic exploration vessel to Turkey is a sign of the good will of the Turkish side and indicated that the negotiations could resume after the "presidential elections" of 19 April in the occupied area of the island. Nami said that it is not possible for the negotiations to resume before the "elections" and underlined the importance of having a "president" who believes in the solution after the "elections". "We as government are ready to strongly support the solution process", he argued.

Noting that the vessel Barbaros will leave the area, Nami wished for this development to be received positively in "south Cyprus", as he described the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, and after the "elections" to lead to the resumption of the negotiations. Nami reiterated that they have decided to send Barbaros to Turkey because the Greek Cypriot side has, allegedly, send the vessel SAIPEM 10000 away. He said that they have taken this decision in coordination with the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkish Cypriot daily says that tension in the Mediterranean decreased

According to information acquired by the paper from the regime's "ports' department", Barbaros asked for permit to leave the occupied Famagusta port at around 15.30 yesterday, stating that its route would be "the open sea". The captain of the ship is expected to decide the port, in which Barbaros will anchor, notes the paper, adding that changing route and anchoring in an occupied Cypriot port could not be excluded in case the weather conditions are bad.

The paper publishes also a statement by the self-styled foreign ministry expressing the hope for the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiating table after the departure of the vessels from the area and for the negotiations to resume from the point they were left.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Durduran: If Eroglu remains as a negotiator, the Cyprus talks will come to a deadlock

Durduran said that if the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu remains as negotiator, then the Cyprus talks will come to a deadlock. Commenting on Eroglu's statement that he needs two more years to reach a final outcome in the negotiations, Durduran said that leaders in the past have announced that they could not do anything, not even go to the negotiations because Turkey did not support the process. He added that nothing has changed.

(DPs)

[06] The number of registered voters for 19 April's "election" is 176 thousand 912

(I/Ts.)

[07] The regime registers traditional zivania alcoholic beverage

The document is not valid in Turkey and within the European Union, notes the paper, but the development is considered as a step for filing an application to the Turkish Patent Institute and for launching an initiative in the EU. It is reported that zivania should be produced at a certain standard and in order to import zivania from the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, the permission of the Zivania Audit Council should be acquired.

Ali Cirali, chairman of the "chamber of industry", said that zivania is the third product, after halloumi-hellim cheese and whisky, which is registered as a product of protected geographical indication. He noted that they are continuing their efforts for registering tsakistes olives (crushed olives which are harvested when green), sheftali kebab and carob molasses.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Disagreement emerged between the companies which operate illegal Tymbou airport

According to Delimollaoglu, Tasyapi has until now gained a profit of at least 100 million euros from the illegal airport and within four years this amount will reach 200 million euros. Delimollaoglu accused Tasyapi of not behaving according to the contract and called on the "state" to interfere because "the damage is big".

(I/Ts.)

[09] A "union of universities" has been established in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

In a press conference held yesterday in the occupied Keryneia, the so-called board of managements was announced. The "chairman" is Serhat Akpinar, the "vice chairman" Mete Boyaci and the "general secretary" Ali Ozok.

Meanwhile, it was also announced that the "east Mediterranean university" ("DAU"), the "Lefka European university" ("LAU") and the "Istanbul technical university" (ITU") may participate in the "union". However, the "Middle East technical university northern Cyprus campus" (ODTU KKK) will not participate and the "Near East university" ("YDU") has not yet clarified its position.

Speaking in the press conference, Akpinar said that the aim of the "union" is to develop higher education, to solve the problems of the "universities" and to gain international acceptance. Akpinar also said that in this process they will contribute to the development of higher education by keeping in touch with the "government", the "ministry of education" and the "YODAK" (higher education planning evaluation, accreditation and coordination council).

(DPs) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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