Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-01-12

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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] Burcu confirmed that the maps were presented and locked by the EU

[02] Celik: Yildirim will attend Geneva summit if substantial progress is made

[03] Turkey's MFA: "The efforts for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem came to the last phase"

[04] CHP's Yilmaz warned the Turkish goverment of the possible civil war in Cyprus if the discussed solution in Geneva is approved

[05] Yeni Duzen claims that the issue of the rotating presidency has been agreed

[06] Ozersay argued that submitting a map before the acceptance of the rotating presidency by the Greek Cypriot side is a mistake

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnist argues that Erdogan did not participate in the Geneva summit because he needs the votes of MHP and CHP for the constitutional amendment

[08] The so-called government sent a letter to Akinci demanding from him not to submit maps if no concessions are made by the Greek Cypriot side on core issues

[09] UBP and DP coalition parties condemned Akinci of submitting maps

[10] Turkish columnist on the Geneva talks

[11] Turkish commentary views impact of Russo-Egyptian energy deals on Turkey's interests, Cyprus talks

[12] Parliament adopts first 5 articles of new Constitution amid braw; Bacheli: Turkey should have snap elections if constitutional package fails to be accepted

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Burcu confirmed that the maps were presented and locked by the EU

Burcu said that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, in the presence of the UN Secretary General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide alongside three cartographers one from each side and the third representing the UN, exchanged their respective maps.

Reminding that the Greek Cypriot side is proposing 28.2% while the Turkish Cypriot side is proposing 29.2%, Burcu said that the cartographers determined that the maps were prepared in accordance with these figures and later the maps were handed over to the UN and locked in a vault until further notice.

[02] Celik: Yildirim will attend Geneva summit if substantial progress is made

Speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara following a meeting with Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini, Celik replied to a question on the Cyprus talks in Geneva. He argued that the Turkey's position on the Cyprus issue was verbalized clearly before by Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim.

Reminding that Turkey has presented a strong political will until today on reaching a two-state solution, Celik reacted against some politicians' statements published in the press. He further alleged that none cannot discuss that South Cyprus is an EU, it is a mistaken approach.

Celik also said that Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim will attend Geneva summit in the event that substantial progress is made between Turkish and Greek leaders and added: ""Our Prime Minister will attend the guarantors' meeting in the event Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras and British Prime Minister Theresa May also attend".

He concluded by claiming that it is a lack of vision that the EU blocks Ankara's full membership due to the Cyprus issue.

(DPs)

[03] Turkey's MFA: "The efforts for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem came to the last phase"

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will visit Geneva on January 11th to attend the abovementioned Conference", read the statement.

[04] CHP's Yilmaz warned the Turkish goverment of the possible civil war in Cyprus if the discussed solution in Geneva is approved

"While an operation is taking place in the Parliament towards the direction of lifting the democracy in the country, there is also another operation abroad, in Geneva, on the Cyprus problem. Unfortunately, the process in Geneva does not meet our expectations. The Turkish government implements a dim out policy about the negotiations talks in Geneva. We are getting information about the crucial issues of the negotiation process from the Greek Cypriot media", stated Yilmaz.

"They are exerting efforts hastily to carry out negotiations with the logic 'just get rid of it'. Even in the most national cause, there is no sensitivity. 'How many people in Turkey know that Cyprus which was taken in 1974 will be surrendered at the negotiating table? They do not even take into consideration the national sensitivities. A community was established and there is not even any problem with this. The slaughters of the regime here and those who want the one-man regime, do they consider how painful will be to surrender Cyprus?", Yilmaz also claimed.

Alleging that the Turkish Cypriot side has made a lot of concessions on the territory issue, Yilmaz stated: "A great part of Morfou, the buffer zone, the fenced off city of Varoshia [Maras] and the most strategic place of Cyprus, Rizokarpaso, will be taken under the administration of the Greek Cypriots, under the name of federation. Also the size of the coastline will be reduced", Yilmaz further argued.

Yilmaz claimed also that "unbelievable concessions" were made on the property issue and warned: "If you realize a civil war in Cyprus, remember please that we warned you about this".

Referring to the guarantee issue, Yilmaz argued that they support a comprehensive solution on the Cyprus problem that will include Turkey's active and effective guarantees in Cyprus and will be based on the bi-zonallity and political equality. He added also that Turkey's guarantees in Cyprus are a red line for them and for Turkey as well.

[?]

(AK)

[05] Yeni Duzen claims that the issue of the rotating presidency has been agreed

(DPs)

[06] Ozersay argued that submitting a map before the acceptance of the rotating presidency by the Greek Cypriot side is a mistake

(DPs)

[07] Turkish Cypriot columnist argues that Erdogan did not participate in the Geneva summit because he needs the votes of MHP and CHP for the constitutional amendment

"(?) The only agenda of Erdogan in Turkey: is to pass the presidential system? and to become President. The constitution proposal is being discussed in Turkey's Parliament and every article is voted individually. Because Erdogan and the AKP administration don't even trust their own Deputies, the voting is being carried out openly. The other votes which are critical belong to MHP (National Movement Party) Deputies?

If there is a result from Geneva like a 'Cyprus settlement', what will happen?

The MHP will arise and will say that 'Cyprus was taken from our hands' and will accuse AKP.

CHP will also be on the alert and will accuse AKP of selling their 'small country'.

So, none MHP or CHP will vote 'yes' to the constitutional proposal."

Ozuslu concluded by arguing that Erdogan did not participate in Geneva because he needs the votes of MHP and CHP for passing the presidential system, so Erdogan did not take the risk.

(DPs)

[08] The so-called government sent a letter to Akinci demanding from him not to submit maps if no concessions are made by the Greek Cypriot side on core issues

The letter was also containing their concerns and sensitivities as well as proposals and recommendations regarding the rotating presidency, property and EU issues.

The "government officials" informed the negotiating team regarding their views and recommendations on the rotating presidency issue and added that the political equality is an essential part of the rotating presidency.

They emphasized also the need for this to be placed in the list of subjects agreed prior to maps being exchanged between the leaders.

Also making recommendations regarding the much debated property issue, the government called for the property commission that is to be formed, to hand down its decisions within the framework of the previously outlined explicit criteria and not use the European Court of Human Rights decision as a basis.

Noting that the agreement to be found becoming a primary law of the European Union is a sine qua non for them, the "government officials" said that this can only be realized after a referendum on the island and expressed their views regarding this issue to the negotiating team.

(AK)

[09] UBP and DP coalition parties condemned Akinci of submitting maps

In a written statement, the "government" noted that upon receiving an invitation from the "presidency", the leaders of the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP) who are also partners in the "government" had gone to Geneva to contribute to the Cyprus negotiations process.

"During the time we were in Geneva, only on the 1st day did the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami informed the political party leaders and representatives regarding the developments that have taken place and listened to our views. The parties, after carrying out their own evaluation, gave a letter containing their views and proposals to the president. Despite our expectations, during the next two days of the talks no contact was formed with us and we received no briefing", noted the statement.

It continued to note that the parties followed the developments that were reflected in the press and once again presented to the "president" a letter containing their views.

"Despite insisting on a briefing, no such briefing took place and to top things off they discovered that the Turkish Cypriot side, together with the Greek Cypriot side presented a map to the UN.

As it is known the issue of territory, maps and figures were only meant to be discussed during the last phase of the talks and only once progress was achieved on the other 4 chapters as previously agreed between the two sides".

It is not possible to say a final agreement has been reached on any of the four chapters. In this situation, despite the negative impact it is going to have on our people' socio-economic structure, maps were presented. We want to emphasize that this is contrary to the solution parameters and the current agreement" the statement noted.

The statement also alleged that this development is damaging the negotiation's strategy and voiced its concerns about the developments.

[10] Turkish columnist on the Geneva talks

Presenting the talks between Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots in Geneva, which is expected to be followed by a conference with the participation of guarantor states; Turkey, Greece and the U.K., would be doing great injustice to Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan can be harshly, and in most cases, rightly be criticized on several foreign policy issues, but its Cyprus policy is not one of them.

On the contrary, the Turkish side's decades-long policy, which was perceived by the international community as a lack of desire to find a solution preferring to keep the island divided, was reversed by the AKP, headed by Erdogan. Many might prefer to forget today that an agreement reached in 2004, called the Annan plan, was turned down by the Greek Cypriots who were hardly blamed for failing to reunite the island. Ankara's genuine desire to find a lasting solution based on reciprocal compromise did not change ever since.

Until the 2000's, any diplomatic meeting between European and Turkish officials would include a part where Ankara would be asked to encourage the Turkish Cypriot side to be less intransigent. That was no longer the case after 2000. On the contrary, it was the Turkish side who kept trying to have the Greek Cypriot side's back on the negotiating table.

Turkey kept the moral high ground ever since 2004, until today.

'Do you really believe that Mr. [Mustafa] Ak?nc? is free to negotiate? Do you really believe he can agree on anything without the approval of Mr. Erdogan?' a Greek Cypriot reader asked me in an email after in my last article I said Turkey had left Ak?nc?'s hand relatively free. Any government in Ankara whether headed by Erdogan or not would have a say on the negotiations not least because it is a guarantor state.

But here, the Turkish side is running the risk of being a victim of Erdogan's international image. Erdogan has been projecting the image of a leader who wants a one-man rule and wants to have the last word. This is going to make it easy for the international community to blame Erdogan for the failure in Geneva.

Yet, with changing strategy, Turkey had unmasked the Greek Cypriot side, which thanks to the intransigence shown by the Turkish side, projected itself for decades as the side that genuinely wanted a 'compromised solution'. Indeed the Greek Cypriot administration wanted a solution, but only one based on their terms.

[?]

Just like Ankara, Athens too is carrying the responsibility for a successful end to the peace talks. But when you compare the all-smiling Alexis Tsipras to the West-bashing Erdogan; who do you think is going to get the blame in case of a failure?".

[11] Turkish commentary views impact of Russo-Egyptian energy deals on Turkey's interests, Cyprus talks

"Coming to terms with Russia's pivotal role in the Syrian peace process has become a central fixation for Turkey and most other actors in the region. However, with eyes focused on Moscow's relations with Damascus, many have missed Russia's strategic advance farther south in the eastern Mediterranean. Moscow's late 2016 gains have come via two major energy deals concluded with Cairo, agreements that deepen Russo-Egyptian ties in a manner that affect Turkey's strategic interests and complicate Turkey's position in the historic Cyprus peace talks now underway in Geneva.

On Dec. 12, 2016, the Italian energy giant Eni agreed to sell a 30% stake in the Zohr natural gas field off of Egypt's coast to Russia's Rosneft for US$1.575 billion. The largest gas find in the eastern Mediterranean, Egypt's Zohr field contains 850 billion cubic centimeters of natural gas, more than a third larger than Israel's Leviathan field. Rosneft will become the second largest stakeholder in Zohr, which is expected to start producing gas by late 2017. Moscow also holds an option to buy an additional 5% share in the field.

While most of the gas produced at Zohr is slated for Egypt's domestic market, natural gas from Zohr or neighboring suppliers such as Israel can now supply Egypt's dormant liquefied natural gas (LNG) plants, potentially rendering Egypt again into a net natural gas exporter. If Egypt became an LNG supplier to Europe, it would potentially undercut the importance of the Trans-Anatolian Pipeline (TANAP) and undermine Turkey's ambition to become strategic energy transit corridor for natural gas to reach the EU.

[?]

Russia's deepening strategic cooperation with Egypt raises Turkey's stakes in the outcome of the Cyprus unification talks that began in Geneva on Jan. 9 and especially the international conference scheduled for Jan. 12, which will include the guarantor powers ? Turkey, Greece, and the United Kingdom ? for the first time since 1960. As the Hurriyet Daily News' Barc?n Yinanc pointed out in a recent column, the historic opportunity to arrive at a settlement could falter on the failure of Ankara and Athens to agree on the issue of guarantees.

In such an instance, the construction of an undersea gas pipeline to Turkey from Israel's Leviathan field would face a serious setback as the pipeline needs to cross Cyprus' economic exclusion zone. Although Turkey constitutes Israel's most commercially viable natural gas market, Russia could seek to incentivize Israel and the government in southern Cyprus, which controls the Aphrodite offshore gas field, to market their natural gas via Egypt.

While Ankara seeks to play a constructive role in the negotiations in Geneva and uphold the rights of Turkish Cypriots, it will have to contend with the possibility that failure to reach an agreement could strengthen Moscow's hand in the region at Turkey's expense".

[12] Parliament adopts first 5 articles of new Constitution amid braw; Bacheli: Turkey should have snap elections if constitutional package fails to be accepted

The fifth article, which deals with regulations for job definition and responsibilities of the Parliament, is one of the most discussed items, which seeks to end the Parliament's authorization to inspect Ministers and the Cabinet.

The article was endorsed by 343 of the assembly's 550 lawmakers. Seven others rejected it, three ballots were left blank and one vote was deemed invalid.

The secret voting process was interrupted by physical fights between lawmakers of CHP and AK Party after CHP members occupied the Parliament rostrum.The rostrum was broken during the brawl.

Meanwhile, the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said early on Thursday that Turkey should go to early elections if the constitutional amendment package fails to be accepted in the Parliament.

"It now seems that the package will be accepted with over 330 votes, which will allow a referendum. Nevertheless, if it fails to do so, we should have snap elections," Bahceli said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(AK/AM)

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