Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-10-09

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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] Burcu: The negotiators will meet with the mobile network operators

[02] Ozyigit: "Turkish guarantees should be discussed after the solution"

[03] Soyer suggested that Akinci should have participated in the meetings on gas in New York

[04] BKP evaluated the Cyprus problem and the property issue

[05] Ozgurgun criticized Kotzias' statements

[06] Self-styled minister Evren attends ICEM meeting in Rabat

[07] Erdogan and Davutoglu to hold the inauguration ceremony of the "Water Transfer project" in Anamour on October 15

[08] Siber re-elected as "parliamentary speaker"

[09] Signature gathering for making religious instruction in the occupied area of Cyprus optional

[10] Afrika: The Greek Cypriot side has not changed the names of the roads; let it be example for our people

[11] A Greek Cypriot is arrested by the regime for "violating a military zone"

[12] UFTAA President visited the occupied area of Cyprus

[13] Toshiba ready for a nuclear plant project in Turkey; Erdogan and Abe focus on ways to improve commercial ties

[14] EU seeks to accelerate Turkey's stalled accession process

[15] Survey: 50.1% support a single-party government

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Burcu: The negotiators will meet with the mobile network operators

The negotiators are expected to meet again this morning and in the afternoon they will hold another meeting with the mobile network operators both in the government-controlled area and the occupied area of the island. During the afternoon meeting, the issue of the operation of the cell phones in the entire island will be discussed.

Baris Burcu, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, stated that the meeting with the mobile phone operators is separated from the negotiating process and added: "There are some technical proposals. The view of both sides' operators will be taken on this issue. We will see whether they will want changes or they will accept them as they are".

Referring to the meeting held yesterday, Burcu said that it was held in a positive climate and, except for the preparation of the meeting between the leaders, the negotiators exchanged views on how they will meet more often within the forthcoming period.

Burcu announced that the meeting between the leaders that was planned for Monday 12 October at 10.00 o' clock in the morning has been moved for 18.00 o' clock on the same day.

Finally, he said that the negotiators prepared for programing the intensification of the process and discussed the productivity of the working system of the ad hoc committee established for preparing the Turkish Cypriots for the EU.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozyigit: "Turkish guarantees should be discussed after the solution"

"We had painful experiences years before. It is essential not to have this kind of experiences again. This is why we are saying that the issue of guarantees should be discussed after a solution and after the trust is established ", he stated.

He also referred to the territory and property issue and said that the user of the property has the same rights as the owner of the property because the person who has been living in a house for 41 years has established a life there. "We have to understand and to respect these people because they have created another way of living during the last 41 years", he said.

(CS)

[03] Soyer suggested that Akinci should have participated in the meetings on gas in New york

Soyer further said that both the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and Turkey should show sensitivity on the "immovable property commission", adding that if this does not happen then there will be more problems. He said that the text that will be submitted for a referendum will be formed by the signatures of both leaders, and the rejection of this text, in which the main principles will be part, will cause distress within the Turkish Cypriots.

(DPs)

[04] BKP evaluated the Cyprus problem and the property issue

Pointing out to the importance of finding sources, the BKP stated that finding sources is a precondition for the solution of the property issue as well as of the others issues of the Cyprus problem.

Evaluating the latest stage of the Cyprus negotiation process and the property issue, the secretary of foreign relations of the BKP Salih Sonustun, said in the statement, that the negotiation process has entered a critical period and added that probably in the light of the developments on the Cyprus negotiation process and of the international conjecture, more important developments may occur in Cyprus after November.

Stating that to a great extent the issues of the "Government and Power sharing" and the "Population" were agreed, Sonustun added that in the current phase, the property issue is the most crucial issue.

Sonustun stated also that the BKP is optimistic towards the solution of the Cyprus problem, stressing the need for both communities to be informed about the developments. He called also all the powers in favour of the solution to brief and inform the people and added that BKP will do all necessary towards this direction.

(AK)

[05] Ozgurgun criticized Kotzias' statements

Ozgurgun claimed that Kotzias' statements prove that he has no knowledge of the Cyprus history prior to 1974 and called on him to use his brain to solve the problems that his country, Greece, is facing rather than to make such statements.

(CS)

[06] Self-styled minister Evren attends ICEM meeting in Rabat

Evren, who attended the opening ceremony of the meeting, distributed hand-outs outlining the "TRNC's" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) views, policies and vision on the environment.

According to a press statement released by the "ministry", Evren found the opportunity to meet with the Moroccan Prince Lalla Hasna, the Moroccan Prime Minister Abdelilah Benkirane and the Moroccan Tourism Minister El Hatile.

The text distributed by Evren drew attention to the fact that the "TRNC" is struggling with numerous environmental problems despite being a "small island nation".

Evren pointed out that the aim of the "TRNC's" environment policies is to create a sustainable environment that safeguarded the economic interests of future generations but also prevented the exhaustion of natural resources.

"Our island, surrounded with seas, is unique with its natural wealth and historical or cultural beauties. It is amongst our top priorities in the name of achieving sustainable development to both protect the island's natural wealth and to make it an important tourist destination" he said.

Commenting also on the Cyprus problem, Evren said that the coming months are critical for the ongoing negotiations process and that if both sides show the necessary will a settlement could be possible not in several years but in a matter of months.

[07] Erdogan and Davutoglu to hold the inauguration ceremony of the "Water Transfer project" in Anamour on October 15

In statements on the issue, the Mayor of Anamur, M. Feyzullah Yilmaz has stated that the Water Transfer project which envisages the transferring of water via water pipe lines from the Anamur Dam in Turkey to the Gecitkoy Dam (Panagra) in the "TRNC", has been completed and thus both Erdogan and Davutoglu will go to Anamur for the opening ceremony.

According to the paper, Erdogan and Davutoglu will be accompanied by Turkey's Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroglu, the Minister of Transportation and Communication Lutfi Elvan, as well as other Cabinet members.

With this project, the occupation regime will cover all its long-term water needs.

Also, under the title: "The water will be allocated to all the water pipes by June 2016", Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (09.10.15) reports that the countdown has been launched for the water transferred project.

According to the paper, in spite of the fact that its been 15 days since the water from Turkey has started flowing in the "TRNC", due to the calibration works in the pump station, the water has stopped flowing. The paper adds that the waterworks are expected to be completed tonight and the water will start flowing again by tomorrow.

In statements on the issue, the "director" of the "state water affairs" in "north Cyprus, Birol Cinar, giving information about the process to be followed regarding the water, said that after the opening ceremony which will take place on October 28 at the plant, the water will be allocated first to the occupied part of Lefkosia. He added that they aim to finish all the waterworks by the end of the year in order for the water to be allocated to all the water pipelines around the "TRNC" by June 2016.

(AK)

[08] Siber re-elected as "parliamentary speaker"

Huseyin Avkiran Alanli from the Democrat Party-National Forces (DP-UG) was elected as the "deputy speaker of parliament".

"Elections" were held at an extraordinary session of "parliament" today for the bureau which is composed of the "speaker of parliament", the "deputy speaker", "quaestors" and "administrative heads".

While Sibel Siber was elected with 32 votes, Avkiran was elected in the fifth round of voting after he failed to secure an absolute majority in the first four rounds.

Yesterday the so-called assembly had approved an "amendment" to "parliament's charter" which now requires the "deputy parliamentary speaker" to be from the main opposition party.

[09] Signature gathering for making religious instruction in the occupied area of Cyprus optional

Ozbahadir stated that the Association is gathering signatures in order for religious instruction optional at schools and noted that 80% of the signatures gathered belong to Turkish Cypriots. As he said in the past, religious instruction was an elected subject at schools but since 2009 it has become compulsory.

Ozbahadir also commented on the science book of the 5th grade which is used in elementary schools both in Turkey and the breakaway regime and in which it is written that it is a book for "primary and imam hatip schools" (TR. Note: religious vocational schools). As he stated this is not acceptable as this phrase is an effort by Turkey to impose Islamic believes on the Turkish Cypriots.

(CS)

[10] Afrika: The Greek Cypriot side has not changed the names of the roads; let it be example for our people

(I/Ts.)

[11] A Greek Cypriot is arrested by the regime for "violating a military zone"

(I/Ts.)

[12] UFTAA President visited the occupied area of Cyprus

Ahmet Necati Ozkan, the honour chairman of KITSAB, in a written statement, said that they discussed with Olivier their problems like the current situation of the tourism sector in the "North Cyprus" (translator's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).

(DPs)

[13] Toshiba ready for a nuclear plant project in Turkey; Erdogan and Abe focus on ways to improve commercial ties

Speaking to Anadolu Agency reporters in Ankara, Fujita said that there is an intense competition in the European energy market and Turkey has an important place in Europe.

Fujita said that Japanese Mitsubishi currently undertakes the construction work of Sinop Nuclear Power Plant in northern Turkey, and Toshiba also wishes to take part in Turkey's nuclear projects. "We would like to take part in a new nuclear energy project in case Turkey asks for it. We support nuclear energy in Turkey and the country needs nuclear energy, so we are ready to take part in this way," Fujita said.

Furthermore, Sabah reports that the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a joint press conference held with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo, said that Turkey and Japan will establish a joint university in Istanbul.

Erdogan stated that he and Abe were on the same page regarding key international issues, especially terrorism, adding that he and Abe will again come together on November 13 in Istanbul, before the G20 Leaders' Summit in Antalya on November 15 and 16.

Erdogan also noted that the infrastructure works for the Turkish-Japanese Science and Technology University were ongoing and a 1,000 decare of land was spared in Istanbul for this project.

Meanwhile, on Thursday, Erdogan spoke to businesspeople at a seminar organized by the presidency's Investment Support and Promotion Agency during his visit to Tokyo, Japan. Underlining that Turkey is a safe zone for all investors, including Japanese investors looking to initiate new projects, Erdogan cited the Marmaray Project as an example of mutually beneficial projects undertaken with development loans with easy terms. He also highlighted Turkey's mega projects such as light rail and metro systems as well as renewable energy projects.

Erdogan emphasized new research and development projects in nuclear energy, space technologies, advanced communication and the defence industry, and added that he believes very productive projects can be realized together with Japanese partners.

Describing Turkey as a safe harbour for Japanese investors, Erdogan said that Turkey being in the middle of Europe, Asia and Africa facilitates economic cooperation in the region. He also underlined that as Turkey has been in the EU Customs Union since 1996, it is integrated with European economies. He added that Turkey's G20 membership and its current presidency of the G20 is an example of the responsibility it has assumed in the management of global economy.

[14] EU seeks to accelerate Turkey's stalled accession process

These concrete recommendations cover an implementation period of 12 to 18 months so that more negotiation chapters can be opened as part of Turkey's accession process, which started in 2005. Turkey opened only 14 chapters out of 35 and closed only one of them. Croatia, which began negotiations on the same day as Turkey, joined the EU in mid-2013.

As the EU is preparing to release its annual report on Oct. 21 or Oct. 22 in which it will assess the state of human rights and fundamental freedoms within the last 12 months period, it will, for the first time, annex a document to outline its recommendations to Turkey's next government. This year's report is expected to be made up of three main parts.

The first part will assess the state of Turkey's accession process, as a sort of picture of the point Turkey has reached so far. This picture will also be important with regards to shaping Turkey's next actions.

The second part will assess Turkey's last 12 months in terms of its performance on negotiation chapters as well as its human rights and democratization process. It's expected that the report will highlight overall human rights violations as Turkey's number one issue as well as restrictions on freedom of expression, freedom of press and the Kurdish peace process. The EU's criticisms on the home security package and internet laws would also be detailed in this part.

The third part, however, will contain concrete recommendations for the acceleration of the accession process, enabling Turkey to fulfill more criteria to open negotiation chapters. This set of priorities is envisaged to cover a period of 12 to 18 months, which would be regarded as a short-term road map for Turkey's next government after the Nov. 1 polls.

According to diplomatic sources, this year's report is being written in a more political language compared to last years' technical format and therefore, will be more interesting and even exciting. Using this language, the 2015 report will supposedly address Turkey's growing human rights deficiencies in a more direct way, sending a clear message to the next government.

The reason for the postponement of the progress report's announcement by one week was because the EU wanted to have better coverage and reflection on its findings, as the original date of the release of the document coincides with the EU Council meeting on Oct. 13, sources stressed.

In the meantime, sources expressed their expectation for the opening of chapter 17 on economy and monetary policies most likely before the end of this year. But it's too early to confirm this, sources said. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed Turkey's expectations for the opening of chapters 23 on judiciary and fundamental rights, 24 on justice and home affairs and 15 on energy.

According to sources, a growing number of issues to the concern of Turkey and the EU have the potential to create a new momentum in Ankara-Brussels relations, as well as Turkey's accessions process. Turkey and the EU are currently talking about ways to cooperate in dealing with the refugee crisis, security problems concerning Syria, counter-terrorism and energy. Describing Turkey as a partner of the EU in dealing with these common problems, sources highlighted the EU's willingness to establish solid mutual ground with Turkey in countering refugee issues.

The draft plan on dealing with the refugee crisis to be negotiated between the two parties will also help Turkey's efforts to fulfill the required criteria of securing its borders as part of visa liberalization process with the EU. Turkey hopes to accomplish the process by 2017 and allow its citizens to travel in the Schengen area without visas.

[15] Survey: 50.1% support a single-party government

The latest survey, which was conducted between Oct. 3 and Oct. 6 with 1,764 participants in 29 provinces, found that 46.8% of the respondents believe that Turkey will get better within a year while 35% indicated that they are pleased with Turkey's current situation. ANDY-AR President Faruk Acar, speaking to HaberTurk daily, said that if the uncertainty changes in the country then the participants' hopes for the future would also change.

When participants were asked whether Turkey could be well governed with a coalition government, Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) supporters responded similarly, indicating that they are in favour of it, while AK Party supporters and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) supporters indicated that they prefer a single-party government at 81.2% and 47%, respectively. While 50.1% of the participants indicated they want a single-party government, nearly 55% also believed the country could well be governed with a coalition. Acar described the results as the public not wanting a third election after Nov. 1 and further added that Turkey may face a new development. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ AM)

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