Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-03-11

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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] Colak on the Cyprus talks

[02] Ozgurgun and Denktas call on Akinci to reveal the minutes of his agreements with President Anastasiades

[03] Director of Gezici Research Center said that Ozersay's party can reach 30%

[04] Ozgur: If the "economic protocol" with Turkey is not urgently signed, we will be obliged to implement bitter recipes

[05] Akansoy met with the Turkish Minister of Social Security and Labor

[06] Problems at the dam in occupied Panagra village area

[07] U.S. Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs visited the Hala Sultan Teke mosque

[08] Turkes rules out terrorist link to "TRNC"

[09] Bozkir reiterated that Chapter 24 should be opened before June

[10] Erdogan slams 'unjust' Russian interventions in Syria, Ukraine

[11] Total of 464 probes opened against Turkish academics over 'peace petition'

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Colak on the Cyprus talks

Asked to comment on the latest situation of the negotiation process, Colak said that there has been substantially progress in the four of total six chapters of the Cyprus talks. She noted that the most difficult chapter is the property one, adding that the issues of "guarantees and security" as well as the "territorial adjustments" will be discussed last. Colak argued that due to the upcoming parliamentary elections in "south Cyprus" (translator's note: as she refers to the Republic of Cyprus), there is an election campaign before the elections, and she hopes that the Cyprus talks not to become an election material.

Colak said that they wish that the political parties who support the Cyprus settlement to win the elections and therefore to strengthen Anastasiades' hand in the Cyprus talks.

Asked to comment on how the discovery of hydrocarbons is reflected in the Cyprus talks, Colak reiterated that with the Cyprus settlement, it is very important to improve the relations with Turkey in order to export the natural gas to Europe through Turkey.

(DPs)

[02] Ozgurgun and Denktas call on Akinci to reveal the minutes of his agreements with President Anastasiades

Denktas said referring to Akinci:

"They should urgently announce together with Anastasiades everything on which agreement is reached and not different things to us and different things to the Greek Cypriot side. If Anastasiades is not willing to agree on this, Akinci is in the position to share all the agreements. This is an obligation by the president to his people. Let us know what is happening before it is too late, what the agreements are, so that we raise our voice as people".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (11.03.16) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), has called on Akinci to clarify the points of consensus, which the chairman of EDEK alleged that Akinci has reached with President Anastasiades. In a written statement issued yesterday, Ozgurgun argued:

"[?] The statement by Anastasiades, who described as 'unacceptable' the disclosure of the minutes of the National Council by Sizopoulos and showed a great reaction to this, that this action gives a trump card to the Turkish side is far from being sincere and aims at deceiving. The fact that the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades has not denied the achievement of agreements on various issues on the way to the solution has not escaped attention.

In this situation, starting from the reality that the Turkish Cypriot people have the right to learn the truths regarding their fate in this geographical area from the president, who is assigned with the duty of protecting their rights and interests, as UBP we urgently demand from him to clarify the issues on which consensus has allegedly been reached and relax our people".

Finally, Ozgurgun criticized statements reportedly made by the Member of the European Parliament (MEP), Eleni Theoharous that the Turkish Cypriots are a minority of 17% in Cyprus which is a Greek island.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Director of Gezici Research Center said that Ozersay's party can reach 30%

Evaluating the political strength of HP, Gezici said that it could receive around 30% if elections were to be held and stated that the party's leader, Kudret Ozerzay has won the trust of the "people". He went on and added that the 30% that the party could win does not come as a surprise because by voting for Ozersay during the last "presidential elections" the "voters" showed that they are sick of the status quo supporters. In addition Ozersay appears to be a good alternative that is in line with the world. Of course, Gezici stated, the other "candidates" of the party will also play an important role to the percentage that HP will receive when elections will be held.

(CS)

[04] Ozgur: If the "economic protocol" with Turkey is not urgently signed, we will be obliged to implement bitter recipes

Addressing the "assembly" of the regime yesterday, Ozgur noted that the "minister of finance" was not assigned with any duty on the issue of the "economic protocol" that will be signed with Turkey and added that there is no "coordinating minister" within the "government" on this issue. He said that it would be correct to ask the self-styled prime minister the questions as regards the "economic protocol".

Ozgur expressed the view that the "economic protocol" must urgently be signed and explained the difficulties which his "ministry' is facing. Ozgur said that they are struggling to fix the "public finances" and that they want support to this struggle, otherwise they will be obliged to implement "bitter recipes". He argued that they have been able not to implement these bitter recipes because of Turkey's aid and donations, which he described as "a big advantage".

Ozgur said that the payment of the salaries is possible with this support, but investments are also needed in the "country" and the private sector needs to be supported for developing the economy. However, he added, with this budget and structure only the salaries can be paid and no investment can be made.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Akansoy met with the Turkish Minister of Social Security and Labor

According to the paper, Soylu stated during the meeting that the project for the establishment of a "Labour and Social Security Joint Permanent Council" which aimed to increase the administrative capacity of the breakaway regime and to take up the problems experienced between the two "countries" in the field of labor and social security will be completed soon. "We are ready to sign this agreement which envisages the exchange of information through experts and the establishment of a joint working group between our ministries" Soylu said.

Akansoy on his part stated that they are restructuring the "TRNC" and at the same time they are trying to reach a permanent and admissible solution on the island. He also stated that the strong support, contribution and experience of Turkey is significant for the Turkish Cypriots. "It is our priority to place our relations to an institutional dimension with Turkey and to further develop relations between the ministries of the two countries", he stated.

(CS)

[06] Problems at the dam in occupied Panagra village area

According to Afrika, the last two workers returned to Turkey the day before yesterday. Around 60 workers of the company in the occupied area of Cyprus are unpaid for more than three months.

In the beginning floods were caused because of leak of the water pumped from Turkey in the tunnels, writes the paper adding that even occupied Panagra village was flooded.

After the dam was emptied, everyone thought that this was a tension between Turkey and the "TRNC", notes the paper adding that the complaints made by the workers to the so-called embassy of Turkey in the occupied part of Nicosia, the "labor department" and the "ministry of interior" had no result.

The Akeli-NVS-Gursesler partnership owes a big amount of money in the market. Afrika describes as "nonsense" the statements that the water from Turkey will start flowing to the households within three weeks.

(I/Ts.)

[07] U.S. Special Representative for Religion and Global Affairs visited the Hala Sultan Teke mosque

The paper, citing information by the Religious Affairs Department, writes that Casey met with the Imam of the Hala Sultan Teke, Sakir Alemdar, who informed him about the mosque's history and replied to his questions.

Casey who expressed his admiration for the mosque's history and beauty said to Alemdar that the use of the mosque is a natural right for the Turkish Cypriots.

(CS)

[08] Turkes rules out terrorist link to "TRNC"

In a written statement issued yesterday, Turkes evaluated claims that one of the attackers had ties to "North Cyprus" and that the PKK terrorist organisation was using the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus as a base of operations.

"It is true that one of the terrorists involved in the Bayrampasa attack had migrated to Cyprus from Turkey. The individual however had not been in contact with her family for a very long time and her family in no way approved of the attack. It's been understood that the attack and the attackers had nothing to do with the TRNC", he argued.

Pointing out that there are around 85 thousand students studying in the "TRNC", 45 thousand of them from Turkey, Turkes said that it is a known fact that terrorist organisations such as the PKK are keen on infiltrating institutions of higher education, not only in Turkey and abroad but to the "TRNC" as well.

He however added that "universities in the TRNC" provide a safe environment for students and that there is no way such organisations can hold ground within those institutions of higher education.

Stating that the "TRNC security forces are always taking necessary precautions against possible activities of terrorist organisations, Turkes called on everyone to refrain from making claims which would stigmatize or label students studying in "universities in the TRNC".

[09] Bozkir reiterated that Chapter 24 should be opened before June

Speaking to the state-run Anatolia news agency on March 10, Bozkir reminded that issues like border security and illegal immigration are all included in the 24th chapter on "justice, freedom and security". He added: "We are discussing all these. We are organizing summits. We are taking steps. We cannot open this chapter due to the capriciousness of one country. Because of this, this chapter should be open absolutely and absolutely before June".

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.03.16) reported that Turkey will not readmit refugees who have already reached Greek islands under a deal agreed with the EU earlier this week, Bozkir said on Thursday.

"Turkey's readmission proposal to the EU will not apply to the existing refugees on Greek islands but to those who will come starting from a certain date after their evacuation," he told Anadolu Agency's Editors' Desk.

The Minister, who also serves as Turkey's Chief Negotiator on EU affairs, said that the number of returnees would run into "maybe tens of thousands of refugees" if the readmission plan with EU is enacted.

Despite insisting on the relaxation of visa regulations for Turkish nationals wanting to travel to the EU, Bozkir indicated that the deal would not be reciprocal. "Even after visas [for Turks] are all abolished and become a visa with work permit, we might [still] need to require visas from EU countries' citizens because the main flow will not be from Turkey into Europe but from Europe to Turkey," he told the meeting of senior Anadolu Agency editors.

(DPs)

[10] Erdogan slams 'unjust' Russian interventions in Syria, Ukraine

The Turkish President called for the removal of foreign troops from Ukrainian territory and the re-establishment of control over the country's border with Russia. In return, Poroshenko expressed his appreciation for Turkish support in the face of the "brutal violation of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity" by Russia. "Turkey is a friend and partner," he said.

The leaders also expressed agreement over the "illegal annexation" of the autonomous region of Crimea in 2014. While Erdogan told reporters that Russia had been "trampling over international law," Poroshenko defined the "transformation of Crimea into a military base" as unacceptable. They pledged to act in cooperation in order to end the "temporary invasion" of Crimea.

[11] Total of 464 probes opened against Turkish academics over 'peace petition'

"Regarding academics at public universities there have been 464 investigations, nine firings, five resignations, 27 suspensions, 153 criminal proceedings opened, and 33 detentions. At foundation universities there have been 21 firings, one forced retirement, and 43 administrative investigations [into terrorism-related allegations] since Jan. 11," said a statement read out at a press conference in Istanbul on March 10 by Esra Mungan, from Bogazici University's Psychology Department.

The press statement said a "legal and verbal war" had been waged against signatory academics, even including death threats. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/AM)

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