Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-01-23

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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 due to Istanbul

[02] Akinci was briefed on the technocrat's talks in Mont Pelerin

[03] Akinci reiterated that Turkey's guarantor status is sine qua non for them

[04] Cavusoglu on the Cyprus problem: "Turkey speaks clearly about what it wants and what it does not want while giving the reasons for it"

[05] Ertugruloglu: "Cyprus negotiation must either have a result or come to an end"

[06] No progress in Cyprus is reportedly expected prior to the referendum on the constitutional amendments in Turkey

[07] The "Co-ordination office of youth and sports" started its work with personnel from Turkey

[08] Residents of the occupied town of Famagusta reacted to Erdogan's statement regarding Varosha and Kokkina

[09] Atun said that electricity will be brought from Turkey to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus via cable

[10] Figures show that a total of 3,500 kg of illegal and unhealthy meat were illegally transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus in 2016

[11] The so-called solidarity union urged the "government" to take measures for the protection of the occupied Karpasia region

[12] A "protocol" signed for turtle conservation in the occupied peninsula of Karpasia

[13] Turkish Cypriots living abroad worry on losing their "rights" because of the limits put on population in case of a solution

[14] Mehmet Caglar resigned from CTP's central committee

[15] "Festival of North Cyprus" in London to be organized for the first time in May

[16] Turkey eager to talk on Middle East 'from A to Z' with Trump

[17] Turkey heads on referendum for a constitution change

[18] Erdogan: Turkish people in favour of a presidential system; Y?ld?r?m points to early February for commencing referendum campaign

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci due to Istanbul

Within the framework of his stay in Istanbul, Akinci will speak on several Turkish TV programs.

(AK)

[02] Akinci was briefed on the technocrat's talks in Mont Pelerin

The team briefed the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci on the talks.

The negotiations from this stage onwards will be held at the political level.

Akinci and Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades are expected to meet next week on the 26th.

Speaking before the meeting, Akinci's spokesman Baris Burcu, who was part of the team of technocrats in Mont Pelerin, said that everything is proceeding as planned.

Explaining that all technical preparations had been carried out in Mont Pelerin, Burcu said: "We completed our task as instructed. The issue will now be taken up at the political level. We shall be briefing the president on the work we carried out".

According to diplomatic sources, Akinci and the Greek Cypriot leader will be focusing on harmonizing the issue of security and guarantees to present conditions when they meet for the second round of the conference on Cyprus.

[03] Akinci reiterated that Turkey's guarantor status is sine qua non for them

"(..) These days the international and national press is covering the Cyprus talks that have begun in the Swiss city of Geneva. Everyone has something to say about these talks. These talks are being treated differently in both northern Cyprus and in our country. Some people are saying that Cyprus is being sold out. Some people are saying that we are giving land away. Some people are saying that the Turkish military is being removed from the island. A thousand different scenarios are circulating. That is why I did the program with the highest authority. Here is what the 'TRNC president' (editor's note: Turkish Cypriot leader) had to say:

My first question was whether or not Turkey was going to continue being a guarantor country and if the Turkish soldiers were going to leave the island. Mustafa Akinci said: 'Turkey's guarantor status is sine qua non for us. No Turk on Cyprus will ever give up Turkey's guarantor status. We will not go back to the 1960s. The Greek Cypriots carried out a massacre back then. That massacre is still in our minds. That is why we cannot trust the Greek Cypriots'.

On the topic of the Turkish military presence Akinci said this: 'There will of course be Turkish soldiers in Cyprus. However, the number of soldiers may decrease in accordance with the agreement. But there can be no question of them leaving'.

Another question of ours was: 'Is Cyprus being sold out? Will there be land loss on Cyprus? Are the maps going to change?' Questions relating to those topics. Stating that the maps seen in the newspapers did no depict the truth, Akinci said: 'There is not a single Turk who would accept these maps'. He stated that he had presented the United Nations with a map during the negotiations and that this map had been prepared during the Rauf Denktas period. 'It is a lie to say that our land is being sold off. The map I gave is even further ahead of the Annan Plan that Turkey accepted'.

Touching also on the Greek Cypriot's oil exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, Akinci said: 'The best path for the Greek Cypriots is the settlement. If this settlement happens the gas in the Mediterranean Sea can get to Europe over Turkey. This energy line is the safest and cheapest line. It will cost a lot more to take the gas to Europe by any other route. That is why peace is good for them'. Akinci also said that the water brought in to the 'TRNC' by the Turkish state out of Mersin was a great bounty. Stating they had to make do with desalinating sea-water, Akinci said: 'This water was not good for your health. However, the water that is brought in from Turkey is in extremely good quality. We are grateful to Turkey. President Erdogan had said this water could be given to the Greek Cypriots too. We are also telling the Greek Cypriots that this water is the water of peace and that they can use it too'. Akinci stated that similarly the electricity that is going to come from Turkey could also be used jointly with the Greek Cypriots.

Stating that the isolations would be lifted if the Cyprus problem was to be solved, Akinci said: 'With this agreement the Turkish Cypriots will be recognized as a state. The presidential system will be rotational. Previous agreements never gave us the presidency. They said we could only be vice president. In this new process we get to be president as well. If this agreement takes place the whole world will recognize us. The people of Anatolia have supported us for many years. We do not want to burden them anymore.

'Another important point is that the property lawsuits filed by the Greek Cypriots will end. Right now 6,000 Greek Cypriots have filed complaints against us at the European Court of Human Rights. These lawsuits conclude by ruling against us. We have to pay our billions of dollars. If the agreement happens we will be spared this figure. It is Turkey that pays these sums'.

I have put across what Akinci said. My personal opinion is this: Turkey's guarantor status must continue; there is no question about that. No additional land can be given to the Greek Cypriots beyond what already exists. However, the settlement is good for both communities and their supporters Greece and Turkey."

[04] Cavusoglu on the Cyprus problem: "Turkey speaks clearly about what it wants and what it does not want while giving the reasons for it"

"Greece should be the last country to level criticism at Turkey regarding the Cyprus question. No country or institution can level criticism at Turkey when it comes to the Cyprus question. Turkey does not deserve to be criticized. We arrived at a crucial stage. During the first ministerial meeting, Turkey maintained its stance as a constructive country that is certain of itself, one that clearly speaks about what it wants and what it does not want while giving the reasons for it. Similarly, the TRNC (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) also displayed a mature attitude in highly sensitive matters but the other side came unprepared. During the talks, it asked for permission to leave the table once and then on the second occasion, it walked away from the table.

Despite all this, we maintain our positive stance for the negotiations, which have a clear framework, to reach a conclusion. Given that this is the case, on what ground do they criticize Turkey? As far as guarantor status and security are concerned, our position is clear; we explain the reasons for it as well. If the Greeks have a different view, they should say this and say what they want. They do not need to be aggressive when something different from their position, wish or dream is voiced."

[05] Ertugruloglu: "Cyprus negotiation must either have a result or come to an end"

He made these statements speaking during a meeting he held with young businessmen from Adana. "The negotiation in Geneva must have a result. There will either be an agreement or the conclusion that there will be no agreement. This is unavoidable", he argued.

He went on alleging that a co-operation with the Greek Cypriots is not the Turkish Cypriots' only choice. "We are not the kind of people to close the door to the Greek Cypriots but because we see with certainty from the negotiations that having a cooperation is not possible, we are against to it", he claimed.

In addition, Gunes also reports that Ertugruloglu further alleged that it is extremely wrong to be said that two out of the six seats that the Republic of Cyprus has at the European Parliament belongs to the Turkish Cypriots.

"The application of such a demand means the acceptance and the recognition of the of the so-called Republic of Cyprus which is a Greek Cypriot state but presents itself as a Republic of Cyprus" he alleged. He also claimed that this will also means "the acceptance of the Greek Cypriot state that carries the name of the Republic of Cyprus to the European Union".

(CS)

[06] No progress in Cyprus is reportedly expected prior to the referendum on the constitutional amendments in Turkey

Columnist Tayfun Cagra in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (23.01.17) reports that the view that an agreement in Cyprus is not possible prior to the referendum on the constitutional amendments in Turkey "is unfortunately not very irrational".

"The AKP secured MHP's support and is passing the amendments from the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TGNA)", writes the columnist adding that the people will vote in favor or against Erdogan's presidency in the referendum. "The surveys carried out until now are showing that the 'yes' vote is below 50%, but it is not known what will happen until the referendum", he notes arguing that the stance of the people, who upon Erdogan's call stood in front of the tanks during the night of the coup on 15 July may change in case Erdogan makes the same call again or the government gives some "populist" decisions. Cagra adds the following:

"[…] Very well, what is its relation to Cyprus? The MHP has a previous debt to the AKP and of course Tayyip Erdogan. What is this? A serious opposition had been formed within the MHP. Meral Aksener, Umit Ozdag, Sinan Ogan and Koray Aydin … had asked for an extraordinary congress and declared their candidacy. The Supreme Court had seen positively this demand first. Moreover, Bahceli took Erdogan as his interlocutor and accused him of taking a walk in the tea gardens of the President and members of the Supreme Court and of being applauded by them. Afterwards […] the opposition could neither hold a congress nor raise their voice. It was as if the Supreme Court withdrew its decision! That is, there is the impression that Erdogan played an important role in Bahceli beating down his opponents. Cyprus is one of the reasons for which he [Erdogan] keeps the MHP by his side during the constitutional amendments. MHP does not want a solution in Cyprus because of its nationalist, conservative structure. Just like some minds here thinking the MHP, they also argue that the current situation is the solution. Therefore, Erdogan cannot take the risk of a solution in Cyprus before the referendum on the constitution in Turkey, because it will cause the change of the MHP's vote into the direction of 'no'. […]

Moreover, if we see the statements made by someone named Yigit Bulut, whom he calls his chief adviser, it is surely not possible for them to share very different views. On the other hand, there is no opposition which would force Tayyip Erdogan for a solution in Cyprus. The statements of the Republican People's Party (CHP) representatives on Cyprus, starting from the very top, are not different than those of Yigit Bulut […]"

Noting that the picture is very pessimistic, the columnist argues, however, that things in politics change and factors such as economic interests (the existence of natural gas for example) and that Turkey's prestige suffer loses in the world may make the solution in Cyprus necessary.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The "Co-ordination office of youth and sports" started its work with personnel from Turkey

According to the paper, fifty-person personnel has already arrived from Turkey to the breakaway regime and started to work at the "office".

(CS)

[08] Residents of the occupied town of Famagusta reacted to Erdogan's statement regarding Varosha and Kokkina

Commenting on Erdogan's proposal, Dr Okan Dagli, activist of the Famagusta Initiative, Solution and Peace Platform, argued that Erdogan's statement is like an affirmation that the fenced off town of Varosha has been held as hostage for all these years. He added that this approach refrains from the solution approach.

(DPs)

[09] Atun said that electricity will be brought from Turkey to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus via cable

Stating that energy efficiency is one of the most important factors in increasing the competiveness of companies, Atun said: "Unfortunately energy production in the country is mostly obtained through burning fuel oil. We need to put an end to this and we, as the ministry, possess the will to do this".

Reminding that a "protocol for cooperation in the field of energy" had been approved by the "parliament" earlier this week, Atun said that the "government" will bring electricity from Turkey to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus via cable. He also pointed out that unlike the "TRNC", the rise in foreign exchange rates and oil prices did not impact the price of electricity in Turkey.

[10] Figures show that a total of 3,500 kg of illegal and unhealthy meat were illegally transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus in 2016

According to paper, the so-called police and the "custom house" team has confiscated in separate operations in 2016, 3,500 kg of illegal meat which were transferred from the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus to the occupied area of Cyprus.

According to statistic figures, in all operations which took place between May, to December 2016, the occupied Louroutzina village is considered as the key-village for the illegal smuggling of meat.

(AK)

[11] The so-called solidarity union urged the "government" to take measures for the protection of the occupied Karpasia region

The "solidarity union" has urged the so-called government to end immediately all its attempts aiming to remove the Karpasia region from the "specially protected environment areas". Criticizing the companies from Turkey and the "government", the "union" called the latter to "end all attempts which constitute a threat to the existence of the Turkish Cypriot community and also threatened the ecological and cultural heritage of the country".

(AK)

[12] A "protocol" signed for turtle conservation in the occupied peninsula of Karpasia

The "protocol" was signed by the self-styled minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu, the "director of environmental protection department" Abdullah Aktolga and the "president of the North Society for the Protection of Turtles" Kutlay Keco.

According to the "protocol" the society's scope of work will now also cover the occupied area of Karpasia peninsula and lower Karpasia areas.

Speaking at the ceremony, Keco reminded that a large number of volunteer students from abroad travel to "North Cyprus" every year to take part in turtle conservation projects. "This is extremely important for the country's promotion" he argued.

Ataoglu for his part announced that the "protocol" allowed conservation and research work to be expanded in a way that the Karpasia and lower Karpasia occupied areas will also be covered.

[13] Turkish Cypriots living abroad worry on losing their "rights" because of the limits put on population in case of a solution

The former chairman of the Republican Turkish Party's Britain's branch, Ilker Kilic, alleged that the second and third generation of Turkish Cypriots who live abroad must demand the "TRNC citizenship" before the procedure of the Cyprus talks comes to an end. He also said that their community will face a serious danger since the wives and children of the "TRNC citizens" cannot have the right of the "citizenship".

"The young generation faces the danger of losing the right to be an EU citizen with BREXIT and the right to be a Cypriot citizen with the solution that put limitation on the population", he argued.

(CS)

[14] Mehmet Caglar resigned from CTP's central committee

According to the paper, during the meeting of the central committee, it was not possible for "elections" for a new central committee to take place, due to the fact that the members of the committee disagreed on the "procedure" to be followed. The paper writes that the tension inside the party is very serious.

(AK)

[15] "Festival of North Cyprus" in London to be organized for the first time in May

The festival is planned to be organized between May 5-6, 2017 and will take place in Islington at "The Business Design Center".

According to the paper, all "sectors" of the "TRNC" and especially the tourism sector will have the opportunity to attend the festival and be promoted.

The paper writes further that the "director" of the company called "North Cyprus UK Limited" Zorlu Cezaroglu has undertaken the responsibility for the organization of the festival. Speaking to the paper, Cezaroglu stated, inter alia, that "this would not be a tourist fair only, but a fair where all sectors of the country will have the opportunity to be promoted". Stating that they have rented a very prestigious place for the fair to take place, he explained that they are planning this event for the promotion of the "TRNC" in the UK.

(AK)

[16] Turkey eager to talk on Middle East 'from A to Z' with Trump

"Our Foreign Ministry is working [on a prospective meeting with Trump]. We will discuss all these issues from A to Z at that meeting, because Turkey is the strongest country in the Middle East and is the determiner country [in the region]," Erdogan told reporters before his departure to Africa on Jan. 22, suggesting that any wrong decision to be adopted by the U.S. on the Middle East "will not be good for the world and humanity."

He was speaking only two days after Trump took his oath and started his tenure as the 45th President of the U.S. Turkey wants to make a fresh start with Washington under Trump's administration after a serious row with its long-standing ally mainly over Syria during Barack Obama's presidency.

The most important agenda will be the Middle East, Erdogan said, describing the state of the region as "boiling up". "We are on the side of respecting the territorial integrity of the Middle East. We are not thinking about dividing up the Middle East, which would not be right and would disrespect the people of the region. Turkey cannot say 'yes' to such an idea," he said. "What will be Trump's position on the Middle East be? Because the region is boiling now".

Ankara's main expectation from Trump is ending its alliance with Syrian Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG), in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

[17] Turkey heads on referendum for a constitution change

The 18-article package, which shifts governance from the current parliamentary system to an executive presidential system, will be put to referendum on either April 2 or 9, a date to be selected by the Supreme Election Board (YSK) after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan approves the constitutional amendments.

"Now I hope the nation will make a real decision," Erdogan said on Jan. 21 following Parliament's vote.

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli also commented on the decision just after the historic vote, which his party supported, saying "the Turkish nation will do its own evaluation and hopefully it will add to what have been achieved so far."

The constitutional amendment brings a strong partisan presidential system that will take over all authorities of the Prime Minister and cabinet and also will have the authority to issue decrees in effect of law, to appoint vice presidents and cabinets who can be outside of the Parliament and not elected, and to hold the title "head of the state." For the first time since the use of this term for Kenan Evren, Turkey's former coup leader and seventh President, with the provisional article of the 1982 Constitution, the title "head of the state" enters the Constitution as an article.

The President will be given the authority to annul Parliament and declare an election, while he will also have the authority to declare a state of emergency, during which he will have the authority to issue decrees without any restriction of jurisdiction.

The duties and authorities of the Parliament are amended in the amendments, with its authority to supervise ministerial cabinet and ministers, as well as its authority to assign cabinet to issue decrees in effect of law, being abolished. Lawmakers will only be able to supervise Ministers and the government with written statements, since the motion of interpellation will also be abolished.

The configuration of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) is similarly altered, with its number of members reduced from 22 to 13. Out of 13 members, four will be appointed by the President, while the Justice Minister - who will be appointed by the President - will be the chair of the board and the undersecretary will be a permanent member. The seven remaining members will be elected by the parliamentary majority, which will likely to be the political party of the President.

Meanwhile, Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has announced that it will appeal to the Constitutional Court for the annulment of the government-supported vote on constitutional amendments, on the grounds that ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Deputies breached the principle of "secret voting" for the package.

"I call on the judges of the Constitutional Court. You should protect the constitutional articles on which alterations cannot even be proposed. You should protect the rule of law. This is the duty of each and every citizen of this country, particularly judges," CHP head Kemal Kilicdaroglu told his parliamentary group shortly after the 18-article amendments were approved in the early hours of Jan. 21.

He said his party would now apply to the high court to annul the entire package.

"At the point where we have arrived, we have serious concerns. Why? Lawmakers who have been elected to represent the people have signed the constitutional amendments without seeing them. They cannot be qualified as real lawmakers. Those who represent the [presidential] palace cannot represent the people", Kilicdaroglu said.

"Jan 21, 2017 is an important date with regard to our democratic history. This is the date when the Parliament handed its powers over [to the presidency]. This is also important with regard to our national War of Independence. This is the date that marks treason against the Parliament by itself," he added.

Kilicdaroglu said his call to stand against these changes concerned the entire Turkish people, regardless to which political party they vote for, as the matter is about the country and its future. "I am sure that our people will break the game that was played at Parliament," the CHP head concluded.

[18] Erdogan: Turkish people in favour of a presidential system; Y?ld?r?m points to early February for commencing referendum campaign

Commenting on a question regarding the possible outcomes from a referendum on constitutional change, President Erdogan affirmed that it is still too early to judge and added: "I can only tell you that our people, our nation welcomes a presidential system - that has a President affiliated with a political party in Turkey - that is to come after a referendum and the numbers obtained from the recent polls show a significant amount of support on the matter".

Speaking at Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport prior to departing on a four-day Africa tour, President Erdogan noted that the government would not go ahead with such a proposal if it were not for such strong support from the public for a system change in Turkey.

Meanwhile, Turkey's Prime Minister Binali Yildirim has congratulated his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Deputies for passing new changes to the Constitution and pointed to Feb. 7 as the starting date of the referendum campaign.

Yildirim said that the opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has immensely contributed to this process and that they would push for a "yes" vote across the country. "We extend our greetings to MHP leader Mr Devlet Bahceli. He provided great support to this process, he stands by us," Y?ld?r?m added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs / AM)

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