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

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci proposed "a new model" for the Cyprus negotiation talks

[02] Akinci: "While we have achieved progress on the main chapters we are also trying to implement a number of CBMs"

[03] Eroglu claimed that investments in occupied Morphou show that the "people of Morphou" are there to stay; Turkey invested 14 million TL in occupied Morphou

[04] Cavusoglu travels to Turkey tomorrow to participate in a meeting of an OIC Committee

[05] Self-styled Keryneia mayor: The population of the town is around 100,000

[06] Chrysokava cemetery-quarry in the occupied town of Keryneia in danger

[07] Folk Arts Festival is taking place in occupied Trikomo

[08] Bozkir: EU needs new formula to solve visa-free travel deal

[09] Report: 894 Turkish journalists dismissed since January 2016

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci proposed "a new model" for the Cyprus negotiation talks

"We propose to go to a different high level meeting right after the May 22 elections, if not on June, on July. In other words, we propose to carry out a continuous meeting. Let's go and start with the territory issue. Afterwards, we should proceed to a five partite meeting with the participation of the guarantor powers and discuss the issue of security and guarantees. As soon as we complete this process, we will proceed to a referendum. It is possible not to complete with the other four chapters by July. I am of the opinion that if we reach to a consensus on one or two matters related with the property issue and the rotating presidency, then the remained issues will be easily solvable".

Also, in other statements to NTV, Akinci referred to the Cyprus negotiation process and said that a significant progress was achieved on four out of the six chapters of the Cyprus problem. He explained that the territory issue and the security and guarantees issue were not discussed yet and added that those issues will be discussed at the final stage. "I consider that if we achieve to reach a common approach on those issues, then it will be possible to go to a referendum before the end of the year", Akinci argued.

Pointing out that Turkey is the security of the Turkish Cypriots; Akinci stressed the need for the continuation of "Turkey's guarantees" and added that they should find a formula which will provide this. He also called the Greek Cypriot side to empathize with this idea.

Underlining that the political equality and the issue of security and guarantees are extremely important for the Turkish Cypriots, Akinci expressed the belief that it is possible to find a formula with which the Turkish Cypriots will feel secure but also the Greek Cypriots will not feel to be threatened.

Akinci reiterated also that this chance is probably the last change for a federal solution and added that they will do all necessary in order for 2016 to be the year of solution and bring peace to the island.

Referring to the hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean, Akinci said that the natural resources should not become an issue of dispute but should be utilized as a chance and as a mean from which both sides will be benefited.

Asked to comment on how Turkey confronts their approaches on the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that Turkey supports and encourages them in all their steps related with the Cyprus negotiation talks.

On Turkey's EU bid, Akinci expressed the view that any progress on Turkey's path to the EU will contribute to the solution of the Cyprus problem.

(AK)

[02] Akinci: "While we have achieved progress on the main chapters we are also trying to implement a number of CBMs"

Akinci was speaking at the gala dinner of the Global Leadership Forum in Istanbul organized by the Bahcesehir University's School for Government and Leadership and the American Research Institute.

Pointing out that efforts have been continuing for decades to bring peace and stability to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East, Akinci said that the two sides had come very close to a settlement 12 years ago with the Annan Plan. He however argued that a solution had not taken place after the Greek Cypriots had rejected the UN sponsored plan.

Explaining that he has been continuing talks with Anastasiades for the past year, Akinci said: "While we have achieved progress on the main chapters we are also trying to introduce and implement a number of confidence building measures". He also expressed his view that a settlement will not only be beneficial for the people of Cyprus but will also contribute to the region.

"Settling the Cyprus problem will set an important example in the region and this geography. Bringing two peoples with different religions and ethnic backgrounds under a federal umbrella will no doubt give out an important message to all those people from the same religions who are slaughtering each other", he added.

Touching upon the issue of hydrocarbons, Akinci said that the newly discovered hydrocarbons off the coast of Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean will create new opportunities and partnerships.

[03] Eroglu claimed that investments in occupied Morphou show that the "people of Morphou" are there to stay; Turkey invested 14 million TL in occupied Morphou

The building which was an Ottoman era inn was restored jointly by the occupied municipality of Morphou and the so-called department of antiquities and museums with financing from the illegal Turkish "embassy".

Delivering an opening speech at the event, the self-styled mayor of Morphou Mahmut Ozcinar said that "Guzelyurt (editor's note: the occupied town of Morphou) which is becoming a university town required new public areas and facilities".

He said that the "municipality" will continue to undertake new projects such as the culture house which will protect and preserve historical sites and the natural beauty of the area.

Former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, who also attended the opening reception, claimed that investments in the area every passing day showed that the people of Morphou are there to stay. "The more the people of Guzelyurt look out for their town the more the negotiators will seek to argue in support of Guzelyurt at the negotiating table", he argued.

Self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, for his part, said that the Ottomans as elsewhere across the island had left numerous sites in the occupied Morphou region. He argued that these types of buildings and sites reflect the history and culture of the Turkish Cypriot "people".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (16.05.16), on its front page under the title "It will continue", reports that 14 million TL investments have been implemented by Turkey in the occupied town of Morphou, whom Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan does not want to give back to the Greek Cypriots.

The paper also reports that Turkey, which supports all the projects aiming to provide investments in the occupied region of Morphou, which has richness, in the view of historical, cultural and natural field, will continue its support after the signing of the "economic protocol".

(DPs)

[04] Cavusoglu travels to Turkey tomorrow to participate in a meeting of an OIC Committee

In statements to the paper, Cavusoglu said that during his contacts in Istanbul he will convey to Turkish officials the positions of the Turkish Cypriot side regarding the administration of the water transferred from Turkey to the breakaway regime.

He said that until the 1 of July the water will be distributed in every part of the occupied area of Cyprus and that water will be firstly distributed to occupied Lefkosia and then occupied Gionelli and Lapithos. Cavusoglu further argued that the breakaway regime did its share as regards its responsibilities in the water issue and added that the selling price of the water is yet to be decided, adding that this is among the things he will discuss during his contacts in Turkey.

Reporting on the same issue, Turkish Cypriot Havadis (16.05.16) reports that Cavusoglu stated that they will set with Turkey the specifications of the water agreement and added that their aim is the selling price of water to serve the interests of the Turkish Cypriots.

(CS)

[05] Self-styled Keryneia mayor: The population of the town is around 100,000

Gungorgu was speaking to the paper regarding their aim to improve the quality of life in occupied Keryneia and alleged that despite the "official records" that the population is 33,200, in reality occupied Keryneia's population reached 100,000.

(CS)

[06] Chrysokava cemetery-quarry in the occupied town of Keryneia in danger

"The danger to Cyprus' priceless historic treasures posed by unfettered development has been exposed by a Turkish Cypriot expert.

Ali Tuncay, co-chairman of the bi-communal Technical Committee on Cultural Heritage, revealed photos of an ancient site in Keryneia surrounded by high-rise apartments and scattered with debris.

Cyprus Today reported in 2013 that the Chrysokava area, east of Keryneia castle, was being opened after the withdrawal of a military unit. TRNC officials (editor's note: TRNC is the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) said then that the area would be cleaned up and registered as an archaeological site.

The old Chrysokava quarries were used as a burial ground by the island's earliest Christians, who constructed a rock-cut cemetery and catacombs, some of which were later converted into churches and decorated with frescoes.(?)

But Mr Tuncay said that the land now hosts a drainage system and is entirely overlooked by high-rise blocks, commenting: 'This is not the fault of the antiquities department staff ? it's our fault. For years and years, our people have asked politicians to offer them unearthed income'. (?)

'Antiquities department head' Fuat Azimli acknowledged the problems and welcomed any collaboration with Mr Tuncay's committee, adding: 'We will soon start work to register the site as an archaeological area, will start clean-up works and also put information boards'."

[07] Folk Arts Festival is taking place in occupied Trikomo

According to the paper, the following countries are participating in the festival: Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, France, Italy, FYROM, Spain, Croatia, Portugal, Serbia and Switzerland.

CIOFF was established in France in 1970 and has 120 country-members.

(CS)

[08] Bozkir: EU needs new formula to solve visa-free travel deal

Bozk?r said that he is not very hopeful about the prospect of realizing a deal with the EU on granting Turkish citizens visa-free access to most of the bloc. "At this stage I would not say we are very hopeful", he said after talks with EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn.

While Brussels is desperate for the deal to succeed, it also insists that Turkey meet 72 criteria, which include narrowing its anti-terrorism laws. Bozk?r said that while officials in Ankara may work to align differences of opinion, anti-terrorism laws cannot be changed at a time when the country is fighting multiple terrorist organizations.

He asserted that it is impossible for Ankara to change the country's counter-terrorism legislation. "Our assessment is that Turkey has done its best and fulfilled enough requirements. It is not a mathematical problem, but a political one".

[09] Report: 894 Turkish journalists dismissed since January 2016

The report, whose findings were announced at a press conference on May 14, displayed a gloomy picture of the deteriorating state of press freedoms in Turkey.

Two newspapers and a news agency have been "silenced" with the appointment of a trustee panel due to "strong evidence" of links to the Gulen movement, followers of U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen, an ally-turned-foe of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the report said.

At least 160 journalists were laid off in Turkey in April, increasing the number of discharged journalists to a total 894 over the first quarter of 2016, the report said.

The research also noted some 104,904 websites were blocked while access has been denied to the website of the Dicle News Agency (DIHA) 37 times since the general elections on June 7, 2015. Thirteen of the agency's journalists are also currently under arrest.

Violence targeting members of the press also rose over the same period, as a total 200 attacks were reported against journalists, including 21 against media institutions. A fourth Syrian journalist, Zahir al-Sherqat, was killed in April by suspected militants of the ISIL.

Meanwhile, a total of 33 reporters were detained between January and April 2016, 13 investigations were launched against journalists while 12 journalists were brought before court. Over the same period, 12 journalists faced charges over "insulting the President."

In the report, Press For Freedom highlighted the situation of daily Cumhuriyet Editor-in-Chief Can Dundar and Ankara bureau chief Erdem Gul, as an Istanbul court sentenced the journalists to five years in prison for "leaking state secrets" on May 6, hours after Dundar escaped unharmed from an armed attack in front of Istanbul's Caglayan courthouse. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(DPs / AM)

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article