Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-04-25

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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] Ozgurgun on the so-called embargoes

[02] Kibris Postasi: "Today is the crucial voting for Turkey at the PACE the influence of which could shake us as well"

[03] Columnist Idiz urged Cavusoglu and Celik to seek real solution to serious problems that exist with Europe

[04] Simsek to illegally visit the occupation regime for an "economic conference"

[05] Loans and bank deposits increased in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] Erdogan pays respects to Armenian dead from WWI

[07] Turkey's MFA slams Trump's statement on 1915 events

[08] Italian reporter deported after detention in Turkey

[09] Erdogan's spokesman Kalin: "Europe experiencing an 'abdication of reason'"

[10] The remains of a Greek Cypriot missing person have been reportedly found in occupied Neo Chorio Kythreas

[11] The Turkish Union Solidarity Association participated in the International Symposium of Educational Teaching in Rome

[12] "2017 national universities search and rescue games" are being held in occupied Keryneia

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun on the so-called embargoes

Underlining that Mersin is very important for the "TRNC" especially regarding trade and social ties, Ozgurgun referred to the special important bonds between the "people" of the "TRNC" and the people in Mersin.

In his turn, the chairman of the "Journalist society Union from Mersin", Ahmet Unal explained that they are "visiting the TRNC upon an invitation from the American University of Keryneia" and added that the "TRNC is very important for Mersin".

Unal asked also to be briefed about the ongoing Cyprus negotiation talks and the water transferred from Turkey to the occupation regime.

The delegation visited also the "speaker" of the so-called assembly Sibel Siber.

(AK)

[02] Kibris Postasi: "Today is the crucial voting for Turkey at the PACE the influence of which could shake us as well"

Noting that Cyprus holds PACE's presidency of until the end of May and that Turkey is a founding member of the organization, the paper writes that if the decision that Turkey should be put under supervision is taken, Turkey will be expected to verbally implement all court decisions in lawsuits filed against it, including those filed from Cyprus, in order to return to the "normal member" status again.

Diplomatic sources expressed the view that the EU will exhibit a "conciliatory stance" instead of "burning the bridges". Talking to the paper, the diplomatic source argued:

"If the decision for supervision is taken, pressure over Turkey will increase. Especially countries which wait in ambush like Cyprus will take advantage of it. There will be groups, which will use this within the EU and try to undertake initiatives against Turkey to 'stop the negotiations', but I do not think that it is possible for taking a step that will freeze the Turkey-EU relations. In every manner the ways of continuing the partnership with Turkey will be forced".

The paper recalls that in 2014 a compensation of 90 million euro on the missing persons issue had been decided and notes that there are more decisions like this in favor of the Republic of Cyprus, which have not been paid, have not been implemented by Turkey and therefore will bring punitive consequences.

Some sources said that if supervision is decided President Erdogan might use this situation to instigate people against the EU in case of a possible referendum on Turkey's EU accession course. "I do not think that he cares very much about such a decision and Turkey remaining in a difficult situation in diplomatic sense", the source argued.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Columnist Idiz urged Cavusoglu and Celik to seek real solution to serious problems that exist with Europe

"Turkey has been saying for months that if the EU does not honour its commitment to lift the visa requirement for Turks, as agreed under the deal on illegal migration early last year, then it will default on its commitments under this deal.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and EU Affairs Minister Omer Celik have repeated this a number of times since the April 16 referendum that increased President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's powers.

Both are warning that if the visa requirement is not lifted soon, Ankara will cancel the migration agreement. But Cavusoglu and Celik do not have much credibility in this regard.

To start with, as pointed out, Ankara has been saying this for quite some time but it has not carried out what the Turkish side would call its 'warning' and the European side its 'threat'.

It seems to be a classic case of having called "wolf" too many times to no effect.

Ankara's 'warnings' have not forced the EU to be any more lenient. It still wants Turkey to narrow the scope of its definition of 'terrorism', and bring this in line with European standards on human rights before it allows visa-free travel for Turks.

Ankara, however, is not prepared to do so while it maintains its war against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and those associated with Fethullah Gulen, the Pennsylvania-based Islamic preacher who is accused of masterminding last year's failed coup attempt.

It seems the only liberalization Europe is prepared to move toward currently in regards to arrivals from Turkey is for asylum seekers, and even then it will be on the lookout for educated professionals that it can be sure to benefit from in one way or another.

In other words, its gain will be Turkey's loss as usual. As matters stand, the brain drain from this country has been ongoing since the failed coup attempt, and is expected to speed up under the 'Erdogan administration', as more western-oriented educated Turks seek ways to escape the increasingly claustrophobic atmosphere for their kind here.

Other than that, there is hardly a western diplomat who believes Turks will gain free-travel access to Europe this year - or even next year or after that - under such prevailing conditions.

This is why Ankara should stop issuing hollow warnings and do what it is threatening to do. The longer it puts this off, the weaker it looks despite all its bombast.

But will Ankara do what it says it will? Or rather, can it afford to carry out its threat?

That seems extremely unlikely. Sober minds in the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) also know that if it were to do so, this will lead to a new crisis with Europe that will ultimately backfire on Turkey economically and politically.

This is also the start of the tourism season, when Turkish operators depend on arrivals from Europe. Those will clearly decline in the face of fresh tensions.

There is also the issue of illegal migrants and refugees already in Turkey, with more likely to arrive. If the deal with the EU regarding these people collapses, no matter what the shortcomings of this deal may be, Turkey has no place to turn to, and will be ultimately stuck with millions of foreigners, while it gets even less aid than it is getting from Europe today.

As Ministers charged with running ties with Europe, Cavusoglu and Celik should stop playing to the domestic gallery and seek real solutions to serious problems that exist with Europe, rather than beating around the bush with hollow warnings and threats."

[04] Simsek to illegally visit the occupation regime for an "economic conference"

According to the paper, the conference entitled: "Economic developments in the world, Turkey and the TRNC and expectations", is co-organized by the "international final university", the occupation regime's central bank and the "Turkish Cypriot organization for economy".

According to the paper, Simsek will make the opening speech at the conference.

(AK)

[05] Loans and bank deposits increased in the occupied area of Cyprus

The "central bank's" profit increased by 21,2% comparing to the previous year and reached 133,9 million TL. The banking sector grew by 22,1% in comparison with the previous year reaching 22,1 billion TL. The banking sector's ratio to GDP rose to 194,4% in the end of 2016.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Erdogan pays respects to Armenian dead from WWI

Erdogan's message was read during a religious ceremony at the Armenian Patriarchate in Istanbul.

"This year, I once again pay our respects to the Ottoman Armenians who lost their lives under the harsh conditions of the First World War and convey my condolences to their descendants," the President said.

Turkey dismisses allegations of genocide but acknowledges there were casualties on both sides during the events in World War I.

Erdogan said Turks and Armenians shared a common history and culture "as two ancient nations of this region".

"It is our common objective for these two peoples, who have shared the grief and happiness for centuries, to heal the wounds of the past and strengthen people-to-people ties," he said.

Noting the "many steps" taken in this direction in the past 14 years, and the "historic reforms" launched, Erdogan said Turkey was determined to advance efforts and preserve the memory of the Ottoman Armenians and Armenian cultural heritage in the future.

He emphasized that peace, security and happiness of the Armenian community were "of special importance" to Turkey.

"We have no tolerance for the alienation and exclusion of our Armenian citizens nor for a single Armenian citizen to feel second-class," he stressed.

[07] Turkey's MFA slams Trump's statement on 1915 events

In a written statement on Monday evening, the Ministry said: "U.S. President Trump's written statement of April 24, 2017 regarding the 1915 events contained misinformation and false definitions, and were derived from the information pollution created over the years by some Armenian circles in the U.S. by means of propaganda methods.

"We expect from the new U.S. Administration to not accredit this one-sided historical narrative of these circles which are known for their tendency to violence and hate speech, and to adopt an approach which will take into consideration the sufferings of all sides.

"We would like to remind the U.S. administration that the Ottoman Armenians, who lost their lives during the First World War, were commemorated again this year on April 24 at a ceremony held by the Armenian Patriarchate of Istanbul, with the respect they deserve."

President Donald Trump on Monday marked the annual commemoration of the 1915 events by echoing his predecessors and using the Armenian term while referring to the tragedy.

"Today, we remember and honour the memory of those who suffered during the Meds Yeghern, one of the worst mass atrocities of the 20th century," Trump said in a statement.

"We must remember atrocities to prevent them from occurring again. We welcome the efforts of Turks and Armenians to acknowledge and reckon with painful history, which is a critical step toward building a foundation for a more just and tolerant future," he added.

[08] Italian reporter deported after detention in Turkey

Gabriele Del Grande, 34, was deported from a repatriation centre in the Aegean province of Mugla on the morning of April 24 after an investigation into him was completed, sources said.

He was expected to arrive at Bologna Airport in Italy on April 24 and be met by his parents and Foreign Minister Angelino Alfano, Agence France-Presse reported.

"I spoke to him just now and he's on his way back to Italy. I had the great joy of telling his family. We are waiting for him," Alfano said. He also thanked his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu for the journalist's release.

Del Grande was handcuffed by Turkish police on April 9 as he was interviewing people who had fled the war-torn neighbouring country for a book he is writing on the conflict and the birth of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

[09] Erdogan's spokesman Kalin: "Europe experiencing an 'abdication of reason'"

Addressing the media during a press conference at the Presidential Complex in Ankara yesterday Kal?n strongly criticized the controversial position the EU has taken against Turkey with its "anti-Erdoganism", saying: "Especially in the last few months, Europe has gone through an abdication of reason. The latest anti-Turkey, anti-Erdogan sentiment [in Europe] is rapidly gaining momentum and causing a political abdication of reason. This is something we are attuned to and aware of as Europe continues to contradict its own democratic values." While emphasizing that Turkey desires good relations with Europe and the entire EU, presidential spokesman Kal?n noted that "It is absolutely unacceptable for Turkey to welcome an imposition of hierarchy."

He further reminded Europe that it must fulfil the pledges it has made to Turkey regarding the refugee deal, emphasizing the crucial importance of providing visa-free travel to Turkish citizens. Kal?n also said during the press conference that Turkey only received 790 million euro of the pledged 3 billion euro package pledged by the bloc as part of the deal, which was transferred to international institutions and not Turkish institutions. He warned that Turkey's relations with the EU could be derailed if the terms of the deal are not fulfilled, saying: "We are currently hearing statements claiming that some things in Turkey are reaching an end, along with such statements as 'it is the beginning of an end for Turkey.' They must know that everything is just beginning for Turkey as a new page is turning," Kal?n claimed.

As the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) prepares to hold a session today on Turkey under the report titled, "The Functioning of Democratic Institutions in Turkey," the presidential spokesman described the meeting as a "political operation" against the state. "It is clearly a political operation [against Turkey]? It is an operation by groups who are uneasy about seeing Turkey start to stand on its own two feet. We hope that they do not make a decision [to put Turkey on a monitoring/watch list] as we sincerely value our relations with the European Council," Kal?n said, adding that, "Regardless of all means of perception management or political impetuses, we [Turkey] will continue to conduct our duties and exert our efforts in the scope of democracy, human rights and the rule of law with transparency."

In response to Daily Sabah's question regarding President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's high-level diplomatic visits in the coming months to countries including China, Russia, India and the U.S. as well as the NATO summit, Kal?n described the President's visit to India as highly important, noting that the visit to Russia is in the scope of "ongoing, high-level talks." Underlining that the invitation to Moscow was made directly by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kal?n stated: "The defence industry, trade and tourism are going to be addressed at the meeting. There will also be talks held with regard to regional matters, including Syria." He also said that President Erdogan is going to hold multiple bilateral talks during his visit to China, adding that Erdogan is expected to meet with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, at the White House in an upcoming visit to Washington in mid-May. Kal?n also indicated that the invitation came from Trump, saying the two leaders will discuss Syria, Iraq and the potential extradition of U.S.-based former preacher Fetullah Gulen, the leader of the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO), who is accused of being the mastermind behind the deadly July 15 failed coup attempt.

[10] The remains of a Greek Cypriot missing person have been reportedly found in occupied Neo Chorio Kythreas

Excavations are continuing for finding two Greek Cypriot missing persons in the above-mentioned village. The remains were found in an olive grove during the weekend.

A Turkish Cypriot official from the CMP told the paper that their job is seriously aided by people calling the 181 phone number free of charge.

(I/Ts.)

[11] The Turkish Union Solidarity Association participated in the International Symposium of Educational Teaching in Rome

According to the paper, the Italian TRE University hosted the event and academicians and civil society organizations from the following countries participated in the Symposium: Turkey, Germany, Italy, Holland and Azerbaijan.

The chairman of TBDD Guven Arilkli stressed the importance of such events alleging that lobby activities are taking place allowing the "voice of TRNC to be heard".

(CS)

[12] "2017 national universities search and rescue games" are being held in occupied Keryneia

The games being held under the coordination of the "Civil Defence Organisation" will continue until the 26th of April.

The opening ceremony for the games being held this year under the slogan "Let's Save Lives" was attended by the Commander of the "Cyprus Turkish Security Forces" (editor's note: the occupation Turkish forces in Cyprus) Major General Y?lmaz Y?ld?r?m, the self-styled minister of education Ozdemir Berova, the self-styled director of the "Civil Defence Organisation" Erdogan Celebi, the "Ombudsperson" Emine Dizdarl? as well as representatives of universities.

Speaking at the ceremony, Celebi said that students studying at "universities" in the "TRNC" will be able to apply the skills and knowledge provided to them by the "Civil Defence Organisation" and the "International Universities Search and Rescue Council" during the two day program. Nine "TRNC universities" are participating in the games and exercises.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (25.04.17) reports that specialists from Turkey, USA, Zambia and Nepal will also make presentations during the symposium.

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