Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-04-15

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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 called on the OIC countries to play an important role in lifting the "embargoes"

[02] Erdogan called on the OIC member countries "to break the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots"

[03] Akinci participated in the family picture of the OIC Summit

[04] Elcil criticized Akinci's latest statements in Berlin

[05] A survey shows Ozersay's party in the lead

[06] Colak briefed the Somali FM on the Cyprus problem

[07] Talat argues that the five-year Eroglu term was a lost period for the negotiations recalling that Ozersay was "chief negotiator"

[08] Eroglu: "The 'special status regions" issue is dangerous and inconvenient"

[09] Bozkir: "Turkey considers the EP report null and void"

[10] Bozkir blackmails the EU: "No visa-free travel, no migrant deal"

[11] Turkey and Saudi Arabia to enhance trade ties

[12] The occupation regime's "assembly" approved the "water agreement"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci called on the OIC countries to play an important role in lifting the "embargoes"

He went on and added that the biggest wish of the Turkish Cypriots is that in 2016 a solution can be reached adding that this development will also bring peace and stability in the region. Akinci also stated that both he and President Nicos Anastasiades are two leaders of the same generation who try to find a solution in the Cyprus problem. "We know that that this is the last effort for re-unify our island. Our biggest wish and our main goal are to reach a solution in 2016", he stated.

Akinci also said that the Turkish Cypriots are looking for a solution that will safeguard the freedom, the equality and the security of the Turkish Cypriots who are one of the two partners in the island and added that the support of sister countries in this effort will carry great importance on their road towards a solution.

Akinci also voiced his pleasure at the decision given by the OIC that calls on all member countries to show solidarity with the Turkish Cypriots who are Muslims, to develop relations and by providing all kinds of support in a variety of fields to assist them in their integration with the world.

Touching upon the importance of implementing these decisions he stated: "The time has come for Muslim countries to take concrete steps that will make the Turkish Cypriots a part of the global network and thus pioneering the international community towards this end".

Akinci also said that the next months will be crucial for the negotiation process and stated that the Turkish Cypriot side does not want the natural resources of the island to become a reason for tension in the island but to become a facilitator that will safeguard peace and stability. He also said that the one-sided efforts towards this direction, that can harm the negotiations, are wrong.

(CS)

[02] Erdogan called on the OIC member countries "to break the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots"

Stating that the OIC must act for the future and the rights of all Muslims, even for Muslims who live in other geographical regions, Erdogan stated: "All together we must break the isolation that our brothers who live in the TRNC face for years now".

"Who other than us, the Islamic world, will give to our brothers who live in Cyprus the message that they are not alone?", Erdogan stated adding that it is a basic responsibility of all Muslims to help towards the reaching of a permanent and just solution in the island where, as he said, the balances have been violated unjustly in the past.

(CS)

[03] Akinci participated in the family picture of the OIC Summit

The "flag" of the breakaway regime can be seen in the back of the photo.

(CS)

[04] Elcil criticized Akinci's latest statements in Berlin

Underlining that they followed with astonishment the latest statements made by Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci during his contacts in Berlin, who has said that "the "walls which exist in the heads" should be demolished, in order for a solution to be achieved in Cyprus, Elcil said that such statements caused them distress and worries. "The removal of physical barriers which hold our island divided since 1974 and the demolition of the walls existing in the heads of the people since 1950 because of the intensified efforts being exerted for the separation of the two communities constitutes our basic expectations", Elcil said, pointing out that the walls in the people's heads can be demolished via education and the development of economic and social ties between the two communities.

Underlining the fact that no concrete steps are taken in the field of education, Elcil added that no efforts were exerted also, for the lifting of the physical obstacles.

Elcil also accused Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci for not making any attempts for the opening of "Maras" and added that the opening of the Apliki and Deryneia crossing points seems to be forgotten.

Elcil went on and accused Akinci of hiding behind the excuse that he has done all necessary for the opening of the Apliki crossing point and that the issue has stuck on "government" and the economic resources needed by the EU.

(AK)

[05] A survey shows Ozersay's party in the lead

According to the results of the survey announced yesterday in the occupied part of Nicosia, asked "how would you vote if general parliamentary elections were held", the responds were the following:

With distribution of the undecided "voters" (%) With distribution of the combined "votes" (%)

People's Party (HP)

33,1 37,6

National Unity Party (UBP) 19,0 21,6

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 16,8 19,0

Democratic Party (DP) 11,6 13,2

Social Democracy Party (TDP) 5,1 5,7

United Cyprus Party (BKP) 2,6 2,9

Combined 11,8

Asked which party they voted during the "parliamentary elections" in 2013, the participants in the survey replied: UBP 23%, CTP 31%, DP 18%, TDP 4,5%, BKP 2,6%, combined 20,1% and other 0,4%.

Asked which candidate they voted during the first round of the "presidential elections" in 2015, they replied: Dervis Eroglu 28,3%, Mustafa Akinci 27,9%, Sibel Siber 21,8%, Kudret Ozersay 20,9%, other 1,1%.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Colak briefed the Somali FM on the Cyprus problem

According to the paper, Colak briefed the Somali Foreign Minister on the on the Cyprus problem and the latest developments on the negotiation process.

(AK)

[07] Talat argues that the five-year Eroglu term was a lost period for the negotiations recalling that Ozersay was "chief negotiator"

"The general tendency of the Greek Cypriot side is continuously delaying and putting obstacles", he alleged claiming that the Greek Cypriots "are afraid" of a rejection. He argued:

"Real negotiations were held 1,5 years during my term and one year during Mr Akinci's term. The real negotiation in Cyprus is continuing for 2,5 years. Eroglu's term was a lost period. We have produced 30 papers. Today these are being developed. These were done within 2,5 years".

Referring to Kudret Ozersay, current leader of the People's Party (HP), Talat recalled that Ozersay had been a "technical expert" during his term and was appointed as "chief negotiator" during Eroglu's term, but "five years passed with academic discussions".

"Study the newspapers of that period and you will see that the statements by Ozersay are much more than Eroglu's statements", argued Talat expressing the view that "this mentality has been turned into a party now".

Noting that the extent to which Ozersay wants a solution in Cyprus should be taken into consideration, Talat drew attention to the fact that HP is a right-wing party and wondered "how far can you go only be criticizing and by not putting forward any solutions".

Noting that the solution of the Cyprus problem is very important and this is why his party supports Akinci, Talat argued:

"Our wish is to reach a solution the soonest. In case we do not reach a solution, the future of this country is very difficult. This month the payment of the salaries will again be difficult. It is difficult even to make the payments by borrowing money. There will be a deficit of 50-60 millions. Why? Because the economic protocol with Turkey has not been signed yet. After the signing of the protocol we will weather this a little, but only a little. That is, we will actually be running an enterprise with inadequate means. Only with the solution we could develop our economy and compete with the world".

Referring to Akinci's recent visit to Germany, Talat said that the important thing is to hold meetings and not whether these meetings are official or unofficial or whether are held in an office or in a restaurant. He recalled that when he was the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community he had held some official and unofficial meetings and even during President Erdogan's visit to the United States he had asked a meeting with President Obama. Thus a meeting was held, he said, adding that the result should be taken into consideration.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Eroglu: "The 'special status regions" issue is dangerous and inconvenient"

Stating that the Cyprus problem was always included into the agenda of his political life, Eroglu reiterated his belief that the Greek Cypriots do not have the willpower for the solution.

Referring to the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process, Eroglu described as dangerous and inconvenient the issue that came into the agenda recently concerning the "special status regions".

(AK)

[09] Bozkir: "Turkey considers the EP report null and void"

Commenting on the report, Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Volkan Bozk?r said on Thursday that the report is unacceptable and will be returned unopened and described it as "null and void".

The EP approved Turkey's 2015 progress report for the EU membership process on Thursday, passing the report with 375 votes in favor to 133 opposed and 87 abstentions. The report praises Turkey's efforts to address the refugee crisis and for "hosting the biggest refugee population in the world".

Last year's EP progress report on Turkey was also declared null and void by the government due to its inclusion of the historic 1915 events, which it referred to as the Armenian genocide.

Bozk?r told the press on Wednesday that Turkey previously warned that the new report would be returned if statements from the previous year were repeated. Regardless of Bozk?r's remarks and Ministers of Parliament expressing their disapproval of the draft, the final progress report "calls on Turkey to recognize the Armenian Genocide."

(?)

Commenting on the report prepared by EP Turkey Rapporteur Kati Piri, Bozk?r said: "The EP report reflects the EP's views regarding EU Commission progress reports about EU member countries and Turkey. Last year, we said we would reject the report if it included elements that are not acceptable for us." Bozk?r also pointed to three key sticking points for Turkey that would result in the report being declared null and void, including reference to any expression referring to the Armenian genocide as well as any request that the PKK terrorist organization be removed from the EU's list of terrorist organizations. "The final matter is the inclusion of statements that aim to slow down or suspend Turkey's EU accession process or cut off funds provided for Turkey's EU accession process", Bozk?r said.

Furthermore, the report praised Turkey for hosting the largest refugee population in the world, noting that it remains a "key strategic partner for the EU." The report states that "the EU-Turkey Joint Action Plan on refugees and migration management should be implemented immediately, but only as "part of a comprehensive cooperation agenda based on shared responsibility, mutual commitments and delivery".

On the paragraph about Cyprus, the report welcomes progress made in the Cyprus reunification talks and it urges both parties to implement all agreed upon measures without further delay, noting that the non-settlement of the Cyprus issue affects the development of the EU-Turkey relations.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (15.04.16) under the front-page title: "We do not recognize it", refers to the EP's 2015 Turkey progress report and writes that the references on it both on the "Armenian genocide" and the Cyprus problem are unacceptable.

According to the paper, the approval of the allegations that the 1915 Armenian incidents constitute a genocide and the calling made to Turkey to withdraw its troops from Cyprus, return the Maras [Translator's note: occupied fenced off city of Varosha] to the Greek Cypriots and open its ports to the Greek Cypriot's vessels, are unacceptable.

(AK)

[10] Bozkir blackmails the EU: "No visa-free travel, no migrant deal"

"If the EU does not grant visa-free travel [to Turkish citizens] then we can suspend the readmission agreement. This is a bargain. If there is no visa [liberty] then there is no readmission," said Bozk?r on April 13 during his visit to the Austrian capital Vienna.

Bozk?r was referring to the deal signed between the EU and Turkey on March 18, when the sides agreed on a scheme to curb the flow of migrants into the bloc.

Turkey agreed to take back all migrants landing on Greece as of March 20, while the EU would take back the same amount of Syrian refugees from Turkey. In exchange for the migrants returned to Turkey, the EU agreed to grant Turkish citizens visa-free travel in EU's Schengen area and pledged to give a total of 6 billion euros until the end of 2018 to be used to fund better living conditions for Syrians in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Bozk?r said on April 12 that Turkish nationals could expect vise-free travel to the EU by June. "We expect that the decision for the citizens of the Republic of Turkey to enter the Schengen zone without visa requirement will be made before the end of June", said Bozkir.

[11] Turkey and Saudi Arabia to enhance trade ties

Addressing the opening of the Turkey-Saudi Arabia Business Forum, Al-Rabiah said: "We have agreed on establishing a working team between Saudi Arabia and Turkey. "The team, which will consist of high-level officials, will discuss all cooperation opportunities between the two countries and negotiate to increase the trade volume between the two countries."

Al-Rabiah and Turkish Economy Minister Mustafa Elitas jointly opened the forum, which will focus on trade and economic cooperation between the two countries.

At the forum, business people from both countries will explore investment opportunities in renewable energy, electricity, mining, petrochemicals, finance and banking sectors.

Also, investments in contracting, construction, housing and real-estate projects will be discussed. "We see that the official visits between two countries have increased. This is significant evidence that shows development of the relations between the two countries is highly valued," the Saudi Minister said.

Al-Rabiah also spoke about opportunities in the tourism sector between the two countries. "Especially, the number of tourists coming to Turkey from Saudi Arabia has shown a dramatic increase; 16 flights daily are being carried out between the two countries and this is a very significant number. Formerly, it was not possible even to imagine these numbers," he said.

Elitas said that Turkey sees Saudi Arabia as one of the largest trade partners in the Gulf region and the world. He noted that the bilateral trade volume with Saudi Arabia in 2015 was far from the desired levels and called for a free-trade agreement between Gulf countries and Turkey, which he said would boost investments and trade among Gulf countries, especially with Saudi Arabia.

Last year, bilateral trade between the two countries was around $6.5 billion, including $3.5 billion imports from Turkey, according to the Turkish Economy Ministry.

Turkey mainly exports electrical machinery and equipment, carpets, mats, mineral fuels and oils, while imports from Saudi Arabia include plastic and products made from it, organic chemicals, aluminum and products made from it, mineral fuels and oils.

(?)

[12] The occupation regime's "assembly" approved the "water agreement"

The "agreement" was approved with majority of 35 votes in favor, 3 against and 12 abstentions.

The paper writes that 12 of the Republican Turkish Party's (CTP) "deputies" abstained and the three "deputies" coming from the Social Democracy Party (TDP) voted against the "agreement".

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/AM)

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