Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-24

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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] UNSG and Akinci have reportedly reiterated the target of reaching a solution in Cyprus by the end of 2016

[02] Ak?nc? met with the Austrian and German Ambassadors

[03] Kibris: The proportion in the federal civil servants will be 66%-34%

[04] Kibris Postasi: "Sinirlioglu is coming for a 'next room' diplomacy"

[05] Siber alleges that there could be no solution without Turkey's guarantees and unilateral intervention rights

[06] Denktas reiterates that they will continue granting "citizenships"

[07] "Citizenships" to Turkish and foreign nationals

[08] Turkish Cypriots living abroad can apply to "consulates" for receiving the "TRNC identity card"

[09] Izcan: "The negotiation process has entered into its most crucial stage"

[10] City surveillance camera system and a new prison in the occupied area of Cyprus

[11] "TRNC" has become member of "map2heal", an online health tourism reservation system

[12] French FM interviewed by Hurriyet prior to his visit in Turkey

[13] The US Consulate General in Istanbul issues security warning over potential attacks

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] UNSG and Akinci have reportedly reiterated the target of reaching a solution in Cyprus by the end of 2016

During their conversation which lasted for 20 minutes, the UNSG expressed his satisfaction with the progress achieved during the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem and assured that his support at the highest level will continue during the process that will follow.

Akinci thanked the UNSG for his close interest in the negotiations and expressed his views about the forthcoming stages of the process.

According to a statement, Akinci and the UNSG reiterated the target of reaching a solution in Cyprus by the end of 2016 and agreed to hold a contact in the near future.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ak?nc? met with the Austrian and German Ambassadors

The three discussed the latest developments on the Cyprus issue and the ongoing talks at the meeting which took place at the "presidential palace".

The so-called presidential spokesman Bar?s Burcu and the "head of the Technical Committees and Political and Historical Advisor" Meltem Onurkan Samani were also present at the meeting.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

Meanwhile, Ak?nc? will be meeting with the French Foreign Minister Jean Marc Ayrault who will be arriving in Cyprus tomorrow for a series of contacts.

Ak?nc? will meet the French Foreign Minister at the so-called presidential palace at 7pm.

[03] Kibris: The proportion in the federal civil servants will be 66%-34%

In addition, he notes, the two leaders agreed that the Federal Supreme Court will consist of equal number of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot judges and that the presidency of the Court will be carried out in rotation and for equal periods of time by a Greek Cypriot judge and a Turkish Cypriot judge.

In case the equality between the judges as regards the decisions for a case in the Federal Supreme Court is not spoiled, a list of foreign judges will be formed and a judge who will be invited to an additional hearing will be determined by drawing lots. Thus a decision will be secured, writes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Kibris Postasi: "Sinirlioglu is coming for a 'next room' diplomacy"

"It is out of the question for Mr Sinirlioglu being at the table at the negotiations on the territory issue. However, if his Greek interlocutor on this issue is there, in the next room of the room where the territory meeting is held, it will be very useful for Turkey and Greece to continue these issues which they have started discussing before. If his Greek interlocutor does not come, it is out of the question for Sinirlioglu to come. We expect the Greek Cypriot side to take the necessary step on this issue. President Akinci has many times before stressed the benefits of Turkey and Greece holding the aforementioned meetings on the guarantees. However, the Greek Cypriot side wants to continue falling behind intentionally on this issue. Their stance should change".

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side wants to "increase the level of the negotiations", the source alleged:

"In this sense, we will reach a solution more quickly by discussing in parallel with the territory the security and the guarantees. It is obvious that Sinirlioglu is one of the most equipped persons on the Cyprus issue. The Turkish side wanted this because our aim is to reach a comprehensive solution the soonest".

Referring to the place where the negotiations abroad will be held, the source said that most probable the meetings will be held in Switzerland, but the possibility of Finland or Austria should not be ignored. "If these countries insist and the leaders agree on this issue, why not?" the source said.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Siber alleges that there could be no solution without Turkey's guarantees and unilateral intervention rights

Siber argued that someday a different arrangement could be made, but today she considers as necessary the bi-zonality, ensuring Turkish Cypriot majority in the properties and population in the Turkish Cypriot "founding state", turning the agreement into a primary law of the EU, the continuation of Turkey's active and effective guarantees, that is, the presence of Turkish army in Cyprus, and Turkey's right to intervene unilaterally.

Referring to the property issue, Siber alleged that the "sentimental bond" has not been accepted and should not be accepted and argued that the decisions taken at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on the Demopoulos Case and in the USA on the Toumazos Case are in favor of the Turkish positions on the property issue. She noted that during their recent briefing of the "assembly" Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci told them that he did not accept the "emotional bond". "The property issue should be solved with compensations and exchange of property", she alleged.

Moreover, Siber claimed that in case the solution plan in Cyprus provides for total lifting of the guarantees in the next day of the solution, it will not be possible for the Turkish Cypriots to vote for it.

"In case no solution is reached, our isolation from the world cannot continue", she alleged and claimed: "On the one hand there is a recognized community and on the other a community which continues with a lot of difficulties. Therefore, a timetable is absolutely necessary".

Describing as good Akinci's performance in the negotiations, Siber expressed the view that Akinci will not submit to referendum an agreement which will not secure their political equality and safety.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Denktas reiterates that they will continue granting "citizenships"

"There are people who live, were born and grew up in my country, share the same culture with us and may have never visited Turkey. These are the people to whom we will give ["citizenship"]. There is no step backwards on this. […] As long as the Greek Cypriots prolong this process my population, my investments here will increase, and must increase […]"

Noting that his worries as regards the Cyprus problem increase, Denktas alleged that it is a "big mistake" to discuss the territory and the property issues together "in the same scales, because it seems that "the Greek Cypriots will gain" whatever happens there and "there is nothing which I can take in return".

Referring to the issue of guarantees, he also expressed "very big worries", because a system which has allegedly provided his safety will be abolished and something else will come to its place, which some circles will try to present as "guarantees". "This part is worrying me in an extremely unbelievable extent", he said adding that his worries do not decrease because Turkey will be at the table during the discussions of this issue, as Turkey will not have the power to resist due to the known stance of Greece, Britain and the Greek Cypriots and the statement by the Turkish Cypriot side that it is ready to discuss everything.

(I/Ts.)

[07] "Citizenships" to Turkish and foreign nationals

In this context, more Turkish nationals and four foreigners of Egyptian, Jordanian, Syrian and Iranian nationality obtained the "TRNC citizenship". According to the decision by the "council of ministers" issued at the "official gazette", the following persons obtained the "TRNC citizenship":

• Muzeyyen Duzce Cakmak, born in Kayseri, Turkey

• Riham Alaaeldin Mohamed Fahim, born in Cairo, Egypt

• Eyad Omar Mohammad Joudeh, born in Jordan

• Nader Hakouk, born in Syria

• Asgar Saidan, born in Tebriz, Iran

• Ufuk Derinel, born in Kayseri, Turkey

According to the paper, M. Maamooun Habbab of Syrian nationality and the Turkish national Nesrin Kiritan will obtain the "TRNC citizenship" with the condition that they will represent a criminal record, a safety report and a medical report.

(DPs)

[08] Turkish Cypriots living abroad can apply to "consulates" for receiving the "TRNC identity card"

Evren who issued a written statement, said that the works for the "consulate" in Istanbul and the "embassy" at Ankara to start accepting applications, are almost completed.

He also added that similar works started at the "consulates" of London and Mersina and at the "TRNC representation" in Abu Dabi which will start accepting applications soon.

Referring to the "e-cards" that started to be issued by the breakaway regime some time ago, Evren said that 27,000 "e-cards" have been issued so far adding that all the necessary arrangements are made so that any faced obstacles on this issue to be lifted.

(CS)

[09] Izcan: "The negotiation process has entered into its most crucial stage"

Referring to the territory issue, he said that this has also entered into a crucial phase and claimed that the will of the sides towards the solution will become visible from the bargaining towards the occupied Morphou. "[…]If progress is achieved on this chapter, an international conference might follow and we could speak about the end of this work", said Izcan.

Expressing the view that the issues remained unclosed on the chapters of property and governance and power sharing is possible to be solved, Izcan referred on the territory issue and recalled that for years there is on the table the percentage 29%+. He then argued that an agreement is possible to be reached even if the "other side says that it wants more".

Izcan went on and argued that the main bargaining and the most important difficulty to be experienced will be "the route to be followed towards the determination of the boundaries of the federal states" or the possible concession to be made on the territory issue.

Expressing also the view that "not making concessions is the same with not willing a solution", Izcan reiterated that his party fully supports the withdrawal of the Turkish troops and army from Cyprus.

(…)

(AK)

[10] City surveillance camera system and a new prison in the occupied area of Cyprus

An agreement has been reached between the "interior ministry" and Turkey's Interior Ministry for the planning and feasibility workings for the city surveillance camera system. Evren said that in order to increase security amongst the public the camera system will come into force so that the "police force" can strengthen its information system, remove some of the problems that are being experienced in streets and increase internal security.

Evren added that the camera systems will come into force in the occupied area of Lefkosia and Keryneia by February the latest.

Commenting also on the recent "protocol" of constructing new prisons in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Evren said that the new prison building will be constructed behind the building of "BRT" and will be an open and closed type of prison with 750 inmates' capacity.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (22.10.16) reports that Cafer Gurcafer, the chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot Contractors' Union", said that the tender of the construction of the new prison will be announce in Ankara and the project will be a joint venture of Turkish and Turkish Cypriot constructors.

(DPs)

[11] "TRNC" has become member of "map2heal", an online health tourism reservation system

The paper reports that the "agreement" was signed by the self-styled minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu, the chairman of the World Health Tourism Council Emin Cakmak and the chairman of the "Cyprus health tourism council" Ahmet Savasan. The aim of the agreement is to increase the revenue of the health tourism and to promote the health and physicians institutions in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

(DPs)

[12] French FM interviewed by Hurriyet prior to his visit in Turkey

Speaking to Hurriyet Daily News about his visit to Turkey in the aftermath of July 15 failed coup attempt Ayrault, will hold talks in Ankara with top Turkish officials, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on October 25.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

(…)After this collective trauma suffered by a whole people, it is important for Turkey's institutions to return to a normal, serene functioning, so that democracy eventually comes out stronger after this testing time.

Like our European partners, we also [believe] that the Turkish authorities' response has to comply with the rule of law, the respect for fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression, and Turkey's international commitments. These principles are central to the values we share with Turkey, as Mevlut Cavusoglu recently underlined at the Council of Europe.

Everyone needs to contribute to this effort to strengthen democracy and institutions, in the spirit of national unity which President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan called for from the Turkish people in the aftermath of the attempted coup.

(…)Turkey and the EU need to work together more than ever before, and that is in their interests. Strong commitments were made on March 18 during the EU-Turkey Summit, which will enable us to respond better, collectively, to the historic challenge we face and to save lives, by acting to combat illegal migration.

Talks are continuing with the aim of satisfying the criteria that still need to be fulfilled to enable the implementation of the visa liberalization agreement. As regards the counter-terrorism law, we in no case are asking Turkey to diminish its ability to combat this scourge. (…)

(…)

How would you regard the bilateral aspect of our ties? Why is France seemingly not very willing to support Turkey's EU membership?

(…)The ties between our two countries are strong, diverse and anchored in a deeply held friendship. They are currently enshrined in a strategic partnership established during the state visit of the French President in January 2014, when the key areas of cooperation were set down. My visit will help set down new concrete objectives for each of these areas for the period 2017-2019.

Our cooperation naturally extends to the fight against Daesh, including against foreign combatants.

But our bilateral agenda is not dominated solely by crises and threats! Together, we are looking to the future with structural projects, particularly in the fields of transport, energy and agriculture. We are also key economic and trade partners, in very diverse sectors, and these exchanges can be further strengthened.

As regards the relationship with the European Union, the road is indeed very long, I admit. However, this process also needs to help support Turkey's development, modernization and democratization.

[13] The US Consulate General in Istanbul issues security warning over potential attacks

"The U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul advises U.S. citizens that extremist groups are continuing aggressive efforts to attack Americans and/or other foreigners in Istanbul. These attacks may be pre-planned or could occur with little or no warning, and include, but are not limited to: armed attack, attempted kidnapping, bombing, or other violent acts," the statement issued on the Consulate website read.

Accordingly, the Consulate General advised U.S. citizens residing or visiting Istanbul to review their security practices when traveling to locations where Westerners are known to frequent or reside.

The Consulate General also urges citizens to avoid travel to the country's southeast, particularly near the Syrian border, stay away from large crowds and political gatherings and monitor local media.

(…) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/AM)

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