Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-08-18

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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 met with Erdogan in Ankara

[02] Yildirim alleges that this is the last chance for a solution in Cyprus; Akinci's contacts in Ankara

[03] More about the "citizenship" issue

[04] Occupied Keryneia's city planning "decree" continues causing debates

[05] Atun signed agreements in Ankara

[06] Illegal weapons found at illegal Famagusta port

[07] Turkey asks for explanation from Germany over 'Islamist platform' claims

[08] Deputy PM denies claims Turkey moving away from West

[09] Turkey submits normalization deal with Israel to Parliament for approval

[10] Turkish Justice Minister: If the U.S. does not extradite Gulen it would mean the U.S. has given up on its relations with Turkey for Gulen

[11] Turkey's Foreign Minister Cavusoglu to visit India

[12] Fifty Turkish academics dismissed from an Azerbaijan university

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci met with Erdogan in Ankara

Erdogan said that they discussed the developments as regards the Cyprus problem and added:

"We have made detailed evaluations. Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side are in favor of a just, lasting and comprehensive solution on the island. We have exerted and are exerting every possible effort in this direction. The target of these efforts is the establishment of a new and viable bi-zonal bi-communal partnership within this year between the two sides in the island. It is absolutely necessary for the Cyprus issue to reach a solution in a manner which will guarantee the political equality, the legitimate rights and the security of the Turkish Cypriot side. The settlement of this issue will contribute to the security, stability, cooperation and prosperity in our area. After a possible solution, the real potential of Cyprus will come up and many cooperation projects, which could not be evaluated until now at regional scale, will be materialized. It is undoubtedly very important to show the necessary political understanding and flexibility in the way to the solution. In parallel to this, the sides should see each other as future partners and show that they are ready to live side by side and respect each other's rights. [?]"

Arguing that if the wish to reach a result is sincere, the above-mentioned behavior should be exhibited from now in a clear and concrete way, Erdogan alleged: "We will decisively continue doing whatever we can aiming at greening up peace, stability and prosperity in the island and our region. I believe that the discussions we held today were a valuable step taken in this direction".

In his statements Akinci referred to the Cyprus negotiations and expressed the view that they have really reached a turning point in Cyprus. He argued:

"We are persons of the same generation with Mr Anastasiades. We are making the last attempt of our generation. We will either reach a solution in Cyprus before the end of 2016 or this window of opportunity will be lost with 2017 with the beginning of the propaganda campaign for the 2018 February elections in the south. In spite of the warnings we always make, when 2017 enters, they will trigger new tensions again by searching for natural wealth in the area they call exclusive economic zone, in the area where the Turkish Cypriots also have rights. The [election of] a new UNSG will come onto the agenda. This window of opportunity will be closed until the new UNSG learns this file. Therefore, we say that the way of reason and logic is to put an end to this issue before the end of 2016. And to turn the natural wealth in Eastern Mediterranean into a field of cooperation and not a reason for tension [?] Feeling your support always gives us strength. Therefore, we have seven more meetings during the process between 23 August and 14 September. Following the UN General Assembly will come. Perhaps, if good progress is achieved in these seven meetings, the door for new processes during which we could be more hopeful may open by the end of September. We will continue to walk on this path having your support. I hope that the other side will give us this opportunity".

Referring to the anti-Gulen operations in the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci claimed that the Turkish Cypriots, who have always supported democracy, law, freedom and non-military administration, will not allow FETO of any other terrorist organizations to appear in "their lands". He added that if there is valid information based on documents and correct sources on this issue, they will do whatever they can to uproot such organizations. Referring to something said by the well-known Turkish poet Namik Kemal who had been exiled to Cyprus, Akinci said that "the innocent should not suffer alongside with the guilty" and noted: "Cyprus is a small place, a place where there is a lot of gossip. Namik Kemal had always complained of Cyprus' gossip and mosquitos. Of course we do not want some innocent persons to be accused in vain with gossips, envy or tale bearing in the TRNC, which is a democratic state of rule of law. I am sure that you do not want this here as well".

Replying to Akinci's above comment, Erdogan said: "I also thank you very much, but let us not return to Namik Kemal's period in which there was a lot of gossip. [?] We are now talking about a north Cyprus far from gossip. God willing the number of mosquitos has also reduced a lot".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Yildirim alleges that this is the last chance for a solution in Cyprus; Akinci's contacts in Ankara

According to the same source, Yildirim alleged that the ongoing negotiating process is the last chance for finding a lasting and comprehensive solution in Cyprus and that Turkey will continue supporting a solution which will abolish the security grievances of the Turkish Cypriots and guarantee their political equality and legitimate rights. On his part, Akinci expressed the Turkish Cypriot "people's" solidarity with the Turkish people which prevented the coup attempt with their "decisive and courageous stance".

Furthermore, Akinci and Yildirim exchanged views regarding the steps to be taken for further promoting "cooperation" between Turkey and the "TRNC".

Within the framework of his contacts in Ankara, Akinci visited at the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA) the building of which had been bombed during the coup attempt of the 15th of July and the Special Operations' Office of the Police General Directorate in Golbasi area which was also attacked.

Akinci met also with General Hulusi Akar, Chief of the Turkish General Staff, and signed the book of condolences opened at the General Staff after the coup attempt.

(I/Ts.)

[03] More about the "citizenship" issue

Efendi, who issued a written statement, said that the "government" grants the "TRNC citizenship" to 500 persons every month with decisions taken by the "council ministers" and the "interior minister".

Efendi notes that it is obvious that the demanded by the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan for 26,500 new "citizenships" has started to be implemented gradually. He also stated that this policy is implemented in a very critical period of the Cyprus negotiation, where the two Cypriot leaders have agreed on the number and the population analogy, adding that this is done on purpose.

"This practice serves neither the solution nor peace", Efendi stated, adding that it will hurt Akinci at the negotiations and also transform the Turkish Cypriots into a minority in their own "country".

In addition, reporting on the same issue Kibris (18.08.16) writes that according to a decision of the "council of ministries", which was published at the "official gazette", seventy persons received the "TRNC citizenship" and three more persons will also receive it on the condition that they have no criminal record and pass a health control.

These are Hakan Baris (born in Ankara, Turkey), Ben Zion Friedman (born in Israel) and Dervis Erten (born in Seyahn, Turkey).

Moreover the paper writes that congestion is observed at that "interior ministry" where many Turkish citizens and citizens of third countries who live in the breakaway regime gather daily due to the "immigration amnesty" and the re-launching of "citizenship granting" which was stopped for a short period.

(CS)

[04] Occupied Keryneia's city planning "decree" continues causing debates

Referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen's (18.08.16) columnist Tayfun Cagra reports that as it was proved by the recent briefing on the occupied Keryneia area "decree", the reason for the wish of making amendments in the "decree" is the "legalization of illegal floors" at a hotel built in the area of the old Zeyko oil factory in occupied Agios Georgios. According to the columnist the "entire government" has been activated for "legalizing the illegal floors" of this hotel. The target of the change in the "decree", he notes, is not only the increase of the floors of the buildings, but also the increase of the percentage of the plot of land on which the buildings are constructed.

Yeni Duzen publishes also statements by the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot "building contractors union", Cafer Gurcafer, who said that the two extra floors of the hotel constructed by Turkish Kaya Group in the area should be demolished, according to an "interim order" issued by the "court".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Atun signed agreements in Ankara