Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-12-08

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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: Everyone should do his part in order not to let the historical opportunity to be lost

[02] Cavusoglu: You cannot continue an open-ended negotiation process forever and have a result

[03] Eide stated that a road map had emerged in the negotiations

[04] Turkes alleges that Turkey is guarantor of the entire Cyprus

[05] Negotiators discussed "foreign relations" at yesterday's meeting

[06] Ozgurgun: "We are against territorial concessions"

[07] Commentary: "If Karpasia is lost"

[08] Ozgurgun: "Why should we adopt the time of the EU or the archbishop?"; Denktas: Turkey did not demand the continuation of summer time

[09] Reactions by the business community and politicians in the breakaway regime to keep summer time continue

[10] Denktas: The debt exceeded 16 billion TL

[11] Ankara summons German ambassador over 'misbehaviour' against Turkish Deputy Parliament Speaker

[12] Demirtas is being overtly tortured in prison: HDP lawmaker

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: Everyone should do his part in order not to let the historical opportunity to be lost

Stressing that January will be a turning point for Cyprus, Akinci said: "Our wish is to conclude the process positively".

Asked whether his expectations from the European Commission are intended for post-solution or if he had any expectations for the negotiations in January, Akinci replied: "We have expectations from the EU both for today and after the solution with regard to financial and technical support. If all goes well, a referendum will be held within the next 6 or 7 months, as soon as possible in the middle of the year. We need time for preparing the Turkish Cypriot people for the European institutions and harmonizing the Turkish Cypriot institutions into the EU norms. We have already had preparations in this regard. However, it is difficult to say these preparations are sufficient. We will work in this respect. This is another area of contribution by the EU".

Noting that the EU also follows very closely the Cyprus talks, Akinci said: "Both EU officials and we, say that we will be in contact with each other whenever we wish. They want to contribute to the solution in Cyprus. I observed it during all my contacts in Brussels. The President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker also reconfirmed this. All sides are aware of the impacts of a solution which have dimensions beyond the island of Cyprus. Not only the Turkish and the Greek Cypriots but also Europe needs such a solution. They clearly voice it. Turkey-EU relations are also crucial in this process. I also highlighted this point. If the relations between Turkey and Europe advance, it will have more a positive reflection on the Cyprus problem."

Pointing out that during the meeting Juncker clearly expressed that the EU would not withhold their support, Akinci said: "When we last met with him, he told us that the EU would provide technical and financial support. He stands by his words and told us again that they will support a solution in every aspect."

When asked if the EU will send a representative as an observer to the meetings that will be held on 12 January, Akinci reminded that there was a representative of the EU in Burgenstock 12 years ago and continued: "Juncker is willing to do so. Mogherini might be there too. From January 9 to 11, the two communities of Cyprus will have meetings. It will be the meeting of the two leaders and their delegations to advance their negotiations. From January 12, these meetings will become the five-party-conference".

Recalling that according to the mutual understanding reached, they will have first bilateral and then five-party format, and if needed, related parties could participate in the meeting, Akinci added: "As it was in Burgenstock 12 years ago, the EU can be involved as a related party next to the negotiation table, but not as a party present in the negotiation table".

In response to a question if the Greek Cypriot leader has any demand to include the members of the UN Security Council, Akinci said: "There is no consensus reached on this issue. When you go to increase the number of participants, the more you increase the number, the more difficult it is to overcome the problems. So, we are not in favour of expanding. We have not yet concluded the participation of the EU. It will come to the agenda and determined as the need arises."

On another question, Akinci noted that Juncker stands by his words and there was no figure mentioned for a financial contribution. He noted that the EU clearly expressed their support on this issue.

[02] Cavusoglu: You cannot continue an open-ended negotiation process forever and have a result

Pointing out that no result could be obtained from the second round of the Mont Pelerin talks, the Turkish Foreign Minister reminded that the Greek Cypriot side had demanded a break during the first round and wanted to leave the table at the second round of the summit. "As a result of the meetings held on the island a decision was taken to return to the negotiations. Principally, the talks need to have a process that will be resolved within a schedule", Cavusoglu added.

Noting that ahead of the 5-party meeting which will start on the 12th of January, the two sides will continue to take up the outstanding issues, he said: "This is what we have demanded. The process should be result oriented and scheduled. You cannot continue an open-ended negotiation process forever and have a result. Everyone is happy with the current picture. We see this here also."

Claiming that Turkey had always supported and will continue to support the process, Cavusoglu alleged: "None of the countries provided a stronger support than Turkey. (...) There is something which our President says: We will be one step ahead of everyone else. We are and this is how it has always been".

Also evaluating Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci's Brussels contacts, he said: "It is healthy that especially the EU leaders, the leaders of other countries and Foreign Ministers could be briefed by the Turkish side on the latest developments. Any existing misunderstandings or disinformation could be removed. Therefore, the EU officials' invitation of and meeting with Ak?nc? was extremely healthy."

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (08.12.16) reports that Turkey's Foreign Minister Cavusoglu, who was participating in the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting, met also with the British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson and wrote in his twitter: "Discussed developments about EU, Cyprus and Syria w/Foreign Secretary @BorisJohnson of the UK".

[03] Eide stated that a road map had emerged in the negotiations

Speaking in an exclusive interview to "BRT", the UN Special Envoy highlighted the importance of the forthcoming international conference in moving the process forward.

Explaining that the deadlock in the negotiations following the failed round of talks in Mont Pelerin, Switzerland had been broken last week, Eide said that all interested parties were preparing for the upcoming talks in Switzerland in January 2017.

Stating that the talks were back on track, the UN Special Advisor reminded that the negotiators of the two leaders will be meeting three times a week to reach as many convergences as possible on the outstanding chapters before heading off to Switzerland.

Responding to a question regarding the problems experienced with the modality of the talks in the recent past, Eide said that they had made sure that such problems will not arise in the future.

Pointing out that the two leaders will also be meeting before the talks in Geneva; Eide stated that a road map had emerged in the negotiations.

Explaining that he had held important contacts in Athens and Ankara in the past week, Eide said that all three guarantor countries, Turkey, Greece and UK were pleased with the fact that the talks were continuing.

"The three guarantors may have differing views but they all agree on one point and that is that the process should move forward. They are aware that the failure of the negotiations in Cyprus will not only have negative consequences for Cyprus but for the region as well. They are openly expressing their support to the process", he said.

Underlining the importance of the upcoming international conference, the UN Special Advisor Espen Barth Eide said that setting a date for the 5-party conference had played an important role in moving the process forward. "Had the two leaders not set the date we would have endlessly moved around in circles. That is why the leaders set the date for the conference", he added.

Pointing out that the issue of security and guarantees was important for both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots, Eide said that both sides had historically rooted concerns about the other side.

He said that the settlement to be reached had to address these concerns and could only be carried out in consultation with the guarantor countries.

Stating that the issue was a critical one and could result in the failure of the talks even if agreement was reached on all other outstanding issues, Eide said that this was something that they were trying to avoid.

The UN Special Envoy said that he had urged all three guarantor countries to create the ideal conditions and environment so that a settlement could be reached on the island.

[04] Turkes alleges that Turkey is guarantor of the entire Cyprus

Addressing the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the discussion of the budget of his ministry, Turkes noted that "the governments of Turkey have supported the Turkish Cypriots in the strongest way" since they were allegedly excluded from the administration of Cyprus by the Greek Cypriots. "We are determined to continue any kind of financial, economic and social aid to the TRNC regardless of the ongoing negotiations on the island today", he said adding that Turkey's support will continue in spite of the "isolation" and the "embargoes" allegedly implemented on the Turkish Cypriots.

"As motherland we provided to the TRNC support of around 10 billion Turkish liras since 2002. The approximately 1,6 billion TL spent for the Water Supply Project are not included to this", he said.

Referring to the aid provided by Turkey to the occupied area of Cyprus, Turkes said that this aid reached its highest level in 2009 by increasing to 928 million TL from 424 million TL in 2002. "Until now, 730 million TL was used from the 1,5 billion TL fund separated for 2016", he said adding that when the breakaway regime's local income cannot cover its expenses, Turkey's aid is used for the "budget deficit". He noted that the support for the "budget deficit" was 621 million TL in 2009 and decreased to 220 million TL in 2015.

Turkes pointed out that financial support is provided for the regime's economic sector, financing, infrastructure and real sector, and that 300 projects are being carried out.

Referring to the Cyprus talks, he alleged that "the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot side" led to wasting another important chance in Switzerland in spite of the Turkish Cypriot side's insistent wish for a solution and just demands. He claimed: "We have given nothing to anyone. Turkey is guarantor of the entire island, like Britain, not only the north. We are not guarantors only of the Turkish Cypriots, we are guarantors of the entire island, the entire population living on the island. This agreement has not changed".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Negotiators discussed "foreign relations" at yesterday's meeting

Citing information by the so-called presidency, the paper writes that the meeting was finished at 13.00 and during the next meeting which will be held on Friday, issues related to the chapters of EU and territory will be discussed.

According to the paper, UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide also participated in yesterday's meeting.

(CS)

[06] Ozgurgun: "We are against territorial concessions"

(I/Ts.)

[07] Commentary: "If Karpasia is lost"

It is not yet clear what the outcome will be of the imperialist Western states' interferences that resulted in the de facto division of Iraq and Syria.

It was the peoples of Iraq and Syria that paid the price. The efforts of the United States -- which does not conceal its goal of deriving 'statelets' from Syria, a country that is de facto divided into three like Iraq -- to rearrange the region have increased even more the strategic value of the TRNC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] from Turkey's viewpoint.

Currently, Turkey is waging a big struggle to prevent a PKK-PYD [Workers Party of Kurdistan-Democratic Unity Party] corridor that will stretch from northern Syria to the Mediterranean by also introducing the TSK [Turkish Armed Forces] into the field.

Ankara knows that once a PKK-PYD "statelet" that will stretch along its southern border and reach the Mediterranean is established, the goal of shattering Turkey's territorial integrity and breaking off the southeast Anatolia region will be realized. Ankara is trying to eliminate this threat with its Euphrates Shield before it grows. It is clear that the United States is in favour of a Kurdish statelet under the administration of the PKK-PYD in the east of the Euphrates, if not in the west, for now.

We can say that this project accords a new dimension to the Cyprus issue.

Quietly and Unobtrusively

At a time when, in addition to influential countries like the United States, Russia, Britain, France, Iran, and Turkey, 63 states of varying sizes are active in the field in Syria and the chaotic situation in the region is occupying the world's agenda, the Cyprus negotiations were also conducted quietly and unobtrusively. As the TRNC and the Greek Cypriot administration mutually announced that some distance has been covered in the negotiations, we received news of a renewed impasse. There is talk of a possible resumption of the negotiations in January.

Ankara, which is waging a struggle against both DAES [DA'ISH, Arabic acronym for the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant] and the PKK in Syria and Iraq, has also been keeping an eye on the Cyprus negotiations.

The Importance of Karpaz

It has become clear that the Greek Cypriot side wants the whole of Maras [Varosha] and Guzelyurt [Morphou] as well as the rearrangement of Karpaz. The Greek Cypriot administration, which aims at disintegrating the TRNC, is insistent especially on Karpaz.

There is no need to explain the strategic importance of the TRNC territory, especially of Karpaz, for the energy and trade routes in the eastern Mediterranean. Naturally, this is also true in terms of the natural gas fields in the eastern Mediterranean.

For Turkey, not conceding Karpaz to the Greek Cypriot administration is at least as important as preventing the establishment of a corridor on its southern border.

A Cyprus from which the Turkish troops have withdrawn and in which Karpaz has been ceded to Greek Cypriot sovereignty would constitute a situation greatly opposed to Ankara's national interests in the eastern Mediterranean, also given the possible fragmentation in Syria.

The reason is the EU

The reason for the lack of solution in the Cyprus issue, which has turned into an endless problem, is the EU's partial and erroneous policy.

It is the EU that linked Turkey's EU accession to Cyprus. Let alone Turkey's membership, the EU has set the solution of the Cyprus issue as a precondition for Turkey's becoming a 'candidate for accession'. Not only that, but the EU also announced that it will admit the Greek Cypriot sector as a full member even if it said "no" to the Annan Plan and even sabotaged it.

Although the Turkish Cypriots said yes while the Greek Cypriots said no to the Annan Plan, the EU accepted the Greek Cypriot administration as a full member representing the entire island. As of that point, the EU "solved" the Cyprus problem from the viewpoint of Greece and the Greek Cypriot administration, and punished the TRNC.

What they term the new solution now is the insistence on a model that will ensure that the Turkish Cypriots fall under a Greek Cypriot administration in the future and become disintegrated over time.

The Greek Cypriot side, which wants 'the Turkish troops to go', does not even mention the British bases. Even if Turkey and the TRNC accept these demands, there is not even the slightest green light with regard to Turkey's EU accession. It is an empty dream to expect Ankara to say "yes" to these plans at a time when it is clear that the solution of the Cyprus problem along the lines of the Greek Cypriots' wishes coupled with Syria's fragmentation will greatly weaken Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.

The fact that the Cyprus issue has become a part of the Syrian problem should also not be forgotten in the process ahead".

[08] Ozgurgun: "Why should we adopt the time of the EU or the archbishop?"; Denktas: Turkey did not demand the continuation of summer time

Referring to Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci's statement that it would be wise to implement winter time, Ozgurgun argued that during the meeting of the "council of ministers" held in Akinci's presence, the Turkish Cypriot leader told them that he understood them and that they were right, when they explained to him the reasons of their decision to continue implanting summer time. Claiming that as "government", they are trying to cooperate in harmony with Akinci, Ozgurgun expressed the view that it would be better if Akinci said nothing after the meeting of the "council of ministers". He said that the fact that Akinci issued a statement caused problems and that he should evaluate things more carefully.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (08.12.16) reports that Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister of the breakaway regime, has argued that they have taken their decision on the time issue taking into consideration the negative consequences on the relations with Turkey in transport, aviation and the banking system. He noted that no one said anything different when the "government" had announced this decision. Denktas claimed that they received no demand from Turkey [on the issue of continuing to implement summer time] and that the decision was taken by the "government".

(I/Ts.)

[09] Reactions by the business community and politicians in the breakaway regime to keep summer time continue

Strong objections to the not adoption of winter time in the breakaway regime, as well as worries about the consequences faced by the Turkish Cypriot community, were expressed in a common statement issued yesterday by the "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of craftsmen and artisans, the Union of Constructors and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry".

The statement notes that the issue is not political but "a scientific and social need and reality". The organizations also suggested measures that could make the economic and social life of the people living in the breakaway regime easier and expressed their readiness to provide support in solving the traffic accidents problem.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam (08.12.16) writes that Huseyin Angolemli, "deputy" with the Socialist Democracy Party (SDP) commented on the decision taken by Turkey not to apply winter time and said: "Turkey turned its face towards Saudi Arabia and Qatar, it adjusts its time according to their time but our position is in the West". He added that in civilized countries a government which made a big mistake would resign and criticized the "government" in the breakaway regime for not doing so despite the demonstrations organized against it and the reactions.

(CS)

[10] Denktas: The debt exceeded 16 billion TL

Denktas noted that it is estimated that the regime's economic growth will be 2,4% in 2016, 5% in 2017 and 2018 and 5,5% in 2019, adding that the average growth for 2017-19 period is estimated 5,2%.

According to Denktas, the GDP had been 8,858.6 million TL with current prices in 2014, 10,222.5 million TL in 2015 and 11,302.8 million TL in 2016. It is estimated that in 2017 it will be 12,610.7 million TL, in 2018 13,941.4 million TL and in 2019 15,396.3 million TL.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Ankara summons German ambassador over 'misbehaviour' against Turkish Deputy Parliament Speaker

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Germany after the incident. "You take and host terrorists but you make the deputy parliamentary speaker of this country wait for hours at the airport. Shouldn't we do the same to them? And then they call Erdogan a dictator!" he said in an address to local neighbourhood heads on Dec. 7.

Erdogan also threatened Berlin with "retaliation" if the officers involved are not probed. "Turkey will have to retaliate in kind if the necessary actions are not taken against the officers involved," he added, noting that "many terrorists freely roam around Europe" despite the fact that Turkey has demanded their deportation.

The incident he was referring to took place at Cologne Airport as Bahcekap?l? and others were returning to Turkey on Dec 5. After her bag and diplomatic passport were stolen in Cologne, Bahcekap?l? obtained a temporary passport from the Turkish Consulate, but the police did not allow her to travel with that document and held her in custody at the airport police station.

"They did not accept the temporary passport. Although I told them that I am Deputy Parliamentary Speaker and an MP, they said 'It's not our concern.' Then they took me and my sister to the police station at the airport. They kept us there for 45 minutes although we told them that our plane was about to take off," Bahcekap?l? told daily Hurriyet after the incident.

"I was bursting with anger. 'Is this your EU? We don't want such an EU,' I shouted. Police threatened us to keep quiet. Only then could we board the plane", she added.

The Turkish Parliament has also condemned the German police in a statement issued with the participation of all parties.

"This behaviour against the deputy speaker of Turkish Grand National Assembly is unacceptable," read the statement issued on Dec. 7.

[12] Demirtas is being overtly tortured in prison: HDP lawmaker

"Isolation is a form of torture and our lawmakers and co-chairs are being overtly subjected to torture," HDP Deputy Meral Dan?s Bestas said before visiting Demirtas in the prison in the northwestern province of Edirne, adding that "lawlessness is being implemented". "There is isolation, restrictions and lawlessness in every sense", she said.

Nine lawmakers from the HDP, as well its co-chairs, Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, were arrested on Nov. 4 in a probe that was launched against 14 of the party's lawmakers over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Saying that Turkey should rectify its mistake, Bestas noted that "no good can come to Turkey with it."

"The fact that the co-chair of Turkey's third biggest party is kept under torture and restrictions doesn't do anything to benefit Turkey, and Turkey needs to rectify its mistake as soon as possible," she said.

After being imprisoned, Demirtas requested to serve his prison sentence in the same cell as one of the party's lawmakers from the eastern province of Hakkari, Abdullah Zeydan, who was arrested on Nov. 6 and brought to the same prison in Edirne. Demirtas's request was rejected.

"We are here today for Demirtas's prison conditions. Unfortunately, he is still being kept in isolation. Despite the fact that Zeydan is also serving here, Demirtas's and his requests to stay together were rejected," she said. Bestas also said the prison staff were restricting the number of letters that Demirtas can write. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/AA)

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