Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-10-23

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CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci met with European MPs

[02] Sucuoglu and Berova met with Akdag in Turkey

[03] Harmanci met with a delegation from the European Parliament

[04] A "delegation" of the so-called assembly held "contacts" in Brussels

[05] Atun claims that the breakaway regime continues growing

[06] 829 thousand tourists visited the occupied area of Cyprus during Jan-Sept 2017

[07] Titina Loizidou's house has been turned into "art university"

[08] Opinion poll on the forthcoming "elections" in the breakaway regime

[09] Izzet Izcan was elected general secretary of the United Cyprus Party

[10] "Head of the election board" said that no-one asked them if the date discussed for the "elections" is convenient

[11] A Turkish Cypriot is elected as chairperson of the Greek Cypriot gymnasium's parent-teacher association in occupied Rizokarpaso

[12] Ataoglu attended a hotel inauguration in Germany

[13] Erdogan to the US: "The USA could not be called a civilized country"

[14] Yildirim: "The EU should mind its own future"

[15] Russia offers Turkey TurkStream pipeline onshore construction memorandum

[16] "Can Erdogan's AKP win Ankara again?"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci met with European MPs

According to a statement released by the "presidency", Akinci informed the Conservatives and Reformist Group Vice Chairmen on the Cyprus issue and the 5- party conference that took place in Crans-Montana and evaluated the events that may take place from now on.

During the meeting the continuation of the Turkish Cypriot "people's "relationship with Europe and how the Conservatives and Reformist Group can contribute was taken up.

Meanwhile, Ak?nc? also met with Suzan Merter who represents the Bahai Community of Cyprus and her accompanying delegation.

The delegation convened the World Bahai Community's Higher Executive Committee's thank you message to Akinci for his efforts that contributed towards peace.

The visit was carried out in line with the 200th birthday anniversary celebrations of the Bahai founder Bahaullah that are taking place around the world

[02] Sucuoglu and Berova met with Akdag in Turkey

During meeting the new "hospital" that is going to be built in the occupied part of Lefkosia was taken up. "We are going to build a fantastic hospital in the TRNC", Akdag alleged.

Touching upon the "cooperation" that is taking place between the two "countries" in the "field of health", Akdag alleged that new hospitals can be built in several "regions" in the "TRNC", adding that the "health system" will be strengthened.

"Within the framework of our cooperation agreement new fully equipped modern hospitals will be built in the TRNC. It's difficult to continually travel to different locations especially in emergencies, people should be able to receive treatment close to their homes and I believe that with this cooperation great things will be done in this sector", Akdag claimed.

Sucuoglu for his part informed Akdag regarding the" projects" that will take place in the "TRNC". He alleged that the advancements carried out by Turkey in the field of health should be taken as an example. Sucuoglu further claimed that they are working so that similar reforms can also be implemented in the "TRNC".

Also, Akdag further met with the so-called minister of education and culture Ozdemir Berova.

During the meeting, the importance of the "development of the TRNC" was emphasized.

Speaking during the meeting, Akdag alleged that the all efforts must focus on the "development" of the "TRNC".

"I see great potential. By combining efforts the TRNC can develop in a short period of time. What's important is to concentrate on the country's advancements" Akdag alleged.

Explaining that they are aware of the important role "education" plays in the development of the "country", Akdag argued: "In this respect we will continue to support our children, youth and of course the government in the TRNC"

(…)

Also speaking, Berova emphasized the close relations between Turkey and the "TRNC", alleging that the "country" had developed thanks to the support given by Turkey.

"In the name of national education last year we received 22 million Turkish liras in support from Turkey. In this context we were able to complete a variety of projects in the field of education" Berova alleged, adding that "the continuation of Turkey's existence and its powerful state is the guaranty of the TRNC".

[03] Harmanci met with a delegation from the European Parliament

Harmanci had a meeting this time with the Conservatives and Reformist Group Vice Chairmen' of the European Parliament Hans-Olaf Henkel and the United Kingdom Conservative Party MP Geoffrey Van Orden at his "office" in the occupied part of Nicosia. Harmanci briefed the two diplomats on his vision for the local administration as well as the perspective of foreign policy.

In a press release regarding the meeting, Harmanci presented to the diplomats their relations with the Greek Cypriot Municipality of Nicosia (as he referred to the Nicosia Municipality), their expectations from the European Commission, as well as the ongoing bi-communal projects. He also enumerated the disadvantages that are deriving from the division of Nicosia.

Noting that European Commission's budget opportunities should be intensified more for the north part of Nicosia (the occupied part of Nicosia), Harmanci underlined the importance of reducing the differences between the two sides in a possible Cyprus settlement. Harmanci further said that the two diplomats expressed their appreciation for the work done and that they have followed the process until today. He added that they agreed that their meetings will continue in Brussels.

(DPs)

[04] A "delegation" of the so-called assembly held "contacts" in Brussels

The occupation regime's delegation met with European Parliament MP's and officials from the European Commission Taskforce for the Turkish Cypriot community.

According to information released by the "assembly", during the "contacts", the "delegation" explained the reasons why the negotiations process in Crans-Montana had been unsuccessful and how the process is going to continue from now on.

The duty that falls upon the EU, the Turkish Cypriot side preparing for EU harmonization and the relations between the Turkish Cypriots and EU institutions were just some of the issues brought to the agenda by the "delegation".

They also conveyed the Turkish Cypriot side's sensitivities. The "delegation" also distributed a letter containing the latest developments that have taken place on the Cyprus issue to all European Parliament MPs and met with the Christian Democrats Group, Socialists-Democrats Group, Conservatives and Reformist Group, Liberal Group, Freedom and Direct Democracy Group and with representatives from the Greens group and some MP's.

The "delegation" also took part in a round table meeting regarding the Cyprus problem organized by the Socialists Democratic Group and came together with a variety of EU representatives from various countries.

[05] Atun claims that the breakaway regime continues growing

Speaking at a seminar in Turkey, Atun argued that they have increased the number of the tourists visiting the occupied area of Cyprus to 1,5 million comparing to around 350 thousands in 2009. He noted that the departures-arrivals reached four millions from 850 thousands and that the exports increased to 300 million Turkish liras (TL) from 90 million TL. "The TRNC continues developing, growing", he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[06] 829 thousand tourists visited the occupied area of Cyprus during Jan-Sept 2017

According to "official data" by the "ministry of tourism and environment", the number of travellers, who entered the occupied area of Cyprus during the period January – September 2017 were 1 million 295 thousand, an increase of 10.6% compared to the previous year. The number of tourists, who visited the occupied area of Cyprus for accommodation purposes in September 2017, was 190 thousand, an increase of 9.3%. The hotel occupancy was determined as 68%.

Ismet Esenyel, self-styled undersecretary of the "ministry of tourism and environment", speaking to the paper, argued that with the efforts of the tour organizations and the non-governmental organizations, the number of tourists who visited the occupied area of Cyprus for accommodation purposes during the period January-September 2017 were 829 thousand, an increase of 25%, compared to the same period in the previous year. The paper explained that this number also includes the "TRNC citizens" who stayed in the hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus. It is also reported that there was an increase on tourists from Belgium and a decrease from the UK.

(DPs)

[07] Titina Loizidou's house has been turned into "art university"

Columnist Tayfun Cagra recalls that Titina Loizidou had filed a lawsuit against Turkey at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), which condemned Ankara to paying one million and 120 thousand euros as compensation for material damage and mental suffering due to depriving Loizidou from accessing and using her house. "This money was paid in the end, but the house still belongs to Loizidou, because the compensation was paid only for not being able to use her house", writes Cagra adding that "now Loizidou's house is an art university".

"Erbil Arkin restored these old valuable things, which I am convinced that he believes that should be protected, and ensured that the house was enlivened again together with its surroundings", he argues noting that the house had been about to collapse and was turned into ruins inside which "illegal" workers were living. The columnist writes that once it had been said that the house would have been turned into a tavern but in the end it became a "wonderful place". "When I went to see the work of well-known sculptor Rodin and his colleagues in Erbil Arkin's personal collection, I was greatly excited" he says and concludes: "I do not know what Loizidou will think if she sees her house now, but ARUCAD has been wonderfully established there".

(I/Ts.)

[08] Opinion poll on the forthcoming "elections" in the breakaway regime

Altiner writes that the opinion poll was conducted on behalf of the National Unity Party and its results will be announced tomorrow during a press conference by the so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun.

These are the results of the opinion:

National Unity Party: 32%

Republican Turkish Party: 22%

People's Party: 20.5%

Social Democracy Party: 10,5%

Revival Party: 6,5%

Democratic Party: 4,8%

United Cyprus Party: 2%

Communal Liberation Party: 1,5%

(TR. Note: The election threshold in the breakaway regime is 5%).

Commenting on the results, Altiner writes that the National Unity Party (UBP) is increasing its power, compared to a previous opinion poll which according to which was receiving only 24% of the votes. The columnist writes that this is because the party is taking advantage from the fact that is one of the two parties of the "coalition government" and because it has "granted" the "TRNC citizenship to 9,800 persons who will vote for UBP.

Republican Turkish Party (CTP) appears to keep its power compared to the previous opinion poll while the People's Party of Kudret Ozersay is losing its support among the "voters" since according to the previous poll was gathering the 30% of the "voters' support".

Regarding the Democratic Party (DP), Altiner estimates that it will manage to pass the 5% election threshold and will enter the "parliament".

(CS)

[09] Izzet Izcan was elected general secretary of the United Cyprus Party

The paper also reports that the party decided to participate with the Communal Liberation Party (TKP) in the forthcoming "elections".

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (22.10.17) reported that 44 persons resigned from BKP, expressing their disapproval for the co-operation with TKP on the "elections". Among the persons who placed their resignation is Abdullah Korkmazhan, the former general secretary of the party.

(CS)

[10] "Head of the election board" said that no-one asked them if the date discussed for the "elections" is convenient

Sefik also on to the new "election law", stated that in case the "law" passes from the "assembly", the entire "country" will be a "single election area"; therefore every "voter", no matter his or her place or "residence" will be able to "vote" for any of the 50 candidates.

She also stated that based on the date regarding the current number of population in the breakaway regime, the "parliament seats" will be distributed as follows: Nicosia 16, Famagusta 13, Keryneia 10, Morfou 4, Trikomo 5 and Lefka 2.

(CS)

[11] A Turkish Cypriot is elected as chairperson of the Greek Cypriot gymnasium's parent-teacher association in occupied Rizokarpaso

Commenting on the issue, Armagan Candan, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), has said that this is an example proving that the people of the area live in tolerance and unity, something which is encouraged by occupied Rizokarpaso's self-styled mayor, Suphi Coskun. Candan also said that the self-styled foreign ministry of the regime has no right to impose "tariffs" on the supplies sent to the Greek Cypriot and Maronite enclaved persons.

Occupied Rizokarpaso's self-styled mayor Coskun described the development as a "big step towards peace in the country" and added that the issue should not be politically exploited.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Ataoglu attended a hotel inauguration in Germany

Speaking at the inauguration of the Libery Hotel of Christan Funk, Ataoglu congratulated the Funk family for restoring an old prison by protecting its historic structure and provided it to the tourism.

According to a press release by the "ministry", Ataoglu thanked Christian Funk for his contribution to the tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus and expressed his belief that these contributions will be increased every year.

(DPs)

[13] Erdogan to the US: "The USA could not be called a civilized country"

"If America issues arrest warrants for my 13 bodyguards in a country where I went upon an invitation, I'm sorry, but I will not say that this country is civilized," Erdogan said at the Civilizations Forum at Ibn Haldun University in Istanbul.

On June 15, the U.S. issued arrest warrants for 16 persons including Erdogan's bodyguards allegedly linked with a brawl outside the Turkish Embassy in Washington during the Turkish President's visit in May.

Erdogan also criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's policy regarding Muslims saying that Turkey never closed its doors to people who thought differently.

"Muslims in America are facing expulsion so it means there is a problem in the country," he claimed.

The Trump administration laid out late last month new restrictions to replace Trump's previous travel ban, which was set to expire, adding two non-Muslim-majority countries to the list of designated nations while dropping Sudan.

The countries that face travel restrictions under Trump's new order are Chad, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Venezuela and Yemen.

(…).

[14] Yildirim: "The EU should mind its own future"

"The EU should mind its own future rather than talking about us and decide on its future vision. One step forward, two steps back for 40 years. What are you doing? Make a decision. You are constantly trying to raise difficulties in Turkey's membership. Say what your real intent is and do not make us lose time," Y?ld?r?m said while speaking at his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) sixth ordinary congress in the eastern province of Elaz?g.

"I should say that Turkey does not have any change in its decision on its way to the EU membership. What matters is the direction that the EU will head," he added.

He also claimed that the bloc's struggle was to keep Turkey out for a long time and said the fact that the country was making its own decisions and maintaining its development in a stable way was disturbing the EU.

Yildirim also slammed the Danish Prime Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen's remarks questioning Turkey's accession bid under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

"Who are you? Can you have a say about Turkey and the President of the Republic of Turkey? Turkey's regime is democracy and republic," Y?ld?r?m alleged.

[15] Russia offers Turkey TurkStream pipeline onshore construction memorandum

Turkey is expected to soon provide Russia with the necessary permits for the construction, according to the draft memorandum.

TurkStream is a natural gas pipeline project comprised of two different lines, one for the Turkish market and the other for natural gas transit.

While the pipeline which will cater to the Turkish market is scheduled for completion in 2018, the construction of the second line for the European market will be completed in 2019.

TurkStream will directly connect the large gas reserves in Russia to the Turkish gas transportation network, to provide reliable energy supplies for Turkey, south and south-east Europe.

The capacity of each line will be 15.75 billion cubic meters of gas. The construction of the pipeline under the Black Sea was initiated in May, 2017.

[16] "Can Erdogan's AKP win Ankara again?"

"The resistance to the will of President Tayyip Erdogan from within his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Parti) has started from where it should have actually been expected: The municipalities.

When the Mayor of the capital Ankara, Melih Gokcek, who has been holding the post since 1994, did not obey the call of Erdogan, who is now also chairing the party thanks to the vast powers he gained in the April 16 referendum, it was first considered a simple "bargain behind closed doors," which is not very rare in Turkish politics. But as time went by, with Gokcek's reluctance leaving its third week behind despite repeated calls by Erdogan, pro-government media have started to denounce it as a 'resistance'.

But ironically, both the denouncement and Gokcek's silent stance started giving the impression of a real inner-resistance. Some other mayors from the AK Party in the western cities of Bursa and Bal?kesir, Recep Altepe and Edip Ugur, refused the resignation calls by Erdogan. Altepe told the press that he had his own power base in Bursa and could win the municipality as an independent candidate as well.

That is the crucial point of the debate. Municipal elections are perhaps the most democratic elections in Turkey, relatively speaking; unlike the parliamentary elections, in which candidates are named by the party's headquarters, mainly the chairman. (With the exception of the Republican People's Party [CHP] which gives partial independence to grassroots groups.) Voters usually cast their ballots for the party of their choice in parliamentary elections and not for individual candidates. But in municipal elections, the candidate matters.

Like Altepe and Ugur, Gokcek in Ankara has his own power base. All three did not make their debuts in politics with Erdogan or the AK Party; they have their own political backgrounds. Kadir Topbas, who resigned from being the Mayor of Istanbul late September, has his own political background; in fact, older than Erdogan's. But the fact that his resignation came earlier than expected by the AK Party headquarters, with complaints of not being treated appropriately, has been the first blow to the game plan of Erdogan to have a smooth in-house cleaning to secure unquestioning loyalty to the leadership.

Now almost every potential dissident in the AK Party have been encouraged by Gokcek's 'resistance', and if it is correct to say, are hiding behind him. If not a proper resistance, Gokcek's stance demonstrated that Erdogan was not irresistible to other AK Party fellows. The debate has demonstrated a number of other fault lines within the AK Party. The heroes can turn into traitors the next day, depending on the leader's will. Topbas and Gokcek are examples of that. It also raised questions about the priorities of Erdogan and the AK Party: The leader's choice versus the people's vote. Political commentator Rusen Cak?r said in his column on Medyascope that the debate cast a shadow over Erdogan's slogan of "Whoever comes with an election, should go with an election."

As the debate - which is highly corrosive to the AK Party - continues, it can be said that the AK Party can lose Ankara in the March 2019 Municipal elections, unless:

1- Erdogan makes peace with Gokcek, keeping him at the helm despite all accusations. But that is not very likely after the intimidation campaign. However, nothing in politics is completely impossible.

2- Erdogan convinces a pragmatist figure like Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m for Ankara after getting rid of Gokcek. A candidate like Ali Babacan could mean that Erdogan needed his predecessor Abdullah Gul's help.

3- The opposition makes a huge mistake (if Gokcek goes) and does not join powers against an AK Party candidate. A possible scenario of the CHP showing its 2014 candidate Mansur Yavas and Meral Aksener's new party on the right supporting him could be a winner.

Because it is not likely that Gokcek and his team would sacrifice themselves for the victory of Erdogan, if Gokcek either resigns, gets fired, or is put in prison.

Erdogan has said a number of times that winning Istanbul and Ankara again in the March 2019 elections would be the key to win the parliamentary and presidential elections of November 2019. In both cities, "No" to Erdogan's extensive powers prevailed in the referendum. Referendums are not like elections, but in Turkey the party that wins both Istanbul and Ankara usually wins the general elections. Izmir, the third largest city, is a CHP stronghold anyway; and Bursa is the fourth most populated city.

If the row within the AK Party continues in such a manner and opposition parties do not commit a huge mistake, the AK Party might lose Ankara in the next elections. The outlook for Istanbul is even more complicated, which deserves another analysis".

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