Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-03-08

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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 says that they are ready to discuss the system of guarantees, but not Turkey's guarantees

[02] Colak: "Mersin has always been a vessel for us"

[03] Columnist argues that Eroglu is getting ready to return to politics

[04] Akansoy: The number of applications for "white cards" increased since 17 February 2016

[05] Caglar and Berova are taking place in PACE meeting in Paris

[06] Turkish MIT issued a warning to the breakaway regime for the possibility of a Turkey like bomb attack

[07] EU pushes for 'breakthrough' Turkey migrant deal next week

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Burcu says that they are ready to discuss the system of guarantees, but not Turkey's guarantees

In statements to Ada television, Burcu argued yesterday that the Turkish Cypriots need Turkey's guarantees and added:

"We need Turkey's guarantees. [?] Turkey's guarantees are important for us. When we discuss the system of guarantees, we are ready to discuss the system, not Turkey's guarantees. This is what we are trying to explain. [?] In parallel to this, we are aware of the fact that the content of the solution will be different than the content in the 1960's.That is, in the content of the solution itself we will obtain some security elements. For example, in 1960 we did not have a separate police force. We did not have separate courts. Bi-zonality did not exist. All these new concepts will bring new security elements to us. While creating a new system of guarantees we could take these into consideration [?]

If in the future we write a new security history, if Turkey obtains a new status in which we could be all together at the same ground like the EU, the new generations may then discuss whether there is a need for these guarantees in that conditions. However, today we do not have the luxury of being able to conduct this discussion [?]

When we say that the Turkish Cypriots' security need should be respected, we are not saying that the guarantees issue should remain the same. We are taking into consideration the changing conditions. What we want is Turkey's active guarantee. In parallel to this, we are open to an arrangement which will not constitute a threat for the Greek Cypriot community by taking into consideration the changing conditions. I think that the same should be expected by the Greek Cypriot side in the property regime".

Burcu said that developments will be happening in the negotiations, but not as quickly as in the past. He argued that they are very cautious when replying to some views and alleged:

"[?] We are not looking for replying everything, make accusations on everything. However, there some issues sometimes that you cannot remain silent and you are obliged to make a bold statement. For example, the issue as to whether the solution will be continuation of the Republic of Cyprus or a new situation will come up is very important. You cannot remain silent to this. For example, the issue that no agreement can be reached if Morfou is not given. We want to overcome this as well".

Referring to the elections in the government-controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus, Burcu argued:

"They could cause wrong perceptions and spoiling of the atmosphere a little bit. By exhibiting a decisive stance in the beginning we made them understand that we would not permit this and prevented this from being turned into an endless debate. Therefore, I can say that we are experiencing a controlled trouble. Let them overcome the elections without any problems and after the elections a more intense negotiations timetable will begin. It is true that we will not sit back and wait until the elections. The negotiators are meeting three times a week and a good job is done [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[02] Colak: "Mersin has always been a vessel for us"

As part of her contacts in the city, Colak paid a visit to the Governor of Mersin Ozdemir Cakacak at his office.

"There are important relations between the TRNC and Turkey. Mersin has an important bond with the TRNC. It is the closest point to the country. Although we have had many problems and embargoes for many years, we could always travel to Mersin. Mersin has always been a vessel for us and is always an important point", she stated during the meeting.

For his part, Mersin Governor Cakacak said that there were rooted relation between Turkey and the "TRNC" and added that Turkey had always supported a just and permanent solution in Cyprus.

[03] Columnist argues that Eroglu is getting ready to return to politics

According to Altiner, Eroglu will get back to those "deputies" of the National Unity Party (UBP) who did not previously support him and will start a struggle against them.

Altiner also writes that following the recent resign of Hakan Dincyurek, "deputy" with the Democratic Party (DP), more "deputies" of DP will leave the Party. He also writes that Hasan Tacoy, Ozdemir Berova and Mentes Gunduz are some of the DP "deputies" who are said that will resign from DP. Altiner also writes that it is very possible these "deputies" to ask to return to UBP. However; UBP's chairman Huseyin Ozgurgun is not willing to take them back for the time being.

(CS)

[04] Akansoy: The number of applications for "white cards" increased since 17 February 2016

In statements to the paper, Akansoy noted that by the end of 2016, the gains of the "white card" holders will increase, adding that they are working on the issue of the "white card" holders obtaining all the rights of a "TRNC citizen" except for the right to "vote and be elected" and that they are expecting to conclude this work by 2017.

He also said that they have prepared a television spot for encouraging people to take "a white card" and the broadcasting of this spot will start soon.

Akansoy noted that the number of the persons working in the occupied area of Cyprus having a "work permit" is around 40 thousand and that ten thousand persons have currently the right to file an application for a "white card", which is not obligatory now, because according to the existing "legislation" one can live in the occupied area of Cyprus having a "work permit".

With the "legal arrangements" which will be made, he added, only those persons who possess a "white card" will be obtaining the right for the regime's "citizenship".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Caglar and Berova are taking place in PACE meeting in Paris

They will attend the "Political Affairs, Democratic, Law and Human Rights Committee".

(CS)

[06] Turkish MIT issued a warning to the breakaway regime for the possibility of a Turkey like bomb attack

The paper citing trusted information, writes that the "police" is alarmed for any suspicious movement and measures are taken towards this direction.

(CS)

[07] EU pushes for 'breakthrough' Turkey migrant deal next week

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu stunned his 28 EU counterparts in Brussels when he suddenly asked for an extra three billion euro ($3.3 billion) in aid and visa-free travel for Turks to the bloc by June.

In return he proposed to take back all illegal migrants landing on the overstretched Greek islands, and suggested a one-for-one deal under which the EU would resettle one Syrian refugee from camps in Turkey in exchange for every Syrian that Turkey takes from Greece. Davutoglu said that the one-for-one Syrian refugee swap deal was "game-changing" and denied that Turkey was "demanding" money, urging the world to share the burden of hosting Syrian refugees.

In addition, Turkish daily Sabah (08.03.16) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan criticized the European Union for a four-month delay in disbursing a promised 3 billion euro fund for refugees agreed under a readmission deal signed in November.

"It's been four months. They are yet to deliver," Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara, as Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu held summit talks on the refugee crisis with EU leaders. "Mr. Prime Minister is currently in Brussels. I hope he will return with the money," said Erdogan.

The EU has pledged to provide 3 billion euro [$3.2 billion] in aid for refugees hosted in Turkey, visa liberalization for Turkish citizens and speeding up of the candidate country's EU accession process. In exchange, the EU is expecting Turkey, which hosts the largest number of Syrian refugees in the world, to stop migrants and refugees from entering Europe via its neighbor Greece. Erdogan also noted that Turkey has spent 10 billion dollars on 2.7 million Syrian refugees in the country. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/AM)

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