Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-06-26

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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] Akinci: A solution to the Cyprus problem could be reached within months, not years

[02] Tomova has reportedly apologized to UBP for introducing Alexis Galanos as mayor of Famagusta

[03] TDP to attend the Socialist International meeting

[04] The occupation army withdraws from Tymbou and the obstacle for a "new airport" is lifted

[05] Two water resources were discovered in the occupied Trikomo district

[06] Commentary views possible effect of coalition without AKP on foreign policy and Cyprus

[07] HDP's Demirtas wants to believe Turkey does not support ISIL

[08] Twitter 'closely watches' suppression in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: A solution to the Cyprus problem could be reached within months, not years

In statements during a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot hoteliers' union, Akinci underlined the relation of tourism with the existence of peace, adding that tourism in Cyprus will be improved in both sides the day a solution is reached. "We are working for this, we are exerting every effort we can", he said.

Arguing that it has always been dangerous to give a date for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Akinci noted that they have seen this in the past. He recalled that they had been declaring almost every year as "the year of peace", but disappointment was experienced as soon as this was not achieved. Therefore we are cautious, he added.

He noted that he does not want to give any final date as regards the solution, but argued that "everyone thinks that enough negotiations have been held, discussions have been going on for 47 years since 1968 and all issues have been discussed". "What remains is the political determination and will which the two sides will show and those who will assist in this to be able to behave within the scope of this will", he claimed and concluded:

"Therefore, I have referred to months, not years. I have said that the issue could reach a solution within months not years, if there is the will. I believe this. We are determined on this issue to continue our efforts and reach a solution within the next months".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Tomova has reportedly apologized to UBP for introducing Alexis Galanos as mayor of Famagusta

According to a statement issued by the party, the visit was asked by Tomova after the reaction by the UBP to what has been experienced during the visit of political parties from both communities to occupied Famagusta within the framework of bi-communal activities organized by the Slovakian Embassy. After the above-mentioned visit the UBP had sent a letter to Tomova expressing "the Turkish side's sensitivities" and reacting to the fact that Tomova introduced the Mayor of Famagusta Alexis Galanos as 'Mayor of Famagusta".

According to the statement issued by the UBP yesterday, Tomova expressed her sorrow noting that they "understand very well the issues which the UBP takes into attention and know very well the sensitivities of the Turkish people". She said that from now on they will take any kind of measures for not exhibiting a stance that ignores the realities during the activities which will be organized in the future.

She underlined the importance of the participation of the UBP in the bi-communal activities and said that "taking your sensitivities into account is our duty".

(I/Ts.)

[03] TDP to attend the Socialist International meeting

[04] The occupation army withdraws from Tymbou and the obstacle for a "new airport" is lifted

The "undersecretary" of the self-styled ministry of public works and transport, Suat Yeldener told Yeni Duzen that the projects for the construction of the new building of the "airport" had been submitted and are being examined at the moment. He said that after seeing whether they are in harmony with the contract, the construction will begin, adding that no obstacle was left.

Yeldener noted that together with the terminal building, other projects were examined including a landing field, an apron, a pick up spot for taxis, a tunnel and the stream bed.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Two water resources were discovered in the occupied Trikomo district

Commenting on the issue, "minister of environment and natural resources", Hakan Dincyurek stated that the two water resources will meet the need of the area until the "water project" which will transfer water rfrom Turkey to the breakaway regime, is completed.

(CS)

[06] Commentary views possible effect of coalition without AKP on foreign policy and Cyprus

"[?]

Even if the foreign policy issues were not to be raised at the stage of forming the government, important changes could be expected in terms of foreign policy if a coalition could be formed after all. There were many common points in the opposition parties' criticisms of the present government's foreign policy.

Both the CHP and MHP are opposed to Turkey's current level of involvement in the Syrian imbroglio. However, there are nuances between their position and that of the HDP, which is opposed to Turkey's treatment of Syria's strongest Kurdish political party, the Democratic Union Party (PYD), as being on equal footing with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) terrorist organization in Turkey. This issue has now become all the more important after the fall, on June 16, of the Syrian border town of Tel Abyad to the hands of the PYD.

[?]

Turkey's Cyprus policy may be affected because the CHP and MHP believe that the AK Party was too generous to the Greek Cypriot side. This question has now become all the more important because of the new prospects opened after the election of Mustafa Akinci as the president of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC). A lack of full support for Akinci from the motherland Turkey may make his task difficult.

[?]

Turkey's EU accession process may be affected positively if the opposition parties form a coalition because all seem to be willing, to varying degrees, to revive Turkey's accession process, which had slowed down in recent years.

No meaningful changes could be expected in Turkey's policy under a CHP led government towards the US and Russia because the opposition parties did not express any major disagreement on this subject."

[07] HDP's Demirtas wants to believe Turkey does not support ISIL

"I want to believe with all my heart that ISIL militants did not penetrate into Syria [and attacked Kobani] from Turkey. We hope Turkey cut its support for ISIL. We want to believe that," Demirtas said during a live interview aired on Bugun TV on Thursday night.

His remarks came in the wake of a deadly assault by ISIL on the Syrian border town of Kobani, which left at least 35 people dead. After the attack, senior HDP officials voiced claims that the ISIL militants who attacked Kobani came from the Turkish territory.

The allegation was strongly denied by the AK Party government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who on Thursday warned the HDP not to portray the government as a supporter of terrorism.

[08] Twitter 'closely watches' suppression in Turkey

Twitter's Public Policy Director for Europe Sinead McSweeney said Turkey currently ranked first in the world in censorship on Twitter, with Ankara demanding the confidential information of some Twitter users in Turkey. McSweeney vowed that the company would not share any IP addresses with third parties.

"We know and are closely watching on-going pressure through Twitter," McSweeney told the Press Council, also referring to the fact that last year Turkey became the third country in the world to ban access to Twitter, tarnishing the country's international reputation. She added that censorship in Turkey is featured prominently in a transparency report that the popular micro blog releases twice a year. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/ AM)

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