Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-08-12

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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 sets a timetable for the negotiations; He says the breakaway regime backs the "title deeds" it has granted

[02] Colak said that they should investigate the issue of Saipem 1000; Ozersay said that it is a serious injustice against the Turkish Cypriots

[03] Nami discussed with Cavusoglu and Sinirlioglu the Cyprus talks

[04] Turkish Cypriot columnist: The great majority of the three economic development zones in the occupied area belongs to Greek Cypriots

[05] Ozyigit on the property issue

[06] The Turkish "ambassador" in the breakaway regime continues his visits

[07] Commentary argues that Erdogan authorized major land concessions to the Greek Cypriot side

[08] "Will Eastern Mediterranean natural gas be able to resolve the Cyprus problem?"

[09] Self-styled ministers held contacts in Turkey

[10] Turkish military hits PKK bases as violence continues

[11] Erdogan vows to fight terror inside country

[12] Erdogan seeks compensation from HDP leader for 'insults'

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci sets a timetable for the negotiations; He says the breakaway regime backs the "title deeds" it has granted

Speaking yesterday at a press conference on the occasion of the completion of 100 days since his election, Akinci said that on the property issue the rights of the user of the property have been recognized as the ones of the owner of the property and no one should be worried on this issue.

Akinci pointed out that they have started negotiating with President Anastasiades with the aim of a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution as it is noted in the joint declaration of 11 February 2014. He said that they met seven times with President Anastasiades and added that the negotiators and the technical committees also held discussions on the property and EU chapters. "I can say that there is progress on the issue of Governance and Power Sharing", he noted explaining that the negotiators determined the issues on which agreement has been reached and the points of disagreement.

Referring to the property issue, Akinci argued that in spite of the fact that no names of villages, maps and percentages have been discussed in the negotiations, the Greek Cypriot press referred to names of villages [to be returned under Greek Cypriot administration]. He noted: "The map, the percentage of the territory and names of villages were not discussed until now. We all know what kind of difficulties these will cause in case they are negotiated before their time comes".

Noting that the guarantees are one of the six chapters in the negotiations, Akinci said that the treaties of guarantees are international agreements and this is an issue which concerns five parties. He added that this is an issue which will be discussed of course when "the time and place comes".

Referring to the timetable for reaching a solution, he said that he has no "magic wand", but determination and will exist. Arguing that a "difference is observed in the Greek Cypriot side", Akinci reiterated the view that if this determination continues, solution could be reached within months, not years. Recalling that parliamentary elections will be held in the Republic of Cyprus in May 2016, Akinci argued: "If we do not achieve any serious development until May, a serious development that will lead us to a result, this issue will prolonged".

Pointing out that the leaders will be meeting on the 1st and 14th of September and the negotiators will continue their intensive meetings in August as well, Akinci said that in September they will meet with the UN Secretary - General in New York and added: "I can predict that October, November and December could be extremely important. Therefore, a much more evident and clear picture will come up as to where we are heading to".

Referring to the Cypriot natural gas, Akinci argued that the reserves found until now are not sufficient and could meet the needs of the island only for 120 years, but this is a resource found only in one parcel of the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ). Akinci argued that in case more reserves are found, the most rational way to export them is through Turkey. He further alleged that the water which will be brought from turkey to the occupied area of the island is an incentive for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Akinci referred also to the confidence building measures decided by the leaders and said that the political decision was taken on the opening of the crossing points in Deryneia and Apliki areas, but their opening might take long because various works are needed to be done. Referring to the registration of halloumi/hellim cheese, Akinci said that the procedure will be probably completed within six months.

Touching on his visits abroad, Akinci alleged that in Turkey he was received "with a will for an early solution" and in Brussels he had held high level meetings in June in spite of the Greek crisis [which was the main issue on the agenda].

Replying to questions, Akinci said that there is no need for the "citizens" to be concerned about the property issue and added that their effort is not to victimize the citizens, but to make them happy. He argued that the investments in the occupied area of Cyprus must continue and that the "state of the TRNC" backs the "title deeds" it has granted [Translator's note: for the occupied Greek Cypriot properties]. "After the determination of the criteria on the property issue, the problem will be solved with compensations to a great extent and no one will be victimized", he claimed.

Akinci argued that Turkey supports the negotiations and added that they will not submit to the [approval of the] people an agreement which does not satisfy them. He added that he wishes an agreement which will be approved by the majority of the "people", which will not be questioned by anyone and which will include the international law. "We want to give our people sufficient time and not to go to the ballot box without being informed", he said.

Asked what their sine qua non is on the issue of guarantees and security, Akinci said that in order for the issue of guarantees to be discussed, the structure which will be guaranteed should be formed first. He noted that the security and freedom of the people are the most important issues for the Turkish Cypriots. He noted that the guarantees and the territory will be discussed at the last stage of the negotiations.

Akinci said that as he knows there is no demand of President Anastasiades to meet with Erdogan, but in case he [Akinci] meets with the Greek Prime Minister he will have no objection for President Anastasiades' meeting Erdogan.

Asked to comment on the concerns of the foreigners who have properties in the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci claimed that people have "title deeds" and will continue living in "their houses", but Turkey paid compensations to the property owners, cases were taken to the European Court of Human Rights and a property compensation commission was established afterwards in the occupied area. Akinci said that the individuals have property rights, but both the "old owner" and its "user for 41 years" have rights on the property. He argued that the property compensation commission has been accepted and therefore there will be no return to the property "no matter what", but the right of compensation will also exist.

Referring to the drillings for natural gas in Cyprus' EEZ, Akinci expressed the belief that there will be no "new developments" on this issue and added that President Anastasiades should know that any new development on this issue will harm the negotiations.

Akinci said that bi-zonality is a pre-condition for the Turkish Cypriot "people" and that is why they want permanent derogations from the EU acquis communautaire and the agreement to become EU's primary law.

Referring to the issue of the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal owners, Akinci said that no such issue was discussed at the negotiating table, no such demand was submitted at the table and they are focused on the comprehensive solution.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Colak said that they should investigate the issue of Saipem 1000; Ozersay said that it is a serious injustice against the Turkish Cypriots

Speaking to "BRT", Colak said that this was new information and she did not have any details regarding where the ship is or what it is doing. According to the Greek Cypriot press, the vessel will resume drilling operations on behalf of ENI in Egypt in blocks 8 and 9, which are between the EEZ of Egypt and Cyprus. Colak said that they need to be informed in more details on the issue and they should bring it into the agenda. She added that they should be very careful to the news reports, which do not come directly from the source itself and not to remove the positive atmosphere of the Cyprus talks.

Colak said that they should remain calm and they will determine their stance when they learn the truth.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (12.08.15) reports that former Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay called on the Turkish Cypriot officials to make a diplomatic attempt on the above mentioned issue, claiming that it means that the Greek Cypriot side violates its word given at the resumption of the Cyprus talks.

In a statement to the press, Ozersay said that while they have stopped their activities regarding the natural gas issue for the negotiations, the Greek Cypriot side continues to do it despite the Cyprus talks and this is a serious injustice against them.

Ozersay wondered: "I don't say let's stop the negotiations or let's send immediately a vessel too, however, who and what can it be trusted in this process if the Greek Cypriot side gets used in this way not to be able to adapt whenever it desires the matters which are already agreed?"

(DPs)

[03] Nami discussed with Cavusoglu and Sinirlioglu the Cyprus talks

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency based on diplomatic sources, Nami, who is in Ankara for a "business visit", met with the Foreign Minister Cavusoglu after his meeting with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Feridun Sinirlioglu.

During the meeting, it is reported that they have exchanged views on the stage the Cyprus talks are for a comprehensive solution.

It is also reported that Cavusoglu reiterated Turkey's full support to the Cyprus talks.

(DPs)

[04] Turkish Cypriot columnist: The great majority of the three economic development zones in the occupied area belongs to Greek Cypriots

"[?] The governance and power sharing is important of course, but the property is touching upon the life of almost all the people. And there is no explicit number. That is, do we not know how many properties we have in the north, how many donums [Translator's note: A land measure of around 1000 square meters], how many houses? What we have left in the south? Or this is known but no agreement has been reached yet on this issue. [?]

During the last two periods, Serden Hoca was discussing the property in the Negotiating Team. I do not know who is discussing it now. I called Serden Hoca and asked him:

- There are 430-450 thousand donums of Turkish Cypriot land in the south.

- There are one million and 550 thousand donums of property left by the Greek Cypriots in the north.

- There are also 380 thousand donums of property belonging to the Turkish Cypriots in the north.

The actual issue is that there are three economic development zones in the north of the island. The one is the north of Nicosia, places in which factories and industrial areas exist. 60% of these places belong to Greek Cypriots.

The second development zone is the coast line from Famagusta to Vokolida. About 99% of these places belong to Greek Cypriots.

The third is Keryneia's coast line. More than 95% of these places also is Greek Cypriot property.

We have to speak more openly now. That is, 'transparency' is very important. I am very curious to know how much 'statistics' exist in the north part of Cyprus! How many houses we have found, how many businesses, how many hotels, how many factories, how many fields? How much the new investments are? How many constructions, how many installations have been built after 1974? These are either unknown or hidden. [?]

The property issue will be solved only by prolonging it in time. It seems so. The issue is not the houses, that is, the residences. It is the social and economic development zones. Both the property right and the social and economic fabric formed in the north area of Cyprus in 40 years should be mutually respected. However, 'knowledge' should exist first".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ozyigit on the property issue

Speaking to illegal BRT, the TDP leader claimed that if there isn't a referendum in Cyprus then early elections will be held in the breakaway regime within a year's time.

Stating that the people should not feel worried, he said there was no map at the negotiating table yet. "There were so many discussions on maps during the Annan Plan. Today, there are so many speculations about the names of the villages to be returned back to the Greek Cypriots. However the main principles are being discussed at the Cyprus talks today. There is an effort to reach a consensus on property through exchange, compensation or return principles" Ozyigit said.

He further said that "the status quo supporters in the north are acting in unison with the status quo supporters in the south", and he expressed the need for changing the status quo and making a breakthrough.

[06] The Turkish "ambassador" in the breakaway regime continues his visits

Within this framework, Kanbay visited the Democratic Party United Forces (DPUG) and the Social Democratic Party (TDP) respectively.

Speaking during the visit, Denktas said that problems were being experienced on the Cyprus problem and the internal politics. He said that they were demanding further development in trade with Turkey and added that some work needed to be done especially on the issue of standards regarding trade.

For his part, the leader of the TDP Cemal Ozyigit expressed the importance of having a united front "for the sake of the country and the people".

He also stressed the importance of having close relations with Turkey which is based on mutual respect and equality.

Also speaking during the visits, the Turkish "ambassador" said that the aim of his visits was to meet with representatives of political parties with seats in the "parliament".

"While we are doing our job, we first report the objective, useful information and views and then try to determine a road map by considering these. It is important to establish dialogue with people and listen to their ideas. All politicians should do this" Kanbay said.

[07] Commentary argues that Erdogan authorized major land concessions to the Greek Cypriot side

"[?] On Cyprus, he has reportedly authorized major land concessions to the Greek Cypriot side in a secret deal with Western powers. The whistleblower Fuat Avni already exposed that. With Israel, his point man at the Foreign Ministry, Undersecretary Feridun Sinirligoglu -- a former Ambassador in Tel Aviv -- has been secretly talking with Israeli officials to normalize and upgrade ties. With the US, he not only opened the Incirlik military base in Adana province but also offered all bases to the use of American forces. Though these are the major concessions that top the list, they are by no means exhaustive. Many concessions of varying degrees of importance have been offered to regional powers such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. [?]", writes Bozkurt.

[08] "Will Eastern Mediterranean natural gas be able to resolve the Cyprus problem?"

"[?] The EU is dependent on outside resources for natural gas. [?] the EU has been searching for new energy resources. Therefore, the EU is interested in the TANAP project of Azerbaijan, natural gas of Northern Iraq, and even the natural gas of Iran, which brought the EU's positive attitude in nuclear negotiations with Iran. [?] After the membership of Southern Cyprus to the EU, the EU has actively participated in the Eastern Mediterranean natural gas dispute.

On the other hand, the transport of natural gas through the shortest, cheapest and safest way to Europe is the most important for the EU. [?] From this point on, all attention is on Cyprus. However, the political instability and dividedness in Cyprus, as well as the increasing natural gas demand of the EU, pushes Europe to solve this problem immediately. On the other hand, economic problems in both Northern and Southern Cyprus, having combined with the desire of Cypriots for reunification as a result of recent governmental changes on both sides, has made it necessary for Turkey to generate new strategies on Cyprus.

Recently, Egypt, Greece, Southern Cyprus and Israel were in close cooperation for the last year, rushing how to transport natural gas from the Eastern Mediterranean to Europe. It should also be remembered that the route will be determined not only by political strategies but also by energy costs as a result of the pressure coming from energy companies. From this point of view, it is impossible to transport Eastern Mediterranean gas to EU countries without Turkey in a secure and fast way. Within this context, Turkey should revise its Cyprus policy without compromising the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, and also by taking into consideration its own interests as the guarantor country. Turkey needs a strategy evolving into a reunited Cyprus in which both sides have equal rights regarding politics, administration and energy and also protected by Turkey, unlike as it was in 1960s, when the Greeks had the advantage. Furthermore, it should be noted that "as long as a deadlock policy has been followed by Turkey as the solution, it may be too late." We should never forget that a process has already started and the other parties are taking steps without Turkey. The EU, which will have already imported natural gas from its member state Southern Cyprus, will also buy natural gas from Israel and Egypt for its own energy security. It is certain that gas will reach the European market, whether we like it or not, and Turkey should never underestimate that the pipelines may pass through Greece even though this route is more costly. However, unemployment in Northern Cyprus, economic conditions, attitudes of the young and the latest election results show that Northern Cyprus has been gradually shifting towards the EU side.

As a result, it is necessary for Turkey to create a new Cyprus strategy that will keep Cyprus in the axis of Turkey and not the EU, enabling natural gas pipelines to carry Eastern Mediterranean gas through Turkey and make Turkey an effective actor in European energy security. Lastly, the possible reunification of Cyprus has to be taken into account seriously by Turkey."

[09] Self-styled ministers held contacts in Turkey

Within the framework of their contacts in Ankara the two "ministers" met with the Turkish Minster of Environment and Urban Planning Idris Gulluce.

The importance of cooperation between Turkey and the breakaway regime was stressed during the meeting. Evren said the aim of the visit was to further develop the existing agreements and workings between the two "ministries".

Ertugruloglu for his part said that many mistakes were made, there were many deficiencies in the breakaway regime and expressed the need for having the necessary determination to overcome these deficiencies.

Ertugruloglu also said that the Turkish Cypriots always needed Turkey to reach the level it deserved.

Turkish Minister Gulluce for his part said that Turkey and the breakaway regime have a political relation that is bonded with cultural and historical relations and expressed the desire for continuing cooperation in every field.

Stating that they were accepting the security and stability of the "TRNC" as their own security and stability, he said in this sense they attached great importance to the relations between Turkey and the breakaway regime.

Reminding that there were many cooperation agreements signed with former "ministers" in the fields of public works and environment, he said the existing cooperation will be further developed and include the issues of waste management, the fight against marine and shore pollution, air pollution management and the fight against climate change.

In addition Bayrak (12.08.15) broadcast that self-styled tourism minister Faiz Sucuoglu held contacts in Istanbul. He met with the chairman of the Turkish Tourism Investors Association (TTDY) Murat Ersoy and its Board of Directors.

Sucuoglu discussed investment opportunities in the breakaway regime with the TTYD Officials and exchanged views. During the meeting the need for a long term Tourism Master Plan and application plan that will continue to develop in the sector was emphasized.

The need for the "TRNC" to be recognised in the international arena and become a brand and within this framework the "Green Island North Cyprus vision" and the development of this mission was also discussed during the meeting.

[10] Turkish military hits PKK bases as violence continues

The strikes were in retaliation for a succession of attacks in Turkey on Aug. 10 that killed six members of the security forces, which were believed to be conducted by the PKK. Turkish war planes have for over two weeks bombed targets of the PKK in their strongholds in the remote mountains of northern Iraq as well as southeastern Turkey. In new violence overnight, a Turkish soldier was killed in a gun attack on a military post in Sirnak in an attack blamed on the PKK.

[11] Erdogan vows to fight terror inside country

"We will continue our fight against terrorist organizations until the guns aimed at our state and citizens are laid down and buried," said Erdogan.

His remarks came during a ceremony at the Bestepe Presidential Palace held for the outgoing General Staff Chief Necdet Ozel whose tenure will end on Aug. 30. Ozel will be replaced by General Hulusi Akar.

"We will continue our struggle until terrorist organizations are buried in concrete and there is not even a single terrorist."

"We do not make any distinction between terrorist organizations; they are terror organizations for us regardless of their name, purpose, symbol or discourse," Erdogan said.

Police have been carrying out nationwide anti-terror operations to apprehend suspected militants of the PKK, Daesh, and far-left Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) -- all three are designated terrorist groups in Turkey.

[12] Erdogan seeks compensation from HDP leader for 'insults'

Erdogan filed two separate complaints against Demirtas, asking for payment of compensation for non-pecuniary damages.

Speeches made by Demirtas on July 28 and Aug. 3 were subject to the complaints filed by Erdogan, who asked for payment of 70,000 Turkish Liras in total in regards to the two incidents.

The two leaders have long exchanged harsh verbal accusations against each other. In the August 2014 presidential election which carried Erdogan to the presidency after over a decade as Turkey's Prime Minister, Demirtas competed against him. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/ AM)

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