Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-12-21

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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: We have not discussed the territory; Many things changed since the Annan Plan

[02] Bozkir: "Cyprus issue solvable"

[03] Cavusoglu discussed the Cyprus problem with Ban

[04] Turkey's National Security Council convened in Ankara

[05] Denktas: Solution will destroy the economy of the Turkish Cypriots

[06] Ozyigit re-elected leader of the Social Democratic Party

[07] Sucuoglu said that they have started cooperation with tour operators in the government controlled area of Cyprus

[08] The Turkish Civil Engineering Union signed a cooperation agreement with the "Turkish Cypriot Civil Engineering Union" for the reconstruction of Varosha

[09] Data regarding the number of students, teachers and schools in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[10] Turkey's "Committee Aid" gave 4 million TL contribution for innovating the schools in the occupied area of Cyprus

[11] The "TRNC assembly" passed the 2016 budget

[12] Clashes in south-eastern Turkey continued over the week-end; Statements by Davutoglu

[13] HDP's Demirtas to meet with Lavrov in Moscow

[14] Demirtas: AKP is a kind of ISIS for Turkey; Kurds have the right to establish a state in the Middle East

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: We have not discussed the territory; Many things changed since the Annan Plan

Noting that he wanted to brief his "people" on the issue, Akinci argued that if he remained silent, this would be tantamount to acceptance.

He added: "We have not entered into the territory yet, there is no agreement because we have not even discussed the issue. It was an untimely statement. The one side rejected the Annan Plan. It is not right when it suits its interests to say I want this from the Annan Plan and when does not suits its interest to say I do not want this point. This is an injustice to the other side. Eleven years passed since then. Many things changed. We are making an adjustment by taking into consideration these changes".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Bozkir: "Cyprus issue solvable"

During the visit, Bozkir reminded that over 2 million Syrian refugees were being looked after in Turkey and noted that on the issue of humanitarian assistance, Turkey in the international arena had made many gains as in 2015 it became the 4th country to provide the most assistance in humanitarian aid.

Touching upon the efforts aimed at solving the long standing Cyprus issue, Bozkir noted that in the 50 year history of the Cyprus solution process, never before had the country been so close to a solution and expressed the hope that by Spring a solution that will be presented to the two sides will emerge.

He also expressed the belief that the problem on the island is easily solvable unlike the Syrian, Ukrainian and Palestinian issues.

"With the solution of the Cyprus problem many great opportunities will emerge", said Bozkir and added that as Turkey, they hoped a solution to the Cyprus problem will emerge very soon.

[03] Cavusoglu discussed the Cyprus problem with Ban

According to diplomatic sources, Cavusoglu and Ban discussed the outcome of Friday's international talks on Syria, as well as conflicts in the Middle East and the Cyprus peace process.

Ban stressed on the importance of a political transition process on the path to achieving a political solution to the Syrian conflict, which has left more than 250,000 victims dead since 2011.

The third round of international talks on Syria was held in New York on Friday and was followed by the adoption of a UN Security Council Resolution, demanding UN-backed peace talks and cease-fire come into effect with a target start date in January.

During the Ban-Cavusoglu meeting, the UN chief commended Turkey's successful hosting of last month's G20 summit in the southern Turkish city of Antalya, sources said.

Ban also thanked Turkey for hosting the upcoming World Humanitarian Summit meeting in May in Istanbul, the first ever global humanitarian summit of this scale.

[04] Turkey's National Security Council convened in Ankara

The meeting was chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the presidential complex in Ankara.

According to an official statement issued by the Presidency's press office, Russia's attitude against Turkey was considered as "unacceptable". The Council also reiterated its resolve to fight PKK terrorists "until terror is terminated".

In addition, the Council voiced support alongside the Iraqi people against terror groups such as Daesh and others which it said threatened "Iraq's territorial unity and sovereignty".

Among the other subjects were the ongoing peace talks in Cyprus, the revival of Turkey's membership process to the EU and the processes aimed at maintaining stability in war-torn Libya and Yemen.

[05] Denktas: Solution will destroy the economy of the Turkish Cypriots

Denktas stated that in case a positive answer comes out from both sides in Cyprus on a referendum, then the Turkish Cypriots will find themselves immediately within the EU. "This from an economic point of view will be disastrous", he claimed. He went on and added that some circles try to convince the "people" that Turkey will continue to offer financial support to the "Turkish state" which will be created in case of a solution. "This is a lie", Denktas said adding that Turkey will not be able to offer any assistance, as much as it may want to help, because the "state" will be a member of the EU.

He also claimed that things will be so bad that even pro-solution and KTOS chairman Senel Elcil will join Denktas for a "no campaign".

(CS)

[06] Ozyigit re-elected leader of the Social Democratic Party

Ozyigit received 487 of the 762 votes cast at the congress defeating his rival Mustafa Emiroglular? who only received 272 votes.

Addressing the congress before the voting, the TDP leader underlined the importance of working harder for a settlement on Cyprus. Reiterating his support to the 11 February 2014 Joint Declaration, he said that the TDP will continue to support all steps taken towards achieving a bi-communal, bi-zonal settlement on the basis of political equality, single sovereignty, citizenship and international identity. He also praised the resolution adopted at the Party's general congress regarding the Cyprus Problem.

[07] Sucuoglu said that they have started cooperation with tour operators in the government controlled area of Cyprus

In an interview to the paper, Sucuoglu said that their promoting campaign in Britain will start on December 28 in three important airports. He added that the Turkish newspapers Milliyet and Sabah have started publishing advertisements promoting "North Cyprus" from December 20. He noted that they requested offers in Germany and in the Nordic countries for advertising campaign, adding that 15 tourist operators from Lithuania visited the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and they also got contact with tour operators from FYROM and Azerbaijan. Sucuoglu noted that two groups of tourists from Lithuania will fly to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus in the mid of January with the Turkish Airlines and a big tourist operator from North Iraq will visit them too.

Due to the crisis between Russia and Turkey, Sucuoglu said that they have started working with tour operators in the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus in order the Russian tourists who visit "South Cyprus" (translator's note: the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus) to be able to visit as well as "North Cyprus".

Sucuoglu further said that "religious tourism" has started and a group of 150 persons from Turkey is currently in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to visit mosques. He added that these kinds of tourists also want to visit Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaka and met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and briefed him regarding their request. Sucuoglu said that Akinci saw it positively the issue and briefed the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiating table. He explained that it can be obtained under the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and that the tourists can cross from the crossing point at Pergamos for a short period of time in order to be able to visit the Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaka. Sucuoglu concluded that this opportunity can be safeguarded under the CBMS and can contribute to "culture tourism".

(DPs)

[08] The Turkish Civil Engineering Union signed a cooperation agreement with the "Turkish Cypriot Civil Engineering Union" for the reconstruction of Varosha

Commenting on the agreement, TMB's chairman Mithat Yenigun stated that there is a possibility for a 100-billion euro investment. "New electronic cables must be put. There are potentials for natural gas and energy investments as well. Turkish Civil Engineers are experienced on these", he stated and added: "We will share this knowledge with our Turkish Cypriots colleagues and we are planning to sign common projects in order to help Cyprus. We can see that the solution efforts are progressing in a very positive way".

KTIMB President Cafer Gurcafer stressed that an agreement between the two sides would unearth the potential for Varosha.

(CS)

[09] Data regarding the number of students, teachers and schools in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

The report publishes the following tables on the number of schools, students and teachers:

Table 1: The number of schools

School year Pre-school Primary school Secondary school High School Vocational high-school

2004-2005 136 95 28 22 13

2005-2006 165 95 30 22 13

2006-2007 168 94 31 22 14

2007-2008 140 93 32 25 11

2008-2009 143 95 33 24 11

2009-2010 142 95 34 25 11

2010-2011 146 94 36 27 11

2011-2012 144 93 35 26 11

2012-2013 152 93 35 26 12

2013-2014 153 93 35 26 13

Table 2: The number of students

School year Pre-school Primary school Secondary school High School Vocational high-school

2004-2005 4732 16327 9712 6133 2470

2005-2006 4889 16997 9956 6319 2265

2006-2007 5280 17541 9920 5995 2437

2007-2008 5501 18101 10532 5516 2388

2008-2009 5494 17906 10571 7141 3362

2009-2010 5784 17725 10484 7449 3315

2010-2011 6229 18053 10487 7786 3080

2011-2012 6286 17912 10596 7858 2877

2012-2013 6500 17983 10495 8158 3089

2013-2014 6516 18569 10144 8105 3202

Table 3: The number of teachers

School year Pre-school Primary school Secondary school High School Vocational high-school

2004-2005 435 1270 1014 694 511

2005-2006 331 1274 1214 796 462

2006-2007 294 1275 1052 670 422

2007-2008 376 1310 1120 813 405

2008-2009 371 1601 1106 925 550

2009-2010 416 1547 1082 919 559

2010-2011 487 1567 1108 973 524

2011-2012 495 1572 1112 963 518

2012-2013 516 1624 1092 981 591

2013-2014 527 1658 1202 962 593

(DPs)

[10] Turkey's "Committee Aid" gave 4 million TL contribution for innovating the schools in the occupied area of Cyprus

Self-styled minister of national education Kemal Durust said that they will change the chairs and tables in all schools in the occupied area of Cyprus.

(DPs)

[11] The "TRNC assembly" passed the 2016 budget

(DPs)

[12] Clashes in south-eastern Turkey continued over the week-end; Statements by Davutoglu

The Turkish Armed Forces said in a written statement that one soldier who was wounded in clashes in S?rnak's Cizre district died on December 20. Another soldier was killed during clashes in the Sur district of Diyarbak?r on December 19.

Also, some 78 militants were killed in Cizre during the first four days of operations amid an ongoing siege, Anadolu agency reported on December. 19.

Security forces killed six militants in the Silopi district of S?rnak, while 16 others were killed in Sur. Ten militants were also killed in the Dargecit district of Mardin province, according to the agency.

Meanwhile, Turkish Armed Forces said in its statement that 18 militants were killed on December 19 during operations in Cizre, Silopi and Sur. Some 23 security forces, including police officers, were wounded in Diyarbak?r and S?rnak operations.

A curfew was imposed on Cizre and Silopi on December 14. Some 10,000 troops backed by tanks have been deployed in the southeast to try to rout young PKK supporters from urban areas.

On Dec. 18, the military also carried out air strikes on PKK "hideouts" and "weapons sites" across the border in northern Iraq, where the outlawed group has its rear bases.

Meanwhile, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, in statements during a convention of the Justice and Development's (AKP) youth branch on Sunday, alleged that the objective of the Kurdistan Workers' Party's (PKK) violent activities in Turkey's east and southeast is to force locals to migrate, thereby creating unmanned areas in designated provinces.

Davutoglu stated that the government will continue its operations to clear every street and town in the region of terrorists. "They [the PKK] are forcing people to migrate, trying to create unmanned [regions]," Davutoglu. "(?) Everybody must be sure that this won't continue forever. We will never allow such defiant insolence", stated Davutoglu.

Davutoglu also slammed some lawmakers from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) for trying to legitimize the trenches dug by the PKK in many cities in the country's southeast.

"These terrorist supporters in the form of lawmakers are sure to get the necessary answer," Davutoglu added. "We will give all sorts of material and moral support to our citizens who have been victimized by the terrorist organization [PKK]. We will give necessary lessons to these HDP lawmakers who support terror under the parliament's roof".

[13] HDP's Demirtas to meet with Lavrov in Moscow

Demirtas made the announcement on December 19 on a program aired by a local television network in the southeastern province of Diyarbak?r. "On Wednesday [December 23] we will meet Foreign Minister Lavrov. We will also open a party office in Moscow," he said. "We are influential, and want to use our power," he added.

Referring to the recent tension with Russia caused by the downing of a Russian jet near the Syrian border, Demirtas said that Turkey has not taken steps to improve relations with the country. "We plan to talk about the recent tension between Turkey and Russia during our visit. Many people, many businesspeople and students, are affected by this tension. Turkey does not take a step [to improve relations]. The President [Recep Tayyip Erdogan] has closed all doors. We are effective and we want to use our power," he said.

"We want to help those who have problems, those who have Turkish passports and are having troubles. We will open a bureau in Moscow as well," Demirtas added.

[14] Demirtas: AKP is a kind of ISIS for Turkey; Kurds have the right to establish a state in the Middle East

Demirtas noted: "The AKP is a kind of ISIS for Turkey. We are carrying out a struggle for democracy against it. We are in favor of pluralistic democracy. The Kurds also have the right of establishing a state in the Middle East. Everyone should respect this. This is not necessary to be a Big United Kurdistan which will be established by breaking up from four countries, but there is a federal Kurdistan in Iraq and it should be respected. A state based on cantons is established in Rojava. It should be respected. The Kurds in Turkey want autonomy. All of these are state models. They do not need to definitely be independent, but if they will be independent, the people's right to determine their own destiny should be respected. After all, we are a stateless big community and the states in which we live do not implement practices which would make us feel that they are our own states".

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK / AM)

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