Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-12-02

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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] Davutoglu paid his first official visit to the breakaway regime

[02] Statements by Akinci after his meeting with Davutoglu

[03] Backstage information about Davutoglu's visit in the breakaway regime

[04] Denktas: The two leaders in Cyprus do not read the same book as regards the negotiations

[05] Illegal DAU "university" hosted an International Symposium and Workshop

[06] BKP applied to the "constitution court" for the cancelation of the "law" on political parties

[07] Elcil: "All economic packages are not for the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community"

[08] Erdogan discussed with Obama in Paris the ease of tension with Russia

[09] Germany, France demand the use of Incirlik air base in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu paid his first official visit to the breakaway regime

Speaking during a joint press conference with Akinci, Davutoglu said that the fact that his first visit abroad took place in the "TRNC" proves that Turkey is always next to the "TRNC" which, "was established with the free will of the Turkish Cypriots". "Our aim is for the TRNC to stand on its feet with a healthy democracy, economy and cultural structure", he stated.

He added that the only regional crisis in the Mediterranean that is near to a settlement is the Cyprus problem and claimed that Turkey will continue to support the ongoing peace talks as a guarantor state. He also said that Turkey will not hesitate to take the necessary steps for a permanent solution. "Turkey's position is very clear. We are ready to support any effort for a solution like we did in the case of the Annan Plan. Our common goal is the establishment of a Cyprus Republic based on bi-zonallity and political equality", he stated. "If Turkey, Greece, the Turkish Cypriot people and the Greek Cypriot people manage to come together, the fate of Eastern Mediterranean will change".

Referring to the management of the water pipeline, Davutoglu stated: "The water flowing through the new pipeline now belongs to the Turkish Cypriots. What is important is to make use of it with the correct methods. We are discussing middle ways and methods. There is no need for worries. The difficult phase was completed and the water has come to Cyprus", he stated.

(CS)

[02] Statements by Akinci after his meeting with Davutoglu

Akinci made the above statement during a joint press conference held yesterday at the so-called presidential palace after meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Pointing to the strong ties between Turkey and the "TRNC", Akinci said that these derive from their history and culture and are not only geographical.

Referring to the Cyprus negotiation talks which have being going on for half a century, Akinci stressed the need for the process to yield a solution which will be approved by the two "peoples" in Cyprus. He added that their road is rough and that they [Turkish Cypriots] are encouraged to overcome the difficulties.

Pointing to Turkey's contribution and support to the efforts exerted at the negotiation talks, Akinci said that Turkey's strong support and interest in the Turkish Cypriot side will continue.

Referring to the latest developments in Turkey's EU bid, Akinci expressed his satisfaction over the positive outcome of the Turkey-EU summit in Brussels and noted that the opening of chapters for Turkey after a period of 11 years is important for them. "Our wish is for Turkey to take the place it deserves in the EU. While we continue our struggle for the solution of the Cyprus problem, we feel happy over the development of ties between Turkey and the EU", said Akinci. "A solution on the Cyprus problem will eliminate the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean which derives from the energy resources and I consider that an energy corridor passing from Turkey to Europe will contribute to stability in the region", Akinci added.

"A United Cyprus will contribute to the further development of Turkish-Greek Cypriot and Turkish-Greek ties and will also be very beneficial for the Greek Cypriot community", said Akinci.

Replying to a question regarding the guarantee issue, Akinci said that this issue will be discussed at the end of the process. He explained that so far they have discussed the property issue at the negotiation talks adding that the territory and guarantee issues will be discussed last. "The guarantee issue will be discussed in a meeting with the participation of the five involved parties which will jointly try to reach a solution".

Akinci said further that if they reach an outcome on the property issue, they will consider that they can see a light at the end of the tunnel.

(AK)

[03] Backstage information about Davutoglu's visit in the breakaway regime

In his column in Kibris, Hasan Hasturer writes that Davutoglu's statements that "the guarantor countries are the basic parties of the Cyprus problem", is a strong indication that Turkey will never abandon its guarantees in Cyprus. According to the columnist, despite the wishes of Greek Cypriot side, Turkey's guarantees will continue. "Turkey wants neither the division of the island nor the recognition of the TRNC", Hasturer claims.

In addition, Havadis comments on Davutoglu's statements about the water transfer project and writes that the water crisis put a stain on Davutoglu's visit. According to the paper, Turkey insists that the water should be managed by the private sector and suggested this model of administration to the "TRNC government" again. Davutoglu stated that what is important is that the project was completed and the water has been transferred to Cyprus and to serve the Turkish Cypriots. "The water issue is one thing, its administration is another", Davutoglu stated.

(CS)

[04] Denktas: The two leaders in Cyprus do not read the same book as regards the negotiations

Denktas stated that the two leaders in Cyprus appear not to read the same book as regards the negotiations. On the one hand, Akinci talks about renewing the system of guarantees with Turkey while Anastasiades says that he aims for a solution with no guarantees from foreign countries. Akinci talks about a new state while Anastasiades talks about the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus, Denktas stated.

"If the two negotiators do not read the same book, how can they reach a common solution? Are they deceiving each other? Are they deceiving the world? Or did they come to an agreement to deceive the people?" Denktas asked, adding that the "people" must follow the developments very carefully.

(CS)

[05] Illegal DAU "university" hosted an International Symposium and Workshop

According to the paper, academics, scientists and students from several universities attended the event.

Amongst the universities attended the symposium was the Queens' University Belfast, and universities from Ireland, Israel, Albania, Turkey and the "TRNC".

(AK)

[06] BKP applied to the "constitution court" for the cancelation of the "law" on political parties

In statements on the issue, the chairman of BKP Izzet Izcan said that they considered that "law" unconstitutional and added that it contradicted the "principle of equality".

Izcan recalled that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci sent the "law" back to the "assembly" which, however, returned it back to the "president" after approving it without making any amendments.

Izcan supported that four political parties represented in the "assembly" acted contrary to the "constitution" in their own interest and approved the "law" which envisaged that the "state" would cut off "financial aid" to his party.

(AK)

[07] Elcil: "All economic packages are not for the benefit of the Turkish Cypriot community"

Elcil said that every economic package coming from Turkey means the suspension of production of the Turkish Cypriot community and forces the Turkish Cypriots to migration.

Elcil also accused the so-called minister of finance Birikim Ozgur of exerting strong efforts to make the "people" accept the economic package imposed by Turkey.

Elcil explained that the context of the package is against the interest of the workers' rights since it serves the interest of capital.

(AK)

[08] Erdogan discussed with Obama in Paris the ease of tension with Russia

The meeting came one day after Erdogan said he would be ready to resign if allegations by his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that Turkey traded oil with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) were proved.

"The United States supports Turkey's right to defend itself and its airspace ... We discussed how Turkey and Russia can work together to de-escalate tensions and find a diplomatic path to resolve the issue," Obama said after the meeting with Erdogan.

Obama said he stressed to Erdogan that ISIL was the enemy that all sides needed to focus on.

Erdogan stated that the two had discussed Turkish-Russian tension. "Our concern is to not come out badly from this, but on the contrary, to turn this into peace and contribute to peace in the region," Erdogan said.

Obama added that the U.S. was eager to accelerate work on its military relationship with Turkey to ensure its NATO ally was safe and to help resolve the conflict in Syria.

(?)

[09] Germany, France demand the use of Incirlik air base in Turkey

In the aftermath of the attacks, France promised to increase its support to the U.S.-led coalition against ISIL, while Germany promised its neighbor that it would make a greater contribution to the fight.

In line with these pledges, France and Germany have applied to use Turkey's Incirlik air base, which Turkey's Foreign Ministry and General Staff consider favorably.

Berlin sent a letter of intent to the Turkish side regarding the usage of the air base for the Tornado reconnaissance jets it has pledged to send to the coalition.

The Turkish General Staff and the Foreign Ministry were reportedly leaning toward the usage of the air base by German jets. Ankara is expected to send a positive response to Germany soon after the completion of necessary evaluations.

Turkey agreed in July to open the air base to U.S. drones and fighter jets as part of an agreement for a closer cooperation of the two countries against ISIL.

(?)

In a similar move, France also sent a letter of intent to Ankara for the usage of air bases in Turkey, including Incirlik, as well as Turkish airspace in case of emergency.

France also demanded that the French aircraft carrier Charles De Gaulle receive logistical support from the Tasucu Port in the southern province of Mersin, which neighbors Adana.

Sources said that Turkey reportedly does not see any obstacles to France's demands, adding that the deal sealed with the U.S. on the usage of Incirlik could be extended to other partners as well.

Sources have also said that Spain could extend the duty of Patriot missiles it has stationed in Adana for another year, while Italy could station SAMP-T missiles by early 2016 in the southeastern provinces of Kahramanmaras and Gaziantep.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AA)

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