Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-11

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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] Akinci addresses the 23th World Energy Congress in Istanbul

[02] Akinci holds contacts at the 23th World Energy Congress in Istanbul

[03] Turkey and Russia signed the strategic Turkish Stream gas pipeline deal

[04] Erdogan: Turkey has the most viable route for the eastern Mediterranean gas

[05] Israeli Minister set to visit Turkey on Oct 13

[06] Reaction at the "assembly" about the "framework agreement" for the transfer of electricity from Turkey to the breakaway regime

[07] Izcan and Ozyigit expressed their worries over the "electricity transfer agreement"

[08] Turkish Cypriot electrical engineers: The connection with Turkey through undersea cables is a "strategic and economic necessity"

[09] Durust "invites" President Anastasiades to visit occupied Morphou

[10] Denktas stated that the "council of minister's decision" for the rending of a plot of land in occupied Keryneia to illegal YDU has been postponed

[11] The occupation regime announces the opening for housing of plots of land in several occupied villages

[12] "Officials" of the so-called ministry of environment met with officials of the World Bank and the Ministry of Forestry and Environment of Austria

[13] Stones from occupied Agios Filonas monastery have been carried away

[14] The "ministry of tourism" accused the Republic of Cyprus for preventing the promotion of "TRNC tourism" in Iran

[15] Information about the ships at the illegal "harbors" for year 2015

[16] The Turkish government to change laws for 'efficient trials' of coup plotters

[17] Sertoglu due to Istanbul to meet with Demiroren

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci addresses the 23th World Energy Congress in Istanbul

According to a statement issued by his office, addressing yesterday the 23rd World Energy Congress in Istanbul, Akinci noted that intensive negotiations have been conducted during the last 16 months with the aim of finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem. He alleged that in case the Greek Cypriot side also "develops a realistic and reasonable understanding" the achievement of a bi-zonal solution is possible within a short period of time.

Noting that the basic idea of the energy congress in Istanbul is "share for peace", Akinci expressed the view that this understanding could be materialized in the Eastern Mediterranean with Cyprus undertaking a role. Noting that the common target is for new horizons to be opened for peace with everyone's cooperation, Akinci reiterated: "The United Cyprus Federation, which will be established, will be able to seriously contribute in the issues of global energy safety and the access to energy. The natural gas, which will be extracted from the hydrocarbon recourses discovered in our area, could reach Europe in the most beneficial and safe way through Turkey with an energy corridor that will be built".

Akinci argued that this will not benefit only the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, but the prosperity and the gains which will come up will create an opportunity for putting aside the "unproductive conflicts" and for redefining the relations of countries which play important role in the area, such as Turkey, Greece and Israel, on the basis of cooperation and peace.

Noting that in parallel to the natural gas, the project of connecting the Middle East with Europe through undersea electricity cables is on the agenda, Akinci argued that instead of a cable between Israel, the government-controlled area of Cyprus, Crete and Greece, a cable between Israel, Cyprus and Turkey would be a faster, cheaper and shorter distance. "The solution in Cyprus will open new horizons in these fields", he argued.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci holds contacts at the 23th World Energy Congress in Istanbul

The paper publishes photographs of Akinci shaking hands with the Russian President, Vladimir Putin and posing for the "family photograph" of the head of states who participated in the Congress. The Presidents of Russia, Turkey, Venezuela and Azerbaijan, Putin, Erdogan, Maduro and Aliyev were among the leaders in the picture.

The paper reports also that before the beginning of the Congress, Akinci met with Ilham Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan.

Under the title "In the end he was meant to meet with Putin", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (11.10.16) reports that Akinci was introduced to Putin as "president of the TRNC".

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (11.10.16) reports that before the beginning of the Congress, Akinci held a closed-doors meeting with President Erdogan. No statement was issued after the meeting which lasted for about one hour.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkey and Russia signed the strategic Turkish Stream gas pipeline deal

During the signing ceremony with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ministers and experts will continue to hold bilateral talks after the deal, adding that they will also hold talks focusing on economy, politics, defence, tourism and culture.

Erdogan also said that they reached consensus on the acceleration of the process for the Akkuyu nuclear plant.

In addition, Putin also added that the two countries reached consensus on discount in natural gas prices as a part of the deal. He stated that Moscow also lifted restrictions on citrus exports.

President Erdogan also said they discussed Syria and the Euphrates Shield Operation in detail as well as strategies and cooperation regarding humanitarian aid to Aleppo. Putin said Moscow was on the same page with Ankara about delivering humanitarian aid to Aleppo.

According to the Russian leader, Moscow and Ankara also agreed to intensify military contacts.

The signing of the deal came after a bilateral meeting between Erdogan and Putin who was in Istanbul to attend the 23rd World Energy Congress.

Russia's Gazprom and Turkey's BOTAS in 2014 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the construction of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline, with a capacity of 63 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year from Russia to Turkey across the Black Sea.

The meeting of the two leaders marked the third time after bilateral relations were put back on track in August since the jet crisis.

This was Putin's first trip to Turkey since a bilateral crisis sparked by Turkey's shooting down of a Russian war plane over Syria last November. He and Erdogan have met on two occasions since a June deal to normalize ties after the plane crisis in Putin's home city of Saint Petersburg and then on the side-lines of the G-20 in China.

Earlier, speaking at the 23rd World Energy Congress, Erdogan had said Ankara was positive about the deal.

His remarks came before a bilateral meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also expressed his belief in the pipeline carrying more Russian gas to Turkey before it reaches Europe.

Putin said the need to develop the Turkish Stream natural gas project had been stressed in his talks with Erdogan, adding that Russia also actively planned to expand it hydrocarbon exports eastward to China, Japan and India. "Russia will further interact in energy with all interested parties for mutual beneficial partnerships on an equal footing," he added.

Meanwhile, also speaking at the event Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev said his country's energy investments in Turkey would reach $20 billion.

Aliyev said Azerbaijan and Turkey had built energy infrastructure, such as pipelines, to ensure both countries' energy security. "On a daily basis, Turkey plays a crucial role in the energy security of the region," he added.

He signalled that growth in Turkey's prosperity is important not only for Turkey as a leader in defining energy policy in the world, but also for the rest of the world.

Aliyev highlighted projects, which have been implemented in Turkey, to transfer Azerbaijan's oil and gas, and said Azerbaijan's gas will be delivered to global markets via four projects under the South Gas Corridor totaling $45 billion in value.

He hailed the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) as playing a crucial role in providing energy security in the region.

"We took the first step for the TANAP in 2012 in Turkey, which is a significant part of the South Gas Corridor, under the leadership of Azerbaijan and Turkey. The TANAP is an important agreement and many countries might become a part of this project," Aliyev said.

He also suggested that projects to transfer Azerbaijan's oil via Turkey should be stepped up.

[04] Erdogan: Turkey has the most viable route for the eastern Mediterranean gas

Noting that Turkey sits in a region where two-thirds of the world's natural gas resources are located, Erdogan said that the country has led many projects for its transport and distribution.

Erdogan said that Turkey aims to open the fourth gas corridor into Europe with the Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) project.

He also said that Turkey aims to produce 10% of its total electricity from nuclear power, and is looking for means to implement plans for a third nuclear power plant

He further added that Turkey plans to increase the contribution of solar, wind and hydroelectric power in its total electricity production to 30%.

[05] Israeli Minister set to visit Turkey on Oct 13

Israeli Minister of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz is expected to visit Turkey on Oct. 13, the Israeli Embassy in Ankara said in a written statement on Oct. 10.

"Minister Steinitz will meet his Turkish counterpart Berat Albayrak in Istanbul in order to discuss energy cooperation between the two countries," the statement read, adding that the two would meet on the side-lines of the 23rd World Energy Congress, during which Steinitz is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks for the Atlantic Council panel titled "A New Landscape in the Eastern Mediterranean".

Albayrak and Steinitz are expected to hold a joint press conference after their meeting in Istanbul, the Embassy said.

Turkey and Israel are now set to restore full diplomatic relations, including the exchange of Ambassadors who were pulled out of the respective capitals after the crisis.

Steinitz's visit marks the first visit at ministerial level between the two countries in the past six years.

"It is the result of the rapprochement agreed upon by the two countries. The visit is the expression of the great potential that exists in bilateral political and economic relations," the Israeli Embassy statement read.

[06] Reaction at the "assembly" about the "framework agreement" for the transfer of electricity from Turkey to the breakaway regime

"Deputies" of the opposition parties strongly criticized the "government" of the Democratic Party and the National Unity Party and asked who has information for the "framework agreement", writes the paper.

"Deputy prime minister" Serdar Denktas stated that this is a "framework agreement" and said that he did not study the agreement but he is aware of its context. He also said that the "minister of energy" Sunat Atun as well as "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun have the agreement in their hands and added that for the time being it is not something to be brought in front of the "assembly". "That is the reason I did not bring it here", he said, adding that all the details regarding the implementation of the agreement will be discussed at a later point, in 2018.

He went on and stated that in case a solution is reached the "electricity authority" will continue to produce electricity and that the "authority" could be divided in two and an "energy bureau" could be established. He also claimed that it is essential the electricity system of the breakaway regime to be connected with Turkey and as a result with Europe, noting that Turkey is connected for the time being with Georgia and Bulgaria via electricity.

On his part Ersin Tatar, "deputy" with the National Unity Party, stated that Turkey is giving great importance to this project and added that its feasibility and model will be revealed during studies to be conducted at a later point.

"Deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party Tufan Erhurman stated that they were informed about this agreement by the media and added that they do not agree with the procedure followed. He reminded the other "deputies" about all the mistakes made regarding the water transferred from Turkey and wondered what will happen in case similar issues appear with this agreement as well.

On his part, "deputy" with the Socialist Democracy Party Mehemt Cakici wondered who will give answers to the questions asked about the context of the agreement. He went on and said that the electricity authority will be given as present to a private company and that there is no cooperation with the opposition parties or the "assembly", on the issue. "The deputies did not have information on the issue. This is no democracy", he said.

(CS)

[07] Izcan and Ozyigit expressed their worries over the "electricity transfer agreement"

Izcan, who issued a written statement, said that an agreement should not be signed before the price of the electricity as well as the conditions for its transfer become known.

On his part, Cemal Ozyigit, the chairman of the Socialist Democracy Party expressed his worries over the issue: "We worry. How will the people use this electricity? Will we have similar or even bigger problems than the ones we experienced with the water transfer?" he said.

He also referred to the developments on the Cyprus problem and said that the negative statements made do not reflect the positive developments on the negotiations.

(CS)

[08] Turkish Cypriot electrical engineers: The connection with Turkey through undersea cables is a "strategic and economic necessity"

"Being interconnected with Turkey through undersea cables is a strategic and economic necessity", notes the report adding that the connection with the electricity system of the government-controlled area of the island could be useful, but because the price per kilowatt unit is high, it would not be economically beneficial to purchase electricity except for cases in which this is obligatory.

The report says that the most economical of the choices for the cable to be bought is the cable 154 kV HVAC 3X1000 mm˛ with 200 MW capacity and that the total cost of buying this cable is estimated to be 170 million US dollars.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Durust "invites" President Anastasiades to visit occupied Morphou

"On the one hand you hold talks for a solution and on the other hand, you put as a precondition that the return of a region which is within the boundaries of the TRNC is a sine qua non for you. This is unacceptable", Durust said, adding also the following: "I invite once more Mr. Anastasiades to Morphou. Come and inspect the investments being made in Morphou. They would realize that Morphou as it is today, is not Morphou they left. It has been developed a lot".

Supporting that occupied Morphou has become an "enterprise zone" especially after the "university investment", Durust argued the need for the "inhabitants" of the area to be able to live in security and peace. "It is out of question to reach to a solution that will bring peace and happiness to the one side and unhappiness and uneasiness to the other side. The agreement should bring peace and happiness to both sides", Durust also said.

Describing the statements by President Anastasiades as "unfortunate", Durust said that if Mr. Anastasiades finds the opportunity to "visit" occupied Morphou, he would realize what he is talking about.

(AK)

[10] Denktas stated that the "council of minister's decision" for the rending of a plot of land in occupied Keryneia to illegal YDU has been postponed

The plot of land is located near to the sea in occupied Keryneia area and it is considered as one of the most beautiful areas in the "country".

Meanwhile, speaking to the paper, the so-called minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu said that he has no official information about the postponement of the "agreement" and added that they had asked from the "antiquities department" about their view on the issue. He further explained that if the above mentioned plot of land is considered a "protected area", then the "council of ministers" should postponed its "decision".

(AK)

[11] The occupation regime announces the opening for housing of plots of land in several occupied villages

Evaluating as an "opportunity" of the Turkish Cypriot youth who want to own a house to make applications, Evren argued that their priority is the "youth people" of their "country". He added that at the first stage they will carry out infrastructure and asphalt works for 1,000 rural plots of land and by the end of 2017 they will carry out works for another 3, 358 plots.

(AK)

[12] "Officials" of the so-called ministry of environment met with officials of the World Bank and the Ministry of Forestry and Environment of Austria

In a written statement, the so-called ministry said that the meeting took place in the framework of the works for the development of the effectiveness of the "state organizations".

[13] Stones from occupied Agios Filonas monastery have been carried away

Carrying away the stones and the method used to carry them away caused reactions among the inhabitants of the area. At the same time, questions have been raised as regards the purpose of this transfer and the place the stones were carried away.

The inhabitants said that the truck and the crane used during the works for carrying away the stones caused damage to the mosaics which are located in the historic site. Moreover, they asked for explanations as to where the stones have been carried and the necessary "legal proceedings" to be launched against those responsible for the damage caused to the mosaics.

(I/Ts.)

[14] The "ministry of tourism" accused the Republic of Cyprus for preventing the promotion of "TRNC tourism" in Iran

The delegation, headed by the "minister of tourism" Fikri Ataoglu and with the support of the Turkish Airlines, went to the Iranian cities Tehran and Tebriz and held meetings with 165 travel agents.

Speaking to Diyalog, Ataoglu accused the Republic of Cyprus of having contacts with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and of putting obstacles towards the efforts to promote the breakaway regime. As a result, he said, the participation in the events they organized in Tebriz was limited and Iranian police followed their steps continuously.

Reporting further on the contacts they held in Iran, Ataoglu said that every year around 20,000 Iranian tourists visit the breakaway regime and added that for the first eight months of 2016, 16,000 Iranian tourists have already visited the occupied area of Cyprus. He also stated that this number is expected to be increased soon.

(CS)

[15] Information about the ships at the illegal "harbours" for year 2015

According to the paper, the number of ships that received services at the "harbours" was 3,849, while the number of the travellers that received services at the "harbours" in the same period was 159,760.

The paper also reports that the ships that sailed at the illegal harbours carried mostly the flag of Turkey or the "flag" of the breakaway regime. However, ships that carried the flag of 58 countries sailed at the "harbours". Among these countries are: England, Moldavia, Panama, Tanzania, Tongo and Malta.

(CS)

[16] The Turkish government to change laws for 'efficient trials' of coup plotters

"The trials will take place in cities where the coup attempt crimes were committed. They will be held in many cities and districts. These trials will not be merged as this will only complicate the proceedings and turn them into a mess," Bozdag said on Oct. 9.

While investigations into the coup attempt are ongoing, the government is set to make changes to a number of key articles of the Penal Code and Criminal Procedures Act, in an attempt to streamline the trial process. These changes include the following:

- Laundering of assets acquired as a result of an offense will be moved from the Penal Code to Anti-Terror Law. As a result, those who commit this crime will receive a bigger punishment.

- Military personnel charged with terror crimes, or with attempting to stage a coup, will be imprisoned in civilian jails instead of military prisons. Military personnel will be handed to the judicial police and not to the military police after being caught.

- With a change in the Criminal Procedures Act, trials will be able to be held in different locations within the boundaries of a certain jurisdiction.

- Courts will be able to assess the release appeals of those detained on terror accusations over the course of 15 days, instead of the current three days.

- If the court demands an additional testimony from the suspect, this will be able to be carried out by the police and not necessarily by the court.

- Judges will have the right to reject the defence's demand to hear additional witnesses if they believe that this is simply an attempt to prolong the proceedings.

- Instead of reading the entire indictment at the beginning of trail process, prosecutors will be able to read a summary of the indictment.

Further, Justice Minister Bozdag said that the government would likely submit the draft package to the Parliament this week.

"We are keen to have the package discussed at the sub-committees. We will welcome the opposition's contribution to the package and we are ready to listen if they suggest changes," he added.

[17] Sertoglu due to Istanbul to meet with Demiroren

According to the paper, Sertoglu and Demiroren will meet for the first time since 2012. During the meeting, they will discuss the relations between the two "federations".

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