Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-04-18

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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] Akinci approved new "cabinet"

[02] Cavusoglu said that the stability in the "TRNC" is important for the Cyprus talks

[03] Islamic States reiterated their support to the "Muslim Turkish Cypriots'" "just cause"

[04] Akinci evaluated Istanbul contacts

[05] Izcan: "The demand by Turkey to grant new citizenships will blow up the negotiation process"

[06] Representatives of several "economic organizations" called the newly established coalition "government" to sign the economic "protocol"

[07] BKP: The 2016-18 "economic protocol" will increase dependency on Ankara

[08] Akinci's party expects him to reject the "agreement" as regards the transfer of water from Turkey

[09] Materials for the reconstruction of Gazza are planned to be sent directly from "TRNC"

[10] Papandreou: Success in Cyprus will help peace in wider region

[11] Fertility rates, live births remain steady with slight drop in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci approved new "cabinet"

The leader of UBP, Huseyin Ozgurgun, aged 51, will be serving as the "prime minister" while the leader of DP, Serdar Denktas will be serving as "deputy prime minister and minister of finance".

It is the third time the two parties will be entering a coalition. The new "cabinet" will be made up of 8 "ministers" from UBP and 3 "ministers" from DP.

The new "government cabinet" is as follows.

? "Prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun (UBP)

? "Deputy prime minister and finance minister" Serdar Denktas (DP)

? "Economy and energy minister" Sunat Atun (UBP)

? "Interior minister" Kutlu Evren (UBP)

? "Foreign minister" Tahsin Ertuogluoglu (UBP)

? "Minister of agriculture and natural resources" Nazim Cavusoglu (UBP)

? "Minister of communication and public works" Kemal Durust (UBP)

? "Minister of labor and social security" Hamza Ersan Saner (UBP)

? "Health minister" Faiz Sucuoglu (UBP)

? "National education and culture minister" Ozdemir Berova (DP)

? "Tourism minister" Fikri Ataoglu (DP)

Speaking to reporters after presenting the new "cabinet" to Akinci, Ozgurgun said that the new "government" will support the "president" and the on-going negotiations. He said that they will be in close consultation with Akinci and will be doing all it can to contribute to the process.

In addition, Kibris (17.04.16) reported that in statements after meeting with Ozgurgun, Akinci noted how important will be to co-operate with harmony with the new "government" and added that the forthcoming period is very important not only as regards the Cyprus negotiations but for the internal issues of the breakaway regime which urgently need to be solved. Akinci also stated that their aim should be 2016 to be the year of peace.

[02] Cavusoglu said that the stability in the "TRNC" is important for the Cyprus talks

Kibris reports that Cavusoglu, whose visit in the "TRNC" was not official, first paid a courtesy visit to Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. During the meeting, Cavusoglu was accompanied by the illegal Turkish "ambassador" in the occupied part of Nicosia Derya Kanbay. Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami, Akinci's undersecretary Gurdal Hudaoglu and other "officials" were also present at the meeting.

No statement to the press was done at the meeting.

Cavusoglu also met with the newly "prime minister" of the "coalition government" UBP-DP Huseyin Ozgurgun. In a statement at the meeting, Cavusoglu said that the establishment of the "government" in a short period is very important from the point of the continuation of the stability in the "country". He also said that he wishes the close cooperation with Turkey to be continued.

Wishing every success to the new "cabinet", Cavusoglu claimed that the progress of the "TRNC" in every field contributes also on the ongoing Cyprus talks.

Cavusoglu also conveyed the greetings of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkey's Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at the meeting.

Ozgurgun, for his part, said that the work within the cooperation and compliance with Turkey is their highest priority. He also expressed his satisfaction for meeting with Cavusoglu.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Milliyet (18.04.16) newspaper, under the title "The stability is important at the negotiation process", reports that Cavusoglu congratulated the newly "coalition government" of UBP-DP (National Unity Party ? Democratic Party) and gave important messages. He stressed that the stability in the "TRNC" should not be disrupted. Noting that the Cyprus problem is going through an important period, Cavusoglu said: "Both harmony and stability is very important at the negotiation process. We support all the way the ongoing negotiation process and the TRNC stability".

According to the paper, Cavusoglu visited the occupied area of Cyprus after a private invitation.

Replying to a question regarding the newly "coalition government", Cavusoglu said: "A coalition has been established. It's the preferences of the political parties here. We haven't interfered in the establishment of the coalition government. However, the establishment of the government in a short period is important. It is not our concern which political party and how the coalition was established. We are satisfied for the continuation of the stability. This is what it should be. It is important for the Cyprus talks".

(DPs)

[03] Islamic States reiterated their support to the "Muslim Turkish Cypriots'" "just cause"

According to the paper, the communique emphasized that the "strong support" of the Islamic states to the "rightful cause" of the "Muslim Turkish Cypriots" will continue. It also called upon the OIC member states to increase their solidarity and relations with the Turkish Cypriots and reaffirmed all previous OIC decisions on the Cyprus problem. It is said that strong support is given to the solidarity with the "Turkish Cypriot state" and that the efforts exerted by the above-mentioned "state" for a just and mutually acceptable agreement in Cyprus is appreciated.

Furthermore, the communique called upon all Member States to strengthen solidarity with the "Muslim Turkish Cypriots", closely associating with them, and with a view to helping them materially and politically to overcome the "inhuman isolation", which has allegedly been imposed upon them, and to increase and expand their relations in all fields.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Akinci evaluated Istanbul contacts

Akinci said that he had found the opportunity to evaluate with Erdogan the latest stage reached in the Cyprus negotiations process and that he had conveyed to Erdogan his view that a new momentum was needed in the talks following the elections in the Republic of Cyprus.

"Once I again I saw that Erdogan sincerely supports our efforts to reach a settlement in Cyprus. He said that he will continue to support these efforts. This was extremely pleasing to hear as it is of paramount importance that we are in good dialogue with Turkey and that our efforts towards solving the Cyprus problem are supported", Akinci stated.

Also touching upon the reference and call made on Cyprus in the final communique of the 13th OIC Summit, he said that the call was very similar to the ones made in the past.

"There are no surprises. From our perspective this is a positive communique. However the calls made will only have meaning if they are heard and implemented. I conveyed this view to the Secretary General of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation Madani" he said.

Akinci also said that they wanted to see a concrete move in terms of the OIC's solidarity. "Within this framework a visit to the TRNC by Madani at the soonest possible period of time would be extremely important in furthering relations with the OIC and its member states" he added.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (16.04.14) reported about the contacts Akinci held on the sidelines of OIC and writes that Akinci met with Erdogan, with the deputy Prime Minister, Responsible for Cyprus Affairs, Tugrul Turkes, with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev and with the deputy minister of Sierra Leone Victor Bockarie. He also held a meeting with the General Secretary of OIC Madani.

[05] Izcan: "The demand by Turkey to grant new citizenships will blow up the negotiation process"

"A significant progress was achieved at the negotiating table and the population issue and also some other chapters were closed. The negotiation table is not a blackboard. This demand will lead the negotiation process to a deadlock", Izcan stated, adding also, that the demand by Turkey for granting "new citizenships" will dynamite a chapter for which an agreement was reached.

"The correct stance would be to oppose this and struggle against this. New citizenships will blow up not only the Cyprus negotiation process but also the Turkish Cypriot's political will", Izcan added.

He also stressed that that if the newly established "government" gives in to Turkey's impositions and if it betrays again its own "people", then they, as well as their children should have to pay a high cost for this. "This is a project for the demolition of the community", Izcan said.

(AK)

[06] Representatives of several "economic organizations" called the newly established coalition "government" to sign the economic "protocol"

According to the paper, the chairmen of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO) Fikri Toros and the "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry" ("KTSO") Ali Cirali have both called the "government" to agree with Turkey and sign the soonest possible the so-called economic protocol for the years 2016-2018, since, as they argued, it would be the only way to flow currency in the market.

Toros, in his statements, called the "government" to negotiate with Turkey and urgently sign the "economic protocol", taking into consideration the sensitivities expressed by several NGO's in the "TRNC" towards the "protocol" and also the benefits of the Turkish Cypriots.

Toros stressed also the need for the new "government" to follow policies focused on the development of the occupation regime's economy and policies that will aim to increase the level of welfare of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Toros added also that the KTTO is ready to cooperate with the "government" in all fields.

Also speaking, Cirali said that he does not have high expectation from the newly established coalition "government". He, however, said that the first step that the new "government" should make is to go to Turkey and sign the economic "protocol", since, as he argued, it is the only way for money to flow in the market.

In his turn, Huseyin Aktig, chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot hotelier's union", called the "government" to set among its main priorities the establishment of a "tourism organization" in the "TRNC", since, as he said, radical reforms are necessary for the sector of tourism.

(?)

(AK)

[07] BKP: The 2016-18 "economic protocol" will increase dependency on Ankara

In a written statement issued on Saturday, Sonustun said: "The AKP government in Ankara is trying to create an infrastructure in which it will keep the northern part of Cyprus under control, shape its political and economic structure according to its wishes, and interfere when it wishes in the judiciary and the security system".

He went on and stressed that with the "protocol" regarding the water carried from Turkey, all the underground resources, including the rain water, will be transferred to a "pro-AKP monopoly". With the signing of the "economic protocol", he added, everything that the Turkish Cypriots have, such as the electricity and telecommunication "authorities" and the "ports", will be handed over to Ankara.

Blaming the Republican Turkish Party, the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party of equally contributing to this annihilation process, Sonustun underlined that the article of the "2016-18 economic protocol" regarding the granting of new "citizenships" is an enforcement which will on the one hand blow up the negotiating process and on the other deprive the Turkish Cypriots from their political will.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Akinci's party expects him to reject the "agreement" as regards the transfer of water from Turkey

Kibris Postasi had reported last week that the "agreement" should be signed by Akinci. The paper asked TDP's chairman, Cemal Ozyigit whether Akinci will take the "constitutional court's" view on the issue and what stance he will exhibit. Ozyigit replied: "I do not know what stance the president will exhibit, but we will evaluate the way of the constitutional court and we will talk with Mr Akinci". He recalled that the TDP tried to prevent the "agreement" in the "assembly" and added that they will continue their struggle until the end.

Meanwhile, Mehmet Cakici, "deputy" with the TDP, said on the issue: "We have an evident expectation from the president of the republic. In spite of the fact that the controlled freedom law [translator's note: on the issue of drugs] does not include any element contrary to the constitution, he gave his opinion. The water approval law must be rejected. The president of the republic can return it to the assembly".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Materials for the reconstruction of Gazza are planned to be sent directly from "TRNC"

The paper reported that Yuval Steinitz, who is close to the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said that an agreement on the construction of a port at Gazza was agreed. He also alleged that the materials needed for the construction of Gazza are planned to be sent directly from the "TRNC" to Gazza.

(DPs)

[10] Papandreou: Success in Cyprus will help peace in wider region

Papandreou was in Turkey to present the inaugural Cem-Papandreu Peace Award.

Asked what he would recommend to the two leaders in Cyprus, he said the following:

"First of all, let me say that a solution on Cyprus would be very important not only for Turkey and Greece, or for the Cypriots themselves. It would also be very important symbolically for the region, which is going through very deep conflicts where you have ethnic, religious and even intra-religious fighting. In Cyprus you could have another model. It would be a very strong message. The spirit prevailing with both leaders on the island is positive. But they will find barriers and difficulties. Commitment and perseverance is necessary, and trying to find a creative solution that will be a win-win for both sides, is my basic advice. [?] I don't want to live in the clouds. It is a difficult issue. But the stars seems to be aligning. My basic point is that it takes political will, and I see that political will is existing", he stated.

[11] Fertility rates, live births remain steady with slight drop in Turkey

The country is looking to encourage births in the face of a rapidly aging population, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spearheading efforts with his well-known advice directed at families to have at least three children. Though it decreased last year, experts attribute the gradual slowdown in fertility rates to urbanization, a rising in women being educated and their active participation in the workforce that indirectly led to the postponement of births.

The government plans to encourage births for working women in a bid to boost the population and economic growth at the same time. A proposed bill will allow women who use maternity leave without pay to get one promotion for each year they are away and allow them to raise their degree of employment for every three years they are away. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(CS/AM)

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