Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-08-05

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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 briefed the media representatives on the Cyprus talks

[02] Veysel Eroglu to illegally visit the occupied area of Cyprus

[03] Atun due to Turkey to discuss new business opportunities

[04] "Turkey's aid committee" published a report on the economic situation in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[05] New trade union under in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] The first "heart transplant surgery" took place in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] Foreign folk-dancing teams to attend the "International Folk-dancing Festival" in occupied Pergamos

[08] Erdogan to open world's largest Islamic-Ottoman social complex in US

[09] Hulusi Akar takes over as Turkey's new Chief of General Staff

[10] 7.5 years in prison sought for 18 Turkish journalists

[11] EU urges Turkey over scale of its response to PKK attacks

[12] CHP and HDP seek to reduce tension, call on PKK to stop violence

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci briefed the media representatives on the Cyprus talks

Noting that a number of concrete steps have been taken on the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) issue, Akinci explained that these CBMs included the sharing of information regarding minefields, the lifting of using "visa slips" at the crossing points, the interconnecting of power grids, island wide network coverage for mobile phones, ending radio frequency clashes and the opening of new crossing points.

He also pointed out that the technical committees on cultural heritage and gender equality is working intensively and reminded that he attended with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades some events.

Stressing that the main goal of the negotiations is to reach a comprehensive solution on the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that speculation reports are published in the Greek Cypriot press from time to time and asked them not to rely on them.

Akinci, who said "Our aim is to achieve results and not to torpedo the process", added that the parameters of the solution have been discussed for years and they are clear. "We remain committed to a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal settlement" he said, reminding that this is what he has been defending ever since running for the "presidency".

Stating that much progress has been achieved on the chapter of governance and power sharing, Akinci said that they have not yet reached an agreement on the issue of rotational presidency, and added: "This issue is an indispensable part of our political equality".

Also pointing out that the issues of property and guarantees have been discussed for years, Akinci said that property is the last thing on the list to be discussed.

On the issue of guarantees, he said that this issue has to be discussed with the participation of all three guarantor powers. "Of course, all these issues will be discussed when the time comes. Our freedom, political equality and security are extremely important for us. Any agreement to be reached will safeguard all three elements", he added.

Commenting on various press reports that certain parts of the "TRNC's population" will be shipped back to Turkey, Akinci said that these reports are totally fabricated as the settlement to be reached will also safeguard the human rights of all residents on the island.

On the issue of territory, Akinci said that only criteria to be applied to the territory issue have been discussed during the talks, adding: "We have not discussed any percentages, maps, villages, places or areas under the chapter of territory".

Finally, he also reminded that the process is a UN led process but the support of the European Union is also needed.

(DPs)

[02] Veysel Eroglu to illegally visit the occupied area of Cyprus

According to information acquired by illegal TAK, Eroglu is expected to carry out contacts with "government and state officials" and also will carry out inspections in the areas where works are taking place for the installation of water pipelines.

Meanwhile, on the same issue, Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (05.08.15) reports that the "project of the century", as the water transfer project from Turkey is expected to be completed either on August 30 or on October 29. The paper adds that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will attend the inauguration ceremony which is planned to take place after the completion of the project.

Also, referring to the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (05.08.15) under the title: "Last month for the water", reports that only 2,5km were left for the installment of water pipelines under the sea and the works are expected to be completed by the end of this week.

Invoking reliable sources, the paper writes that the water is expected to come to the "TRNC" in one month the latest.

The paper writes also that Turkey's National Security Council website reports that Turkey and the "TRNC" continue their contacts for the transferring of electricity from Turkey to the "TRNC" which is to take place after the completion of the water transfer project. According to the website, the transfer of electricity with cables, will strengthen the "TRNC's hand" and will also facilitate the solution.

(AK)

[03] Atun due to Turkey to discuss new business opportunities

Atun stated, inter alia, that among their goals is to find new markets in order to lift all the obstacles towards the employment in the "country" and to carry out works towards the increase of the national income.

Atun explained that in order to meet their goals, they will focus in three markets which are two new centers in Turkey, three new countries in the Middle East and "south Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus. He added that they have already launched works and undertook initiatives towards these markets and pointed out to the need for the restructure of the Green Line Regulation.

Stating that they will focus their work towards the increase of the national income and to seek out solution on the employment problem which is one of the most important problems of the "ministry", Atun added that they pay great importance in developing their sectors of services and products in order to achieve having an access in new foreign markets.

Meanwhile, according to illegal BRT (05.08.15-online in Turkish) Atun departed today for Turkey to carry out a series of contacts.

Within the framework of his contacts in Turkey, Atun is to meet with Turkey's Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci with whom is expected to discuss the cooperation between Turkey and the "TRNC" in the economy sector.

Moreover, Atun will carry out contacts with businessmen in Ankara and Konya in order to exchange views concerning new business opportunities. The paper adds that Atun will also discuss with Turkish businessmen the possible steps to be taken towards increasing the market share and developing trade ties with Turkey.

Atun will be accompanied during his contacts in Turkey by a delegation of Turkish Cypriot businessmen.

(AK)

[04] "Turkey's aid committee" published a report on the economic situation in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

According to the report, the per capita income in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus is 15 thousand dollars, where the economy of "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus" ranks among the top of the "world middle income group". The economy of the Turkish Cypriots ranks at the 120th position among the "low income countries".

Noting that the major problems of the economy are that the "future of the country is at the negotiating table" and that the "interaction with the world is limited", Akca added that even the implementation of qualified measures for a reform did not safeguard progress.

According to the report, while the "local growth rate" reached to 4.3% level from 1.1%, the budget deficit decreased from (-) 411 million TL to 355 million TL.

The report refers that in a population of 289 thousands 252 persons, they export 134 million dollars and import 1.784 million dollars in a year. The 66.5% of the imports are from Turkey.

The number of tourists, who visited the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in 2014, reached 1 million 366 thousands 77.

The unemployment rate is announced as 8.3% in 2014, where the youth unemployment rate is 20.3%.

It is also reported that while the aid from Turkey was 282 million dollars in 2002, it reached to 600 million dollars in 2009. However, with the effect of fiscal discipline, the aid from Turkey dropped to 469 million dollars in 2014.

(DPs)

[05] New trade union under in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, the known lawyer Baris Mamali is the founder of the new trade union which aims to protect the rights of the workers in the private sector, and to provide better conditions and developments in the worker's lives.

(AK)

[06] The first "heart transplant surgery" took place in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper describes this step as a big step for the "country's health sector".

(AK)

[07] Foreign folk-dancing teams to attend the "International Folk-dancing Festival" in occupied Pergamos

The festival has been launched last night and will be completed on August 8.

(AK)

[08] Erdogan to open world's largest Islamic-Ottoman social complex in US

Erdogan recently stated that he will visit the U.S. on a diplomatic mission before attending the G20 meeting on November 15-16 which will take place in Turkey's southern province of Antalya.

During his visit to the U.S., Erdogan is also expected to attend the opening ceremony of "Maryland Kulliye", an Ottoman architectural concept which designates a complex with a central mosque and a series of ancillary buildings - such as a library, hospital, and public fountain - surrounding it.

[09] Hulusi Akar takes over as Turkey's new Chief of General Staff

Salih Zeki Colak filled Akar's position as the new Commander of the Turkish Land Forces. Air Force Commander General Ali Ozturk was made a member of the Supreme Military Council and his position was given to General Abidin Unal.

Deputy Chief of Staff Yasar Guler will also continue to serve as General, making him the strongest candidate for Chief of Staff in 2019 after Hulusi Akar.

Aegean Army Commander Galip Mendi was assigned as the new Gendarmerie General Commander in place of the retired Galip Abdullah Atay. 3rd Army Commander Umit Dundar was appointed as the new Aegean Army Commander.

Navy Commander Admiral Bulent Bostanoglu's term of office was extended for one year. Continuing his duty as the Naval Commander with the rank of vice admiral, Veysel Kosele raised in rank to admiral.

The final decision will be made public after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's approval.

[10] 7.5 years in prison sought for 18 Turkish journalists

The journalists, including daily Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Can Dundar, have been charged after the investigation into the publication of photos on April 1, showing Prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz's captivity in the hands of militants.

Kiraz was killed on March 31 following an eight-hour standoff that began after Safak Yayla and Bahtiyar Dogruyol, two members of the outlawed Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), took him hostage in Istanbul's Caglayan Courthouse.

The indictment claimed that the journalists tried to portray a terrorist organization as "strong and capable enough for any action." Dundar, on the other hand, said his newspaper "intended to portray the dark and ugly face of terrorism; not to legitimize it".

Besides Cumhuriyet, journalists from dailies Millet, Sok, Posta, Yurt, Bugun, Ozgur Gundem, Aydinlik and BirGun were described in the indictment as suspects, along with a note that they had pleaded not guilty.

In April, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had lambasted media organizations for their coverage of the hostage crisis, accusing them of treason for being the "partners of the terrorists" who were involved in the killing of the late prosecutor.

It was not the only time that journalists, particularly Dundar, have drawn the ire of the Turkish President.

In June 2015, Erdogan personally filed a criminal complaint against Dundar over another critical news report by Cumhuriyet, asking him to be jailed for life, hours after he said the journalist would pay a "heavy price" for printing photos of National Intelligence Organization (MIT) trucks allegedly shipping weapons and ammunition to jihadists in Syria.

[11] EU urges Turkey over scale of its response to PKK attacks

In a phone conversation with Turkish EU Minister Volkan Bozkir, EU Commissioner for European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn said that the Union "acknowledged the commitment of the Turkish authorities to stepping up the fight against ISIL [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] and reaffirmed the EU's strong support for these efforts," a written statement from the Commission read.

"At the same time, the commissioner expressed the EU's deep concern about recent developments which have a negative impact on the Kurdish-Turkish settlement process," Hahn was quoted as saying.

"The EU acknowledges that Turkey has the right to prevent and react to any form of terrorism, which must be unequivocally condemned. We count on Turkey to live up to its important and strategic role for the whole region, by refraining from any action that could further destabilize the region," he said, without specifically citing the PKK.

Hahn also spoke to Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtas on July 31 and told him that "all parties should re-commit to the peace process and work now on a broad and inclusive political solution." The cease-fire should be commenced once more for the benefit of all Turkish citizens, Hahn said.

[12] CHP and HDP seek to reduce tension, call on PKK to stop violence

The calls came after Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu met with the co-leaders of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, on August 4.

Saying the leaders of the two parties have discussed how to stop the bloodshed in the country, CHP deputy parliamentary leader Engin Altay told reporters, "We want everybody to feel at ease. Turkey will never ever be divided". Terrorism can never be acceptable, he said, calling on all parties to take a united stance against it. "No peace can be demanded with weapons in hand," he stressed. "The PKK should immediately drop weapons and adopt the language of peace. And the state should do its part. In order to let pro-freedom voices be heard, the PKK should absolutely drop weapons."

Altay added that the CHP will do its share to bring peace to Turkey, and appreciated Demirtas over his genuine calls on the PKK.

HDP deputy parliamentary group leader Idris Baluken blamed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Justice and Development Party (AKP) for causing tension in the country in the name of becoming a single-party government again.

"The weight of politics reduces at times of such conflicts. That's why we have discussed that weapons should be silenced. Both sides should remove their hands from the triggers of their weapons. The operations should cease and the PKK should end its attacks," he said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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