Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-07-01

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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 asks EU's assistance to prepare the Turkish Cypriots for the period after the solution

[02] Davusoglu alleges that the Greek Cypriots and the world are responsible for the non-solution in Cyprus

[03] Davutoglu: "Turkey is ready to do all it can to back crisis-hit Greece"; Bozkir: "Greece financial crisis to affect Turkey"

[04] CTP-BG to carry out contacts with Turkish Cypriot political parties today for forming a coalition "government"

[05] Soyer: "Our public debt is worse than Greece's"; Yorgancioglu: "We succeeded to balance the budget for the first time"

[06] Two British citizens lost the houses they bought in occupied Karavas because the construction company owned money to the bank

[07] Increase on the persons who visited the breakaway regime

[08] Reports that the Palestinian "culture representative" of the breakaway regime in Kirgizstan enjoys financial privileges

[09] First graduates of the Theological Hala Sultan College

[10] Election for Speaker of Turkey's Parliament goes to third round

[11] Erdogan's Spokesman: "Turkey won't act unilaterally in Syria, but will protect border"; Turkish military sends more forces to Syrian borders

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci asks EU's assistance to prepare the Turkish Cypriots for the period after the solution

In statements after the meeting, Akinci said that in parallel to this, he underlined the importance of the solution to become primary law of the EU in order to prevent it from being worn through at EU courts. He expressed the view that there are ways to include the agreement in the EU law and that the EU will help on this issue.

Akinci noted that he briefed Junker about the negotiating process held on the island and discussed with him how the relations with the Turkish Cypriots could be advanced. Arguing that right after the solution the Turkish Cypriots will find themselves in the EU, Akinci said that they should not remain limited to what is happening until today in their relations with the EU Commission, but "the Turkish Cypriot community and its institutions should be prepared for the EU membership".

Akinci said that Junker will meet with Turkish Cypriot officials during his visit to Cyprus this month.

Reiterating that the EU should develop its relations with the Turkish Cypriots, Akinci added: "I think that they must start to better contribute to the situation of the Turkish Cypriot community and start thinking how they will contribute to the future solution. These include not only better developing the relations with the Turkish Cypriots at every level and preparing the Turkish Cypriot community for the future as a partner of the EU, but turning it into a part of the Union?"

Akinci argued that the EU has a duty in the formation of a Turkish Cypriot founding state which should be competitive within the EU.

Asked how he sees the interfering of the EU in the solution process, Akinci replied that it would not be correct if the EU representative was in the process, adding that they want the EU to stand by the process and contribute to it by helping in technical matters. "There is definitely not a demand for the EU to substitute the UN", he noted.

Responding to a question on the issue of halloumi cheese, Akinci said: "I can say that during the meeting of the leaders yesterday, we came close to a formula which both sides will accept. We requested from the negotiators to further clarify the details". He added that the EU wants a formula which will make both sides happy and expressed the view that progress will be achieved on this issue within the forthcoming days. "Perhaps a clearer situation will emerge on this issue by the time the president of the Commission comes to Cyprus", he said.

Akinci met also with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (01.07.15) reports that for the first time a Turkish Cypriot leader was received by the chief of protocol of the European Commission's Protocol Service. The former Turkish Cypriot leader had been received by employees of the above-mentioned service. According to the paper, Akinci said that during Junker's visit to the island a "tripartite meeting" will be held.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Davusoglu alleges that the Greek Cypriots and the world are responsible for the non-solution in Cyprus

Davutoglu argued that their policy did not lead Turkey into adventures and alleged:

"We have raised the esteem of our country with honorable foreign policy. We have demolished all taboos in the Cyprus problem and proved the rightfulness of our cause. We have put the EU process into a correct direction while everyone was saying that 'it has been congested, it has ended'. If we are not at the point we wish today in the EU process, after 14 years, I can easily say that the responsible for this is not Turkey, but the EU which lacks of strategic vision. We have always done what was necessary and we will continue doing so. If the Cyprus problem has not been solved today, the responsible for this is not Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. The responsible for this is the Greek Cypriot administration which did not respond to the peace efforts of the Turkish Cypriots and the EU and the international community which back it. If peace has not yet been achieved in Iraq, Turkey has never been the responsible for this. We have always exerted efforts for peace in the entire Middle East and mainly in Iraq. [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Davutoglu: "Turkey is ready to do all it can to back crisis-hit Greece"; Bozkir: "Greece financial crisis to affect Turkey"

"We are ready to do whatever we can in terms of cooperation in tourism, energy and trade," Davutoglu said.

"Turkey will also move on to convene a high-level cooperation council with Greece to discuss the mutual steps against the crisis in Greece once the new government in Turkey is founded", Davutoglu added.

Meanwhile, according to the paper, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said late on Monday that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has spoken with his Greek counterpart, Nikos Kotzias, upon the latter's request.

The two Ministers exchanged views on Greece's economic crisis and bilateral cooperation between the two Aegean neighbors, according to the state-run Anadolu Agency, which noted that Kotzias' recent tour of the Balkans was also discussed.

A separate statement by the Greek Foreign Ministry underlined that the conversation took place "in a very warm atmosphere".

Also, Turkish daily Sabah (30.06.15-online in English) reported that Turkey's European Union Minister Volkan Bozk?r in statements to Ankara Anatolia said that the financial crisis in neighboring Greece will surely going to affect Turkey.

Bozk?r said that Turkey has been closely watching developments in Athens and added that Turkey desires a solution for Greece's financial crisis.

He stated that there is nothing on the table for providing financial aid to Greece and added that there has been no request (from Athens).

[04] CTP-BG to carry out contacts with Turkish Cypriot political parties today for forming a coalition "government"

The General Secretary of the CTP-BG Tufan Erhurman announced that the CTP-BG will first visit the National Unity Party (UBP).

Following this, a visit will be carried out to the Social Democratic Party (TDP) and finally to the Democratic party-National Forces (DP-UG).

Meanwhile, the Central Executive Board and the Party Assembly of the CTP-BG convened yesterday.

The "draft government program" was discussed and the issue of forming a coalition "government" was taken up during the meetings which were headed by the leader of CTP Mehmet Ali Talat.

No statement was issued before or after both meetings.

Speaking to illegal TAK News agency on the issue, Talat explained that the views of the Central Executive Board and the Party Assembly on the "draft government program" were taken up during the meetings.

He said that the program is being edited according to the views expressed at the meetings and added that the draft program will be finalized either today or tomorrow.

[05] Soyer: "Our public debt is worse than Greece's"; Yorgancioglu: "We succeeded to balance the budget for the first time"

Speaking during a radio program where he evaluated the latest developments, Soyer also commented on the negotiations and pointed out that the two negotiators will be meeting three times a week, something which indicated major developments, as he said.

"After Ak?nc?'s election as the new president and with the resumption of the talks, hopes have increased. This has been a good start, but we are still at the beginning. I think all this intensified work is aiming for a summit in September", Soyer argued.

Meanwhile, illegal Bayrak Television (30.06.15) broadcast that so-called prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, addressed the "nation" live on BRT and briefed the public regarding the "government's actions" in the last three months.

Noting that there will be a change in the "government" and that "deputy" Omer Kalyoncu will be taking over the "prime ministerial position" soon, Yorgancioglu explained that his "government" worked on several issues which had never been taken up by any other former "government".

Stressing that his "government" succeeded to balance the budget for the first time where local income met local expenditures, Yorganc?oglu said that they were able to pay 6 months of wages without getting any additional financial assistance from Turkey.

Explaining that his "government" was also successful in making the "parliament function" more efficiently, he said that with 113 "laws" in 22 months, the majority of the "laws, legal changes and amendments" were made during his "government's period".

The "premier" also provided detailed information about the works carried out by all the "ministries".

[06] Two British citizens lost the houses they bought in occupied Karavas because the construction company owned money to the bank

According to the paper, the two British citizens bought the houses in 2005 from the Mustafa Kader Property Development LtD which borrowed money from the Akfinans Bank putting various estates under mortgage. Akfinanns Bank seized the houses because the money were not paid back to the bank and sold them to other persons.

The paper writes that in 2009 Wedhams had to visit England and depart from the breakaway regime. On his return he was not able to enter the house. He went to the so-called police and found out about the developments. The paper writes that the Wedhams filed a case on the "court" and it was ruled that the construction company will pay to him 58 thousand sterling pounds as compensation.

(CS)

[07] Increase on the persons who visited the breakaway regime

According to information obtained by the paper, 298,345 persons visited the breakaway regime in the first four months of 2015, while 205,670 persons visited the breakaway regime in the same period last year.

(CS)

[08] Reports that the Palestinian "culture representative" of the breakaway regime in Kirgizstan enjoys financial privileges

According to the paper, his monthly salary is 5,700 dollars and in addition the renting of his Mercedes car and his drivers cost 400 dollars per month.

The issue became known after the instructor of the "state people's dancers", Serhat Kozogly went to Kirgizstan for the organization of a "TRNC culture week" in May and came across this man who as he stated he is not aware of the Turkish Cypriot culture and not even speaks Turkish.

(CS)

[09] First graduates of the Theological Hala Sultan College

According to the paper, the Theological College, which is located in occupied Mia Milia village, has started operating four years ago. Commenting of the issue, the chairman of the Efkav Foundation Hikmet Kaynarca, stated that he is proud of this development adding that the establishment of a Theological school in the breakaway regime was a great demand for a long time.

(CS)

[10] Election for Speaker of Turkey's Parliament goes to third round

(?)

The first round started at 3 p.m. and 545 Deputies voted. The AKP candidate and incumbent Defense Minister Ismet Y?lmaz received 256 votes, the Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate and its former chair Deniz Baykal received 125 votes, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) candidate and former Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) head Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu received 81 votes. And lastly the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) candidate and former AKP Deputy and founding member Dengir Mir Mehmet F?rat also received 81 votes.

The AKP now has 258 seats in Parliament; the CHP has 132 seats, while the MHP and HDP both have 80 seats.

In the second round, the number of votes for AKP nominee Y?lmaz remained the same, while CHP nominee Baykal's votes increased to 128. Both the MHP's Ihsanoglu and the HDP's F?rat lost one vote each and dropped to 80.

A third round of voting will be held on July 1, with the winner requiring 276 votes. In the fourth and final round, the candidate with the most votes will be elected as Speaker.

Last week, the CHP declared that the selection of a Parliamentary Speaker had no connection to the formation of a future coalition government, but AKP maneuvers suggest otherwise amid moves to shape a power-sharing deal.

The HDP announced that its candidate, F?rat, will not voluntarily withdraw in the third round on July 1 to support another candidate. However, the June 30 rounds indicated that Ihsanoglu and F?rat are likely to be eliminated in the third round, paving way for a fourth round face-off between Y?lmaz and Baykal, which would turn eyes on the MHP and HDP to see whom they will support.

Just when the second round of voting was set to begin on June 30 afternoon, a surprise statement which could give a clue about July 1 vote's result came from MHP leader Devlet Bahceli.

Speaking to the private CNNTurk news channel, Bahceli said that his group would not move in the same bloc with the HDP in the fourth round of votes, signaling his 80 lawmakers would either vote for the AKP's Y?lmaz or abstain.

"If the HDP announces tomorrow its support for Deniz Baykal, then we would never vote for Deniz Baykal," said Bahceli.

Observers suggested that Bahceli's statement raised the prospect for Y?lmaz's eventual victory.

Founded in August 2001, the AKP won three consecutive Parliamentary elections in 2002, 2007 and 2011 and was able to form a single-party government after each of the elections.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan already made public that he has no intention of giving the mandate to form a government to the AKP before the new Parliament elects a Speaker.

(?)

[11] Erdogan's Spokesman: "Turkey won't act unilaterally in Syria, but will protect border"; Turkish military sends more forces to Syrian borders

Kalin stated that any security measures Turkey will take at its Syrian frontier will be entirely aimed at protecting its own border security, and it was not correct to interpret Turkey's security measures as a step towards war.

"To interpret our border security measures as 'Turkey is going to war'... is not very rational," Kal?n said after local media carried reports that Turkey was considering the making of a buffer zone across the border, where Kurdish YPG forces and the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) vie for control.

(?)

Kalin rejected accusations, made by Kurdish groups that Turkey has collaborated with the ISIS group.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (30.06.15) reported that the Turkish military has reinforced its presence on its borders with Syria amid a fresh political debate between the government and the opposition on taking military action in its neighbour.

Agencies reported that heavy weaponry and armoured vehicles from the 5th Armoured Brigade and personnel were sent to the south eastern province of Kilis on June 30.

Rocket batteries were placed in the hills of Karkam?s in the south eastern province of Gaziantep, clearly overlooking the Syrian side and intensifying the military's gaze across the border.

The alarm came after ISIL militants were observed planting mines between Karkam?s and Carablus on the Syrian side. The militants used caterpillars to dig ditches, apparently to prevent armoured vehicles crossing the border.

Turkish soldiers have also dug ditches on the Turkish side of the border in the Nusaybin town of Mardin, right across from Qamishli in Syria.

The posturing comes at a time when Turkey's political parties are locked in talks to form a coalition government, after the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) lost its Parliamentary majority in the June 7 general election.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AC/ AM)

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