Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-04-22

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] Cavusoglu: We want a Cyprus settlement this year

[02] Talat and Sibel support Akinci for the second round of the "presidential elections"

[03] Eroglu visited Ozersay; Ozersay reiterated that he would not direct his voters and that he would not form a political party

[04] Ozersay's movement (The Toparlaniyoruz Movement) and several trade unions expressed their support to Akinci

[05] Talat returns to politics

[06] Gezici: There is a great possibility Akinci to receive 60% of the votes on the second round of the "elections"

[07] Siber in Istanbul to attend the "Peace Summit"

[08] Claims that crafts of an ancient tomb in occupied Lefka village are stolen

[09] HDP vows to be the 'Sultan's nightmare' in Turkey's elections

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu: We want a Cyprus settlement this year

"Turkish-American strategic relations are more indispensable today than ever," Cavusoglu told reporters during a press conference with his U.S. counterpart before a bilateral meeting at the State Department.

"We are at a critical time for our region," he said. "Turkey and the United States are the two countries with important comparative advantages. This is what makes our partnership unique and valuable. In the past we have proven that by working together on any common vision, our two countries can overcome any challenges."

Among the issues that the top diplomats addressed during Tuesday's meeting were the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, Yemen, Syria, Iraq, Daesh, and the conflicts in Ukraine and Cyprus.

"I want to emphasize this afternoon the importance of the ties between the United States and Turkey, particularly the security relationship at this particular moment," US Secretary of State John Kerry said, noting Ankara's role in Afghanistan, patrols in the Black Sea and contributions in Iraq.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Cavusoglu said: "We want to reach a lasting solution in Cyprus in this year. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots have the political will for a solution, and we are waiting at the negotiating table." Cavusoglu added: "On this, the United States' active role is very important".

Following the meeting with the Secretary Kerry, the Turkish Foreign Minister met U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (online, 22.04.15) reports that Kerry said on Tuesday that the division of Cyprus is begging for an international solution and progress in peace talks is possible this year.

Speaking before a meeting with Cavusoglu at the State Department, Kerry said the dispute over ethnically split Cyprus had gone on for too long. "It is begging for international efforts to try to help bring about a resolution, a lasting settlement," Kerry said. "We believe that the parties can make real and lasting progress in the year 2015," he added.

(DPs)

[02] Talat and Sibel support Akinci for the second round of the "presidential elections"

During their meeting Talat called on everyone to vote for Akinci on the second round "for the sake of the country's future", as he said: "We are at a very important turning point. We are in a period in which there is a chance to reach a new level in the Cyprus negotiations. In the last 5 years we have experienced a barren period regarding the talks. [?] We have met with Akinci today and once again we have seen that our views are completely parallel. In this regard, I urge our people to vote for him on Sunday, I request this from everyone and I promise to do everything I can for Ak?nc? to succeed", Talat stated.

On her part, Sibel, who failed to pass to the second round of the 'elections", also expressed her support to Akinci's candidancy. Sibel stated that the political views of Akinci are in parallel to her views as these where declared during her "election campaign" and said that a change is needed for the "country".

(CS)

[03] Eroglu visited Ozersay; Ozersay reiterated that he would not direct his voters and that he would not form a political party

Speaking after the 45 minutes meeting, Ozersay said that he made an evaluation of the "elections" with both "candidates" Eroglu and Akinci with whom he exchanged views.

Also speaking after the meeting, Eroglu congratulated Ozersay for his success in the first round of the "elections" and reminded of the fact that he cooperated with Ozersay for five years since he was the negotiator.

Recalling Ozersay's statement after the first round of the "elections" that he would not direct his votes towards voting in favor of one or the other candidate, Eroglu said that they have started working for the second round and pointed out that no much time is left.

Stating that they will do everything in order to be the winners of the second round of the "elections", Eroglu recalled that he is a "candidate" in order to finish the half-finished left work with Anastasiades. "I run for the elections because I believe I can solve the Cyprus problem. We will continue the talks from the point they were left and we have the belief that we will be able to solve this problem within a time-limit".

Pointing out that it is the "people" who will have the final say, Eroglu alleged that if he was to be "elected", he will continue with the same determination for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Meanwhile, speaking in a press conference yesterday morning, Ozersay evaluated the "election results", spoke about his future plans and thanked everyone who supported him.

Evaluating the "election results", Ozersay described as a great success the percentage he achieved to receive during the first round of the "elections", taking also into consideration that he was an "independent" candidate not being supported by any political party, and added that he will continue to struggle and keep the promises he gave to the "people" during the election period.

Recalling his statement prior to the "elections": "I've entered to this election in order to win and not to establish a political party. I do not accept the position of the negotiator and I will not direct my voters. If I pass to the second round of the elections I will not ask for votes from the other candidates", Ozersay said that he would not change his stance.

Stating that he will continue to work together with the "citizens" for the "rights" of the community and the "country", Ozersay said: "This was my first elections, but will not be the last".

Announcing that he spent totally 274 thousand TL during his election campaign, Ozersay said that he will give further details about his election campaign expenses in 15 days.

(AK)

[04] Ozersay's movement (The Toparlaniyoruz Movement) and several trade unions expressed their support to Akinci

According to the paper, several NGO's in the occupied area of Cyprus like KTOS, KTAMS and DAU-SEN issued yesterday separate written statements and expressed their support to Akinci.

Meanwhile, the Toparlaniyoruz Movement, (We are gathering Movement!) which is a movement established and headed by Kudret Ozersay, has announced that in spite of the fact that Ozersay said that he will leave his voters free to decide about who candidate they will vote for, has announced that the movement will not stay impartial and will support Akinci in the second round of the "elections".

(AK)

[05] Talat returns to politics

In statements to the paper, Talat said that at the moment the "presidential elections" are being discussed in the party. After Monday, it will be clearer whether there will be an early general assembly of the party or not. Talat added that if there is a general assembly, then he is ready to take active role, in any position within the party including the leadership.

(DPs)

[06] Gezici: There is a great possibility Akinci to receive 60% of the votes on the second round of the "elections"

Gezici stated that this is because the Turkish Cypriots want an objective and impartial person to be elected as "president" who will be able to solve the Cyprus problem. He also said that voters favour Akinci very much because he was very successful during his 3 terms as "mayor" of occupied Lefkosia and because he built himself a good reputation as a clear and honest politician during the time he served as "deputy prime minister".

As regards the results of the first "election round", Gezici stated that during the last week of the first round of the "presidential elections", Kudret Ozersay managed to take 9-11% of Dervis Eroglu's voters. This was as a result of many "mayors" members of the National Unity Party (UBP) who openly expressed their support to Ozersai.

(CS)

[07] Siber in Istanbul to attend the "Peace Summit"

Siber will also attend the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Canakkale (Gallipoli) with events to be held from April 24 to 25.

(DPs)

[08] Claims that crafts of an ancient tomb in occupied Lefka village are stolen

The paper writes that it is not clarified what kind of items were stolen since this is kept as a secret. According to the same information illegal excavations are also taking place in Soloi area. Both the "antiquities department" and the "ministry of tourism" denied these claims.

(CS)

[09] HDP vows to be the 'Sultan's nightmare' in Turkey's elections

HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag made promises in several areas, including the economy, foreign policy, freedoms and rights, the environment and green energy.

"The election manifesto that we present is the nightmare of the sultan and the dream of all the peoples of Turkey," HDP co-chair Yuksekdag said in an apparent reference to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who presents the upcoming polls as a referendum to switch from the current parliamentary system to a presidential one.

Demirtas said that the HDP will distribute cards to all people between the ages of 15 and 25 which will give them 200 Turkish Liras annually for transportation and communication. This card will also allow free entrance to all museums across the country.

The HDP vowed to lower the voting age to 16 and the age of candidates for parliamentary seats to 18.

The party also pledged to establish a Women's Ministry, which would replace the current Family and Social Policies Ministry. The party will open local kindergartens, which will be free of charge and provide education in the students' mother tongue, according to the manifesto.

The party said the new constitution will be centred on women and added International Women's Day on March 8 will be declared as official holiday.

The minimum wage will be increased to 1,800 Turkish Liras while the minimum retirement pension will also be increased to 1,800 liras, according to the party's election manifesto.

Speaking on foreign politics, Demirtas said the border between Turkey and Armenia will be opened unconditionally and the embargo on Armenia will be lifted. "We will support the solution of the Nagorno-Karabakh issue between Armenia and Azerbaijan," he said.

On the issue of compulsory religion classes in schools, Yuksekdag said that they will remove the religion classes from the curriculum. The compulsory religion classes have been widely criticized by the Alevi community in Turkey for undermining their identity and beliefs.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (online, 21.04.15) reports that the HDP election declaration has put emphasis on "democratic autonomy" and "common homeland" as well as seeking a solution to the Kurdish issue based on peaceful methods rather than taking up arms.

The party also committed to establishing "regional parliaments" that will be inclusive of their constituents' political, economic, social, geographical and cultural diversity, and which will feature governors who are elected rather than assigned.

The manifesto also stressed that the HDP is opposed to the transfer to a presidential system and will block any attempts toward this end. The party also opposes the 10% election threshold that has prevented their presence in Parliament for years. The party pledged to abolish the threshold so that all parties may be represented in Parliament in proportion to the percentage of votes they receive.

(DPs) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(DPs/ AM)

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