Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-09-23

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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 Biden and Steinmeier in New York; How he comments on President Anastasiades address at the UN General Assembly

[02] Akinci's meetings in New York

[03] Eide: This is the best opportunity ever for a solution in Cyprus

[04] Kibris Postasi paper reports that USA is ready to finance the Cyprus settlement

[05] Turkish daily argues that New York meeting helped to overcome difficulties on issues of security and guarantees

[06] Izcan on the Cyprus problem

[07] A panel on "financial opportunities and the Cyprus talks" was held by KTTO and ESBA

[08] Ertugruloglu addresses the meeting of OIC's Foreign Ministers

[09] Turkey and Russia in deal over Syrian airspace

[10] CHP's Kilicdaroglu met with Yildirim; AKP and CHP in dispute over state of emergency extension; CHP to appeal to Turkey's Constitutional Court over post-coup attempt decree laws

[11] Gul: "State of emergency should be ended"

[12] Erdogan discusses Turkey-Israel relations with Jewish leaders in New York; He met with American investors

[13] Turkey's Economy Minister described Turkey's economic situation after the coup attempt as a "miracle"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci met with Biden and Steinmeier in New York; How he comments on President Anastasiades address at the UN General Assembly

Speaking to the press after the meetings, Akinci stated that the solution to be reached in Cyprus should be supported with an international effort and therefore he discussed the issue of financing the solution during his meetings. Akinci reiterated the target of reaching a solution by the end of 2016 and argued that everyone realizes the risks which exist in 2017.

Referring to his meeting with the German Foreign Minister, Akinci said that he briefed him on the developments in Cyprus and listened to his views, pointing out that Germany is an EU member state which is interested in the negotiating process in Cyprus. Akinci recalled that he had visited Germany upon Steinmeier's invitation and that they held a meeting in Cyprus as well.

Noting that his meeting with Biden was planned to last for half an hour but lasted for more than one and a half hours, Akinci described the meeting as "very comprehensive and useful" adding that "America's interest [in Cyprus] continues at the highest level". He argued that the US knows the contribution of the Turkish Cypriot side to the negotiating process and said that they held a very useful meeting during which they "understood each other".

Pointing out that the US interest continues because the Americans realize the importance of the procedure by the end of the year, Akinci reiterated that elections will be held in the USA and the UNSG will change in the end of the year and "everyone understands the risks which exist in 2017". "For this reason both sides underlined how important the 2016 target is. We are extremely satisfied with these contacts", he noted.

Recalling that he will hold a meeting with the UNSG within the forthcoming days, he expressed the hope that his meetings in New York will significantly contribute to the process and wished for these efforts to constitute a stage which "will lead us to the final target".

Asked to comment on President Anastasiades' address at the UN General Assembly, Akinci alleged that in parallel to some positive points as regards Cyprus, there were also some "wrong assessments". When asked which mistakes were they, he replied: "We do not need to enter into details. However, there are some parts in which we saw that some agreements we achieved were not correctly mentioned".

Replying to a question as to whether he discussed the cost of the solution during his meetings, Akinci noted that the issue came onto the agenda during his meetings with the UNSG's special advisor for Cyprus, the US Vice President and the German Foreign Minister and added that the issue will be discussed during his meetings with the UNSG. Noting that the economic aspect of the solution is always on the agenda, Akinci said that the solution should be supported by an international effort and this is why they always try to attract the interest of the officials with whom they meet. "They anyway exhibit interest", he concluded.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci's meetings in New York

According to the paper, Akinci also met with the Turkish delegation consisting of Feriden Sinirlioglu, deputy Foreign Minister of Turkey and with Halit Cevik, Turkey's permanent representative to the UN. The Turkish officials informed Akinci about the contacts of Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan in New York.

(CS)

[03] Eide: This is the best opportunity ever for a solution in Cyprus

Eide expressed the view that we have before us "the best opportunity which occurred until today for achieving a solution".

Eide said that he is at least as optimistic as the Cypriot leaders on the issue of reaching a solution by the end of the year and described as "good news by itself" the meeting of the leaders with the UNSG on Sunday. He recalled that this will be the second joint meeting of the Cypriot leaders with the UNSG and added that they have prepared well for this meeting and that they exert efforts to have the best result. Describing as "very constructive" his meeting with Akinci, Eide noted that he holds meetings with both sides so that the meeting of Sunday is prepared with the aim of having the best possible results.

Replying to a question, Eide said he did not want to enter into the details of his meeting with Akinci, but added that he feels "that both sides realize the vital importance of this meeting [with the UNSG] for the future of the process". Arguing that Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci and President Anastasiades achieved a progress which had not been achieved by other Cypriot leaders in the past, Eide expressed the view that today we are at a more advanced point than ever before in the negotiations and added that they know the difficulties of the final stage and discuss how they can organize their time in the best manner.

Asked whether he held meetings with representatives of the IMF and the World Bank, Eide argued that thanks to the contacts he had held in the USA last year, "a very big support" was secured from international financing organizations within one year and that the IMF, the World Bank, the EU Commission and the European Central Bank are in Cyprus and are "very deeply involved in the process".

Pointing out that financing the solution is important and they are working on this issue, Eide argued that the most important thing is that the solution will not only unite the country, but it will constitute the basis for a better economic development, "because the money is not only something which you take, but it is also something which you produce". "And the economic opportunities in Cyprus are very important", he concluded.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Kibris Postasi paper reports that USA is ready to finance the Cyprus settlement

The paper reports that it has information regarding the meeting yesterday between Akinci and Biden. According to the paper, the USA has mobilized its financial system in order to finance the solution which will be found in 2016. The paper adds that while the necessary allocation from the budget has been prepared, instructions were given to the committees in order for the US Congress to be able to take the necessary political decision.

According to the paper, this was the most important point at the meeting between Akinci and Biden. "This commitment by the USA to finance the Cyprus settlement relieved and satisfied Akinci", the paper also reports.

Biden also conveyed to Akinci that Washington is ready to take initiative in order to overcome the problem on the issue of "Security and Guarantee". After the decision of the USA to take steps on this issue, Akinci said that "it is a constructive policy when the one side does not feel threatened and the other side also feels secure". It is reported that this stance has been appreciated by the USA.

(DPs)

[05] Turkish daily argues that New York meeting helped to overcome difficulties on issues of security and guarantees

The paper, citing diplomatic sources, writes that the public statements made on the issue of guarantees are not the same as the statements made "behind closed doors". According to the paper, despite the fact that President Anastasiades described the system of guarantees during his speech on the UN General Assembly as "out of date and unacceptable", developments giving hope are taking place in the backstage. According to the same sources, during the meeting between officials from the UK, Greece, Turkey and the UN, opinions that could be accepted by both sides in Cyprus were discussed. Noting that the ideas discussed must be further developed, the paper writes that the diplomatic sources said that "a formula can be found if there is will".

Havadis also reports that during the meetings Akinci held yesterday, the schedule of the next phase of the negotiations was discussed, adding that both Turkey and Greece "are open for creative ideas on the issues of security and guarantees".

The same diplomatic sources describes the statements made by the Greek Cypriot side on the issue as aiming to ease the reactions of the "rejection front" inside the Greek Cypriot community wh?ch worries that negotiations are progressing"too fast".

(CS)

[06] Izcan on the Cyprus problem

"Appearing as if they want an early solution, their aim is to put pressure for a five-partite meeting to take place and paint a rosy picture", Izcan said, adding also the following: "There are various reasons for the Turkish side to force for a five-partite meeting. But this does not mean that there will be a solution or that they want a solution 100%. It could be something similar with the policy of "being one step ahead", they followed during the Annan plan period. The months to come will clarify this situation".

Supporting that the process is carried out in a framework "of following a timetable but with no timetable" ", Izcan recalled that Presidential elections will take place in the Greek Cypriot side in 2018 and that both the EU and the UN have asked for important steps to be taken prior to this date.

Izcan went on and argued that in the months to come it will become clear whether the two sides have shown the necessary determination and sincerity for a solution.

Pointing out that the solution is possible only if efforts are exerted with sincerity, Izcan called on both leaders to leave behind the official policies and undertake sincere and brave steps.

(AK)

[07] A panel on "financial opportunities and the Cyprus talks" was held by KTTO and ESBA

Fikri Toros, chairman of KTTO, Dean Mustafa Besim of the faculty of Business and Economics of the illegal East Mediterranean University ("DAU") and Fiona Mullen, director of the economic consultancy company Sapienta Economics Ltd, made presentations at the panel which was chaired by KTTO's representative in Brussels Lale Saner.

Addressing the panel, Toros argued that the possibility for a Cyprus settlement is higher now compared to other negotiation processes in the past. He added that the continuation of the Cyprus problem causes a considerable negativity especially on the Turkish Cypriots, who are reportedly under isolation. Toros stressed that the current condition from the point of the business world is unacceptable and cannot be continued.

Toros further said that the Chamber is determined to continue its support on the negotiation process for a just, lasting, bizonal, bicommunal solution under a federal roof on the basis of an economic and political equality. Toros added that he believes that such a Cyprus settlement will benefit the whole region.

(DPs)

[08] Ertugruloglu addresses the meeting of OIC's Foreign Ministers

Ertugruloglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot "people", who have been allegedly unjustly isolated for 50 years, could not be condemned to an uncertain future that contains endless negotiations. He argued that the Turkish Cypriots are prepared for two scenarios which concern reaching and not reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of 2016.

Ertugruloglu alleged that at this important turning point, the OIC and the Islamic States should take "concrete and serious steps, which will show their solidarity with their Turkish Cypriot brothers by implementing the decisions and declarations of the OIC.

"As Turkish Cypriot government we want to meet with the OIC and all our sister member counties and work on a road map which will put into effect the aforementioned decisions and declarations", he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Turkey and Russia in deal over Syrian airspace

While drafting the protocol, the two sides also agreed on a "gentleman's agreement" to prevent the two sides' warplanes from entering into areas where the other side is conducting military operations.

The decision to work to coordinate military flights over Syria was taken during a meeting of the respective Russian and Turkish chiefs of General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov and General Hulusi Akar, on Sept. 15 in Ankara.

The two top soldiers approved the establishment of a hotline between the two air forces in a bid to prevent accidents or unwanted incidents.

"Work to accomplish the protocol continues at the highest level," the senior military source told daily Hurriyet on the condition of anonymity on September 22. "If signed, the protocol will mark an important step in developing the military-to-military relationship and coordination between Turkey and Russia in the Syrian theater", the source added.

The need to make a protocol to coordinate flights in Syria with Russia became urgent after the Turkish army launched a massive cross-border operation into its southern neighbor on Aug. 24 in a bid to remove the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from its border.

"We have carried out 97 sorties against ISIL positions as part of the Operation Euphrates Shield," the source said.

(?)

According to the same source, the Russian side is also acting very carefully to avoid violating Turkish airspace and regularly providing information about its flights near Turkey, particularly Hatay province.

The closest flight of Russian warplanes to Turkish airspace was four kilometers around Hatay province, the source said, adding that the Turkish military had already been informed about the incident.

[10] CHP's Kilicdaroglu met with Yildirim; AKP and CHP in dispute over state of emergency extension; CHP to appeal to Turkey's Constitutional Court over post-coup attempt decree laws

Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m and Republican People's Party (CHP) head Kemal K?licdaroglu held a two-hour-long meeting at the ruling party's headquarters upon the request of the main opposition leader.

K?l?cdaroglu wanted to meet Yildirim in order to inform him about complaints his party had received from more than 37,000 people who claimed to have been negatively affected by the mass purges from the civil service due to alleged links to the Gulenist network, which was blamed for the coup attempt.

The number of people who have suffered from the government's "reckless measures" against suspected Gulenists within the civil service has hit 1 million, Kilicdaroglu said previously.

"The Prime Minister signaled that the government can extend the state of emergency. But our chairman objected to the idea," sources from the main opposition party told reporters after the meeting.

The government declared the state of emergency for three months on July 21 in a bid to efficiently fight against the Gulenist network and its undercover members within the state. The government is now planning to extend it for another term on the grounds that the Gulenist clearing process has not been fully completed yet. The votes of the ruling party are sufficient to extend the state of emergency.

In an interview with daily Hurriyet just a day before he was scheduled to meet K?l?cdaroglu, Y?ld?r?m admitted that there could be mistakes in this process, as the Gulenist network was not a transparent organization. "There can be wrong decisions. But we are keeping the way open to correct these wrong decisions. This is important," Y?ld?r?m said.

(?)

The two leaders also reportedly discussed ongoing efforts to realize a small-scale constitutional amendment, the works for which were launched in the aftermath of the coup attempt. The purpose of the amendment is to restructure judicial bodies to avoid future coup attempts.

Y?ld?r?m also reportedly informed Kilicdaroglu about ongoing cross-border operations in Syria.

Speaking to reporters in Istanbul, Y?ld?r?m said that the leaders of three political parties in Parliament will meet at a summit in the coming days to finalize weeks-long work on the small-scale constitutional changes.

He also informed that representatives from the Justice and Development Party (AKP), CHP and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) will come together on September 23 to overview the drafted amendments.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (23.09.16) reports that the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) will appeal to the Constitutional Court for the annulment of all decree laws issued under Turkey's ongoing state of emergency, imposed after the failed coup attempt of July 15.

CHP Deputy Chair Levent Gok will submit the appeal to the Constitutional Court on September 23.

The appeal states that the decree laws issued during the state of emergency, which was announced on July 22, deviate from their aim and amount to the executive branch illegitimately practicing the power of the legislative branch.

The basis of the appeal rests on two rulings by the Constitutional Court in 1991 and 2003. Those rulings state that if the decree laws issued under a state of emergency are irrelevant to the necessities of the state of emergency, they cannot be counted as legitimate decree laws and could be taken to the Constitutional Court for annulment. Those decree laws are valid only during the period of the state of emergency and are abolished after the state of emergency is ended.

The CHP argues that the government is exploiting the state of emergency decree laws, although these laws should be exceptional because Article 120 of the Turkish Constitution says decree laws can only be issued if required. The CHP stresses in its appeal that state of emergency practices aim to defeat an immediate threat for swift return to the regular order, and warn that Turkey may have to pay huge fines if citizens choose to apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over the decree laws.

According to the CHP's appeal, decree laws issued during state of emergencies should be submitted to Parliament and be discussed within 30 days, according to Articles of 91/7 and 121 of the Constitution, but this procedure has not been fulfilled as Parliament is currently closed. As the decree laws have not been discussed at parliament, they are outside the supervision of the Constitutional Court, the CHP states.

[11] Gul: "State of emergency should be ended"

"I've departed from a country which is in a state of emergency, to another one in the same state," Gul told journalists in France on Sept. 21, in which a state of emergency was imposed after deadly attacks by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

"An end to states of emergency is desired. Efforts should be made in that direction," he said.

Turkey was "very polarized, divided and tense" before the failed seizure of government, Gul said, adding that the government and the opposition subsequently "presented a solid stance on the side of democracy" ? a fact that should be noticed.

During his speech, Gul said that he never thought a coup attempt would be conducted because he knew the chain of command.

"We could've never guessed that a group of crazy, stupid, treacherous putschists, who infiltrated into significant positions, would engage in such foolishness by hiding themselves. The firm stance of the Turkish people, commanders, the President and the government prevented the coup," he said.

Gul also voiced his disappointment with European countries, saying that they should have stood against the coup in a strong way. "If they've done that, they would have helped Turkey more. It's a sad thing," he added.

(?)

[12] Erdogan discusses Turkey-Israel relations with Jewish leaders in New York; He met with American investors

Erdogan highlighted that the normalization of relations between Turkey and Israel is important to find solutions to economic and humanitarian problems experienced by Palestinians and told them about Turkey's ongoing humanitarian aid efforts for Gaza.

Erdogan noted that a two-state solution and a state of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital were necessary to resolve the conflict in the country.

He also said that Israel must respect the holy status of the Al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims and stop violations against its status.

A number of prominent Jewish leaders including Executive Vice Chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations Malcolm Hoenlein, American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) President Robert Cohen, CEO and National Director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) Jonathan Greenblatt and many other prominent Jewish figures attended the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister Veysi Kaynak, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak, Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United States Serdar K?l?c, and Undersecretary of Foreign Affairs Feridun Sinirlioglu were also present during the meeting.

Erdogan is also scheduled to meet with Turkish non-governmental organizations and Muslim community leaders in the U.S. before his departure.

Moreover, Erdogan came together with over 30 American high-level executives in New York at a business dinner.

During the dinner, organized in coordination with the Prime Ministry Investment Support and Promotion Agency (ISPAT), Erdogan shared new regulations and incentives regarding the Turkish investment environment with representatives of large American corporations.

Among the attendees of the event were high-level executives of prestigious fund management companies and various corporations operating in different sectors such as energy, chemistry, health, finance, information and manufacturing.

In addition to the CEOs of American giants such as 3M, Cargill, Cisco, Citibank, Coca-Cola, Dow Chemical, General Electric, IFC, MasterCard, MetLife, Nike and Pepsi, high-level executives such as the World Economic Forum chairman and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce President were also in attendance.

Erdogan said that the July 15 coup attempt could not leave a permanent impact on the Turkish economy because of Turkey's strong fiscal structure.

Stating that $20 billion worth of trade volume between Turkey and U.S. is insufficient, Erdogan said that the advanced political military relations should be observed in the economic sector as well, and stressed that Turkey's inclusion in the free trade agreement, which will be signed between the EU and the U.S., will also be beneficial for the American firms.

Touching on the latest regulations regarding the improvement of the investment environment, Erdogan said that the new incentive system makes investing in Turkey more attractive, suggesting that Turkey is an economic power in its region and also a pioneer with its infrastructural investments.

(...)

[13] Turkey's Economy Minister described Turkey's economic situation after the coup attempt as a "miracle"

"The Turkish economy is now at such a stage that it can be called a miracle after the coup attempt," Zeybekci said on Wednesday at the 8th Turkey Investment Conference in New York.

Zeybekci said that although massive setbacks were predicted, the financial and banking system proved resilient on the first business day after the July 15 overthrow attempt.

The value of the dollar against the Turkish lira climbed to 3.07 from 2.90, between the coup attempt Friday and the following Monday, but fell back around to its previous level within days.

"Turkish people began to exchange the foreign currency in their hands. In a single week after the coup attempt, $11.5 billion worth currency was exchanged to Turkish lira," Zeybekci said.

"Since July 15, more than $600 million flew into Borsa Istanbul," he said. "Monday morning after the coup attempt, interest rates jumped to 9.4% from 8.55%, but now they are down at 8.50%."

The Turkish economy has reached an average annual growth rate of above 5% since the 2008 global financial crisis, according to Zeybekci, and the country's government debt ratio to national income is better than 25 countries of the 28-members of the EU, he added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK /ECh)

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