Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-05-30

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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 is expected to illegally visit the occupied area of Cyprus on Thursday

[02] Tension in the occupied area because of the "allotment" of land to Serdar Denktas' son to build a university

[03] UBP is reportedly boiling due to the land "given" to Denktas' son; Early "election" this year is being discussed

[04] Opposition parties reacted against the "military plot" "given" to Rauf Denktas

[05] Gurcafer reveals that Denktas was also given storehouses that were previously used by the occupation army

[06] More about Eroglu's daughter investment in the center of the occupied part of Lefkosia; Hilton Hotel will be allegedly the name of the five-star hotels to be built

[07] Ataoglu is making an opening to destination weddings tourism

[08] The "4th International Mediterranean Terracotta Symposium" to take place in occupied Lapythos village

[09] Erdogan shapes AKP management in first meeting

[10] Kurtulmus: "The focal point in EU dialogue should be membership talks"

[11] Erdogan: "Istanbul is the frame of Turkey"

[12] "The leadership of Germany's Merkel is becoming crucial for Turkey"

[13] One more HDP Deputy was arrested on terror charges

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu is expected to illegally visit the occupied area of Cyprus on Thursday

During the visit, Cavusoglu is expected to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci and representatives of Turkish Cypriot political parties. Diplomatic circles say that during the statements to be made after the meetings, the message that harmony exists both among the Turkish Cypriot political parties and between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will be given.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Tension in the occupied area because of the "allotment" of land to Serdar Denktas' son to build a university

Replying to the criticism, Denktas alleged that there was nothing "illegal" on the issue of the land "given" in Kermia area for the "Denktas University" but admitted that because he is "minister" there might be an ethical dimension in issue. He added that he would somehow settle the ethical dimension. Moreover, Denktas denied the information published yesterday in the press saying that the land "given" to his son had been claimed by Fenerbahce Supporters' Association for establishing a "Fenerbahce University" but the "application" was rejected.

Tufan Erhurman, chairman of the "main opposition" Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that "the law is bigger" than the "government" and referring to the "coalition partners" added "I cannot even look at you". Zeki Celer, self-styled deputy with the Social Democracy Party (TDP), gave the example of 24 politicians, who had resigned in other countries in order to show what situation exists in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Tensed debate took place especially between Denktas and Dogus Derya, self-styled deputy with the CTP. After the debate Denktas left the room. The "opposition" also left the room protesting for the fact that the self-styled prime minister did not make any statement on the issue.

(I/Ts.)

[03] UBP is reportedly boiling due to the land "given" to Denktas' son; Early "election" this year is being discussed

Some "deputies" and UBP "ministers" argued that a step backwards could be made on the issue of establishing the "Denktas University". Some expressed the view that the "decision for allotting" the land to Denktas should be cancelled and early "elections" should be carried out.

In statements to Turkish Cypriot Havadis newspaper (30.05.17), UBP "deputy" Zorlu Tore said that he opposed to "allotting" land to Denktas and that the issue created "serious discomfort" within UBP's "parliamentary group". He noted that they discussed holding "early "elections" in November or in December 2017 or in the first months of 2018 but nothing was decided.

Moreover, in statements to the same paper, UBP "deputy" Ersin Tatar said that the issue of "allotting" land to the Denktas family is seriously discussed within the party and everyone expressed discomfort on the issue. He noted that his personal view is that the "decision" [for allotting land to Denktas] was not right but the final word will be said by the party. He pointed out that they discussed the annulment of the "decision" and holding early "elections".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Opposition parties reacted against the "military plot" "given" to Rauf Denktas

Members of CTP gathered outside of the so-called assembly showing a red card to the "government" and chanting slogans against it.

The People's Party gathered at a roundabout near Agios Dometions calling on the "government" and Serdar Denktas personally to give account on the issue.

Finally, Ortam (30.05.17) writes that members of the youth organization of TDP organized a demonstration in front of the "prime minister's office" shouting "we want justice".

(CS)

[05] Gurcafer reveals that Denktas was also given storehouses that were previously used by the occupation army

Gurcafer, who was talking on a television program revealed that this is not the first time Denktas was offered a military area and said that he was given some storehouses located in occupied Keryneia that were previously used by the occupation army.

(CS)

[06] More about Eroglu's daughter investment in the center of the occupied part of Lefkosia; Hilton Hotel will be allegedly the name of the five-star hotels to be built

The paper, invoking reliable sources, provides the allegation that the global Hotel Group of Company with which Canaltay has reportedly agreed with for the construction of a five-star hotel in the above-mentioned plot of land is the globally wide Hilton Hotel. However, Canaltay did not deny these allegations yet and refused to make any statements at the moment.

The paper's sources said that Canaltay's family has already agreed with the Hilton Hotel officials for the construction of the hotel. The paper adds that the officials of the Hilton Hotel proposed to Canaltay family to buy two plots of land which belong to the family in the area which is located alongside the "headquarters of the Turkish Cypriot Airlines" but the Canaltay family refused and proposed a partnership together for the construction of the hotel.

Also, asked to comment on the allegations about the Hilton Hotel, the plot of land owner RESTUR LTD Company which has "rented" the land to Canaltay for 40 years, did not deny also that it will be Hilton the hotel to be constructed.

(AK)

[07] Ataoglu is making an opening to destination weddings tourism

Representatives and tourism agencies from Russia, India, Ukraine and Turkey took part in the workshop in which Ataoglu issued an invitation for organizations of destination weddings to take place in the breakaway regime.

(CS)

[08] The "4th International Mediterranean Terracotta Symposium" to take place in occupied Lapythos village

According to the paper, the symposium will take place at the "Timios Prodromos church" in occupied Lapythos. Artists and archeologists from several countries such as Germany, Romania, Egypt, Iran, Latvia, Sweden. Equator and Greece will attend the symposium, writes the paper.

(…)

(AK)

[09] Erdogan shapes AKP management in first meeting

Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m, who left the leadership of the party to Erdogan at an extraordinary convention on May 21, has been appointed as the acting leader to represent the AKP at Parliament's General assembly and other platforms.

Erdogan introduced only three new names to the 15-seat Central Executive Council (MYK), in a bid to protect all top executives of one of the party's most important branches. Mahir Unal has been appointed as the Spokesman of the party while Abdulhamit Gul will continue his role as Secretary-General of the AKP.

Hayati Yaz?c?, Mehdi Eker, Cevdet Y?lmaz and other top Deputy leaders remained in their positions.

The AKP's recently established 50-seat Central Decision Making and Executive Council (MKYK) met on May 29 for Erdogan to determine his closest aides in the party as well as his Spokesperson. It was Erdogan's first participation in the MKYK meeting since he was elected party leader on May 21, marking the start of a new era in Turkish politics after the President was able to officially retain links with a political party.

"Although the executive presidential system will go into effect after the 2019 election, we are considered to be in a transition period. Within this scope, the political efficiency of our President, who is also the AKP chairman, will increase in this process," AKP Deputy leader and government spokesman Numan Kurtulmus told reporters after a weekly cabinet meeting on May 29.

Erdogan will likely reshuffle his Cabinet after he completes renewing his A-team in the party. He is also expected to address the AKP's parliamentary group meeting on May 30, which will mark another first.

[10] Kurtulmus: "The focal point in EU dialogue should be membership talks"

"We have not given up the full membership perspective with the EU just because we have taken other topics onto our agenda," Kurtulmus further said.

Kurtulmus was referring to a consensus between Ankara and Brussels at a meeting of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission head Jean-Claude Juncker on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Brussels on May 25, at which they agreed to revive ties.

"Turkey's main goal is to maintain relations with the EU under the framework of full future membership", Kurtulmus said.

The parties could discuss bilateral relations "but the key issue is opening new negotiation chapters," he said.

(…)

[11] Erdogan: "Istanbul is the frame of Turkey"

"Istanbul is the frame of Turkey. All of Turkey's 80 provinces have human and physical connections with Istanbul. In this sense, to speak about Istanbul means to speak about Turkey. To serve Istanbul means to serve Turkey," Erdogan said.

"Now it is a fact that while Ankara is the capital of Turkey, Izmir is the capital of the Aegean, and cities like Antalya and Mugla are tourism brands, Istanbul is the showcase of our country. The more beautiful this showcase is, the more glamorous it becomes, the more profitable Turkey becomes," he added.

"When I speak about Istanbul I am actually talking about Turkey. If people come for business or visit, Istanbul is the first contact for those who come to our country," he said.

"I hope that in the coming period we will endeavor to take important steps toward important projects. We will do all of this together with you," Erdogan added.

"We will quickly complete the efforts that will prevent terrorist organizations, especially FETO [Fethullahist Terror Organization], Daesh [Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant - ISIL] and the PKK [outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party], from extending the damages they did to this city," Erdogan also added.

[12] "The leadership of Germany's Merkel is becoming crucial for Turkey"

"Germany's Angela Merkel was never a big European visionary strategist. She never aspired to be one. When she came to power, it was obvious she would much prefer to concentrate on Germany's issues rather than spend time on determining overall European policies. In contrast to some European politicians who would see it as a prestigious duty to assume responsibility in shaping EU's vision, Merkel never aspired for the EU leadership, while the strength of her country did certainly grant that position.

The European economic crisis, followed by Europe falling into a serious shortage of visionary leaders, led Merkel assuming the leadership position because the gravity of problems coupled with populist politicians gaining ground in other member countries and started to carry the potential of hurting German interests.

Take the refugee crisis. She first tried to find an EU solution to the crisis; failing to secure an agreement due to the intransigence of member countries she stroke a deal with Turkey on behalf of the EU, the terms of which were negotiated between German and Turkish officials.

With Brexit, followed by the election of Donald Trump as U.S. president, Merkel will be obligated to take on more leadership responsibilities. And she seems to have accepted that fact.

'The times in which we could totally rely on others are to some extent over, as I have experienced in the past two days', she said yesterday in reference to the G7 summit in Sicily. 'We Europeans must really take our fate into our own hands', she added.

This could and should prove an important turning point in Turkey's relations with the EU. If Merkel wins the German elections in September, she will have French President Emmanuel Macron on her side to lead Europe. And if these two decide to take Europe's fates in their own hands, it would only facilitate their leadership if they were to have Turkey, a key NATO member at the epicenter of everything that matters to the EU, from relations, to Russia, to the refugee crisis, on their side.

Obviously Turkish-German relations are not at their best. In fact, they are in the midst of a serious crisis as Turkey is objecting to the visit of German parliamentarians at the Incirlik air base where German military forces are deployed. This, however, is not something that cannot be overcome.

What matters for the French- German leaderships and Turkey is to understand the importance of being on the same page.

While President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Washington might seem to have satisfied the Turkish leadership, as Erdogan and Trump enjoyed some chemistry, the relations stand on a fragile ground. Similarly, while on surface, both Ankara and Moscow are trying to give the impression that the relations are back on track, there are still many troubles than ones that meet the eye.

Turkey has so far seen the EU as a push factor, and hence tried to balance that with its relations with the U.S. and Russia. While these two become a push factor themselves, EU can become a pull factor.

For that, Germany needs to more carefully and speedily treat Turkey's sensitivities, especially when it comes to members of the Fetullahist Terror Organization (FETO), whose role in the failed coup is recognized even by the staunchest of Erdogan critics.

In addition, by now, it must have become clear that Turkey's slide into an authoritarian rule will not serve any interest for Europe. To reverse that slide, the EU needs to open a dialogue channel on democratic criteria, such as the rule of law and freedom of expression. The official opening of chapters 23 and 24 on fundamental rights has become more crucial than ever. The EU will have to make a judgement call soon. If the Cyprus talks were to collapse, and it surely looks like they will; then European leaders will have to decide whether to sacrifice an important asset like Turkey to a member country who has brought nothing but nuisance to the bloc and whose blockage of chapters 23 and 24 only helps authoritarian tendencies to gain ground in Turkey. While too tiny to spot on the strategic map of the world, Greek Cyprus' stance has much wider and detrimental effects on the projection of European liberal democratic values".

[13] One more HDP Deputy was arrested on terror charges

Earlier in the day, Konca was detained at Batman Airport following a Prosecutor's detention warrant that came shortly after her release earlier this month.

Konca was previously arrested on December 13, 2016 upon a Prosecutor's rejection of her initial release after she had been detained by police in Ankara.

She was released on probation on May 3 but the Batman 3rd High Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for her five days later.

The court ultimately ordered for Konca to be re-arrested on charges of "membership to an armed terror organization" and "engaging in terror propaganda," the same as the previous accusations against her.

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(AK / AM)

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