Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-06-14

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: Geneva Summit a last stop

[02] Hudaoglu speaks ahead of Geneva: A reasonable formula for security and guarantees can be found

[03] Self-styled foreign ministry claimed that the joint military exercise between Cyprus and Israel is against the spirit of the negotiations

[04] Erhurman: "CTP insists on early elections"

[05] Atun: "TRNC and Turkey are acting in co-operation on energy"

[06] The occupation regime continues "granting" "citizenship"; "Official document" shows 4,603 "citizenships" in one year

[07] "Caner Gonyeli 2017 exercise" carried out

[08] Juncker sent the message that this summer a Cyprus settlement should be found

[09] The occupation regime to be represented at the PACE meeting in Denmark

[10] Derya: Under religion lessons girls are taught how they will serve men"

[11] Berova on the "universities" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[12] KTOS criticized Berova for the "practices" he follows in the "field of education"

[13] The occupation regime's "ombudswoman" accused the so-called government of acting contrary to the "laws"

[14] "NGOs" react to decision by the occupation army: We need the opening of the Deryneia barricade and not the Deryneia beach

[15] The owner of T&T Company claimed that Ertugruloglu asked from him to pay him 250 thousands euro per month

[16] More about the hotel to be constructed by Eroglu's daughter

[17] Turkish FM to visit Qatar- Erdogan to speak to Trump over the issue

[18] Yildirim: Turkey willing to pursue membership talks with EU

[19] Turkey's future is in Europe – nowhere else

[20] Main opposition CHP leader slams Euro court for rejecting post-coup appeals

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: Geneva Summit a last stop

Mustafa Ak?nc? has said that "the Geneva Summit is a decision making stage and a last stop".

He evaluated the Geneva Summit which is scheduled to reconvene on the 28th of June and added that the Turkish Cypriot side will attend the summit with this determination.

He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side had recently started to come to the negotiating table with preconditions, continuously laying down conditions regarding the issue of security and guarantees.

"My hope is the Greek Cypriot side will abandon these foot dragging games in Geneva" Ak?nc? alleged adding that for the first time, discussions at the conference will be held at parallel tables.

Explaining that the Chapter on Security and Guarantees will be discussed during the 5-party conference as well as in bilateral meetings, Akinci claimed: "Our aim is to see the bigger picture; the time to discuss issues piece by piece has ended."

Referring to upon the "embargoes" Ak?nc? said that the prevention of the right of holding sports events was the most important of these embargoes.

"Playing sports is a human right and imposing embargoes on sports is a crime against humanity; the whole world should pay attention to this and should put a stop to the injustice imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people", he claimed.

Stating that he did not find it right to associate the right to play sports with the negotiations process, he alleged that "a crime was being committed against the Turkish Cypriot youth who were not even allowed to play games with teams from Turkey"

Akinci also added that the way to overcome such obstacles imposed against the Turkish Cypriot people was to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

[02] Hudaoglu speaks ahead of Geneva: A reasonable formula for security and guarantees can be found

Speaking on K?br?s TV he said the chapter of security and guarantees is not important only to the Greek Cypriot side, but "much more so for the Turkish Cypriot side".

He alleged that an agreement could be achieved on this chapter if the Greek Cypriot side stops insisting on its position of 'zero troops-zero guarantees' and comes to a reasonable starting point for discussions.

Hudaoglu further argued that the Turkish Cypriot side supports a rotating presidency system with "reasonable periods", adding that there is no acceptable formula that excludes them from presiding over the "new state".

Expressing the view that deploying the system of discussing all the issues simultaneously and interdependently will allow for a result in the 10 or 12 pending issues" Hudaoglu said that the document to be prepared by the UN Special Advisor Espen Barth Eide will act as a guideline for the talks in Geneva.

He also added that a settlement is within reach if the necessary political will is shown. On the issue of hydrocarbons, Hudaoglu further alleged the talks were at a "crucial stage", and unilateral moves on the issue of hydrocarbons – in which "both sides have rights" – are not constructive.

[03] Self-styled foreign ministry claimed that the joint military exercise between Cyprus and Israel is against the spirit of the negotiations

"It is important that the Greek Cypriot side should refrain from taking one-sided steps, particularly during such a crucial stage in the talks. It has been learned that the Greek Cypriot Administration and Israel are conducting a military exercise on land around the Troodos Mountains. The timing of this exercise being conducted within the framework of the defense and cooperation pact signed by the two parties on the 24th of February 2016 is unfortunate, forcing the Turkish Cypriot side to question the Greek Cypriot side's true motivations and intentions" the statement read.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side refrained from any action that could harm the ongoing negotiations and demonstrated its good will at every opportunity, the "ministry" alleged that the exercise being carried out by the Greek Cypriot side demonstrated that it did not share the Turkish Cypriot side's sensitivities on the issue.

It also claimed that such actions which came at a crucial time in the talks is not only against the spirit of the negotiations but also further harms the atmosphere of confidence and trust between the two sides.

[04] Erhurman: "CTP insists on early elections"

Erhurman with an accompanied delegation visited yesterday the headquarters of Havadis paper and talked with the journalists. Criticizing harshly the current "coalition government", Erhurman said that it is the first time yesterday that the "ministers" of the National Unity Party (UBP) argued among them. He said that none of "government's actions" are found legally appropriate, adding that their works are contradicted to their "law". He explained that with the "land allocation" recently the "government" hit the record of unlawful practices.

Erhurman further said that they will not give any more the permission to usurp the rights of the "citizens", stressing that this "government" should go.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Erhurman said that they should not connect everything with the Cyprus problem. He added that there are some issues that even there is a Cyprus settlement these cannot be solved and some other issues can be solved even without a Cyprus settlement. He also said that despite the criticisms to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, he (Akinci) has contributed great to reach this process at this stage. He also said that the Cyprus problem should be ended.

Commenting on the "distribution" of "TRNC citizenships", Erhurman said that the "council of ministers" does not look for criteria to "grant citizenships". He noted that with a "decision" of the "council of ministers" anyone who arrive in the occupied area of Cyprus will be able to obtain a "TRNC citizenship". He explained that the second practice that the "governement" applies for granting "citizenships" is through the medium of the "ministry of interiors". Erhurman further said that they do not even announce them, and the reason is very clear: "They grant citizenship to persons who happen to be in the country one day within five years and they do not grant citizenships to people who live in this country for 12-13 years."

(DPs)

[05] Atun: "TRNC and Turkey are acting in co-operation on energy"

"The drilling and exploitation of the natural gas resources found within our territorial waters in the Mediterranean will continue within the framework of this very same cooperation" he alleged.

Atun further alleged that his recent visit to the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa vessel together with the Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Berat Albayrak, "had been very fruitful and significant in regard to the message given to the world".

"The Turkish Petroleum Corporation which operates globally in line with the vision of my counterpart Berat Albayrak, will conduct all sorts of activities in our territorial waters including drilling for natural resources on behalf of our two countries with the aim of safeguarding our interests" Atun alleged.

Alleging that the Republic of Cyprus is carrying out irreversible moves by conducting exploration and exercises as well as unilaterally signing drilling agreements, he also claimed the following: "Therefore, instead of watching the Greek Cypriot side unilaterally exploit the island's natural resources on which we have equal rights over, with determination have decided to follow a more proactive path."

He further said that "they are determined to sign other agreements with the Turkish Energy Ministry whenever needed".

[06] The occupation regime continues "granting" "citizenship"; "Official document" shows 4,603 "citizenships" in one year

The paper recalls that in a statement made on 4 April 2017 in the "assembly", self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas had said that they "granted" the "citizenship" to 7,200 persons and if necessary they would grant it to 27.000 persons.

Under the title "Another 20 pages of citizens without the 'residence condition'!", Yeni Duzen reports also that the "government" except for those who have "naturally obtained" the "right for citizenship" or those who have obtained this "status" upon an "approval" by the "ministry", continues "granting" "obligatory" or "by exception" "citizenship" with a "decision" of the "council of ministers".

According to the paper, the technical director and TV commentator Giray Bulak, who is born in Trabzon, has been "granted" the "TRNC citizenship". Bulak has currently agreed with Adana Demir Spor team and has never resided in the occupied area of Cyprus. The paper publishes the names of those who had been "granted" "obligatory" or "by exception" "citizenship" with a decision of the "council of ministers".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (14.0617) reports that the "council of ministers" "decided" to "grant" the "citizenship' of the regime to another 51 persons, the names of whose were published in the "official gazette" on 9 June 2017.

(I/Ts.)

[07] "Caner Gonyeli 2017 exercise" carried out

The land phase of the exercise was watched by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc?, the "speaker of the assembly" Sibel Siber, "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun as well as former Turkish Cypriot leaders Mehmet Ali Talat and Dervis Eroglu.

Search and Rescue teams from Turkey and the breakaway regime rescued passengers and crew from a crashed plane as part of the mock exercise.

"The injured passengers were then transported to the Lefkosa Dr. Burhan Nalbantoglu State hospital via helicopter during the exercise while fire fighting teams put out a fire on board the plane", Bayrak broadcast.

The second phase of the exercise was carried out off the occupied coast of Famagusta this morning.

[08] Juncker sent the message that this summer a Cyprus settlement should be found

In the document, it is reported that Turkey and the EU should take initiative and that time has come the two sides to start reconnect in proactive way.

Referring also to the Cyprus expectations, the document reports that the EU, which thinks that the Cyprus settlement will deepen their cooperation on a series of key fields, stressed that the preservation of not losing the current opportunity will be for the interest of both sides. The document further writes that the EU gives the message that "this summer a solution on the Cyprus problem should be found".

(DPs)

[09] The occupation regime to be represented at the PACE meeting in Denmark

The meeting will take place in Denmark between June 14-15, writes the paper.

(AK)

[10] Derya: Under religion lessons girls are taught how they will serve men"

She argued that the primary and secondary education were turned into "an instrument of social engineering", that those who bring onto the agenda the issue of religion were turned into enemies by some circles and that she believes in the freedom of religion and conscience.

Noting that giving religious education to underage children is a very sensitive and important issue, Derya said that these behaviors enter into the scope of child exploitation contrary to the UN Convention on the Rights of Children.

She argued that under the lesson of religion, some associations teach little girls how they will serve men and cover their heads. She added that under the name of freedom of religion and conscience, the education of only one doctrine is given.

Derya said that this kind of courses outside the school are not supervised and no measures are taken. She added that in the College of Theology pressure is exerted on the girls to cover their heads and they are prevented from forming their sport teams.

Asking the "minister of education" whether any control had been made on this issue, Derya pointed out that these will create sociological problems in the future and disintegration in the society. She noted that the "youth department" is by-passed and the students are sent to camps of boys and girls abroad. She asked why this happens, what the content of these camps is, what the curriculum is, where will the children stay and who pays the money for this.

Referring to the "universities" in the occupied area, Derya said that 17 "universities" are active and another 15 are on the way. Noting that education should be seen as a service and not as a sector of the economy, Derya argued that serious incentives are given to the "universities" and commercial companies use the "universities" as "screen" to hold their commercial activities. In this manner the quality is decreased, she noted and asked for the number of the "licensed" "universities", the conditions for applying for a "university" and the physical infrastructure.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Berova on the "universities" in the occupied area of Cyprus

Claiming that their aim is the "increase of the quality of the higher education" in the "TRNC", Berova alleged further that the so-called government has made a lot of investments in the field of "education".

(…)

(AK)

[12] KTOS criticized Berova for the "practices" he follows in the "field of education"

Mavis condemned the so-called minister for the practices he follows in the "field of education", supporting that instead of opening new schools in the "country" and increasing the education hours, the "ministry" wants the contrary, that is the closing of schools. "In our country, there are 192 mosques which counterweigh to 160 schools. Ozdemir Berova, who is the minister who exerts efforts to close schools and continue with the building of more mosques, will go down in history. If Berova cannot decide for the construction of more schools especially in Keryneia this year, he will be written in history as the minister who left children without education", Mavis further stated.

He continued and underlined that "KTOS" will continue its struggle against the closure of schools.

(AK)

[13] The occupation regime's "ombudswoman" accused the so-called government of acting contrary to the "laws"

Dizdarli, referred further to the issue of the compulsory religious lessons at "schools" in the occupied area of Cyprus and stated that the "issue related with the religious lessons will be examined by the court for human rights". Expressing the view that the religious lessons in the "country" should be selective and not compulsory, Dizdari said that the children with different religious beliefs should have the right to decide about the religious lessons.

(AK)

[14] "NGOs" react to decision by the occupation army: We need the opening of the Deryneia barricade and not the Deryneia beach

They said that the opening of the barricade will contribute to both the economic and social development of the inhabitants of Famagusta and to the solution of the Cyprus problem. The argued that the opening of the Deryneia beach before the opening of the Deryneia barricade is "an effort to misdirect".

They also said that the opening of the Deryneia beach was not born by a need which responses to needs of the inhabitants of the city and the intention is not giving them access to the beach but to take a step which will create a problem in a place the status of which is known after 1974.

The opening of the beach means misleading the agenda and turning the existing status into disputable, they argued and added that opening for use a beach where only Turkish Cypriots could enter and Greek Cypriots will not be able to have access only wounds the feelings of the people in a period during which they expect with a great desire the re-opening of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha and the return.

The organizations note that if the occupation army wants to open a beach for the inhabitants of Famagusta, it should open the "Gulseren beach" in Karakol neighborhood where ten thousand persons are living.

(I/Ts.)

[15] The owner of T&T Company claimed that Ertugruloglu asked from him to pay him 250 thousands euro per month

Speaking to the paper, Turanli explained that he was invited in a meeting of the "ministry of transport" and Ertugruloglu introduced him to Omer Elmas. Then Elmas said to me: "From now on, you will follow my instructions and you will pay to us 250 thousands euro per month".

Turanli further argued that after he denied paying this amount of money, Ertugruloglu's stance changed immediately. Turanli claimed that he told them that they won't use him to their political games and added that this is the answer behind the speech of Ertugruloglu the other day in the "assembly".

(DPs)

[16] More about the hotel to be constructed by Eroglu's daughter

According to the same sources, Yonluer who lives now in Istanbul has for many years very close cooperation with Iranian businessmen.

(AK)

[17] Turkish FM to visit Qatar- Erdogan to speak to Trump over the issue

Cavusoglu will be received by Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani and discuss bilateral relations and recent regional developments in a bilateral meeting with his Qatari counterpart, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

"In the coming days, I think Trump and our President will also discuss [Gulf crisis]. [US Secretary of State] Tillerson said on the phone, 'Trump wants to discuss with President Erdogan', Cavusoglu said.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (14.06.17) reports that a three-person military team has been sent to Qatar on Monday to explore and coordinate the deployment of forces in the country, the Turkish military said.

The domestic legal process regarding the deployment of Turkish troops in Qatar has been completed, the Turkish General Staff said in a statement.

According to the statement, reciprocal military visits have been ongoing since October 2015.

[18] Yildirim: Turkey willing to pursue membership talks with EU

Speaking during a joint news conference with his Bulgarian counterpart Boyko Borisov in capital Ankara, he said: "Turkey is willing to pursue full membership talks with the EU and renew the Customs Trade [deal]."

He added that the EU could not "give a good account of itself" during Turkey's April 16 constitutional referendum in terms of bilateral relations.

"We have entered a new process now," Yildirim said. "The EU needs to revise its future vision and then make decisions."

The Bulgarian Prime Minister, whose country has been part of the EU since 2007, appreciated Turkey's role in hosting Syrian refugees. "The deal between Turkey and the EU over handling the refugee crisis was the smartest thing to do then, and we want this deal to continue," Borisov said. "However, no border can handle 3-4 million refugees," he said.

Turkey is a critical member of NATO's southern flank, Borissov said. "Turkey is our partner on the southern wing of NATO. The region is definitely unimaginable without Turkey. So, I look on the bright side of the incident," Borissov said during a press conference with Turkish Prime Minister on June 13, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported, adding that he expects more progress.

[19] Turkey's future is in Europe – nowhere else

"[…]

A Turkish diplomatic delegation, began discussions with their EU counterparts in Brussels on June 13 as part of a 12-month road map to revive relations as agreed during a meeting between President Erdogan and top EU officials on May 25. All parties involved know well that the German elections on Sept. 24 are likely to play a key role in the future of Turkish-EU relations. Despite the fact that they are not each other's favorite, Erdogan and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at least know each other thanks to their mutual experience over the last 10 years.

Turkish-EU relations need some time to cool down any way after a stormy year tainted by a number of successive crises since the July 15, 2016, coup attempt in Turkey, a row over military officers and diplomats seeking asylum amid pending arrest warrants for them, as well as the political campaign for the April 16 referendum for constitutional changes among Turkish communities in Europe, most of whom live in Germany.

Will that 12-month road map be enough to ensure ties cool down?

When viewed from the outside, Turkey seems to be occupied with the Qatar crisis. Erdogan has openly thrown in his lot with Qatari Emir Thamim al-Thani. Qatar has been investing in Turkey a lot in the last few years. While addressing the Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) group in parliament on June 13, Erdogan said the crisis stemmed from a "campaign of slander" against Qatar and asked Saudi King Salman to help foster a solution as an "elder of the Gulf" region and the keeper of Mecca's Harameyn, the Ka'aba, Islam's most sacred place. Erdogan has not only engaged in telephone diplomacy but also urged his AK Parti group in parliament to ratify a recently signed military agreement with Qatar. Ankara announced again on June 13 that a team of three officers went to Qatar the day before to find a suitable place there for a Turkish military base. That is a symbolic move though with a strong message.

Turkey is currently involved in the crisis in Syria and Iraq, its two southern neighbors who are suffering from terrorism that have further agitated the civil wars there. Erdogan and the AK Parti have never hidden their inclination toward closer contact with Arab and generally Muslim countries in the Middle Eastern region. But recent experiences have shown that the conflicts between Arab countries and the sectarian divide among Muslim countries do not permit the establishment of stable and productive relations.

On the other hand; despite political problems with the EU, bilateral economic and commercial relations are on the rise. Exporters broke their own records in 2016-2017 thanks to the export of industrial goods, mostly cars, that largely went to EU countries. The government has admitted that the first-quarter growth rate of 5% which exceeded even government expectations, was partly thanks to industrial exports to the EU, in spite of the sharp fall in the tourism sector.

But it's not only about the economy. In political terms and in the interests of the quality of democracy in Turkey, better relations between Turkey and the EU would be for the good of all, and even good for the situation in the Middle East."

[20] Main opposition CHP leader slams Euro court for rejecting post-coup appeals

"The ECHR has given a decision stating that it would receive applications only after an application to an established commission. Don't you know what is going on in Turkey? Which commission are you talking about? People are dying in prisons. We waited five months to just appoint members," K?l?cdaroglu said in a parliamentary group meeting on June 13.

His comments came after the ECHR refused an application from a Turkish teacher who alleged that he was wrongly dismissed with a state of emergency decree, with the court saying the educator must first apply to the State of Emergency Investigation Commission so as to first exhaust all domestic legal avenues.

With the ruling expected to set a precedent at the ECHR amid thousands of applications from public officials who lost their positions with a decree after the July 2016 coup attempt, K?l?cdaroglu slammed the Strasbourg-based court for undermining the legal conditions in Turkey.

"Now the judiciary in Turkey is a triggerman of the political power and some circles. The ECHR should not act in line with this situation. Otherwise, this institution would erode its credibility," K?l?cdaroglu said.

K?l?cdaroglu stated that the commission, which was established amid criticisms from European Institutions to receive the complaints of people who have been affected by the ongoing state of the emergency, had not yet even started to receive applications.

"Which commission are you talking about? The main purpose of its establishment was to postpone the individual applications to be appealed to the ECHR. Didn't they know that?" K?l?cdaroglu said, arguing that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) was influencing the judicial system.

K?l?cdaroglu also called on the ECHR to take immediate action on dismissed educators Nuriye Gulmen and Semih Ozakca, who have been on hunger strike for 97 days to demand that they be reinstated in their positions.

The two jailed educators were imprisoned despite conducting peaceful demonstrations, K?l?cdaroglu said, adding that their health conditions were deteriorating.

"I want to call out on the ECHR, do you even have a conscience? Are you going to make a decision after those people have died?" he said.

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