Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-04-25

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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 said that 2016 will be a vital year for a Cyprus settlement

[02] Siber said that they will develop the bonds with the Turks in "Kosovo"

[03] Asil Nadir back to the breakaway regime

[04] Dagli: "Open Varosha in the framework of the CBMs"

[05] Ozyigit argued that the "government" works towards "making legal regulations" for the massive "granting" of new "citizenships"

[06] Turkish columnist argues that Turkey abandoned its demands for granting "TRNC" citizenships

[07] Tunali: "The most correct way for the granting of the state plots of land is with the opening of tenders"

[08] Tusk: "Turkey is the best example for refugee treatment"

[09] Dutch journalist detained in Turkey for "insulting" Erdogan

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci said that 2016 will be a vital year for a Cyprus settlement

Speaking at a festival held at the occupied village of Rizokarpaso, said that they will try to work with all their strength to create an agreement which will be voted by both communities. He noted that of course, they act by thinking both for themselves and the other community, adding that otherwise, it is not possible to meet in a joint point. Akinci also stressed that it is not possible to make sacrifices on their own rights, equalities, freedoms and securities, but when they obtain these, they will also respect the rights of the other community. "Otherwise, it will not be possible to speak of justice, peace and prosperity", he added.

Moreover, Akinci also attended the "St George Festival" in occupied Kormakitis. Noting that Turkish Cypriots, Greek Cypriots, Maronites and other communities are living together in Cyprus, Akinci said that with the cooperation of all they can establish a better future in the island.

Akinci further said that they want peace not only in Cyprus but also in the region, Middle East and in the world, adding that he is hopeful to reach a solution within 2016. He reiterated that he sees this negotiation process as the last opportunity for their generation.

(DPs)

[02] Siber said that they will develop the bonds with the Turks in "Kosovo"

According to a press release by the "assembly", "Siber visited Kosovo upon an official invitation accompanied by the deputies Arif Albayrak and Huseyin Angolemli". The Turks in "Kosovo" have celebrated for the last eight years April 23 as a national holiday.

Meanwhile, the "minister of public administration" Mahir Yagcilar and the "deputies" Fikrim Damka and Muferra Sinik said: "It is the first time that we host in our country the TRNC assembly speaker and we are very pleased with this". They added that "they wish to develop the relations between the Turkish Cypriot people and the Kosovo Turkish community".

Siber, for her part, said that when you examine the Kosovo Turks and the Turkish Cypriots, they have gove similar historical process. She added that "Kosovo people live in peace, are satisfied from this structure and wish to live within cultural harmony".

Noting that they have joint cultural values, Siber said that they will try to develop their bonds on the social, cultural and trade fields. She stressed also the importance of both communities to "recognize" one another.

(DPs)

[03] Asil Nadir back to the breakaway regime

According to the paper, Nadir was welcomed at the illegal Tymbou airport by the so-called deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas and received a VIP treatment.

Nadir who was jailed in the UK for stealing millions from his business empire, was extradited to Turkey and released on Friday. He stayed in a Turkish prison for 24 hours and then he returned to the occupied area of Cyprus.

Nadir stated upon his arrival that everything will go on well. He also said that despite having a lot to say, it would be more useful not to say a word.

(CS)

[04] Dagli: "Open Varosha in the framework of the CBMs"

Dagli expressed the view that Varosha should open in the framework of the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and added that this step will revive the "country's economy".

Stressing the need for the implementation of the "Revitalization project for Famagusta" the soonest possible, Dagli said that the first thing it should be done is the removal of "Maras" from the framework of the "military zone" and secondly to be returned to its legal owners and open.

Referring to the advantages of a possible opening of Varosha, Dagli explained that a project is already prepared on how Famagusta will be developed as a whole after the opening of Varosha.

Stating that it's being two years that the feasibility study which is necessary to be done for the "fenced off city of Varosha" is into the agenda, Dagli recalled that this issue was discussed during the US Vice President Joe Biden's visit in the island and the proposal was rejected by the Turkish Cypriot leadership.

(AK)

[05] Ozyigit argued that the "government" works towards "making legal regulations" for the massive "granting" of new "citizenships"

Referring to the "citizenship" issue, Ozyigit also stated that efforts are exerted for the preparation of a "legal regulation" towards this issue. "They are exerting efforts to make legal regulations for the massive granting of citizenships. This is due to the fact that in the framework of the government program, a law came into effect some time ago, envisaging the granting of the white card. At the moment, amendments will be made on this law so that to bring in front of us a new draft law for the granting of new citizenships", explained Ozyigit.

He also warned that if the "government" proceeds to the "granting" of massive new "citizenships", not only the "political will of the Turkish Cypriot "people" will change but also this will most probably affect or blow up the Cyprus negotiation process.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, he said that it is out of question for a "two-state" solution to be found on the Cyprus problem and added that the basis of the solution should be a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution. Ozyigit expressed also the belief that the negotiation process will be intensified right after the parliamentary elections to take place in the Republic of Cyprus on May 22.

(AK)

[06] Turkish columnist argues that Turkey abandoned its demands for granting "TRNC" citizenships

Noting that the new "coalition government" between the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party, will not have to deal with the "citizenship" issue that put a strain to the Republican Turkish Party, Resat writes that the meeting held between the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, on the framework of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) meeting held in Istanbul, was very fruitful towards this direction.

Resat writes: "Akinci explained to Erdogan his reservations on the issue of citizenships. These reservations refer to the loss of a significant gain at the negotiation table. This was that all the current TRNC citizens, without looking from where they came from, where they were born or how they entered the country, will become citizens of the new Federal State which will be a member of the EU [?]. How would it be right, to put in danger the situation of around 230 thousand TRNC citizens who have been accepted on papers [?] for adding 25-30 more?".

The columnist further adds that as long as these details were explained to President Tayyip Erdogam, he abandoned his demands and gave instructions towards this direction.

"Now, what is going to happen for the persons who are expecting the citizenship?", writes Resat and adds that those who will not be granted the "TRNC citizenship" will continue to live in the breakaway regime in case a solution is reached and may be granted the citizenship of the Federal State' he stated, in accordance with the EU laws.

(CS)

[07] Tunali: "The most correct way for the granting of the state plots of land is with the opening of tenders"

Tunali condemned also the "people" for not reacting towards this fact, since, as he said, they consider this procedure as a routine one.

Stressing the need for not permitting this procedure to continue, Tunali expressed the belief that the most democratic way for the "granting" of "plots of land" is through open tenders.

(AK)

[08] Tusk: "Turkey is the best example for refugee treatment"

"Today Turkey is the best example for the whole world for how we should treat refugees," Tusk said on April 23, during a joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in the southern province of Gaziantep.

The European leaders were in the Turkish province on the Syrian border for the inauguration of the Turkey-EU Syrian Refugees Assistance Program. They visited a camp near Gaziantep on the Turkish-Syrian border, where they spoke to some of the 5,000 people, including 1,900 children, who reside in the camp.

"No one has a right to lecture Turkey on what it should do," Tusk said. "I am really proud that you are my partner and I am absolutely sure that we will succeed? We have no other way!"

Tusk said that since the March agreement between the EU and Turkey "we have seen a sharp reduction of the illegal migration flow across the Aegean Sea."

The President of the European Council further said that beyond the cooperation on the migration crisis, Turkey and the EU had revitalized their relations and agreed on a roadmap to visa liberalization for Turkish citizens. "The way I see It, Turkey has made good progress ahead of decisions to be taken this summer, provided that Turkey meets all the agreed benchmarks," Tusk said.

European Commission Vice-President Frans Timmermans also thanked the Turkish people for their commitment to accommodate what he called "an enormous influx of refugees."

"We as Europeans should state very clearly today here that you are not alone on this," he said. "Europe is committed to fulfilling the agreements we have reached," he said, adding that the EU Commission was in contact on a day-to-day basis with Turkish authorities to fulfil all elements of the agreement.

"By the end of July, I think we can reach the level of over 1 billion euro [$ 1.12 billion] of projects to ensure a better future for Syrians in Turkey," Timmermans said.

Meanwhile, Ankara stood on its ground over the contentious issue of visa-free travel for its citizens, warning the EU leaders it would stop taking back migrants from Europe if the bloc failed to keep its word. "The issue of the visa waiver is vital for Turkey," Premier Davutoglu said at the press conference.

Davutoglu said that the key to tackling the migrant crisis lay in "closer cooperation, and for us part of that closer cooperation is the visa liberalization... Those two go hand in hand."

Merkel replied that she "intends to fulfil the agreement, provided Turkey brings the results" to the table. Ankara must meet 72 conditions to earn the visa waiver and is believed to have fulfilled about half.

Asked what Turkey would do if the EU tries to delay the visa part of the accord, Davutoglu said that Ankara would stop taking back migrants. "If that was to happen then the readmission agreement will also not enter into force," he said.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah (online, 25.04.16) reports that German Chancellor Angela Merkel said on Saturday that she wants to establish safe zones in northern Syria near the Turkish border to resettle refugees.

[09] Dutch journalist detained in Turkey for "insulting" Erdogan

Police detained journalist Ebru Umar after she tweeted an extract from a recent piece she wrote for Dutch daily Metro critical of Erdogan. "Police at the door. No joke," tweeted Umar, who also holds Turkish citizenship.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry announced it was in "close contact with" Umar following her detainment. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte tweeted he had contacted the journalist on April 23, as well as mentioning the Embassy's assistance on the issue.

Also on April 23, a German newspaper reported that a Greek photographer who was working for it was turned back by Turkish authorities at Istanbul's main airport.

The Bild daily reported that Giorgos Moutafis was prevented from continuing to Libya on the evening of April 23. He had to take the next plane back to Athens, on the morning of April 24.

It quoted the photographer as saying he had been told at passport control that his name was on a list of people who weren't allowed to enter Turkey, but wasn't given a reason why.

The reported incident comes days after a journalist with a German public broadcaster was prevented from entering Turkey. Chancellor Angela Merkel said that she discussed that case during a visit to Turkey on April 23. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/AM)

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