Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-07-18

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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 illegally visiting the occupied area to determine the Turkish side's "road map"

[02] Scenarios regarding the result of Cavusoglu's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

[03] Yildirim will "represent" the Turkish government for the Turkish invasion "celebrations"; "Turkish Stars" and Turkish frigate part of the "celebrations"

[04] Turkey's NSC: "Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will continue to cooperate for the protection of their rights in the eastern Mediterranean"

[05] Akinci met with German and US Ambassadors

[06] Nami due to USA for a series of contacts; He will brief UN's officials on the recent developments on the Cyprus problem

[07] Turkey's Defence Minister claimed that Turkey fully supports a Cyprus settlement but does not support making concessions

[08] Ertugruloglu refers to possible annexation of the occupied area of Cyprus to Turkey

[09] Commentary: "Ankara mulls to put an end to Cyprus talks"

[10] The "Deryneia beach" in occupied Famagusta area to open for the "public" in 15 days under certain conditions

[11] Havadis claims that Cavusoglu looks positive to the return of the inhabitants of the occupied Ayia Marina village

[12] An airplane of Quantas Airlines urgently landed at Larnaca after following a route over the occupied area of Cyprus

[13] Turkey's EU Minister to hold talks in Brussels

[14] Turkey extended the state of emergency for 3 more months

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu is illegally visiting the occupied area to determine the Turkish side's "road map"

Referring to Cavusoglu's visit, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (18.07.17) reports that efforts towards the determination of a new road map are exerted after the failure to reach an agreement during the Cyprus Conference and notes that the steps to be taken against the Republic of Cyprus' explorations for natural gas and plans regarding the road to be followed from now on will be on the agenda of the above-mentioned meetings.

Also, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (18.07.17) cites statements by a member of the "ruling" National Unity Party (UBP), who told the paper that they want the opening of the entire occupied closed city of Varosha under Turkish administration and not only of one beach next to the above-mentioned city, as it was agreed between the occupation army and the "municipality" of occupied Famagusta. The paper reports the issue is expected to come onto the agenda of the above-mentioned meetings. Another issue, which is expected to be discussed, is the function of the "property compensation commission" and taking measures as regards the purchase of occupied Greek Cypriot properties, writes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Scenarios regarding the result of Cavusoglu's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

"1. The famous B Plan will be announced. Thus, the option of a 'bi-zonal, bi-communal federal Cyprus based on a single international identity and sovereignty' will be abolished! Either the TRNC will be promoted or confederation with a two state solution will be asked. The realization of this scenario is as possible as the Cypriots abandoning 'barbecue'!

[02] The opening of Varosha will be announced. Varosha will be returned to its legal owners on the condition of being under 'Turkish Cypriot' administration and within the framework of economic criteria which will be determined. It is difficult! Especially with this mentality of the 'conqueror'!

[03] The Guterres Framework will be supported. Of course, this is the most rational. In Switzerland it has (supposedly) been accepted. The rotating presidency and equal treatment to the Turkish and Greek citizens are included in the framework drawn by the new General Secretary. Reference to a new 'security regime' is made. If Morfou is included in the map, [the map of] 29.2% [proposed by] the Turkish Cypriots is supported. The ending of the unilateral right of intervention is stressed.

[04] Turkey will officially announce its 'openings'. Reference is made to 'historical openings' and none of them is official in writing or orally.

[05] It will be announced that all obstacles for the Maronites and Cypriot inhabitants of Agia Marina village living again together in a multicultural structure will be lifted. It is possible! […]"

[03] Yildirim will "represent" the Turkish government for the Turkish invasion "celebrations"; "Turkish Stars" and Turkish frigate part of the "celebrations"

Yildirim is expected to deliver a speech during the "parade", which will take place at "Dr Fazil Kucuk Boulevard".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.07.17) reports that within the framework of the "celebrations", the "Turkish Stars" of the Turkish Air Forces Acrobatics team, will also display a show.

Moreover, the frigate TCG Gaziantep will be in the open sea of occupied Keryneia, while the submarine TCG Burakreis and the assault boat TCG Bora of the Turkish Naval Forces will anchor at occupied Keryneias' port and will be open for the public to visit them.

(DPs)

[04] Turkey's NSC: "Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots will continue to cooperate for the protection of their rights in the eastern Mediterranean"

MGK convenes bi-monthly and issues advisory decisions on Turkey's security issues. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan chaired the meeting with the participation of senior civilian and military officials.

The paper reported that Turkey's top security board has urged Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) over its plan to hold independence referendum on Sept 25, reiterating that it would be a grave mistake. "It has been underlined that the referendum decision taken by the KRG cannot be implemented –de jure and de facto- and that this is a grave mistake and can lead to unwanted consequences", the statement read.

The NSC also recalled that protection of Iraq's territorial unity and political integrity depends on the establishment of lasting stability, peace, security and prosperity in the region. KRG announced that it will hold a referendum on the autonomous region's future independence.

The NSC did also stress an ongoing row between Turkey and the United States over the latter's providing weapons to the People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria to use in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Security board highlighted that weapons delivered by some allied countries to the YPG have been captured from the members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) do confirm Turkey's rightness in its warnings on its allies.

It also reiterated the government's determination to retaliate any attack from Iraq and Syria, stressing "Establishment of a terror state along Turkey's borders will never be allowed."

[05] Akinci met with German and US Ambassadors

Within the framework of these contacts Akinci met separately on Monday with the German Ambassador to Cyprus Nikolai von Schoepff and the US Ambassador to Cyprus Kathleen Doherty.

The latest developments on the Cyprus problem were discussed during the meetings. No statements were issued before or after the meetings.

[06] Nami due to USA for a series of contacts; He will brief UN's officials on the recent developments on the Cyprus problem

According to a written statement issued by the "presidency", Nami will explain to the representatives of "several countries" in the UN the latest developments on the Cyprus problem after the Crans Montana conference. Nami is expected to return to the occupied area of Cyprus next week.

(AK)

[07] Turkey's Defence Minister claimed that Turkey fully supports a Cyprus settlement but does not support making concessions

Speaking during the plenary session of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Is?k argued that the Cyprus negotiations had been completed. "Turkey has once again proved its rightfulness to the UN Security Council, General Secretary and all the countries that took part in the negotiations process" Is?k claimed and argued that the negotiations process had closed.

"Turkey has never given away an inch on its national interests nor the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people and will continue on its path. This is the government and state policy. We do not have any hesitations on this issue" Defence Minister Is?k argued.

[08] Ertugruloglu refers to possible annexation of the occupied area of Cyprus to Turkey

Referring to the Republic of Cyprus' explorations for natural gas, Ertugruloglu claimed that they will not remain silent against these steps and 'just like diplomatic and economic measures could be taken, drilling in the same area could also be carried out".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (18.07.17) reports that Ertugruloglu issued another statement yesterday arguing that their words regarding annexation of the occupied area of Cyprus with Turkey had been distorted and such news that "deceive" the public opinion is not correct. He claimed that he had not given an interview to a news portal named Gazete Duvar and called on the public to ignore such news.

Ertugruloglu noted also that he had given an interview to Kathimerini Cyprus newspaper and alleged that something he had said in that interview was deliberately distorted. He said that when he was asked whether the "TRNC has a Plan B", he replied that "4-5 options exist". He added that when the journalist asked him to clarify whether the unification with Turkey was among these options, he replied "yes, in my view it is also among the options".

Finally, in its "The Hero of the Day" column, Afrika refers to Ertugruloglu's statement as regards the annexation of the occupied area of Cyprus to Turkey and notes: "[…] Do not underestimate these statements by Ertugruloglu, who holds close contacts with officials from Turkey at the highest level. If he says this, he does not say it by himself. It is understood that Turkey is sounding the ground here and is trying to slowly-slowly make our community to get used to it. Every now and then, the annexation cries come and go onto the agenda so that no one is surprised. Mevlut Cavusoglu is coming to the island today. Are you not curious why he is coming?"

(I/Ts.)

[09] Commentary: "Ankara mulls to put an end to Cyprus talks"

"While the Greek Cypriot administration started to discuss the next moves after the collapse of the peace talks to unite the divided island, the Turkish government is also in a similar exercise.

The Foreign Ministry's tendency appears to put an end to the Cyprus talks once and for all. The final decision will be taken by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. However, if Erdogan was to decide to totally end talks to find a permanent solution, the process to make it endorsed by Turkish Cyprus could prove problematic. While the Turkish Cypriot government of prime minister (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus) Huseyin Ozgurgun would have no problem in endorsing such a course of action, it would be difficult to convince Turkish Cypriot president (editor's note: leader) Mustafa Ak?nc?.

The collapse of the talks in Crans-Montana under the auspices of the United Nations marked the end of a process seen as the most promising in generations to end the decades-old problem. The election of Nikos Anastasiades as president of Greek Cyprus had raised hopes for a solution as he was in favor of the Annan plan during the 2004 referendum. Despite the recent recovery, the condition of the Greek economy hit by the crisis was believed to offer another incentive for Greek Cypriots to be more willing for a compromised solution. Yet in the eyes of Ankara, even the most pro-solution leader has fallen short of delivering a deal based on compromise. That could be one of the reasons why Ankara tends to end the talks forever. After all, even if the most "pro-solution" leaders cannot deliver peace who else can?

On the other hand, the Turkish Foreign Ministry does not appear to be concerned about the possible repercussions of ending the peace process forever, called by the Turkish side as a "peaceful divorce." In fact, this is the best time for ending an exercise that takes the sides nowhere, according to an official. With so many troublesome issues on the global and regional players' plate, the assumption is probably that such a radical move by Ankara might not prompt a strong reaction.

Those who think like that in the Ministry might have a case since Turkey's image abroad is so badly tarnished that not much could make it worse.

"What have we got to lose," seems to be the dominant feeling in the Ministry.

Declaring that the Turkish side would no longer turn back to the negotiation table might come as bad news to the EU department at the Ministry, but they might have a hard time convincing others since accession talks are nearly de facto frozen. The possibility of a reaction from the EU to officially end membership talks might not stop Erdogan from making such a decision, since he just recently said ending the accession process won't harm Turkey. On the contrary, he recently told the BBC that it will be "comforting" if the EU rejects Turkey as a member. Could he take a decision on Cyprus to precisely trigger such a reaction from the EU?

With so many problems on his plate, Erdogan might show the tendency to wait for a while. For the conspiracy theorists, this might be interpreted as a strategy to keep a potential crisis in the closet to take it out when the need for it appears. There are many pundits who believe Erdogan might need a foreign crisis in order to boost his popularity ahead of the 2019 presidential elections.

The domestic political situation in Turkish Cyprus (editor's note: the occupied ara of Cyprus) might also play a factor in Erdogan's decision. Ozgurgun who is also the head of the National Unity Party has been a sceptical of the talks and won't have a problem seeing the efforts for a solution end forever. However Ak?nc?, who is from a different party, has built his career on a solution. It would be very difficult to convince him. And in fact, when Turkish officials tried to sound out the idea with him, Ak?nc? was not enthusiastic at all.

At any rate, the course of action taken by the Turkish side might take shape in a few days as July 20, the anniversary of Turkey's intervention in the island, approaches."

[10] The "Deryneia beach" in occupied Famagusta area to open for the "public" in 15 days under certain conditions

The "decision" was "received" after the "signing of a protocol" by the "security forces commandership" and the "Famagusta municipality". The "protocol" envisages for the period between May 15-October 29 and it will be renew every year automatically.

In the 240 meter square long beach, there will be in total 240 sunbeds. The so-called municipality of occupied Famagusta will be responsible for the "administration" of the area.

The paper adds that according to the "protocol" the entrance to the beach will be permitted only to Turkish and "TRNC citizens" on the condition of presenting their "identity card".

(AK)

[11] Havadis claims that Cavusoglu looks positive to the return of the inhabitants of the occupied Ayia Marina village

According to the paper, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu looks positively to the return of the Maronites in their village, Ayia Marina and it is expected that the issue will be discussed during Cavusoglu's visit in the occupied area of Cyprus for the "celebrations" of the Turkish invasion.

Meanwhile, the paper reports that the village of Ayia Marina has been prepared for settlement for some time now. The only thing left behind is the "political will". The church and the mosque in the village have been restored with the joint works of Maronites and Turkish Cypriots. Even military officials, who are in the area, have contributed to the works, the paper claims.

(DPs)

[12] An airplane of Quantas Airlines urgently landed at Larnaca after following a route over the occupied area of Cyprus

"[…] The emergency touchdown happened when a pregnant woman on board the packed Quantas A380-800 developed 'complications' en route from Sydney, Australia, to London's Heathrow airport. […] Flight QF1 was flying over the Black Sea region of Turkey, after a brief stopover in Dubai, when the drama began at about 9am on Tuesday. Ozgur Erguden was the shift supervisor at Ercan airport's control tower when a call came in from air traffic controllers in Ankara to say the pilot had requested a landing at Larnaca while flying north of Ankara. 'We were informed that the pilot had declared a medical emergency', he said, 'We are not in a position to answer why he chose to land in Cyprus when the plane was flying between Ankara and Istanbul in the Black Sea region of Turkey. However, we understood that when such emergencies happen, every minute counts, and we did something that we have never done before. Once we made contact with the pilot, we directed them to what is called as Bonek point – a short cut through the TRNC – flying the aircraft over Antalya, past the Kormakitis tip to Lefka, taking the shortest possible route to Larnaca and flying over TRNC air-space for at least 15 minutes' […]".

[13] Turkey's EU Minister to hold talks in Brussels

Celik's visit to Brussels comes after Turkey marked the first anniversary of the July 15, 2016, coup attempt, amid continued criticisms against European nations over the lack of support and solidarity presented to the Turkish government.

The primary objective of Celik's visit is to attend the 36th Turkey-EU Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) with Turkish and European representatives of civil society and the business world, the Ministry said in a written statement on July 17.

Celik will address the JCC and hold a bilateral meeting with Federica Mogherini, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs, on issues concerning both parties. Mogherini and Celik will follow the European Parliament's adoption of a report that advises EU to cut accession talks with Turkey on grounds of serious violations of human rights and democratic norms in Turkey.

"All aspects of the relationship between Turkey and the EU will be discussed during EU Minister Omer Celik's visit to Brussels," the statement said.

While in Brussels, Celik will also inaugurate state-run Anadolu Agency's photo exhibition on last year's attempted takeover.

[14] Turkey extended the state of emergency for 3 more months

The motion was backed by votes of ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and opposition Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Binali Yildirim and MHP Leader Devlet Bahceli had signalled in their speeches earlier that the state of emergency would be extended.

During the state of emergency, the Cabinet has the right to issue statutory decrees under the President of the Republic without regard to routine procedures and restrictions in Article 91 of the country's Constitution.

These decrees are first published in the Official Gazette and then submitted to Parliament for ratification.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs / AM)

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