Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-03-15

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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] Cavusoglu threatens that they will look for "other ways of solution" in Cyprus

[02] "Akinci: Our efforts for a solution continue"

[03] Turkish Cypriot daily reports that a "summit" between the UNSG and the two community leaders in New York is possible

[04] Eide visited CTP's headquarters

[05] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Akinci is the one who abandoned the negotiating table

[06] Turkish Energy Minister: Turkey to conduct seismic studies in the Mediterranean by the end of March or beginning of April

[07] Turkish academicians on Turkey's plans to conduct deep-sea drilling and seismic exploration resources in the Mediterranean

[08] The self-styled government continues to "grant" the "TRNC citizenship"

[09] Erdogan refers to the massacre of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims while criticizing the Dutch in ongoing diplomatic row

[10] Erdogan slams Turkey Bar Associations head over 'No' campaign

[11] Turkish PM awaits apology from the Netherlands

[12] Kurtulmus: Turkey could impose economic sanctions on Netherlands

[13] Turkey accuses EU of "exercising democracy selectively"

[14] Commentaries in Hurriyet urge Turkey not to escalate tension with EU

[15] The KTTO sent a letter to the so-called government with proposals on the economy of the occupation regime

[16] Working hours approved by so-called parliament

[17] Figures on the occupation regime's economy by the "central bank"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu threatens that they will look for "other ways of solution" in Cyprus

"[?] While these negotiations were continuing, they produced in the Parliament a decision for enosis, that is, a decision for uniting Cyprus with Greece. Where it is that you wanted a solution? Where it is that the parameters, the criteria of the solution were known? The bi-zonality, the political equality, the two founding states for a solution? Why have you wasted our time so much? And on the one hand they are afraid of the process not to end so that the TRNC and Turkey not to go together towards other alternatives. Nevertheless, cowards die many times before their deaths. If you do not want a solution, we will look for a way to solve it. We are not a helpless nation without alternatives, but we have supported this process until today in order for peace to come, in order for a solution to come. If you do not want, we will of course look for other ways. We will not leave this issue in the lurch. [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[02] "Akinci: Our efforts for a solution continue"

"[?] Creating and signing a solution is only the first step. The important thing is for making this [solution] viable. We do not want the repetition of the 1963 events. Therefore, could the culture of peace, the culture of federation, empathy and understanding the other have any relation with celebrating enosis in schools? We are right and we expect for this correction to be made. Contacts are being held in this direction [?]".

Akinci said also that he had been given from the "people" the power to walk towards a bi-zonal, bi-communal just solution based on the political equality and added that a little bit more patience is needed and that the efforts for finding a solution continue.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkish Cypriot daily reports that a "summit" between the UNSG and the two community leaders in New York is possible

The sources told the paper that President Anastasiades will be in New York on 22 March to address a conference organized by Capital Link think tank under the title "Investing in Cyprus" and that he wants to meet with the UNSG during this visit to the USA.

"However, among the allegations is that Secretary-General Gutierrez will invite Akinci to New York instead of meeting with Anastasiades only during this difficult moment of the Cyprus problem and will hold a summit with the two leaders here for overcoming the existing deadlock", argues the paper, recalling UNSG's earlier statement that he would do whatever he could for overcoming the crisis.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eide visited CTP's headquarters

According to the paper, Eide discussed the latest developments of the Cyprus problem with a CTP delegation, headed by the party's chairman Tufan Erhurman.

(CS)

[05] Turkish Cypriot columnist says that Akinci is the one who abandoned the negotiating table

"Akinci had said about Anastasiades that 'he slammed the door and went out'. I was not there. I do not know whether he slammed or opened the door and went out as always. With this expression, Akinci undoubtedly meant to say that Anastasiades ran away from the table! However, the substance was not this and the truth was in Anastasiades' statements. What had the Greek Cypriot leader said? 'I went out to smoke one cigarette. When I returned, I found no one at the table'.

Akinci was quick to grab this opportunity, which he had been waiting for. He gathered his team and said good bye! He came before the press and announced that Anastasiades had run away from the table! Right after, Anastasiades stated that he had not run away from the table and that he had only gone out to smoke but when he returned he found no one and said that he was ready to sit at the table at any time. As for Akinci, since that day he says 'if you annul the enosis decision, I will return to the table'!

When we see this picture, it is not possible for us not to see that Akinci is the one who ran away from the table. There is a Greek Cypriot leader ready to sit at the table at any time without putting forth any conditions. And a Turkish leader who puts forth certain conditions to return to the table! While the situation is the above, the call to return to the table is made to both leaders! However, the call 'return to the table' should only be directed toward the one who ran away from the table, that is, to Akinci. [?]

Unfortunately, there is no one in northern Cyprus who calls on Akinci to 'return to the table'. [?] Even those who are left wing and seem to support the solution, for some reason, could not say to Akinci 'return to the table', in spite of the fact that he is obviously the one who abandoned the table. [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkish Energy Minister: Turkey to conduct seismic studies in the Mediterranean by the end of March or beginning of April

A 3-D seismic exploration studies would be conducted with two different vessels, one being the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa and another one, which will soon be announced by Turkish officials, Albayrak said at the opening of the 8th general assembly of the Turkish Association of Distribution System Operators (ELDER) in Ankara.

"Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa operated in oil and natural gas resources exploration two years ago off the coast of Cyprus, but its activities were interrupted in March 2015 when tensions erupted between Greek and Turkish Cypriots over the ownership of the resources", the paper claimed.

Turkish Cyprus has since stated the resources of the island belonged to both communities.

"This will be an important year for sea, oil and gas exploration. We will continue with two different vessels, one will explore the Black Sea and the other will explore the Mediterranean Sea. This year will be a more active year for us," Albayrak said.

Turkey will not only conduct seismic studies, but will also start exploration studies and drilling in the Mediterranean in the next five to 10 years, he said, adding that exploration in the Mediterranean, as a strategic part for Turkey, will allow the region to increase its presence in the global exploration industry.

"The more you search, the more you have the chance to find it. So we will search more. As I said, this will be an active year in the Mediterranean," he said.

Albayrak stressed that electricity production from domestic sources hit a record high last year at 49% - a development he said will contribute positively to Turkey's current account deficit.

"Last year, the share of domestic coal in electricity production increased 23 % and the share of renewables increased 31 %," he said.

Albayrak also spoke about the steps taken to increase the country's gas storage. "The country's daily natural gas output capacity increased to 240-250 million cubic meters from 190 million cubic meters. It will reach 300 million cubic meters this year," he added.

[07] Turkish academicians om Turkey's plans to conduct deep-sea drilling and seismic exploration resources in the Mediterranean

Prof. Gurkan Kumbaroglu, director of the Energy Policy Research Center at Bogazici University, opined that the country should not restrict itself to its own sovereign territorial waters. Turkey should also cooperate with other countries in the region while conducting operations in the territorial waters of those countries, as well as maintaining partnerships with the multinational conglomerates in making use of the ample gas reserves in the Mediterranean, the professor argued.

Professor Kumbaroglu highlighted the necessity of Turkey taking the stage as an active player, as Europe has long been in the field, referring to discoveries by Italians in Egypt and the French interest in Lebanon.

Furthermore, carrying natural gas through pipelines that could be built on the shortest route to the destination means going through Turkey when it comes to Mediterranean gas. Israel has long searched for the most lucrative way to export its gas to Europe and reports have proved that a pipeline that would pass through Turkey is the least expensive option, since either a pipeline through Greece or liquefaction, regasification and carrying through a floating LNG terminal would have higher costs.

With regards to multinational collaboration, Professor Erdal Tanas Karagol, energy director at the Foundation for Political, Economic, and Social Research (SETA), stated that Turkey's presence in the region is possible with the international agreements to be concluded with international firms. If an agreement is sustained, Turkey can produce its own energy from the regional reserves and use it in the domestic market, Karagol added. But any export depends on the capacity of the reserves Turkey may discover in the region, according to Karagol.

Like Kumbaroglu, Karagol underscored that Turkey and Russia could work in cooperation in the Mediterranean in line with the agreements, drawing attention to other foreign operations of Turkish Petroleum in Azerbaijan, Iraq and Russia. In fact, Karagol states that, Turkey's collaboration with Russia is possible since Turkey is a market Russia would not want to lose.

Salihe Kaya, an energy researcher at SETA, also drew attention to the strong possibility of partnership among nations that are operating in the Mediterranean. The launch of Turkey's upstream activities in the region would encourage other investors, she noted.

Recalling that Turkey-Russia ties, which were strained after November 2015 when Turkey downed a Russian jet that was violating its airspace, garnered momentum through energy collaboration for projects such as the TurkStream natural gas pipeline and Akkuyu nuclear power plant, Kaya emphasized that Turkey-Israel ties could also further improve through energy collaborations in the region.

She further noted that the visit of Israeli Energy Minister Yuval Steinitz in April could trigger stronger collaboration between the two states. A pipeline that could transfer Israel's gas reserves in the Mediterranean to Europe through Turkey could be announced during this visit, which will contribute to the amelioration of relations, as she claimed.

[08] The self-styled government continues to "grant" the "TRNC citizenship"

According to the paper, during the two last meetings of the "council of ministers" on February 27 and March 7 accordingly, the "granting" of the "TRNC citizenship" to 25 more persons was "approved".

The names of the new "citizens" as were published on March 8 at the "official gazette", of the breakaway regime is as follows:

1.	Polat Atici born 1976 in Nigde
2.	Oktar Ari born 1975 in Batman
3.	Yusuf Karaman born 1981  in Nevsehir
4.	Ferit Iskifoglu born 1987 in Antakya
5.	Cahit Eskioba  born in 1972 in Van
6.	Merve Sarabacioglu born in 1989 in Oslo Norway
7.	Yener Nolat born in 1981 in Kozan
8.	Ercan Comert born in 1972 in Iskenderum
9.	Cengiz Bicer born in 1962 in Karkincik
10.	Sevda Lafci Fahrioglu born in 1975 in Salihli
11.	Ahmet Naci Isik born in 1952 in Bala
12.	Ahmet Anci born in 1974 in Antakya
13.	Hammut Altay born in 1998 in Antakya
14.	Munevver Acikgoz born in 1994 in Kahta Adiyaman
15.	Volkan Kaplan born in 1987 in Mersin
16.	Osman Karakose born in 1970 in Eregim
17.	Ezgi Garginsu born in 1996 in Lefkosia
18.	Mahmut Alagoz born in 1980 in Adiyaman
19.	Ahmet Icer born in 1979 in Altinozu
20.	Mehmet Fatih Tosyali born in 1966 in Iskenderum
21.	Fuat Tisyali born in 1961 in Iskenderum
22.	Kaan Ozer born in 1979 in Karatas
23.	Mehmet Atlar born in 1970 in Reyhanli
24.	Ece Aka Ozturk born in 1981 in Ankara
25.	Ferhat Karabulut born in 1994 in Seyhan.

(CS)

[09] Erdogan refers to the massacre of 8,000 Bosnian Muslims while criticizing the Dutch in ongoing diplomatic row

"We know the Netherlands and the Dutch from the Srebrenica massacre," he said, referring to the 1995 killing of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys.

"We know how they are spineless and ignoble as they massacred 8,000 Bosnians."

The massacre in the eastern Bosnian town -- the worst mass killing since World War II -- occurred when a Dutch battalion of UN peacekeepers failed to protect civilians from Bosnian Serb forces.

Addressing an audience in Ankara, Erdogan added: "Nobody should try to give us lessons in civilization. Their history is dark but ours is clean."

In July 2014, a Dutch court ordered the Netherlands to compensate the families of more than 300 Srebrenica victims, saying the peacekeepers should have known they would be killed.

The comments follow the Netherlands' refusal over the weekend to allow Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Family Minister Fatma Betul Sayan Kaya from addressing Turkish nationals in Rotterdam on the April 16 constitutional referendum.

"By displaying state-sponsored terror on Saturday, the Netherlands has greatly damaged the EU, its values which are no longer the bloc of laws, freedoms," Erdogan said.

In addition the paper writes that Turkey has announced an initial batch of sanctions against the Netherlands that largely focuses on the political and diplomatic sphere while also filing complaints at top international institutions on the grounds that the Dutch government violated the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations with its actions against Turkish ministers.

"After the steps taken in a cabinet meeting [late on March 13], there will be further steps in the pipeline," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech he delivered on the occasion of Doctors' Day on March 14.

"Issuing an apology will not suffice. The Netherlands will be held to account for what it did," Erdogan said.

Turkey's cabinet revealed a set of sanctions against the Netherlands which did not include economic measures. The sanctions include a ban on the Dutch Ambassador and diplomatic flights from the Netherlands, as well as the cancelation of all high-level political meetings between the two parties.

"We are doing exactly what they did to us. We are not allowing planes carrying Dutch diplomats or envoys to land in Turkey or to use our airspace," Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmus told a news conference after a cabinet meeting. "Those creating this crisis are responsible for fixing it." Kurtulmus also said Turkey's deal to stop the flow of migrants into Europe may need to be re-evaluated. He said high-level government meetings would be suspended between the two countries until the Netherlands atoned for its actions.

As part of measures against the Netherlands, Turkey will apply to three high-level international organizations to complain about the Netherlands' breach of the Vienna convention on diplomatic relations on late March 11 by detaining Turkey's charge d'affaires and other diplomats and by temporarily seizing cars with diplomatic plates, diplomatic sources have said.

According to information gathered by the Hurriyet Daily News from diplomatic sources, Turkey will file a complaint against the Netherlands with the United Nations, the Organization of Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and to the Council of Europe (CoE) on the grounds that the Dutch government violated the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations from 1961.

[10] Erdogan slams Turkey Bar Association head over 'No' campaign

"You cannot knock on my door anymore. I have closed it, because you are the head of a union, the president of an institution that claims to know what law is. You cannot do this. You are not a politician," Erdogan said in a televised interview with private broadcaster ATV on March 13.

Criticizing Feyzioglu for conducting a referendum campaign abroad by delivering speeches against the constitutional amendments, Erdogan accused the bar head of breaching his duties.

"The ones who are not allowing my Minister to give a speech are allowing the president of the Union of Turkish Bar Associations to go and conduct a campaign there. He started in Turkey and toured around Europe. He is supposed to be a law professional," Erdogan said, referring to the crisis between Turkey and the Netherlands after the latter banned Turkish ministers from meeting Turks living there.

"At the moment he did this, but there are going to be consequences. As a matter of fact, many Bar Associations are in an uproar, claiming that the Union of Bar Associations of Turkey does not represent them anymore," he added.

Feyzioglu responded to Erdogan's harsh words, saying the Union of the Bar Associations and the provincial bar associations are obligated to explain the constitutional amendment package and its contents in accordance with the law.

"Which trade body, which association, which union should undertake the responsibility of informing our nation on the constitutional amendments besides us? To carry out informing is a duty of all people living in this country, all the unions and NGOs. However, everybody who listens to their conscience knows that it is primarily a duty of the Union of Bar Associations," Feyzioglu said at a press conference on March 14.

Condemning the ban on Turkish Ministers by European countries, Feyzioglu said his only visit to Europe had happened before the diplomatic crisis with Netherlands and Germany erupted.

[11] Turkish PM awaits apology from the Netherlands

"There should be an apology," said Yildirim. When Turkish citizens in Rotterdam tried to protest, they were met by police using batons, dogs and water cannons, in what some analysts called a disproportionate use of force.

The incidents drew strong criticism from Ankara, including diplomatic notes sent to the Netherlands in protest.

"The rights of victims who were subjected to attacks by dogs and batons, those who were subjected to violence, should be [...] protected," Yildirim said.

He also gave details about his several phone calls early Sunday with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.. Yildirim said he told Rutte that what happened was wrong and should be corrected. He added that Rutte provided his own explanation.

"He raised his voice, and we raised ours too," Yildirim said. He added that the Turkish Ambassador to the Netherlands was currently in Turkey and that his return was not a topical issue.

[12] Kurtulmus: Turkey could impose economic sanctions against the Netherlands

"Pressure [on the Netherlands] will continue until it compensates for what it had done. We have begun with political sanction and economic sanctions could also come in the future," Kurtulmus said in an interview with private broadcaster CNN Turk.

He also said it was the Dutch side that provoked the crisis, describing its stance as "barbaric" and "wild."

Meanwhile, Kurtulmus ruled out the option of withdrawing Turkey's Ambassador to the Netherlands.

The current sanctions include the absence of high-level relations and a flight ban, he added. "We will wait for the Netherlands' stance now," he said.

[13] Turkey accuses EU of "exercising democracy selectively"

In a statement on March 14, the Turkish Ministry said the EU was exercising democratic values and basic rights and freedoms "selectively," adding that its comments calling for calm had "no value" for Ankara.

"Our EU counterparts only selectively apply democratic values, fundamental rights and freedoms. While recommending dialogue channels for resolving problems, they ignore our policies pursued within the limits of diplomacy and the law, unlike the Netherlands," the statement read.

"The EU's short-sighted statement has no value for us. ? The EU should realize that it fuels extremism, xenophobia and anti-Turkish sentiments, because the call to refrain from excessive statements is made only to Turkey, rather than to the countries that caused this situation by violating diplomatic conventions and international law," it added.

In addition, the paper writes that Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has hinted that if the European Union does not grant a visa exemption to Turkish citizens, the migration agreement struck last year between Turkey and the EU could be abolished.

"We see that the European Union has been stalling us. But our patience is not unlimited. Our citizens also have expectations. If visa liberation does not come, we will take steps regarding the migration deal," Cavusoglu told reporters on March 14.

He said Turkey has so far met the requirements of the migrant deal, calling on the EU to "not stall," otherwise Ankara "will take necessary measures."

Cavusoglu also suggested that the EU was on the "verge of falling apart."

"The situation that Europe has fallen into is really driving us to worry. Gradually they are going off a cliff, like the period before the Second World War. The European Union is falling apart," he alleged.

[14] Commentaries in Hurriyet urge Turkey not to escalate tension with EU

Serkan Demirtas, under the title: "Who Would Suffer Most from Turkey's Break with EU" :

"[..] Although he reiterated Ankara's willingness to continue its engagement with the EU, messages voiced by senior Turkish leaders, including President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, indicate the opposite.

[..]

Still, at this crucial point where key European countries are heading to the polls, Turkey should be able to keep its temper and not widen the scope of ongoing tension with individual European countries. It should refrain from using offensive language against European leaders, as this will only create more solidarity and unity in the continent.

Such language may help the government ensure a more consolidated stance ahead of the April 16 referendum on shifting Turkey to an executive presidential system, but it will also surely deal a huge blow to Ankara's relations with the EU and prominent European countries in the long run.

Given that there is already a very deep lack of confidence between the two sides, it will be very difficult to fix this ruined dialogue with European partners even after Turkey's referendum and elections in these countries.

Unfortunately, all these developments are pushing Turkey and the EU to make a final decision on the state of Ankara's accession process. The end of that process will not be to the advantage of this country if its priority is still to be one of the 10 most developed nations by 2023."

In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (15.03.17) publishes the following article by Murat Yetkin under the title: "Intelligent Enemy Is Better than a Stupid Friend".

"A Turkish proverb say, it's better having an intelligent enemy than a stupid friend.

That partly fits with the headline of the Swiss newspaper Blick, which was published on March 13 with a headline in Turkish. Together with a photo of Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan and his four-finger "Rabia" salute, the headline asked Turkish citizens to say "no" to "dictatorship in Turkey" by voting "no" in the April 16 referendum for a constitutional shift.

The reason why it doesn't exactly fit with the proverb is that, it is not difficult to call the move stupid, but it is very difficult to call it friendly.

[?]

Now the gap between Turkey and the European Union is growing.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry has slammed EU officials for siding with the Netherlands despite "violations of the basic rights" of Turks and Turkey.

Kemal Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), said that despite President Erdogan and Prime Minister Binali Yildirim's words, he believed right-wing EU politicians were working for the "yes" vote in Turkey in order to alienate Turkey further.

It will not benefit either Turkey or the EU if the two part ways. It's not only because of the economy, it is also because of strategy, security, peace and the strengthening and spreading of quality democracy in a part of the world in which it is needed most.

This relationship must operate according to mutual respect for rights and values.

The sooner diplomacy works, the better."

[15] The KTTO sent a letter to the so-called government with proposals on the economy of the occupation regime

The chairman of the (KTTO) Fikri Toros, underlined that due to the economic crisis in the "TRNC", the "cost of living" has reached to 17% and warned the so-called government that if no measures are taken, it will increase more.

Providing as an example Turkey, which made a reduction on the Private Consumption Tax and the Value Added Tax (VAT) in order to prevent the increase of the cost of living, Toros asked the so-called government to put into force the same implementation in the occupied area of Cyprus, as well as similar ones.

Toros further argued that with some small touches in the market they could achieve serious mobility in the economy and stressed the need for all taxes, duty and fees to be calculated in TL, adding at the same time that it is a condition to stop calculations with the foreign exchange.

Toros further said that among their proposals to the "government" were the following: 1) fixing the exchange rate, 2) rearrange the withholding taxes and the VAT, 3) speeding up the "state" resources investments, 4) implementing the structural reform package,5) increasing the credit support programs in the reel sector,6) implementing the model of partnership between the private-public sector, e.t.c.

(AK)

[16] Working hours approved by so-called parliament

According to the amended "law", "public servants" will now be working 35 hours per week during the summer and 40 hours during the winter.

Summer time working hours will come into force on the 2nd Monday of May and will end on the third Monday of September.

The "council of ministers" will determine how the working hours will be arranged.

[17] Figures on the occupation regime's economy by the "central bank"

The figures provided, show increase in the "unemployment rate", the "inflation", the "tourism" and "imports and exports".

According to the paper, "inflation" which directly affects the quality of life of the "citizens" has shown a remarkable increase during the last three months of 2016, reaching its highest level in the recent years. Particularly, the inflation rate in October, November and December of 2015 was 1,52%, -0.94% and 1.31% respectively, while in the same months of 2016, it was 1.17%, 1.43% and 2.64% respectively.

Another important point which is underlined in the report, is the "TRNC's unemployment rate". According to the report, the number of registered unemployed persons in the occupied area of Cyprus in the end of 2015 was 749, 42% were men and 58% women. If compared with the figures in the 2016 report, the unemployment rate dropped by 6% (703 persons).

Moreover, looking into the occupation regime's trade balance deficit between November 2015 and November 2016, the "trade deficit" dropped from 123,5 million US dollars to 110,9 million US dollars and the trade balance deficit dropped from 109,7 million US dollars to 102 million US dollars.

According to the report, total exports from Turkey to the "TRNC" until the end of 2016 increased by 8.8 points, while exports from other EU counties increased by 3.4 points. The average coverage ratio between imports-exports of the occupation regime between January-November 2016 was 7.4.

According to the report, on the "tourism sector", hotel occupancy in 2015 was 20.393 while in 2017 it was 21,543, showing an increase of 1,150 beds.

(AK)

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