Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-12-04

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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 and Kerry discussed American arms embargoes on the Cyprus Republic; No reference to the issue of guarantees

[02] Davutoglu asked for the regime's "citizenship" to be granted to another 26,500 Turkish settlers

[03] Bozkir held contacts in Brussels; Hahn: "The EU does not have a plan B on Turkey's EU bid if the Cyprus problem is not solved"

[04] Talat: It is not in our interest to fight over the water issue with Turkey

[05] Turkish Cypriot politicians react on the NAVTEX issued by the Republic of Cyprus

[06] Arabacioglu: The minutes of the Cyprus talks' meetings are sent to the "assembly"

[07] Turkish Cypriot Union of Artists and Writers expresses solidarity to arrested Cumhuriyet journalists

[08] Cavusoglu met with Lavrov in Belgrade; Cavusoglu: "We expect a recovery of our ties, it cannot go on like this forever"

[09] Davutoglu: "TANAP project to be completed before 2018"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci and Kerry discussed American arms embargoes on the Cyprus Republic; No reference to the issue of guarantees

Akinci described as "not true" the information published in the Greek Cypriot press that the USA had lifted the arms embargo imposed on the Republic of Cyprus and added that this issue was discussed in the meeting with Kerry.

Arguing that the visit was important as far as post solution Turkish-Greek relations, Turkish-European relations and the united federal Cyprus are concerned, Akinci noted that they discussed the issue of the financial aid to Cyprus after the solution. Akinci said that the USA will help in the financing of the solution, in the context of a collective international effort.

Responding to a question, Akinci described as "useful" the visits to Cyprus of Foreign Affairs Ministers from various countries and added: "It is extremely necessary for everyone who wants to contribute to a solution in Cyprus to visit and listen to the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, who in the future will participate in a structure of two politically equal founding states in Cyprus".

He alleged that he "strongly wished" to meet with Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov who visited Cyprus the day before yesterday. He argued: "We do not expect from such important countries to recognize the TRNC. Our stance towards him was not about this. Our meeting had no relation to the tension between Turkey and Russia. This dialogue between us took place ten days before the airplane accident. If we handle the calls for meetings in the buffer zone in this manner, other ministers will not come either. We will be faced with the question as to whether we should move our office to the buffer zone. I hope we will meet in the future".

Replying to another question, Akinci said that the issue of guarantees had not come onto the agenda during the meeting with Kerry. He recalled statements that the guarantees will be discussed at the last stage of the negotiations.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Davutoglu asked for the regime's "citizenship" to be granted to another 26,500 Turkish settlers

Citing information published in Turkish Cypriot Gazete360 newspaper (online), the paper notes that Davutoglu demanded this from Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, so-called prime minister, Omer Kalyoncu and self-styled assembly "speaker", Sibel Siber during his recent illegal visit to the occupied area of the island, arguing that these persons are being "unjustly treated". It is reported that Akinci rejected this demand saying that these new "citizenships" will destroy the negotiating process aiming at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The issue has reportedly come onto the agenda during the meeting of Republican Turkish Party's (CTP) council last night and created great discomfort. CTP officials said they had not been informed of such a number.

"During a period when 10,000 persons are waiting for their turn to become citizens, Davutoglu's asking for more was the last straw", writes the paper.

Meanwhile, citing sources close to President Anastasiades, the paper reports that the sides had agreed that the population of the Turkish Cypriots after the solution should be 220,000, but Akinci now wants 50,000 more. Moreover, on the issue of the cell phone network it is said that Akinci insists on having a separate code. The paper asks whether these allegations are true.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Bozkir held contacts in Brussels; Hahn: "The EU does not have a plan B on Turkey's EU bid if the Cyprus problem is not solved"

Bozk?r also held a joint press conference with Hahn.

Speaking during the press conference, Hahn stated, inter alia, that in case there is no solution on the Cyprus problem, the EU does not have a plan B on Turkey's EU negotiation process.

Replying to questions of reporters on the process of the Cyprus negotiations, Hahn said that the progress on the talks is heard warming and expressed hopes for a positive outcome. "It is for this reason that is not necessary to think about a plan B. The only plan that we should focus on, is plan A", Hahn said.

Also, speaking to a group of journalists who accompanied him on the visit to Brussels, Bozkir said that claims about Turkey becoming Europe's open air refugee camp in exchange for 3 billion euro, neither reflected the truth nor did it encompass the principal aim of the refugee action plan.

Bozkir rejected the claims that Turkey would turn into an open air refugee camp after the EU deal and called these accusations unjust, adding that they did not reflect the truth. ''After the deal, the EU determines its refugee quotas every year and the refugees will be accepted by Europe systematically and in a manner worthy of human dignity,'' he said.

(?)Saying that Chapter 17 will open for negotiations on December 14, Bozkir added that Turkey expected to open five more Chapters for negotiations. ''In addition to this Chapter, we are also expecting five more Chapters to be opened during negotiations. These will include Chapter 23 on political issues, Chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security, Chapter 26 regarding education and culture, and Chapter 31 on international security and defense policies. These articles are all currently blocked by Cyprus so prior to making any decisions regarding the opening of these article discussions, we will start negotiations to on whatever we need to work on'', he said.

Concerning the issue of visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in return for Ankara's implementation of the readmission agreement, Bozk?r underlined that the readmission agreement must be understood thoroughly. ''We [Turkey] accept our citizens who have entered Europe illegally, without need for a readmission agreement. We also accept the return of those individuals who illegally fled to Europe through Turkey. The main topic of discussion here is the return of those who claim to have illegally entered Europe through Turkey. Turkey will establish a commission to determine whether those individuals really left Turkey. This commission will examine the status of these individuals as well. Following the examination of these cases by the commission Turkey has established, if it is determined that these migrants are indeed from Turkey then we will accept them back."

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (04.12.15) reports that Turkey's EU Minister Bozkir, replying to a question of Haberturk TV channel after the end of the EU-Turkey summit in Brussels, referred to the Cyprus problem and said that they are expecting that a solution on the Cyprus problem will be found by March.

(AK)

[04] Talat: It is not in our interest to fight over the water issue with Turkey

The chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the "government" is examining the proposal issued by Turkey two days ago but added that the two sides continue to stick to their positions. "We are open for negotiations but we are continuing to follow the same line on the issue. [?] It is not in our interest to have a fight with Turkey. We are just saying what we think is the right thing to do. They are explaining their position as well. This is a negotiation", he stated.

On his part, Dursun Oguz, the general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), the other partner of the "coalition government", stated that the party came together to discuss the issue and decided that negotiations are needed in order for a middle solution to be found. "The road for a dialogue with Turkey is open and we need to negotiate and come to an agreement", he stated.

(CS)

[05] Turkish Cypriot politicians react on the NAVTEX issued by the Republic of Cyprus

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that this is a critical period for the Eastern Mediterranean and any initiatives that may cause more tension should be avoided. Soyer argued that the military exercise with Russia is a dangerous exercise. He added that neither the Greek nor the Turkish Cypriot side reacted when Britain allowed France to use UK's Akrotiri Base in Cyprus for their military operations. It is for this reason that Cyprus is now in the middle of the fire circle.

Soyer also said that Russia continues to carry out military operations in Syria and Russia's military exercise in the territorial waters of Cyprus may increase the tension. He argued that it is not correct that fleets belonging to Western countries be placed in Cyprus.

The leader of the Socialist Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit, referring to the same issue, said: "The Greek Cypriot approach regarding NAVTEX is not correct. Especially, the Greek Cypriot side should not be the side between Russia and Turkey". He added that this position will have an adverse effect at the negotiating table.

Referring to the decision of the USA to lift the arm embargos on Cyprus Republic, Ozyigit expressed his dissapointment. He added that this decision is wrong and it can only increase tension.

Hasan Tacoy, the general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), described the NAVTEX issued by the Republic of Cyprus as an Orthodox plan. He claimed that this development shows that the Orthodox crusade has started.

Ersin Tatar, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP), expressed his concern, adding that he follows what the Great States do in the area. He noted that the Turkish Cypriot "people", who are in the middle of fire, does not have the right to speak. He believes that the tension between Russia and Turkey will be only short term because the two countries have strong economic relations.

(DPs)

[06] Arabacioglu: The minutes of the Cyprus talks' meetings are sent to the "assembly"

Speaking to the illegal "BRT", Arabacioglu said that the minutes of the Cyprus talks' meetings are sent to the "assembly" of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus very quickly. He added that all the minutes of last month's meetings have arrived.

Arabacioglu explained that not only the minutes of the meetings between Akinci ? Anastasiades, but also the minutes between the meetings of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the foreign missions, are sent to the "assembly".

(DPs)

[07] Turkish Cypriot Union of Artists and Writers expresses solidarity to arrested Cumhuriyet journalists

The Union expressed its solidarity to Dundar and Gul noting that their arrest is an act against democracy. The Union also commented on the assassination of Diyarbakir lawyer Tahir Elci noting that it showed the "dark face of the Turkish state".

(CS)

[08] Cavusoglu met with Lavrov in Belgrade; Cavusoglu: "We expect a recovery of our ties, It cannot go on like this forever"

Cavusoglu was speaking on Thursday night following his first meeting with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on the sidelines of an OSCE summit in the Serbian capital of Belgrade.

Relations between the two countries have been under pressure after Turkish F-16s downed a Russian warplane that violated Turkish airspace last week.

Cavusoglu said: "We are at a point we do not want to be right now. Relations should continue to put the negotiations back on track. We are for it. Both sides do not want to escalate [problems] and want to fix relations, but we have different opinions and positions. We, as Turkey, want to resolve these differences."

Expressing hope that Russia would stop making "groundless accusations", Cavusoglu said he was sure "common sense" would prevail.

Cavusoglu also added: "We expect the recovery of the relationship with patience but we also need to know that it cannot go like this forever."

Meanwhile, Russia Today has reported that Lavrov said he heard nothing new from his Turkish counterpart regarding Ankara's position on the downing of the Russian warplane. Lavrov's briefing was closed to Turkish media.

This was the first high-level contact between Ankara and Moscow since an intruding Russian SU-24 was shot down by Turkish F-16s near the Syrian border.

[09] Davutoglu: "TANAP project to be completed before 2018"

Speaking in a joint press conference with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Baku, Davutoglu said: "We have reached an agreement [with Azerbaijan] to realize the TANAP project not in 2018 as planned, before that [2018]".

"We will work on it non-stop. We will do whatever is needed for the TANAP project," he added.

"TANAP and Baku-Tbilisi and Ceyhan, as two big projects, are the main channels to transfer oil and natural gas from the Caspian to the Mediterranean and Europe," Davutoglu said.

(?)

Davutoglu's meeting with Aliyev followed the deterioration of bilateral ties with Moscow after Turkey downed a Russian warplane.

Russian officials also said on Thursday that the negotiations over the multi-billion-dollar Turkish Stream pipeline project, which would have carried Russian natural gas to Europe through Turkey, have been suspended.

Alexey Miller, chief executive officer of the Russian energy company Gazprom, said that Turkey had not got back to Russia with a proposal about the project, adding that it was now waiting for an intergovernmental agreement between Ankara and Moscow.

On Wednesday, Turkey's Petroleum Pipeline Corporation and Qatar's national oil company signed a memorandum of understanding for long-term LNG trade, which was interpreted by analysts as a counter measure to end dependence on Russian gas imports.

As Turkey is an energy-dependent country and meets about 92% of its oil and 98% of its natural gas needs through imports, Azerbaijan with its vast hydrocarbon reserves in the Caspian region, is strategically important.

In Baku, Davutoglu also called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to defuse the increased tension: "Let's meet on the negotiating ground, instead of [making] bilateral accusations. Then, if any information about the cirmcumstances of the incident [downing the warplane] and how it occurred is requrred, we've already shared it but we will share it one more time."

He also added: "Turkey is ready to discuss every topic with Russia. (?) The only things that we will not negotiate are the borders of the Republic of Turkey or its right to independence."

However, Davutoglu criticized Moscow's series of economic sanctions, describing it as a "contradiction". "Those who do not like economic embargos imposed on them, should not place an embargo on others", said Davutoglu. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AA)

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