Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-01-30

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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 issues statement on Cyprus talks

[02] Akinci to CNN-Turk: "Let the Turkish public opinion be at ease… The island is going nowhere"

[03] Akinci held a meeting with Kidd

[04] Denktas": "We neither want to be a province of the Greek Cypriot side or one of Turkey"

[05] Denktas alleges that no other place except for the fenced off occupied Varosha should be returned to the Greek Cypriots

[06] Allegations by Afrika regarding the four freedoms for Turkish citizens

[07] The so-called foreign ministry reacted over the Security's Council decision to extend the mandate of UNFICYP

[08] Olgun: "There is no ground for a federal partnership"

[09] HP's first extraordinary congress was held; Ozersay was re-elected as chairman of the party

[10] Democratic Party not ready for "early elections"

[11] Caglar met with the chairman of PACE

[12] The breakaway regime delays the works for the opening of the Deryneia barricade

[13] Figures on the occupation regime's foreign trade deficit

[14] UK, Turkey sign defence deal and push for further trade ties

[15] Turkish military chief Akar pays surprise visit to Aegean's Imia islets amid tense relations with Greece

[16] Greece a complete disappointment for Turkey, Turkish Defence Minister says

[17] Turkish government downplays rating cuts for Turkey's economy

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci issues statement on Cyprus talks

Pointing out that the Cyprus problem had reached its final stage where determined and courageous steps are required; Akinci said that it is possible to create an island where all sides could live in freedom, security and political equality.

Evaluating the latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations process and responding to criticisms as to how he is handling the process with a written statement issued yesterday, he said that although there were still important issues on which agreement had to be reached the convening of a 5-party conference in itself was an important development.

Explaining that progress from this point onwards requires political will, Akinci said that the Turkish Cypriot side had made important contributions on the path of holding the 5-party conference.

He also highlighted the importance of maintaining the current momentum in the talks and for all participants of the 5-party conference to continue their determined support for a settlement.

"While those who support a settlement have been extremely pleased with having reached the point of a 5-party conference, those who oppose a settlement for their own selfish interests have been troubled. We have seen this on both sides of the island" said Akinci, pointing out that there were those in south Cyprus who rejected the principle of a bi-zonal federation and who wanted to grant Turkish Cypriots minority rights in a Greek Cypriot controlled unitary state.

These groups have been deeply disturbed by the fact that we are progressing towards an outcome where the Turkish Cypriots will be granted political equality" he said.

Akinci added that there is a similar group in the "TRNC" who have been conducting politics for years under the slogan that the non-solution of the Cyprus problem is the solution.

"These groups have also started worrying. The former president Dervis Eroglu who accused me of wrong doing, during his term as prime minister had voted in parliament in favour of accepting 29+ as a percentage for the territory to remain in the hands of the Turkish Cypriot side in the event of a settlement. Later on acted insincerely towards the people by touring villages, stating that not a single inch of land would be given back to the Greek Cypriots" he said.

Akinci added that current "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun is too contradicting himself.

"The prime minister says he wants a solution yet states that he will not accept conceding an inch of territory. He too claims that we have made a strategic mistake. He however fails to explain to people how a federal settlement will be possible without making any territorial concessions. Why? Because this is the point they have reached with the logic and rationale they have been pursuing for years…they have been defending a non-solution the continuation of the status quo for all these years" he said.

Akinci reminded that the 11th of February 2014 Joint Declaration's first article stated that the status quo was not sustainable.

Stating that he had promised to tell the truth to the Turkish Cypriot "people" from the very beginning, Akinci in his statement said "I will not be abandoning this position on the issue of maps either. A solution in Cyprus is only possible by regaining our political equality stripped from us in 1963 by the Greek Cypriots, through a federal framework and by returning land that we took from Greek Cypriots as a result of the war in 1974."

Pointing out that all maps dating back to even the previous UN Secretary Generals envisaged 29% of the land being left in the hands of the Turkish Cypriots in the event of a solution, Akinci said that this will continue to be the figure as and when a solution is reached.

He said that it would be ultimately up to the "people" to decide whether or not they would prefer to live in an entity which had a higher percentage of land but was legally challenged at the ECHR or in a place that was recognized by international law and freed of uncertainty.

Akinci also stated that what was important is that as few Turkish Cypriots as possible would be forced to relocate in the event of a settlement.

"Those who will have to relocate will be provided new housing and job opportunities. No one will be forced to move without these being provided" he added.

Noting that the people will have the final say as to whether or not the island should be reunified when they vote in a referendum on the final settlement plan, Akinci said that the talks were still not at that stage.

"It is possible to reach that stage with the support of organized groups on both sides. Instead of focusing on unjustified short term interests, we need to act with the understanding that a settlement will have enormous benefits in the long term. This is our responsibility to future generations" he said.

[02] Akinci to CNN-Turk: "Let the Turkish public opinion be at ease… The island is going nowhere"

"We have not submitted it to the Greek Cypriot side. They saw it. And we saw their map. The UN locked it up in the safe and it remains there. The Greek Cypriot leader rejected our map. Actually we rejected their map, because no Turkish Cypriots, not even a single citizen accepts that map. […] Our map is 29,2%".

Akinci reiterated that this percentage had been approved by the "assembly" during late Turkish Cypriot leader Rauf Denktas' period and added that in order for this map to be valid agreement on the remaining issues should be achieved, alleging that within the framework the Greek Cypriot side should "digest" the Turkish Cypriots' political equality, the rotating presidency and the continuation of Turkey's "effective guarantees" after they are adjusted to the 2017 conditions so that the concerns of the Turkish Cypriots are satisfied.

Referring to the presence of the Turkish army after a possible solution, Akinci said:

"We are referring to an army of about 25-40,000. It is possible for this number to be reduced in time. This number of troops is not necessary to stay after the solution. We will agree on a reasonable number of troops. The works at lower technical level are carried out to this end. The Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee exists. The presence of the army depends on the Treaty of Alliance. According to this treaty, reference is made to defending Cyprus from the outside [dangers]. […] Its name might change. It is useful for its content to remain the same. We believe that the presence of Turkish troops in reasonable numbers there will help Cyprus. There is also the Treaty of Guarantee. While security is provided on the one hand, on the other this should not be perceived as a threat to the other side. This is important for us and Turkey. We do not want a system of security and guarantees in which the one side will feel safe and the other to be concerned. […]"

Referring to the property issue, Akinci said that a property committee will be established having equal number of Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot members with the participation of foreigners as well, if this is required. He argued:

"We say that this should to a great extent be solved with compensations. We have entered into the 42nd – 43rd year. The Greek Cypriot refugees of a certain generation have anyway left from this world. Those who are still alive and their children have established a new life in the south. It is not realistic for anyone to expect that they will leave everything and return to the north. However, everyone wants something in return for their property. Compensations within the framework of reason will be in question. There are studies of the World Bank and the IMF. […] They have made studies on the extent of the compensations. Reference is made to a number of 9-10 billion euro the maximum. […]"

Replying to the allegations that "Cyprus is being sold out, Cyprus is being lost", Akinci said that the Turkish public opinion should relax as "the island will go nowhere". He claimed: "We have taken more territory from them, but they are usurping our equal rights which they have taken in 1963. We will have to return one part of the territory we had taken from the Greek Cypriots. Not all of it. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Akinci held a meeting with Kidd

The latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations process was discussed during the meeting.

No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

[04] Denktas": "We neither want to be a province of the Greek Cypriot side or one of Turkey"

"We neither want to be a province of the Greek Cypriot side or one of Turkey", he stated.

According to a written statement issued by the "deputy prime ministry", Denktas attended and addressed a panel entitled: "The Cyprus issue and the latest developments on the negotiations process" which was organized by the Ankara Forum Association.

Stating that he frequently came across expressions that the "TRNC should be declared the 82nd province of Turkey", Denktas said that almost 99.8% of the Turkish Cypriots would have said 'yes' to this had this proposal been made to them in 1974.

He however underlined that this was out of the question today.

"I am a politician who embraces his independent state; the TRNC has been supporting an agreement with the Greek Cypriot side. I never had and never will have the intention to become a patch to the Greek Cypriot side. Similarly, it won't be a right approach to dissolve our state and become a province of Turkey" Denktas said.

Saying that he defended the "TRNC" state because he wanted the continuation of the "Turkish Cypriot identity", he alleged: "Therefore my independent state should continue to exist. It is out of question to become a province of the Greek Cypriot side or that of Turkey. What is necessary is to carry intergovernmental relations with Turkey to a better point."

Stating that "the Anatolian and Turkish Cypriot people are part of the same nation, speaking the same language and belonging to the same religion", Denktas claimed that the "TRNC is the second independent Turkish state established by war of independence".

"We should not drag our people into such a discussion. Let's continue with our unity and solidarity forever. Cyprus and Turkey cannot exist without the other. Both the TRNC and Turkey is our homeland. Two separate states but two sister countries. Two different states which possess the same national character. This is what we are" Denktas alleged

[05] Denktas alleges that no other place except for the fenced off occupied Varosha should be returned to the Greek Cypriots

Recalling that Akinci has submitted a proposal for 29,2% on the territory and the Greek Cypriot side for 28,2%, Denktas argued that this is a certain sign that the territory of the Turkish Cypriot side will go below 29%. "And together with those who will come among us to obtain property and will not exceed 20%, this percentage will decrease to 27% and perhaps more", he alleged and described as wrong the fact that a map was submitted before the Greek Cypriot side to show whether it wants a partnership with the Turkish Cypriots in the other four chapters.

Referring to the guarantees, Denkas alleged: "The guarantees must in no way be revised. The Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee is a part of the primary law of the EU because is a part of the Treaty of establishment of the Republic of Cyprus. The slightest change to be done there will remove the guarantees from the primary law and they might be annulled in the future".

Yeni Duzen (29.01.17) reported that Denktas said that a delegation of 25 persons from Turkey visited the occupied area of Cyprus between 16 and 20 January in order to carry out a financial control. The delegation went around all the "ministries" and is expected to prepare a report, noted Denktas.

Replying to a question on the issue of "granting the citizenship" to Turkish settlers and on whether the so-called "citizenships by exception" will continue, Denktas said that they will continue giving this kind of "citizenships", because some people were born in the occupied area, their parents and brothers have the "citizenship", but they could not get it for various reasons. He also noted that the "citizenship" of some persons had been annulled by the "court" because they did not possess "health or police certificates" and added that those who possess these "certificates" now and belong to the group of persons described above or are businessmen who invested in the occupied area, will take "their rights" with decisions [by the "council of ministers"].

(I/Ts.)

[06] Allegations by Afrika regarding the four freedoms for Turkish citizens

"It has come out that, during Talat - Christofias negotiations in 2010, the Greek Cypriot side has accepted Turkey's insistent demand regarding the recognition of the right of the four freedoms to citizens from Turkey after a possible solution, but it bounded it to some conditions. Our paper Afrika attained the document which had been kept secret as regards this for years.

Subtitle: Talat submitted it

According to information we have obtained, Mehmet Ali Talat submitted this proposal in the package of proposals he submitted to Demetris Christofias during the meeting they held on 4 January 2010.

During the meeting held by the two leaders on 29 January 2010, this document was signed between the sides and was locked up in the UN registries. Meanwhile, it was decided that the document should remain secret.

Subtitle: What is included in the document

In the secret document it is noted that the Greek Cypriot side has accepted in principle the four freedoms to be given to the Turkish citizens. It is decided that Greece should be briefed on this issue. The EU is asked through the UN what procedures could be done on this issue. It is stressed that this should be done in a manner that the two sides' demographic structure is not spoiled. And the final acceptance of this is depended on an agreement to be reached regarding the population from Turkey in the island.

Subtitle: Kudret Ozersay

The chairman of the People's Party Kudret Ozersay, who spoke the day before yesterday to BRT, also emphasized on the issue and said the following:

While the Greek Cypriot political parties are angry on the issue of the demand for giving Turkey the four freedoms, it has come up that the Greek Cypriot side accepted in 2010 the four freedoms right for the citizens from Turkey. The demand for the four freedoms, which was included in the Turkish side's 'package proposal' upon a demand from Turkey during Talat's period in order to balance the cross-voting, was accepted by the then Greek Cypriot leader Christofias and this was written down. Replying to a question on this issue during a program on the BRT in which he participated, former negotiator Ozersay drew attention to the fact that there is a convergence paper on this issue and that the then Greek Cypriot leader has accepted it. The document regarding the four freedoms for the Turkish citizens bears the date 2010. Due to the fact that Anastasiades has said that he continues the negotiations from the point they were left remaining committed to the convergences, the aforementioned convergence seems to be at the table. It is understood that the demand put forward by the officials from Turkey for their own citizens is based on this convergence of 2010".

Furthermore, the paper publishes on its front page the following excerpt in English, alleging that it is the expression in the above-mentioned "convergence":

"The Greek Cypriot side agrees in principle on the enjoyment of four freedoms by Turkish nationals. The Greek Cypriot side expressed the need to consult Greece first regarding the above. Both leaders will jointly appeal to the EU in order to initiate the necessary work on how this can be accommodated by the EU. This appeal will be done through the Good Offices Mission of the UNSG. This will be done in a way that the demographic ratio between the two communities is not altered. The above is subject to reaching agreement on the issue of Turkish nationals/settlers residing in the north before the solution".

(I/Ts.)

[07] The so-called foreign ministry reacted over the Security's Council decision to extend the mandate of UNFICYP

The "foreign ministry" described in its written statement the Security Council's stance as "wrong and unilateral" and reacted over the reference made about the Republic of Cyprus on the one side, and on the Turkish Cypriot community on the other side. "If they continue with the approach that in Cyprus where there are two equal sides, there is on the one side a 'state' or a 'government' and on the other side a community, then it will be impossible to reach to a fair and viable solution on the Cyprus problem", the statement alleged.

(AK)

[08] Olgun: "There is no ground for a federal partnership"

Claiming that the goal for a federal partnership and power sharing in Cyprus is not possible to happen due to the Greek Cypriot side's excessive demands, Olgun also alleged that the Greek Cypriot side has brought them to the point of making concessions from their own rights as Turkish Cypriots. "This is very dangerous. History has shown that the Turkish Cypriots cannot defend themselves without having Turkey, neither economically or socially due to the population majority of the Greek Cypriots", Olgun further claimed.

Olgun expressed also the view that the Turkish Cypriot side has lost its bargaining power on the territory issue after the submission of maps by both sides. "We have not taken what we wanted on the issue of bi-zonality and political equality in exchange for this. And this is a wrong negotiation practice", he further alleged.

(…)

(AK)

[09] HP's first extraordinary congress was held; Ozersay was re-elected as chairman of the party

Kudret Ozersay has been re-elected in the post of the chairman of the party without any other candidate.

Speaking during the congress, Ozersay stated, inter alia, that their goal is to become a single-party government.

(AK)

[10] Democratic party not ready for "early elections"

According to the paper, the general secretary of DP Afet Ozcafer stated that "early elections is the last thing that people want".

However, Ersin Tatar, "deputy" with the big partner of the "coalition government" the National Unity Party (UBP) stated that during a meeting heled recently between "UBP deputies", discussions took place regarding a possible date for the "elections", which could take place either in October 2017 or April 2018.

(CS)

[11] Caglar met with the chairman of PACE

According to a written statement issued by CTP, Caglar evaluated during the meeting the recent developments on the Cyprus negotiation process and proposed that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nicos Anastasiades to jointly address the next general assembly of PACE that will take place on April.

Caglar referred also during the meeting to the importance of Turkey's active and effective guarantees in Cyprus for the Turkish Cypriots.

(AK)

[12] The breakaway regime delays the works for the opening of the Deryneia barricade

At the same time the works for asphalting the road are conducted by UNDP at the buffer zone for opening the barricade in Deryneia area.

The deputy chairman of the "Association of the within the walls region of Famagusta" Serdar Atai, stated to the paper that asphalting the roads and building pavements has been scheduled. As he said it appears to be a problem regarding the fact that the "government" started with a delay the works that must be done in the region.

(CS)

[13] Figures on the occupation regime's foreign trade deficit

According to the figures given by the so-called department of trade, the exports of the occupation regime for the above period were 95.1 million dollars while the imports were 1 billion 286 million dollars.

(…)

(AK)

[14] UK, Turkey sign defence deal and push for further trade ties

May held three hours of talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan before meeting with Prime Minister Binali Yildirim in Ankara.

She announced the creation of a joint group to boost trade to over $20 billion ahead of Britain's departure from the European Union, while also overseeing the signing of a deal for Britain's BAE Systems to develop a new Turkish fighter jet.

May said that after meeting Erdogan at his palace, she was "proud" Britain had stood with Turkey's democratically elected government during a July 15, 2016, coup.

"Now it is important that Turkey sustains that democracy by maintaining the rule of law and upholding its international human rights obligations, as the government has undertaken to do," she said.

May stressed that Turkey was one of Britain's "oldest friends" with relations going back over 400 years, referring to the establishment of relations between the Ottoman Empire and England under Elizabeth I.

Erdogan said the two sides were aiming to increase annual trade from over $15 billion to $20 billion.

May said Britain and Turkey had agreed to set up a working group to "prepare the ground for our post-Brexit trading relationship" after Britain leaves the bloc.

"We both want to build on our existing links and I believe that doing so will be to the benefit of both of our countries and for the prosperity of both our nations," she said, as quoted by Agence France-Presse.

Yildirim said the two sides would also now target a free trade deal.

Under their non-binding 100 million pound ($125 million) agreement, BAE Systems and state-owned Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) will establish a partnership for the development of the TF-X fighter jet.

May said it indicated that "Britain is a great, global, trading nation and that we are open for business," after the Brexit vote.

She added that "it marks the start of a new and deeper trading relationship with Turkey."

In addition, the paper further reports that May cautiously warned Turkey on human rights following last year's failed coup attempt in a visit to Ankara.

May also discussed the recently-held Astana talks as well as the upcoming Geneva talks at the end of February, both of which aim to find a political solution in Syria.

Erdogan also said he discussed the issue of Cyprus with May. "We also discussed what kind of steps we could take for Cyprus," the Turkish President said. May said the U.K. and Turkey were committed to playing their parts "for an early settlement."

[15] Turkish military chief Akar pays surprise visit to Aegean's Imia islets amid tense relations with Greece

Accompanied by army, navy and air force commanders, Akar first visited Aksaz Navy Base Command located near Turkey's Aegean resort town of Marmaris.

Following the visit, Akar and the accompanying commanders cruised near the Kardak islets - known as Imia in Greek - which are claimed by both countries and had been a source of tension again between Turkey and Greece since late 2016. The Kardak Islets are a pair of two small uninhabited islets in the Aegean Sea, situated between the Greek island chain of the Dodecanese and the southwestern mainland coast of Turkey.

Right after Akar's visit, Turkish media reports claimed that a Greek military vessel tried to prevent the ship carrying Akar from getting close to the islets. Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) denied these reports in a statement, showing a photo of Akar on the vessel near one of the islets while a Greek patrol boat cruising next to it".

[16] Greece a complete disappointment for Turkey, Turkish Defence Minister says

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the handover of a submarine rescue ship to the Turkish Naval Forces Command in Istanbul Saturday, Fikri Isik said: "This is not a judgment, it is not a decision that dispenses justice."

He called Thursday's ruling of the Greek Supreme Court case a "political decision" and a "complete disappointment".

"Our urgent expectation from Greece is that this wrong and unjust decision be corrected as soon as possible and those eight people are returned to Turkey," he said.

Isik also said: "Greece has also revealed how wrong it is in the fight against terrorism," underlining that Turkey would continue to follow the case.

The ex-soldiers -- Ahmet Guzel, Gencay Boyuk, Feridun Coban, Abdullah Yetik, Ugur Ucan, Suleyman Ozkaynakci, Mesut Firatand, Bilal Kurugul -- fled to Greece in a stolen Black Hawk helicopter a few hours after the July 15, 2016, coup bid was defeated in Turkey. The men -- two majors, four captains and two sergeants -- were dismissed from the military after they fled.

Turkey sent a second extradition request to Greece on Friday calling for the repatriation of the soldiers, a Justice Ministry official said.

The ex-soldiers have been fighting extradition since they arrived in Greece and claimed asylum on July 16.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, did not explain how a second request would help nullify the Greek court's decision.

Interpol has also been asked to issue international arrest warrants for the eight, the official said.

[17] Turkish government downplays rating cuts for Turkey's economy

Fitch downgraded Turkey's sovereign debt to "junk" late on Jan. 27, snuffing out its last remaining investment grade and underscoring deepening concern about politics and monetary policy in what was once a star emerging market. The ratings cut, although widely expected by the markets, came hours after rival agency S&P surprised investors by lowering its outlook for Turkey from "stable" to "negative," citing concerns over the plunging Turkish Lira and the rising inflation rate.

During a televised interview Kurtulmus said the process should occur in a smooth way.

"Any upgrade in our ratings does not mean 'everything is great in the Turkish economy.' This is also the case for the downgrades, as the rating or outlook cuts should not be seen as 'we are dead or something like that,'" he told CNN Turk.

Kurtulmus said there was no great problem with the country's macroeconomic indicators.

"The point is to boost our production capacity… In a bid to reach this target, we have been taking some key measures, including a new incentive program to create attraction centers, which was recently announced by Prime Minister Binali Yildirim," he said, adding that what the government should do was run the economy so as not to shake the macroeconomic balances and the financial system.

According to Kurtulmus, rating agencies sometimes move according to political motives rather than economic ones. "I believe that the recent decisions by such agencies are part of a smear campaign against Turkey that is aimed at driving it into a corner," he added.

Fitch lowered Turkey's rating to BB+ from BBB-, the latter being its lowest investment-grade rating. Fitch revised Turkey's ceiling to "BBB-" from "BBB" but maintained the country's stable outlook. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(CS / AM)

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