Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-04-28

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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 alleges that he will support Akinci in the negotiating process until the end of May

[02] Bulut alleges that his statements have been distorted

[03] Serdar said that the Greek Cypriots can only establish a federation with the "TRNC"

[04] Reactions continue for Bulut's statements

[05] Ozyigit met newly elected KTOEOS chairperson; Ideologies from abroad are imposed in education

[06] "Mobilization" in the occupied area of Cyprus for the kidnapped girl

[07] Official April 16 referendum results were announced

[08] Erdogan expected to be new AKP Chairman in emergency leadership caucus on May 21; Cabinet reshuffle before May 21

[09] Erdogan: 'EU cannot question our democracy'

[10] Cavusoglu to attend EU gathering as Union debates track of ties; he talked with Jagland

[11] U.S. Secretary of Energy: "US sees Turkey as crucial energy hub"

[12] Turkey-Israel natural gas deal important step for regional stability

[13] Forty two more persons "obtained" the "TRNC citizenship"

[14] "11 health organizations" in the occupation regime were accredited to Map2heal online system

[15] Tolun: "We could bring tourist via Larnaca"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozgurgun alleges that he will support Akinci in the negotiating process until the end of May

In statements after the meeting, Ozgurgun alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has always been making moves undertaking an "active role" in favor of reaching a comprehensive and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem and that these efforts will continue by the end of May. He said that with Akinci they reaffirmed that the Greek Cypriot side is allegedly continuously going away from the solution. Noting that they reaffirmed their view that the Greek Cypriot side is allegedly not ready for a solution, he claimed: "The Greek Cypriot side should know that the Turkish Cypriot side is not helpless. We are in absolutely no way a province. The TRNC exists and will continue its way by becoming stronger, by developing. We have reaffirmed this once more with the president".

Saying that he informed Akinci that they will support him in the negotiating process until the end of May, Ozgurgun expressed the hope that the Greek Cypriot side will return to the Geneva negotiations, that these negotiations will resume from the point they have remained and that they will lead to a final result. He added the following allegation: "The possibility of this to happen seems low, as we have reaffirmed with the esteemed president. We see the Greek Cypriot side going away from the solution as days pass. However, the Turkish Cypriot side is not without alternatives. [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[02] Bulut alleges that his statements have been distorted

In new statements to A Haber television, Bulut claimed that his statements considered EU's stance towards Cyprus and that a part of the statements, which was emphasized to show how committed Turkey is to Cyprus, had been distorted by the media and was published in a manner that insulted the Turkish Cypriot "people".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Serdar said that the Greek Cypriots can only establish a federation with the "TRNC"

Denktas, who was commenting on the statements of Yigit Bulut, Turkish President Erdogan's chief adviser, who stated that the "TRNC is Turkey's overseas province", said that he reacted on the statements by sending a letter to the "Turkish embassy" of Lefkosia, instead of making a public statement and get credits for it.

Referring to the recent developments of the Cyprus problem Denktas stated that he rejects the policy of becoming a province of Greek Cypriots as well and stated: "I am a person that wants the continuation of this state. If the Greek Cypriots want to establish a federation with me, this federation must be established with the TRNC. This is what I believe. Therefore if someone tells me 'I will annex you" I will stand against it", he argued.

(CS)

[04] Reactions continue for Bulut's statements

Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot daily primary school teachers' union (KTOS) stated that Bulut's statements were a clear indication that Turkey's goal is the annexation of the "TRNC". He also said that they cannot thank Bulut enough "because with his honest statement he confirmed officially what we have been saying for years". According to Elcil, Bulut expressed the reality that the Turkish intervention that took place in the island was not for the protection but for the demolition of the Republic of Cyprus. He also stated that the whole issue also conforms their belief that the "Turkish ambassador" to Cyprus reacts as if he is the "governor" of Cyprus.

In addition, the trade union of "civil servants" BES, stated that Bulut must be stripped from his duties. It also stated that Bulut is a person used from those who cannot express by themselves their true desires and intentions for Cyprus.

Finally, the "Independent Road" organization stated that the "TRNC is the overseas occupation line of Turkey, but has not become an official province yet". "Not even your co-operators here can support annexation so openly because the Turkish Cypriots are people with dignity [?] and love their existence and do not fall so easily for every fascist", was noted in a written statement issued by the organization.

(CS)

[05] Ozyigit met newly elected KTOEOS chairperson; Ideologies from abroad are imposed in education

Referring to the field of education in the occupied area of Cyprus, Ozyigit said that interferences from abroad are made in the "country" and ideologies are being injected now from "overseas" to the "nationalism" that existed since the period after 1974 until AKP came to power, with the aim of creating a Muslim community with religious beliefs.

In her statements, Eylem described as pleasing the fact that the TDP is "sensitive" for the problems in education and the efforts to convert the community. Noting that the target is to open theological colleges everywhere in the occupied area of Cyprus, Eylem underlined the importance of understanding these policies and that the issue concerns not only the teachers' trade unions, but the entire community.

(I/Ts.)

[06] "Mobilization" in the occupied area of Cyprus for the kidnapped girl

The paper points out that strict measures and controls are taking place by the "police" in all crossing points and especially at the Agios Dometios crossing point.

(AK)

[07] Official April 16 referendum results were announced

Voters went to the polls on April 16 to decide whether to approve changes to the country's Constitution, which also includes shift from current parliamentarian system to a presidential one.

The Yes campaign won with 51.41%, while the No vote stood at 48.59% the official results show. A total of 48,936.604 votes were valid, and turnout was 85.43%, the gazette said.

With the changes in the Constitution, wide-ranging executive powers will be handed to the President; the post of Prime Minister will be abolished. The President will also be allowed to retain ties to a political party.

Other changes will see the minimum age for parliamentary candidates reduced to 18 and the number of lawmakers in Parliament rise to 600.

Simultaneous parliamentary and presidential elections for a five-year term are scheduled for Nov. 2019.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Election Board (YSK) has released Thursday a decision explaining the reason for rejecting petitions submitted by three political parties to cancel Turkey's April 16 constitutional referendum.

Ten out of 11 board members voted against the appeals last week after the petitions were filed by main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Peoples' Democracy Party (HDP) and the left-wing Patriotic Party.

The board said in a statement that it had decided to accept unstamped ballot papers before the boxes were closed for vote counting, adding that the decision was objective, and in line with the principle of equality and impartiality.

"In accordance with the requirements of a democratic society, the right of citizens to participate in governance by voting should be protected against all kinds of obstacles.

"For this reason, citizens' right to vote is a right that must be protected in cases where it does not violate election security," the statement said.

The YSK stressed that the mistakes of the ballot box officials who did not stamp the ballot papers in certain locations should not obstruct the people's rights to vote.

[08] Erdogan expected to be new AKP Chairman in emergency leadership caucus on May 21; Cabinet reshuffle before May 21

He will be replacing current AK Party Chairman, Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m.

Erdogan had to resign from party leadership following his election as President in 2014, as it was required by the Constitution that the President must sever political party affiliations on grounds of impartiality.

However, the recent constitutional amendment package, accepted by the public through the April 16 referendum, allows the President to maintain political party membership. Thus, President Erdogan's return to the ruling AK Party is expected to take place once the referendum results are published in the Official Gazette before the end of this month.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 27.04.17) reported that another issue Erdogan and Y?ld?r?m discussed was a cabinet reshuffle, sources said. Erdogan is planning to significantly alter the cabinet by giving chances to new names while shifting departing Ministers to different jobs within the AKP. As such, the cabinet reshuffle is expected to occur before the convention on May 21, likely before the end of next week, so that all preparations for the leadership change can be accomplished. Erdogan will also appoint new deputy leaders to the party and in Parliament.

Y?ld?r?m also met Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli on April 26 to focus on cooperation between the two parties to harmonize the existing laws with the amended Constitution. In parallel to this meeting, AKP officials held preliminary talks with officials from the Justice Ministry on upcoming legislative work. Their work focused on technical aspects of the harmonization process without stepping into crucial issues like the Election Law and reducing the election threshold as well as the Law on Political Parties.

The issues will be discussed with the MHP before draft laws are submitted to the Parliament, sources added.

[09] Erdogan: 'EU cannot question our democracy'

"Turkey is a country that has made its decision on the subject of democracy and the rule of law on July 15 without any doubt," Erdogan said referring to last year's coup attempt, which martyred 249 people.

"We cannot allow some institutions and states, especially the European Union, to question the democracy of our country through the results of April 16 referendum," Erdogan said during an Istanbul meeting to mark the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Turkey's Constitutional Court.

[10] Cavusoglu to attend EU gathering as Union debates track of ties; he talked with Jagland

Cavusoglu will participate in the informal gathering of the EU Foreign Ministers and candidate countries upon the invitation of Federica Mogherini, the EU's High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, and George Vella, the Foreign Minister of Malta, which currently holds the EU presidency, the Foreign Ministry said April 27.

The informal meeting format, also known as the "Gymnich meetings," gives an opportunity for an informal exchange of views on foreign policy developments, stated the Foreign Ministry.

The EU Foreign Ministers gather in the morning on April 28 at which they will take stock of relations with Turkey. Cavusoglu will attend the afternoon session of the meeting in which candidate countries participate.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 27.04.17) reported that Cavusoglu and the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Thorbjorn Jagland held a phone call on Thursday amid tension over the recent voting at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), which resulted in Turkey being placed on a monitoring watch list.

The call, the first official contact between Turkey and the Council of Europe since PACE's controversial decision, was made on Jagland's request, Foreign Ministry sources said.

[11] U.S. Secretary of Energy: "US sees Turkey as crucial energy hub"

Speaking at the eighth Atlantic Council Istanbul Summit, Perry said the summit offered a great opportunity to put a spotlight on Turkey's significance in the centre of regional energy matters.

The two NATO allies are not only significant trading partners but most importantly they are friends, he said, adding that Washington is proud of its cooperation with Turkey.

"Turkey is an important energy transit country. It is opening new markets for renewables and has a growing economy with significant energy needs," Perry added.

"In the coming years I trust we can deepen our cooperation in the energy sector," he noted.

"The U.S. is committed to ensuring universal access to affordable and reliable energy to promote economic growth and energy security. We are focused on developing all sources of energy. As I shared recently with our allies at the G-7, traditional sources - coal, gas and nuclear ? will all be needed for energy and economy security in the foreseeable future," Perry said.

Notwithstanding, renewables will also continue to play a developing role in the U.S.'s energy mix, he stressed. "We believe that it is wise for countries to use and pursue a full range of energy resources, including high-efficiency, low-emissions coal and natural gas," Perry said.

He added that adequate financing from multilateral development banks and private sector investment is also desirable, along with advanced technology.

Innovation is a top priority for the Trump administration and the Department of Energy is committed to developing and deploying policies that will advance all sorts of energy, according to Perry.

"Turkey and the U.S. have cooperated successfully in many areas and we continue to see Turkey as an important hub for energy. We will continue to work closely," he concluded.

[12] Turkey-Israel natural gas deal important step for regional stability

An agreement for exporting gas from the Leviathan gas field, which was discovered by Israel in 2010 and estimated to contain a reserve of 500 billion cubic meters (bcm), to Turkey, has been an important starting point for a normalization process. "Although neither of the governments nor the companies have signed a deal yet, the ongoing negotiations could be concluded in the very near future," Shaul Meridor explained.

"How soon this agreement could be signed depends on how the two sides grasp or weigh this opportunity," he said. "It is good timing for this kind of agreement, but settling the terms of an agreement between the companies and governments requires time, which will depend on how fast and willingly the governments will take steps to seal this agreement. "With regards to the importance of the Turkey-Israel gas agreement for the region, Meridor noted, "We are doing a lot to strike a deal between the countries and the companies involved to export gas from Israel to Turkey," and added, "This particular agreement, I think, will be a good stabilizer for the region as a whole."

Underscoring the significance of gas for the stability and peace in the region, Meridor said, "Gas can strengthen the relationships between governments and should stimulate problem solving."

In that regard, the business of gas is not only a positive trigger for maintaining good terms between Turkey and Israel, but it works to bring solutions to the problems swaying the entire region, Meridor noted, because gas is something countries can economically benefit from, and as a result, could lead to solutions for other regional issues.

Meridor emphasized the importance of the Atlantic Council Istanbul Summit and its role of helping the actors fully comprehend the vast potential of the region. Drawing attention to the abundance of gas in the East Mediterranean and the viable prospect to find more gas therein, Meridor stressed the necessity of devising a strategy that includes Turkey and Europe. In his opinion, such a strategy would enable the players engaged in the region to see, not only the near future, but also decades ahead, eventually leading to more cooperation in a previously conflicted area. The summit, in brief, will outline what can happen if all the actors work toward collaboration.

When asked about the meeting between Israeli officials and Italian, Greek and Greek Cypriot authorities (editor's note: Cyprus government) in the beginning of April for a pipeline project designed to carry Eastern Mediterranean gas to Europe through Crete, Greece and Italy, Meridor elaborated on the Israeli energy strategy and highlighted that Israel wants to diversify its export routes, acknowledging that this pipeline is much more challenging than a route through Turkey. The "Eastern Mediterranean," as the actors call it, will be more than 2,000 Km (1,243 miles) long and have an estimated cost of 6 billion euro ($6.52 billion).

"We don't see a contradiction, what we see are a lot of routes going to potential export markets, like Italy, Greece, Turkey and the vicinity of Turkey, but we don't see a contradiction," Meridor noted.

As a gas exporter, Israel aims to spread its routes to as many markets as possible, Meridor explained, drawing attention to the enormous amount of gas that the country wants to export, which in return requires a large network.

"That's why we don't consider the East Mediterranean pipeline and the Turkish pipeline in competition. We want to project a couple of routes from the Eastern Mediterranean to export markets, therefore we are checking out all available routes," he said.

Welcoming Turkey's recently relaunched exploration operations in the Mediterranean, Meridor said more actors conducting seismic surveys and discovering gas are necessary to have a better understanding of the geological structure of the region. He underscored that Turkey is excelling in the energy business by working to diversify its energy sources, such as renewable energy, high-tech coals and projects in liquefied natural gas.

"This region is waking up. Now people are starting to understand that, with the depletion of the North Sea in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean basin could be the next big hype in the gas sector," Meridor said, indicating that as more gas is discovered, the world will understand the significance of the area, especially considering Turks, Americans, Israelis, Egyptians, Italians and Cypriots are already onboard and benefiting from the abundant resources.

Yet, he stressed the necessity to designate a strategy for securing and sustaining cooperation among the parties, a strategy that demands fair allocation and exploitation of the resources. The picture for that strategy, which has steadily become clearer, will gain more strength through efficient collaboration.

[13] Forty two more persons "obtained" the "TRNC citizenship"

The paper reports that a "decision" was published in the "official gazette" on April 25, stressing that only the three persons who "obtained" the "citizenship" were born in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

The paper publishes the names of all the people who "obtained" the "TRNC citizenship".

(DPs)

[14] "11 health organizations" in the occupation regime were accredited to Map2heal online system

In statements during the accreditation ceremony, the "chairman" of the "Turkish Cypriot health council", Ahmet Savasan stated that their aim is the developments of health tourism in the "TRNC", the "improvement of the quality of services" and the promotion of health tourism globally.

Also speaking, so-called minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu, stated that their aim is the development of the tourism sector in the next 20 years and claimed that "the revenues from tourism by 2020 will reach to 2 trillion dollars".

In his turn, so-called minister of health, Faiz Sucuoglu described as very important the "TRNC's organizations accreditation to Map2heal" and alleged that this step means the "TRNC's integration with the world".

(AK)

[15] Tolun: "We could bring tourist via Larnaca"

According to Tolun, the above decision will affect mostly the number of European tourists to Turkey, saying that the European tourists will turn their interest to Arab countries.

"PACE decision will affect also the TRNC", Tolun said and alleged: "As a result of the contacts we held with the ministry, we decide to give incentives to those who are coming from the Greek Cypriot side. We could bring tourists from Larnaca. For this reason, we should launch a promotion campaign in order to be promoted in Europe", said Tolun.

(AK)

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(DPs/ AM)

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