Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-02-26

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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] Cavusoglu: "An important progress was achieved at the Cyprus negotiation talks"

[02] Eide met with Akinci and said that the procedure must be speeded up

[03] Eroglu: "Turkey's guarantees is a sine qua non for us"

[04] Akinci met with the French Minister of State for EU Affairs

[05] The water crisis has been solved; Atun says that it is the biggest privatization project

[06] Reaction statements by Turkish Cypriot opposition parties on the "text agreement on the water management"

[07] Turkey's Minister of Custom and Trade to illegally visit the occupation regime today

[08] A cooperation protocol was signed between Turkey and the occupation regime on the environment

[09] The rights of journalists Dundar and Gul were violated, Turkey's top court says

[10] Davutoglu: Turkey will defend itself if threatened

[11] CHP leader nets 10,000 legal complaints for naming Erdogan 'sham dictator'

[12] Saudi warplanes to arrive at Turkish base on Friday

[13] Survey: Domestic violence hits impoverished Turkish women more

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu: "An important progress was achieved at the Cyprus negotiation talks"

"Both sides achieved an important progress on the negotiation talks but still there are some thorny issues that needed to be solved", Cavusoglu said, adding, that there is a consensus in the "TRNC" toward the solution.

"I hope that a viable solution will be found on the Cyprus problem within the year", Cavusoglu added.

(AK)

[02] Eide met with Akinci and said that the procedure must be speeded up

Speaking after the meeting, Eide stated that there is good progress in issues like the constitution the economy and the EU; however the procedure must be speeded up. He also stated that they discussed with Akinci about the agenda of today's meeting between the two Cypriot leaders.

The meeting lasted around one hour. Chief of the UN Peace Keeping Force Mission, Lisa Buttenheim, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami and the member of the Turkish Cypriot negotiation team Erhan Ercin were also present at the meeting.

(CS)

[03] Eroglu: "Turkey's guarantees is a sine qua non for us"

"We are not close to a solution at the moment. South Cyprus has excessive demands", stated Eroglu.

Referring to the recent statement made by the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades who has said that "we will reach an agreement so that both sides will not lose", Eroglu argued that Anastasiades speaks craftily and alleged that Anastasiades speaks like this in order to become accepted that it is his side which lost during 1974, so that it will gain what it has lost. "The cost for this would mean territory, the return of Turkish settlers and the withdrawal of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) from Cyprus", Eroglu said.

Eroglu underlined also the importance of the continuation of Turkey's effective guarantees. Comparing their situation with that of the Palestinians, he said that "having a motherland is a great fortune for them".

(AK)

[04] Akinci met with the French Minister of State for EU Affairs

According to a written statement of the so-called presidential palace, the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiation talks, as well as EU and regional issues were discussed during the meeting.

Desir was accompanied during the meeting by the French Ambassador to the Republic of Cyprus Rene Troccaz.

(AK)

[05] The water crisis has been solved; Atun says that it is the biggest privatization project

After the meeting held at the "assembly", Kalyoncu said that he will talk with the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu within the next few days and sign together the agreement, which afterwards will be submitted to the regime's "assembly".

Kalyoncu said that three articles were creating discomfort on the water issue and added that changes have been made regarding these articles. He argued: "The very last issue on which we gave emphasis was our administration to be considered as administration and the municipalities which will not participate in the system not to be punished. Important steps were taken on these issues. ?".

Replying to a question on the issues they agreed with Turkey, Kalyoncu said that the problem was that no water would be given to the "municipalities" which would not participate in the system. He added: "In this agreement we will give water from Turkey to these municipalities as well. These municipalities will not only take the 10% share. No investment will be made in them. They will make their own investments themselves. No procedure will be made regarding their personnel. They will employ their own personnel and pay the salaries themselves".

Kalyoncu said also that the contract will be prepared within one year after they sign the agreement with Turkey.

Meanwhile, Kibris also reports that in statements during one of his meetings yesterday, self-styled minister of economy, industry and commerce, Sunat Atun said that the water is the biggest privatization project carried out until today by the "TRNC", the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus. He described as a "detail" the issue of the distribution of the water by the private sector or the "municipalities".

Furthermore, Huseyin Ozgurgun, leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), the minor "coalition partner", expressed his satisfaction that Kalyoncu stated that the water crisis is over, but added that he does not approve the "unpleasant debates" which took place as a result of "administrative weakness". He argued that debates and "artificial crises" have been experienced for some months on the water issue.

Finally, Mehmet Ali Talat, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the major "coalition partner", said that the solution of the water problem in a manner accepted by both "countries" will be very good for the "country". He noted that the "municipalities" will join the system upon their own will and by using their capacities. "I think that this was a result we wanted to achieve", he argued. Asked whether the disagreements within the CTP have ended, Talat replied that the disagreements within the CTP will never end, but his complaint is the discussion of these disagreements through the press.

Kibris publishes the full text of the agreement.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Reaction statements by Turkish Cypriot opposition parties on the "text agreement on the water management"

"We consider as a disgraceful the result of the prolonged crisis occurred on the water with a spell amendment. No amendment was made in fact. The municipalities will try to deliver the water without being ready and without having the necessary infrastructure. The pipes will burst", Denktas said.

Also speaking, Huseyin Angolemli, "deputy" with the Social Democracy Party (TDP) demanded from so-called prime minister Kalyoncu to speak openly about the issue.

Supporting that no amendment was made concerning the "municipalities" in the "text agreement" comparing with the "draft agreement", Angolemli stressed the need for the so-called government to enlighten the "public" about the cost of the water and the details of the "agreement".

Moreover, Izzet Izcan, chairman of the "United Cyprus Party" (BKP), in a written statement yesterday called the "government" to publish the soonest possible the details concerning the "text agreement" on the water management.

"How will you proceed to the approval of such an important agreement on the water without informing the people about the context of the agreement and without asking them first?", Izcan wondered.

Izcan went on and condemned the so-called government of CTP-UBP for carrying out contacts behind the scenes and for keeping the context of the agreement secret.

Izcan reiterated that they are against the privatization of the water transferred from Turkey and recalled that the "water platform" and his party will continue their struggle to protect the Turkish Cypriot's rights and against the privatizations.

Also, in statements to his personal account in social media, Kudret Ozersay, leader of the newly established People's Party (HP), called the "government" to announce the amendments it has made from the past until today.

(AK)

[07] Turkey's Minister of Custom and Trade to illegally visit the occupation regime today

According to the paper, Tufekci will meet with so-called minister of finance, Birikim Ozgur and the so-called minister of economy, industry and trade, Sunat Atun with whom they will sign two different agreements. The agreements envisage the establishment of a "joint custom committee" between Turkey and the "TRNC" and the protection of consumers.

Tufekci will also meet later with so-called prime minister Omer Kalyoncu.

(AK)

[08] A cooperation protocol was signed between Turkey and the occupation regime on the environment

According to information acquired by the so-called ministry, the protocol will be valid for two years (2016-2017) and envisages the donation from Turkey to the "TRNC" of 32 garbage vehicles, street sprinklers, and sweeping machines.

The protocol was signed in Ankara on February 18 by the "undersecretary of the ministry of public works, environment and culture", Gurkan Kara and the Undersecretary of the Turkish Ministry, Mustafa Ozturk.

Commenting on the protocol, so-called minister Kutlu Evren said that Turkey is always by the side of the Turkish Cypriots and thanked the Turkish Ministry for its support and contribution.

Evren went on and said that they will continue with new projects in the field of environment and in other fields as well.

(AK)

[09] The rights of journalists Dundar and Gul were violated, Turkey's top court says

Dundar and Gul's application to the court on Feb. 17 had argued that their rights were violated and the earlier ruling on their arrest lacked sufficient justification.

Reviewing the appeals, which asked for the two men to be tried without arrest, the top court referred them to the 17-seated Plenary of the Constitutional Court, which issued its decision on Feb. 25.

The Istanbul 14th Heavy Penalty Court was expected to later rule for the release of Dundar and Gul from Istanbul's Silivri Prison.

The two journalists' lawyers argued their clients "freedom of expression, freedom of the press and personal liberty security and freedom" had been violated.

Dundar and Gul are accused of espionage, threatening state security, and supporting an armed terrorist organization over two stories published in Cumhuriyet about National Intelligence Agency (MIT) trucks allegedly filled with weapons and bound for Syria. The two were arrested by an Istanbul court on Nov. 26 last year, triggering reactions from press organizations, NGOs, and many Western states.

According to the ruling, Article 19 of the Constitution, which states that "Everyone has the right to personal liberty and security," was violated. The AKP has long insisted that no journalists currently jailed in Turkey are being prosecuted due to charges related to their profession.

[10] Davutoglu: Turkey will defend itself if threatened

"The cease-fire is not binding for us when there is a situation that threatens Turkey's security, we will take necessary measures against both the YPG and DAESH when we feel the need to," Davutoglu said in the central province of Konya. "Ankara is the only place that decides actions regarding Turkey's security," he said.

On his part, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said that "YPG terrorists would like to divide Syria just like Daesh".

Speaking at Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.02.16) Cavusoglu said that the main goal in Syria should be to ensure the country's territorial integrity rather than giving it to a single entity.

"The PYD and YPG's aims are obvious. They want to split Syria, to establish administrations for them each and they do not hide their goals."

Cavusoglu also said that the U.S. was being betrayed by the PYD. Referring to the group's recently opened bureau in Moscow he said, "The PYD has started to sell out the U.S. and has opened an office in Moscow."

Reporting on the same issue, Hurriyet Daily News (26.02.16) writes: "Washington will re-evaluate its assistance to Syria's Democratic Union Party (PYD) in the event Turkey provides detailed information on the party's direct support to outlawed PKK elements operating in Turkey, a U.S. official has said". The paper goes on and reports that a senior U.S. official told the HDN on Feb. 25. The following: "We have very strong concerns about PYD actions in northwest Syria ? And of course we are very concerned about potential YPG military support from Syria to PKK elements operating in Turkey,"

[11] CHP leader nets 10,000 legal complaints for naming Erdogan 'sham dictator'

Kilicdaroglu named Erdogan a "sham dictator" during a speech at the Jan. 16 Republican People's Party (CHP) congress, a weekly address to his party Deputies three days later and postings the same day. The Parliamentary Crimes Department of the Ankara Chief Prosecutor's Office keeps receiving complaints on the matter, according to data gathered by Anadolu Agency. Complaints mainly come from ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputies, party members and some civil society organizations.

[12] Saudi warplanes to arrive at Turkish base today

Two C-130 military cargo planes, carrying about 30 Saudi Air Force personnel and military equipment had already arrived at Incirlik on Tuesday to prepare for the deployment of fighter jets, the private broadcaster CNN Turk reported, citing diplomatic sources.

Four F-15s will arrive at the base on Friday.

With the arrival of the Saudi jets, there will be five foreign countries with aircraft at Incirlik for military missions in Syria. This will also mark the first time Saudi warplanes have been deployed at a Turkish base for military operations.

[13] Survey: Domestic violence hits impoverished Turkish women more

The Women and Democracy Association (KADEM), a Turkish nongovernmental organization for women's rights, shared the findings of a survey on domestic violence at a parliamentary committee on Wednesday. The survey presented to the Committee for Research on Familial Integrity showed that the economic status of families is proportionate to the cases of domestic violence. Women from poor families are more exposed to violence, according to the survey announced by KADEM President Emine Sare Aydin Yilmaz, and the highest rate of domestic violence cases recorded last year were in central Anatolia, with 43%.

The survey titled "Woman in Changing Turkey" found that the rate of exposure to physical and sexual violence among women in well-off families remains at 31% while it is as high as 43% among women in low-income families.

Along with central Anatolia, the country's northeast also experiences a high rate of domestic violence at 27%. The KADEM survey showed one in every four women in Turkey is a victim to domestic violence while the figure is one in every three for women in Europe. Women were also asked about their opinion about divorce, with the majority saying they would fight to save their marriage.

A total of 413 women were killed by their spouses and relatives between February 2015 and February 2016, according to a nonprofit organization. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/AM)

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