Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-21

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Member of the Technical Committee on Crime reports on the co-operation between the Police of the Republic of Cyprus and the "police" of the breakaway regime

[02] Havadis reports that for the first time maps will be at the table in Geneva

[03] Turkish Cypriot lawyers said that the announcement of the "IPC" includes inaccuracies

[04] Statements by Eroglu on the Cyprus problem

[05] Tore: "If the TRNC is abolished I would pray to Allah to take my life"

[06] A four-storey boutique hotel is being constructed near occupied harbour of Keryneia

[07] "Co-operation protocol for the construction of new central prisons" was signed by Turkey and the breakaway regime

[08] Atlantic Council: Turkey, new US administration should think strategically

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Member of the Technical Committee on Crime reports on the co-operation between the Police of the Republic of Cyprus and the "police" of the breakaway regime

Onen stated that for the first time the ?police of the Republic of Cyprus came together with the "police" of the breakaway regime without a UN mediator and they agreed and signed for the surrender of four Iranians who escaped in the free areas of the Republic. The Iranians were accused of stealing two jewelry shops in the breakaway regime.

Onen stated that this development, which he described as "unique" took place for the first time after "intensive telephone diplomacy".

Onen also referred to the subjects of the murder in Ayia Napa who are held in a prison in the occupied area of Cyprus and said that there is an extradition request by the Republic of Cyprus for them. He said that the demand has neither been discussed in political level nor by the TCCCM.

Onen stressed the importance of a solution and the establishment of a federal police which will be able to deal with important issues like organized crime and terrorism. He also stated that this issue is very important and it is discussed at the Cyprus negotiations, adding that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci informed them last week about the process made on Cyprus talks on this issue.

(CS)

[02] Havadis reports that for the first time maps will be at the table in Geneva

According to UN sources, it is the first time that the leaders will discuss the territory issue with maps. As soon as the leaders return from Geneva, they will have intensive meetings for a week. The paper reports that by the end of November or beginning of December, the "multiparty conference" will be at the agenda, where Turkey and Greece will also participate and the issue of guarantees will be discussed.

It is expected that prior the meeting in Switzerland, the Turkish Cypriot side especially will seek the support of Turkey on the territory issue. It was reported that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci discussed with Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the developments on the territory issue during his visit in Istanbul last week.

Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus affairs Tugrul Turkes, during his illegal visit at the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus this week, reiterated AKP government's trust towards the negotiation process, adding that they also support eagerly the Cyprus talks.

Although Greece and Turkey will not participate in the meeting at Switzerland, an intense diplomatic traffic is continuing behind the scenes, in order to have a strong support on the issues of territory and guarantees.

(DPs)

[03] Turkish Cypriot lawyers said that the announcement of the "IPC" includes inaccuracies

The lawyers explained that they had to issue a written statement yesterday on behalf of the applicant P.L. because they have to clarify the IPC's written statement, which does not reflect some truths.

The lawyers stated on IPC's statement: "It is not comprehensible to file a lawsuit before the ECHR without exhausting first of the domestic remedies and to deny a payment which was done", is not correct, because the applicant has never denied that a payment was made at their written letter to the ECHR.

The Turkish Cypriot lawyers explained that another similar case filed against the IPC before the ECHR and has been discussed at the Greek Cypriot press but this case is represented by a Greek Cypriot lawyer, who is speaking continuously at the media. They stressed that their client has never made any statement on this issue at the Greek Cypriot media.

(DPs)

[04] Statements by Eroglu on the Cyprus problem

Referring to the period of his term, Eroglu said that the UN's Secretary General Report dated on March 4, 2011 which was announced prior to the then meeting in Geneva, was writing that "the leaders agreed that they would proceed to the discussion of the territory issue at the end of the process, including numbers and maps".

On the rotating presidency, Eroglu said that is a UN's parameter and claimed that it would be groundless to make concessions on this. "The cross voting is not possible to become accepted since this would mean that the Turkish Cypriot leader in the federation to be, would be elected by the Greek Cypriots", added Eroglu.

Evaluating also the current phase of the Cyprus negotiation process, Eroglu said that he realizes that a little progress has been achieved. Referring to the chapter of EU and the Economy, he claimed that very few differences remained during the discussion of these chapters in his term and alleged that those differences are not overpassed yet. "It is a sine qua non for us the permanent derogations and the solution to be EU primary law. From the statements made, I realize that there is not an agreement on this. If no agreement is reached on this, our people will be driven to the courts", Eroglu further said.

Regarding the property issue, Eroglu claimed that it would be wrong to leave the arrangement of the property issue to a committee after the solution.

On the issue of guarantees and security, he reiterated his known position that Turkey's active and effective guarantees should not be diluted.

(?)

(AK)

[05] Tore: "If the TRNC is abolished I would pray to Allah to take my life"

Arguing that it is their duty against their "martyrs" to safeguard the continuation of the "existence" of the "TRNC" and their "national identity", Tore said that they support the negotiation process under the condition that the solution to be, will be based on "two equal sovereignties" and will not force the Turkish Cypriot "people" to become refugees.

Tore reiterated National Unity Party's (UBP) position that they support a solution that will include the effective and active support of Turkey ("guarantees"). He further stated that although during Talat's term there was optimism concerning the solution, still the solution was not able to be found.

Referring to the close-session of the "assembly" and the briefing by Akinci regarding the ongoing Cyprus negotiation talks, Tore said that he insistently called Akinci to say openly to the "people" that he would not return Morphou", however, as he added, Akinci's response was that "I cannot say this, since, we have not yet discussed the territory issue". "The Greek Cypriot make statements every day about the territory issue and they always say openly 'we want the return of land, the Turkish Cypriots will return territories. Then, why we do not reply that we will not give land? The majority of people living in Morphou are Turks and thus Morphou should not be returned to the Greek Cypriots", Tore said.

Referring to the property issue, Tore argued that the property issue should be solved with compensations, as it happens with all other countries after a war. He continued giving as an example the case of Greece-Turkey and the case of Poland-Germany which solved their differences in the past with compensations.

Regarding the territory issue and the guarantees, Tore expressed the view that the discussion of these will lead to a blockage. Stating that the "people" will have the final say in a possible referendum, Tore claimed that the "people" will resist and will not permit the Greek Cypriots to take their houses and their land. "Recep Tayyip Erdogan will not withdraw from Turkey's guarantees and the Turkish army will not withdraw from Cyprus", Tore further claimed.

(?)

(AK)

[06] A four-storey boutique hotel is being constructed near occupied harbour of Keryneia

On the same issue, self-styled mayor of the occupied town of Keryneia Nidai Gungordu said that the land plot of the construction is a Turkish property before 1974. He added that the "municipality" gave the "building license" to the hotel and has all the "necessary permissions" for the construction.

(DPs)

[07] "Co-operation protocol for the construction of new central prisons" was signed by Turkey and the breakaway regime

Evren also held a meeting with the Turkish Minister of Interior Suleyman Soylu.

(CS)

[08] Atlantic Council: Turkey, new US administration should think strategically

Speaking to Serkan Demirtas, Kempe stated that change in the White House will provide enormous opportunity for the new U.S. administration to sit down with Turkish leaders and think about issues strategically. He also expressed his belief that Ankara and Washington will be able to leave disagreements behind as they focus on mutual goals and interests.

"My own view is, this is a time when Turkey and the United States together have such massive interests that when we have disputes over anything, that throws off our ability to get the big [problems solved]. We have to take on those disputes and we have to work together to solve them", he stated.

He went on and said the following:

"Over time, both sides will have to find a way to deal with the issue of Fethullah Gulen that both suits American legal demands and Turkish expectations. We are going to have to deal with the Kurdish issue in a way that understands the Kurds' role in the region but also the dangers that extremist organizations pose. But most of all, we have to understand that we no longer face a crisis of the Middle East, we face a crisis from the Middle East. And what I mean by that is, it is not a crisis that can be solved by outside actors."

Asked to comment on criticisms that Turkey does not act like a reliable partner and a NATO ally, he stated the following:

"Turkey is a pivotal state. I don't think there is another country in the world that is a hinge state in so many different ways. It is a Middle Eastern state, in a way. It is a Black Sea state in a way, a Central Asian state and a European state. I am not sure if there is another country that has this strategic function in so many different geographies, not to mention this dividing line between Europe and Asia. And, so, there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that the understanding in the West of Turkey's importance as part of the West will grow and has grown over time. And it also strikes me that Turkey is stronger as part of the West, looking into each of these issues as part of the West dealing with the Middle East; as part of the West dealing with Central Asia and as part of the West dealing with the Black Sea. Turkey on its own is not as strong and is not as anchored and so in my vision, it is vital that the West recognizes the value of Turkey and also that Turkey recognizes the value of the West. This is also why we are having our annual summit; a high-level dialogue platform on energy, economy, and security issues here in Istanbul every year. The next one will be on April 6-7, 2017." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy

(CS/AM)

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article