Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-12-17

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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 met with Akinci

[02] Bozkir on Cyprus problem: We are closer to a solution than ever before

[03] The Cyprus problem was discussed at the "budget debate" in the "assembly"

[04] Social Democrat Party continues to support Turkey's guarantees in Cyprus

[05] Columnist: Solution to the Cyprus problem is not reached because this does not suit Turkey's interests; Akinci is surrendered to Turkey

[06] Columnist: Turkish Cypriots are also worried about the regime's arbitrariness in "citizenship" policy

[07] The "budget" of the "polis general directorate" was approved

[08] "Tourism ministry" launches a promoting campaign of "North Cyprus" in Britain

[09] The occupation regime to start using Euro diesel fuel instead of diesel as of January 1st

[10] US, Turkey agree on rules for future American air patrol missions near Syria

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eide met with Akinci

The meeting took place at the so-called presidential palace. The aim of the meeting was to discuss the preparatory works for the leaders' meeting next Sunday.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Eide said that his meeting with Akinci was fruitful and explained that they are exerting efforts and work hard to create the ground for the talks to take place in January. He added that during the meeting of the two leaders on Sunday the program for January will be discussed.

"On Sunday we will be discussing exactly how the schedule of January will be. We have experienced fruitful developments on some key issues. What we are trying to do now, is to see which the essential issues are in order to be tackled at the final round" Eide said, adding also the following: "In order to make those issues specific and clear and to limit them in number, we are trying to reduce differences on other aspects. So, when we eventually go to the final round of the talks, we will tackle with the most important issues.

Touching upon the property issue, Eide said that no more time should be wasted on this issue and added that they are focusing now on some ideas in order to move to some other remaining issues. "I'm quite confident that we're seeing the contours of a settlement on property which I think both sides will be able to live quite comfortably with but of course I'm not ready to say exactly what that will be before the leaders have finally concluded", Eide stated.

Explaining that they have been able to focus more of their work on economy last week, Eide announced that the leaders are getting assistance now from the principle and national financial institutions.

"We have World Bank experts and International Monetary Fund experts working with us, in support of the leaders in order to look at all the aspects which will be the banking sector and tax issues" Eide said.

Upon being asked a question whether he considers that a referendum will take place on March 2016, Eide said that there is no timetable at the talks. He, however, underlined that the two leaders' aim is to work consistently in order to carry out the negotiations process successfully.

Concerning the guarantee issue, he recalled that he held contacts in Turkey on this matter and added that he would also have contacts in Athens very soon. He also reiterated that all involved parties should gather sometime somewhere to discuss the issue.

(AK)

[02] Bozkir on Cyprus problem: We are closer to a solution than ever before

Volkan Bozkir, EU minister and chief negotiator of Turkey who refereed to Turkey's EU bid and the Cyprus negotiations.

"For the last 50 years, there is a dispute in Cyprus and today we are closer to a solution than ever before. Today the solution of the Cyprus issue is more achievable than solutions to disputes in Syria, Palestine, and Ukraine. The leaders of the two sides of the island covered significant ground. The work on drafting a joint constitution will, God willing, be completed in March and it will be possible to found a state through a referendum. If this materializes, and I am hopeful that it will, a dispute will be taken off the global agenda and this will be a model for other disputes. Use of regional opportunities and resources will resolve the problem. Additionally, the negatives that occurred in the EU process will disappear", Bozkir stated and added:

"When the Cyprus issue is resolved and South Cyprus lifts its blockage on 13 chapters, we are in a position to complete these within two months. Despite the blockage, we continued with our work on these chapters for the last 10 years. Had we not done all that work, the negotiation process would have lasted three to five years even once the blockage is lifted."

[03] The Cyprus problem was discussed at the "budget debate" in the "assembly"

Noting that everybody needs a solution, Colak stressed that if they do not show their maximum effort toward this, then it will not happen. She added that Cyprus is an anomaly for the EU and everyone acknowledges this. She went on: "The Cyprus problem is important for Turkey. Is it more important for our interests or for Turkey to obtain a progress on this issue? There is no need for such discussion. At this moment, there is suitable atmosphere for a solution".

Noting that there are no reservations on the issue of the Confidential Building Measures (CBMs), Colak noted that works for the demining in the crossing points of Apliki and Deryneia have been completed. She further said that the tenders for the structure of the Deryneia crossing point have been opened for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

The paper reports that the budget of the "ministry of foreign affairs" was approved unanimously for the amount of 41 million 140 thousand 800 TL.

Speaking also at the "assembly", self-styled deputy Teberukken Ulucay with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) said that the potential of the "foreign minister budget" should be strengthened. He added that the duties and works of the "ministry" are important in order for the Turkish Cypriots to be more effective.

The general secretary of CTP Tufan Erhuman, speaking at the budget debate, reminded that the "immovable property commission" does not have a budget and added: "Is it proposed that Turkey will pay the compensations for the Greek Cypriot properties? Is this not one? Who will pay this cost if there is not a settlement? The Committee is not in a position to pay for this. For this reason, it will go to the European Court of Human Rights. At the time, this institution will be "pay pass". And everything will return to the beginning. Loizides' decision will produce decisions. The important thing is not who will pay the compensations, but to whom the property belongs. If there is no solution, what will happen to the property issue?"

The leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas claimed that the opening of the crossing points was one of the biggest political steps that the Turkish Cypriot side took. He said that they asked for them to think about what will happen if they say no to the solution, but they are obliged to think about what will happen the next day of the solution. He added that they all should pay attention to their views regarding the property issue.

(DPs)

[04] Social Democrat Party continues to support Turkey's guarantees in Cyprus

Tunali stated that the "people" must be informed about the developments regarding the Cyprus problem and stated that he is against reaching an agreement just for the sake of an agreement. He went on and added that in order for a central bi-zonal government to operate without any problems, Turkey's guarantees must continue after a solution is reached.

(CS)

[05] Columnist: Solution to the Cyprus problem is not reached because this does not suit Turkey's interests; Akinci is surrendered to Turkey

"[?] Is the second option possible? It is not. Because they know that, that is not possible the non-solution continues and we are dying out. The solution of the Cyprus problem has not been realized for so many years, because this did not suit Turkey's interests. [?] Now Espen Barth Eide says that 'Turkey wants a solution' and tries to convince Anastasiades and consequently us for this. There is of course a possibility of Turkey wanting a solution, but in return for this, the price is very seriously high, in my view. I am honestly curious about how this big price will be settled. [?]

Mustafa Akinci was the hope of a very large part of the society. I am still exerting serious efforts to continue having faith in the solution, but no guide is needed to a village that is already within sight. He has also been surrendered to Turkey. What he is saying on the issue of guarantees is different from what he was saying in the past. His stance regarding the citizenship of our brothers from Turkey is different than the one in the past. These are facts which the Greek Cypriots will not accept and have been strengthening the non-solution for years.

Even his relations with the administrators of Turkey are very different. Especially his position regarding Recep Tayyip Erdogan is surprising. [?] Do you know what the reality is? This reality is that Anastasiades and Davutoglu meet and talk. Even if they deny it, the reality is that many issues, including the security and guarantees, are negotiated outside the negotiating table directly or indirectly between the Greek Cypriot side and Turkey, without the Turkish Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriot leadership knowing about it. [?]

It is true that Akinci is our last bullet for not dying out, but the course of things shows that when we compare his stance and statements today to the past, we will shoot our own foot with this bullet! And when this last bullet is shot, we will not remain 'cripple', we will die!"

(I/Ts.)

[06] Columnist: Turkish Cypriots are also worried about the regime's arbitrariness in "citizenship" policy

"[?] You know that in the past the increase in our population has been twice as much as the normal one.

The 'citizenship' numbers are now more critical for the 'solution' process as well. I have honestly found strange the statements which relate the issue to the 'bedroom'. First I heard them from president Akinci and I was surprised. In a speech at Kadir has University in Istanbul, he said: 'How can I immobilize the population of the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots? Will I stand as a guard in everyone's bedroom?' [?]

The president of the Democratic Party, Serdar Denktas has made a similar statement at the assembly: 'Will they interfere in our love life as well? Will I wait for 4 Greek Cypriot children to be born and then I will give birth to one?'

Who are we deceiving now? These are very populist statements. Everyone knows that the 'citizenship' problem in the northern part of Cyprus is not deriving from the 'bedroom' or the 'love life'! The worry is not about our fertility. Otherwise, the number of our voters would not increase from 103 thousands in 1993 to 122 thousands in 1998 and 141 thousands in 2000. We are known for carelessly giving or being forced to give citizenship for reasons such as a decision by the council of ministers, a signature by the minister, political populism, a request by Turkey, on financial grounds. Tens of them have been given exaggeratedly by saying that 'these are children, spouses, brothers' etc. And some by showing as false address of fifteen, twenty persons the house of an undersecretary. Mr Akinci knows this. Serdar Denktas does too. Everyone knows it. Not only the Greek Cypriots, but many people in the northern part of Cyprus are also worried about the arbitrariness of our 'citizenship' policy.

Moreover no one has yet denied that Turkey had recently asked for citizenship to be granted to 26 thousand new persons. [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[07] The "budget" of the "polis general directorate" was approved

Speaking during the discussion of the "budget" at the so-called assembly, Mehmet Cakici, "deputy" with the Social Democracy Party (TDP), referred, inter alia to the "draft law" envisaged for the "police" to bind to "political authorities" instead of the "military" and stressed the need for the "government" to bring the "law" into the agenda again.

Also speaking, Hasan Tacoy, "deputy" with the Democratic Party-National Forces (DP-UG) said that the number of the "police staff" fall behind and added that in total 1800 police staff serve at the "police".

(?)

(AK)

[08] "Tourism ministry" launches a promoting campaign of "North Cyprus" in Britain

The paper reports that the adverts promoting "North Cyprus" will be placed in airports, city centres, black cabs, buses, internet sites and newspapers. While the advertising campaign continues on the 130 black cabs, which are one of London's symbols, brochures promoting "North Cyprus" are also being distributed to customers in the taxi cabs.

Self-styled minister of tourism Faiz Sucuoglu said that the Britain market is very important and they will continue their promoting campaign in 2016 in order for this market to be increased.

(DPs)

[09] The occupation regime to start using Euro diesel fuel instead of diesel as of January 1st

According to a written statement issued by the "ministry", as of January 1st, the "TRNC" will start using Euro diesel fuel instead of diesel in order to comply with the standards of other EU countries and Turkey's as well.

(AK)

[10] US, Turkey agree on rules for future American air patrol missions near Syria

The warplanes had been deployed in November in response to a request from Ankara for a demonstration of NATO's ability to rapidly transfer U.S. assets to Turkey in support of an air defence mission.

However, Pentagon spokesperson Laura Seal downplayed the significance of the aircrafts' withdrawal from Incirlik Air Base. She said the "enduring" agreement reached by Turkey and the United States provides a framework for U.S. aircraft to support Turkey when called upon in the future. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS / AA)

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