Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-12-22

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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] Statements by Eide after meeting with Akinci

[02] Erhurman said that Greece's aid will be needed in Geneva for guarantees

[03] Academician Ahmet Insel warns on Erdogan's behaviour on the Cyprus talks

[04] Turkey's Independent Deputy Ozdag along with a group of MHP Deputies is visiting the breakaway regime

[05] No doubt that Russian envoy's assassin was a Gulenist, Erdogan claims

[06] The occupation regime's budget for 2017 has been unanimously approved

[07] Green line regulation trade increased for 2016

[08] Turkey-Israel: A peace pipeline on the way?

[09] Turkey, Iran, Russia ready to be 'guarantors' in Syria

[10] Shanghai and Istanbul to 'write new history'

[11] Imprisoned HDP co-chair Demirtas: Even if only one HDP MP remains in Parliament, do not leave

[12] The occupation regime organizes the "1st health tourism workshop"

[13] Terrorist attacks in Turkey have reportedly affected the occupation regime's tourism

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Statements by Eide after meeting with Akinci

In statements after the meeting, Eide said that when examining the global developments, the world passes a difficult period, however, on the Cyprus problem there is still a window of opportunity.

Referring to the Geneva summit that is scheduled to take place in January, Eide said that they are working towards the Cyprus summit and pointed out that yesterday's meeting with Akinci is a part of their preparatory work for the meeting between the leaders today.

Pointing out that the 19 days left until the Geneva meetings is not a long period, Eide expressed his satisfaction over the intensified work of both sides.

"Both sides are working hard to overpass all their differences", said Eide, adding that some of these differences will be overpassed, while some others will remain for the last stage of the talks in Geneva.

Eide described also 2016 as a good year for the Cyprus negotiation process, supporting that apart from the period between the 2nd Mont Pelerin and December 1st, "the negotiation process in general terms has proceeded well".

Stating that 2016 had been a bad year when looking at global developments, Eide said that a window of opportunity still existed in Cyprus and added that the support of the international world is great and clear.

Describing as very good the fact that there is a planning towards the last stage of the negotiation process, Eide said that this would affect positively the process.

Replying to a question "whether 2017 will be the year of the solution", Eide said that their primary goal is for the leaders to meet and then an international conference to take place. He reiterated both sides' determination towards the solution. He also said that after reaching to an agreement, the implementation of the solution will be planned and referenda will be held. "A solution is possible to be reached within 2017", Eide said, adding: "The final say will not be mine or the leaders. The Cypriots will have the final say to decide with the referenda".

Replying to another question, Eide stated that the two leaders will have a meeting in January prior to the Geneva summit. He also said that the leaders will meet on January 4, and if is necessary, they will meet again. Eide stated also that he will have contacts with the guarantor countries next week.

(AK)

[02] Erhurman said that Greece's aid will be needed in Geneva for guarantees

Erhurman added: "The most realistic thing is peace. Greece should approach the issue more on the axis of peace policies. Greece's approach on the issue of guarantees and security should be directed towards 'a solution that will abolish the concerns of both people on security and should be found'. Greece's stance on the guarantees issue is not a realistic one. Greece and Tsipras have a great duty to find a formula that will safeguard the sense of security among the two peoples".

Underlining that they should think big, Erhurman argued that this issue is related on how they want to see this triangle after 20-30 years. He further said that Greece's assistance will be needed in Geneva for the guarantees issue. He added that he is of the opinion that Turkey thinks and should think 20-30 years after and not six months later.

Erhurman concluded by saying that it is known that the soonest peace comes then the economic interests will materialise faster for both sides and the security will be safeguarded faster in the region.

(DPs)

[03] Academician Ahmet Insel warns on Erdogan's behaviour on the Cyprus talks

Referring to the current political situation in Turkey, Prof. Insel said: "We are in a period that AKP (the ruling Justice and Development party) is within a critical dilemma. AKP is in distance from the European and international relationships; the freezing of Turkey's EU membership talks is been discussed. The human rights are being violated in Turkey. There are the incidents in Syria and there is the Kurdish problem. In addition to this, President Erdogan needs the support of the MHP (National Movement party) in order to pass the presidential system. We will see how Erdogan, who needs the support of the nationalists, will solve the Cyprus problem. As much as Erdogan has been squeezed in the foreign policy he has also squeezed in the domestic due to the presidency system. The Cyprus problem may go down the drain. The presidency system is Erdogan's first agenda… For this reason, my concern is that he may abandon the Cyprus negotiating table in the last minute. Accept these words as the one who 'has once burnt twice shy'".

(DPs)

[04] Turkey's Independent Deputy Ozdag along with a group of MHP Deputies is visiting the breakaway regime

According to the paper, this is what Ozdag claimed during a press conference at the Turkish Grand National Assembly.

During the same press conference he also said that in case the "presidential system" is applied to Turkey, then the National Assembly will become "The Assembly of Ukraine".

(CS)

[05] No doubt that Russian envoy's assassin was a Gulenist, Erdogan claims

Therefore, writes the paper, the claims of the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan that the person who murdered the Russian Ambassador was a member of the Gulen organization (FETO) are groundless.

The paper also writes that Al Nursa is known for having close relation with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) and Tayyip Erdogan.

In addition, Turkish daily Sabah (22.12.16) reports that Erdogan alleged again that the Ambassador's assassin is obviously a member of (FETO) in a press conference with his Albanian counterpart.

"The assassin of the Russian ambassador is obviously a member of FETO. There is no need to hide it," the Turkish President claimed.

[06] The occupation regime's budget for 2017 has been unanimously approved

According to the paper, 27 "deputies" voted in favor of the "budget", 17 against and 6 other did not participate in the "voting procedure",

Speaking during the "general assembly", "deputy prime minister" and "minister of finance" Serdar Denktas thanked all "deputies" for their contribution.

(AK)

[07] Green line regulation trade increased for 2016

Sales of products to the free areas of the Republic reached to 4,250,000 Euro in 2016, compared to 2,782,282 Euro in 2005. The products that were sold the most were plastic products, fresh fish, potatoes and wood furniture.

(CS)

[08] Turkey-Israel: A peace pipeline on the way?

"Energy cooperation has been a major force driving Turkish-Israeli reconciliation.

Israel's Leviathan gas field, the country's largest natural gas reservoir, was discovered in 2010 and is believed to hold 621 billion cubic meters of gas.

If a deal is concluded, an estimated 10 billion cubic meters of gas will be exported to Turkey each year.

In terms of transferring Israeli natural gas to international markets, building gas pipelines via Turkey still appears to be the most profitable option over other alternatives, such as building pipelines via Greece or transferring it through LNG terminals.

In October, the energy ministers of both countries held an official meeting for the first time in six years at the World Energy Congress in Istanbul.

Since then, many have focused on the prospects of a gas deal between Turkey and Israel to export Israeli natural gas to Turkey.

Recently, the two countries exchanged envoys and resumed diplomatic contact – an important step that could advance energy cooperation.

Just a week ago, Israeli Energy Minister Director-General Shaul Meridor said the two sides had been working on a framework for the export of Israeli gas to Turkey that would protect business contracts from political disputes.

Given the ups and downs in the history of the pair's bilateral relations, the fragility of ties between Turkey and Israel constitutes a major political risk, impeding private investment.

"For banks to eventually finance such a project, they will have to know that no matter what happens between the countries politically, the business side will be protected," said Meridor.

Although talks are reportedly in progress, it is unclear whether the two sides are close to a deal.

Gina Cohen, an energy expert from Israel's Technion University, who was in Ankara for a meeting on Dec. 19, commented on the prospects of the pipeline projects.

"If Israeli gas is transferred via Turkey to international markets, it should be done through a bidirectional pipeline. A bidirectional pipeline means that when the situation changes, one country can buy from the other through the reverse flow, similar to the gas flows between England and the European continent," Cohen said.

Building a bidirectional pipeline is likely to contribute to Turkey's aspirations to become an energy hub, but Cohen emphasized that that was insufficient. "In order to become an energy hub, you need to have many different kinds of energy supplies, different kinds of pipelines crossing, both for public and private consumption. But on top of that, you need to have transparency on gas pricing, including spot prices, short-, middle- as well as long-term contracts which would pave the way for the emergence of a transparent distribution network. The whole idea of an energy hub is that the prices are not controlled by a single entity but by the market itself," Cohen asserted.

"Thus if Turkey wants to become a hub, a gas deal with Israel will constitute an important step in this long-term process. But Turkey has to diversify its sources of energy supplies, as well," she said, leaving the door open for a future pipeline project that would include Cyprus and Egypt.

A major obstacle standing in the way of the pipeline project is the Cyprus issue because the optimum pipeline route has to traverse the territorial waters of Cyprus to reach Turkey.

When asked if Israel and Turkey had a third alternative in the event that no solution is found to the Cyprus issue this year, Cohen declined to go into details but said she was hopeful of a positive outcome on the Cyprus talks.

[…]

On Dec. 19, Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami said the "picture" in the Cyprus negotiations had become clearer on all issues except security and the guarantor states. The island's two leaders will start negotiations in Geneva on Jan. 9, 2017, under the auspices of the United Nations, during which the guarantor powers are expected to join and discuss the sensitive topic of security.

Energy cooperation in the Mediterranean is important in terms of diversifying energy sources and decreasing Europe's energy dependence on Russia. By the same token, common interests are likely to encourage actors long at odds with each other to overcome their disputes and thus contribute to the security and stability of the region.

Turkish-Israeli reconciliation is only the first part of this puzzle. Time will soon tell if peace pipelines have an actual impact beyond words."

[09] Turkey, Iran, Russia ready to be 'guarantors' in Syria

"Iran, Russia, and Turkey express their readiness to facilitate and become guarantors of the prospective agreement being negotiated between the Syrian government and the opposition," the statement said.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced following a trilateral meeting with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts Mevlut Cavusoglu and Javad Zarif that a joint declaration on Syria had been agreed on.

"They strongly believe that this agreement will be instrumental for creating the necessary momentum for resumption of the political process in Syria in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254," it added.

The Ministers agreed on the "importance" of expanding the cease-fire, "unhindered" humanitarian aid, and the free movement of civilians in Syria.

"Iran, Russia, and Turkey are convinced that there is no military solution to the Syrian conflict," the statement said.

The countries reiterated their "full respect" for Syria's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.

They also recognized the "essential" role of UN efforts to solve the Syrian crisis.

"Iran, Russia, and Turkey welcome joint efforts in eastern Aleppo allowing for the voluntary evacuation of civilians and organized departure of the armed opposition," the statement said.

The top diplomats also reiterated their "determination" to fight Daesh and al-Nusra.

They said they would also consider Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev's invitation to bring together representatives of the Syrian regime and opposition in the capital Astana to solve the long-standing crisis.

[10] Shanghai and Istanbul to 'write new history'

The report penned by Sabanci University Istanbul Policy Center expert Altay Atli includes a comprehensive and high-quality road map for decision makers and the business world.

The head of DEIK, Omer Cihad Vardan, emphasized the importance of historic relations between Turkey and China.

"The two extreme sides of the historic Silk Road, Shanghai and Istanbul, can write history again. In this context, in 2017, we will be talking about China and Asia-Pacific a lot," Vardan said.

"While the global economy is becoming more 'Asian,' as the second biggest economic power in the world, China, with its initiatives, is becoming the pioneer of the globalization process," he said.

Vardan also said it was a must rather than an option that a sustainable, high-quality and high-volume economic cooperation with high-added value be established with China.

According to foreign trade data from Turkey and China, the total foreign trade volume in 2015 was $27 billion. Turkey's exports to China are worth $2.4 billion, primarily consisting of marble and natural stone, chromium ore, copper ore, lead ore, zinc ore and chemicals. Turkey's imports from China amount to $24 billion, mostly telephone apparatuses, automatic data processing devices, iron and steel semi-products and synthetic filament yarns. The total balance of foreign trade is $22.4 billion in favor of China.

The report consists of six main chapters including exports, imports, investments, service trade and supporting components.

The foreign trade deficit between China and Turkey is growing in favor of China. For every $1 in exports that Turkey makes to China, it imports more than $10 worth of goods and services. If this trend continues, if the target of $100 billion foreign trade volume is reached in 2020, then this would put an $80 billion burden of Turkey's current accounts deficit.

The action plan to reverse this situation contains several suggestions. The intermediate goods imported by Turkey from China contribute to production and Turkey's exports. These intermediate goods imports should be designed to contribute the highest added value to Turkey's economy. High-quality intermediate goods should be encouraged.

China increases its foreign investments with an average of 10% every year. Several fields especially those that would help Turkey reach its development goals should be focused on for investments coming from China, making mutual benefits possible.

China offers attractive investment opportunities for Turkish firms. Free trade zones in China, certain regions where competition is weak and incentives are high and the service sector should be priorities for Turkish firms.

[11] Imprisoned HDP co-chair Demirtas: Even if only one HDP MP remains in Parliament, do not leave

In his hearing, Demirtas connected to prosecutors via a video call, where he demanded the remaining MPs exercise all their legal rights to contribute to the constitutional amendment debate.

Demirtas reportedly requested for a break during a call for prayer and spoke to Aslan saying that he had lost five kilograms, was taking medicines and had his blood pressure checked every day.

Demirtas was arrested along with the co-chair of the party, Figen Yuksekdag and 10 other HDP lawmakers on Nov. 4 in a probe that was launched against 14 of the party's Deputies over alleged links to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

During his imprisonment, Demirtas was taken to hospital in Edirne on Dec. 14 after suffering a heart spasm.

Meanwhile, Yuksekdag, the other imprisoned co-chair of the HDP, in her defense stated that all they wanted was for the people to live freely.

[12] The occupation regime organizes the "1st health tourism workshop"

Stating that their goal is the massive majority of several countries, Sucuoglu described the workshop as a "very important development" in the field of "health tourism".

Referring to the "faculty of medicine" of the illegal "near east university", Sucuoglu pointed out that the quality of services provided by the "YDU hospital" has been increased. He also added the need for the quality of services of "state hospitals" to be increased as well.

Also speaking, so-called minister of tourism Fikri Ataoglu, stated, inter alia, that their goal is for "health tourism" in the "country" to become one of the basic kinds of tourism. He also explained that they are working together with the "chairman" of the "Cyprus health tourism council" Ahmet Savasan towards the preparation of a master plan on health tourism, which will be ready in four months.

(…)

(AK)

[13] Terrorist attacks in Turkey have reportedly affected the occupation regime's tourism

According to the paper, foreign tourists prefer to avoid travelling to the "TRNC" via Istanbul due to security reasons.

In statements on the issue, the chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot tourism and travel agent's union" Orhan Tolun, explained that while during the previous years there was a remarkable increase of 25% per year on the number of foreign tourists in the "country", the last two years this number has been reduced by 5%.

Tolun also said that after the reduction of the number of foreign tourists; they had undertaken measures for the increase of tourists from Turkey in order to prevent the collapse of the tourism sector. "After the terrorists' attacks, the people from Turkey prefer coming here. However, the tourists coming prefer the hotels with casino, and thus, their contribution is not the expected one. The island of Cyprus is among the five most secure islands worldwide. South Cyprus increases the number of its tourists every year, utilizing this security. North Cyprus on the other side, cannot be compared with the south on the issue of the security due to the fact that it identify itself with Turkey", Tolun said.

(…)

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS/AM)

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