Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-02-05

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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] Burcu: We will create a new structure with the solution

[02] Burcu denied the claim that Akinci supports a solution which will be achieved through the evolution of the Cyprus Republic

[03] CTP "deputy" Candan explained their EU contacts in Brussels 4 Ambassador of the Netherlands: We are ready to contribute to the solution

[05] The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Lefkosia visited the People's Party

[06] Ozgurgun: Turkey's guarantees are the Turkish Cypriots' indispensable red lines

[07] Atalay: There are no restrictions regarding the offering or religious courses

[08] Turkey refuses Russia's request for observation flights over Syria border

[09] Summary of proceedings against HDP co-chairs sent to the Justice Ministry

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Burcu: We will create a new structure with the solution

In a written statement, Burcu explained that the position of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, as it was announced during his election campaign, was not to reject the existing reconciliations, but rather to proceed by accepting them as the basis. Stressing that in this context the Joint Declaration of February 11, 2014, is an important document, Burcu noted that the negotiations are being conducted within this framework. He also said that substantial progress has been obtained on the chapters of Governance and Power Sharing, Economy, the EU and Property.

Underlining that although the issue of how the new state will emerge has been discussed throughout for many years now, it is a blind alley issue, Burcu said: "Accordingly the two sides do not recognize each other and accordingly the confederation of two separate sovereign states is not being negotiated, it is natural that we will establish a United Federal Cyprus of two constituent states (translator's note: according to the Oxford Turkish-English dictionary, the definition of the Turkish word "kurucu" can be translated as constituent or founding). The Joint Declaration of 11 February, 2014, is very clear within this framework".

The statement continued as follows: "However, this situation does not mean that we accept the existing 'Republic of Cyprus', from which we have been excluded for years now and represents only the Greek Cypriot community, and that we strive to amend it. On the contrary, as our 'president' has stated in various occasions, we will create a new structure with the solution. As our 'president' said in his statement dated September 1, 2015, '...This structure to be formed will be a federal structure ? will be a new structure from A to Z with its name and flag -. However, this new structure will not include applying again to the UN and to the EU for membership. This new structure will be taking the place of the old one in those institutions as well. This is the case. The TRNC (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) itself is a core establishment. And I am the 'president' of this establishment. This establishment will find itself in the new settlement. It will turn into a Constituent State. Just as the structure solely led by the Greek Cypriots right now will be turning into a Constituent State led by the Greek Cypriots and just as we will be taking our place in the federal partnership, which will be created by these two structures?This is what is essential in Cyprus.' This position, which has been repeatedly explained to the public by our 'president' is extremely clear and nobody has the right to distort this.

According to the written statement: "It is important, of course, to convince at least a big part of the majority of the 75% of the Greek Cypriots who voted 'No' in the Annan Plan, to ratify a solution". It concluded by writing that there is another important point, which is the necessity of convincing the majority of the Turkish Cypriots, who were not rewarded for its peace efforts to be reintegrated into a solution. Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci sees the process in this framework.

(DPs)

[02] Burcu denied the claim that Akinci supports a solution which will be achieved through the evolution of the Cyprus Republic

"What is important while going to elections is to create a perception that an agreement is possible and if so to postpone the elections and to hold a referendum after enough discussions are held on a plan. Our target and aim is this. We still believe that this is possible", he said.

Stating that it is natural for both sides to feel the need to share their positions with their communities, he said: "While expressing a position, it is not right to harmonize our 'president' (editor's note: the Turkish Cypriot leader) into that position and try to show that the 'president' is sharing the same views on this position". He explained that claims made by Cyprus President Nikos Anastasiades that Akinci is in support of a solution which will be achieved through the evolution of the Cyprus Republic, are not reflecting reality.

Warning that the Turkish Cypriot press should not make propaganda by accepting the speculative news reports of Greek Cypriot media as true, Burcu reminded that Akinci, on various occasions, said that the new structure will be established with a new name and a new flag.

Noting that the issue of security and guarantees was brought to the agenda recently by the sides which are not in favour of a solution, he said there is no fair war between manipulation and reality.

Claiming that they have been doing the right things and have achieved strong progress in the negotiations, he said that due to the principle of "nothing will be agreed until everything will be agreed" and the "principle of confidentiality" they could not share all the details.

Explaining that progress is achieved on the Governance and Power Sharing, EU, Economy and Property issues and that no progress is achieved on the issue of territory, security and guarantees, Burcu noted that some statements are made by reflecting news reports by the Greek Cypriot media as reality and with the intention of ruining the current atmosphere.

Stating that there is a level map on the issue of territory, he said: "There is a level map which was mutually agreed. Following the necessary arrangements on the first three chapters, let's bring the agreement to the maximum. And once sufficient progress has been made on the property issue by linking this progress with the territory issue, let's start discussing territory."

Noting that taking up the territory issue after completing the property issue may create technical problems in the future, he expressed the need for making the territorial arrangements and decisions on the aspects of the property regime in the territorial arrangement in order for the positions on property to be clear.

Also touching upon the issue of guarantees, he said this issue will be discussed at the end of the process as all related sides will have to come together.

[03] CTP "deputy" Candan explained their EU contacts in Brussels

Candan noted that everyone they met in the EU so far is expecting good news on the Cyprus problem. Stating that the EU delegation's visit to Cyprus every week and meeting with Turkish and Greek Cypriot representatives in order to review the work on the EU Acquis, Candan said that this work has been continuing intensively for the last 3 months.

Explaining that they conveyed to the EU officials their requests for Turkish to be an EU official language, Candan added that they also conveyed their positions regarding the EU parliamentary elections after a possible solution.

(DPs)

[04] Ambassador of the Netherlands: We are ready to contribute to the solution

She made these statements in an interview she gave to Kibris on the occasion of the Netherlands taking over the EU presidency.

Schwachofer stated that the Netherlands , holding now the Presidency of the Council of EU, will be next to the two communities in Cyprus, adding that it is ready to safeguard any assistance needed that could contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem. She also said that they are ready to help Anastasiades and Akinci if they ask for it.

She also stated that the negotiation process is a process of the Cypriots and it is important to note that it will be carried out by them. "The people of Cyprus will decide about their own safety, it's up to them. Depending on how they want to shape their future. If they want the EU to play a more active role, then the EU will work to fulfil this wish", she stated.

Referring to the opening of new chapters by Turkey, she stated that they will look into how much progress can be made towards this direction.

(CS)

[05] The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Lefkosia visited the People's Party

According to the paper, the High Commissioner of Australia Alan Sweetman, will also visit the HP's offices today.

(CS)

[06] Ozgurgun: Turkey's guarantees are the Turkish Cypriots' indispensable red lines

Ozgurgun was responding to statements made by President Nikos Anastasiades.

Ozgurgun also alleged that the Greek Cypriot side was trying to end Turkey's guarantees on the island.

"We as UBP are calling on the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades and those like him who are trying to end the guarantees on the island, to give up on their efforts as they are not serving towards a solution process" said the UBP leader.

[07] Atalay: There are no restrictions regarding the offering or religious courses

He made these statements during a speech he delivered in Necmettin Erbakan Univesity in Konya, Turkey about Cyprus and Islam leaders.

He stated that compared to the past the issue of religion in the occupied area of Cyprus is in a very good point and added that there is a great demand from students who want to study at the Theological School or take religious classes. He stated that 800 persons studied at that Theological School and 600 more studied in theological faculties at universities.

(CS)

[08] Turkey refuses Russia's request for observation flights over Syria border

Bilgic said that an agreement could not be reached on the mission plan between the two countries. He also noted that Russia imposes restrictions on observation flights to be conducted over its soil, which is known by all members of the Open Skies Treaty.

Omer Celik, Spokesman and Vice President of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), stated that Russia requested to fly parallel to Turkey's Syrian border.

"Of course it is not possible due to security problems, problems in that area, and force majeure," Celik said. "We have a hot and fresh crisis with Russia. We let the public interpret what a demand like 'flying overlapping the Syrian border' means in this environment."

[09] Summary of proceedings against HDP co-chairs sent to the Justice Ministry

The Diyarbak?r Public Prosecutor's Office prepared a summary of proceedings against HDP co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, as well as HDP Deputies Selma Irmak, Sirri Sureyya Onder and Ertugrul Kurkcu, and sent it to the Justice Ministry.

Probes against the five lawmakers were launched over crimes against the constitutional order after they attended a meeting of the Democratic Society Congress (DTK) in south-eastern Diyarbak?r province between Dec. 26 and 27, 2015. The establishment of "democratic autonomous regions" was presented as a solution to the Kurdish problem during the meetings in Diyarbak?r.

The attendees also asked for "self-governance" and embraced the "legitimate insurgency" in a number of south-eastern districts, while also urging the people of Turkey to support their cause.

The grounds for the investigations were laid out as "making terrorism propaganda", "inciting a crime" and "encouraging sedition," in addition to violating Article 302 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) by "disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state".

When a probe is launched against lawmakers, a summary of the proceedings needs to be prepared to lift their immunities in order to begin a trial process. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/ ICh)

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