Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-07-21

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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] Erdogan's and Akinci's messages for the anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus

[02] Turkey has reportedly sent the message that the efforts for reaching a federal solution in Cyprus ended

[03] Turkey's Presidency Spokesman's message for the "celebrations" of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus

[04] Yildirim: "We will continue the efforts so that the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people to be internationally understood"

[05] Turkey criticizes Greek FM for statement on the anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus

[06] A four-step plan was discussed on Cavusoglu's presence in the breakaway regime

[07] CHP Vice Chairman: "Turkey's Foreign Ministry should strive for recognition of the TRNC"

[08] Columnist assesses the reasons of the so-called embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots

[09] Columnist argues that only 20-30 Turkish Cypriots attended the celebrations for the Turkish invasion in the occupied part of Nicosia

[10] "You cannot celebrate the pain"

[11] Ankara-Berlin ties hit new low amid war of words

[12] CHP leader criticizes changed education curriculum, urges more Ataturk values

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan's and Akinci's messages for the anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus

The paper reports that Erdogan sent a message yesterday to Akinci regarding the anniversary of the July 20 Turkish invasion to Cyprus and stressed that Turkey will continue to be on the side of the Turkish Cypriots.

Erdogan, in the message, claimed: "Now no one should expect Turkey to remain a spectator as the Turkish Cypriot people are suffering because of the perpetuation of the impasse and facing restrictions that have no legal basis".

"As in the past, Turkey will continue to be on the side of the Turkish Cypriots in the future. Turkey will be the guarantor of peace, freedom and stability on the island of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean", he alleged.

Erdogan further claimed that despite their constructive attitude and their efforts for a new partnership based on the political equality of the two sides in the island, the desired outcome couldn't be reached in the Conference on Cyprus at Crans Montana, because of the Greek side's intransigence stance.

On the same issue, Akinci, replying to Erdogan's message, as follows: "In such day, while we celebrate the 43rd anniversary of the 20th of July peace operation (Turkish invasion to Cyprus) which was a historical turning point in the Turkish Cypriot people's struggle for freedom, I, on behalf of the Turkish Cypriot people, want to thank the ongoing and increasing support of the Republic of Turkey".

Recalling that in his last year's message he had expressed the hope that the efforts put forward with Turkey for reaching a solution on the gangrened Cyprus issue would be succeeded and that he expressed the need for the Greek Cypriot side to be reasonable and realistic to achieve this, Akinci claimed: "Unfortunately, the good will and solution oriented efforts put forward by the TRNC and Turkey in Crans-Montana were rejected and the conference ended with failure. This occurred in an atmosphere where the United Nations and other participants were also present. There everyone saw clearly which side showed efforts for a solution and which side continued its firm position".

Arguing that the Turkish Cypriot "people" and the "TRNC" could not be condemned to live under embargoes any more during a time when they receive Turkey's close interest and support, Akinci said: "In the coming days we need to make calm evaluations and work in coordination in order to get rid of the injustices done on the Turkish Cypriots for many years".

In his message, Akinci also conveyed his greetings to Erdogan and the Turkish nation and "commemorated the martyrs and veterans who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people".

(DPs)

[02] Turkey has reportedly sent the message that the efforts for reaching a federal solution in Cyprus ended

In its main editorial, the paper writes the following under the title "We must not rush to determine a political position":

"The change of the policy followed for years by Turkey regarding the Cyprus problem is an indisputable reality. Turkey is stating through officials at the highest level that continuing the negotiations today, tomorrow or after one year under the existing conditions, in other words, under the UN parameters is 'meaningless'.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says: 'Now no one should expect Turkey being a spectator to the Turkish Cypriot people's remaining victim of the non-solution forever, to being exposed to limitations which have absolutely no legal basis'.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, while saying that 'motherland and guarantor power Turkey implemented every responsibility it could in order for a fair, lasting and comprehensive solution to be reached but could not see the response it was expecting, notes that it has been clearly understood that the Greek Cypriots were not ready for a solution. Yildirim adds: 'Moreover, it is evidently obvious that there is no meaning in the negotiations continuing from the point there were left after one year and that no result will come out from here'.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu refers to a 'new road', like the President and the Prime Minister of his country.

The new road has not yet been named. However, Turkey is explicitly saying that no meaning was left anymore in discussing 'a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution based on political equality'. The new road has not been named, but Prime Minister Yildirim says that 'the TRNC's becoming an important tourism, education and agricultural center in the area is a common target'.

The Spokesman of the Turkish Presidency Ibrahim Kalin, while supporting the issue in a different line, points out that the sanctions on the TRNC still continue and adds: 'Our call from here on the international community in the light of these new developments is the full lifting of these isolations and sanctions. The time for lifting these isolations on the Turkish Cypriot side has come a long time ago'.

Turkey's stance is clear. President Mustafa Akinci's, assembly speaker Sibel Siber's, UBP chairman and prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun's and DP chairman, deputy prime minister and finance minister Serdar Denktas' made statements which support, see positively and approve this stance of Turkey. However, ten trade unions which are among the most important ones of the country, oppose this approach, that is, the continuation in a new road. Even though the CTP and the TDP have not 'officially stated' their views, they are not expected to take a decision in the direction that the federal basis should be abandoned. Consequently, the form of the new road may have not been clearly determined. However, there is something clear and this is the possibility of the people being politically divided with very sharp borders. The TRNC has currently no economic and social structure to bear this division and possible conflicts. The government and the opposition with the support of trade unions dealing with political gaps will prevent possible economic steps. Therefore, like Espen Barth Eide said, it is very useful not to rush when taking decisions.

It is seriously useful to convince the international community regarding the new road. We do not think that Ozdil Nami's dispatch to America has any different aim. While demanding the 'lifting of the isolations stressed by Ibrahim Kalin, we will be needed to have very strong arguments in hand. There is no need to rush while determining political positions. If economic steps will be taken, no one will have anything to say for this. We can start as of tomorrow…"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Turkey's Presidency Spokesman's message for the "celebrations" of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus

Referring to the anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974, Kalin claimed: "Today, it is also anniversary of the July 20 Cyprus peace operation. We have just shared Mr President's relevant message. Similarly, Mr Prime Minister is attending the commemorations on the island. Secretary General of the Presidency Mr Fahri Kas?rga is also participating in the commemorations. This is a memorial day we attach importance to since it marks the 43rd anniversary of the Cyprus peace operation. Our high-level participation in these commemorations is aimed at once again highlighting the fact that we stand with the people of Cyprus. As you know, the Cyprus Conference in Switzerland hasn't yielded the desired results. Turkish officials have adopted a very constructive attitude on the issue from the very beginning, as attested by statements of the UN officials and all the international monitors. Since all the way back to the Cyprus Conference in Burgenstock in 2004 and the referendum of the Annan Plan, Mr President has been acting on a principle, which is that 'we will always be one step ahead in Cyprus negotiation', a stance which remained unchanged for the past 13-14 years. However, despite our constructive attitude and our efforts to come up with constructive ideas for a solution, the desired outcome couldn't be reached because of the Greek side's unconstructive stance. Yet, this doesn't mean that the Cyprus issue has been closed. We will continue to stand with the people of Cyprus. Despite the fact that it was the Greek side that rejected the Annan Plan in the referendum, the sanctions on the Turkish Cypriot side have remained in place. We have come back to the same point 13 years on. No result could be obtained from the negotiations yet again because of the Greek side's uncompromising attitude. Nevertheless, the isolations and sanctions targeting the Turkish Cypriot side are being continued. Under the light of these facts, we call on the international community to lift these isolations and sanctions fully. The Cypriot Turkish side has adopted a very constructive attitude during the negotiations within the UN parameters. It has displayed an extremely constructive attitude on the topics of security, guarantees and others. Given all these facts, it is high time the isolations and sanctions against the Turkish Cypriot side were lifted. We hereby reiterate our call to the international community on this issue."

[04] Yildirim: "We will continue the efforts so that the just cause of the Turkish Cypriot people to be internationally understood"

Yildirim first met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci but no statements were made after the meeting.

He later met with the self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun. Self-styled foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu was also present at the meeting.

"We are here to prove the solidarity between Turkey and the TRNC" Y?ld?rm said and referring to the Crans-Montana summit he added that the Turkish delegation worked well during the conference and alleged that "the insincerity of the Greek Cypriot side was unfolded".

On his part, Ozgurgun stated that Yildirim's visit gives strength to the Turkish Cypriots." Referring to the Cyprus negotiations process, Ozgurgun claimed that "the Greek Cypriot side by leading to a stalemate had wasted many conferences held within the UN parameters".

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot people always supported good neighbour relations with the Greek Cypriot people under equality, freedom and Turkey's guarantee, he alleged that "it was out of question to accept zero soldiers, zero guarantee' demands from the Greek Cypriot side" He also claimed that it had been understood that it was not possible to reach anywhere with the current UN parameters.

The paper also reports that Yildirim also met with the "speaker of the assembly" Sibel Siber who alleged that with Turkey's solidarity great days are expecting the Turkish Cypriots. She also stated that "the embargoes and isolations must be lifted".

(CS)

[05] Turkey criticizes Greek FM for statement on the anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus

Earlier on Thursday, Kotzias issued a statement, calling the anniversary "sad", saying it was "one of the most tragic pages in the history of Hellenism". "Not hope for an immediate resolution of the Cyprus problem, as this is unfortunately not yet possible due to Turkey's continuing intransigence, but hope because the international community now appears to realize what is obvious, which is set down in the Resolutions of the United Nations; that is, that the reunited Cyprus must be a normal modern state, fully sovereign, fully independent and with territorial integrity," Kotzias said in a statement on the Greek Ministry's website.

In a statement, Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Huseyin Muftuoglu said: "As the Prime Minister once again emphasized in Lefkosa today, the peace operation (editor's note: as they referred to the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974) was carried out within the framework of the rights and obligations of Turkey arising from international treaties."

Muftuoglu alleged, with the "operation", Turkey had put an end to the suffering that has occurred on the island and had ensured that it would not be repeated again.

"As a guarantor, Turkey showed the whole world that day that it would not allow Enosis and that the Turkish Cypriots were not alone. Turkey maintains its determination not to allow the common struggle of the Greek Cypriots and Greece, expressed in the Greek Foreign Minister's message, to target the existence and freedom of the Turkish Cypriot people," Muftuoglu argued.

[06] A four-step plan was discussed on Cavusoglu's presence in the breakaway regime

According to the paper, the plan is as follows:

Study for the opening of the occupied fenced city of Varosha.

Opening the road for the return of Maronite Cypriots to their houses and properties in the occupied area of Cyprus.

The Compensation Committee to work actively and funds to be found for the compensations to be paid to Greek Cypriots.

Efforts for the lifting of "embargoes imposed to Turkish Cypriots" to be made.

According to the paper, the two parties of the "coalition government" the National Unity Party and the Democratic Party, suggested the goal of a "federal Cyprus" to be abandoned and launching negotiations based in "two states" to be adopted.

Neither the opposition parties nor the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci or Cavusoglu supported the proposal. Cavusoglu did not take any stance on the issue, writes the paper and he stated that they will make the necessary evaluation and will listen to this proposal as well

The paper also reports that the opposition parties stated to Cavusoglu that the Turkish government is taking religion based steps aiming to change the culture base in the occupied area of Cyprus. However the Turkish Foreign Minister rejected these complains.

(CS)

[07] CHP Vice Chairman: "Turkey's Foreign Ministry should strive for recognition of the TRNC"

He argued that the "TRNC foreign ministry" should also strive for recognition and promotion of the "TRNC".

(DPs)

[08] Columnist assesses the reasons of the so-called embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots

"[…] Is an 'embargo' or 'isolation' imposed on the Turkish Cypriots? Yes, it is imposed. However, the Greek Cypriots are not the only responsible for this. UN Security Council's Resolutions exist. And mainly the one in 1964. The 'only legal state' in Cyprus is the Republic of Cyprus. However, in spite of this, in the period after 1974, in many fields the Turkish Cypriots were not punished with an embargo. For example, in the exports there was no serious problem. Until when? Until the decision of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in 1990. What was the reason for ECJ? The fact that the seal used for years was changed, the insistence that we will seal the export documents with the 'seal of the TRNC' and make the world accept the TRNC, led trade and therefore the production into an irrevocable darkness. Moreover, the ECJ process had not been followed adequately. It was as if there was a wish for having a decision against [us]. It was as if the then Turkish Cypriot leadership and Turkey were exerting efforts for the Turkish Cypriots to be punished with an embargo. And in the end this is what happened. While those who after the ECJ decision laid down on the propaganda that 'the world does not understand us' distanced the Turkish Cypriots a little bit more from the world, their umbilical cord with Turkey was inversely proportionally strengthened. Now 'all roads lead to Ankara' anymore!

All roads lead to Ankara but on the issue called 'embargo in sports' the Turkish Cypriots stopped and are waiting in an impasse. While the Turkish teams were able to carry out sporting events with teams from Turkey, together with the TRNC's declaration, a version of the 'from Turk to Turk' campaign's embargo entered into effect. While once Fenerbahce, Cimbom [Translator's note: This is how they call Galatasaray], Besiktas and other Turkish teams did not play again on this island with their 'sweat suits'. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[09] Columnist argues that only 20-30 Turkish Cypriots attended the celebrations for the Turkish invasion in the occupied part of Nicosia

Noting that a Janissary band also played during the military parade, Incirli writes that afterwards a group of folkloric dances came to the scene. "They danced unwillingly, reluctantly and with sullen face", he notes arguing that "this is what happens if a ceremony is held only for the sake of holding a ceremony".

Furthermore, Kibris reports that the Turkish Cypriots did not visit the government-controlled area of the island during their holiday yesterday and preferred going to the sea, because of the hot weather and the information published a few days ago in the press that they would be attacked by members of ELAM party.

(I/Ts.)

[10] "You cannot celebrate the pain"

According to the paper, the activists were prevented from their activist action by the so-called police who used force against them. Following this development the Solidarity group organized a press conference reminding to the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci that two years ago, in his speech at the July 20 anniversary, he said that "no matter if the operation was made in the name of peace, it was a war".

Solidarity went on adding that every year on July 20 in the name of the "celebration" of "peace and freedom" they are full with tanks and chauvinist speeches and this day is presented as a feast, while in this island that the two communities share, this day is a day of pain for the Greek Cypriots. It also notes that in July 20, the firts steps for the permanent division of the island were made and people were murdered and raped.

The construction of peace will start the day that the people of the two communities will understand each other and will show respect to the pain experienced by the other and not at the negotiations tables with old methods inside closed rooms, Solidarity notes.

(CS)

[11] Ankara-Berlin ties hit new low amid war of words

"We need our policies towards Turkey to go in a new direction. We can't continue as we have done until now. We need to be clearer than we have been until now so those responsible in Ankara understand that such policies are not without consequences," German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel told reporters on July 20.

Gabriel said the new steps Berlin would take in reshaping ties with Turkey had been agreed on with Chancellor Angela Merkel, indicating it had become a joint stance rather than the social democrat's personal stance.

In the meantime, the German Foreign Ministry warned its citizens to be more careful in traveling to Turkey on July 20, citing recent detentions of people there and Ankara's refusal to grant consular access in some cases, in violation of international law. "People who are traveling to Turkey for private or business reasons are urged to exercise increased caution and should register with German Consulates and the Embassy, even for shorter visits," the Ministry said in its revised travel guidance.

In Ankara, Ibrahim Kal?n, President Erdogan's spokesman, replied to German officials' remarks and announced measures on Turkey through a press conference. "We are strongly condemning suggestions that German nationals visiting Turkey would not be secure," Kal?n told reporters.

Recalling that millions of Germans are fully safe visiting Turkey and those who are under judicial prosecution are only a handful of German nationals, Kal?n stressed, informing that scores of Turkish nationals and civil society organizations have been investigated and even charged with espionage. "We think that those unfortunate statements are an investment for internal politics aimed at the approaching elections in Germany," Kal?n said at the press conference.

"How come Germany tolerates this? When we talk about them, they respond 'We have justice and independence.' Well, why don't they respect Turkish justice? This is disrespectful to Turkey. They will respect our justice," stated Kal?n, categorizing Germany as the European country hosting the most FETO members who fled Turkey after the July 15 coup attempt.

In the meantime, the Turkish Foreign Ministry criticized comments by German officials regarding the arrest of six human rights activists, including a German citizen, saying these were unacceptable and amounted to interference in the judiciary.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.07.17) reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday slammed his German counterpart over statements regarding the detention of a German national whom Turkey accuses of terrorism.

German Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel announced in a news conference on Thursday, that it would not encourage German businesses to invest in Turkey, in an apparent attempt to increase pressure on Ankara to release German citizen Peter Steudtner.

Speaking to reporters in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Cavusoglu said the remarks from Berlin were an example of diplomatic discourtesy and added: "Berlin knows that the Turkish Republic and the Turkish nation have never bowed down to threat and blackmail. Therefore, it should be known that these threats and blackmail would not get any response in Turkey. We will also assess the threats and of course we will respond to it."

[12] CHP leader criticizes changed education curriculum, urges more Ataturk values

The final version of Turkey's national school curriculum has left evolution out and added the concept of "jihad" as part of Islamic law in books, Education Minister Ismet Y?lmaz said on July 18.

K?l?cdaroglu stressed the country's education had lost its national identity. "We must first describe freedom and independence on the basis of Ataturkism, and second, on knowledge-based production," he added.

Associations have slammed the move, saying that Saudi Arabia was the only country in the world that excluded evolution from its national curriculum.

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(DPs / AM)

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