Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-03-18

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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] Ak?nc?: "The road to a solution in Cyprus does not pass through Brussels but through Nicosia"

[02] Kalyoncu condemned the recent terror attack in Turkey

[03] Talat: "If Turkey opens its ports, no possibility will be left for us being saved from isolations"; Avci: "Turkey opening its ports will prevent the comprehensive solution"

[04] Angolemli supported that there are serious housing problems in the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] Columnist assesses Akinci's statement: The decisions of "northern Nicosia" in the negotiations will be taken in Ankara

[06] Bozk?r: "Turkey will not accept partial agreement in Brussels"; He reiterated that Turkey will not make any concessions to the Republic of Cyprus7. Tension in illegal DAU due to simultaneous activities of Grey Wolves and Kurdish students

[08] Broad security measures in the occupied area of Cyprus due to Newroz celebrations; HDP's Co-chairman might participate

[09] Former Turkish Cypriot negotiators accused the Republic of Cyprus of activating a policy of threats and blackmailing in Brussels

[10] Tacoy resigned from DP

[11] Davutoglu called for the lifting of all Deputies' immunities without any discrimination; Reaction statement by opposition parties officials

[12] New regulation in Turkey against human trafficking

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ak?nc?: "The road to a solution in Cyprus does not pass through Brussels but through Nicosia"

Issuing a written statement yesterday, Akinci drew attention to the importance of Turkey and Greece in reaching a settlement but reminded that the ongoing process is a Cypriot led process.

Pointing out that the refugee crisis in Europe had created the possibility of new opportunities in Turkey's EU membership process, Akinci said that the matter had once again turned the spotlight on the issue of opening up Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot traffic. "We from the very beginning have supported Turkey's full membership to the European Union. We are, however, aware that as long as the Cyprus problem remains unresolved, this will not be fully possible. Despite the fact that there are numerous obstacles for Turkey's full membership, it is the settlement of the Cyprus problem which will ease EU-Turkey relations to a certain degree", said Akinci.

Ak?nc? also pointed out that it would be a mistake to think that the principles so carefully upheld by Turkey and the "TRNC" on the issue of opening ports will be abandoned.

"Those who believe that the Turkish Cypriots will be sidelined in the solution process are dreaming" Akinci said, adding that any attempts to sideline the "TRNC" in the talks will be unsuccessful.

[02] Kalyoncu condemned the recent terror attack in Turkey

Kalyoncu condemned the recent terror attack in Turkey and argued that the stronger Turkey is, the stronger the Turkish Cypriot side's hand is at the negotiating table.

"When there is instability in Turkey this weakens our position. The death of people and the attempts to create chaos within Turkey makes us uncomfortable. We do not approve of those carrying out terror attacks", Kalyoncu stated.

Reminding that he and other "TRNC officials" had sent messages of condolences to his Turkish "counterpart" Davutoglu for those killed in the recent terror attack in Ankara, Kalyoncu expressed the hope that such incidents will not take place again.

[03] Talat: "If Turkey opens its ports, no possibility will be left for us being saved from isolations"; Avci: "Turkey opening its ports will prevent the comprehensive solution"

"If Turkey opens its ports, no possibility will be left for us being saved from the isolation", alleged Talat in statements to the paper, claiming that the Greek Cypriot side's motivation for reaching a solution in Cyprus will end.

Talat argued that the EU "has lost the momentum" of exerting pressure on the Greek Cypriot side during the period when the Republic of Cyprus had taken loans from the IMF and the World Bank. He alleged that the pressure which will be exerted from now on will give "limited results".

Noting that exaggerated comments and assessments are being made regarding the developments, Talat said:

"Some think that everything has ended. It is an unnecessary panic. Turkey meets with the EU. What is happening this time is no different than what had happened many times. The Greek Cypriot side is asking for the ports again and Turkey is resisting. After the solution, it says. That is, there is no new position".

Talat argued also that the Republic of Cyprus will not lift its veto on Turkey's negotiating chapters upon pressure by influential EU countries, because this is an issue of "national interest" for the Greek Cypriot side.

Meanwhile, commenting on the same issue Avci alleged that the opening of Turkish ports to the Republic of Cyprus will prevent the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem and will weaken the Turkish Cypriot side at the negotiating table. "If Turkey opens its ports, this situation will weaken us at the negotiating table, because the situation from our point of view until now was that 'Turkey does not accept the Greek Cypriot side as its interlocutor", he argued.

Asked whether he is satisfied by Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci's stance, Avci replied that politicians whose relations with Turkey were "at a totally different point could turn into totally different persons as soon as they come to power", adding that "these friends are different when they are in the opposition and different when they are in the government". He added: "Those who then had been saying to me 'Mr Turgay you will continuously visit Ankara' and were harshly criticizing me when I replied 'what shall I do, shall I visit Athens?' are going to Ankara today. Both our prime minister and our president are in close cooperation with Turkey. I am happy for this".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Angolemli supported that there are serious housing problems in the occupied area of Cyprus

Supporting that for a long time the problems on the housing issue continue, Angolemli pointed out to the example of the Turkish Cypriots who left their properties in the "south" and settled down in the "north" after 1974, and argued that those people disclaimed their property rights in the "south".

Stressing that the issue of those who left their properties in the "south" will be an important matter of discussion during the Cyprus negotiation talks, Angolemli argued that the so-called housing department is distributing title deeds disregarding that some of these properties belonged to the "church" and they were later given to the "Vakif foundation".

Angolemli stressed the need for the establishment of a "committee" that will be responsible to solve such problems.

Referring also to the problems that exist in the "TRNC" with the distribution of "rural plots of land" since the value of these plots has been increased in some regions, Angolemli called the "ministry of interior" to examine this issue.

(AK)

[05] Columnist assesses Akinci's statement: The decisions of "northern Nicosia" in the negotiations will be taken in Ankara

"President Mustafa Akinci issued a written statement yesterday. He said: 'The way of the solution in Cyprus will pass through Nicosia, not Brussels. Those who are dreaming of a situation in which the Turkish Cypriot people will be left outside the solution process are only daydreaming'. [?]

I endlessly respect everyone's views on this issue. I do not have the same view. The Turkish Cypriot people have since a long time been outside the solution process, they have never been inside. In fact it is as if the Turkish Cypriot people 'exist' in or are 'inside' the solution process. However, they are not and have not taken place [in it].

Take whichever 'starting date' you want, 'Turkishness' 'Turkey' exist in the negotiations but the 'issues of impasse in the basis or 'the issue which cannot be overcome' are definitely not related with the Turkish Cypriots. The way of the solution will pass through Nicosia. I agree only by 50% with Mr Akinci on this point, Nicosia in question will not be 'northern', but 'southern Nicosia'. If a decision will be given or taken for northern Nicosia, it will be taken in Ankara.

The 'weight' of the negotiations in Cyprus has been disappeared because of the fact that the Turkey-EU relations have come to an urgent phase. I wrote it yesterday as well: I believe that there is no need for a 'negotiating model' called 'negotiations for finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem'. The table has been bombed. And the perpetrators are evident. The negotiations between Anatasiades and Akinci or Nami and Mavroyiannis or the 'two sides in Cyprus' should continue now with the model of 'piece by piece solution'. The urgency of the relations between Turkey and the EU has necessarily carried the 'bargaining for Cyprus' to that center. Saying that Turkey asked this or the Greek Cypriots wished this to happen is not correct. However, what Mustafa Akinci described as 'daydreaming' is that he does not accept that the issue slid to that center. If we express it more correctly, the Cyprus problem has in the one way or the other entered into the scope of the relations between the EU and Turkey and not seeing this is tantamount to daydreaming itself. [?]

Turkey has directly or indirectly, mediated or not mediated started the bargaining with the Greek Cypriot administration. [?] For this reason, I assess Akinci's accusation for 'daydreaming' as 'the indignation of our being humiliated'. And I think that this is a very sad situation. Why? Because he had been alleging that he is 'different' from our community leaders who had been 'negotiating' before. Rauf Raif Denktas was a Turkish nationalist who has been totally struggling for Turkey's interests. Mehmet Ali Talat was a 'shop window' component for the AKP, which had come to power with projects such as 'opening for a solution, opening for democratization, and opening for zero foreign policy problems'. Six minutes after his elections, everyone had understood that he could not take absolutely any step that was different from Denktas' stance and policy. It would be engaging in futile to associate Dr Dervis Eroglu to the 'solution' or expecting him to embrace the 'line of Turkish Cypriot community's interests' independently from Turkey. However, Akinci was different when he was elected and very ambitious, he was even the last chance!!! And this is sad. [?]

Of course, Akinci was different and would be different, but defeating the system or the status quo was something totally separate. For example even his spokesman Baris Burcu started making 'daydreaming' statements such as that 'the Greek Cypriots are annoyed by the fact that Turkey wants a solution very much'.

In his written statement yesterday, Akinci says that 'the Greek Cypriot side's wish to continuously getting the TRNC out of the way and making Turkey as its interlocutor is something which will not be realized. [?] Who is daydreaming? For God's sake, are there not two states currently (the Republic of Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus) which are interlocutors? Akinci says that 'Turkey will not do that'. It has done it already. [?]

I am sure that I am not daydreaming. I am really very certain, because behold the EU, behold the Republic of Cyprus and behold Turkey. In all the news, the comments of the entire world these three names exist. However, 'the Turkish Cypriots', the 'Turkish Cypriot community', 'the Turkish Cypriot people' [?] do not exist!"

(I/Ts.)

[06] Bozk?r: "Turkey will not accept partial agreement in Brussels"; He reiterated that Turkey will not make any concessions to the Republic of CyprusTurkish daily Sabah (17.03.16) reported that Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozk?r said that Ankara will not accept the partial adoption of their proposition submitted at the Turkey-EU summit on March 7 and that in such a case, Turkey will continue its way with the terms agreed to on Nov. 29, 2015.

(?)Bozk?r further stated that they are ready for hard bargaining and hours-long negotiations. "Negotiations will likely to continue until early Saturday and the EU joint declaration will be released if we reach an agreement. But it depends on the acceptance of Turkey's terms offered on March 7," he said.

Bozk?r also criticized the Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades's remarks that "Greek Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, would block Turkey's EU accession if it does not recognize the country.

Commenting on this issue, Bozk?r drew attention to the upcoming election in "Greek Cyprus" in May and contended that Anastasiades's comments were due to domestic pressure. However, Bozk?r argued that "Greek Cyprus" is not an immune member of the EU and cannot act as if the refugee crisis is not their problem while other EU countries are taking steps to shoulder the responsibility. "Even though there is public pressure to the refugee deal, all EU countries are taking important steps to shoulder the responsibility. Greek Cyprus is not exempt from it. During our meeting with European Council President [Donald] Tusk in Ankara we stressed that the European Union must not allow Greek Cyprus to spoil the deal," Bozkir added.

Bozk?r also said that it is out of the question for Turkey to make any concessions to "Greek Cyprus" such as opening Turkey's sea ports to Greek Cypriot vessels.

[07] Tension in illegal DAU due to simultaneous activities of Grey Wolves and Kurdish students

A crowd of Grey Wolves supporters was gathered to welcome the president of Turkey's Hearths of the Ideal, Olcay Kilavuz, who visited the "DAU" students' council and the occupied Famagusta Hearths of the Ideal organization upon an invitation by Adem Yurdakul, chairman of the so-called "TRNC Hearths of the Ideal".

The "students from the East" were gathered to commemorate those who lost their lives in the "Crime in Halepce" on the occasion of the 28th anniversary from the incident, which is described as a crime by the Saddam Hussein regime against the Kurdish people.

No incident happened during the two activities because of the "intense measures" taken by the regime's "police" all day long.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Broad security measures in the occupied area of Cyprus due to Newroz celebrations; HDP's Co-chairman might participate

The paper recalls that the Newroz celebrations in Ankara and Istanbul have been prohibited by the Turkish state due to the recent bomb attacks in the country.

It is expected that this year, Selahattin Demirtas, Co-chairman of Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) will come from Turkey and participate in the Newroz celebrations in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Asim Akansoy, self-styled minister of interior and labor, told Detay that measures have been taken for the celebrations of Newroz on 20 March, in which it is possible HDP's Co-chairman to participate.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Former Turkish Cypriot negotiators accused the Republic of Cyprus of activating a policy of threats and blackmailing in Brussels

Olgun and Ertug condemned both President Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Kasoulides for their recent statements that the Republic of Cyprus will veto the opening of any new chapters in Turkey's EU accession talks, if Turkey does not implement the Ankara Protocol and alleged that Turkey and Turkey EU Minister Volkan Bozkir will hold out on those threats.

(AK)

[10] Tacoy resigned from DP

As the paper writes, Serdar Denktas, chairman of DP-UG have said to Tacoy that he could return back to his post whenever he wishes. Tacoy, however, replied that he renounces his rights.

(AK)

[11] Davutoglu called for the lifting of all Deputies' immunities without any discrimination; Reaction statement by opposition parties officials

Davutoglu's proposal found swift support both from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Kurdish problem-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) which has long called for the removal of immunities for all members of the National Assembly, except for "podium immunity," meaning members of Parliament shall not be liable for their votes and statements during parliamentary proceedings and for the views they express before the assembly.

Replying to questions from reporters on March 17, referring to the fact that there are summaries of proceedings sent to Parliament for lifting the immunities of his ruling AKP Deputies too, Davutoglu said, inter alia, the following: "Come, let's all together lift all immunities. Namely, our call today [is about] lifting all immunities regarding 506 files of summaries of proceedings waiting at Parliament without making any distinction between any party. AK Parti [the ruling Justice and Development Party - AKP] does not have any file to avoid. We don't get cold feet at all".

CHP Deputy chairmarn Bulent Tezcan, in a press conference within hours of Davutoglu's call, responded positively.

"Let all immunities be lifted except podium immunity," Tezcan said. "The office of a legislator is not an office for protecting anybody and it is not an office for hiding crimes either," Tezcan said.

During the same time, HDP spokesperson Ayhan Bilgen told the state-run Anadolu Agency that Davutoglu's call, which he said was "positive," was in line with what their party has long proposed.

"Since the beginning, we didn't approve dealing with the immunity issue on the basis of parties or one by one in regards to alleged crimes," Bilgen said. "The President should not put pressure on the Parliament where the society's will is represented," he also said, citing Turkey's agenda loaded with "risky" items.

Nonetheless, the MHP took a cautious line vis-a-vis Davutoglu's proposal.

"Our leader will share our party's stance on this issue openheartedly. We don't accept immunity armor on a lot of issues that don't comply with legislators' duties and are against the Constitution," MHP Deputy Parliamentary Group Chair Oktay Vural told reporters, leaving the delivery of their final say to MHP leader Devlet Bahceli.

[12] New regulation in Turkey against human trafficking

The regulation, prepared by the Interior Ministry and published in the Official Gazette on March 17, aims to designate principles and procedures to prevent human trafficking, as well as issue residency permits to some foreign victims and provide support services.

The regulation has been prepared in line with the Council of Europe's "Action Plan against Migrant Smuggling," targeting Turkish and foreign victims of human trafficking.

As part of the regulation, a commission will be formed to conduct work on creating policies and strategies for fighting and preventing illegal trafficking, and to prepare an action plan and maintain coordination between public institutions, international institutions, and NGOs.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/AM)

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