Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-06-03

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: "The Cyprus problem will be solved at the negotiating table, not in the court corridors"

[02] The "economic protocol" is signed; Privatizations begin in the occupied area of Cyprus

[03] Ozgurgun says they put four criteria for the religious services in occupied churches after consulting with Akinci

[04] Denktas claimed that it is natural for Turkey to implement projects in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[05] Twenty Turkish Cypriot organizations condemn the effort by the "coalition government" to establish a "youth coordination office"

[06] Turkish Cypriot columnist: "Why should we be uneasy by the religious services?"

[07] Turkey calls Germany's approval of 'Armenian genocide bill' null and void

[08] Turkey's MFA described German Parliament's resolution as disgraceful

[09] Turkey and Kenya set target to increase trade volume to $1 billion

[10] Leading Turkish tourism player expects $15 bln loss in revenue in 2016

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "The Cyprus problem will be solved at the negotiating table, not in the court corridors"

Under the title "The leaders are meeting again on 8 June", the paper writes that the decision was taken during a face to face meeting between the leaders within the framework of an activity for the World Children's Day held at the buffer zone.

When the Turkish Cypriot leader was leaving the activity, he was asked to comment on a proposal reportedly submitted by the Republic of Cyprus to the Council of Europe regarding the occupied Greek Cypriot properties. Akinci replied that they are making the "necessary assessments" and argued that it is not correct for such things to happen at the ECHR while the negotiating process is going on.

"The solution of the Cyprus problem will be found at the table, at the negotiations which will resume and not at the court corridors", he claimed and added: "We wish that, as the two leaders announced on 15 May, we will be able to successfully conclude the negotiations by the end of this year and these problem to belong to the past. While the Cyprus problem remains unsolved, such issues will somehow be on the agenda. If this is not today, it will be tomorrow. [?] Difficulties and problems will be developed on these issues. We, however, wish the development of good relations between the sides, the development of possibilities for cooperation between the sides. The path of reason is one. And this path tells us to launch negotiations the soonest and reach a solution. The fact that we took this decision today in an activity with children is meaningful. Because we do not want the children to live what we have experienced in this island. We must create a future in peace, equality, tranquility and security for these beautiful children regardless of their religion or language".

(I/Ts.)

[02] The "economic protocol" is signed; Privatizations begin in the occupied area of Cyprus

"DPO" will not be dissolved. On the contrary, its capacity will be increased and in cooperation and coordination with the "ministry of finance", it will be preparing medium-term plans.

The necessary contribution will be given for strengthening the "judiciary", the "institutional capacity" of the "judiciary" [such as personnel, buildings and equipment] will be re-examined and "specialized courts" will be established.

The target as regards the occupied ports is that the "ports' authority" and the "port services" are separated from each other, the necessary investments to be made in the ports and the ports' operation to be materialized with the "public private partnership" (PPP) model.

For the infrastructure and the services of the "telecommunications authority" the "public sector" will play a regulatory role and the administration will be carried out in cooperation between the private and the "public" sector.

An "energy department" will be established with the aim of regulating and supervising the energy sector. The right of operating the electricity distribution system will be transferred within the framework of a "public - private cooperation" with the aim if increasing the quality of the service.

Turkish Cypriot daily Hadavis newspaper (03.06.16) refers to the same issue under the title "The privatizations period is starting" and reports that a timetable is included in the "protocol" for the privatization of the above-mentioned sectors.

According to this timetable, the production, transfer and distribution of electricity will be separated by June 2017. The necessary '"legal amendments" will be made for separating "KIB-TEK" into three companies. By June 2017 the transfer of the operation right of the "telecommunication authority" will also be concluded. By the end of 2018 the "ports' authority" and the "ports' services" will be separated and the occupied ports of Keryneia (the tourism port and the ancient port) and occupied Famagusta port will be privatized.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun says they put four criteria for the religious services in occupied churches after consulting with Akinci

Referring to the religious services held by Greek Cypriots in churches in the occupied area of the island, Ozgurgun said that these services increased by four times during the past three years and added that they possess information that the religious services have been "politicized". He noted that the procedure for securing "permit" for these religious services was rearranged and four criteria were put after consultations with Akinci. He argued that problems were experienced as regards these services and added: "200 services within a year are tantamount to one service every 36 hours. The security is not even enough for them, because security measures should be taken. We possess information regarding the fact that the services have been politicized. We felt the need to make arrangements. We consulted with our president as well and put four explicit criteria".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Denktas claimed that it is natural for Turkey to implement projects in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

Denktas argued: "We could be invited by Turkey in sports activities as Akinci was invited by Turkey in the summit in Istanbul. Here, the obstacle is not Turkey but the international community".

Criticizing the Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades who abandoned the negotiating table as a reaction to Akinci's invitation to Istanbul, Denktas alleged: "He does not see us as equals; he abandoned the negotiating table and put forwards conditions in order to return. Let him go and complain in any place he wants!"

Denktas further claimed that there are a lot of Turkish students in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and it is natural for Turkey to implement projects there for its students and citizens.

(DPs)

[05] Twenty Turkish Cypriot organizations condemn the effort by the "coalition government" to establish a "youth coordination office"

In a joint statement, the 20 organizations said that the agreement was not implemented due to reaction, but now the newly "coalition government" of UBP-DP (National Unity Party and Democratic Party) is trying to put it into effect. They added that this agreement overlooks the rights of their institutions.

According to this agreement, the "departments of sports and youth" will be dysfunctional, all the projects and implementations will be determined by this "coordination office", the chief and the personnel of this "office" will be appointed by Turkey, a diplomatic immunity will be given to all the officers coming from Turkey, the management of all youth campus and sport facilities, as well the ones that will be built will be transferred to this "office", the "TRNC" will be obliged to give all the data that this "office" wants and the "TRNC" will not be able to impose any obstacles to the projects or works of this "office".

The joint statement signed by the 20 organizations reads that in order to leave a legacy to the future generations, they should be the boss of themselves.

(DPs)

[06] Turkish Cypriot columnist: "Why should we be uneasy by the religious services?"

"The UBP-DP government and some circles nourished by the non-solution are feeling uneasy by the fact that the Greek Cypriots are often holding religious services in places of worship in northern Cyprus. The initiative of limiting the services of the Greek Cypriots in northern Cyprus as soon as the new government came on duty is an unnecessary effort and not human. Let us take a look at why our officials are uneasy by the religious services. [?]

Why should the Greek Cypriots holding a service should be a provocation? They come quietly, hold their services and go. The Turkish Cypriots are tolerant people, why should holding a service in a church by some people be a provocation? In any event it is not. If there is excessive demand for services which we could call 'serious and systematic', what will happen? Who is harmed by the excessive demand? How do they use religion for politics by holding service in the north? Excuse me, but I am ignorant on this issue [?] That is, when the Greek Cypriots hold a religious service in the north, how this is turned into politics? Are the religious services influencing the negotiations negatively? What kind of logic it is to burden the religious services with the meaning that 'the north part of Cyprus is also ours'? Of course, the north and the south part of the country, every part of it belongs to us as individuals. Do we have to love our half country because it has been divided into parts? Have the Greek Cypriots lost the spiritual rights over the churches (I skip the property right despite it could not be skipped) because the churches remained in the north? Have they stopped being churches, when they remained in the north? Have the mosques remained in the south stopped being our mosques? [?]

Is there a better confidence building measure than creating an environment in which people will be quietly praying, while the leaders are intensively looking for confidence building measures? By preventing this now, it means that you are actually preventing rapprochement. [?]

'Don't you see what the Greek Cypriots are doing and you are continuously accusing our side', they say. Can I not see them? We see them as well [?] but it would be a much bigger mistake to retaliate by limiting the religious services because they commit these mistakes.

Since we know what we want and behave decisively, our job should not happen with retaliation, enmity and hatred. [?] If the issue is the Greek Cypriots, it is both the Greek Cypriots who come to the casinos and leave millions and those who quietly come, hold their religious services and go. While you say nothing to those who bring money, why you are uneasy by those who come to exercise their worship? [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkey calls Germany's approval of 'Armenian genocide bill' null and void

"The fact that the German Parliament approved distorted and baseless claims as genocide is a historic mistake. The German Parliament's approval of this bill is not a decision in line with friendly relations between Turkey and Germany. This decision is null and void for Turkey", Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus said. "This is an issue that scientists and historians need to reach a conclusion on, not politicians or parliaments. As Turkey, we will surely give the necessary response to this decision in all platforms," he added.

The Turkish President said the decision would affect relations between Germany and Turkey, adding that Ankara's first step would be to recall its Ambassador for consultations. Erdogan said that Turkey would discuss the issue and make a final decision after these consultations.

Prime Minister Binal? Yildirim said that Ankara can "not accept" such a decision. "This decision approved in Germany is a mistaken one. There is no shameful incident in our past. This is not a decision that Turkey could ever approve", Y?ld?r?m said.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu took to Twitter to criticize the vote. "The way to close dark pages in [Germany's] own history is not to defame the history of other countries with irresponsible and baseless parliament decisions", Cavusoglu tweeted.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has also dismissed the decision as "null and void". "We are deeply saddened by the German Federal Parliament's approval of the bill that defines the 1915 incidents as genocide. We strongly condemn this. The decision is null and void for us," CHP Deputy Chair Ozturk Yilmaz said.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has also condemned the approval of the bill. "Although the German government does not want to accept it, the Turkish nation has a taintless, glorious and noble history. The Nationalist Movement Party condemns the distorted decision of the German Federal Parliament and waits for the urgent correction of this serious mistake," MHP leader Devlet Bahceli said.

Meanwhile, HDN reports that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) signed the joint declaration. The Kurdish issue-focused opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) did not join the statement.

"We strongly condemn the Resolution that is based on groundless Armenian allegations. The Resolution has no historical or legal validity," read the joint statement.

[08] Turkey's MFA described German Parliament's resolution as disgraceful

In a written statement posted on its official website Thursday, the Ministry said: "This Resolution is an example of ignorance and disrespect for the law, politicizing history, preventing free discussion on historical issues and trying to impose the self-created taboo of Armenian narrative as an indisputable fact".

According to the statement, achieving reconciliation on 1915 events is possible only through dialogue, empathy and a fair point of view. "With this understanding, Turkey tries to honour the memory of the Ottoman Armenians, shares their sufferings, preserves Armenian cultural heritage and takes significant steps for paving the way for reconciliation between the two neighbouring nations. In this respect, there is nothing that Turkey will learn from the Parliament of the Federal Republic of Germany", the Ministry said.

The Turkish Ministry also called on Germany to not politicize a historical event, which occurred 101 years ago, and take a fair and objective stance, which is a requirement of European law to which it is a party. "In this sense, we would like to remind once again the legally-binding observations of the ECHR to the effect that the Armenian narrative do not reflect the absolute truth and can be discussed freely; the opinions questioning the Armenian narrative are under the absolute protection of the freedom of speech; and no parallels can be drawn between the events of 1915 and the Holocaust".

Turkey's Ambassador to Germany Huseyin Avni Karslioglu had been recalled for consultations under the circumstances, the statement added.

"We expect that Germany, as our ally and as a country with which we cooperate closely for the future of Europe, will take into consideration our opinions and sensitivities to which we attach vital importance, for the sake of the future of both our bilateral relations as well as Turkey-Europe relations," it said.

Also, German charge d'affaires in Ankara, Robert Dolger, was summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Thursday, according to Ministry sources who wished to remain unnamed due to policy reasons. Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Levent Murat Burhan conveyed Turkey's uneasiness over the Bundestag Resolution, the sources said.

[09] Turkey and Kenya set target to increase trade volume to $1 billion

Erdogan said that to achieve the new trade volume target and achieve strategic partnerships in many fields including trade, energy, healthcare, education, infrastructure and superstructure projects, Turkey has given full support to eliminating all the barriers that prevent the fostering of business relations between the two countries. Erdogan said the agreements on double taxation and preferential trade, which aim to eliminate the biggest hardships in conducting business, will be concluded in August through the visit of Kenyatta to Turkey. During the business forum, Erdogan invited Kenyan businessmen to visit Turkey with their President. Erdogan also said that Turkey will make efforts to further strengthen business ties, by creating opportunities for Turkish business people to invest in Kenya, such as the Build-Operate and Transfer (BOT) business model, which will result in the increase and sustainability of investments.

While further enhancing cooperation in the fields of health, education and railway systems, Erdogan said that the two countries can engage in strategic partnerships in energy as well.

[10] Leading Turkish tourism player expects $15 bln loss in revenue in 2016

"Our country's loss in tourism revenue may increase up to $15 billion over this year and the decline in tourist numbers by 30% compared to 2015," said the head of the Tourism Investors Association (TYD), Murat Ersoy, in a press meeting on June 1.

The number of foreign arrivals visiting Turkey slumped by 28% in April to 1.75 million compared to the same month of 2015, marking the steepest decline since May 1999, according to data by the Tourism Ministry. The number of foreign people visiting Turkey decreased by 16.5% to 5.82 million in the first four months of this year compared to the same period of 2015, data also showed. In the first three months of 2016, tourism revenue decreased to $4.07 billion with a 16.5% drop, according to data that was released by the Turkish Statistics Institute (TUIK) on April 29. Tourism revenue was $31.5 billion in 2015, an 8.3% decline compared to the previous year.

The main problem for the sector is that many foreign tour operators are focused on alternative markets, creating new competitors for Turkey, according to Ersoy. He said the total revenue of leading tour operators in the region came mainly from Turkey and Egypt, but with rising security concerns in these two markets they have started to turn their eyes to alternative markets.

"These companies have faced the risk of losing some 60% of their revenue so they started promoting new countries in a bid to diversify their markets. This will lead to the creation of some permanent competitors for Turkey. We can overcome these cloudy days by finding new markets," he said.

According to Ersoy, Turkey will continue to see a decline in tourist numbers until Eid Ramadan, but the number of tourists visiting Turkey will start to increase after this date, mainly from Muslim countries. 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