Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-04-20

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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: "We have made additions to the positive developments"

[02] Davutoglu stated that the Cyprus problem should be solved without delay

[03] Turkish Cypriot politicians reiterated that Turkey's guarantees is a sine qua non

[04] Yildirim stated that Turkey will introduce very soon the Belgenet system in the occupation regime

[05] Denktas reacted over statements published in the Greek Cypriot press

[06] Turkish Cypriot businessmen and trade unionists stress that granting "citizenship" to 25,000 settlers from Turkey would not be right

[07] Cirali says that Turkish companies are producing halloumi cheese under different names

[08] The inhabitants of occupied Agios Georgios village protested over the lease of a plot of land near Zeyko oil factory to Kaya Holding Company

[09] Officials from the Local and Regional Authorities of CoE met with the "chairman of the Turkish Cypriot municipalities association"

[10] Erdogan: "EP's progress report on Turkey is biased and provocative"

[11] Davutoglu: "Most criteria for visa-free travel already met"

[12] A survey by Gezici found that 56% of Turks favor the presidential system

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "We have made additions to the positive developments"

In a short statement after the meeting, Akinci said: "We have carried out a good meeting in a positive climate lasting 3,5 hours". Noting that they have "made additions to the positive developments", Akinci added: "We will continue to work. The target is a solution in 2016".

The paper refers also to statements made by President Anastasiades after the meeting saying that they have made some progress. Responding to a question, President Anastasiades underlined that "our target is not the momentum [in the negotiations], but an acceptable solution", writes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Davutoglu stated that the Cyprus problem should be solved without delay

Addressing the General Assembly of the Parliamentarian Assembly of the Council of Europe, Davutoglu alleged: "We continue being committed and offering any kind of support to the target of finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue based on the political equality of the two peoples on the island and their being joint owners of the island".

Davutoglu argued that the developments in Eastern Mediterranean and the surrounding area are once more showing the importance of reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem without delay.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish Cypriot politicians reiterated that Turkey's guarantees is a sine qua non

Addressing a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot trade unions and a delegation from the Turkish trade union Yol-Is (trade union of road, building and construction workers), self-styled deputy prime minister and minister of finance Serdar Denktas alleged that there is an effort, where they are trying to alienate the relations between Turkey and "North Cyprus", aiming to transform Cyprus into a Greek island, as the Greek Cypriots have been yearning for years now.

Denktas further claimed that the EU and many international actors are trying to distance Turkish Cypriots from Turkey in order to make them to sign an agreement at all costs. He also claimed that although the EU officials have been deceived by the Greek Cypriots, the EU is trying again to deceive the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to Turkey's guarantees, Denktas alleged that the guarantees are protecting the Turkish Cypriots' lives and rights. Noting that Britain and Greece are ready to remove the Treaty of Guarantee, Denktas argued that in case the issues of guarantees and security are left to be discussed at the last stage, then Turkey will not be able to say no to the removal of the guarantees because it will be implied as an obstacle to the solution. He concluded by claiming that the citizens will reject an agreement, which will not include Turkey's guarantee, which is an approved guarantee system.

Kemal Durust, self-styled minister of public works and communication, said that they are strong with Turkey, adding that the Turkish Cypriots will never abandon Turkey or the "TRNC flag". He also said that he believes as there is a strong Turkey, so there is a "TRNC" in peace.

Hamza Ersan Saner, self-styled minister of labour and social security, for his part, alleged that Turkey's EU membership process is unjustly and deliberately stalled by the European Union, adding that the Turkish Cypriots were left out in the cold despite voting in favour of a settlement in 2004. Saner further claimed that the EU enrolled the Greek Cypriot sector (translator's note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus) in the EU in order to use them as a pawn.

(DPs)

[04] Yildirim stated that Turkey will introduce very soon the Belgenet system in the occupation regime

The Belgenet system will provide communication and e-connection between all the "government organizations" of the occupation regime and will be administrated by Turkey, Yildirim said.

(AK)

[05] Denktas reacted over statements published in the Greek Cypriot press

Uzun wished Denktas success in his new "duties" and stated that the "Turkish Cypriot security forces" will continue to serve the "country" in cooperation with the "government".

Denktas for his part stressed that the standing cooperation with the "security forces command" will continue.

(?)

Denktas also reacted during his statements to reports in the Greek Cypriot press that the Greek Cypriot side's inter-collocutor is Ak?nc? and not the "government" in the "north".

Claiming that such statements underestimate and ignore the Turkish Cypriots, he called on the Greek Cypriot side to withdraw them.

Denktas further alleged that such statements by Greek Cypriot officials contradict with the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and do not contribute to the peace process. He also reminded that the political will of both sides is needed for a solution.

[06] Turkish Cypriot businessmen and trade unionists stress that granting "citizenship" to 25,000 settlers from Turkey would not be right

Leading business organizations warned that injustice should be abolished for solving the economic problems, the taxes should be collected on time and regularly and the "state" should stop extravagance. The organizations emphasized the importance of taking the necessary economic measures taking into consideration that the Turkish Cypriots will participate as an equal partner in a possible solution of the Cyprus problem.

The organizations said that the full support of the new "government" to the ongoing Cyprus negotiations is important. Adding that 2016 could be a turning point, they noted that this is why "the country should not be dragged into dividing and separatist policies".

The business people, writes Kibris, referred to the importance of following a "cautious stance" on the issue of granting new "citizenships" and claimed that "citizenship" could be granted to a certain number of persons who have gained this "right", but it would not be a right move to grant "citizenship" to 25,000 persons at the same time. This includes the danger of blowing up the Cyprus negotiations, they stressed.

The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Fikri Toros recalled that the community leaders had discussed the proportion of the population of the two "founding states" and added that the stance to be followed should not endanger this.

The chairman of the "chamber of industry", Ali Cirali expressed the view that the policies followed in the economy will not change and argued that the positions of the two "coalition partners" on the Cyprus problem do not coincide with the ones of the Republican Turkish Party. He claimed that the life of the people who have settled and studied in this "country" but were not granted the "citizenship" should be facilitated, adding that this is possible with the "white identity card", which could secure that foreigners can stay on the island.

The chairman of the "businessmen's association" (ISAD), Metin Sadi said that they primarily want from the "government" to support the solution process of the Cyprus problem and described as a "very important development" the [illegal] visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister to the island right after the establishment of the "government".

The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot "Business Council" (KTIK) Ilker Zugurt claimed that the demand as regards granting "citizenship" to more persons is "proper and appropriate" alleging that "the more the population increases the more the economy develops and the wheels of the economy operate." He added: "According to the Greek Cypriots the population [proportion] is 4:1. We have to increase this population for our own future. That is why I find very proper this request made by Turkey".

Ahmet Kaptan, chairman of the "civil servants'" trade union (KTAMS) said that granting "citizenship" to another 25,000 persons will blow up the solution and the negotiations, arguing that the "law" should change if needed and these persons should be granted "white identity card", which will provide them the right of free movement and establishing a business.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Cirali says that Turkish companies are producing halloumi cheese under different names

Cirali noted that it is prohibited for the producers in Turkey to use these names recalling that in the past they had filed lawsuits against those who were using them and stopped them from producing halloumi by securing a court order.

According to Cirali, after the procedure in the court, the same companies produced a product similar to halloumi and started selling it in the market under various names, such as "grill cheese" or "barbeque cheese". "They can use a different name. We cannot prevent this. What we registered are the names", he said adding that some firms preferred to come to the occupied area of Cyprus and produce halloumi here under their own trade mark.

"Our duty from now on is to secure that the quality and standard of the halloumi produced in Cyprus are according to the registration", he noted adding that their efforts on this issue are continuing.

Cirali said that the licensing procedure of their "chamber" being accredited in Turkey's Accreditation Institution as "Chamber of Industry" is expected to be completed within 2-3 months. He also alleged that the documents they will be giving will be valid in the entire world.

(I/Ts.)

[08] The inhabitants of occupied Agios Georgios village protested over the lease of a plot of land near Zeyko oil factory to Kaya Holding Company

The invaluable plot of land is located very close to the old Zeyko Oil factory in occupied Keryneia.

According to the paper, the above demand by UBP was among the most serious crises occured between the former coalition "government" of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the National Unity Party (UBP).

Meanwhile, as the paper points out, the above mentioned plot of land can be transferred only under the condition of the "public interest" and not to a private seek profit company.

The inhabitants of the village gathered yesterday and protested for this development. They were shouting slogans such as "Ayyorgi is our", "The village belongs to us and the decision is ours", "Protect the village, the property, youth and the future" and others.

Meanwhile, according to Afrika newspaper (20.04.16), the Social Democracy Party (TDP) issued a written statement expressing its support to the protesters.

The chairman of TDP stated that it is unacceptable for the plot of land in the village to be leased to a private company in order to build a port and a stadium.

Moreover, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (19.04.16) reported that the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, the Turkish Minister of Transport, Maritime and Communication Binali Yildirim and several AKP Deputies were among the guests of the wedding ceremony of Kaya Holding President's son, Burhanetin Kaya, which took place in the occupied area of Cyprus during the week-end.

(AK)

[09] Officials from the Local and Regional Authorities of CoE met with the "chairman of the Turkish Cypriot municipalities association"

During the meeting, Benli said that "we are working within cooperation on many issues with the European Commission and we thank the Commission officers for their contribution for the development of the turbulent local democracy in the country".

Knape, for his part, said that "we will have the opportunity to talk the joint problems of the local authorities in the meetings that will be held". He also explained that the local authorities are the closest organs to the citizens, adding that for this reason the organs who understand best the needs of the citizens are the local authorities.

(DPs)

[10] Erdogan: "EP's progress report on Turkey is biased and provocative"

Speaking to local administrators at the Presidential palace in Ankara on Tuesday, Erdogan claimed that the European Union needs Turkey more than Turkey needs the EU.

Reacting to the report, Erdogan accused the EU of preparing the report with a destructive rather than a constructive mindset. He added that the report was prepared with a fixed and biased mindset that is mostly destructive and provocative. "The presentation of such a report at a time period when many of our relations, including migrants, the opening of some chapters and visa liberalization with the European Union are positive, is simply a provocative act", Erdogan told the audience, and added that he hoped the people of Europe see and recognize it.

Erdogan also rebuked the report's approaches on the Cyprus issue, the 1915 events and the fight against the PKK in Turkey's southeastern provinces, alleging that the facts are distorted in the report.

"We know that this report is nonbinding for sure. Our fellows have already sent it back. Turkey making such decision [as it did] last year is accurate. We got used to seeing this", Erdogan added.

(?)

[11] Davutoglu: "Most criteria for visa-free travel already met"

"With the completion of eight international treaties and legal arrangements concerning judicial assistance, important progress will be made," Davutoglu was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu Agency, noting, that he expected a total of 72 required criteria to be completed by May.

Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru said that 44 criteria were already finalized and works for conducting the other criteria were ongoing.

Also, the European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker warned Ankara on April 19 that the "criteria will not be watered down in the case of Turkey".

"As part of the agreement, we are working towards visa liberalization for Turkish citizens. Turkey must fulfill all remaining conditions", Juncker told PACE, a regional rights body bringing together 47 states.

"Visa liberalization is a matter of criteria. The criteria will not be watered down in the case of Turkey," he said.

Ahead of his departure for Strasbourg, Davutoglu also warned the EU that it will cancel its agreements with the bloc on the migration crisis if the bloc fails to keep its word on a deal to provide visa-free travel to Turkish citizens by June.

[12] A survey by Gezici found that 56% of Turks favor the presidential system

Amid debates over a new Constitution and a possible presidential system, the company's recent survey came as a surprise for the opposing section of the public.

In the survey conducted on March 26-27, 56% said they would vote in favor of a presidential system. A referendum is expected later this year on a new Constitution and a presidential system. The Ankara-based Objective Research Center (ORC) had also revealed that 56.1% of participants interviewed, supported the presidential system in early February.

The company, a widely debated polling company known for its dubious findings against the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), also found that the AK Party would receive 56.2% of the vote in the case of a possible election.

Revealing the survey results during a television program on the leftist Halk TV channel, the research company President Murat Gezici said that the AK Party had received 56.2% support by the survey participants. The survey further researched public opinion on the presidential system as well as the establishment of a new Constitution in Turkey.

The survey also found that the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) received 25.8% of the support by the participants while the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) were left under the election threshold. The survey's findings revealed that the pro-PKK HDP had only received 7.3% while the MHP had received 8.9%.

Murat Gezici also stated that "two referendum ballots will be established in November where one will be for the new Constitution and the other for the presidential system as there is a public strongly supportive of the presidential system.

Responding to the question whether to support the presidential system or not, 55.2% of the survey participants have voted in favor while only 35.5% voted against it. Additionally, the Ankara-based Objective Research Center (ORC) had conducted a survey in early March which revealed a significant increase in support for the presidential system at 57%. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/AM)

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