Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-09-28

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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's schedule in New York

[02] Colak will hold various contacts in New York

[03] BKP asked European leftist parties' support for the solution of the Cyprus problem

[04] British expats demand equal property rights in the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] Self-styled minister of tourism said that their tourism revenue in 2016 will be 800 million TL

[06] More than 40 thousand persons are paid every month from the breakaway regime's "treasury"

[07] A disputable six 10-storey apartment blocks are under construction near occupied village Templos

[08] Davutoglu's contacts in New York

[09] Kilicdaroglu accused PKK of hurting HDP

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci's schedule in New York

Akinci will meet with the US Secretary of State John Kerry on October 1st and with Ban on October 2nd. According to the paper, in the framework of his visit Akinci will also hold "high level meetings".

Akinci, who is going to New York with his wife Meral Akinci, will be accompanied by the Turkish Cypriot Negotiator Ozdil Nami, his spokesman Baris Burcu, his private secretary Cenk Gurcag, the self-styled foreign ministry undersecretary Erhan Ercin and the member of the negotiating team Sertac Guven.

(CS)

[02] Colak will hold various contacts in New York

She said that she wishes to meet with all the highest ranking officials at the places she will be visiting and added that the most important reason for accepting the post of the "minister" is the activity that exists in the Cyprus negotiations.

As regards her future program, Colak said that before the end of the year she will hold various contacts in Europe, because "the EU countries are very important" and "we attach great importance to them".

She noted that in case the solution process in Cyprus advances, we should know that a cost will come up and this cost is being discussed from now, as we are trying to see whether our guarantors could at the same time be our financers and to find other resources.

Referring to the opening of the crossing points in Deryneia and Apliki areas, Colak said that the works are continuing and that there is no back stepping from this commitment, but some time is needed for the completion of the works.

She argued:

"From our point of view there is no situation such as 'we have changed our mind and we will not open Deryneia'. Our stance is not 'let us do whatever we can to prevent it'. There is an effort for how we will do the best, the rightest thing. There is a need for time and we have to be patient".

(I/Ts.)

[03] BKP asked European leftist parties' support for the solution of the Cyprus problem

In a speech addressed in the conference Korkmazhan informed the participants of the conference about the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and asked for their support for the solution efforts. He also gave information about the political and economic situation in the breakaway regime and stated that by voting for the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci the Turkish Cypriots showed their will for a solution in Cyprus.

He also said that following Akinci's election, the Cyprus talks were re-launched and positive steps were taken in a very short period. He also said that his party is exerting efforts towards reaching a solution and called on all the European leftist parties to present their assistance and support towards this direction.

(CS)

[04] British expats demand equal property rights in the occupied area of Cyprus

"Hundreds of British expats attended a meeting on Thursday in Girne (editor's note: the occupied town of Keryneia) to learn about developments in the Cyprus peace talks ? with demands made that they are treated equally with Cypriots on the thorny issue of property rights. The meeting was organised by the British Residents Society (BRS) following discussions with president Mustafa Akinci (editor's note: the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci) earlier this month.

BRS officials told a grim-faced audience that, contrary to the previous position of Turkish Cypriot negotiators, Mr Akinci had insisted that 'no global approach would take place' to resolve the property issue.

Government liaison officer Mike Maternghan said: 'Property is at the centre of our hearts and is the centre of negotiations. We had a meeting with Mr Akinci at great length and put forward our concerns, on behalf of all property owners.

We asked whether all would be treated equally in resolving the property issue, to which Mr Akinci reassured us that non-TRNC nationals (editor's note: TRNC is the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus recognized only by Turkey) would be treated in the same manner.'

BRS members met with Mr Akinci earlier this month after expressing their 'grave concern' over an announcement that a new independent 'property commission' would be established in the event of a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Mr Maternghan continued: 'We informed the president of the German example following World War II, where property issues were settled primarily through compensation over a period of 20 to 30 years, which was facilitated by the German government.

I also found it interesting that he continuously referred to 'Turkish Cypriots' and 'Greek Cypriots'. There are no derailed detailed criteria yet for non-Cypriots on both sides of the island. We are asking for equal rights and treatment.'

Describing Mr Akinci as a 'very generous and honest man', Mr Maternghan told BRS members that he had emphasized to the president (editor's note: the Turkish Cypriot leader) the 'major contribution' British residents had made to the TRNC economy. He said that Mr Akinci had reassured him that all TRNC title deeds would be 'honoured'.

He added: 'Who will fund a settlement? Billions of dollars will be needed. It will not be us. Mr Akinci made it very clear that the money must be found before a referendum ? these are his words, not mine. It is imperative that the finances of a settlement are calculated properly and found before a referendum.'

BRS deputy chairman and Cyprus Today columnist Stephen Day said the two sides in Cyprus 'were still in deep disagreement' over the property issue.

'It is true that agreement has been reached to form a new property commission. But the Turkish Cypriots want it to operate as the current immovable property commission, which successfully handle Greek Cypriot applications and provides adequate remedies in compensating them', he stated.

'But the Greek Cypriots, on the other hand, want the new property commission to accept the former Greek Cypriot owner as having the first right of say. The sides are completely miles apart.

'The president assured us that he will not accept this and we are thankful for that. But it doesn't bring the sides any closer to unification.'

Mr Day added: 'The Turkish Cypriots believe the settlement will bring about a new Cyprus Federation with two zones. But the Greek Cypriots say the currently internationally-recognized Republic of Cyprus will continue.

'We told the president that you cannot maintain a long-term existence of a Turkish Cypriot zone if the Accession Treaty signed by the Republic of Cyprus continues in the absence of permanent derogations ? or exemptions ? from EU law.

'The Turkish Cypriots have to understand this very important issue.

'Then what will happen? We go back to 1963 and the mayhem will start all over again.

'The UN should look at the countries surrounding Cyprus which have war, violence and mayhem. Cyprus right now is a peace beacon in this region. The UN should leave Cyprus alone and recognise the Turkish Cypriots'."

[05] Self-styled minister of tourism said that their tourism revenue in 2016 will be 800 million TL

In an interview to the paper, Sucuoglu claimed that they have promoted "North Cyprus" (translator's note: the occupied area in the Republic of Cyprus) in a very good way. He added that it is the very first time that the "government" of the breakaway regime has a "state policy" on tourism.

Sucuoglu further said that the breakaway regime will participate in the World Travel Market, which is the 2nd world biggest fair, in London in November with 32 companies. He explained that their aim is the human factor, and they will send to London a group of 8-10 persons with Turkish Cypriot national costumes. He stressed that they will run an extended tourism campaign for the British market. He also said that they are planning for more advertisements in London and Britain.

(DPs)

[06] More than 40 thousand persons are paid every month from the breakaway regime's "treasury"

The paper recalls that according to the census held in 2011, the population in the occupied area of Cyprus was 294,906 persons. It writes that every month 15,446 permanent and temporary "public servants" are paid 90 million 993 thousand and 958 TL. In addition, 3,044 workers are paid by the regime 24 million 664 thousand and 565 TL. The number of the pensioners reaches 13,094 and their monthly cost to the regime is 44 million 746 thousand and 210 TL. The majority of these pensioners (11,002) were "public servants".

(I/Ts.)

[07] A disputable six 10-storey apartment blocks are under construction near occupied village Templos

The paper reports, inter alia, the following:

"Set to dominate the skyline at a height of 57 metres, the six 10-storey apartment blocks are on a 14-donum site close to residential areas.

Foundations have already been excavated for the mammoth project that will dwarf existing buildings on the edge of Girne's pre-1974 boundary, dubbed the 'White area', which has been regulated by a series of planning decrees since 1993.

Girne mayor Nidai Gungordu (editor's note: the self-styled mayor of the occupied town of Keryneia) ? who is also a civil engineer ? has consistently opposed the project. 'We now have no choice but to accept it or face legal action,' he told Cyprus Today after the development was approved, with the number of apartments being reduced to 345.

He earlier cited his main concerns about the project as water shortages, rubbish disposal, traffic issues and the ability of TRNC emergency services to deal with fires in such high-rise buildings.

Owners Fark Yatirim Gelistirme Insaat Tic Ltd, a partnership between Akacan Group and Istanbul mall developers Hasirciler AS, promised a 'first stage handover' to apartment owners by October 2017.

Azmi Oge, head of the Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Architects, also spoke out against the project earlier but declined to comment on his organisation's alleged 'rubber-stamping' of the project

'Cyprus Turkish Construction Contractors' association head Cafer Gurcafer labelled the move as 'the first of a stampede to get high-rise approval which will ruin Girne before stricter zoning laws are finalised.'

At least 30 developments that are 10 storeys high are currently awaiting approval, with around 200 more of up to eight storeys. Town planning office head Ertan Oztek was unavailable to comment as to whether the latest high-rise approval had set a precedent.

At a public meeting for stakeholders on June 16, local residents said that while they had always accepted that the land was to be developed, the legal building height limit had been suddenly upped to 10 floors by a cabinet decision (editor's now: the self-styled cabined of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) in 2011.

A local woman, whose house is on the edge of the site, declined to be named but warned: 'Girne will be hemmed in by high-rise buildings, unable to see the sea or mountains for a project which is being marketed in Turkey and not even for local people.'

The developers describe their project as 'a jewel glittering in Kyrenia city with its breath-taking views', offering single or family apartments, glass lifts, indoor and outdoor pools, sports fields, a green area, sauna, hairdressers, grocery store, drycleaners, children's playgrounds and parking."

[08] Davutoglu's contacts in New York

In a closed-door meeting with Merkel at Germany's Permanent Mission to the UN, sources said that Davutoglu and Merkel discussed the European Union's response to the ongoing refugee crisis and Turkey's recommendations to address the issue.

(?)Another issue raised was the Syrian civil war. The Turkish Premier stressed the need to protect Syrians from attacks by Bashar al-Assad's regime and terrorist groups, sources said.

During his meeting with Palestinian leader Abbas, Davutoglu condemned Israel's illegal practices against Palestinian civilians, including violations committed by Israeli security forces at the Aqsa Mosque compound -- the third holiest site for Muslims.

Abbas accused Israel of sabotaging the Mideast peace process and sparing no effort to keep the West Bank and Gaza separated, according to Turkish sources.

Turkish Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu and National Intelligence Organization chief Hakan Fidan were also present during Davutoglu's meetings with Merkel and Abbas.

Also on Saturday, the Turkish Premier held meetings with Senegal's President Macky Sall and Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha.

The leaders are in the U.S. for the 70th meeting of the UN General Assembly.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (27.09.15-online in English) reported that Davutoglu met also on Saturday in New York with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani with whom he discussed bilateral relations, as well as the regional conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq.

According to Turkish Prime Ministry sources, during the meeting, the leaders agreed to deepen economic ties and continue dialogue on regional conflicts in Syria, Yemen and Iraq despite disagreements over a range of issues.

(?)

During the meeting, Davutoglu voiced concerns to Rouhani about false news reports published by Iranian media about Turkey, sources said.

The meeting was also attended by Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Cevdet Y?lmaz, Foreign Minister Feridun Sinirlioglu and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) chief Hakan Fidan.

Following the meeting, Davutoglu joined an informal working lunch of world leaders on the upcoming climate change conference that will be held next December in Paris.

[09] Kilicdaroglu accused PKK of hurting HDP

"The address for resolution should be the parliament", said K?l?cdaroglu, adding also the following: "I believe [the PKK] is complicating the solution of the issue. In my opinion, terror acts launched by the PKK have entirely put the HDP into a difficult position. I personally believe that [the PKK] has a goal to leave the HDP under the threshold".

"In a way, the PKK's policy has emerged as a policy which runs parallel to the policy of [President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's] palace," K?l?cdaroglu said.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AM)

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