Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-01-21

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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: "There is serious progress on the property issue; For the first time the Cypriot leaders have equal status at an international forum"

[02] Akinci's statement to Milliyet

[03] Ak?nc? stated from Davos that a solution is possible within 2016

[04] Akinci: The issue of guarantees will not constitute a problem if everything else is agreed

[05] Ozersay: "Internal politics is something which has always hindered the negotiations on the Cyprus problem"; He wants "early elections" in May

[06] Tacoy accusing Greek ? Greek Cypriot duo of not being sincere in the search of an agreement on the Cyprus issue

[07] Turkish Minister said a result on the management and administration of the water was not reached

[08] A protest by KTOS against Turkey's policies and practices in the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] "KTSO's chairman" evaluated his contacts in Baku

[10] Erdogan: "No more talks with PKK"; He expressed harsh criticism to academics in Turkey

[11] Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister to visit Turkey; It is the first high level visit since jet downed

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "There is serious progress on the property issue; For the first time the Cypriot leaders have equal status at an international forum"

In statements yesterday to Kibris' correspondent in Davos, Akinci noted that only the donations will not be sufficient for the solution adding that long term loans with low interest rate will also be needed.

Pointing out that the important progress achieved on the chapters of the EU, Economy and Governance and Power Sharing is known, Akinci said that serious progress exists now on the property issue. He argued that the property regime which will be established with the solution should not spoil the social order and claimed that the compensation will be basically included in the remedies to be found in this direction.

Akinci noted that one of the fundamental issues of his contacts in Davos will be the financing of the solution, adding that a collective international effort will be needed because the property issue will be solved with compensations to a great extent and this is why the Forum in Davos is so important.

Referring to the natural resources found in the island's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Akinci expressed the view that a Cyprus that has solved its political problem will obtain a potential for "serious investments". He said that the foreign investors' interest for Eastern Mediterranean will increase and contribute to the island's economy.

Noting that both leaders are working for finding a solution, Akinci described as "a delayed step but in the right direction" the initiative launched by President Anastasiades to include the Turkish language among the official EU languages. Akinci noted that all the laws of the Union will be translated into Turkish and the Turkish Cypriot young people will have employment opportunities in the EU. Pointing out that the most important influence of the decision taken by the Greek Cypriots is the psychological one, Akinci said: "This step is a message that the solution in Cyprus came closer. It is an important step for Turkey as well".

Referring to his presence at the Davos Forum, Akinci claimed the importance of the fact that for the first time a Greek Cypriot and a Turkish Cypriot leader have equal status at an international platform. Another thing which will happen for the first time, he said, is the tripartite meeting between himself, President Anastasiades and the UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon. He argued that even drinking coffee with any world leader or a businessman in Davos is important.

Akinci said that a five party summit with the participation of the guarantor powers will not be held in Davos and added that they will come together when the end of the negotiating process is close in order to discuss the issue of guarantees and security.

Reiterating that serious progress has been achieved during the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that the issues of the territory, the guarantees and the security should be discussed in a certain period in a place outside Cyprus. During that period meetings should be held every day, if this is needed, he argued, adding that on the territory the leaders should first discuss the map, the names of places and the percentages and afterwards the issues of guarantees and security should be discussed with the guarantor powers.

Noting that he worries that with the method by which the negotiations are being held in Cyprus the negotiations might create speculations and the negotiating process will be poisoned, Akinci said that he will raise this issue in the speech he will make during the panel in Davos and during his meeting with the UNSG. He added:

"I will convey our understanding noting that we see an agreement which includes the equality and the freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people, and protects our rights and that we see the other community as future partner, not as an enemy. I will share with the international community that when we are looking for justice for us, we also want justice for them and I will stress the determination of the Turkish Cypriot people".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci's statement to Milliyet

Speaking to Milliyet's correspondent in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus Sefa Karahasan during the flight to Davos, Akinci said: "Anastasiades has talked with us before regarding the issue of Turkish to become an EU official language. This will be very beneficial. I wish this had been done much earlier. Two peoples live in Cyprus. The peoples have their own language. Even without a solution, it is an important development the Turkish to become an official language". Akinci, further said: "The Cyprus problem is not the only problem in Turkey's EU path, but when the Cyprus problem is being solved, the membership will be from today in much nearest point. Akinci also said that "with the solution the Greek Cypriots' earnings will be increased, its relations with Turkey will improve". Noting that the road to end the ongoing tension for years now between Greece and Turkey will be opened, Akinci stressed that this will end the money, which Turkey and Greece spend to the weapons, the defence system, and the armies.

Akinci, further said that he will explain to the world their requests for a solution in Cyprus. He added: "We, as Turkish Cypriots, will transfer to the world platform our determination on the solution issue".

Noting that as Turkish Cypriots they want a solution in good faith, Akinci said: "There is an increasing interest by the world for the solution." He added that he hopes the negotiation process will benefit from this increased international interest.

Referring to the relations between Turkey and Israel, which have started to improve again, Akinci said: "The energy deposits found in East Mediterranean is an opportunity. The transfer of Israeli gas by uniting with the Cyprus gas, through Cyprus to Turkey is an important project for Europe. It is a project that I defend. This is also a necessary issue for the Cyprus settlement".

Stressing that they will try to gauge interest in financing the solution in Davos, Akinci said: "One of the sponsors of the solution will be the solution of the Cyprus problem itself," said Akinci. "There is no expectation of a grant aid. Cyprus with the solution will be a big area of investment", he concluded.

(DPs)

[03] Ak?nc? stated from Davos that a solution is possible within 2016

Speaking in an interview to the Anatolian News Agency in Davos, Akinci said that as much as he desires a referendum, he desires even more that both sides vote in favor of the settlement agreement to be reached.

Stating that the Cyprus problem has been continuing for more than half a century, Ak?nc? said: "I now see ourselves at a point where we can reach the end. Everything is not picture perfect and there are still important chapters or issues which need to be resolved. However it is possible to reach an agreement and to create a federal structure based on political equality through good will, political will and understanding".

Ak?nc? said that it would only be possible to reach a settlement if both sides accept the fact that the island does not belong to one community on its own. "Only by showing a little more effort, working a little harder, trying to understand each other better and seeing ourselves as a partner for the future can we complete this process", he said.

Reiterating that the current process may be the last attempt of his generation, Ak?nc? warned that failing to reach a solution today might push future generations of both communities to seek other alternatives of a settlement. "It is with this in mind that we have achieved considerable progress in the talks" Ak?nc? noted.

Explaining that they had still not entered negotiations on the territory and security chapters, he said that these two chapters were deliberately left to the end of the process as it was not possible to discuss them before the framework of a settlement emerged. "We first need to see what we are to guarantee if we are to start discussing the issue of guarantees. More importantly this issue is not only up to the two communities but involves the three guarantor countries who are bound by an international treaty. This is why this issue will be taken up at a multilateral conference", Akinci added.

(?)

[04] Akinci: The issue of guarantees will not constitute a problem if everything else is agreed

In statements to Genc TV from Davos, Akinci said that he will convey to the UN Secretary-General what he called as the determination of the Turkish Cypriots for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Noting that there are no plans for holding a five-party conference in Davos, Akinci said: "I wish it could be held. As we are here, a conference in which the issue of guarantees would be discussed could have been held, but it is not correct to continuously bring on the agenda an issue for which the Greek Cypriots are not ready".

Akinci expressed the view that the guarantees will not constitute an obstacle for the solution after everything else is agreed. "After an agreement is reached on all the other issues, the issue of guarantees will not be a problem", he said adding that a formula which could offer security to the Turkish Cypriots without annoying the Greek Cypriots could be found, but no concrete formula has been discussed until today.

Noting that an important consensus has been reached on the chapters of Governance and Power Sharing, the EU and the Economy, Akinci said that "a lot of progress is achieved on the property issue", but the territory, the security and the guarantees are still waiting and the issues of the map and the percentages will be evaluated in a next stage.

"We need to achieve a clear agreement on the issue of the rotating presidency. After some deficiencies are overcome on the property issue, we need to come together and lead the progress to an end", he argued.

He claimed: "I believe that if we can end it early, a referendum could be held before the elections in the Greek Cypriot side. However, the candidates have already started to come up, political debates are being held. If the Greek Cypriot side wants to hold the elections in any case, we will not tell them not to do it, but this is not the end of the world. We will wait for the elections. We are exerting efforts to make 2016 the year of the solution".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ozersay: "Internal politics is something which has always hindered the negotiations on the Cyprus problem"; He wants "early elections" in May

Ozersay argued that politics both in the occupied and the government-controlled area of the island is nourished with the situational ups and downs of the Cyprus problem and this generally influences negatively the process and the leaders. He claimed:

"Internal politics has always been something impeding the Cyprus negotiating process. This is why we have not put this, that is, the Cyprus problem, as the first issue on our agenda, in order for not giving opportunity for exploitation. However, within the framework of the progress we will express our views and we share our views with the community".

Ozersay said that they see that the "people" are embracing the HP and expressed his satisfaction and enthusiasm with this. "All these are developments, which further increase our responsibility", he argued adding that the support they find is their biggest motivation.

Asked whether he is making a call for early "elections", Ozersay said that if the "government" decides in the beginning of February to hold "early elections" in April, his party will not be able to participate because of the 90 days limitation. Ozersay noted that they think that the "country" will be seriously harmed by an "early election" in which the HP will not participate to offer an alternative. "On the other hand, reference is made in the political backstage for elections to be held in May. Yes, we support this and we want it", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Tacoy accusing Greek ? Greek Cypriot duo of not being sincere in the search of an agreement on the Cyprus issue

In a written statement issued yesterday, Tacoy, commenting on the statements of the Cyprus Defence Minister Christoforos Fokaides and the Greek Defence Minister Panos Kammenos in Athens that the 1960 guarantee system should be lifted in order to reach a solution in the island, stressed that Greek-Greek Cypriot duo is not in a sincere search for a solution in Cyprus and it is proved by their statements during their meeting in Athens.

Accusing them of trying to put the blame on a possible failure of the talks on Turkey, Tacoy argued: "The continuation of Turkey's guarantee as stated repeatedly by president Akinci (translator's note: the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci) is a sine qua non for the Turkish Cypriots. It is our red line. If lifting the guarantees is the aim of the Greek- Greek Cypriot duo then there is a serious confidence problem on the island and we are not close to a settlement".

(DPs)

[07] Turkish Minister said a result on the management and administration of the water was not reached

Speaking at a press conference yesterday, Eroglu said that water is already flowing into the occupied Panagra dam. He added that the distribution of the water will be carried out by the "TRNC" itself.

Explaining that the underground water reserves in the occupied area of Cyprus have extremely dropped, Eroglu said: "Sea water might have started to seep into the underground water table because of its proximity to the sea. That could be disastrous. I've told my Turkish Cypriot colleagues to channel this water to these areas so that underground reserves can be replenished".

Stating that managing the water from Turkey will be no easy task, the Turkish Minister said that they had been unable to reach a result on the management and administration of the water because of the "government change in the TRNC".

Explaining that they had proposed to temporarily manage and administer the water but that no decision was produced on the issue, Eroglu said: "There is indecisiveness going on there. We told them?let's spend another 500-600 million and transform the 'TRNC' into a garden?Let us take on this task?build a water and sewage network, construct a waste water treatment facility, use that water for irrigation?let us administer these and then we can hand it over to you?but the 'TRNC authorities' have yet to decide".

[08] A protest by KTOS against Turkey's policies and practices in the occupied area of Cyprus

During the protest which was supported by the "Trade Union Platform", KTOS's secretary-general Sener Elcil delivered a speech condemning Turkey for the "structure" of the "country", for the lack of the system and for the imposition policies it implements in the "TRNC".

As the paper points out, the protesters transferred to the "embassy" a symbolic "water pipeline", to protest against Turkey's policy towards the issue of the administration of the water transferred from Turkey.

(AK)

[09] "KTSO's chairman" evaluated his contacts in Baku

Issuing a written statement on the issue, the "KTSO" said that Cirali's contacts in Baku were fruitful and encouraging and that trade between the "TRNC" and Azerbaijan will be launched soon.

Cirali said also that the dialogue they established with Azeri businessmen will continue and strengthened and added: "The contacts we carried out with officials in Azerbaijan, is the first step for the continuation of our ties in the future. There is no obstacle for establishing mutual trade", Cirali said.

According to the paper, during the last day of their stay in Baku, Cirali and his accompanied delegation met with officials of the Chamber of Industry and Trade of Azerbaijan, with businessmen of the Turkish-Azeri Community and with the Turkish Ambassador in Baku.

(?)

(AK)

[10] Erdogan: "No more talks with PKK"; He expressed harsh criticism to academics in Turkey

Addressing a large group of neighborhood and village heads (muhtars) at a regular meeting at his Presidential palace in Ankara, Erdogan said: "We know that the only goal of the separatist terror organization is to fulfill the duty it has been tasked with by its master and completing the contract it has been given".

"So in the coming period, neither the separatist terror organization, nor the party under its control, nor other structures will ever be accepted as counterpart. That affair is over", Erdogan added.

"Their organization, Deputies and municipalities will answer to the judiciary for what they have done. We will put the region back on its feet again, along with our nation. We will sit with our nation and our citizens after our security forces have entirely liquidated terrorists in the region and we will decide what is to be done for a radical solution to this issue. We will implement this," Erdogan said, referring to Turkey's predominantly Kurdish-populated southeast, where the security forces have been waging a relentless campaign to crush PKK militants.

The government, state agencies, and military never directly cite the name of the PKK in official statements, instead describing it either as "the separatist terrorist organization" or its members as "terrorists."

A series of judicial investigations have recently been launched against executives of the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), which Erdogan and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) frequently accuse of having organic links with the PKK.

Erdogan and the government accuse municipalities in southeastern Anatolia of acting as "logistical centers" for the PKK by using public resources to dig ditches and build barricades against security forces. They also often suggest that the PKK works as a "subcontractor" for various shady foreign powers.

(?)

Erdogan has also sharply criticized a group of Turkish academics for their call to end the violence in the southeast, accusing them of being immoral and disgusting. "They [academics] expect the terrorist PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party] shouldn't kill civilians but they can kill security forces. Those who say these words are not human. Do not police officers, soldiers and village guards have lives? Are they not human? Who are these academics serving? I am disgusted with their ideology," Erdogan said.

Erdogan also accused the academics of backing the terrorist PKK with their declaration. According to Erdogan, the academics' stance has nothing to do with criticism but is encouraging the spread of terrorist propaganda. "Neither the terrorist group [PKK] nor the party [pro-Kurdish People's Democratic Party (HDP)], which is under its direction, will be taken into consideration by the government during the process [of the fight against terror]", said Erdogan.

[11] Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister to visit Turkey; It is the first high level visit since jet downed

Nebenzia will conduct a working visit as the representative of the Russian Chairmanship-in-Office of the BSEC.

Nebenzia is expected to announce the priorities of the Russian chairmanship of the regional cooperation organization in Istanbul.

Ties between Turkey and Russia have been strained since the former downed a warplane of the latter on Turkey's border with Syria on grounds of airspace violation on Nov. 24, 2015.

Following the jet crisis, Russia began imposing an embargo on Turkish goods as well as visas on Turkish travelers. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK / AM)

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