Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-09-15

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] "Akinci: We have paid compensations of around 279 million euro"

[02] Cavusoglu said that Turkey will take similar responsive steps towards Cyprus' hydrocarbon exploration activities

[03] Akdag said that they should urgently develop the "TRNC"

[04] "Is Akinci hiding something?"

[05] YKP visited the TDP; Kanatli: "The Cyprus problem was completely left to Turkey's mercy"

[06] A delegation from the "assembly" carried out contacts at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

[07] Hisarciklioglu says that Turkish businessmen should invest more in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] Survey in the occupation regime reveals that only four parties would achieve to pass the "election threshold" to enter the so-called assembly, if "elections were to take place next Sunday"

[09] "The legal framework" for the return of the Maronites to the villages in the occupation regime was discussed

[10] Ozgurgun reiterated that their efforts to further develop and strengthen the "TRNC" will continue

[11] Winter working hours in the occupied area of Cyprus were announced

[12] Izcan condemned the so-called government for not adopting the winter time

[13] "KTOS" organized a march against the closing of the "Ataturk teachers' academy"

[14] Turkish Cypriot newspaper says the Greek Cypriot cemetery at occupied Agios Theodoros village has turned into ruins

[15] An ancient tomb was found in the occupied village of Kalivakia

[16] Cavusoglu: EU must change its view of Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] "Akinci: We have paid compensations of around 279 million euro"

Replying to a question regarding the natural gas resources, Akinci said that cooperation is needed in this field instead of tension; that the issue continues to be a reason for tension and that natural gas areas have been found in Israel and Cyprus. He reiterated the view that Cyprus' natural gas is a common property of the Greek and the Turkish Cypriots and that the two communities could also use together the water brought from Turkey. Akinci claimed also that the shortest, cheapest and most practical way to carry natural gas from the Mediterranean to Europe is through Turkey. Alleging that the same thing is valid on the issue of transferring electricity as well, Akinci claimed that efforts are exerted to exclude Turkey from the transfer of energy resources.

Asked whether they are considering being integrated to Turkey as a solution to the Cyprus problem, Akinci replied that two alternatives do not exist on the agenda of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots. He added: "First of all, we as Turkish Cypriots do not want to become a minority within a unitary structure of south Cyprus. In the same manner, we do not want to become the 82nd province of Turkey. […] Turkey also does not need a 82nd province. […]"

Alleging that they are sincere in wanting a federal structure in Cyprus, Akinci claimed: "The formula is clear. Either we will create a structure with two founding states under a single roof, because the TRNC is an entity, a reality whether they accept it or not. This is a state. It may not be recognized but it is a structure. It is a state, a democracy with its parliament, government, president and most importantly its people. […] No one can ignore this. Either we will turn this entity into a new founding state structure equivalent to them within the framework of a solution, or we will continue living side by side as two separate roofs. […] When I say this, some say 'Akinci has become a separatist'. I am a person, who has struggled for years for the unification in Cyprus, for a federal structure. However, this does not happen only with our efforts. When it does not happen, we are not going to abandon our own existence and we are not going to become a minority of the Greek Cypriot side. […]"

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cavusoglu said that Turkey will take similar responsive steps towards Cyprus' hydrocarbon exploration activities

Responding to a question in the Turkish Parliament, Cavusoglu claimed that Ankara had supported the negotiations process in Cyprus which began in 2008 within the framework of the UN Good Offices Mission of the UN Secretary General. "Despite all our constructive efforts and that of the Turkish Cypriot side, the Greek-Greek Cypriot duo failed to reciprocate our sincere and determined stance towards achieving a settlement. The Conference on Cyprus was inconclusive and as a result, it ended. As a result the negotiations which started in 2008 have ended", he added.

Pointing out that Ankara was following closely the Greek Cypriot side's unilaterally launched hydrocarbon exploration activities, the Turkish Foreign Minister further alleged: "The Greek Cypriot side's unilateral activities have left us with no choice but to take similar responsive steps aimed at protecting and upholding the equal rights of the Turkish Cypriot people over the island of Cyprus. Within this framework, a continental delineation agreement was signed between Turkey and the TRNC (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus) on the 21st of September 2011".

He added that "the Turkish Cypriot council of ministers have issued a licence to the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to conduct its own exploration activities for hydrocarbons in the area".

"Not to mention the fact that outer boundaries of Turkey's continental shelf have been recorded under the presence of the UN", Cavusoglu claimed.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also said that Turkey will continue to do what is necessary to protect its rights and those of the Turkish Cypriots in the area.

[03] Akdag said that they should urgently develop the "TRNC"

During the meeting, Akdag said that during his visit in the "TRNC", he had meetings with several sectors, adding that the "TRNC" is a "country" with high potentials. He further said that they may gain ground by working together these potentials and argued: "The intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriot side for years now may be solved easily by developing the 'TRNC'. There is a very good qualified labour force and a large number of educated people. (…) On one hand, we will explain the rightness of our case in the international circles and on this issue, we as Turkey will protect you as a guarantor country. From my opinion, the point that we should focus is the quick development of the TRNC, so the citizens will feel more comfortable".

Saner, reminding the "economic protocol" signed between Turkey and the "TRNC", said that they endeavour to do what they have to do regarding the "protocol" in their best way.

(DPs)

[04] "Is Akinci hiding something?"

"Has Akinci become opponent of the solution and we do not know this", he asks adding: "Is this possible? It is not of course. It is contrary to Akinci's philosophy of life, but it is not contrary to Ankara's [philosophy of life]. Let's be honest now: Let's say that the Greek Cypriots do not want a solution. Does Ankara want a solution very much? It is obvious that behind closed doors something has been said to Akinci and the president says that 'this issue cannot continue like this for another 50 years. E, how will it continue? The president should announce this as well. We know that this is not annexation. Very well, what is it? The TRNC will live forever!!! I do not think so. Some things are being cooked somewhere. It is understood that the president is preparing his people for a new order of things. Let us say that I am wrong. If I am wrong, what is lying under the president's messages of separation, secession? […]"

(I/Ts.)

[05] YKP visited the TDP; Kanatli: "The Cyprus problem was completely left to Turkey's mercy"

Speaking during the meeting, Kanatli stressed the need for the "trade unions and political parties" to cooperate and unite their forces in order to find solutions to the "problems experienced in the TRNC".

Stating that they are holding series of contacts concerning the issues related with "the citizenships, the issue of transferring electricity from Turkey to the TRNC with underwater cables, the educational system, the decision by the government not to implement winter time", Kanatli called the community to resist and take action against these "practices" followed by the "government" and Turkey.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Kantali expressed the view that "the Cyprus problem was completely forsaken to Turkey's mercy".

On his part, Ozyigit said that the only and most right choice for the solution of the Cyprus problem is the federal solution. He further added that they will continue exerting efforts towards this direction and not give up.

Ozyigit further claimed that the Turkish Cypriots failed to be "sovereign in their own country" and added that "it is time for communal resistance".

(AK)

[06] A delegation from the "assembly" carried out contacts at the European Parliament in Strasbourg

The delegation, during their contacts, briefed the officials regarding the last stage of the Cyprus talks especially the failure in Crans Montana, the Turkish Cypriot side's harmonization process with the EU, the relations of the Turkish Cypriots with EU institutions and the sensitivities of the Turkish Cypriot side with some issues particularly the lifting of the reportedly isolation towards the Turkish Cypriot community.

The delegation also met with Deputies and representatives of the Christian Democratic Group, the Socialist-Democratic Group, the Conservative and Reformist Group, the Liberal Group, the Freedom and Direct Democracy Group and the Green Party in the European Parliament.

Within this framework, the delegation also met with Turkey Rapporteur of the European Parliament Kati Piri and the European Rapporteur Lopez Aguilar regarding the missing persons issue in Cyprus.

(DPs)

[07] Hisarciklioglu says that Turkish businessmen should invest more in the occupied area of Cyprus

"We as businessmen want the Turkish Cypriots to become rich. We realize that that the unjust isolation implemented on the Turkish Cypriots slows this down. […] We realize the contribution which the Turkish Cypriot people becoming rich will have to the efforts for a solution. […] We want more mutual trade. We support the efforts for a solution in Cyprus. We want Cyprus to become an island of prosperity and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean […]".

Speaking at the same meeting, Ayhan Zeytinoglu, chairman of the Economic Development Foundation, alleged that the Cyprus problem is used for putting obstacles in Turkeys EU accession course. He argued that they should make their main priority the breakaway regime's economic development and the securing of investments and healthy trade relations with the rest of the world.

Zeytinoglu noted that Turkish businessmen should invest more in the occupied area of Cyprus and claimed that it is important to take steps in the direction of ending the so-called isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Survey in the occupation regime reveals that only four parties would achieve to pass the "election threshold" to enter the so-called assembly, if "elections were to take place next Sunday"

According to the results of the survey, the parties would receive the following votes, without the distribution of the undecided:

-National Unity Party (UBP) 18,5%

-People's Party (HP) 14,5%

-Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 12.65%

-Social Democratic Party(TDP) 5.39%

-Democratic Party (DP) 2.34%.

The paper underlines that the DP position is uncertain (due to the undecided votes).

Also, among the 23.89% of the participants in the survey stated that tthey would not use their right of voting, 13,82% said that they are undecided and 7,9% said that they would vote with the "mixed electoral system".

Also, after the distribution of the undecided votes, the parties would receive the following percentages:

-National Unity Party (UBP) 34,05%%

-People's Party (HP) 25,86%

-Republican Turkish Party (CTP) 23,28%

-Social Democratic Party(TDP) 9,92%%

-Democratic Party (DP) 4,31%

-Others 3%

(AK)

[09] "The legal framework" for the return of the Maronites to the villages in the occupation regime was discussed

According to a written statement issued by the "presidency", during the meeting, all the "aspects of the legal framework towards the return of Maronites" were discussed, while at the same time, an evaluation of the current situation was made and also "decisions" were made about the next steps to be taken.

Moreover, during the meeting, "the technical work which is taking place for the return of the Maronites and the planning budget which is necessary for the preparation of the infrastructure for the return of the Maronites" were further discussed.

(AK)

[10] Ozgurgun reiterated that their efforts to further develop and strengthen the "TRNC" will continue

Speaking at the opening of a party building in occupied village Exometochi, Ozgurgun claimed that the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus) will continue on its path since all efforts to reach a settlement on the island had ended in failure.

"The UBP has been stating this for the past 42 years since its establishment. The TRNC will remain forever. The UBP is the only party which is saying this and all its actions from day one have supported this", he added.

On the Cyprus problem, Ozgurgun claimed that his party had supported the idea of a federal settlement within the framework of UN parameters but that the Greek Cypriot side had proven the UBP right by demonstrating that it did not want a solution.

"Those who were saying the opposite of what we were saying are now saying that a settlement with the Greek Cypriots is not possible", he added.

Ozgurgun further said that efforts to further develop and strengthen the "TRNC" economy will continue.

Pointing out that "elections" were coming up in 6-8 months, Ozgurgun expressed his belief that his party will emerge with victory and will continue to serve the Turkish Cypriot "people".

[11] Winter working hours in the occupied area of Cyprus were announced

According to the decision taken by the "council of ministers", "public sector employees" will be working 40 hours a week throughout the winter months.

Public working hours will be between 08:00-12:30 and 13:00-16:15 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Thursdays, from 08:00-12:30 and 13:00-17:30, starting on Monday 18th of September till 30th of October.

Between 30th of October and 19th of February, working hours will start and finish 30 minutes later than the set hours. (08:30-13:00/13:30-16:45 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; Thursday 08:30-13:00/13:30-18:00)

From 19th of February to 14th of May working hours will go back to the first arrangement.

Summer working hours will come into effect from May 14th through to the middle of September. (07:30-14:00 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; Thursday 07:30-12:30/13:00-17:00)

[12] Izcan condemned the so-called government for not adopting the winter time

Stating that it is not possible for a divided in two-island to follow two time-zones, Izcan said: "The Turkish Cypriot community will not collapse under the pressure of those trying to incarcerate it. The community does not want to experience again the same tension and dispute it experienced last year after the deadly traffic accidents which occurred as a result of the impositions by the government".

Stating that the Turkish Cypriot community does not trust the so-called National Unity Party-Democratic Party government, Izcan stated that "the insistence of the government on the Saudi Arabia time is a reactionary bigotry step".

Izcan went on adding that the Turkish Cypriot community will continue its struggle against these "practices" and called on the so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun to withdraw the "decision" not to adopt the winter time. He further added that his party will further support the "communal resistance" march which was to take place yesterday by the "Turkish Cypriot teacher's trade union" ("KTOS").

(AK)

[13] "KTOS" organized a march against the closing of the "Ataturk teachers' academy"

The protesters organized yesterday a press conference in front of the "Dr. Fazil Kucuk mausoleum tomb" and later marched to the buildings of the "Ataturk teachers' academy".

Speaking during the press conference, Sener Elcil, general secretary of the Turkish Cypriot teachers' trade union (KTOS), stated that they are against the efforts exerted for the closing of the "Ataturk teachers' academy", which aims at the democratic development of the Turkish Cypriot community. Elcil reiterated that the reasons behind the closing of the AOA was political and not academic and called on the "government" to receive the message from the protest they organized, otherwise, as he said, they will continue with more massive protests.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot community's identity and culture is under serious attack, Elcil added that unfortunately the community is under the "attack of the imams" during recent years. He also called the Turkish Cypriot community to "struggle for its existence".

(AK)

[14] Turkish Cypriot newspaper says the Greek Cypriot cemetery at occupied Agios Theodoros village has turned into ruins

(I/Ts.)

[15] An ancient tomb was found in the occupied village of Kalivakia

The headman of the occupied village of Kalivakia Omer Merakli argued that the excavation's result showed that there is an ancient tomb. Meanwhile, the paper reports that they could not reach the "director" of the "antiquities department" Fuat Azimli to obtain further information.

(DPs)

[16] Cavusoglu: EU must change its view of Turkey

Speaking at a press conference in Ankara with his visiting French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian, Cavusoglu said Turkey "doesn't want to have problems with Europe".

"However," Cavusoglu said, "Turkey is also not a country that bows down to impositions and double standards.

Cavusoglu stressed that Turkey's view of Europe changed over time and that European countries must similarly "change their mind-set about Turkey".

Le Drian said France expects the tensions between Germany and Turkey to be eased, adding that such tensions are also affecting France negatively.

"Tensions may happen, but we wish these difficulties to be overcome. I do not want to comment on the elections in Germany as we have a very important partnership with Germany. This tension between Turkey and Germany is not positive for us."

On a referendum set for Sept. 25 on the secession of northern Iraq's Kurdish Regional Government (KRG), Cavusoglu said Turkey would use its power "if needed".

"We observe this in our bilateral relations … Americans and other countries say 'It [KRG] is your neighbour, you have power.' Turkey does not hesitate to use its power if needed."

Pointing to the importance of the issue for the region, Cavusoglu said Turkey and France might take some steps together.

"In fact, the approach of France and Turkey overlaps in this regard. Such a referendum decision is a wrong decision and is not good for Turks, for Iraq, or for the region."

Le Drian underlined the importance of "reconciliation" amid the fight against the Daesh terrorist group in Iraq and voiced France's willingness to contribute to Iraq's reconstruction process.

"There is a fundamental principle: Respect for the territorial integrity of Iraq. This is a basic principle in any case in terms of the peace process in the Middle East. Of course, it is also true for Syria.

"The territorial integrity and the various communities living together within the framework of this territorial integrity respecting each other and the Constitution is extremely important." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs /AM)

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