Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-02-08

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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 responds to President Anastasiades' statements

[02] Ozersay calls on Akinci to issue a statement after President Anastasiades' interview

[03] Tacoy accused the Greek Cypriot side of unwillingness towards the solution of the Cyprus problem

[04] A delegation from the breakaway regime is discussing the administration of the water from Turkey today in Ankara

[05] Atun's interview to AA; He reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side's red lines on the Cyprus problem

[06] Kalyoncu: The distribution of water in the occupied area of Cyprus will start on March

[07] Sibel will meet with Erdogan and Davutoglu in Ankara

[08] Atalay said that with Davutoglu's consultation a religious official was appointed in the Greek Cypriot side

[09] A plan to increase the health tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus

[10] Merkel visits Ankara today over the Syrian refugee crisis; statements by Bozkir

[11] Erdogan to US: "Is your partner Turkey or PYD?"

[12] Davutoglu held contacts in Kazakhstan; "Turkey and Kazakhstan to be central in Eurasia"

[13] Nokta magazine's author faces jail term for insulting the President

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Burcu responds to President Anastasiades' statements

Burcu alleged that in spite of their prior "friendly warnings" the pre-election propaganda for the parliamentary elections to be held in May 2016 in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus is being held in a manner, which harms the negotiating process.

Burcu claimed that when the Turkish Cypriot side issues statements regarding its own positions, it always exerts the maximum effort not to harm the negotiating process. "We have never created the wrong impression that the Greek Cypriot side has adopted our views on issues on which we could not reach a consensus. We would expect our interlocutor to behave in the same manner", he argued and added:

"Unfortunately it is seen that this is not happening. The interview published today in Politis newspaper is evaluated in this manner by our side. In this interview, the Greek Cypriot leader tried to create the impression that consensus exists on issues on which no consensus has been reached yet. This is not correct. Moreover, the sides formally announce together the issues on which they reach consensus. Approaches like this, which it is very clearly seen that are repetition of the known Greek Cypriot positions and aim at the elections, have absolutely no contribution to the negotiating process. Our president Mr Mustafa Akinci and his team are committed to the target of the solution of the Cyprus problem. He will continue to act with the sense of responsibility within this framework".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay calls on Akinci to issue a statement after President Anastasiades' interview

Writing yesterday on one of his social media accounts, Ozersay argued that the statements made by President Anastasiades show that "the situation is not pleasant at all". He said that Akinci should make a specific and detailed statement.

Pointing out that Akinci has been saying "you should pay attention to what we are saying and not to what the Greek Cypriot press is writing", Ozersay noted that Akinci was right when saying that, but now the interview given by President Anastasiades is not something made up by anyone and could not be described as "speculations".

"Anastasiades announced at firsthand what has been agreed, not his own positions", noted Ozersay wondering whether the Turkish Cypriots could not get what they wanted at the negotiating table, whether they have abandoned their positions, whether they have other gains which they do not know or whether President Anastasiades is lying.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Tacoy accused the Greek Cypriot side of unwillingness towards the solution of the Cyprus problem

Stating that the officials of the "Greek Cypriot administration" as well as the leaders of the Greek Cypriot political parties are openly against the continuation of Turkey's effective and active guarantees and support the withdrawal of the Turkish troops from the island, Tacoy said that they do not support a new partnership to be, under these circumstances.

Tacoy went on and called the Turkish Cypriot side to re-evaluate and make an assessment of its strategy, taking into consideration the Greek Cypriot side's positions on the Cyprus problem. Tacoy called also the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to brief the "assembly" and the people on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

(?)

(AK)

[04] A delegation from the breakaway regime is discussing the administration of the water from Turkey today in Ankara

In statements prior to their departure to Ankara, Ozgur said that they will give the final shape to a model which is in harmony with the "laws" and could make use of the efficiency of the private sector and the power of the "public" sector together. He noted that the project has come to its final stage and that the consultations with Turkey continue as regards the details of the "public-private partnership" model for the distribution of the water. Noting that they have created a model in which the risks that their "municipalities" could face will be eliminated, Ozgur argued that Turkey wants this model to function well.

Ozgur described the project as the "biggest project in the history of the Turkish Cypriots" and added that within a few weeks the water will start flowing from the fountains.

In his statements, Sahali said that a joint understanding exists between the sides and expressed the view that nothing will remain unsolved when understanding is shown to the mutual sensitivities.

Finally, Atun said that they had agreed in the past on a "protocol" regarding the distribution and the use of the water resources and added that they will discuss in more detail this "protocol" in Ankara.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Atun's interview to AA; He reiterated the Turkish Cypriot side's red lines on the Cyprus problem

Referring to the "water project", Atun stated that four "ministers" of the breakaway regime will carry out contacts in Turkey with their Turkish "counterparts" in order to finalize the agreement on the distribution of the water. Atun explained that the "four ministers" will meet with Turkey's Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs, Veysel Eroglu.

Stating that the "draft document", which includes the final views of the "government" of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on the issue of water management, was received positively by Turkey, Atun said that he predicts that a final agreement will be reached between the "TRNC" and the Turkish government by Thursday the latest.

Referring to the natural resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, Atun expressed the readiness of the Turkish Cypriot side to cooperate with "south Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus on this issue. "We are ready to cooperate with south Cyprus on the issue of the natural gas. Considering that we evaluate together the oil and natural gas that we will obtain, we can explore it together. Let's pass it to Europe via Turkey", Atun said.

Supporting that a possible solution on the Cyprus problem will increase the potentials in the island, Atun said: "I consider that the trade environment will be ease through a bridge between south Cyprus, the TRNC and Turkey and that the trade volume is possible to reach to 3 billion in the first year". He added also that with a possible solution, the fenced off city of Varoshia will be re-structured and underlined that the benefits from the solution will increase the investments in several fields such as in the tourism sector e.t.c.

Referring to the Cyprus negotiation process, Atun said that although the talks continue for half a century it is not easy to bring them to an end. "We have red lines at the negotiations and this is the current active and effective guarantees of Turkey. We will not accept the reconstitution of this. It is also out of question for us as Turkish Cypriots to make concessions on the issue of our equal status. Also, the existence of the Turkish troops in the island is very important for us. Our borders are also extremely important on the territory issue. (?)" Atun said.

(AK)

[06] Kalyoncu: The distribution of water in the occupied area of Cyprus will start on March

Kalyoncu explained that the works for the distribution of the water coming from Turkey will be concluded by the end of February, adding that on March the water distribution will begin. He noted that the water distribution will be administrated for a year by Turkey's State Water Affairs Department (DSI).

Kalyoncu stressed that apart from the water issue, they have to discuss also the economic protocol in Ankara. He reiterated that Turkey's request is the privatization of the ports, telecommunications and "Kib-Tek" ("Cyprus Turkish electricity authority"), however, he added that they do not support the privatization of "Kib-Tek".

(DPs)

[07] Sibel will meet with Erdogan and Davutoglu in Ankara

Siber and an accompanying delegation are visiting Ankara as guest of the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Ismail Kahraman.

Siber and the accompanying delegation will hold contacts on working principles of the "Turkey-TRNC Inter-parliamentary Friendship Group" which maintains the cooperation and consultations between the "parliaments" of the two "countries".

According to a statement released from the "assembly", self-styled deputy speaker of the "parliament" Huseyin Avkiran Alanli, self-styled "parliamentary administrator" Erdal Ozcenk, "deputies" Armagan Candan, Hamit Bakirci and Dursun Oguz as well as the self-styled general secretary of "parliament" Emine Sari are accompanying Siber during the visit.

[08] Atalay said that with Davutoglu's consultation a religious official was appointed in the Greek Cypriot side

Atalay, in statements to Ankara Anatolia news agency, said that Cyprus is one of the most strategic points of the region. Noting that there is no war situation in Cyprus, Atalay claimed: "On the contrary, there is a de-facto peace situation but we wish the peace to be permanent and to reach an agreement on the grounds that the Turkish Cypriots' rights and security can be guaranteed."

Atalay argued that after the "war" (translator's note: Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974), the mosques in the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, and the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Churches, Latin and Armenian churches in the occupied area of Cyprus could not be used easily, adding that in both sides these religious sites were isolated. Atalay explained that for the first time in 2011 with the consultation of the then Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, he started to have relations with the Greek Cypriot side by appointing a religious official in the Greek Cypriot side. He further said that with the Swedish Embassy's support an initiative with the religious leaders was launched.

(DPs)

[09] A plan to increase the health tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus

Savasan met with Emin Cakmak, the Founding Chairman of the Turkish Healthcare Tourism Development Council during a Health Tourism meeting, which was held in Istanbul. Cakmak said that Turkey's aim is to be one of the 5 world countries in the health tourism by 2023 and to gain 20-25 billion dollars. She noted that they will also place "North Cyprus" as an alternative destination in the health tourism, adding that their aim for 2016 is to introduce their tourism potentials in 54 country members of the World Health Council.

(DPs)

[10] Merkel visits Ankara today over the Syrian refugee crisis; statements by Bozkir

According to her official program, Merkel will hold talks with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara, with the main focus of the meeting being the implementation of the EU-Turkey Action Plan.

Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he was also going to meet Merkel in Ankara on February 8.

"I will meet with her [Merkel] on Monday [Feb. 8] in Ankara. Prime Minister [Davutoglu] will also hold a meeting [with Merkel. The main topic will most probably be the refugee crisis," said Erdogan on the way back to Turkey from Senegal on Feb. 6, according to daily Hurriyet.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (08.02.16) reports that as Merkel visits Turkey for another round of talks about Syrian migrants, Ankara calls on the European Union to open up a key chapter of membership negotiations before the re-admission agreement concerning immigrants comes into effect in June.

Turkey's EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozk?r told Hurriyet Daily News that it was the EU Council's responsibility to fulfil the commitment made by the EU Commission and he believed "they would find a way to do that. Like they agreed to allocate a 3 billion [euro] package for hosting Syrian migrants in Turkey" Bozk?r said. "The EU has to open the 24th chapter before June when the re-admission [agreement] comes into effect."

Bozk?r did not answer the question about how Turkey could respond if the EU fails to open the 24th chapter, repeating that Ankara believed the EU would have to find a way.

(?)

"The EU wants more cooperation on migrants," Bozk?r says, adding, "It also wants judicial reform in Turkey and at the same time, [it] does not open the 23rd and 24th chapters as legal grounds that we can discuss and move on; it is really hard to explain that", stated Bozkir.

[11] Erdogan to US: "Is your partner Turkey or PYD?"

Erdogan has also said that Turkey would not "make the same mistake it did in Iraq in 2003 vis-a-vis the creation of a de facto situation" in neighboring Syria, voicing his country's readiness in order to protect its national interests in case of all kinds of developing scenarios in Syria.

Meanwhile, he also reiterated Turkey's stance on the Syrian Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its military wing, the People's Defense Units (YPG). Turkey considers the party and its affiliates in the same category as the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Speaking to reporters en route from Dakar to Istanbul as he wrapped up a Latin America tour that covered Chile, Peru and Ecuador, Erdogan said: "We will take this issue to all international organizations. Each moment that we haven't taken it there is a loss for us. If steps are not taken for their [classification] as a terrorist organization, we would be delayed. Look, [U.S. Vice President Joe] Biden arrived with an assistant. He is a national security official whose name has earlier been cited with Mr. Obama too. Just during the meetings in Geneva, he travels to Kobane. He receives a plaque from a so-called general in Kobane. How will we trust? Am I your partner or are the terrorists in Kobane?" Erdogan asked.

The U.S. envoy to the coalition against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), Brett McGurk, confirmed on February 1 that he visited Kurdish-controlled northern Syria the previous weekend. McGurk said his trip aimed to review the fight against the jihadist group that controls swathes of Syria and Iraq.

He also said that it was long-planned and not "in any way" related to Syria peace talks in Geneva that are seeking to end a nearly five-year civil war that has killed at least 250,000 people and driven out more than 10 million people from their homes.

(?)

[12] Davutoglu held contacts in Kazakhstan; "Turkey and Kazakhstan to be central in Eurasia"

Davutoglu met Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev during a two-day official visit to Kazakhstan to further develop relations in the fields of transportation, energy and trade.

Speaking during a press conference in Astana, Davutoglu said that Turkey constitute a gate to the European Union for Kazakhstan while the latter is a gateway to the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU) for Turkey.

"As soon as the Middle Corridor ? a transportation network extending from the Caspian Sea through Turkey and Azerbaijan to Central Asia and China ? becomes active, Turkey and Kazakhstan will be two central countries of Eurasia," Davutoglu said.

[13] Nokta magazine's author faces jail term for insulting the President

Magden said in her testimony that she only replied to questions from Diken reporter Tunca Ilker Ogreten regarding the confiscation of copies of the 18th issue of the magazine in September 2015 and that she told Ogreten her opinions about the practice.

The indictment, however, stated that Magden's statements about Erdogan "went far beyond criticism and clearly could be regarded as insults."

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has demanded up to four years in prison for Magden following a criminal complaint that was filed by Erdogan's lawyer Ahmet Ozel. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(AK/AM)

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