Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-12-14

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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 argued that if they failed to reach an agreement then the division would be permanent

[02] Davutoglu argues that there are strong signals for the removal of Cyprus' veto on EU chapters

[03] Colak refers to an "unprecedented foreign support" to the Cyprus negotiations

[04] Ozyigit: Derogations are a must for a bi-zonal solution

[05] The regime granted "citizenship" to 1506 persons in 2015; In six years 19547 foreigners applied to purchase property in occupied Cyprus

[06] The EU to provide 32 million euro to the Turkish Cypriot community

[07] CTP represented at the SDP general congress in Berlin

[08] Tension escalates as Russia fires warning shots at Turkish vessel

[09] Erdogan: Pilot's mistake must not hurt Turkey-Russia ties

[10] Turkish officials in Brussels for the opening of Chapter 17

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci argued that if they failed to reach an agreement then the division would be permanent

Asked whether there would be an agreement before the elections in May 2016, Akinci, in an interview to the Turkish channel NTV, said that from the six chapters currently discussed, they were in a position to close the first three. He added that most differences are observed in the chapters of property, guarantees, territory and especially governance and power sharing. He stressed that they had not yet reached mutual agreement on the issue of rotating presidency.

Referring to the guarantee system, Akinci explained that if any person asked in the street in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, they would say that they wanted the continuation of Turkey's guarantees. He said that there was still a lack of trust between the people, adding that the Greek Cypriots also wanted guarantees but through the EU or the UN Security Council, however, this was not a sufficient guarantee for the Turkish Cypriots.

(DPs)

[02] Davutoglu argues that there are strong signals for the removal of Cyprus' veto on EU chapters

"There is a new era and a window of opportunity [between Turkey and the EU]. I hope everyone will capitalize on this," Davutoglu told reporters at a press conference following the meeting of the Reform Action Group on Dec 11.

Davutoglu admitted the blockage of these chapters but stressed there were strong signals the veto would be removed. "We will hopefully open Chapter 17 on Dec 14. This will be the second chapter opened in the last five years. At this pace, we can only conclude the accession process in the next century," he said. "But we are working as if all chapters were to open tomorrow and we will close all opened chapters in a short span of time," he stressed.

[03] Colak refers to an "unprecedented foreign support" to the Cyprus negotiations

In statements to illegal TAK news agency, Colak described the foreign support to the negotiating process as "unprecedented". She said that the foreign interest existed in 2004 as well, but now it seems higher as the EU is expressing its discomfort because Cyprus is a member with an unsolved political problem and it is more willing to get rid of this "anomaly" and the "contradictions" it creates. "Therefore, it seems that the time for the solution has come", she argued.

Pointing out that the negotiations will further intensify in the forthcoming months, Colak expressed the belief that the solution will have a positive effect on the interests of many countries.

Colak said that they are in continuous contact with the EU, even though this communication is not at the desirable level. She added that they try to make use of the European support in the best possible manner by overcoming the "boundaries" of the Europeans and the "obstacles" allegedly put by the Greek Cypriots.

Referring to Turkey's role in the solution of the Cyprus problem, Colak said that there is a very special relation with Turkey and Ankara's "support and decisiveness" for a solution in Cyprus continue and have recently being intensified. "It is a true and hopeful factor that Turkey's role is very big and important in the solution in Cyprus", she claimed.

Responding to a question, Colak said that discussions on the property and territory issue have been taking place for a month and the assumptions that this chapter would be the most difficult one have been verified. "My assumption and observation is that progress is being made, even though in small steps, that is, negotiations are advancing, they are not retrogressing, they are not being frozen", she said noting that even this alone is hopeful.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ozyigit: Derogations are a must for a bi-zonal solution

He said that in order for the bi-zonal and bi-communal structure of the solution to be protected, population numbers in the "north and south" must be subject to certain limitation.

He said that two of the four freedoms that the Greek Cypriots insists on are the freedom of settlement and the freedom of obtaining property. "Derogations on these issues are necessary conditions", he stated.

(CS)

[05] The regime granted "citizenship" to 1506 persons in 2015; In six years 19547 foreigners applied to purchase property in occupied Cyprus

Moreover, it is reported that the "ministry of labor" granted 47.798 work permits during the period 1 Juanuary-30 September 2015 and that the "working permit center" has acquired an income of 15.501.713 Turkish liras (TL).

The report also notes that 19.547 foreigners have applied to purchase property in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus during the past six years. It is said that 16.927 of these persons eventually purchased property. During the first ten months of 2015, 1.317 foreigners applied to buy property in the occupied area of Cyprus.

During the same period, 3,992 persons were born and 1.091 deaths were recorded. Furthermore, 2,197 businesses were registered and 608 working places closed down. Meanwhile, 34,551 shotguns, 11,458 air guns and 1,674 pistols were registered in the occupied area of the island by 31 October 2015.

Finally, during the above-mentioned period, the regime distributed 234 rural plots of land in occupied Gialousa (33), Trikomo (48), Milia (6), Kondea (44), Afanya (46), Dikomo (44) and Fotta (13) villages.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The EU to provide 32 million euro to the Turkish Cypriot community

The approval of this fund constitutes the continuation of the successful Aid Programme promoting the economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, improving contacts between the two communities and bringing the Turkish Cypriots closer to the EU.

Since 2006, the EU has invested 400 million euro under the Aid Program for the Turkish Cypriot community to support local small businesses, develop or improve key infrastructures and prepare the Turkish Cypriot community for the implementation of the EU (body of laws) in the perspective of the reunification of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (13.12.15) reported that Ali Cirali, chairman of the so-called Turkish Cypriot chamber of Industry, commenting on the approval of the new financial assistance program, described it as very for the development of the Turkish Cypriots' dairy industry.

Referring to the preparations for the geographical registration of halloumi/hellim cheese, Cirali said that a lot of preparatory work still needed to be completed.

(AK)

[07] CTP represented at the SDP general congress in Berlin

The refugee crisis, the fight against terrorism and ISIL, the developments in Syria and other global issues where on the agenda of the congress.

CTP was the only party from Cyprus represented at the congress.

(AK)

[08] Tension escalates as Russia fires warning shots at Turkish vessel

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday that one of its warships, the destroyer Smetlivy, used small arms fire to ward off a Turkish fishing boat and prevent a collision in the Aegean Sea.

The incident, which occurred on Sunday morning, is likely to heighten tensions between the two nations, which are at odds over Syria and the Turkish shooting down of a Russian military jet last month.

[09] Erdogan: Pilot's mistake must not hurt Turkey-Russia ties

"We wouldn't have liked not to come across such a [situation], but looking at it from another perspective a mistake has been made in our sovereign area. Who made this mistake? Not the manager, of course. It is the pilots who were negligent and did not hear the warnings," Erdogan told reporters aboard the presidential plane returning to Turkey from the Turkmenistan capital Ashgabat.

He was referring to the two pilots inside a Russian Su-24 warplane that was shot down by Turkish F-16 fighter jets after violating Turkish airspace along the border with Syria.

Stating that Turkish pilots are obliged to take action within the rules of engagement in such situations, Erdogan said a "mistake" on the Russian side should not lead to such negative consequences on bilateral relations.

"An incident that occurred due to mistake of a pilot, who did not listen to the warnings, should not affect the relations of two nations, particularly not strategic relations. The effect of the incident on bilateral relations really saddens us," he added.

The Turkish president was in Turkmenistan to join an international conference attended by a number of regional leaders with close ties to both Moscow and Ankara.

Stating that he held bilateral meetings with Turkmenistan President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Georgian President Giorgi Margvelashvili, Iranian First Vice President Eshaq Jahangiri, and Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Erdogan said they had all asked what could be done to solve the crisis. "We are not in favour of tension. We want to continue our strategic partnership and relations with Russia in the same way as we have up to now. We have worked together successfully for the past 10 to 11 years. We want to continue this," he stated. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS / AA)

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