Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-08-27

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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 comments on the property issue

[02] Talat: The negotiations are advancing extremely positively

[03] Colak: The Cyprus settlement will have a financial cost

[04] Turkish Cypriot daily reveals the two "military reasons" behind the "crisis" that prevents the opening of the Deryneia crossing point

[05] Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister carries out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus; a secured network system is established in the "foreign ministry"

[06] A protest from "Cyprus existence movement" against Colak's statements

[07] The TMT association: Akinci's and Eide's statements worried the people

[08] Self-styled economy minister will attend the 84th Izmir International Fair

[09] A new "university" is founded in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[10] Ten Turkish Cypriot rally racers will participate in the Cyprus Rally 2015

[11] Davutoglu made cabinet offers; HDP joins; MHP cracks

[12] Polls show AKP short of votes needed to form government alone

[13] Turkish airstrikes inflict 'heaviest blow' on PKK

[14] Turcas Petrol CEO: Turkey, Cyprus and Israel have the opportunity to reach a 'sui generis' agreement

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci comments on the property issue

Speaking during the visit, Akinci highlighted the importance of the association and drew attention to the support it is giving to the ongoing solution process.

Commenting on recent speculations in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the property issue, Akinci said: "The individual's right to property is something which has been recognized in the past. This is not something new. But there are attempts to portray things differently. As if recognizing or respecting the individual's right to property means that only the former owner of a property in question will have the choice to decide what will happen with that property. This will not be the case as I have made clear in the joint statement we made."

Akinci also claimed that the "TRNC Immovable Property Commission" has been set up on the basis of recognizing the individual's right to property. "Turkey paid Titina Louzidu 1 million euro because her right to property as an individual was recognized. If you don't recognize the right to property then how can you exchange property? This is why all this smoke needs to be cleared", he added.

He also explained how the property commission to be set up after a settlement will work, adding: "Property disputes will be settled through a property commission on the basis of criteria. The commission will be made up of an equal number of Turkish and Greek Cypriots. The Commission will decide on the basis of the criteria which we shall determine. We shall be discussing those criteria".

He also noted: "Cases like the Demopulos case at the European Court of Human Rights have recognized that people who have been occupying and using a property for long years too have rights over the property in question. Of course we are aware that the people who have spent an entire lifetime, who have set up their homes and businesses on disputed properties have rights and need to be protected.

It was out of the question however to say that we drew the line in 1974 and that's it. We can't say that we will neither pay compensation nor exchange property. We have a problem which is why we have been trying to negotiate a settlement for years."

Akinci also pointed out that it is important to find common ground and a mutually acceptable settlement without imposing one sides' demands on the other and added: "We must remember that the settlement to be reached will be a bi-zonal and bi-communal settlement which means that Turkish Cypriots will be in the majority in the North and Greek Cypriots in the South. Our duty is to protect this character of the settlement. It's obvious most of the cases will be settled through compensation".

[02] Talat: The negotiations are advancing extremely positively

Talat added that the Turkish Cypriots want the continuation of the treaties of guarantee. He argued that these treaties are international agreements and they could be amended only after the approval of the states concerned.

Noting that in spite of the "groundless criticism based on rumours", the negotiations are going very well, Talat said that the most important problem we are facing is the property issue and argued that if progress is achieved on this issue "the problem will come to a seriously positive stage".

Referring to the period passed since the Annan Plan, Talat alleged that the economic crisis experienced in the government-controlled area of the island played a significant role in so-called as change of the Greek Cypriot stance, because the Greek Cypriots have allegedly seen that the crisis could not have happened if the Cyprus problem had been solved.

Talat said that if a solution is reached the Turkish Cypriots will become a part of the international law and will benefit from all the "blessings" of the international law together with the Greek Cypriots. Arguing that the risk of a conflict will be abolished together with the solution and security will be achieved, Talat pointed out that economy will also grow and the European acquis will be implemented in the entire island. He added: "The north of Cyprus is a new economic potential and this is such not only for the Turkish Cypriots but for the Greek Cypriots as well. Partnerships will take place. Investments in the north will take place. Because the tourists who come to the south will be able to cross over easily, the south will be more attractive as destination. The north will be also attractive in the same manner. Very important steps will be economically taken and most importantly, more foreign investments will flow in Cyprus […]. However the most important of all is the new buildings, that is, the constructions' sector. The reconstruction of Varosha, the building activities in the buffer zone, the new construction activities in the places in the north which will probably be returned to the Greek Cypriots, the construction activities of new settlements for the Turkish Cypriots etc. Cyprus will be turned into a big construction area. Especially the buffer zone and north Cyprus. This, of course, will bring very big vividness to the economy. […]"

Talat argued that the information published on the Greek Cypriot press regarding the property issue "does not reflect the reality". He said that he finds "groundless" the concerns on this issue, but he understands them.

Recalling that the property issue has not yet been discussed, Talat added: "If we take the Annan Plan as basis, from the point of view of the Greek Cypriot properties in the north, it [the property issue] will be solved with compensation, exchange and return. This will have certain percentages. In parallel to certain percentages of return, the highest possible percentages of compensation and exchange will be preferred. […]

The issue remained for the negotiations. Criteria will be determined with the negotiations. That is, for whom there will be compensation, for whom there will be return, properties of which status will be returned to which persons and under which conditions exchange will take place. These will be bound to criteria and an independent property commission will be deciding looking at these criteria".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Colak: The Cyprus settlement will have a financial cost

Speaking on "BRT", Colak said that a settlement will have a financial cost and that both sides need to start looking into how this cost will be financed.

Describing the current process as a unique opportunity to settle the Cyprus problem once and for all, Colak said that she is extremely encouraged by the good will demonstrated by both sides in the talks.

Stating that the two leaders have first chosen to start the talks on issues where progress can be easier to achieve, Colak said that thornier issues such as property, guarantees and territory have been left to the later part of the talks.

Pointing out that the two sides have started discussions on the main criteria related to the settlement of the property issue, Colak said that an agreement on the property issue will also reveal how much a settlement will cost. "The agreement to be reached on property will really affect the cost of a settlement. Naturally a solution will have a financial cost and we need to start working together to see how we can cover this cost. The two sides are talking about settling property disputes through restitution or return, compensation and exchange. Even though there might be exceptions it seems highly likely that most cases will be solved through compensation. And that means money", she added.

Also drawing attention to the issue of guarantees, Colak reminded that the issue concerns all the signatory parties but added that the solution to be reached will ensure that both communities' security concerns are addressed.

Also touching upon her contacts in Ankara, Colak said that she has once again personally witnessed the strong support of Turkey to the solution process in Cyprus.

"Turkey's support is strong because Ankara truly desires a settlement on the island. It's giving a blank cheque for a settlement. Ankara supports the political will which will take the process forward towards a settlement. Any form of pressure or intervention is out of the question", Colak claimed.

[04] Turkish Cypriot daily reveals the two "military reasons" behind the "crisis" that prevents the opening of the Deryneia crossing point

Yeni Duzen writes that the Turkish Cypriot side has put forward some "reservations" regarding the existing road, according to the views expressed by the Turkish occupation army. The military authorities expressed some "security and moral reservations" as regards the existing route and barricade and drew attention to the mines in the area.

The army said that there is a minefield in the east of the building in which Solomos Solomou had been murdered on the flagpole in 1996 and argued that this point is "problematic" both morally and for security reasons. The Turkish Cypriot side wants a road to be built 700-750 meters in the west of the existing one.

Yeni Duzen reports that the Famagusta Initiative is annoyed from the "crisis" and wants the barricade to be opened the soonest. Mertkan Hamit, member of the Initiative, told Yeni Duzen that they support the opening of the barricade with the current route and they oppose to the "alternative road" proposal submitted by the Turkish side.

He noted that the existing road is very short and the distance between [occupied] Famagusta and Deryneia could be covered on foot and by bicycle. An alternative road will mean that more time will be needed for crossing over, he said, noting that thus the visit of tourists to Famagusta will take longer.

"Another reason for wanting the use of the current road is the feelings of the Greek Cypriots", he said and noted: "We have to understand the Greek Cypriots. The existing road is called 'the Famagusta road' by the Greek Cypriots. This name and route has a moral value for the Greek Cypriots. If as Turkish side we insist on an 'alternative route' because of 'military reasons', it is possible for the Greek Cypriots to oppose to this. […] We think that if the opening of the barricade is interrupted for military reasons, this will benefit the rejectionist front in the north and in the south, it will undermine the solution process and a climate of lack of confidence will be created".

Meanwhile, the paper writes that the works for the opening of the barricade in Apliki area are advancing slowly. The chairman of the board of trustees of occupied Lefka foundation, Vehip Nekipzade told Yeni Duzen that 200 meters of the road under the control of the Turkish Cypriot side have been completed, but no work is done in a 500 meter long road between the barricade and the buffer zone, which should be done by the Turkish Cypriot side.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister carries out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus; a secured network system is established in the "foreign ministry"

A new secure network system which will link the so-called foreign ministry headquarters in the "TRNC" with its "representation offices" abroad is to be set up.

Teams from Ankara headed by the Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Nabi Koru are carrying out work at the self-styled foreign ministry.

Ambassador Koru met this morning with self-styled foreign minister Emine Colak.

Speaking during the meeting, Colak said that once the project is completed, the "TRNC foreign ministry" will have a secured and easier access to "representation offices" in other countries.

Stating that the project has several stages, Colak highlighted the importance of cooperation with the Turkish Foreign Ministry. "Establishing technical and physical ties as well as building bridges between the two ministries is an important opportunity", she added.

For his part, Koru said that they aim to further develop the strong and close relationship that exist between their respective "ministries".

Noting that the Turkish Foreign Ministry attaches great importance in keeping updated with developments and advancements in information technologies, Koru said that they themselves have established an incredibly fast and efficient system that connects the headquarters and the 228 embassies located around the world. He added that all top secret and confidential correspondence is carried over this network.

"We attach great importance to security. This is also an important issue for the TRNC which is why we believe that the two ministries should enhance their cooperation on this issue. We are here today to honour our obligations regarding the protocol signed 2 days ago", Koru concluded.

[06] A protest from "Cyprus existence movement" against Colak's statements

Members of the movement, who gathered in front of the "foreign ministry", read out a statement of protest. The statement read that the duty of the "TRNC foreign minister" (editor's note: the foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) is not to defend the rights of the Greek Cypriots but under all circumstances to defend the "TRNC" and the rights of the "TRNC people".

Following the reading out of the statement, members of the movement left a black wreath at the gates of the "foreign ministry".

[07] The TMT association: Akinci's and Eide's statements worried the people

In a written statement, Bora argued that efforts are exerted in the direction of creating a positive climate with statements that "solution has come very close" and claimed that the "officials" made no statement regarding the negotiating process and therefore "information pollution" exists.

Bora asked the "coalition government partner" National Unity Party (UBP), which he described as "guardian of the national cause", to brief the "people" on the internal and external developments.

Bora alleged that the statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide worried the "people".

(I/Ts.)

[08] Self-styled economy minister will attend the 84th Izmir International Fair

Atun will also participate in bilateral meetings between Turkey's Economy Ministry and foreign committees. He will also take part in the press conference with Turkey's Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci.

The breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will participate in the fair with its own kiosk.

(DPs)

[09] A new "university" is founded in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

During the meeting, Birinci said that they have established a new university in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus with the name "Nicosia Cosmopolitan University". He added that all the legal procedures have been completed and they are expecting the permission to start teaching from "YODAK" ("higher education planning, evaluation, accreditation and coordination council").

(DPs)

[10] Ten Turkish Cypriot rally racers will participate in the Cyprus Rally 2015

(DPs)

[11] Davutoglu made cabinet offers; HDP joins; MHP cracks

A number of members of the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which earlier announced that they would decline the offer, have already rejected the invitation, but Tugrul Turkes, a prominent figure in the MHP, has announced that he accepted the offer to take a role in the government, despite MHP leader Devlet Bahceli's firm stance.

MHP Deputy Head Edip Semih Yalcn said Turkes should resign immediately, or face expulsion from the party.

He also called on the party's disciplinary board to meet over the issue.

Offers from Davutoglu have also been sent to MHP Izmir Deputy and Deputy Chairman Kenan Tanrikulu, Ankara Deputy Tugrul Turkes, who is the son of former MHP leader Alparslan Turkes, and MHP Deputy and former Interior Minister Meral Aksener.

Tanrikulu immediately announced his resignation from his post of deputy chairman of the MHP after the invitation, saying he had conveyed his rejection to the Prime Ministry. His resignation was a reaction to the Prime Minister's "daring" to make such a proposal to the Deputy Chairman of the MHP, he stated.

The number of members to be taken from each party group is determined by the Parliament Speaker according to the Constitution and a related chart has been sent to Davutoglu. Accordingly, apart from the Prime Minister and the Ministers of Justice, Internal Affairs, and Transport, who will be independent individuals appointed from inside or outside Parliament, Davutoglu's Justice and Development Party (AKP) will hold 11 cabinet posts, the CHP will be offered five posts, and the MHP and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) will be offered three posts each.

Letters signed by Davutoglu were sent to the offices of non-AKP Deputies at Parliament on Aug. 26, with a deadline to accept or decline the offer by 6 p.m. on Aug. 27 at the latest. The CHP and MHP have both categorically ruled out holding posts in the interim government for their Deputies, saying that any member breaking ranks would be subject to disciplinary measures. The HDP, however, stated that it would accept offers, regardless of what portfolio the proposals include.

Posts have been offered to the CHP Istanbul Deputies Erdogan Toprak, Tekin Bingol and Ilhan Kesici, the latter being the son-in-law of former President Suleyman Demirel, as well as CHP Antalya Deputy and former CHP head Deniz Baykal, and Ankara Deputy Ayse Gulsun Bilgehan Toker, the granddaughter of former CHP head Ismet Inonu.

In his first assessment, Baykal said he would act in line with the "party spirit" and will give a comprehensive response to Davutoglu in his rejection. Toprak also told the Hurriyet Daily that he would not accept the invitation.

"I will stick to my party's principles. I will obey the decision of my party. I thank [Davutoglu] for the offer, but I believe this process is not in line with me and my party's views," he said.

HDP Istanbul Deputy Levent Tuzel, who is from the leftist wing of the party, Izmir Deputy Muslum Dogan, and Kocaeli Deputy Ali Haydar Konca also received invitations. Dogan cited his party's decision to take part in the interim government and said this formed the basis for his acceptance.

HDP Co-Chair Figen Yuksekdag said that providing election security is a key factor in their decision to take part in an interim government led by incumbent Prime Minister Davutoglu. "We are not forming a coalition with the AKP. We are not forming a coalition with any party. We are fulfilling a responsibility and duty to all peoples of Turkey", Yuksekdag told reporters on Aug. 26 before the Prime Minister invited HDP Deputies.

"We have undertaken the responsibility of taking part in the interim election government to make sure the elections are held in security and in an environment softened by a peaceful political climate. This is a priority for us," she added.

"We aim to reach a vote rate that pushes the 20% band and may force a change in Turkey's situation," Yuksekdag also said, when asked about the party's goals in the snap election scheduled for Nov. 1.

[12] Polls show AKP short of votes needed to form government alone

According to pollster Metropoll's latest survey, the AKP stands at 41.7% of the votes, up from 40.9% in the June 7 election.

In the same poll, backing for the social democratic Republican People's Party (CHP) was at 25.5%, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) at 15.7% and the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) at 14.7% - a rise in its support from 13.1% in June.

"It seems like the snap elections will not generate a different political situation from the election on June 7," Ozer Sencar, the chairman of Metropoll, wrote in the survey report. Metropoll said the survey was carried out between Aug. 14-16 and involved 2,520 people.

The president of another pollster, ANAR, confirmed that there has not been a major shift in voters' decisions since the June elections, despite important developments such as terror attacks and worsening economy.

"I say that the voter trend seen in the June 7 election continues. And there is no reason for change," Ibrahim Uslu said in an interview with Al Jazeera. Uslu claimed that the AKP increased its votes only 1-2%, which is in the margin of error. "There is no other party than the HDP that gains from this terror atmosphere," he added.

Uslu, who is seen as a figure close to the AKP government, did not reveal the details of his company's survey that he based his analysis on.

The survey announced on Aug. 25 by another pollster, Gezici, presented a similar view. According to the results, the AKP is at 39.2%, trailed by the CHP, the MHP and the HDP with respective popular support of 26.4, 16.2 and 14.1%.

Gezici is seen as a pollster close to the opposition and it did not reveal the details about its methodology when presented its findings on private broadcaster Samanyolu TV.

In the June 7 election, the AKP received 40.6% of votes, while the CHP was at 25.1%, the MHP at 16.4% and the HDP at 12.9%.

[13] Turkish airstrikes inflict 'heaviest blow' on PKK

On July 22, the Turkish air force began strikes on PKK positions in Turkey and northern Iraq. According to the Turkish General Staff, around 770 militants have been killed in operations.

The military source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the statements of PKK fighters revealed that many have fled Turkey while others are ready to surrender.

The group had "suffered the worst blow in its history as a result of the airstrikes that began on July 22," the source said, and the impact of the air strikes have "completely demoralized" the fighters.

[14] Turcas Petrol CEO: Turkey, Cyprus and Israel have the opportunity to reach a 'sui generis' agreement

With regard to a possible 20-year deal between Turkey and Israel concerning Mediterranean gas, the Leviathan gas field would meet 22% of Turkey's gas demand for 8 billion to 10 billion cubic meters a year if an agreement is signed, according to Turcas Petrol CEO Batu Aksoy. As one of the Turkish companies that are candidates to export reserves in the Leviathan offshore gas field to Turkey, Aksoy spoke exclusively to Daily Sabah regarding the possibility of a long-term gas agreement between Turkey and Israel.

"Despite disagreements, Turkey, Cyprus and Israel have the opportunity to reach a 'sui generis' agreement regarding building pipelines that will purely and simply go through their own exclusive economic zones without waiting to reach an agreement. It would be very accurate if we say that Turkey and Israel are two countries with 600 years of past relations acting with this logic in the last five years," Aksoy said. Pointing to the positive climate in the negotiation process on Cyprus, Aksoy said the island has an important opportunity to pave the way for this energy project that will provide economic value for the whole island. "The constructive statements of the two parties on Cyprus are increasing our hopes for a possible peace deal in the island," Aksoy added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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