Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-08-22

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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] Celik alleges that Greek Cypriots sabotaged the Cyprus talks

[02] Ak?nc? met with the Ugandan Ambassador to Ankara and the Italian Ambassador to Cyprus

[03] Ozgurgun sent a letter to Akinci asking for Atalay's dismissal

[04] Reactions to the caricature published by Kibris continue

[05] Columnist: The caricature published by Kibris tells us a reality to our face

[06] HP warns over the risk of "religious groups and orders" from Turkey infiltrating the "state" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] A "Turkish Cypriot association" held contacts in Skopje

[08] A 15-year-old girl from Bulgaria lives under terrible conditions in occupied Keryneia

[09] Erdogan: "Military operation with Iran against PKK in Kandil is on Turkey's agenda"

[10] Russia set to finish Akkuyu nuclear plant licensing by year-end

[11] Y?ld?r?m: "Turkey is still hopeful about 'mutually beneficial' Customs Union update with the EU"

[12] Turkey's Celik called on Merkel to stick to her words

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Celik alleges that Greek Cypriots sabotaged the Cyprus talks

The Turkish Minister reiterated the allegation that Turkey and the breakaway regime would hold the necessary consultations to see how they would proceed and claimed: "The comprehensive negotiations have ended now. They have not been postponed or frozen. Everything which would have been discussed was discussed. This process is over. The Greek Cypriot side is the one that sabotaged this process. Our job is to build bridges, not walls".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ak?nc? met with the Ugandan Ambassador to Ankara and the Italian Ambassador to Cyprus

The "president's diplomacy and EU special adviser" Erhan Ercin was present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (22.08.17) Akinci further met this morning at the "presidential palace" with the outgoing Italian Ambassador to Cyprus, Guido Cerboni.

Ak?nc? wished the Italian Ambassador all the best for the future. No statement was issued before or after the meeting which was also attended by Ercin.

[03] Ozgurgun sent a letter to Akinci asking for Atalay's dismissal

The paper recalls that Atalay had been arrested in July in Diyarbakir, Turkey, for allegedly having links with the Fethullatist Terror organization but that he was then released. The paper also recalls that Akinci had rejected in the past similar demands submitted by the "Turkish embassy in the TRNC", the so-called coalition UBP-DP government and the "Vakif foundation", providing as an excuse the fact that the "good dialogue initiative" between him and Archbishop Chrysostomos B' benefited the negotiation process.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (22.08.17) reports that commenting on this development, Atalay described this situation as very strange, since, as he claimed, in the letter sent to the "president" by Ozgurgun, the reason for requesting his dismissal was not mentioned.

Atalay wished also that Ozgurgun should had first spoken to him and wondered how meaningful is to share the letter sent to the "president" with the public. Atalay described this as unethical.

(AK)

[04] Reactions to the caricature published by Kibris continue

Tufan Erhurman, chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), issued a statement on his social media account saying that certain circles "have insistently been playing with the nerves of the people" for the past few weeks and were not concerned about the "people's future". He noted that an employee appointed by Turkey at the self-styled ministry of education had argued that some circles "have been seething" with anger because of the student camps [for religious education] organized in Turkey and that some others had organized a protest against a caricature published three months ago. "These lands, those living here have their own characteristics. You should know that we will live in peace accepting our differences as our wealth", he argued.

Moreover, Birikim Ozgur, "deputy" with the CTP, also on his social media account, said that he would always support Utku Karsu and the other caricaturists in criticizing whatever and whomever they want including himself.

Furthermore, Mehmet Harmanci, 'mayor' of the occupied part of Nicosia, said that they should not remain silent on the issue because "this will not end well". "I think that the event has to do with the inability to correctly control the borders of a country and not with racism", he argued adding that Karsu had criticized him in the past with his caricatures but he was not annoyed.

Meanwhile, in a written statement, Izzet Izcan, leader of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) said that the protest against Kibris newspaper and Utku Karsu were an attack against the freedom of the press and added that racism was actually the pursuit of a policy based on differences for the sake of winning votes and to provoke the "people".

On the other hand, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (22.08.17) reports that Erhan Arikli, chairman of the YDP, issued a statement yesterday arguing that the protest they had organized against Kibris newspaper was successful and gave the necessary message to everyone "who has turned racism into a philosophy of life". He once more alleged that the caricature published by Kibris was racist and instigated hatred against foreigners and enmity.

Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (22.08.17) reports that Ali Kismir, chairman of the Press Workers Trade Union (BASIN-SEN) criticized Kibris newspaper which did not defend caricaturist Utku Karsu. In a written statement Kismir said: "The most saddening aspect of the issue is the way by which Kibris newspaper defended itself. It has officially been said that the caricature was wrong, what was necessary had been done as regards the caricature and the caricaturist during the period of the caricature's publication and the love of the media group for Turkey was expressed. That is, a huge media group throws our caricaturist friend into the fire on the one hand and tries to prove how much it loves Turkey with its publication policy on the other".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Columnist: The caricature published by Kibris tells us a reality to our face

"[…] The caricature actually tells us a reality and its result to our face and we prefer to discuss the caricature instead of the realities. The problem actually lies in the false system in which we live and not in the caricature. Mainly, the issue of 'entering with an identity card' causes problems. We should note this somewhere. Citizens of all countries in the world cannot enter with identity cards into the northern part of Cyprus! This practice has been created for Turkey. It has been created because the mentality, which has been governing Turkey for years, considers the norther part of Cyprus 'Turkish land'. Because of this 'misunderstanding' all mistakes come in rapid succession. Many of the problems we experience, from the island becoming Turkish and Islamization, are administrated by the same center and are pushed from there. It is understood that the 'case of the caricature' had an effect and is creating a window of opportunity to discuss the issues. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[06] HP warns over the risk of "religious groups and orders" from Turkey infiltrating the "state" in the occupied area of Cyprus

In the statement, the party referred to the "cooperation agreement" of the "academy" with several "universities" and especially the recently "signed agreement" with the "European university of Lefka", underlining the existing difficulties deriving from this "agreement".

The party underlined further in the statement that the recent developments in Turkey indicated the serious risk existing of "several religious groups, orders and similar organizations infiltrating the state organizations. In this framework, it is obvious that a contemporary educational system in the country which is far away from reactionary movements is very important. It is in this framework that Ataturk Teacher's academy role is very important", read the statement.

(AK)

[07] A "Turkish Cypriot association" held contacts in Skopje

Speaking during the meeting, Arikli explained that since its "establishment" on19 August 2016, the "association" held a series of contacts and visits abroad aiming to promote the "TRNC". He also expressed satisfaction over their cooperation with the "Skopje Horizon Association".

On his part, Kahil expressed pleasure over the visit and stated that they would be happy to organize more contacts and joint events with the Turkish Cypriots.

(AK)

[08] A 15-year-old girl from Bulgaria lives under terrible conditions in occupied Keryneia

Nidai Gungordu, self-styled mayor of occupied Keryneia, said that the necessary living conditions for the girl and her child should be provided with the support of the "state", that they would send a letter to the "social services" and that the "municipality" was ready to temporarily cover her basic needs.

The issue is extensively covered in most Turkish Cypriot newspapers.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Erdogan: "Military operation with Iran against PKK in Kandil is on Turkey's agenda"

"Taking joint action with Iran is always on the agenda," Erdogan told reporters on August 21 before departing on a trip to Jordan.

His words came after Iranian Chief of General Staff Maj. Gen. Mohamed Bagheri paid a three-day visit to Ankara last week and met with his Turkish counterpart Gen. Hulusi Akar.

Erdogan said that the PKK posed threats to both countries, and Iranian and Turkish officials discussed the struggle against the PKK and its Iranian branch, the Party of Free Life of Kurdistan (PJAK), during Bagheri's visit.

"The two military chiefs discussed the work that can be carried out and its diplomatic dimension," he added.

"The work will continue. As you know, the PKK terror organization has a foot in Iran. It has always caused harm to Iran and to us. We work jointly because we believe that if the two countries cooperate, we can get results in a much shorter period of time," Erdogan said.

Erdogan, however, did not offer further details on the timing or scope of the operation, and did not say where the operation would be focused. Media reports have suggested that Bagheri proposed the launch of a joint operation against the PKK in northern Iraq's Kandil and Sinjar regions.

During Bagheri's meeting, the two sides agreed to increase current cooperation on border security regarding the fight against the outlawed PKK group.

Following his visit to Ankara, the Iranian chief of general staff told Iranian media that during his visit it was agreed that Turkey would step up control of its border with Iran. "The actions of Turkey and Iran complement each other. We reached good agreements to prevent terrorists crossing from one side of the border to the other," he said.

Turkey recently began building a "security wall" along part of its border with Iran, along the lines of a similar barrier on the Syrian border.

Meanwhile, Bagheri also stated that both sides were united in opposition to a plan by the leadership in Iraq's autonomous Kurdish region to hold a referendum on independence on Sept. 25.

"Such geographical changes "could provoke tensions and clashes inside Iraq and would not be limited to that country," he said.

[10] Russia set to finish Akkuyu nuclear plant licensing by year-end

"Contracting parties are working to obtain the last of the licenses for Akkuyu", Novak told state-run Anadolu Agency over the Aug. 19-20 weekend.

Russia's Rosatom and Turkish consortium Cengiz-Kolin-Kalyon signed an agreement in June for the construction of the plant.

"We will start construction at the beginning of 2018 and once the first unit is completed, we plan to start operations at the plant in 2023," he said.

When fully operational, the plant is estimated to meet around 6 to 7% of Turkey's electricity demand.

The nuclear plant will have a capacity of 4,800 megawatts in four units and a working lifetime of 8,000 hours per year.

In the first phase of the construction, two units with a capacity of 2,400 megawatts are planned.

The plant's 49% stake will be divided among the Turkish consortium of three while the remaining 51% of Akkuyu's shares will remain with Rosatom.

[11] Y?ld?r?m: "Turkey is still hopeful about 'mutually beneficial' Customs Union update with the EU"

German Chancellor Angela Merkel had stated earlier that Berlin would not pursue an update of the Customs Union with Ankara. "We are not opening new chapters in Turkey's [EU] accession bid and we have lowered membership preparation aid to a minimum. Also, for the time being, the Customs Union deal with Turkey will not be changed or updated," Merkel said.

In response, Y?ld?r?m said on August. 18 that Ankara was not pushing for an update of the Customs Union.

Speaking to reporters after Friday's prayers in Ankara, he also said the Customs Union update is "not an issue Germany can decide on unilaterally."

"The Customs Union is not a unilateral agreement. Turkey is not in the mood to suggest a change in the Customs Union as soon as possible. Turkey will make a decision according to what its interests require. No matter what happens, we are not in a situation that aches for an update of this Customs Union. They should not worry or get too excited", Y?ld?r?m said.

[12] Turkey's Celik called on Merkel to stick to her words

"We invite [Angela] Merkel back to her own words," Celik said, during an interview with Turkish private broadcaster NTV.

Celik was referring to Merkel's visit to the U.S. this March, where she had said that her moto was to talk to each other and not about each other.

"Turkey and our President are becoming part of Germany's internal politics and not a single day passes in Germany when they are not talked about," he said.

Celik claimed that the debate about Turkey, turned into a campaign after racist parties entered the discussion, adding that Merkel and Martin Schulz, who leads Germany's main opposition Social Democratic Party, had lost votes when compared to previous polls.

On the question whether Germany's negative statements towards Turkey will end after the German general election on September 24, Celik said that there will be "a certain softening".

Celik said further that neither Germany nor Turkey benefited from the negative news German media was producing against Turkey.

He added that the European Parliament's involvement was the reason why the Customs Union became part of politics.

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(AK / AA)

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