Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-12-11

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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: "Turkey has not met the conditions for neither recognizing the 'TRNC' nor for not recognizing 'south Cyprus'"

[02] Eide: The key goal is that both communities need to feel secure not only today but in the long run

[03] Yenel: "Our expectation is the solution of the Cyprus problem within the next months"

[04] Colak met with EP members

[05] British Foreign Office announced that the decision belongs to Cyprus with who will have bilateral agreements

[06] A crisis summit on tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] Around one thousand Turkish and Turkish Cypriot pilgrims to visit the Hala Sultan mosque

[08] Three journalists got suspended sentences for 'insulting' Erdogan

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "Turkey has not met the conditions for neither recognizing the 'TRNC' nor for not recognizing 'south Cyprus'"

Speaking at a conference organized at the Kadir Has University in Istanbul yesterday, Akinci said that the ongoing Cyprus negotiations process is aimed at reaching a comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem. He said that the time for concentrated peace talks in Cyprus, where the parties to the solution should be locked up in a room and not allowed out until they reach an agreement, has come.

Referring to the type of a meeting implemented to choose a Pope, the papal conclave, Ak?nc? said that he believes that time is approaching for a similar exercise, but admitted that the Greek Cypriot leader does not share yet this opinion. "You know how they choose the new Pope? They all gather in one place and they do not go out until they choose one, [and then] you see smoke coming out," said Ak?nc?, adding that a similar type of meeting was necessary to reach a final agreement.

Asked about the modalities of the meeting, Ak?nc?, said that the three guarantor powers, Turkey, Greece and the UK would have to be present in that meeting as well.

Referring to the progress of the Cyprus negotiation process, Akinci said: "There has been important progress on three main issues, namely governance, economic issues and the European Union. On the remaining three issues ? properties, territory and security, difficulties still remain. The two sides needed to enter a period where they will have to sort out differences in a concentrated effort".

Pointing out that the current negotiation talks in Cyprus constitute the last effort of the older generations to find a solution based on a federation, Ak?nc? underlined how young generations on both sides of the island grew stranger to each other after years of division. "This is the last effort of my generation to find a solution under a federal roof. Young generations on the island will have to find other ways. We need to solve the issue in a matter of months, not years." Ak?nc? said.

Referring to the issue of hydrocarbons, Akinci said that if the Cyprus problem is solved, this issue should not become an issue of dispute and tension. He added that the most correct approach for solving this matter, is to be united in order to find the wisest solution which will benefit all. "A scenario which could be beneficial for all parties and would please the EU as well, could be to solve the Cyprus problem and probably unify this natural gas with Israel's natural gas and later passing it from Cyprus to Turkey and then to the EU", said Akinci.

Asked to reply to a question concerning the "citizenship issue", Akinci reiterated that all the "TRNC citizens" would become citizens of the United Cyprus to be and the EU after the solution.

(?)

[02] Eide: The key goal is that both communities need to feel secure not only today but in the long run

Speaking in an interview to the Ankara Anatolia news agency after wrapping up his talks with Turkish officials, Eide said that "a solid conclusion on governance" will guarantee the security of both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots.

"Maybe a solid conclusion on governance that provides for the safety of the Turkish Cypriots, so that that there is no way that the events of the 1960s can happen again, may also be the key to any kind of adaptation of a security regime," he added.

"We have to involve the guarantor states in the negotiations: Turkey, the U.K., and Greece. The official positions are well known, Turkey wants guarantees to go on and Greece wants them to go. We are looking for ways to make sure that everybody in Cyprus feels secure, but in such a way that their security is not undermining the security of somebody else," Eide said.

"This is what we call 'cooperative security,' in the sense that the Turkish Cypriots need to be safe as the smaller community and they need to be safe not only in the physical or military sense but also in the political construct. There must be good space for them to preserve their political and cultural identity in the constituent state. At the same time, we want the Greek Cypriots to feel themselves confident and safe in the construct too," he added.

Pointing out that the two sides have been focusing intensively on the property issue over the past few weeks, the UN Special Adviser expressed the view that it will be possible to see a solution on the horizon once the two sides succeed in solving the property issue, which he referred to as a key component of a settlement.

Responding to questions, Eide said that a reunified Cyprus will allow the normalization of relations with neighbours. "A settlement could also play an integrating role in the region" he said.

"What I'm now doing is spending time with the leaders of the guarantor powers and the leaders in Cyprus, to see what kind of mutual accommodation can be found. The key goal that we all now agree on is that both communities need to feel secure not only today but in the long run, in such a way that enhances the other's security. If one has security to the detriment of another, then it is not producing security overall," he added.

Commenting on a referendum on the island, the UN Envoy said that if one of the two sides rejects the settlement plan put before them then this would mean that the plan did not work. "This would mean a serious opportunity would be missed. We haven't been this close to a settlement in Cyprus for a long time. Both leaders can encourage and persuade their communities to vote in favour of a settlement", he added.

Mentioning that a solution in Cyprus will not only be for the benefit of the Turkish side but also in favour of all parties, Eide argued that a united island's economy will eliminate all political barriers.

Furthermore, Eide also stated that he had a chance to meet with the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu while he was in Ankara and he said that Turkey has an attitude in favour of a solution in Cyprus.

Eide concluded his speech by saying: "Mr Davutoglu is my ex-colleague, we have worked together in the past and we know each other very well. Davutoglu confirmed to me once more, that Turkey wants a solution. After a certain point, the guarantor countries will also be included in the negotiation process. I informed Ankara, the UK and Athens continuously about the progress of the negotiations. This is not only about the Cyprus issue, it is also a regional and international problem."

(DPs)

[03] Yenel: "Our expectation is the solution of the Cyprus problem within the next months"

Pointing out that 2016 will be a year full of action concerning Turkey's ties with the EU, Yenel said that if a positive outcome derives from the the Cyprus negotiation talks, then 2016 will be a fruitful year.

Yenel said that Chapter 17 on economic policy will be opened on Monday. He, however, added that the Cyprus problem remains a major obstacle to Turkey's accession plans, as several other chapters still remain blocked due to the "Greek Cypriot administration" unilateral veto. "Our expectation is that there will be a solution on the Cyprus problem within the next months. Still we should not waste time until then. It is for this reason that the Commission would make some preparations. What does this means? The preparations for the opening of the chapters will be made and as soon as all political obstacles are lifted and afterwards the chapters will open immediately. As a matter of fact, after the EU summit in Brussels, the Commission has speeded up the preparatory works, whilst in the past it did not do it due to the Greek Cypriot obstacle. (?)".

Yenel also said that the migration crisis has made EU and Turkey relations closer. "Europe has re-discovered Turkey because of the migration crisis, and we need to put this to good use," Yenel said, adding: "EU-Turkey relations have become accelerated because of the migration crisis."

(?)

[04] Colak met with EP members

At the meeting with Wolski, Colak briefed him regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus negotiation process, adding that it is very important the groups within the EP to listen to the voice of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Wolski, for his part, referring to the ongoing events in Syria and in the region, expressed his concern over the relationship between the Republic of Cyprus and Russia.

On the Cyprus talks, Wolski wished that this time the negotiation process to reach a success and added that they, as a group, give their support to the Cyprus talks.

During the meeting with Harms, Colak briefed her also on the Cyprus talks, adding that a critical point in the process has been reached. Stressing, for this reason, the importance of the close cooperation with the EU organs and authorities with the aim to support and protect the Cyprus talks, Colak emphasized the importance that the EU remains in equal distance to both communities.

Harms stressed that the important thing is to reach a solution and a settlement that will be accepted by both communities on the island and conveyed the support of the Greens on this matter.

(DPs)

[05] British Foreign Office announced that the decision belongs to Cyprus with who will have bilateral agreements

Replying to a question of a correspondent by the Ankara Anatolia news agency, the British Foreign Office announced that Britain has already discussed with Cypriot officials regarding the issue of Russia using the bases in Cyprus in cases of emergency and that they will be in close contact with the Republic of Cyprus on issues of regional security.

(DPs)

[06] A crisis summit on tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus

The summit organised by the self-styled tourism minister Faiz Sucuoglu and worked towards establishing aims that will expand and promote the tourism industry for the next two years.

Delivering the opening speech at the summit, Sucuoglu said that after discussion which will take place next week at a second summit they will be determining a roadmap for the tourism industry. "The chapters that will be defined during the summit will form the basis of the tourism workshop in January", said Sucuoglu.

Referring to tourism campaigns, Sucuoglu said that comfort and security will be brought to the limelight during the campaigns and added that receptions will also be given in Ankara and throughout Turkey to promote the "TRNC" to the Anatolian people.

He said that as a second step they want to further strengthen domestic tourism and added that they will promote special packages for "TRNC nationals".

Noting that as of next week promotional commercials will take place in London and Manchester, Sucuoglu pointed to the importance of the British tourism market. He also said that a few days ago a protocol had been signed with a foreign tour operator in order to bring European tourists to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (11.12.15) reports that Sucuoglu said that in the coming weeks he will meet with the Turkish Minister of Tourism in Turkey to discuss a package that will be prepared accordingly to the results of these crisis summits on tourism.

(DPs)

[07] Around one thousand Turkish and Turkish Cypriot pilgrims to visit the Hala Sultan mosque

The visit is organized after the approval of a request submitted by the "Religious affairs department head" Prof. Dr Talip Atalay to Archbishop Chrysostomos B'.

(AK)

[08] Three journalists got suspended sentences for 'insulting' Erdogan

"Birgun" coordinator Bar?s Ince, Editor-in-Chief Berkant Gultekin and Managing Editor Can Ugur on December 10 received sentences of 11 months and 20 days in prison each for allegedly insulting Erdogan in a news story on the front page of the daily's February 17 issue.

The court, however, postponed the prison sentence on the conviction that the defendants would not engage in further criminal activities, but ruled for the three to be on probation for one year.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK / AM)

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