Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-03-14

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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] Erdogan: "Some EU states cannot tolerate Turkey's rise"

[02] Celik: "Turkey calls EU, Council of Europe to raise voice on the Netherlands' breach of rights"

[03] Turkey bars Dutch Ambassador amid tensions

[04] Main opposition leader slams government for not retaliating over diplomatic crisis with the Netherlands

[05] Erdogan's adviser alleges that there is no option including the EU for a solution in Cyprus

[06] The chairman of livestock producers' association asked the prohibition on importing meat and dairy products from the Netherlands

[07] A 12% increase of tourism during the winter period

[08] An "official" of Corendon tourism group commented on the crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands

[10] TKP-YG to merge with SDP

[11] HDP co-chair Demirtas's statements 'exceed freedom of expression limits,' court says

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan: "Some EU states cannot tolerate Turkey's rise"

"A part of the European Union countries, unfortunately, cannot tolerate the rise of Turkey, and Germany is right at the top [of the list]. Germany relentlessly supports terrorism," Erdogan said during an interview aired live on local A Haber and ATV networks.

The Turkish President lashed out at German Chancellor Angela Merkel who said earlier Monday that the Netherlands had her "full support and solidarity" in the Turkish-Dutch row.

"Merkel! Shame on you! Stand by the Netherlands as you like. You are supporting terrorists," Erdogan said, adding that Turkey had sent Germany 4,500 files on terrorists, but Germany did nothing about it.

His remarks came amid an ongoing standoff between Turkey and the Netherlands after the Dutch government banned planned rallies of Turkish Ministers ahead of the referendum.

Erdogan said he would not be content with only a simple apology from the Netherlands on this issue. "They will pay the price for this sooner or later," he said, adding the Dutch government would be called to account for the recent events.

Erdogan also accused Germany and the Netherlands of ignoring the Vienna Convention, and of being fascist and employing Nazi practices. "We can call it Neo-Nazism. That's their understanding of the Vienna Convention," Erdogan claimed.

In addition, the President's Office (13.03.17 online https://www.tccb.gov.tr/) reports that Erdogan addressed a large crowd of citizens at a mass opening ceremony of the newly-built facilities in the province of Kocaeli.

In reference to the Netherlands' cancellation of the landing clearance for Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu's plane and prevention of Family and Social Policies Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya's access to the Turkish Consulate, he said: "According to international law, embassies and consulates are territories of the states they represent. In other words, both the Embassy and the Consulate in the Netherlands are our territory. Can you believe; they don't open the door, let our Consul out, and our Minister go there. Who is it doing this? The Netherlands. And who is the Netherlands? An EU member. Yet, your EU membership doesn't make any difference to us. You should first learn international law and democracy. Those who attempt to lecture Turkey on democracy should first learn international law and democracy."

President Erdogan further claimed that Europe kept silent in the face of the incident, and continued: "They don't bite each other. They are the same. The Netherlands acted like a banana republic, not like an EU-member democratic state of law. The entire world has witnessed how foreign those, who have been lecturing Turkey for years on human rights, the law and democracy, are to these values. And now they are trying to come up with excuses for their misbehaviour. No matter what they say, you cannot cover up the lies; what you did is called 'scandal.' The Netherlands will absolutely pay for this misbehaviour. I call on all the EU institutions and all the international organizations that pursue a mission to uphold democracy, human rights and rule of law to raise their voices and even impose sanctions on the Netherlands.

[02] Celik: "Turkey calls EU, Council of Europe to raise voice on the Netherlands' breach of rights"

"There is a need to altogether stand against these kinds of actions. Turkey will do whatever is necessary, but the European Union and the Council of Europe should condemn these incidents and adopt exclusionary actions," Celik told the Ankara bureau chiefs of media outlets on March 13.

Celik said the Dutch government's refusal to permit a Turkish Minister to enter Turkey's Consulate in Rotterdam and the use of force against Turkish demonstrators on March 11 was an open violation of the European Convention on Human Rights even though all CoE members were committed to its implementation.

"The detention of our charge d'affaires and barring our Ministers from going to our Consulate constitute a crime. This is also the violation of values we share with the EU. That's why the EU should pursue a sensitive and efficient policy. If this incident is underestimated and tolerated, then the EU can no longer be considered as a political union," he said.

Recalling a statement issued by the EU's Federica Mogherini and Johannes Hahn suggesting that Turkey should avoid excessive statements, Celik said this was a clear indication that both EU officials have misread the developments in Netherlands.

"This is not the statement anticipated from EU's special representative. If this statement talks about mutual efforts to avoid tension, then it will have no influence at all," he said, recalling that it was the Netherlands that violated laws and not Turkey.

Celik also underlined that he was disturbed with calls for restraint from both sides given the fact that it was the Dutch government that used force against demonstrators and "violated all human rights conventions."

Turkey will not leave the Netherlands' actions unanswered, Celik said, adding that there would certainly be sanctions imposed but he did not provide further details.

"Some of Turkey's European rivals and non-European rivals are trying to turn this crisis into the complete collapse of Turkey's ties with the West. We should not turn this process into a detachment [with Europe to the advantage of far-right. What is essential for us is Turkey's interests," he said.

"The steps we will take should be in a way to protect our national honor," Celik said. "If we respond to the Netherlands in the same way, then it would reduce Turkey to a lower league. We won't do this."

It will be impossible for the EU to continue its path under the current conditions, and it has to decide how it will look like after elections in key European countries and Brexit, Celik said, adding that this search might give new opportunities to Turkey in a new EU structure.

The Netherlands, France and Germany are also holding elections amid concerns that 2017 will be a year marking the rise of far-right and racist political parties.

Asked whether Turkey would revise its efforts to stop irregular migrants using the Aegean Sea to cross into Greece, Celik recalled that the EU had not fulfilled its requirements stemming from a deal between Ankara and Brussels.

"At this moment, we have no obligation to stick to the agreement but we are doing so due to humanitarian assessments. In one sense, Turkey is saving the honor of humanity. But when it comes to the passages by the land, I am of the opinion that Turkey should revise this situation because Europe is not doing its share," he said.

[03] Turkey bars the Dutch Ambassador amid tensions

The move comes amid tensions after Amsterdam deported a Turkish Minister and banned another. Kurtulmus told reporters about the measures on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting in Ankara.

The Dutch government's conduct "is unacceptable by any standards", he said.

"This tension, this crisis, this chaos -- whatever you call it -- it is not us who caused it," Kurtulmus said.

"Turkey will not suffer from this. Turkey protects its rights and dignity, but I would like to stress that it is the Netherlands and many other European countries that will bear the brunt," the minister said.

Kurtulmus said Ankara might review the EU-Turkey refugee deal. Turkey's EU Minister has already called for reconsidering the agreement, especially the parts having to do with refugees trying to enter Europe by land.

[04] Main opposition leader slams goverment for not retaliating over diplomatic crisis with the Netherlands

"If you are to do something, do it. Our [Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu] went to the Netherlands, but the Dutch government withdrew permission for his plane to land in the country. It hurts our pride," Kilicdaroglu said in Ankara on March 13.

"They said they would respond with strong countermeasures. How? They say 'wait until April 16.' Why? The ruling party is in, the opposition is providing support. We will provide support until the end. Why don't you do it then? Suspend all relations with the Netherlands," he said, vowing to support the government in any retaliation.

Recalling Germany's ban on Turkey's ministerial speeches in Germany, Kilicdaroglu also criticized the government's comments on diplomatic relations with Germany. "You just talk," he said referring to the Turkish government.

"They said, 'Germany will pay the price.' How? There are German soldiers at Incirlik Air Base. Did you remove them? No. You just talk. This nation is fed up with talk. Go and do whatever you are going to do. We will give you all kinds of support," he said.

"You will see after April 16, they will hurt Turkey's reputation. It is not right," he added.

[05] Erdogan's adviser alleges that there is no option including the EU for a solution in Cyprus

Alleging that the EU's intention is to send away Turkey from Cyprus and "imprison" it in its geographic area, Bulut claimed that there is not any option including the EU for a solution in Cyprus. He alleged, inter alia, the following:

"[…] I have been writing for months the EU's real intention in the Cyprus talks and that the talks will never give results. Will we entrust Cyprus and our brothers there to the EU countries, which attack our Ministers, lead dogs to bite our citizens and fundamentally violate human rights? Never! There is no option including EU any more in Cyprus! As far as the EU countries which think that they will cut off Cyprus from Turkey, I am saying the following: We back until the end the operation we had carried out in 1974 against those who killed our brothers and there could not be any reason to force us to succumb. […]

Cyprus is our cause and will remain as such. No one, with no game at the table could bring the issue of Cyprus before fait accompli without the last drop of our blood to be shed! […]

It is out of the question for us to take even one step backwards in Cyprus, to secure an agreement as long as this stance of the EU against Turkey continues. I dare you! We have taken it [Cyprus] back by shedding our blood. If anyone wants to take it, let him come, if he agrees to pay the same price. Come on Holland, Germany, Sweden, Nazis who attacked women and children with police panzers, who had dogs attack our brothers, if you dare, Cyprus is there!"

(I/Ts.)

[06] The chairman of livestock producers' association asked the prohibition on importing meat and dairy products from the Netherlands

In a written statement issued yesterday, Naimogullari described the Netherlands' stance as a "medieval mentality", alleging that this implementation contains hostility towards Muslim people. He asked from the import companies to stop bringing Dutch meat and dairy products in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. He also called on the self-styled minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun and the "coalition government" to take the "correct steps" on the issue.

(DPs)

[07] A 12% increase of tourism during the winter period

Evaluating the rise of tourists from Turkey during the winter period, Esenyel argued that although they are still in the winter period, there is a growth of 12% and they are hopeful that this growth will also continue during the summer period.

(DPs)

[08] An "official" of Corendon tourism group commented on the crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands

Karaer expressed hopes that the crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands will be overcome and supported that if it continues, it will affect them negatively.

Karaer, reminded of the fact that elections will take place in the Netherlands tomorrow and a referendum in Turkey in April and expressed the view that the situation will be smoothed out right after.

Karaer further argued that the tension between the Netherlands and Turkey will not affect Cyprus, as Cyprus is not affected by terrorism as well, due to the fact that it is an island.

(AK)

[10] TKP-YG to merge with SDP

Speaking during the press conference, the chairman of the TKP-YG Mehmet Cakici stated that they have decided to merge and establish a party with SDP in the general congress that will take place next April. Cakici further criticized the so-called government for all the problems experienced in the Turkish Cypriot community, the problems in the "economy", the unemployment, and problems in the "civil services" the "health sector", the education and e.t.c

The press conference was attended by the SDP leader Tozun Tunali and the member of the TKP-YG, Sonay Adem.

Also speaking, the leader of the SDP, Tunali for his part said that they had decided to merge with the TKP-YG so as to bring change to the "country" with a new vision.

Moreover, Adem, member of the "New Forces" of TKP, pointed out to the lack of confidence in "political life" and "politicians" in the occupied area of Cyprus and supported that the Turkish Cypriots need a new movement that will give them hopes.

(AK)

[11] HDP co-chair Demirtas's statements 'exceed freedom of expression limits,' court says

The Second Criminal Court of First Instance in the Dogubeyazit district of the eastern province of Agri, which previously sentenced Demirtas to five years in prison in the case, said describing the actions of the government as "government terror" cannot be considered within the boundaries of freedom of expression.

"The suspect's description of the actions and policies of the government, which reflects the will of the people through the votes of the electorate, as 'government terror' far exceeds the right to freedom of expression and parliamentary criticism," the court stated on March 13, adding that "freedom of expression is not unlimited."

The court on Feb. 21 sentenced Demirtas, who was arrested on Nov. 4, 2016, to five months in prison for "Openly humiliating the Turkish people, the republic and parliament" by using the term "government terror" in a speech made during the Nevruz celebrations on March 19, 2016.

In its justification, the court stated that "the boundaries of the freedom of expression are as important as the right itself." "There are similar regulations in the laws of Austria, Germany, Denmark, Italy and Spain," it added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy

(CS/ AM)

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