Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-04-09

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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] Cicek describes the occupied area of Cyprus as "a half-open prison"

[02] Olgun argues that the target is to hold a referendum for the solution of the Cyprus problem by the end of 2015

[03] Eroglu: I will not sign an agreement that does not provide for Turkey's active and effective guarantees and the staying of all Turkish settlers

[04] Akinci: "They cannot put any paper in front of me"

[05] Turk Metal Trade Union launched initiatives to open a new "university" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] EP's President held contacts in Turkey; The Cyprus problem among the matters of discussion

[07] Erdogan: The Muslim world faces the risk of disintegration"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cicek describes the occupied area of Cyprus as "a half-open prison"

Cicek argued that the Cyprus problem has not been solved for 50 years and this situation negatively influences the Turkish-EU relations. He alleged that Turkey and the "TRNC", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, had supported the solution plan in 2004, and that the problem became "unsolvable" with the accession of the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, in the EU.

Cicek alleged that what he called as "steps taken for unilateral use of the resources in Eastern Mediterranean" have shown a new security problem and added that the Turkish side expects a "more just and objective approach" by the EU. He claimed: "Because of the isolation policies, northern Cyprus has been turned into a half-open prison. Those who said no to peace are being rewarded and those who said yes are being punished. This distorted situation should be overcome the soonest".

Referring to Turkey's EU accession course, Cicek said that uncertainty is not a pleasant situation and added: "There is no chapter to be negotiated. The opened chapters have no criteria for being closed. There are also no opening criteria for the chapters to be opened. [?] We are burning fuel waiting at the red light for 52 years expecting to become a member [?]".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Olgun argues that the target is to hold a referendum for the solution of the Cyprus problem by the end of 2015

Olgun argued that the solution is urgent because of the situation in the island and the surrounding area and added that this is valid for the Greek Cypriot side as well and the sides should reach together the above target.

Olgun said that the Turkish Cypriot side agrees with Eide's statement that 2015 will be a critical year and added that the date of the resumption of the talks depends on how prepared the leader who will be elected during 19 April's "elections" in the occupied area of the island will be. Noting that some candidates are more prepared than others, Olgun said that the date is flexible and that this will be determined according to the results of the "elections". "There will be a period during which the person who will be elected and his team will sit and prepare themselves", he added pointing out that Eide will undertake an initiative in this direction after the "elections" determining a date with the agreement of both sides.

Commenting on the criticism against Eide by the Greek Cypriot side because of some of his statements, Olgun said that Eide has undertaken the role to facilitate the achievement of a bi-zonal, federal partnership and that the necessary conditions should be formed for this. He argued that this is a process which could advance by protecting the rights of both sides.

He added: "And there is a responsibility given to Eide for this. It is not right to criticize him because he is doing this. How we will prepare the future if we look at the issues unilaterally? The preparation of the future could happen with political equality. I believe that those who criticize Eide for this reason are circles which are trying to protect the status quo".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu: I will not sign an agreement that does not provide for Turkey's active and effective guarantees and the staying of all Turkish settlers

In statements during a visit to Diyalog TV, Eroglu was asked what he will do if he loses in the "elections" and his successor makes concessions from these red lines. He replied: "I will go around every village and try to prevent this. In the end the agreement text will be submitted to a referendum. I will explain to the people why Turkey's active and effective guarantees should continue. [?] If a solution leads peace to conflict in time, this is not a solution. A solution in these circumstances will turn peace into conflict in time. This is what I will explain to the citizens. [?]"

Referring to the public opinion polls published before the "elections", Eroglu argued that even those who conduct these polls do not believe the results as these surveys are held in return for money. He noted that no survey showed his percentages lower than 40% and expressed the belief that he could be elected from the first round, something for which he currently needs another 5%. Referring to the money he will spend during the campaign, he said that he assumes that this amount will exceed one million Turkish liras. He finally said that he is sure that he will win the "elections", even if a second round is needed.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Akinci: "They cannot put any paper in front of me"

Replying to questions of journalists during the program, Akinci said that the "president", whilst as a candidate and after being elected, must be the conscience of the people.

Asked what it will be his stance towards the solution agreement since his views are different to that of Turkey, Akinci said that Turkey supported the framework that the Turkish Cypriot side had been defending for years which envisages two federal states with political equality and sovereignty which derives by the two communities.

Asked to reply what he will do in case that a paper is presented in front of him and tell him to sign it like it happened with Eroglu, Akinci said: "I will not allow putting in front of me any paper". He went on and explained that he will be in consultation with Turkey but added that the Turkish Cypriot people come first.

(AK)

[05] Turk Metal Trade Union launched initiatives to open a new "university" in the occupied area of Cyprus

Stating that they have received an initial permission by the "TRNC's government" and that they are waiting for the Higher Education Council's (YOK) final decision, Kavlak stated that they pay great importance to the field of education.

Kavlak explained that in the first phase, they will establish a department related with the metallurgy sector and afterwards departments related with industry, mechanical engineering, tourism, and communication.

(AK)

[06] EP's President held contacts in Turkey; The Cyprus problem among the matters of discussion

The issue of the freedom of expression topped the agenda of Schulz's visit to Turkey.

Schulz met separately with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, the Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish EU Minister Volkan Bozk?r, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu, and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas.

Officials told the Hurriyet Daily News that during his meeting with Schulz, Foreign Minister Cavusoglu expressed satisfaction over the recent mutual visits between Turkey and the EU. He also reiterated his expectation that Chapter 17 of Turkey's stalled EU accession process, on economic and monetary policies, would be opened, after Ankara submitted a position paper to Brussels on March 13.

Also, reportedly on the agenda, were the issues of visa liberalization, the resumption of talks for the reunification of Cyprus and the negotiations expected to start in 2015 for upgrading the customs union between Turkey and the EU.

Schulz also met with pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) leader Selahattin Demirtas and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy chairman Oktay Vural.

Vural urged Schulz to bring the worsening media freedom onto the agenda of his meetings with government officials. In return, the EP President said that media freedom is always on his agenda and he brings up the subject whenever he meets with his counterparts.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) President Brasseur met with top officials from the government and opposition parties to hold talks on Turkey's stalled EU negotiation process on Wednesday.

Brasseur met separately with Bozk?r, Cicek and Kilicdaroglu. She met also with Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and afterwards she held contacts with leaders of opposition parties in Turkey before attending a conference in Bilkent University.

[07] Erdogan: The Muslim world faces the risk of disintegration"

International organizations and institutions, including the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), should act accordingly "if they are sincere," according to Erdogan.

"But if some are acting with the logic of creating a market where they can sell more weapons, it is not possible to solve this," he said. "It looks like there are people in efforts for such a market. We will hopefully prevent this. Last Friday, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited us and we discussed the subjects. I'm planning a trip to Indonesia and Malaysia as soon as possible to share my thoughts. Then we will have another visit to Saudi Arabia and have an influential process", Erdogan added.

Erdogan said that this subject was also on the agenda during his visit to Tehran and his meetings with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Referring to the situation in Yemen, Erdogan said: "The countries that can have an active role in the region are obvious: Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Iran. First of all, the groups in Yemen should come together and work on a possible solution. Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Iran should be in efforts for such a diplomatic solution, and they are positive about it. Saudi Arabian Crown Prince [Mohammed bin] Naif was in Ankara [on April 7]. We discussed these issues and shared our thoughts on Yemen. We agreed and conveyed our thoughts to Iran both orally and in writing. Now the process will continue with meetings to be held by our Foreign Ministers."

Erdogan also reiterated his support for the ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi.

When asked about Egypt and Turkey following similar policies vis-a-vis Yemen, and whether this was a sign of improving ties between the two countries, President Erdogan said: "I, as a politician who believes in democracy, can openly say that I cannot consent to a coup d'etat. Mohammed Morsi is a President who was elected with 52 % support."

Erdogan also listed four preconditions for Turkey to normalize ties with Egypt. He said Morsi needed to be released, followed by annulling all the capital sentences given to Muslim Brotherhood supporters. Erdogan said that thousands of political opponents of the coup regime faced execution in Egypt. Thirdly, Egypt needed to release all political prisoners, which currently number close to 18,000. Lastly, all bans on political parties needed to be lifted in order to allow a normal democratic process to flourish.

Following a warm reception by Iranian President Rouhani, President Erdogan stressed that Turkey wants to double the trade volume with Tehran and a discount for Iranian gas.

(?)

Erdogan stated further that the Turkish investments in Iran had reached $1.1 billion and Iranian investments in Turkey were valued at only $100 million. He expressed the belief that the Iranian automobile sector could benefit significantly from Turkish expertise, and said that he hoped Iran would be a huge market for automobiles produced in Turkey. "I believe there is some trouble with transferring funds due to the sanctions," he said and added that he wanted investments between the two countries to increase, but the current priorities were a natural gas discount and trade in local currencies. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AC/ AM)

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