Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-04-14

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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] Akinci argues that in the last decade Turkey has changed its position that the division is the solution in Cyprus

[02] Bozkir: Turkey is the most suitable route for transferring Cypriot gas to Europe"

[03] Cavusoglu discussed with Colak the latest developments in the "TRNC"

[04] Statements by Ozgurgun and Denktas on the formation of a new coalition "government"

[05] Soyer said that CTP worries about the future of the negotiation and the granting of "citizenships"

[06] Tatar: "The breakaway regime needs "citizens and population"

[07] Izcan: "The government is under the AKP's directives"

[08] Turkish Cypriot daily refers to danger for 35 thousand new "citizenships"

[09] The Missing Persons Committee found the remains of 1,115 missing persons in the past ten years

[10] OIC 13th Leaders Summit meeting in Istanbul

[11] Serdar Denktas met with the US Ambassador

[12] A ceremony to take place at the restored Turkish Cypriot cemetery in Limassol

[13] "An academic cooperation agreement" between illegal GAU and a Spanish University

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci argues that in the last decade Turkey has changed its position that the division is the solution in Cyprus

"Support to the negotiating process came from Turkey and in fact it is the first time that Turkey's leaders instead of accusing the one of the sides praised the Greek Cypriot leader by saying that both leaders want a solution", argued Akinci claiming that this is something new and wishing for this situation to continue.

Noting that he does not think that the withdrawal of the Turkish occupation army will take place without finding a solution, Akinci said that in case of a solution Turkey will withdraw its army according to the agreement. Alleging that Turkey has nothing to gain from the non-solution, Akinci argued that "Turkey will also have benefits from a solution in Cyprus".

He also expressed the view that the "walls which exist in the heads" should be demolished in order for a solution to be achieved in Cyprus. He noted: "27 years ago you could demolish the wall. We could open some holes in the wall in Nicosia. In 2004 we said yes in the referendum, but we could not demolish the wall because two yes votes were needed. We need something for this and what we need is to demolish the walls in the heads. If we demolish the walls in the heads it will be easier to demolish the physical walls".

He said that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots have been raised to be enemies to each other and added that from the very first day of his "election" he has been saying that "we should see each other as partners not enemies". Noting that the culture of peace should be developed in the island, Akinci said that in order to achieve this, the leaders decided the establishment of a "cultural committee" and the sides have abandoned the "mutual blame game" that existed in the past.

Pointing out that the education should also be examined, Akinci said that a group of members of ELAM extreme right-wing organization had attacked some Turkish Cypriots in the government-controlled area of the island and added that students were participating in this attacks which had been incited by some teachers.

Referring to the hydrocarbon resources discovered in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), Akinci argued that these "could start a new source of trouble, new tensions or a new cooperation. I and my community prefer to develop new cooperation". He reiterated that the relations between Turkey and Israel are being improved and in case the Cyprus problem is solved the natural gas could be transferred to Europe through Turkey. He also expressed the belief that the electricity network and the water transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of the island "could open big horizons".

Replying to a question regarding the adoption of Turkey's judiciary system in the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci said that this is out of the question and that what the Turkish Cypriots could look for on this issue are the European norms.

Referring to the Greek Cypriot political parties, Akinci said that the two big Greek Cypriot parties, main opposition AKEL and ruling DISY support the solution, but the Social Democrat EDEK party is exhibiting a stance which is allegedly not in harmony with social democracy and has taken out the bi-communal, bi-zonal solution from its program.

Referring to the Organization for the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Akinci said that the Turkish Cypriots have an observer status in this organization and this bears a symbolic meaning for the Turkish Cypriot community.

Touching on the issue of guarantees, Akinci argued that a formula which will preserve Turkey's guarantees and will not be a threat for the Greek Cypriot side should be found.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Halki Sesin newspaper (14.04.16), Achim Barchmann, Vice President of the German Parliament's Committee for Relations with the European Parliament, alleged that the big part of the opponents for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem is in 'south Cyprus', as the government-controlled area of the island is described. He expressed the belief that they could contribute in the reunification of the island and added that the Group will visit Cyprus in June.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Bozkir: Turkey is the most suitable route for transferring Cypriot gas to Europe"

Delivering a speech at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna Austria, where he carries out contacts, Bozk?r touched upon Turkey's EU membership process, the Cyprus issue and other regional issues.

Reminding that the 27th anniversary of the demolition of the Berlin Wall was being celebrated this year, he said that there should be no wall on Turkey's entrance to the EU and expressed readiness to cooperate on the issue.

Noting that the Turkey-EU relations have regained momentum, he added that both sides have great benefits from those ties.

Touching upon the Cyprus problem within the context of the energy issue, Bozk?r said" "Turkey is 40 miles away from Cyprus while Crete is 500 miles away. The most suitable route to transfer Cyprus gas to Europe is Turkey. Energy is one of the issues which could help in the solution of the Cyprus problem".

[03] Cavusoglu discussed with Colak the latest developments in the "TRNC"

According to the paper, Colak and Cavusoglu exchanged views during the meeting on the latest internal developments in the "TRNC" and on the issue of the improvement of information potentials of the "foreign ministry".

(AK)

[04] Statements by Ozgurgun and Denktas on the formation of a new coalition "government"

According to a statement issued by UBP, the "protocol" will be signed tomorrow by the leaders of the two parties at the so-called assembly.

Meanwhile, according to the paper, Huseyin Ozgurgun, leader of the UBP, who was given the mandate last week by Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, to establish a new coalition "government" in the "TRNC", continues his efforts for the new "cabinet list".

In statements to illegal Bayrak television (13.04.16), Ozgurgun announced that the names of the "cabinet" will become clear by Friday.

Stating that he aims to present the new "cabinet" to the "president" on Saturday the 16th of April, he reminded that he will be briefing the UBP party assembly on Friday.

Meanwhile, speaking to illegal BRT on the issue, the leader of DP-UG Serdar Denktas said that they discussed the "government program" in general terms with Ozgurgun.

"Following the approval of the new coalition government by the president, we will start discussing the government program. I think these discussions will start during the weekend" Denktas said.

Responding to a question, Denktas said that there is no problem at the party in regards to the names to take part in the new "cabinet".

He also added that the work still continues towards determining the "deputies" who will take part at the "parliamentary committees".

Noting that they also determined the problems existing on the "economic" protocol with the UBP, Denktas said: "We won't have serious problems with the UBP on the economic protocol. We will sign the protocol after consultations with Turkey".

Meanwhile, if Turkish Cypriot leader Ak?nc? approves the "cabinet list" of the UBP-DP "government" on Saturday, then the "parliament" will convene on Monday, the 18th of April.

The "constitutional process" will start when the new "cabinet" is read out at the "parliament".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (14.04.16) under the front-page title: "The amount of 42 million TL is missing", reports that Denktas in exclusive statements to the paper yesterday, made important statements towards the "budget" of the occupation regime and the unpaid salaries of April.

According to Denktas, who's name became definite of being the next "minister of finance" in the new coalition "government" to be formed, said, inter alia, that they need the additional resource of the amount of 42 million TL, in order to make the payments for the salaries of April.

Denktas added that works have been already launched in order to cover this deficient without Turkey's support and added: "We will undertake duties by April 26 and thus it is not possible for the economic protocol to be signed in two days".

Asked to reply about the new "government's priorities", Denktas said that amongst them will be to lift the bureaucratic obstacles in the "country", to implement facilitative measures for additional "investments" in the "TRNC" and to restore the occupation regime's ties with Turkey.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Denktas said that they do not experience any problem with Akinci towards the formation of a new "government" and added that he considers that Akinci defends their rights at the negotiating table with goodwill.

(AK)

[05] Soyer said that CTP worries about the future of the negotiation and the granting of "citizenships"

Soyer made these statements evaluating the recent political developments in the breakaway regime at Kibris TV.

Soyer stated that the new coalition will try to put pressure at the negotiation table for the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci regarding his efforts for finding a solution. He went on and added that there will be great international reaction against Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots in case more "citizenships" are granted.

Soyer also said that the breakaway regime entered into "election atmosphere" after the collapse of the previous "coalition government", between the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and UBP.

Asked if Turkey is blackmailing the breakaway regime on the issue of giving money for its operation and for paying the "civil servants'" salaries, Soyer stated that this is a new kind of blackmailing, adding that this is a big dimension of status quo.

(CS)

[06] Tatar: "The breakaway regime needs "citizens and population"

He made these statements speaking at Kibris TV where he evaluated the recent developments in the breakaway regime and the issue of granting new "citizenships".

"We need more citizens and population; but I do not say that we should grant citizenship to anyone that comes here", Tatar stated adding that the discussion for "citizenship" must be speeded up.

(CS)

[07] Izcan: "The government is under the AKP's directives"

In a written statement, Izcan also said that the accusations between CTP and UBP right after the collapse of their coalition, related with corruptions and personal interests are true.

Izcan also argued that the AKP government continues its imposition practices in the "TRNC" and pointed out that Turkey designs the political life in the northern part of the island in the direction of its own interests. "It is not possible to expect from the UBP-DP government to serve the people's interest. AKP aims from now on to establish a government that will act under its own directives and with no problems".

Izcan called once more the "people" to resist and not to accept such imposition policies.

(AK)

[08] Turkish Cypriot daily refers to danger for 35 thousand new "citizenships"

During that last three years, 796 persons were granted the "citizenship" upon decision of the "council of ministers". Almost half of these were granted the "citizenship' in 2013 by the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government.

From 2004 until today 10.203 persons were granted the "citizenship" because of marriage.

Noting that the UBP supports the policy of granting "more citizenships", Ozdag expresses the worry that with the establishment of an UBP-Democratic Party "government" and the support offered by the DP to this policy, the number of the "new citizens" might exceed 35.000. "We will follow all together the process, but it is not difficult to say that the number of 35.000 totally coincides with Turkish officials' 'more citizens' policy", he points out.

(I/Ts.)

[09] The Missing Persons Committee found the remains of 1,115 missing persons in the past ten years

Around 120 remains were found on average every year, during the excavations, she said and added that the remains of 157 persons were identified in 2014, and the remains of 163 persons in 2015.

She also stated that due to complications in 2015, the support from experts was requested from abroad and added that 100 remains are expected to be identified this year.

Touching upon the excavation works that took place in military zones between 2006 and 2015, she said that this year permission was received to carry out excavation works in 30 locations in military zones and added that 3 out of the 10 areas had been excavated but no remains were located.

She said that the Committee would be carrying out excavation work in 250 civilian areas and added that at the end of ten years some of the projects needed to be further strengthened.

Explaining that throughout the years the excavation teams had been increased and the anthropology laboratories had been developed, Kucuk however said that there was also need for the research to be further developed adding that workings towards this end are continuing.

[10] OIC 13th Leaders Summit meeting in Istanbul

In an article to Sabah, the Turkish President Tayyio Erdogan, said that the OIC must take the lead to highlight the threat of secular extremism while working with member states to address the root causes of terrorism. "The main issue of the Summit is peace and justice", Erdogan wrote, adding that the efforts should not be limited to OIC member states.

According to the paper, the Summit will have a record of participants since representatives of 57 countries will participate in it.

(CS)

[11] Serdar Denktas met with the US Ambassador

A source close to the party told the paper that the climate during the almost one hour meeting was sincere and that Denktas and Doherty exchanged views regarding the ongoing negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem and the efforts for establishing a new "coalition government" in the occupied area of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[12] A ceremony to take place at the restored Turkish Cypriot cemetery in Limassol

The cemetery was restored with the support of the Cyprus Vakif Foundation and the Limassol Municipality.

(AK)

[13] "An academic cooperation agreement" between illegal GAU and a Spanish University

According to a statement issued by "GAU", the agreement envisages the exchange of students and academic staff between the two "universities", common researches and publication activities and issues related with career opportunities and continuing education.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/AM)

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