Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-19

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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 says they plan a meeting abroad in November to discuss the territory issue

[02] Ozgurgun: We cannot wait for the Greek Cypriot side and the solution, we will continue developing

[03] 1st Turkic World Youth Forum was held in the breakaway regime

[04] Turkes and Denktas address the "1st Youth Forum of the Turkic World" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] Arslan met with Akinci and discussed the Cyprus problem

[06] "E-governing protocol" signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime

[07] Tatar called Akinci not to proceed to the discussion of the territory issue

[08] Ertugruloglu met with Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the OIC

[09] Self-styled minister of tourism to attend the Global Health Tourism Summit and Fair

[10] "Moscow Times": An ultimatum from Putin to Erdogan

[11] The KTTO backs the "energy cooperation agreement" signed recently between Turkey and the occupation regime

[12] "Water Transfer Project" marks 1st year

[13] BKP participated in a meeting of the European Left Party

[14] The Turkish Football Federation will reportedly open an "office" in the occupation regime; Sertoglu met with Demiroren

[15] Woodchurch Scout group will visit the occupied area of Cyprus

[16] MHP backs government on charter bid

[17] Turkey joins coalition for Mosul operation

[18] Turkish FM: Iraqi delegation heading to Turkey, dialogue sought

[19] Dundar faces up to three years in jail on terror charges

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci says they plan a meeting abroad in November to discuss the territory issue

In statements after the meeting, Akinci said that they plan a meeting abroad in November for discussing the territory issue and added that "right afterwards we want holding a five-party meeting where security and the guarantees will be discussed".

Akinci argued that reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of the year has become a target for many sides including the UNSG's Special Advisor for Cyprus and President Anastasiades. Claiming that a "natural timetable" for achieving a solution by the end of 2016 has been created, Akinci reiterated that the reasons for this are the beginning of the campaign for the 2018 presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus, the change of the UNSG and the US President and the agreements for launching drilling works in Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for natural gas in 2017, "on which the Turkish Cypriots have also natural rights".

Referring to the natural gas resources in Cyprus' EEZ, Akinci alleged: "Activities which will take place there without an agreement are turning an issue on which cooperation should be made into a field of potential tension".

Furthermore, Akinci claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side continuously shows that it is ready for a solution in Cyprus and that solution within 2016 is possible in case of both sides are ready for it. He argued that the details of the solution plan and the preparation of the federal laws could remain for 2017 and the referendum could be held in the mid-2017.

Underlining the importance of close consultation with Turkey and the "TRNC" during the negotiations, Akinci expressed the view that reason and realism should be exhibited in order for making possible a solution with which all sides to benefit. "This is what we expect from our interlocutors", he claimed and alleged: "Instead of demanding the impossible, if they behave within the scope of fair, realistic and reasonable measures, we will find a way out, because I allege that we are behaving within the scope of reasonable measures".

Meanwhile, under the title "The Cyprus negotiations are being carried to Switzerland", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (19.10.16) reports that the intensified negotiations on the territory issue are expected to be held in Switzerland between 5 and 11 November. According to the paper, during his meeting with Turkes, Akinci expressed the hope "for us to be able to pass into a meeting of continuous form in the first week of November, just like we have been always saying, but right after that we want a five-party meeting to take place". "Thus the final shape could be formed with the security and guarantees in an environment in which the guarantors will also be present", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozgurgun: We cannot wait for the Greek Cypriot side and the solution, we will continue developing

In statements during the meeting, Ozgurgun alleged that they cannot wait for the Greek Cypriot side and the solution and claimed: "If the TRNC needs an agreement, the Greek Cypriot side also needs an agreement. If they do not need an agreement, we also do not need one. [?] We cannot sit and wait for the Greek Cypriot side for an agreement. We have to continue our development in economic and social sense and in infrastructure".

Noting that during the recent period they are closely working and cooperating with the Turkish government, Ozgurgun described as "important" the "working visits" of Turkes and his delegation at a stage when the "economic cooperation protocol" is being implemented. He further claimed that "TRNC's" economic and social development is an important message at this stage when negotiations are being held".

In his statements, Turkes said that they have evaluated proposals and the situation of their common projects within the framework of their economic and social cooperation. He further described as "good coincidence" the fact that his visit coincides with the anniversary of bringing water from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus. "Now we have bigger projects", he said.

(I/Ts.)

[03] 1st Turkic World Youth Forum was held in the occupied area of Cyprus

The forum was held at the Acapulco Hotel in occupied Keryneia and was attended by 300 youths from 25 countries and parliamentarians from Turkic countries. Speakers at the Forum were "deputy prime minister" Serdar Denktas and the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in Charge of Cyprus Affairs Tugrul Turkes.

[04] Turkes and Denktas address the "1st Youth Forum of the Turkic World" in the occupied area of Cyprus

He alleged: "That is, while diplomatic matters, issues which should be settled in the negotiations exist on the one hand, isolations on basic humanitarian points, threats, limitations and ugly ploys exist on the other. You as TRNC should be presented as an athletic club in the Greek Cypriot side, only from there I could give you permission to play. [?] These minds should change and you are the ones who should change these".

Furthermore, Turkes argued that the Turkic youth should obtain the information and equipment required by the 21st century, the century of information. He further underlined that it is important for the Turkic youth to follow well the developments of the 21st century and have the possibility of producing solutions.

Moreover, Turkes alleged that the Turkish language is at the fifth place of the most widely expanded languages in the world, since it is not spoken only in Turkey, the occupied area of Cyprus, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, but also by 30 million Turks living in the Russian Federation and 25 million Turks living in the People's Republic of China.

In his address, Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, also alleged that embargoes are implemented on the Turkish Cypriots by states which call themselves civilized and defenders of the human rights. He claimed that the Turkish Cypriot youth is deprived of the right of participating even in sports activities.

According to Denktas, the Turkish Cypriots expect from the Turkic states the participation of Turkish Cypriot young people in sport and cultural activities held within the "Turkic world" and their contribution in the lifting of "this shame for the humanity".

Arguing that the whole world exerts pressure for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Denktas said: "Let a solution happen and this solution will not be like the Greek Cypriots think, a Greek island where elements who speak the Turkish language exist. This country is our home. We want to live our joys and grievances here. We have protected our identity for 400 years. We want to protect it from now on as well and live humanly".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Arslan met with Akinci and discussed the Cyprus problem

Speaking during the meeting Arslan said that their goal was to complete new infrastructural projects in the "TRNC".

Akinci for his part underlined the importance of maritime and communication projects, particularly since the breakaway regime is an island "state".

Pointing out that the illegal Tymbou airport is "the TRNC's gateway to the world" Akinci said that it was their desire to see the "airport" receive the much needed upgrade.

Also touching upon the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that the Cyprus Problem had been going on for almost half a century. "Everything has a saturation point. I believe that the Cyprus problem has reached its saturation point. We need to find a mutually acceptable solution which can be beneficial to all parties. The Greek Cypriots need to show the same sincerity that we are displaying in the talks. We can't achieve anything if you constantly demand the impossible" he argued.

Akinci also said that the Cyprus problem has reached a critical stage and that the next two months are crucial for the future of the island and added that a solution could allow the creation of an energy corridor in the region with the discovery of hydrocarbons.

[06] "E-governing protocol" signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime

Speaking after the meeting Durust said that "the TRNC as a state had to improve and advance itself as well as achieve a more prestigious place in the world".

He however claimed that this could only be achieved with the support of "motherland Turkey"

Stressing that the implementation of the new "e-governing project" will be a turning point in the "country", he said he had no doubt that the "postal services" will improve further with the "memorandum" to be signed.

Stating that 2017 "will be a year of breakthroughs for the TRNC in terms of highways and telecommunication", Durust said: "We are not like others. We never take offence for the support we receive from the motherland."

Turkish Minister Arslan for his part pointed to the importance of cooperation between Turkey and the breakaway regime and said that they attach importance to transferring Turkey's own experiences to the "TRNC" in the fields of transportation, communication and navigation. He said 123 million TL was allocated this year with the aim of developing and improving the "TRNC's infrastructure, particularly its highways, aviation and maritime sector".

Noting that a total of 788 million TL had been spent on the "TRNC's highways" to this day, he argued that all these investments had been made so that the breakaway regime could stand on its own feet and for raising the prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots.

Meanwhile, stamps prepared on the occasion of the 1st anniversary of the Water Supply Project were revealed to the public following the signing ceremony.

Arslan and Durust then visited occupied Panagra where they held inspections on the Water Supply Project Facilities and Panagra Dam.

They also held inspections in the occupied Keryneia carport.

[07] Tatar called Akinci not to proceed to the discussion of the territory issue

Arguing that the expectations of the Turkish Cypriot side in the four chapters under discussion were not met, Tatar supported that the opening of the territory and guarantee issues for discussion is unacceptable. He claimed also that the "Greek Cypriot side is hiding behind the game of seeing the concessions of the Turkish Cypriot side on the territory issue".

(?)

[08] Ertugruloglu met with Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the 43rd Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers meeting of the OIC

Ertugruloglu met with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on the sidelines of the meeting. The Cyprus negotiations process was discussed at the meeting.

[09] Self-styled minister of tourism to attend the Global Health Tourism Summit and Fair

Ataoglu will be delivering a speech on "health tourism in the TRNC" at the opening ceremony of the summit.

[10] "Moscow Times": An ultimatum from Putin to Erdogan

According to the "Moscow Times", Putin in a phone conversation with Erdogan, warned him about the devastating outcomes in case Turkey interferes in Mosul.

According to the paper, Putin said:

"Russia will not repeat the same mistakes. If any Turkish soldier enters Mosul, we shall intervene to liberate the entire Cyprus, overthrow your puppet regime in North Nicosia and your four-decade occupation. You must withdraw immediately your troops from Cyprus. It is totally unacceptable from you to play the dirty game in order to change the ethnic map of Mosul and export your own political crisis to other countries by derailing military efforts to liberate Mosul".

According to the paper, "The Moscow Times" cited President Putin as saying: "Esteemed President, you are openly directing Turkish Cypriots on an uncompromising and aggressive line. There are many incidents of Turkish soldiers harassing the local Cypriots. For this reason, we believe it is a quite legitimate demand, Turkey to return the Agia Sophia Cathedral to the Christendom in Istanbul".

[11] The KTTO backs the "energy cooperation agreement" signed recently between Turkey and the occupation regime

The KTTO referred in the statement on the "energy cooperation agreement" signed recently by the so-called minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun and the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Berat Albayrak which envisages the "energy cooperation" between Turkey and the occupation regime, the transferring of "electricity" from Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus via cables and the establishment of an interconnected system between the two "countries" with the aim to achieve the transferring of several economic energy resources.

The KTTO said in the statement that it fully supports the above "agreement/" and expressed the will to be actively included into the working group to be established in the framework of the implementation of the "cooperation protocol".

(AK)

[12] "Water Transfer Project" marks 1st year

Today, a total of 74 settled areas in 24 of the 28 "municipalities" in the "country" are being supplied with water.

According to information released by the "ministry of agriculture and natural resources" water levels at the Panagra Dam which can hold up to 26.5 million cubic meters of water currently stands at 75%.

Around 52 thousand cubic meters of the water is being treated before being distributed across the occupied area of Cyprus.

The "Water Transfer Project" which pumps water from the Dragon river in Anamur Turkey to the breakaway regime via an 80km undersea suspended pipeline cost around 1.6 billion Turkish Liras to complete.

[13] BKP participated in a meeting of the European Left Party

According to a statement issued by the BKP, the meeting was hosted by the Worker's Party of Hungary.

(AK)

[14] The Turkish Football Federation will reportedly open an "office" in the occupation regime; Sertoglu met with Demiroren

Invoking reliable sources close to Demiroren, the paper writes, that during the meeting in Istanbul, Sertoglu and Demiroren had not discussed the issue related with the process with the Cyprus Football Association (KOP) or the agreement being achieved in Zurich.

The same sources said that during the meeting, Sertoglu and Demiroren agreed upon the opening of an "office" by the Turkish Football Federation to the occupied area of Cyprus. The paper adds that Demiroren has reportedly brought into the agenda of the meeting the proposal for the opening of an "office" of the Turkish Football Federation in the "TRNC" in order to contribute further to the development of the football in the "TRNC" and also to provide help to the "Turkish Cypriot football federation" to make openings abroad. The same sources stated further that Sertoglu, who was against the opening of such an "office" in the "TRNC", did not turn against the proposal this time.

(AK)

[15] Woodchurch Scout group will visit the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, the visit of the Woodchurch Scout group is considered important from the point of view that the contacts of the Turkish Cypriot scouts abroad are limited due to reportedly embargoes.

The Woodchurch Scout group will consist from 12 scout students and 5 scout leaders under the leadership of scout commissioner Jullian West.

The Scout group will also be hosted at the "youth camp" in occupied Lapithos and will also meet with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the self-styled minister of education Ozdemir Berova.

(DPs)

[16] MHP backs government on charter bid

"I have confidence in the Turkish public. If the AKP brings the constitutional charter to a parliamentary vote and is sensitive to our stance, I believe a healthy and reasonable outcome will be achieved," MHP head Devlet Bahceli told his party's group on Oct. 18. "If the conditions are met, we will have no hesitation in consulting our mighty public about any solution to a problem or a puzzle."

Bahceli's statement came a day after he met Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in a face-to-face meeting where the two men discussed efforts to renew the Constitution that would also introduce a presidential system. With its 316 seats in Parliament, the AKP is at least 14 votes short of introducing a constitutional amendment, as any charter change requires the support of at least 330 votes in order to take it to a referendum. The MHP has 40 seats in Parliament and its support for the AKP will suffice to take any amendment to a public vote.

Only minutes after Bahceli's address to his group, Yildirim announced that his party "will submit its proposal, which includes the presidential system and constitutional changes, to parliament. The decision will be left to the noble Parliament."

Echoing Bahceli's comments on the need to legalize the "de facto presidential system," Yildirim said Erdogan was elected through a popular vote. "What we want is to eliminate the disorder which this situation created in the system. In order to do that, the recent situation should be compatible with the Constitution."

In addition, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (19.10.16) also reports that Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chair Selahattin Demirtas has said that the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is engaged in a "filthy bargain" with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) over shifting Turkey to a presidential system,

"I don't have any specific information but [MHP head Devlet] Bahceli and the AKP are preparing an agenda via holding meetings behind closed doors," Demirtas told reporters on Oct. 17, adding that the MHP "pretends to be doing opposition but is actually having secret meetings with the AKP."

"This is a deliberate scenario set up by the AKP and the MHP. No one should try to sell us a dictatorship under the name that the parliamentary system doesn't work," he added, stressing that the HDP opposes the presidential system.

[17] Turkey joins coalition for Mosul operation

The agreement between the two allies was reached at a meeting between Turkish and American chiefs of general staff in Washington over the weekend, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim said in a phone interview with daily Hurriyet on Oct. 18.

Yildirim said the deal referred to the Turkish Air Force's participation in air strikes by coalition forces against Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) positions in and around Mosul.

The announcement came after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan strongly pressed for Turkey's active participation in the operation and to sit at the same table with all coalition countries.

Turkey is not joining aerial strikes right now, Yildirim said. "But there is an agreement on the participation of Turkish aerial vehicles in the operation in principle. In the event there is a need, our warplanes will participate as part of the coalition. What is important is to be part of it," Yildirim told reporters after a parliamentary group meeting. His earlier remarks at the group were interpreted as suggesting that Turkish jets had already joined the coalition's aerial campaign.

According to the agreement, Turkey will put a certain number of its F-16 Fighting Falcons under the order of the Kuwait-based Mosul Operation Command Center. The warplanes will be called for duty on daily and weekly assignments. Turkish warplanes will take off from Turkey's Incirlik Air Base in the southern province of Adana. Turkish warplanes will conduct a minimum of two and a maximum of 10 sorties a day, according to the agreement.

Turkey, meanwhile, has said it will not conduct any aerial strikes in which there could be civilian casualties, daily Hurriyet has learned.

The agreement between the two countries also envisages the use of Incirlik by coalition warplanes that have already been deployed to the base. Another military base in Diyarbakir, however, will be used as the center of communication and of search and rescue operations. The center will play an important role in conducting aerial strikes against ISIL during the Mosul operation.

The deal does not include Turkish unmanned aerial vehicles on the grounds that the control of the drones will be under the Kuwait command center and because of the intense fight against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In the meantime, Turkey will attend a meeting of anti-ISIL coalition countries to be held in Paris on Oct. 20. The meeting will be co-chaired by the French and Iraqi foreign ministers who will review ongoing efforts to defeat ISIL. France will host a defense ministers' meeting in Paris in Oct. 25 as well.

[18] Turkish FM: Iraqi delegation heading to Turkey, dialogue sought

Turkish and Iraqi officials discussed the status of Turkish troops in northern Iraq and agreed to continue dialogue in order to make the status of these forces clear, sources speaking on condition of anonymity told the Hurriyet Daily News, discussing a visit by a Turkish delegation to Baghdad on Oct. 17.

The parties also reportedly discussed the ongoing Mosul operation to retake Mosul from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), including the role of Nineveh fighters.

Meanwhile, supporters of the Iraqi Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr have been demonstrating in front of the Turkish Embassy in Baghdad since Oct. 17, demanding the withdrawal of Turkish troops. More than 10,000 people gathered in front of the embassy but dispersed on Oct. 18, local sources told the Hurriyet Daily News.

[19] Dundar faces up to three years in jail on terror charges

The indictment against Dundar and daily Ozgur Gundem's managing editor, Inan Kizilkaya, sought between one year and three years in jail for the suspects over the alleged crime, committed when a news story titled "HPD actions are ongoing" and subtitled "A guerilla was killed" was published in the June 22 edition of the daily, referring to the Peoples' Defense Units, a sub-group of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

The document also noted that Ozgur Gundem was shut down for making "PKK terror propaganda and was run as the organization's media outlet."

While Dundar's defense could not been taken, Kizilkaya denied the charges, saying the related news stories "should be considered within the freedom of press."

A total of 44 prominent journalists - including Hasan Cemal, Seyhmus Diken, Tugrul Eryilmaz and Ayse Duzkan - served as one-day editors-in-chief of Ozgur Gundem during the campaign.

Dundar, the former editor-in-chief of daily Cumhuriyet, was earlier this year sentenced to five years and 10 months in prison for revealing state secrets in a report on a shipment of arms intercepted at the Syrian border in January 2014. Dundar is believed to be outside the country after he was freed earlier this year pending an appeal following his trial. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/AM)

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