Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-02-29

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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] Erdogan stated that he does not respect, neither obey the Constitution ruling on arrested journalists Gul and Dundar

[02] Opposition parties reacted over Erdogan's remarks on top court ruling

[03] Akinci: "The issue of missing persons is our common pain"

[04] World Bank delegation visited illegal Tymbou airport

[05] Kalyoncu is going to Ankara to sign the water agreement

[06] Tufekci held a series of contacts in the occupied areas of Cyprus; Turkey and the occupation regime signed two different "agreements"

[07] Durust met with Turkes in Turkey and discussed the further promotion of the occupation regime's university

[08] Nisantasi University of Turkey will open a campus in occupied Morfou

[09] Colak attended an event in London

[10] Erdogan due to Africa to strengthen strategic partnership

[11] Turkey's Diyanet Head supports the reopening of Halki Seminary

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan stated that he does not respect, neither obey the Constitution ruling on arrested journalists Gul and Dundar

"I'm not in a position to agree with this decision. I'm saying this very clearly: I don't concur with the decision and I have no respect for it," Erdogan said on February 28 regarding the top court's ruling on Cumhuriyet editor-in-chief Can Dundar and Ankara bureau chief Erdem Gul.

Dundar and Gul were released early on February 26 after 92 days in jail on terrorism and espionage charges, hours after the country's top court ruled that their pre-trial arrest violated their rights. Following the decision, the Istanbul 14th Court of Serious Crimes ordered their release but subjected them to an overseas travel ban.

"The media cannot have limitless freedom ... These stories have included all kinds of attacks against this country's President," Erdogan told reporters at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport before leaving on a trip to Africa.

"I need to repeat that this case is not linked to freedom of expression whatsoever. This is an espionage case," he added.

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President Erdogan also stressed that the trial, which is scheduled to start on March 26, is not over yet. "This is not a decision of acquittal, this is a release order," he said.

Erdogan filed an individual criminal complaint against Dundar and Cumhuriyet on June 2, 2015, claiming that their reports "included footage and information that is not factual".

The plaintiff accused Dundar of "trying to manipulate justice" with fabricated material and "violating confidentiality" by publishing the story.

The legal complaint came soon after Erdogan had said the journalists would pay a "heavy price."

"This slander and illegitimate operation against the MIT are, in a way, an act of espionage. This newspaper [Cumhuriyet] is involved in this espionage activity too ? The person who wrote this as an exclusive report will pay a heavy price for this," he said during an interview with public broadcaster TRT late on May 31, 2015.

[02] Opposition parties reacted over Erdogan's remarks on top court ruling

"Next week, an appeal against the local court's decision to release [the two journalists] will be discussed. The President says: 'The local court should insist on its decision.' This is a direct order for those who will next week discuss the appeal. The statement [by Erdogan] is beyond advice, it is an instruction. We define these remarks as the 'second Feb. 28 coup,'" Ozgur Ozel, the Deputy parliamentary group chair of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said at a press conference on February 28, referring to the "February 28 process" which eventually led to the notorious military intervention of Feb. 28, 1997, often described as a "post-modern coup."

Moreover, Erkan Akcay, the Deputy parliamentary group chair of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), said: "These remarks [by Erdogan] are yet another blow on the Republic of Turkey, its institutions and its rules and they are encouraging anarchy and unlawfulness".

Caglar Demirel, the Deputy parliamentary group chair of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), said they didn't "recognize" Erdogan's remarks.

"Today, the decision about Can Dundar and Erdem Gul is a joyful one. Describing this as a coup is a shame for Turkey," Demirel said.

The Constitutional Court has long been targeted by the AKP over its rulings given to individual complaints. The court's public visibility has grown due to a series of high-profile rulings it has delivered, such as its April 2, 2014, lifting of the government-supported block on access to Twitter.

[03] Akinci: "The issue of missing persons is our common pain"

Akinci, who issued a written statement, stated that there is no doubt that the Committee on Missing Persons maintains its works with utmost sensitivity within the framework of their established rules. "As the Turkish Cypriot side, we will surely continue our positive attitude about all issues concerning the missing people, just like we did regarding the 30 possible burial sites in the military areas. It is certain that the information that came to the agenda lately regarding the 100 missing Greek Cypriots, who were allegedly buried in Assia and were later replaced, will be carefully evaluated. I have already spoken with the Turkish Cypriot member of the CMP regarding this matter", Akinci stated and added:

"As the Leader of the Turkish Cypriots, and as a human being, I am committed to our previous call and I once again would like to emphasize that I would like all necessary action to be taken as rapidly as possible so that all missing persons, regardless of whether they are Greek or Turkish Cypriot, are found and the pain of their relatives is relieved at least to some extent", Akinci stated.

(CS)

[04] World Bank delegation visited illegal Tymbou airport

According to the paper, the World Bank officials studied the new airport project, the foundation of which has been laid by TT Airports.

In statements to Milliyet, Serhat Ozcelik, general director of the TT Airport, said that they have started building an airport in the middle of the island having the latest technology. Referring to the new "airport", Ozcelik noted: "The field, which is serving 3.5 million passengers now, will be offering services to nine million passengers". He alleged that the illegal airport is now safer than the Larnaka International Airport.

Gunay Cerkez, owner of Korman Constructions Ltd, which is the contactor of the project, told Milliyet that they are planning on completing the new illegal airport within one year. He said that the terminal building of the "airport", which is 20 thousand square meters, will be increased to 120 thousand square meters.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Kalyoncu is going to Ankara to sign the water agreement

Kalyoncu will sign the agreement reached with Turkey on the water issue on behalf of the breakaway regime.

(CS)

[06] Tufekci held a series of contacts in the occupied areas of Cyprus; Turkey and the occupation regime signed two different "agreements"

Within the framework of his contacts, Tufekci first met with the so-called minister of finance Birikim Ozgur.

Following the meeting, the two men signed a "memorandum of understanding" on the creation of a "joint customs committee" between the so-called finance ministry and the Turkish Ministry of Customs and Trade.

Later, Tufekci met with the so-called minister for economy, industry and trade Trade Sunat Atun.

After the meeting, the two "ministers" signed a protocol regarding the protection of consumers in the "TRNC".

Speaking after the ceremony, Atun referred to the globalization and development and noted that the "TRNC" had to keep up pace with the world.

Explaining that market management was finding direction through consumers and not through states, Atun said that with the signing of the "protocol", the consumers will be able to access purchases of goods and services easier and shy away from risky purchases.

He added that they aimed to increase trade in the "TRNC" through the cooperation with Turkey.

Tufekci for his part said that that Turkey would continue to contribute to the development of trade in the "TRNC" and gave the signing of the consumer protection protocol as an example of this.

Tufekci met also with so-called prime minister Omer Kayloncu.

Speaking during the meeting, Tufekci emphasized that Turkey is always by the side of the Turkish Cypriots and is taking every possible initiative on every platform to promote and make the "country" recognized.

Touching upon the statements made by the Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu while on a visit to Athens, that "there may be two separate states and peoples but that it was only logical to make plans as though the countries were of a single geography and that both countries would benefit from this",Tufekci pointed to the importance of this statement and said: "The good dialogue to be created between Turkey-Greece, Turkey-EU and the Cyprus federal state to be formed, will be a source of stability in the region and will contribute to peace". He added that the latest messages given by the two leaders on the island regarding the Cyprus negotiations process has been very pleasing.

Kalyoncu for his part said that he was very pleased with the stance adopted by Turkey regarding the Turkish Cypriots.

Pointing to the fact that if a solution is reached in Cyprus, relations with Turkey will continue, Kalyoncu said that the foundation to be laid now will contribute to the formation of a strengthened foundation for future relations.

Touching upon the Cyprus issue, Kalyoncu said that despite the Greek Cypriot side rejecting the 2004 Cyprus plan, the road to the EU was closed for the Turkish Cypriots and not vice versa.

"Let's hope that we will reach an outcome at the end of this term", said Kalyoncu and expressed the belief that relations between Turkey and the "TRNC" will continue to prosper in the future.

[07] Durust met with Turkes in Turkey and discussed the further promotion of the occupation regime's university

Evaluating his contacts to the BRT, Durust said that Turkes had informed him that he was very pleased with the agreement reached between the two "countries" on the water issue.

He added that during the meeting, the projects that are yet to be completed were taken up and that additional funds were sought for in order for technological advancements to be made at schools.

Explaining that he had requested from the Turkish Minister a meeting that would address all of the problems being experienced at the "universities" in the "TRNC", Durust said that in May, a meeting will take place in the occupied part of Lefkosia where all the "rectors" of the "universities" in the "TRNC" will discuss how higher education can further prosper in the country.

Durust also said that a separate initiative had also been taken in order to promote in Turkey more efficiently the "universities" in the "TRNC".

[08] Nisantasi University of Turkey will open a campus in occupied Morfou

According to a statement issued by Durust's "office" the new illegal university will be established the latest in September and will offer education to 500 students. Durust also stated that the new university will contribute to the development of business and services in the area.

He went on and added that initiatives will be launched so that local business and investors build dormitories and housing for the students.

Durust also stated that returning Morfou to Greek Cypriots is out of question after all these investments and struggles that took place in the area.

(CS)

[09] Colak attended an event in London

According to information given by the "TRNC's London representation office", the event was realized at the Yunus Emre Culture Center and Colak who was in London attended the event.

Delivering a short speech during the event, the "TRNC's London representative" Oya Tuncal? said that there was a variety of successful Turkish Cypriots in the field of culture, arts and business in London and added that it was their duty to contribute and promote the achievements of Turkish Cypriots. "It is our aim to further strengthen the ties that Turkish Cypriots living in London have with the TRNC" said Tuncal? and added that successful Turkish Cypriots aid in the promotion of the "TRNC".

[10] Erdogan due to Africa to strengthen strategic partnership

Erdogan was scheduled to begin his visit in Ivory Coast on February 28, before continuing to Ghana and then to economic powerhouse Nigeria. He will wrap up the trip in Guinea on March 3, his office said in a statement released over the weekend.

The visit is aimed at deepening Turkey's "strategic partnership with Africa and developing relations with members of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS)," the statement said. It will be the first time a Turkish President has visited Ivory Coast and Guinea, it added.

Erdogan, who in January last year visited Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia, is spearheading a drive to expand Turkey's presence in Africa.

Turkey has more than tripled the number of embassies it has in Africa since 2009, while national flag carrier Turkish Airlines has dozens of destinations on the continent.

Bilateral trade between Turkey and all of Africa was worth $23.4 billion in 2014, while bilateral trade with sub-Saharan countries has increased tenfold since 2000, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Turkey is also moving to increase its presence outside its traditional sphere of influence in the lands of the Ottoman Empire, as Erdogan visited Chile, Ecuador and Peru this year.

While announcing the tour at a press conference on Feb. 26, Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kal?n said that Erdogan was also planning to visit Somalia "within this year" as part of an East Africa tour.

"During this visit, we will have a chance to see the ongoing projects in education, healthcare, infrastructure, the airport and port projects on site. Moreover, as you know, we have built our biggest embassy in the world in Somalia. The construction is almost completed. During his visit, Mr. President will inaugurate this embassy," Kal?n said.

[11] Turkey's Diyanet Head supports the reopening of Halki Seminary

"In principle, no religious minority group living on this land should need other countries to educate its own clerics," Gormez said when asked about whether he supported the reopening of the Halki Seminary, a historical Greek Orthodox school in Istanbul.

Halki Seminary, a property of the Orthodox Church, was founded in 1844 on the island of Heybeliada in the Marmara Sea off Istanbul. It has been closed since 1971 as a result of that year's Private University Law.

Gormez also commented on demands from minority religious representatives to receive a share of the Diyanet budget for their places of worship.

"Even a religious minority formed of just three people should have the same rights as the majority in terms of freedom of religion and providing their own religious education. This is not a requirement of democracy or modern times, it is a requirement of Islam," he said.

Gormez also addressed the question of the relationship between politics and religion, describing it as a "dilemma."

"When religion is above politics, politicians start to define themselves against religion; but when politics is above religion, holy values are used as instruments," Gormez said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/AM)

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