Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-10-21

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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] Eide: There is no timetable in the Cyprus talks, but the current process cannot go on forever

[02] Burcu: "The progress of Turkey's EU process will be in everyone's interest

[03] Ak?nc? met with the so-called Turkish ambassador in the occupied area of Cyprus

[04] DP's leader reacted to Cretu's visit in Cyprus; He stressed the need for the occupation regime to restructure its ties with the EU

[05] Pakistani Minister "officially" visits the occupied area of Cyprus and invites the self-styled education minister to Pakistan

[06] The Turkish press alleges that the existing situation in Cyprus will be accepted as a "solution" if there is no solution by March 2016

[07] Turkey's EU Minister held meetings in Brussels for the opening of chapters

[08] More information on the impact of the water project in the breakaway regime

[09] Iranian businessmen signed an agreement with Turkish Cypriot GIFA Holdings firm

[10] Data on the occupation regime's tourism

[11] The occupation regime attended the "67th Frankfurt Book fair"

[12] Strikes to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus next Friday and Sunday

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eide: There is no timetable in the Cyprus talks, but the current process cannot go on forever

In statements to the press after having a two hour meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in his office, Eide said that the negotiations will enter a more intense phase, adding that both leaders have agreed that they will meet more often from next Friday or in November. He also said that at the moment they also discussed the contents of the negotiations that will be intensified alongside the days of the meetings.

Noting that generations of Cypriots have negotiated, Eide stressed that at this moment there is a momentum and an opportunity towards the solution, however, at this stage of the process they are at the depth of some of the most difficult issues.

Eide also pointed out that people assume that the process is not going well because it has moved away from areas where there are more convergences to areas where serious differences remain.

At the same time, Eide said: "It will take time. It will be also difficult. However, I can say after holding long meetings with both leaders that the commitment of the sides to the process is continuing. Their belief that this is the appropriate time for solution continues. We, as UN, do all we can do to succeed to reach the determined target when the talks resumed in May".

According to Eide the determination of the leaders to meet more often will make a significant contribution to the process.

Replying to a journalist's question regarding the timetables reported in the press, Eide said that the two leaders in Cyprus do not have time to lose and he shares the view that they should evaluate well that there is a momentum now.

Reiterating that the process is a Cyprus-led process and is carried out by the Cypriot leaders, Eide said that the leaders and their excellent committees are working on a solution that will be able to be submitted to a referendum.

(DPs)

[02] Burcu: "The progress of Turkey's EU process will be in everyone's interest

Burcu pointed out that the leaders have agreed to be meeting more regularly in November and they foresee a more intense working program ahead.

Following the meeting between the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci Akinci and the UNSG Special Advisor Espen Bath Eide, Burcu supported that together and with good intentions the solution of the Cyprus problem is possible.

Responding to a question on the give and take process and when that would be, Burcu said that they are discussing the criteria on the property issue which was like the give and take process.

Asked to comment on the Greek Cypriot side's positions on Turkey's EU process and the possible opening of new chapters, Burcu said they did not agree with the Greek Cypriots on this. "The progress of Turkey's EU process would be in everyone's interest", he said, adding that all the conditions applied to other countries, should be applicable to Turkey as well. Burcu added that he did not think this issue would negatively affect the talks as this is an old position and not a new matter.

[03] Ak?nc? met with the so-called Turkish ambassador in the occupied area of Cyprus

Speaking during the meeting, Akinci stated, inter alia, that his aim is to visit all "state institutions" in order to exchange views.

Pointing out to the close ties that exist between the Republic of Turkey and the "TRNC", Ak?nc? expressed the belief that he and Kanbay will have close relations and dialogue during his "term" in Cyprus.

Kanbay for his part said that he was pleased and proud to be paid a visit by Ak?nc?.

He also wished Akinci success during the ongoing Cyprus negotiations process. "Hopefully you will reach a happy ending. As you are aware, Turkey fully supports you on the Cyprus issue", Kanbay said.

[04] DP's leader reacted to Cretu's visit in Cyprus; He stressed the need for the occupation regime to restructure its ties with the EU

The leader of the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP) Serdar Denktas, condemned in a written statement the stance adopted by the EU Commissioner during her visit to the island.

Pointing out that the incident demonstrated how unhealthy the relationship between the European Union and the "TRNC" is; Denktas underlined the need for the "TRNC" to restructure its relations with the EU.

Denktas said that the political relations with the EU had been handed over to the EU Coordination Office which was a technical unit and that this office did not have the sufficient capacity to deal with such issues. "Relations between the TRNC and the EU are completely dependent on this office and individual persons. We need to change this and to institutionalize our political relations with the EU", Denktas said.

[05] Pakistani Minister "officially" visits the occupied area of Cyprus and invites the self-styled education minister to Pakistan

In his statements Shahid said that they want the Pakistani students to study at tranquil places because of the terror incidents which take place in Pakistan and added: "We have paved the way for our youth going abroad in order to protect them. We need your support on education".

Shahid noted that he "officially visits the TRNC", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, and that they want to hold more often such visits. Explaining the reason of his visit, he said that "a big part" of Pakistani students are studying in the occupied area of Cyprus and they want to see that they live well and receive a quality education. He thanked the breakaway regime's universities for the scholarships they provide to Pakistani students and invited Durust to "officially" visit Pakistan.

On his part, Durust said that "the fact that a minister from Pakistan visits us at our office is important from the point of view of the relations we will establish with an Islamic, Moslem state". He wished for the relations between Pakistan and the breakaway regime not to be limited only in the field of higher education and for this visit to become the occasion for deeper bonds between them.

"BUN's" rector Dr. Hasan Ali Bicak, who was accompanying the Pakistani Minister, said that he was satisfied with receiving such an important guest and pointed out that Shahid is a Minister of a province with a 30-million-population. "This official visit will contribute not only in the relations between our university and Pakistan, but in the relations between the TRNC and Pakistan as well', he argued.

Durust congratulated "BUN's" administration and thanked Shahid for his invitation.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The Turkish press alleges that the existing situation in Cyprus will be accepted as a "solution" if there is no solution by March 2016

Turkish Hurriyet newspaper cites diplomatic sources to have said: "The negotiations in Cyprus are continuing. In March a peace agreement will either be signed or if the Greek Cypriot side rejects it, the existing situation will be accepted as a solution by the international community. And this will mean that there will be absolutely no obstacle remaining in Turkey's negotiating process".

It is also argued that German Chancellor Angela Merkel has promised to do everything she can, including exerting pressure on the Republic of Cyprus, so that chapters in Turkeys negotiations are quickly opened. According to what has been written, Merkel responded "you are right" when Turkey expressed the position that in case the Greek Cypriots reject the solution in March 2016, the existing status quo in the island should be accepted by the EU.

Meanwhile, Yeni Safak's columnist Abdulkadir Selve writes that he had participated in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Russia and that responding to questions on the plane, Erdogan referred to the Cyprus problem and alleged:

"If a partnership government is established by March 2016 in the Cyprus negotiations, then it is ok. Turkey supports this. However, if March comes and no agreement could be reached on a common government, Turkey is determined to close that subject. During the Cyprus negotiations, the Greek Cypriots are mostly blocked on the question 'we had a state, are we going to share it with the Turks?' The Turks, on the other hand, are in favor of the functioning of the guarantee right. They are worried that the Greek Cypriots will in time turn them into minority. Of course, if these obstacles are not overcome and a partnership state cannot be established, Turkey is not in favor of the commencement of peace negotiations between the TRNC and the Greek Cyprus administration. It is meaningless to further prolong this issue".

Moreover, the Turkish Foreign Minister, Feridun Snirlioglu stated that the full membership negotiations between Turkey and the EU will be revived and that these negotiations and the Syrian refugees are separate issues.

Replying to KIBRIS' questions, Baris Burcu, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, said that this issue is not on the Turkish Cypriot side's agenda and that they are working for an early solution. He argued: "If there is no referendum in March, this might not be the end of the world, but we might lose many opportunities. Going slowly is not always tantamount to going safely. If the bridge from which we pass can be demolished any moment, and here I am referring to the favorableness of the regional and global conditions, it might be safer to act quickly for reaching the target the soonest before the bridge is demolished".

Burcu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side sees the issue "from a window of the will for an early solution" and therefore holding a referendum in March is technically possible. He claimed: "If Mr Anastasiades also sees this from a window of the will for an early solution, he will see that it is possible. It means that he sees it differently, but I do not even want to think about this".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkey's EU Minister held meetings in Brussels for the opening of chapters

In statements to the press after her meetings with Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn and European Commission Vice-President in charge of the Budget Kristalina Georgieva, Dedeoglu commented also on the fact that some chapters are frozen by Republic of Cyprus.

Referring to the statement by the Republic of Cyprus that it will continue to freeze some chapters due to Turkey's non-compliance with its EU obligations, Dedeoglu said that the Cyprus talks are continuing and they have exchanged views with the Commissioners what is the stance of the Commission on which chapters can be activated and what preparations can be done with the conclusion of the Cyprus talks.

Dedeoglu argued that there are some chapters that can be opened today, if there is a political will, adding that it is said that the talks in Cyprus are in very positive course. "For this reason, I estimate that there will be a mobilization in the coming year", she noted. She further said that the EU Commission does not think that there will be any objection by some countries for the chapters' opening. Dedeoglu said that Turkey's EU progress was not in the agenda of the meetings.

Replying to a question regarding Germany's announcement on the Chapters 23 and 24, Dedeoglu said that this is very positive development on the issue, especially when the statement comes from German Chancellor Merkel.

(DPs)

[08] More information on the impact of the water project in the breakaway regime

Aktan who previously worked for NTV news channel and the BBC, underlines that the pipes do not have the suction system needed to release air inside the pipes and this is one of the biggest inadequacies of the project.

Aktan said there are claims that the lack of this system will result in the diminished flow of the water thus leading to issues. Aktan said that each of the suction pads cost 10,000 Euro and the pipeline needed 170 of them. The only places the suction pads exist are in the pipes on land and not underwater.

The journalist said there were other claims that the pipes laid in Cyprus had been brought from China by someone 'close to the government'; ductile piping had to be used and these were expensive even though these were manufactured in Turkey. Instead of purchasing them in Turkey they were brought from China, he says.

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah (22.10.15) reports that the water project "will make Cyprus to blow away".

According to estimations made by the paper, due to the water project the price of the building plots in the breakaway regime will be increased up to 300%, while the tourism investments will be doubled and the production of local products will be increased up to 50%. The paper claims that areas like occupied Morfou and Mesaoria will become an agriculture paradise while the investment in occupied Vokollida will rise.

[09] Iranian businessmen signed an agreement with Turkish Cypriot GIFA Holdings firm

Speaking to the paper, the chairman of the administrative board of GIFA Holdings Yusuf Kisa stated that they have a healthy cooperation with Iranian businessmen for some time now under the "embargo".

He went on and added that this cooperation has opened a new door for them and two days ago they came together with a group of Iranian businessmen and signed an agreement which will be beneficial for both "countries". According to the paper, due to the agreement signed, the amount of 70 million dollars will be transferred to the breakaway regime within a year.

(CS)

[10] Data on the occupation regime's tourism

According to a statement issued by the "ministry", the hotel occupancy rate for the above mentioned period compared with the same period of 2014, was increased by 5.5%. The hotel occupancy rate for the period of January-September 2015 has reached to 51.5% while for the same period of the previous year was 48.8%.

Meanwhile, according to the figures, the hotel occupancy rate for September has reached to 65.8%.

Also, the statement said that passengers from several countries that are: Austria, Poland, Slovakia, the UK, Iran, Italy, Denmark and the Czech Republic were transferred to the occupation regime with charter flights on September 2015.

Moreover, according to statistic figures, an increase of 10.3% on the number of passengers visiting the occupation regime through "airports and ports" has been observed during the period of January-September, comparing with the same period of 2014. Also, the number of Turkish citizens visiting the occupation regime was increased by 10.1% while the number of passengers from other countries was increased by 10.6%.

(?)

[11] The occupation regime attended the "67th Frankfurt Book fair"

According to the paper, the occupation regime was represented at the fair by the "culture department" of the so-called ministry of "tourism, culture and sport".

The occupation regime attended the fair with its own stand called "Turkish Cypriot publications". The Turkish Consul in Frankfurt Mustafa Celik and the undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Nihat Gul visited the occupation regime's stand, writes the paper.

(AK)

[12] Strikes to take place in the occupied area of Cyprus next Friday and Sunday

Kaptan noted that in the last two years, the Turkish Lira had lost 55% value against foreign currencies and this had drastically reduced the purchasing power of the public. Kaptan reiterated their calling for some sort of measure to be taken, otherwise, as he said they will go on with strikes.

Kaptan announced that they will go on a full day strike at the "Nicosia motor vehicles registration office" on Friday, October 23 and a strike at illegal Tymbou airport by the "fire department of the civil aviation office" at the "airport" on Sunday 25 October. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(AK/ AM)

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