Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-07-03

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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] Statements by Akinci to foreign media in Brussels

[02] Turkish official: "A second reunification referendum in Cyprus could take place in early 2016"

[03] NATO official calls Turkey to undertake initiatives on the Cyprus problem

[04] Paper claims that Talat is seeking to establish a coalition government with the National Unity Party

[05] "Existence movement" will convey a protest letter to Cyprus Archbishop

[06] Nationalist Turkish Cypriot politician seen to obtain Republic of Cyprus' ID card and passport

[07] The paper calls the "environment ministry" to find a solution on the environmental disaster of the occupied Pentadaktylos mountain range caused by stone quarries

[08] A cooperation protocol in legal system between Turkey and the breakaway regime

[09] Davutoglu: "Turkey will not carry out military operation in Syria unless national security is threatened"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Statements by Akinci to foreign media in Brussels

Akinci said that during his visit in Brussels he had the opportunity to stress their determination for reaching a solution which takes into consideration the interests of the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. Akinci noted that the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots have been seeing each other as enemies for many years, but this should change. He said that this was valid for Greece and Turkey as well and argued that many new possibilities will be created with a new understanding.

Akinci reiterated that the non-solution in Cyprus constitutes a problem for the EU as well and argued that the continuation of the current situation for many decades to come is unacceptable. He also expressed the view that a solution in Cyprus will be "encouraging" for the peoples of the region.

The Turkish Cypriot leader reiterated that the Turkish Cypriots want the development of their relations with the EU adding that this is important from the point of view of their accession to the Union after a possible solution. He said that the EU officials understand this and he expects steps to be taken within the next few months for the advancement of their relations.

Referring to the negotiations, Akinci said that the points of agreement and disagreement have been clarified and efforts are being exerted for agreeing on the issues in which different opinions exist.

Akinci noted that they expect the interconnection of the electricity networks within the next six months and this will make possible the decrease of the prices and the inclusion to the system of a more renewable energy implementation. Referring to the problem experienced in the mobile phones communication, Akici argued that having such problems in these days is unconceivable and added that overcoming the technical problems might take a few weeks, but the political decision has been taken. Akinci said that the completion of the preparations for opening the crossing points in Deryneia and Apliki areas might take a couple of months. Erhan Ercin, member of Akinci's delegation, added on this issue that these crossing points should be included into the scope of the EU's Green Line Regulation and that they expect the European Commission to discuss the issue on its agenda. Akinci referred also to the problem experienced in the radio frequencies and said that the issue is being discussed at the technical committees' level.

Referring to the joint social activities of the two leaders, Akinci noted that the leaders attach importance to the perceptions of the people and added that when the people see the two leaders together "started to believe that something is changing".

Responding to a question, Akinci argued that two seats had been separated for the Turkish Cypriots at the European Parliament (EP) and alleged that one of the improvements which could be made is to invite two Turkish Cypriots to the EP's sessions so as to be able to better see how the body operates. He pointed out that there are thirty five chapters in the process of the harmonization with the EU, but only in the twelve chapters work is being carried out for the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriots. A move should be made on this issue, he argued.

Referring to the cost of the solution in Cyprus, Akinci said that this will be a costly solution and that new settling places will be needed. He argued: "This will be a costly solution. No matter how much we try to keep low the number of the people who will be displaced, new settling places will be needed. This means a great cost".

As regards the issue of guarantees, Akinci said that the guarantees derive from an international agreement and therefore Greece, Turkey, Britain, the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots. He noted that they provide for the materialization of a multi-party meeting in September for discussing the issue, but this depends on the progress to be achieved in the negotiations by September. "If we agree on all issues which we have in front of us, then we will find something mutually acceptable on the issue of guarantees as well", he added.

Akinci described the natural gas found in Cyprus' exclusive economic zone and the water to be brought to the occupied area of the island from Turkey as a "great opportunity" for the development of the relations between the Turkish Cypriots, the Greek Cypriots, Turkey and Greece.

Asked about his impression from his contacts with EU officials, Akinci said that he observed the belief that the solution in Cyprus could be reached soon.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (03.07.15) reports that Akinci completed his contacts in Brussels yesterday by meeting with Gianni Pittella, President of the Socialists and Democrats' Group at the EP. He also had a working lunch with officials of the German Marshall Fund think tank. Akinci and his delegation departed from Brussels yesterday.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish official: "A second reunification referendum in Cyprus could take place in early 2016"

"We are at the threshold of an important development," said the source, who asked not to be named. "The two leaders have started to get into substantial issues. They are proceeding well and we hope the process will accelerate in the fall. There might be a new referendum in the early months of 2016, depending on the developments", the source added.

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The source also said that if the Greek Cypriot side ceases claiming the island to be a "Hellenic island" and focus on a "federation based on the equality of two constituents states, a solution could be reached very quickly. "But even if not, the current status cannot continue for another 50 years," the source said. "That is the mood in the U.N. as well. Then, the parties could sit and talk on a peaceful separation for two independent states", the source stated.

But Ankara has entertained optimism for the time being, believing that a solution could be near. "Such a development could improve Turkey's relations with Greece and the EU as well," the source said. "An obstacle and a pretext blocking Turkey's relations with the West will be removed."

Ankara also believes that a solution to the Cyprus problem could improve peace and economic cooperation in the entire Eastern Mediterranean with new sources of natural gas found off of Cyprus and Israel.

The statement of the Turkish official came on the same day as the Greek Cypriot President, as the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Anastasiades is called, told Reuters that "negotiations to settle Cyprus division are starting to show some progress".

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[03] NATO official calls Turkey to undertake initiatives on the Cyprus problem

Shea, who was invited to an exclusive conference, organized by Istanbul's Bahcesehir University and NATO's Public Diplomacy Division on June 25 to hold the keynote speech, highlighted Turkey's position and stated that Turkey can resolve many of the problems without NATO, but NATO cannot solve them without Turkey.

He said that Turkey has had economic and political stability and praised Turkish democracy for its success, especially with regards to the representation of women in the Parliament, who now make up 20% of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM).

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Shea said that the "elections" in the "TRNC" promised opportunities to resolve the decades-old conflict on the island.

He underscored that Turkey's role is key in issues like border security, energy and refugees throughout the region including Syria, Cyprus, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans and also touched upon Turkey's strategic role in energy. He stated that issues which are considered as "immediate security priorities for Turkey" also concern its NATO allies; underlining that intelligence sharing between Turkey and its NATO allies regarding border crossings to Syria is extremely valuable.

Shea said that Turkey should preserve its leadership position regarding the Cyprus issue and use initiatives the same way it did during the Annan Plan of 2004.

Shea also stated that it was crucial for negotiations to restart between Turkey and the European Union.

The conference entitled "Changing Region: The role of Turkish Foreign Policy and Soft Power" was held in Istanbul, where academics, policy makers from NATO, the EU and Turkey, analysts, and others participated to discuss a number of issues including the changing regional dynamics, NATO, EU relations, shifting power dynamics and challenges to border security.

[04] Paper claims that Talat is seeking to establish a coalition government with the National Unity Party

According to the paper's columnist Gokhan Altiner, this is Talat's preference but UBP does not see negatively this possibility at all.

CTP and UBP delegation will hold a meeting today to further discuss the issue, writes the paper adding that according to the discussions held so far in case of a CTP-UBP coalition, UBP will get to elect the "speaker" of the so-called assembly. CTP will get 6 "ministries" while UBP will get 4. The chairman of UBP Huseyin Ozgurgun will not participate in the "government".

The paper writes that the reason that Talat wants to co-operate with UBP is that every time his party cooperates with the Democratic Party (DP) of Serdar Denktas, CTP ends up losing elections. Talat also believes that the co-operation with Denktas hurt in the end the party.

(CS)

[05] "Existence movement" will convey a protest letter to Cyprus Archbishop

The "existence movement" also announced that they will hold a protest on Saturday, July 4, against the Archbishop's statements. The protest will start at 11.00 from the "kugulu park" in the occupied part of Nicosia and they will walk until the Ledra street check-point. Then, a delegation from the "movement" will cross to the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus and will convey a protest letter at the Archbishopric in Nicosia.

(DPs)

[06] Nationalist Turkish Cypriot politician seen to obtain Republic of Cyprus' ID card and passport

The paper writes that Hasipoglu is known for his tough political stance against the Greek Cypriots and his references and connection for "motherland Turkey" therefore his recent actions created quite a reaction in social media.

Hasipoglu who served as "minister of health" in 2013 is remembered of saying that the Turkish Cypriots do not need to receive health services by the Republic of Cyprus, when it was announced that these services had been stop offered for free. In the past he also stated that the solution in Cyprus should be a two equal states solution, otherwise "everyone should take its own road".

(CS)

[07] The paper calls the "environment ministry" to find a solution on the environmental disaster of the occupied Pentadaktylos mountain range caused by stone quarries

The paper calls the so-called ministry of environment to find a solution. It is also reported that the activities of the stone quarries without a proper supervision have caused this environmental disaster within a very short time.

On the same issue, the paper reports that at this moment 36 stone quarries are active and chew Pentadaktylos mountain range apart.

(DPs)

[08] A cooperation protocol in legal system between Turkey and the breakaway regime

According to an announcement issued by the "supreme court", the protocols aim to deepen the cooperation on development and to run programmes in order to contribute on strengthening legal researches. The protocols envisage the organization of programmes on joint, seminars, joint education and research, the exchange of specialists and the exchange of knowledge. The protocols will also contribute to the cooperation on the fields of activity, meaning to safeguard the participation in international symposiums and scientific meetings. It is also reported that the "supreme court" will be able to create contacts with international law organizations and higher judicial bodies of third countries.

(DPs)

[09] Davutoglu: "Turkey will not carry out military operation in Syria unless national security is threatened"

Speaking during a live televised interview at Kanal 7 TV channel on Thursday, Davutoglu said that Turkey will not hesitate to take military action in Syria if there is a direct threat to its national security, but if a case like that does not occur no one should create speculations about a military operation into Syria.

Davutoglu said that the direct threat would be imposed by the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), Assad forces or the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and underscore Turkey's readiness for any development in Syria such as an attack to its soils or a refugee inflow due to ongoing clashes.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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