Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-05-11

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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 accused the "government" of not giving bank data for the EU tests

[02] Mutfuoglu responds to Cyprus Mail article

[03] Veysel Eroglu: "Turkey is ready to send water to southern Cyprus"

[04] Ertugruloglu met with Turkey's Defence Minister

[05] Talat: "In a period when the Cyprus negotiation talks are ongoing, it is not right to warn the Greek Cypriots with janissary march"

[06] Izcan condemned the so-called government for the illegal "granting" of "citizenships"

[07] The 2nd "TRNC SMEs Summit" was held in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] Berova held a series of contacts in Ankara

[09] Erdogan's response to the US: "Anti-terror fight should not be carried out with other terror groups"; General frustration in Ankara over the decision

[10] CHP slammed the US and called Erdogan to 'reconsider' his US visit; MHP reacted too

[11] Turkey's EU Minister called the EU to open chapters 23, 24

[12] 3,000 police officers dismissed over Gulen links were blacklisted by FETO

[13] Tezcan the new spokesman of CHP

[14] The "TRNC's municipalities" to attend the Cittaslow General Assembly in Australia

[15] The "teleferic project" in the occupied village of Lapithos is cancelled

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci accused the "government" of not giving bank data for the EU tests

In statements to the press following his meeting, Akinci called the "government" of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus to support the efforts for the harmonization with the EU standards and the banking sector. He stressed that in case of a Cyprus settlement based on a federal basis is found, then the "TRNC" will become one of the constituent (founding) states of the Federal Republic and for this reason it is very important to be in line from now with existing EU norms.

Stating that they had agreed to establish a bi-communal ad-hoc committee on EU matters with the aim of bringing the Turkish Cypriot community closer to the Union at his very first meeting with Juncker in 2015, Akinci explained that Juncker appointed then Maarten Verwey for this issue.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 11.05.17) reports that during the meeting, they discussed findings by an ad hoc committee that is looking into progress in the Turkish Cypriot side regarding reforms, aimed at the adaptation of the "TRNC" with the European acquis in case of a solution in Cyprus.

Explaining that the EU had allocated a 3 million euro budget for the harmonisation of the banking system with the EU, Akinci said that the "government" opposed this citing security reasons. He claimed that Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades has been given leverage for no good reason because of this.

Akinci said that close to 200 experts have visited the "TRNC" for 34 times over the past two years and added: "Of course the goal, the preference is to reach a solution in Cyprus. EU standards will come into force immediately if we are ready, if we are not after a transition period. However if we are unable to reach a settlement this does not mean we shall be abandoning EU standards. Solution or not, to live a better quality life is the right way to go. We shall continue to work for this".

Asked to comment on Anastasiades' remarks that the Turkish Cypriot side is not sharing data with the Greek Cypriot side regarding the banks, Akinci pointed out that the banks in the occupied area of Cyprus must go through stress tests. He pointed out that 3 million euro had been allocated by the EU for the job and added: "The EU wanted to give us this money but we've had problems with the government on this issue. Our finance minister turned down the EU offer stating that we do not need anyone's money and that we can do with our own reserves. Time went by and we reached a formula. The finance minister does not want this data to fall into the hands of the Greek Cypriots. The agreement was reached that this data would be made available once a settlement is reached. Let alone the banks would not be releasing information regarding private accounts. This would have been a general evaluation. Unfortunately due to the government's stance we have given the Greek Cypriot leader leverage on this issue".

Asked to comment on the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa research vessel conducting surveys in the area, Akinci claimed that the Turkish Cypriots have equal rights over the island's resources and added: "The answer to your question is yes. No one can object to the ship conducting research. What is wrong is what the Greek Cypriots are doing?conducting unilateral research. I told Mr Anastasiades about this at our first meeting 2 years ago. I told him that there would be problems if they continued with their exploration activities. We had reached a verbal agreement back then. Now look where we stand".

(DPs)

[02] Mutfuoglu responds to Cyprus Mail article

The Spokespman of the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Huseyin Mutfuoglu responded to a question regarding certain statements in the article published in the newspaper.

"An article concerning the Greek Cypriot Administration's unilateral pursuit of hydrocarbon-related activities in disregard of the inalienable rights on natural resources of the Turkish Cypriot people, published in the Greek Cypriot Administration's "Cyprus Mail" newspaper, contained groundless allegations which could be taken to imply that Turkey might have relinquished some of its rights and interests" Mutfuoglu said.

"The faulty assessments in the Turkish media based on these allegations are an exercise in futility", added Mutfuoglu.

[03] Veysel Eroglu: "Turkey is ready to send water to southern Cyprus"

Eroglu was speaking during the 4th Istanbul International Water Forum held under the theme of 'Water and Peace'.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Eroglu claimed that the Greek Cypriot side has never wanted a solution. "Some are asking: 'Wont you give water to southern Cyprus?' If they [southern Cypriots] come close to us one step, we will go to them running," Eroglu said, adding: "If they want peace, we are ready to take water to the south as well -- if our government considers it appropriate -- because humanity requires this".

[04] Ertugruloglu met with Turkey's Defence Minister

Ertugruloglu briefed the Turkish Minister regarding the Cyprus talks and on the latest developments in the region.

(DPs)

[05] Talat: "In a period when the Cyprus negotiation talks are ongoing, it is not right to warn the Greek Cypriots with janissary march"

Evaluating the recent developments, Talat alleged that the natural gas in Cyprus' EEZ belongs to the Turkish Cypriots as well and for this reason, as he said, the allegation used by the Greek Cypriots that the oil and natural gas exploration activities is a "sovereignty issue" does not exist. "The natural gas issue is an economic issue and not a sovereignty one. The Turkish Cypriots have a share in these resources and thus the Greek Cypriot side does not have the right to take unilateral actions towards the natural wealth of the island. The Turkish Cypriots should protect their legitimate rights", Talat alleged, recalling the proposal of the Turkish Cypriot side to "evaluate together the natural gas resources after the solution of the Cyprus problem".

Recalling also that the Turkish Cypriot side had proposed to the Greek Cypriot side to include the natural gas issue in the Confidence Building Measures, Talat stated that the Greek Cypriot side rejected this proposal.

Referring to the recent incident with the Barbarros Hayrettin Pasa vessel which played the Ottoman march" after being warned by the Cyprus authorities that it violated Cyprus' EEC, Talat stated the following: "Playing the janissary march was a warning. They could say that they are carrying researchers with the permission of the TRNC. Playing the janissary march especially in this period where the Cyprus negotiation process is ongoing in order to warn the Greek Cypriots, was not right. [?]", stated Talat.

Talat went on stressing that the world considers funny the allegation that the "TRNC" has licensed Turkey to carry out oil exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. "This situation, that we have licensed Turkey, exists on papers only. If we are cooperating with Turkey, then the Turkish Cypriots should also be on Barbarros", Talat further said.

(?)

(AK)

[06] Izcan condemned the so-called government for the illegal "granting" of "citizenships"

"new citizenships" the "government' aim" is to change the "popular sovereignty" and make permanent its "position of authority".

"If the government continues distributing citizenships with current conditions, in the elections that will take place in one year, the political sovereignty of the Turkish Cypriots will be only 25%", Izcan said.

(AK)

[07] The 2nd "TRNC SMEs Summit" was held in the occupied area of Cyprus

The "summit" which will end today is being organized jointly by the so-called ministry of economy and energy, the SMEs development centre (KOBIGEM) and the Turkish Development and Economic Cooperation Agency.

The self-styled minister of economy and energy Sunat Atun, the self-styled minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu, the illegal Turkish ambassador to the occupied part of Lefkosia Derya Kanbay and the Turkish Deputy Minister for Science, Industry and Technology Hasan Ali Celik, sector representatives and participants attended the opening of the summit.

The Turkish Deputy Minister for Science, Industry and Technology Hasan Ali Celik said that their goal is to provide the best possible support to SMEs and added that academics played an important role in this.

Atun said that the "country's budget deficit" has been drastically reduced over the recent years as a result of strict austerity measures and financial discipline.

He announced that 5 million TL had been put aside this year for grant schemes, 3 million TL for entrepreneurship programs, 1 million TL for young entrepreneurs, 4 million TL for industrialists, 5 million TL for small businesses and the service sector, 4 million TL for interest supported SMEs and 7 million TL for higher education and dormitory construction.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (11.05.17) reports that Atun further said that the gross national product of the "TRNC" is 10 billion TL and that within 9 years, 1,097,493 billion TL supporting loans were granted to 8,531 projects.

[08] Berova held a series of contacts in Ankara

As part of his contacts in the Turkish capital, Berova met with the Turkish Minister of Youth and Sports Akif Cagatay K?l?c and the President of the Council of Higher Education (YOK) Prof. Dr. Yekta Sarac.

During their meeting, Berova and K?l?c exchanged views on which steps could be taken for the "TRNC schools" attending sports events in Turkey.

Expressing the desire to hold Turkey's Championship Finals of interscholastic athleticism, basketball and handball sports games in the "TRNC", Berova conveyed Turkish Minister K?l?c that the "TRNC" has all necessary infrastructure for this.

Also, demanding the "TRNC schools which take part in away matches to be given the same status as Turkish schools", Berova also demanded that referees in the "TRNC" be allowed to conduct some of these sports events.

K?l?c for his part expressed happiness over hosting Berova and his accompanying delegation and stated that he was ready to provide every support for the necessary steps to be taken.

Minister Berova then came together with the President of YOK Prof. Dr. Yekta Sarac.

During the meeting, Berova and Sarac discussed the situation of the "TRNC universities" and the students studying in the "TRNC", as well as the "cooperation" between the two countries in the "field of higher education".

Briefing the YOK President about the new "higher education law" which "came into force" in the "TRNC" last month, Berova also stressed the need for the "TRNC citizens" who graduate from high schools in Turkey to be enrolled at "TRNC universities as if they were residing in the TRNC".

For his part, Sarac said that the necessary work will be carried out to further develop the cooperation between the two "countries" in the field of "higher education".

As part of his contacts in Ankara, Berova also inaugurated the Exhibition of the Lefkara Course which was jointly organized by the "TRNC embassy" in Ankara and the Etimesgut Municipality.

[09] Erdogan's response to the US: "Anti-terror fight should not be carried out with other terror groups"; General frustration in Ankara over the decision

Erdogan also said he was hoping that the decision would be revised during his upcoming visit to Washington, where he will have his first meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. "I want to believe that Turkey's allies will side with us, not with terrorist organizations," he added.

Erdogan said he would convey his concerns during his visit to Washington, scheduled to take place on May 16 and 17.

Meanwhile, commenting on the US decision, the Turkish government has expressed frustration over the decision to provide heavy weaponry to Syrian Kurdish militants in the battle against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), even as Washington sought to assuage Turkey's concerns.

"The U.S. administration still has the opportunity to take Turkey's sensitivity about the terror organization PKK [Kurdistan Workers' Party - PKK] into consideration," Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m said May 10.

"If a negative decision is taken, its consequences will not only be against Turkey but have a negative impact on the U.S., too," Y?ld?r?m said.

"Turkey's stance on this issue is very clear: We are against using a terrorist group against another terrorist group, and we have conveyed this clear message to our counterparts," Y?ld?r?m, added.

Also, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stated that every weapon obtained by the YPG constitutes a threat to Turkey.

[10] CHP slammed the US and called Erdogan to 'reconsider' his US visit; MHP reacted too

Trump's May 9 authorization of arming the YPG "constitutes a threat for both the region's safety and Turkey's unity," the CHP's newly appointed spokesman Bulent Tezcan said after the party's Central Executive Committee (MYK) meeting on May 10.

"It is out of the question that Turkey ... should be put in weak position. Because of this, following the decision [of the U.S.], we believe the President should review his U.S. visit in a serious matter and reconsider it," Tezcan added.

"While the [Turkish] preparatory delegation is still there [in the U.S.], the U.S. has declared that they will give heavy arms to YPG ? This is not something acceptable for Turkey," Tezcan said, referring to the Turkish delegation's high-level talks with U.S. officials in Washington ahead of Erdogan's visit.

The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) also lashed out against the U.S. decision. "This is a hostile attitude towards Turkey. It is clear that these weapons [provided to the YPG] will be turned towards Turkey in the future. The U.S. should make its decision. It cannot continue with its two-faced policies," said MHP Deputy Chair Erkan Akcay.

"President [Erdogan] should go on with the U.S. visit and warn them in a very serious way. You say 'we are friends and allies' but then perform actions that are not in line with friendship. This is not acceptable," Akcay added.

The Kurdish issue-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), however, said the U.S. decision to support the YPG in Syria was "already expected."

"The [Democratic Union Party] PYD and the [Syrian Democratic Forces] SDF are working together with the coalition there. Both are on the frontline against ISIL and at the local level," said Hisyar Ozsoy, the HDP's vice co-chair responsible for foreign affairs.

"There is a prevailing opinion in Washington that there is no other power that can drive ISIL away from Raqqa apart from them. Turkey has long imposed an idea of 'either them or us.' But the U.S. wants to work with both the Kurds and Turkey against ISIL. This is not a surprising situation," Ozsoy added.

Ankara considers the PYD and its armed wing, the People's Protection Units (YPG), as "terrorist" groups linked to the PKK. It has long pressed Washington to stop its alliance with the group in the fight against ISIL.

[11] Turkey's EU Minister called the EU to open chapters 23, 24

(?)

Celik claimed that Ankara's compliance with the Copenhagen criteria is even better than some member countries and it will not accept a de facto suspension of the accession process. "Freedom of the media and independence of the judiciary are issues [criticized by the EU]. Chapters 23 and 24 are core chapters that correspond to the core of these issues. So let's open them and discuss together. If you attach importance to Turkish democracy, then you should open chapters," Celik said.

Chapters 23 and 24, which regulate Turkey's harmonization of its acquis and implementations on fundamental rights and the judiciary with that of the EU are currently under blockage from Cyprus.

Celik cited cooperation in the field of migrant and anti-terror as well as upgrading the customs union as three important issues that Turkey and the EU could focus on in the short-term, recalling that there was preparation for a meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker at the end of May. "We want this process [of upgrading the customs union] to begin as soon as possible," Celik further said.

[12] 3,000 police officers dismissed over Gulen links were blacklisted by FETO

The information came to surface after authorities decoded contents of a two-terabyte card which the police forces seized during April 26 raids on alleged "secret imams" of FETO.

The data on the card revealed that 3,000 police officers who were previously dismissed were not members of the organization, clearing their charges and paving the way for their reinstatement after a new state of emergency decree is issued.

The card has also exposed some other 38,000 police staff as members of FETO, who were not yet detected by the authorities.

The data on the card further described some other 12 police officers, currently accused of FETO membership, as "enemies" of the organization. The 12 police officers were previously dismissed on allegations of having used ByLock, a mobile application used by members of the Gulen movement.

(?)

[13] Tezcan the new spokesman of CHP

Tezcan is expected to give his first press conference as the party spokesman on Wednesday.

Last week, CHP Deputy Head and Spokesperson Selin Sayek Boke resigned from her posts with a written statement, saying: "The CHP, which should be the strongest political actor representing the 'no' bloc, made controversial decisions, questioned intra-party democracy, and suppressed opponents in the party."

[14] The "TRNC's municipalities" to attend the Cittaslow General Assembly in Australia

According to the paper, the general assembly has started yesterday and will be completed on May 12.

The occupation regime is being represented in the assembly by the "mayor" of the occupied "municipality" of Galateia, Cemil Saricizmeli. The paper adds that the "TRNC's flag" will be among the flags of the other member countries of the organization.

(AK)

[15] The "teleferic project" in the occupied village of Lapithos is cancelled

(DPs)

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