Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-05-10

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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] Burcu disclaimed allegations about the establishment of a joint army after the solution

[02] Erdogan: "EU membership is Turkey's strategic goal"

[03] Message by Ozgurgun on Europe Day

[04] Reactions on the statements of Mavroyiannis regarding the debt of Turkish Cypriots towards Turkey

[05] Denktas: The political equality and equal sovereignty are not adequately protected in the Cyprus talks

[06] Tatar: Akinci should speak clearly

[07] Akansoy criticizes Denktas for his statement on the "citizenship" and notes that Turkey has exerted "a great pressure" on this issue

[08] Harmanci participated in the 8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns in Bilbao

[09] The Iranian Ministry of Science and Research reportedtly accredited MSc, PhD and dual degree programs of "Near East University"

[10] Turkey plans to build an 'Arab village' to attract tourists from Arab countries

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Burcu disclaimed allegations about the establishment of a joint army after the solution

Burcu denied the above statement and said that "such a decision was not taken by the leaders". "An effort is exerted to bring this into the agenda and create the impression that there is a common approach on this. This is not right and this issue is among those to be discussed in the appropriate time", Burcu said.

Burcu also added that the reports published in the Greek Cypriot press saying that the two leaders will issue a joint statement after their meeting on May 27, about the issues where the two leaders had reached to an agreement at the Cyprus negotiation talks until so far, is also not reflecting the reality.

Referring to the reports published in the Greek Cypriot press and the Turkish Cypriot press from time to time about the issue of security and guarantees, Burcu reiterated that this issue will be discussed at the latest stage of the negotiation process.

(AK)

[02] Erdogan: "EU membership is Turkey's strategic goal"

Along with Erdogan's remarks, Foreign Ministry spokesman Bilgic also said that Turkey would implement visa liberalization policies in line with Erdogan's recent statements.

With the debate on visa liberalization for Turkish citizens traveling to the EU's Schengen zone ongoing, President Erdogan issued a statement yesterday on the occasion of Europe Day in which he said that Turkey's membership in the EU is a strategic goal and that he hopes the visa liberalization deal with the bloc will accelerate the country's accession process.

In the official statement, Erdogan praised the EU for embracing democracy, human rights and the rule of law. He then urged the EU to follow a stronger and more consistent foreign policy in these critical times. Explaining that the EU membership is a strategic goal for Turkey, Erdogan further said: "I hope that the visa exemption ? will constitute a positive step in fulfilling the promises made and speed up the accession process."

(?)

[03] Message by Ozgurgun on Europe Day

Ozgurgun pointed out also that "the EU integration process is not possible to be completed without the Turkish Cypriot people and motherland Turkey".

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Ozgurgun claimed that among their "rightful" expectations from the EU, is to support and contribute to the efforts exerted for a fair and a viable solution, which on the one hand will lift all the obstacles in front of Turkey's EU bid and protect in the best way the rights of the two "peoples" in Cyprus, and on the other hand will take into consideration the Turkish Cypriot side's goodwill for a solution and that the biggest obstacle for the solution is the Greek Cypriot side.

(AK)

[04] Reactions on the statements of Mavroyiannis regarding the debt of Turkish Cypriots towards Turkey

Denktas claimed that the Greek Cypriots are the reason that the breakaway regime owns so much money to Turkey: "It is the Greek Cypriot side which forced us to live under isolation which prevented us from having contacts and to borrow money from the IMF and the World Bank. [?] It is the Greek Cypriot side which should pay these 17 billion euro to Turkey along with the interest", Denktas alleged, adding that only Turkey left its doors opened for the Turkish Cypriots.

On his part, the self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP) and former "finance minister" Ersin Tatar stated that the debt of the breakaway regime towards Turkey is no? 17 billion euro, but 4 billion euro the most. He also claimed that Turkey has offered a lot of assistance to the Turkish Cypriots for free.

Also, commenting on the same issue, Kibris Postasi (10.05.16) calims that despite that the debt of the Greek Cypriots towards Troika is up to 25 billion dollars, the debt of the Turkish Cypriots towards Turkey is not even 3,5 billion dollars.

The paper siting information by the "Report for the economic situation for 2014", prepared by the so-called ministry of finance, writes that the debt towards Turkey is 3,626 million dollars and if the exchange rate between dollar and euro is taken into consideration, it means that the debt in euro is only three millions. Adding to this, if taken into consideration that the amount of 395 million Turkish Lira that the breakaway regime borrowed from Turkey in 2014 and the 215 million Turkish Lira that were given so that the deficit to the budget of the breakaway regime to be met, then the debt is much less than t3,5 billion euro.

(CS)

[05] Denktas: The political equality and equal sovereignty are not adequately protected in the Cyprus talks

Referring to the issue of electricity, Denktas said that their target is to secure cheap and continuous electricity of high quality and that they will do whatever is necessary for this. "Being bound to an interconnected system with Turkey is absolutely necessary", he argued adding that this will not happen with threats, but they should sit, discuss the issue, put forward their conditions and agree with their trade unions and their "people".

Denktas said that he discussed the issue of the "economic protocol" with the self-styled minister of economy and energy, Sunat Atun and agreed on how they will act.

Denktas noted that they are examining how early they can invite tenders on the water issue and added that they do not want to rush, but to prepare a correct contract which will not create problems in the future.

Referring to the issue of illegal Tymbou airport, Denktas pointed out that the regime will start getting income [from its privatization] as of January 2017, adding that "if the company does not pay, the agreement will in any case end".

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (10.05.16) reports that Denktas described as "normal" the lifting of the visa requirement by Turkey for the EU citizens. He said: "I think that Turkey should have lifted the visa requirement earlier. Then more people and Greek Cypriots would have entered Turkey and they would have the opportunity to see that Turkey is an opportunity for them, not a threat".

Describing as "positive" Turkey's move, Denktas expressed the belief that this practice will not prevent the solution of the Cyprus problem. He argued that many Greek Cypriots want to visit Turkey and claimed that the use of illegal Tymbou airport will increase because travelling to Turkey from there is easier. "This will bring economic benefit to us", he added.

Recalling that the Republic of Cyprus is not in the Schengen area, Denktas claimed that in such a case the Greek Cypriots will decide not to join the Schengen area. He said that the Turkish citizens may not be able to travel to the government-controlled area of Cyprus, but those who acquire a visa could not be prevented. "This is a development which will bring about the Greek Cypriot sincerity or insincerity", he alleged adding that this practice will not be tantamount to Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus just like the Greek Cypriots do not recognize the "TRNC" when they show their identity and cross over to the occupied area of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Tatar: Akinci should speak clearly

Claiming that the answers that Akinci gives to the Greek Cypriot leader are not sufficient for them, Tatar argued and because Akinci does not speak clear, the real estate and constructions sector in the "TRNC" continues to suffer. He added that an important part of their population lives in anxiety that their future security will be lost and they worry about it.

In a written statement, Tatar also criticized Anastasiades' statements and Akinci's stance on these statements. Tatar claimed that Anastasiades deceived the Turkish Cypriots with the EU and it is proved that he will continue the Greek Cypriot mentality to transform the island into a Greek one.

(DPs)

[07] Akansoy criticizes Denktas for his statement on the "citizenship" and notes that Turkey has exerted "a great pressure" on this issue

"A great pressure has been exerted on us by Turkey on the citizenship issue. And then we put forward the white identity card issue. Denktas says 'we will grant it to those who deserve it'. Actually, this statement gives hope to the people. Those living in this country know the law. The embassy of Turkey knows it very well. Turkey's Aid Delegation also knows it very well. What is the criterion for 'we will give to those who deserve it' as Denktas said? Clarify this. First let us know this and then let those at the negotiating table know this. Politics should be carried out not by making populist statements, but by stepping your feet on the ground so that people are not given hope in vain".

Noting that when they were in the "government" they granted "citizenship" based on a certain "regulation", Akansoy said that in the last period "26 thousand persons have been related to the citizenship". He pointed out that currently the "interior ministry" "legally" has the authority to grant "citizenship" to any person who possesses "work permit" for successive five years. He added: "If we consider that every family has averagely four members, because when you grant citizenship to a person you grant it also to his wife and children, then this number reached 35 thousands. This is the real number. [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[08] Harmanci participated in the 8th European Conference on Sustainable Cities and Towns in Bilbao

According to the paper, 200 mayors and deputy mayors from 43 countries participated at the conference which lasted for four days. Harmanci signed the "Basque Declaration", which contains new pathways for a liveable and inclusive Europe that was the outcome document of the Conference adopted by the participants.

In the sidelines of the conference Harmanci held meetings with the Mayor of Bilbao Juan Maria Aburto and the Deputy Mayor of Paris, Celai Blauel. Harmanci invited the latter to the occupied part of Lefkosia.

(CS)

[09] The Iranian Ministry of Science and Research reportedtly accredited MSc, PhD and dual degree programs of "Near East University"

According to the paper, representatives of the Iranian Ministry did the accreditation after paying an illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

The Iranian delegation assessed the educational opportunities provided by the "Near East University", and following the assessment, the Ministry reportedly accredited their degree programs.

The Ministry of Science and Research of Iran accredited the programs included in the protocol signed between the "Near East University" and the University of Tabriz. The MSc, PhD and Dual Degree Programs, which are included in the protocol and accredited by the Ministry of Science and Research, are the "Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Telecommunications, Biomedical Engineering, Computer and Information Systems, Architecture, Veterinary Science, English Language and Literature, English Language Teaching, Psychology, Nanotechnology, Oil and Gas Engineering, Food Engineering, Information Systems Engineering, Mechatronics Engineering, Business, Banking and Finance".

The students, who enroll in the dual degree programs in accordance with the protocol signed between the two "universities", will be able to conduct their theoretical studies in the first two years at one of the "universities" of their own preference, and following the completion of the theoretical studies within the first two years, they can carry out their research studies likewise, at either "universities" of their own preference.

(DPs)

[10] Turkey plans to build an 'Arab village' to attract tourists from Arab countries

The idea came up by the head of the Jeddah-based Arab Tourism Organization (ATO) during a recent visit to Saudi Arabia by Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

During his visit to Saudi Arabia, Cavusoglu had a meeting with Bandar bin Fahad al-Fahaid, the President of ATO, an affiliate of the Arab League, in Jeddah on April 23.

"During this meeting, various ideas, especially the signing of an agreement between the Arab Tourism Organization and Turkey, the arranging of an 'Arab-Turkish Tourism Security Conference,' and the founding of an 'Arab village' were addressed," Turkey's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bilgic told reporters on May 9.

"The head of the ATO particularly floated the idea of establishing an Arab village in order to further revitalize tourism relations between Arab countries and Turkey," he added.

"[At the conference] meetings on this issue were held again based on the proposal of the ATO. In other words, the main goal is to increase the number of tourists coming from Arab countries to Turkey and strengthen our tourism relations," Bilgic also added.

Turkey's tourism sector has suffered a dramatic decline in recent months, amid a string of diplomatic and security issues.

The country's tourism revenue fell by 16.55% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period of 2015, amid repercussions of the refugee crisis, bilateral tension with Russia, and a series of bomb attacks by both the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) and militants of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK / AM)

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