Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-07-30

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] Bilgic: "A comprehensive solution to be found in Cyprus will also settle any issues related to natural resources in the island"

[02] Burcu: "The media is misleading the public"

[03] Reports that the Independent Property Committee is already established and secretly operates

[04] Ozgurgun: Removing the guarantees altogether is out of the question

[05] Tatar calls Akinci to brief the public about the negotiation talks

[06] Talat said that his aim is not to be a "deputy"

[07] Ak?nc? met with the Portuguese Ambassador

[08] Birikim Ozgur: "Turkey is our guest in Cyprus"

[09] The Turkish Cypriot side is satisfied with the halloumi/hellim application

[10] FIFA ruled that the illegal YDU basketball team cannot play its home matches in the breakaway regime

[11] Ar?nc to a female HDP Deputy: "Shut up as a woman"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Bilgic: "A comprehensive solution to be found in Cyprus will also settle any issues related to natural resources in the island"

Speaking at a daily press briefing, the Turkish Foreign Ministry Spokesman Tanju Bilgic responded to a question regarding the agreement reached between the "Greek Cypriot Administration", as the Republic of Cyprus is called and Israel on the issue of hydrocarbons.

Stating that a comprehensive solution to be found to the Cyprus problem will also bring about a solution to the hydrocarbon crisis, Bilgic said: "Any formula to be reached on the exploitation of natural resources before a settlement is reached, must take into account the equal and fundamental rights of the Turkish Cypriots."

[02] Burcu: "The media is misleading the public"

"Wrong evaluations are taking place in the media. The statement read out by the UN Envoy at the end of the leaders meeting is not his own but a joint statement agreed upon by Ak?nc? and the leader of the Greek Cypriot Administration Nicos Anastasiades", said Burcu.

He added that to create an impression that Ak?nc? remained quiet was misleading. "It was agreed upon by the two sides that information regarding the leaders meeting would be presented to the public by the UN. We are trying to stay true to this agreement", Burcu said and added that not everything that comes out in the Greek Cypriot press is true.

Burcu pointed out that Ak?nc? gave great importance to transparency, candour and information sharing.

He further noted that the "president" will show the necessary sensitivity towards this issue and that no one should doubt this.

[03] Reports that the Independent Property Committee is already established and secretly operates

The paper writes that the establishment of the committee was announced by Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eidewho said that an Independent Property Commission comprised of an equal number of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot members will be mandated to resolve property claims based on mutually agreed criteria.

Citing information by trusted sources, the paper writes that the Turkish Cypriot members are Layik Mesutoglu, Ayla Gurel, Ayten Erkmen, Sulen Karabacak, Mete Hatay and Romans Mapolar while the name of the former Minister of Foreign Affair of the Republic of Cyprus, Erato Kozakou Markoullis is said to be one of the members of the Greek Cypriot team.

(CS)

[04] Ozgurgun: Removing the guarantees altogether is out of the question

Speaking on "BRT's morning show", the UBP leader said that they want to be informed first hand on the current developments because failure to do so results in the emergence of speculative reports on both sides.

Touching upon the issue of property which has been at the centre of debate over the past few days, Ozgurgun said that in principle they are against the watering down of the property criteria. He noted that reinstating too much property to former owners will remove the bi-zonal structure of a settlement which in return will be against the spirit of the agreement to be reached. "It would be best to settle most cases through compensation and exchange and to limit the choice of reinstatement or restitution", Ozgurgun claimed.

He also stressed that the issue of property cannot be discussed independently of Governance and Power Sharing or the issue of territory.

On the issue of guarantees, Ozgurgun said that it is the Turkish Cypriot "people" that need Turkey's security guarantees. "I'm not saying that the issue cannot be opened to debate but removing the guarantees altogether is out of the question", he said.

The UBP leader, however, pointed out that the guarantees system can be scrapped one day once a settlement is reached if the new partnership state matures and the new conditions allow it.

"It is out of the question for the UBP to accept an agreement that waters down the bi-zonal structure of the new state and which does not recognize the political equality of the two people and Turkey's effective guarantee" Ozgurgun concluded.

On the issue of the new coalition government, the UBP leader said that the first principle in the coalition government protocol is that both parties will have an equal say and responsibility in the administration of the "country". He said that both parties needed to agree, support and implement the decisions taken by the "cabinet".

[05] Tatar calls Akinci to brief the public about the negotiation talks

Tatar stressed that is important Turkish Cypriot leader Mustfa Akinci to brief the "government" and more importantly the Turkish Cypriot public about the latest developments on the Cyprus negotiation talks.

Tatar said it is important to know that the bi-zonality is not watered down, that the agreement to be reached is in the framework of the EU primary law and that Turkey's effective guarantees would continue.

[06] Talat said that his aim is not to be a "deputy"

Asked to comment on his relations with Turkey, Talat said that since he was elected as a CTP leader he has not met with any official from Turkey. However, he said that from September they will start the protocol meetings.

Asked to comment if he is scared for his political future because of the cooperation with the National Unity Party (UBP) to establish a "coalition government", Talat said that his political future is not important, the future of the "country" is important. He also said that he has not had any problem until now with the UBP.

(DPs)

[07] Ak?nc? met with the Portuguese Ambassador

Amongst other things, the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations process were discussed at the meeting which was closed to the press.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

[08] Birikim Ozgur: "Turkey is our guest in Cyprus"

(AK)

[09] The Turkish Cypriot side is satisfied with the halloumi/hellim application

The paper also reports that the halloumi/hellim issue was one of the main issues of the meeting between the President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in his recent visit to Brussels.

According to the paper, the export of halloumi/hellim product from the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus is 5 thousand tons per year; while the exports from the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus is 20 thousand tons per year. While the halloumi/hellim is sold 5 dollars per kg in "North Cyprus", it is sold 6.50 euro per kilo in the "South Cyprus". With the registration of the product, the selling prices will be equalized.

The "chairman" of the "Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry" ("KTSO") Ali Cirali, speaking to the paper, said that EU Commission's decision is a very positive step for the Turkish Cypriot economy. He added that the Turkish Cypriot side is very satisfied and explained that after this decision, the halloumi/hellim product will only be produced in Cyprus and not in Germany, Britain or Turkey.

Speaking also to the paper, the Turkish Cypriot economist Necdet Ergun said that with the registration of halloumi/hellim the price will also be increased. Noting that the halloumi/hellim is a secret treasure, Ergun said that sheep and goat breeding should be increased in "North Cyprus", adding that the halloumi/hellim will be a brand as the parmezan cheese is in Italy. He concluded by saying that the halloumi/hellim registration will be a huge economy gain.

(DPs)

[10] FIFA ruled that the illegal YDU basketball team cannot play its home matches in the breakaway regime

Erdenay, who made these statements during an illegal visit in the occupied area of Cyprus, stated that the decision for this development was taken by FIFA, adding that as long as the "TRNC" is not recognized, it is not possible for matches to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus. He also stressed that FIFA decisions cannot be revised.

(CS)

[11] Ar?nc to a female HDP Deputy: "Shut up as a woman"

"Lady shut up," Ar?nc told HDP's Nursel Aydogan, who responded to the Deputy Prime Minister as he was delivering a speech on Wednesday during an extraordinary session held to discuss a proposal related with the recent terror incidents. After Aydogan continued her reaction, Ar?nc told her to "shut up as a woman."

His remarks drew strong criticism from female lawmakers in Parliament with HDP deputy Pervin Buldan calling on Ar?nc to apologize to Aydogan as well as to all other female Deputies.

"It's the expression of his subconscious. Ar?nc told a Deputy to 'shut up as a woman'. She could have spoken if she had been a man," Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Aylin Nazl?aka said on Twitter.

A group of female Deputies from the CHP also held a press conference calling on Ar?nc to apologize over his "sexist" remarks.

Arinc clarified his remarks later in the day on Twitter, saying his statements were "uttered as a requirement of parliamentary discipline."

Ar?nc also drew criticism from women last year when he urged women not to laugh in public to "protect moral values."

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(AK/ AM)

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