Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-05-24

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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 participated at the last minute in the dinner hosted by Erdogan

[02] Akinci evaluated the Cyprus Parliamentary elections

[03] Turkish Cypriot political parties' reacted against ELAM's two seats at the Parliament

[04] Ozyigit condemned the decision of the "foreign ministry" to restrict the religious ceremonies to one per year

[05] Y?ld?r?m announces Turkey's new cabinet

[06] Reactions over the price agreed upon the water transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] "Friendship Group of Kyrgyzstan" visited the breakaway regime

[08] The General Director of the Development Bank of Turkey is visiting the breakaway regime

[09] Erdogan and Merkel agree on joint action at the UN Summit

[10] Kilicdaroglu for AKP's new leader: "This is now a coup government"

[11] HDP urges UN's Ban, summit to take position on alarming situation in Turkey

[12] Survey regarding the strength of Turkish parties after Yildirim's election

[13] The illegal YDU signed an academic "protocol" with 26 universities of the Caucasus Universities Union

[14] Illegal GAU signed a cooperation "agreement" with an Indian College

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci participated at the last minute in the dinner hosted by Erdogan

According to the paper, Akinci, who flew last night to Istanbul with a private plane sent by Turkey, was received in Istanbul by the EU Minister and negotiator Volkan Bozkir.

Meanwhile, Akinci also met with the UNSG Ban Ki-moon in Istanbul at around 10 p.m. They evaluated the latest phase of the Cyprus talks and the upcoming 7 months. Special Representative Espen Barth Eide also participated in the meeting.

Furthermore, the paper reports that the participation of Akinci at the dinner has become the reason for a crisis. Cyprus President Anastasiades reacted to the participation of Akinci in an official dinner, hosted by Erdogan, by not attending the dinner.

Meanwhile, sources from the "presidency" refuted allegations that a decision was taken in order the guarantor countries to attend a five-lateral summit in Istanbul.

The paper reports that Akinci's visit to Istanbul was announced at the last minute through the twitter account of the "presidency" as follows: "President Akinci went to Istanbul as Erdogan's guest to participate in the dinner which Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will host within the framework of the World Humanitarian Summit". Bozkir published in his twitter account 3 photos with the statement "I welcome TRNC President esteemed Mustafa Akinci who came to Istanbul for the World Humanitarian Summit".

Akinci was accompanied by his undersecretary Cenk Gurcag. They will return to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus today.

(DPs)

[02] Akinci evaluated the Cyprus Parliamentary elections

Referring to the new structure of the parliament, Akinci said: "I wish the results would be beneficial for all Greek Cypriots".

(DPs)

[03] Turkish Cypriot political parties' reacted against ELAM's two seats at the Parliament

The chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat stated that the fact that nationalist ELAM party elected two Deputies creates concern and noted that instead for efforts to be exerted so that ELAM to be seized, this party increased its strength and managed to be represented in the Assembly. He also said that the new political situation in the "south" will definitely affect the Cyprus negotiations.

The general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) Dursun Oguz stated that the results of the elections showed that nationalism has been increased in the "south". He also stated that ELAM's positions as regards the Turkish Cypriots are very well known and added that the attacks against the Turkish Cypriots who cross to the "south" have a negative effect on the relations between the two communities in Cyprus.

The general secretary of the Democratic Party (DP) Mehmet Erol Aktoprak, stated that the results shows that the elections' looser are the two big parties which could accept a federal solution on the Cyprus problem and notes that the parties that are against a solution based on the UN parameters have increased their strength.

The leader of the Social Democracy Party Cemal Ozyigit stated that the entrance of ELAM in the Cyprus Parliament is an indication that racism has been increased in the "south". However he noted that together DISY and AKEL elected 34 Deputies, which will influence positively the efforts for the solution.

The member of the executive board of the New Cyprus Party, Albay Durduran, stated that there will be not significant change with ELAM entering the Parliament, since, as he stated ELAM's supporters participated in the Assembly in the past with other parties. He also said that time works against the efforts for finding the solution.

Finally, the leader of the People's Party Kudret Ozersay stated that the elections' results must be evaluated without exaggeration. He also said that President Anastasiades should show the political will not to let the political parties which are against the solution to sabotage the negotiations.

(CS)

[04] Ozyigit condemned the decision of the "foreign ministry" to restrict the religious ceremonies to one per year

Ozyigit expressed the view that this development will be a catalyst for the solution of the Cyprus problem and will also contribute positively to the economy of the region.

Ozyigit stated also that that as TDP, they trust and support the Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci and his efforts for reaching a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution on the Cyprus problem based on the political equality of the two sides.

Referring to the recent decision taken by the so-called foreign ministry which restricts the religious ceremonies by Greek Cypriots to one per year to the churches in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Ozyigit said that this decision is turning against the peace and the solution in Cyprus. He also pointed out that the decision will damage the positive climate in the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process and added that it will also blow up the rapprochement process between the two communities.

"It is clear as daylight Ertugrulloglu's purposes with this effort to prevent such events, which create positive synergy to the solution and bring the two communities closer. However, those who have this mindset, should be aware of the fact that they will not be able to serve their purposes and that the community will continue with determination and will its efforts for a solution".

(AK)

[05] Y?ld?r?m announces Turkey's new cabinet

The new cabinet will hold its first meeting at the presidential palace in Ankara on May 25.

The Deputy Prime Ministers have been named as Nurettin Canikli, Mehmet Simsek, Tugrul Turkes, Veysi Kaynak and Numan Kurtulmus.

Yalc?n Akdogan, who held the Deputy Prime Minister's post in Davutoglu's cabinet and who was closely involved in the collapsed Kurdish peace process, is not included in the new list. The economy administration has been mostly left unchanged, with Simsek expected to resume his duties overseeing the economy.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak and Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag have all resumed their posts.

Omer Celik has been appointed as the EU Minister, replacing Volkan Bozk?r.

Nihat Zeybekci has been appointed as the new Economy Minister, replacing Mustafa Elitas.

Ahmet Arslan has been named as the Transport Minister, replacing the newly-appointed Prime Minister Y?ld?r?m.

Fatma Betul Sayan has been appointed as the new Family and Social Policies Minister, replacing Sema Ramazanoglu.

The following are the remaining appointments: Interior Minister Efkan Ala; Finance Minister Naci Agbal; Defense Minister Fikri Is?k; Education Minister Ismet Y?lmaz; Youth and Sports Minister Akif Cagatay K?l?c; Environment and Urbanization Minister Mehmet Ozhaseki; Forestry and Water Affairs Minister Veysel Eroglu; Health Minister Recep Akdag; Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Ozlu; Labor and Social Security Minister Suleyman Soylu; Food, Agriculture and Livestock Minister Faruk Celik; Customs and Trade Minister Bulent Tufenkci; Development Minister Lutfi Elvan; and Culture and Tourism Minister Nabi Avc?.

[06] Reactions over the price agreed upon the water transferred from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus

Cavusoglu announced yesterday that the price agreed upon the water from Turkey, will be sold to the "municipalities" for 2.30TL (approx. 0.69?) per tonne.

The so-called mayors expressed their worries over the price agreed, since as they argue, it is very high and wondered at the same time how they will explain to the people this development. They also argue that this would create chaos to the "country".

The determination of the price of the water became also an issue of dispute yesterday during the meeting of the so-called assembly.

(AK)

[07] "Friendship Group of Kyrgyzstan" visited the breakaway regime

During the meeting, Dastanbek Artisbekovich Dzhumabekov who is heading the delegation stated that the cooperation between the breakaway regime and Kyrgyzstan in the fields of economy and tourism will bear great results and added that businessmen of the two "countries" will hold meeting by the end of the week. As he said, a group of 15 Kyrgyz businessmen will be arriving in the breakaway regime over the weekend to look into possible areas of investment.

He also said that more than 500 students from Kyrgyzstan study at the breakaway regime. He also added that it is very important the relations between the two countries to be further strengthened and invited Ozgurgun and the "deputies" of the breakaway regime to watch the World Nomad Games which will be held in Kirgistan next August.

Ozgurgun expressed the hope that relations between the two "countries" will be further developed.

Meeting with the group, Siber said that the visit was important in terms of developing relations between the two "countries". "Friendship, communication, brotherhood and contact between different cultures will always take us forward. The fact that we are an unrecognized country is not an obstacle for our parliaments to develop relations. Your presence here as well as the presence of students from your country in the TRNC is of great importance for us" she said.

(CS)

[08] The General Director of the Development Bank of Turkey is visiting the breakaway regime

Sekkin is in the breakaway regime for the presentation of the Final Report on the Turkish Development Bank's Technical Support which will be provided within the framework of the economic protocol signed between the breakaway regime and Turkey.

The "general director of the TRNC development bank" Ercan Ibrahimoglu was also present at the meeting.

Speaking during the visit, Sekkin said that the "TRNC development bank" was a sister institution and that the growing development of the "bank" was important for them. He also expressed the need for the "government" to provide more support for development.

Atun highlighted the importance of cooperation between the development banks of the breakaway regime and Turkey and added that such collaborations will help "TRNC's integration with the world".

Atun also said that the Development Bank of Turkey was not only sharing its experiences with the "TRNC development bank" but also contributing to the "TRNC economy" since it is financing big projects in the breakaway regime.

[09] Erdogan and Merkel agree on joint action at the UN Summit

Erdogan's office said in a statement that he and Merkel had also agreed, during a meeting on the sidelines of a humanitarian summit in Istanbul, on the need to continue cooperation against illegal migration. Erdogan has said Turkey cannot change such laws at a time when it is fighting the threat from both outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) and Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Merkel said she had voiced concern in talks with Erdogan over the Turkish Parliament's recent decision to strip some lawmakers of immunity.

"I've made this clear in the conversation today that I also think we need an independent judicial system, we need independent media and we need a strong Parliament," Merkel said after the meeting. "And of course, the decision to withdraw immunity from every fourth lawmaker in the Turkish Parliament is something that causes deep concern. I've made this clear to the Turkish President," Merkel said.

[10] Kilicdaroglu for AKP's new leader: "This is now a coup government"

Binali Y?ld?r?m, a close ally of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, was the sole nominee at the AKP congress on May 22 and he is now set to be Turkey's new Prime Minister.

"It's not right to call it a congress. [?] It was necessary for one person, who was chosen by one other person, to be elected at the congress in order for him to be appointed as Prime Minister. It was a mere procedure," CHP head Kemal K?l?cdaroglu told reporters. "This is now a coup government. It's not the government that was sent to Parliament by the people's votes, with the Prime Minister winning 49.5 % of the vote ... We don't yet know details of the program of the coup government, but we'll all find out together," said K?l?cdaroglu.

[11] HDP urges UN's Ban, summit to take position on alarming situation in Turkey

Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, the co-leaders of the HDP, sent a letter to Ban on May 20 ? the day the Parliament approved a controversial constitutional amendment to lift the immunity of 139 MPs, particularly ones from the HDP.

In their letter, the two leaders promoted their policy of democratic autonomy, which calls for self-governance as a more inclusive and democratic political system at the national level. "We firmly believe that the primary homework of the First Humanitarian Summit held by his Excellency in Istanbul is to reach an appropriate position with regards to the alarming situation in our home, among others, and contribute to the development of perspectives to resolve such humanitarian situations. [?]" Demirtas and Yuksekdag said.

[12] Survey regarding the strength of Turkish parties after Yildirim's election

According to the survey results as given by ORC head Murat Posteki, the AK Party leads support with 53 %, followed by the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) with 24 %, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) with 13 % and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) with 7 %, falling below the 10% threshold in national elections to secure seats in Parliament.

Considering the possibility of an early election, Posteki said that the HDP would not be able to get into Parliament while MHP's state depends on its attitude toward the new government's political agenda. He said the AK Party would not receive less support than 53 % and that the party could receive more votes.

Posteki said the survey indicated increased support for a presidential system has increased: "If the citizens want the governing system to change, then they might change it by allowing the AK Party to get 400 Deputies in Parliament in a possible [early] election without introducing a referendum."

[13] The illegal YDU signed an academic "protocol" with 26 universities of the Caucasus Universities Union

As the paper writes, within the framework of the meeting, the illegal YDU signed an academic cooperation protocol with totally 26 universities coming from Turkey, Azerbaijan, Iran, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan.

The protocol was signed by Dr. Suat I. Gunsel, "founding rector" of the illegal "YDU" and it envisages the development of joint projects between the universities, conducting research and joint publications, exchange of students and academic staff e.t.c.

(AK)

[14] Illegal GAU signed a cooperation "agreement" with an Indian College

According to a statement issue by "GAU", the "agreement" envisages the establishment of a seed storage center in the occupied area of Cyprus.

The "agreement" was signed by the "founding rector" of the illegal university Serhat Akpinar and the director of the Bangalore College, Subhaskar Reddy.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS / AM)

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