Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-07-13

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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: EU will not replace UN

[02] CTP and UBP's target is to establish a "coalition government" by 15 July; Reactions by UBP's Tatar and Tore

[03] Talat: "The aim is to form a serious and ambitious government"

[04] ISAD supports the "CTP-UBP coalition government"

[05] The German Ambassador to Nicosia says that the Cyprus negotiations are advancing in a "very promising manner"

[06] Turkey demands Atalay be relieved of his duties

[07] Swiss Ambassador paid a visit to Atalay

[08] The "KTSO" held contacts in Izmir over the halloumi issue

[09] "KTOS chairman" reacted over the increase in the number of students following Quran lessons in schools

[10] "Cyprus Existence Movement" issued its position for the "citizenship law"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: EU will not replace UN

Speaking yesterday to reporters on his return from his meeting with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, Akinci said that the process is an UN-led process and will continue to be so. "The European Union is one of the important actors which will contribute to this process. But it is out of the question for the EU to replace the UN at the talks", he added.

Pointing out that the meeting had lasted longer than anticipated because they had entered substantive discussions on the core issues, Akinci said: "We are conducting intensive negotiations for a comprehensive settlement. The process is moving on".

Reminding that he had conveyed to the heads of the EU institutions during his contacts in Brussels the importance of preparing the Turkish Cypriots for EU membership as and when a settlement is reached, Akinci said that the head of the EU Commission Jean Claude-Juncker will be visiting the island in the near future.

"Juncker will be visiting us as well and there is a possibility that we have a joint meeting with Mr Juncker and Mr Anastasiades. As a result there is a growing interest from the EU in the process. The EU is an important actor who will contribute to the process. But let there be no misunderstanding, in no such way is the EU replacing the UN or the role of the UN diminishing", he added.

Akinci also reminded that the final decision regarding a settlement will be made by the two communities once an agreement is reached.

Explaining that a settlement will have financial costs and the economic dimension of a solution is extremely important, Akinci said that currently the cost of a non-solution is much higher than the cost of any settlement. "Nevertheless a settlement is costly. We will definitely need the assistance of international actors and financial institutions. That is why it was good we held discussions on the economic dimension", he noted.

On the issue of confidence building measures, Akinci said that no new decision regarding confidence building measures had been taken at the meeting but that the technical committees are continuing to work on the implementation of those in place.

[02] CTP and UBP's target is to establish a "coalition government" by 15 July; Reactions by UBP's Tatar and Tore

On the other hand, Omer Kalyoncu, CTP's "deputy" in occupied Keryneia, who had been assigned by his party with the duty of holding discussions with the UBP for establishing a "coalition", said that they discussed the timetable and the equal distribution of the "ministries" without referring to any names. He noted that there is no problem with the distribution of the "ministries" and added that the parties agreed on taking five "ministries" each. He said that their target is to establish a "government" by 15 July. The deadline for the CTP ends on 21 July, as the party had been assigned on 6 July by the Turkish Cypriot leader with the duty of establishing a "coalition government' within 15 days.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.07.15) reports that Ersin Tatar, "deputy" with the UBP in occupied Nicosia, said that the majority of the members of his party opposed to UBP becoming the "small partner" in a "coalition' with the CTP. He argued that when the stance and the statements of the CTP's officials are taken into consideration, he also thinks that such a "coalition" will bring no benefit to the party.

Another "deputy" of the UBP, Zorlu Tore has stated that the CTP-UBP "coalition" will not live long and argued that this "government" will live long if the CTP "deputies" participate together with the UBP "deputies" in the celebrations for the Turkish invasion and the "dawn shift", which will be organized at the beach where the Turkish 1974 invasion of the island had started.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Talat: "The aim is to form a serious and ambitious government"

During the programme, Talat said that the CTP is looking closely at their "ministries" and believe that some departments can be moved to other "ministries" for functionality purposes.

He said that there has not been an election; therefore there will be a continuity; the CTP will carry on with the "ministries" they presently hold.

On the discussions with the UBP representatives, Talat said that he did not attend these meetings but had feedback from his colleagues which were leading the discussions. He added that the important issue for him is for the "government" to carry out the programme timely.

Responding to accusations that he is acting like "a shadow PM", Talat said that he will definitely not be a "shadow prime minister" and reminded that he still retained the position of the "2nd Turkish Cypriot leader"; Therefore, it is his duty to approach the sides equally.

[04] ISAD supports the "CTP-UBP coalition government"

In a written statement, Sadi said that there was a need for a "wide-based government" such as the CTP-UBP coalition in order to secure communal consensus and support on the on-going Cyprus talks.

Sadi went on to say that a strong "government programme" is needed, one without prejudice, ideologies and one which supports prosperity. He noted that a programme such as this will best be supported by technocrats in the government and added that they expect all the "deputies" from both parties to work constructively.

[05] The German Ambassador to Nicosia says that the Cyprus negotiations are advancing in a "very promising manner"

Ambassador Schoepff said that the election of Mustafa Akinci as the Turkish Cypriot leader has created a new hope and enthusiasm on both sides of the Green Line. He argued that the conditions for the reunification of Cyprus have never been better and will never be better.

Pointing out that two leaders who have the same vision and understand each other are sitting at the negotiating table now, the German Ambassador expressed the view that "the wish of establishing a 'Cypriot nation', instead of being under the control of Turkey or Greece, is becoming widespread both among the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots" and added: "The 'Cypriot' identity has come forward on both sides. The important thing now is to build something concrete on the existing new dynamics in both communities [?] The 'frozen conflict situation' in Cyprus constitutes a political risk for international investors. Cyprus will be able to fully reach the potential of becoming a commerce and business center between Europe and the Near/Middle East only when this risk factor is eliminated".

Relying to a question, he noted that the German Foreign Minister and other leading politicians will soon visit Cyprus and meet the two leaders.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkey demands Atalay be relieved of his duties

The paper writes that this is a reaction to the failed efforts of Atalay to become a candidate with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) for the parliament elections which were held in Turley last month and his desire to be involved in Turkish politics.

A letter was sent by the Presidency of Religious Affairs of the Turkish Republic, which is under the authority of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkey, addressed to the "TRNC presidency" on the issue and a similar letter was also sent by the "Turkish embassy". The paper notes that the letters were sent in May but due to the issues occurring in the breakaway regime for the establishment of a new "government", action was not taken.

(CS)

[07] Swiss Ambassador paid a visit to Atalay

Noting that the religious leaders contribute to the cooperation and the reconciliation of the two "people", Swiss Ambassador said that they want also to contribute on the Cyprus talks.

Atalay, for his part, said that the religious leaders need to play a more active role for lasting peace to prevail in the world and in Cyprus. He added that international organisations such as the UN should consider the effective contribution religious diplomacy can make to peace and reconciliation processes around the world. Atalay concluded by expressing his gratitude to the Swiss Ambassador for his support on the ongoing Cyprus talks.

(DPs)

[08] The "KTSO" held contacts in Izmir over the halloumi issue

According to the paper, the delegation visited the Mayor of Izmir Aziz Kocaoglu and the chairman of the Chamber of Industry of the Aegean Region and Vice President of the Turkey's Chambers and Stock Exchanges Union (TOBB), Ender Yorgancilar.

Speaking during his meeting with Yorgancilar, Cilari said that hellim is an important cultural and economic product for the Turkish Cypriots. He added that in spite of the fact that hellim has been identified with Cyprus and the fact that the geographical registration of hellim in Turkey belongs to the Turkish Cypriots, the production of hellim in Turkey continues. "Our goal is by 2016 all the hellim in the Turkish market to be produced in Cyprus", Cirali said.

Referring to the legal struggle they had launched against the producers of hellim in Turkey, Cirali said that they will continue their struggle until the end having also the support of the "people" and NGO's in the "TRNC".

(AK)

[09] "KTOS chairman" reacted over the increase in the number of students following Quran lessons in schools

Saygun referred specifically to the Quran lessons the students follow in "schools" in the occupied area of Cyprus and said that the there was an increase in the number of people who following them. "While, in 2012, 2,000 people were following Quran lessons, this year this number has increased to 5000. This is an indication that we are moving away from a scientific education", Saygun said.

(AK)

[10] "Cyprus Existence Movement" issued its position for the "citizenship law"

According to the paper, the movement is asking for the safeguarding of "citizenship granting" to the persons born in the "TRNC", a right to apply for "citizenship" for those who work in the breakaway regime for five years and also the persons who enter the "TRNC" by air or water and are not "TRNC citizens" to be treated equally.

According to the movement these are issues that are in accordance with human rights and should be taken into consideration.

(CS) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ LF)

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