Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-07-11

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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] Statements by Akinci after meeting with Anastasiades

[02] Turkish daily sees a draft-agreement in Cyprus by October the latest

[03] Erdogan and Tsipras discussed the Cyprus problem on the side-lines of NATO summit

[04] Diyalog on the reactions for the said agreement on the four basic freedoms and on the issue of citizenships at the negotiations

[05] Kibris Postasi claims that the Cyprus government is in panic due to no interest for the third licensing round for offshore exploration

[06] Diplomatic sources argue that "a good neighboring and friendly relations agreement" could come onto the agenda in Cyprus

[07] The "Constitutional court" to decide today on the "coordination office's law"

[08] 22 out of the 28 "municipalities" in the occupied area of Cyprus have signed the "agreement" for the water

[09] Erdogan asked for more support in the fight against terrorism during the NATO summit; He met with Merkel and other world leaders

[10] "Losing a friend in the EU but gaining a better partner in Europe"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Statements by Akinci after meeting with Anastasiades

He said that the Turkish Cypriot side is very sensitive on the matter and refused to discuss names, percentages, or maps, before.

In statements after meeting with President Nicos Anastasiades within the framework of the Cyprus negotiation talks, Akinci said: "We want to discuss this matter soon because we want to conclude discussions on the Cyprus problem, but today was not the day".

Discussions at the meeting had focused on the issue of freedoms, citizenship and voting rights.

Describing the meeting as productive and useful, Ak?nc? said that the issues of territory, security and guarantees will be discussed at their meeting on the 29th of July.

Akinci also explained that Tuesday's meeting will focus on the chapter of economy and the EU matters and added that during the meeting the co-chairmen of the working groups will also be attending.

Responding to a question regarding Anastasiades's earlier statement that a solution will not be possible without the return of Morfou, Akinci stated that since territory is a subject which will be taken up at the very end, they refused to discuss the issue at the current time.

Pointing out that the 2004 UN Sponsored Annan Plan was a comprehensive settlement plan; Ak?nc? said that no one could pick up issues from the plan which suited their interest.

He also pointed out that the maps, percentages or names could be discussed just before the last chapter of Security and Guarantees.

"Nevertheless we shall be holding a brainstorming session on territory on the July 29. We shall however not be discussing any names or maps at that meeting" he added.

Ak?nc? concluded by saying that it is high time the Cyprus problem is solved but that this could only be possible through a balanced settlement that would safeguard the rights and interests of both sides.

[02] Turkish daily sees a draft-agreement in Cyprus by October the latest

Noting that the energy projects are critical for the Greek Cypriots, the journalist reports:

"The most important development which strengthens the hope for a solution in the island of Cyprus was experienced with the policy followed by Israel, which has a partnership with the Greek Cypriot sector in the field of energy. Possible projects regarding the transfer of Israeli natural gas to the EU over Turkey will come onto the agenda in the contacts between Ankara and Tel Aviv. It is noted that this scenario, which is very likely to be materialized, will be a chance that could not be missed for the Greek Cypriot sector which is struggling with the economic crisis. It is said that with the solution to be achieved in Cyprus, the wealthy natural gas and oil reserves in the island's territorial waters will be articulated to the project of transferring Israeli gas to Europe over Turkey".

Under the subtitle "In October the latest', the paper adds the following:

"The negotiations under the supervision of the UN Special Representative Elizabeth Spehar are expected to be intensified within the forthcoming days and a draft-text providing for the solution to be formed in the beginning of October the latest.

The pipeline which carries fresh water from Turkey to the island will be the second power which will direct the Greek Cypriot sector to the solution".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Erdogan and Tsipras discussed the Cyprus problem on the side-lines of NATO summit

According to information by the Turkish Presidency, during the meeting they came to terms that the reciprocal visits should continue. They also referred to the Cyprus talks, by saying that the good momentum, which has been achieved on the Cyprus issue, should be continued.

(DPs)

[04] Diyalog on the reactions for the said agreement on the four basic freedoms and on the issue of citizenships at the negotiations

The paper goes on and writes that the statement issued by the Greek Cypriot side that "the agreement is not based on the position for population majority and property", disturbed everyone.

Diyalog asked the opinion on two former Turkish Cypriot leaders on the matter.

Mehmet Ali Talat, stated that the current Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci, insisted that the Turkish Cypriots have the majority on population and property (Tr. Note: in the area that will be under their control). Talat noted that if there is a change in this position, Akinci must make a statement.

On his part, Dervis Eroglu stated that it is not possible such an agreement to be accepted and added that this cannot pass by the public.

(CS)

[05] Kibris Postasi claims that the Cyprus government is in panic due to no interest for the third licensing round for offshore exploration

Citing Greek Cypriot diplomatic sources, the paper claims that the Greek Cypriot government, as the Cyprus government is referred to, is in panic because there are no applications and the deadline is on July 22nd. It is reported that Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades stepped in personally by holding separate meetings with delegations from Delek and ENI on Tuesday and with TOTAL on Wednesday. However, it is reported that the companies did not take a clear stance whether they will participate or not to the third round of licensing.

(DPs)

[06] Diplomatic sources argue that "a good neighboring and friendly relations agreement" could come onto the agenda in Cyprus

The sources told Kibris that it is important to learn how the positive experiences between Germany and Poland were turned into friendship and common prosperity for both sides by forgiving the pain of the past. They also said that Germany and Poland have covered a lot of distance in 25 years from the point of view of their political, communal and human relations and spent a lot of energy for building security and friendship.

The paper recalls that the same proposal to the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots had been also made by the Polish Ambassador to Nicosia Barbara Tuge Erecinska, who addressing a ceremony on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the agreement between her country and Germany, wished for this agreement to become an example for the Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The "Constitutional court" to decide today on the "coordination office's law"

The "law" was approved a month ago with the votes of the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party but Akinci stated that some articles of the "law" are against the "constitution".

The paper further reports that the platform "Reddediyoruz", (we are rejecting), which was formed in order to express the youth's reaction and rejection against the "coordination office", organized last night a demonstration, in front of the "assembly" protesting against the "office". The platform has also decided to continue with its protest in the streets.

(CS)

[08] 22 out of the 28 "municipalities" in the occupied area of Cyprus have signed the "agreement" for the water

According to the paper, three more "municipalities", that is of occupied Lefkosia, Kythrea and Lurucina have decided to sign the "agreement". The occupied Kythrea "municipality" will sign the "agreement" on Thursday the latest writes the paper, while, the "municipality" of occupied Lefkosia the soonest possible.

Also, as the paper underlines, the occupied Lefka municipality has decided to sign the "subscription agreement" only if their needs are not covered, while the occupied municipalities of Gioneli and Dikomo have not decided yet.

(AK)

[09] Erdogan asked for more support in the fight against terrorism during the NATO summit; He met with Merkel and other world leaders

"We have insistently emphasized that NATO has to do more than it already does, especially in the fight against terrorism," Erdogan told a group of reporters aboard the presidential plane returning to Turkey from Warsaw.

Erdogan said that he emphasized the situation in Syria and Iraq regarding the development of terrorism by presenting evidence at the gathering.

Meanwhile, Erdogan also expressed his discomfort with the German Parliament's Resolution on the mass killings of Armenians at the hands of the Ottomans a century ago when he met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel on the sidelines of the NATO summit.

"The Turkish President expressed Turkey's frustration and discomfort with the Resolution, while the German Chancellor vowed to show the necessary sensitivity required for the move to not cast a shadow over bilateral relations," Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency said.

A source close to the Turkish Presidency said that Merkel stressed that she would do her utmost to ensure this event would not harm German-Turkish relations.

Erdogan also met with the leaders of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Hungary, Estonia, Azerbaijan, Greece, Georgia, Canada, Latvia, Italy and Bulgaria.

[10] "Losing a friend in the EU but gaining a better partner in Europe"

Ogutcu writes the following: "It is clear enough that Turkey has lost its biggest supporter in the EU ? not least because all three mainstream parties were in principle strong supporters of Turkey's eventual membership. Britain's support was not out of a blind love for Turkey but a calculated understanding of the country's geopolitical and economic importance ? in particular the way in which Turkey, as a country whose population is nearly as large as Germany's, would further dilute federalist aspirations among the EU's founding members.

Many Turks feel sad to see the U.K. quitting the EU, and they feel angry that Turkey was used as an instrument by pro-Brexit campaigners. Cameron called his opponents' strategy a "red herring," but they managed to corner Cameron into conceding that "at its current pace, Turkey will not join the EU before the year 3000." This also upset Turkey, which felt Cameron should have been more resolute in following through on his strong support for Turkey in the EU.

Nevertheless, the debate in the U.K. is reflected more widely across the EU, in which even Turkey's other major allies are now hesitating in their support because of Turkey's increasingly hardline government and the multitude of crises afflicting the bloc. But Turkey is also inconsistent in its approach ? on the eve of Brexit, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested Turkey should hold its own plebiscite on whether to pursue membership with an organization wary of Turkey because "the majority of our population are Muslim."

Whatever we say about its "incompetence, clumsiness, democratic deficit, arrogance, lack of leadership, aging population and loss of global competitiveness," the EU still remains Turkey's largest trading partner. It provides the bulk of foreign investment, finance and technology and is home to more than 5 million Turks. It is an anchor for Turkey in a culture of democracy and freedom. We should not exaggerate the EU's importance, but we should not underestimate it either.

Brexit might serve as a brake on Turkey's EU membership, despite the recent resumption of negotiations. Turkey would do well to press quietly on, without baiting or provoking the increasingly powerful anti-Islam and anti-Turkey forces on the political fringes in Europe. Ankara's priority should be to protect the rights and well-being of its citizens in the EU, using the instruments of institutions including the Council of Europe ? of which Turkey remains a full member.

The absence of the U.K., politically and economically, makes the EU significantly less attractive to Ankara. Perhaps Erdogan will give up altogether on this goal. Britain's exit from the EU plays into his hands, bolstering his argument that the EU is weak and boosting his now faltering efforts to create a neo-Ottoman Turkey as a leader in the Muslim world.

However, ironically for all those who wanted to keep Britain as far apart from Turkey as possible, Brexit could improve relations between the two countries. Britain and Turkey as two fringe nations on opposite sides of Europe ? in more ways than one ? are united by a growing romantic nationalism. Perhaps Turkey could even pick up some of the trade slack when the U.K. does eventually pull out; investment and exports between the two countries are already high.

We do not know how the U.K. divorce process will progress and what types of EU-U.K. arrangements will be in place after two years of negotiations. Whatever emerges might also be a good example for Turkey to follow. An updated Customs Union, plus free movement of people in certain categories and participation in a number of common policies, could prove to be a more realistic and rewarding option rather than bashing each other constantly for unfilled promises and expectations within the formal framework of EU membership negotiations.

If Turkey can put its membership obsession aside, it could carve out a unique place in the new architecture of the world's largest economic bloc that is soon to sign the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP). Yet, for this to happen, Turkey too has to change fundamentally away from its current autocratic governance style, tackling the rise of religious extremism and pursuing a less confrontational foreign policy. There are positive signs on this score, at least in the foreign policy domain.

A more flexible, realistic and self-confident Turkey could be a stronger partner for the EU and could be a bridge to other strategic partnerships ? perhaps even to a post-Brexit U.K., Eurasia, China and the Middle East. It could even accelerate the necessary process of fundamental structural reform within the EU, which many observers both in Brussels and Ankara feel is long overdue if the EU is to remain viable and intact in the future". TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy

(AK/ AM)

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