Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-10-24

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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] Atun: We will establish a drilling platform in the Mediterranean

[02] Denktas argued that as the Greek Cypriot side prolongs the Cyprus talks, then the population in the "north" will be increased and investments will be made

[03] Nami claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side was the victim of the Crans Montana Summit

[04] The new "election law" passed from the "assembly" – Even "deputies" find it difficult to understand it

[05] UBP comes first in the preferences of the "voters", according to Gezici Research Company

[06] Two more "universities" to start operating in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] So-called mayor of occupied Lapithos on the investments that will take place in the area

[08] The population in occupied Keryneia is estimated to be around 80-85 thousand persons

[09] Erdogan to the EU: "Stop targeting Turkey"

[10] Ruling AKP's Bursa mayor Recep Altepe resigns after Erdogan's call; Gokcek's resignation to follow

[11] MP resigns from CHP to join Aksener's new party

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Atun: We will establish a drilling platform in the Mediterranean

Noting that the Turkish Petroleum (TPAO) has sent a drilling vessel to the area, Atun argued that as of the end of the year drillings in shallow waters will start and in the next year the "process of extracting and exploiting gas" in deeper seas will begin. Saying that they have drawn a road map in this direction, Atun alleged:

"There are three important points which we have adopted. One of these is the access to resources in our exclusive zone as TRNC and exploiting these resources commercially. This will primarily ensure economic benefit for us and it is extremely important for our national income. Secondly, Turkey imports energy in big quantities. Cyprus' natural resources are tantamount to Turkey's national reserves. Therefore, the resources which will be extracted here will, within its own capacity, replace a part of the amount paid by Turkey in its energy imports. Thirdly, with the drilling platform, which we will establish in the area, the way for the creation of a possible pipeline will be paved. Therefore, this situation is giving the TRNC a place in the energy picture of the area".

Atun further claimed that with the pipeline, which will be built in the island, they could be connected to Ceyhan, which is an important energy trade center. Thus they will be connected to the energy pipelines in the north-south and east-west of Turkey, he alleged adding that this means marketing natural gas in "acceptable costs" both within Turkey and in various markets through Turkey.

Referring to the tenders, which the breakaway regime will invite in the fields of Aeolic and solar energy, Atun said that these will be invited in November and that the solar energy project will be of a small beginning having the power of 25 megawatt. He noted that their target is for this project to reach 70 megawatt within one year and added that the energy power in the occupied area of Cyprus is currently 400 megawatt and therefore the production of 70 megawatts of renewable energy will be tantamount to 18-20% of their total energy power.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Denktas argued that as the Greek Cypriot side prolongs the Cyprus talks, then the population in the "north" will be increased and investments will be made

He further argued: "We will continue to grant them and there is no step back on this. The Greek Cypriot side used to say when the Cyprus talks were going on that life is continuing, it cannot be stopped, but the life of the Turkish Cypriots should stop, they should not do developments, they should not grant citizenships, they should not make new investments or establish new relations. Why? Because there are the Cyprus talks, the negotiations should not collapse. With all due respect I am not a politician with this understanding". He also claimed: "While the Greek Cypriots extend this process, my population here will be increased, my investments will be increased, and my developments will also be increased and should be increased".

Denktas, who described the negotiating team as "inexperience", argued that his concerns are increasing. Within the framework of Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci's sensitivities and own thoughts, Denktas further argued that he is trying to protect the interests of hte Turkish Cypriot "people" but this is not enough for him.

(DPs)

[03] Nami claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side was the victim of the Crans Montana Summit

Nami who was speaking during a TV program, accused the Greek Cypriot side of following a strategy aiming to remove the issues of guarantees, intervention rights and security from the negotiation table and claimed that this is the reason why an agreement was not safeguarded. He also accused the Greek Cypriot leader of having a negative stance which was contrary to the "positive stance of the Turkish Cypriot side".

Asked if there will be a new process after the 2018 Presidential elections, Nami claimed that the new process will not be carried out in the manner we that we have known so far. "I can tell you what will not be like", he stated adding that there it will not be such a thing as 150 meetings between the negotiators, 70 meetings between the two Cypriots leaders, working groups and technical committees. He also claimed that the scenario of the non-solution should be examined.

(CS)

[04] The new "election law" passed from the "assembly" – Even "deputies" find it difficult to understand it

Noting that "deputies" pointed out the serious problems as regards the new "system" and the way of voting, the paper writes even "deputies" find it difficult to understand this "system".

Addressing the meeting, Cakici called on Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci not to approve the "draft-law", which the "deputies" themselves cannot understand and has not been fully explained to the "people". Otherwise, the 7 January "elections" will create chaos, he argued.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (24.10.17) reports that after the "approval" of the "draft-law", the date of the "elections" should be set. The issue will be discussed at the relevant "parliamentary commission" on 3 November and at the "plenary session" of the "assembly" on 13 November. The date will be published in the "official gazette" on 14 November.

(I/Ts.)

[05] UBP comes first in the preferences of the "voters", according to Gezici Research Company

How do you describe yourself? (%)

Conservative 10,4

Nationalist 33,6

Right-wing 8,97

Nor right not left 22,1

Left-wing 18,7

Social democrat 20,9

Socialist 10,7

Democrat 14,6

Other 1,25

*The participants in the survey expressed more than one preference.

Asked which the biggest problem of the breakaway regime is, they replied:

(%)

Water problem 10,2

Education 18,1

Cyprus problem 32,8

Traffic 18,4

Partisanship 16,4

Corruption 10,1

Unemployment 21,4

Expensiveness 24,3

Public sector's unproductiveness 13,6

Environment 11,5

Health opportunities 28,1

Lack of plan 13,2

Other 1,68

* The participants in the survey expressed more than one preference.

Asked which party they will vote in the "elections", they replied:

Party Name (%) (%) Distribution of undecided and mixed votes (%)

National Unity (UBP) 18,0 28,1 31,1

Republican Turkish (CTP) 12,9 20,1 22,3

People's (HP) 12,3 19,1 21,2

Social Democracy (TDP) 6,48 10,1 11,2

Communal Liberation (TKP-YG) 0,75 1,17 1,3

Democratic (DP) 2,78 4,33 4,8

Revival (YDP) 3,65 5,69 6,3

United Cyprus (BKP) 0,58 0,9 1,0

New Cyprus (YKP) 0,46 0,72 0,8

Mixed vote 9,7 9,7 -

Undecided-I will not vote 32,4 - -

Total 100 100 100

Asked which party they will never "vote", they replied:

Party name (%)

UBP 18,3

CTP 34,8

HP 3,97

TDP 4,57

TKP - YG 3,91

DP 22,7

YDP 3,7

BKP 7,17

YKP 7,39

Mixed vote 9,08

* The participants in the survey expressed more than one preference.

Asked which party is their second preference, they replied:

Party name (%)

UBP 21,4

CTP 9,8

HP 13,3

TDP 15,0

TKP - YG 2,3

DP 11,0

YDP 5,8

BKP 1,4

YKP 1,1

Mixed 10,5

None 8,4

Total 100

Evaluating the results of the survey, Murat Gezici, owner of the company said that five parties seem to be able to enter into the "assembly" and that the "people" seem determined to give the HP [Translator's note: Established by Kudret Ozersay] a "serious percentage". However, its percentages decreased comparing to a survey held by Gezici in May. Another party, which is candidate for entering in the "assembly", is the Turkish settlers' party, the YDP, which takes its power, mostly, by the right-wing UBP and DP. The DP, headed by Serdar Denktas, seems unable to pass the threshold according to the results in October, but it preserves its potential of entering in the "assembly" because of the "second party preference". DP is still a "strong party". Gezici said that the UBP has "seriously recovered" since the survey held in May and added that the CTP has also started to recover, in spite of the fact that it is far from its power in the previous "elections". According to Gezici, the TDP seems to have overcome its problems and preserves a percentage higher than 10%, showing a slight increase according to the previous survey. A correlation is made between this party and the policies followed by the Turkish Cypriot leader and the "mayor" of the occupied part of Nicosia, who are considered to be successful. The other parties, he said, seem to be far away from passing the threshold.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Two more "universities" to start operating in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, in spite of the reactions expressed by the opposition parties, the "coalition government" achieved to send the "draft bill" to the "assembly", which approved it yesterday with the majority of votes.

The first "university" which will launch operation in the "TRNC" is called "International Aydin University". The "university" will open its main campus in occupied Trikomo, while, at the same time, it will open another campus in occupied Keryneia (for graduate decree studies and for post-graduate ").

The second "university" is called Ekman University, writes the paper, without providing further details.

In statements on the issue, Zeki Celer, "deputy" with the Social Democracy Party (TDP) criticized the "uncontrolled increase of the number of the universities in the TRNC" and condemned the "YODAK" for this dangerous situation.

Stating that there are approximately 30 "universities" in the "TRNC", Celer accused the so-called government for not having a "policy" on the "higher education sector".

(…)

(AK)

[07] So-called mayor of occupied Lapithos on the investments that will take place in the area

He also stated that the "Lapithos municipality" will participate in the "EU Green waste program" and will receive a 3 million Turkish Lira funding, improving the financial state of the "municipality".

(CS)

[08] The population in occupied Keryneia is estimated to be around 80-85 thousand persons

Replying to a question how many is the population of the occupied town of Keryneia, Gungordu argued this question cannot even be answered by the "state planning organization" ("DPO"), adding that they can estimate how many is the population by taking into consideration that there are 22,000 registered houses excluding the workshops, the soldiers and their families are around to 6,000, the number of students who are registered in schools are around to 18,000. He argued that the population in occupied Keryneia is around to 80-85 thousand people.

(DPs)

[09] Erdogan to the EU: "Stop targeting Turkey"

"We expect European leaders to stop targeting Turkey and to return to common sense. Escalating xenophobia is in nobody's interest. Dreaming of coming to power through Islamophobia is futile," Erdogan said in an Oct. 23 speech commemorating Alija Izzetbegovic, the founding president of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

"A Europe without Turkey can only lead to loneliness, despair and internal conflicts [for the EU]. Turkey does not need Europe, but Europe needs [Turkey]. They do not want to admit it, but the solution to Europe's chronic problems is Turkey's full membership of the EU," he added.

(…)

"Those who think they can deal with Turkey through threats are ignorant of their own history. Those who think they can bring us to our knees with sanctions will soon understand that they are delusional," Erdogan further said, vowing that Turkey will "avoid any provocations and cheap games."

"As I always say, we won't throw in the towel and we won't give in. We will never make concessions on our national pride and strategic objectives," he added.

Also, Turkish daily Sabah (23.10.17) reported that Erdogan claimed that the idea of a European civilization has come to an end.

Criticizing the European countries' indifference toward the humanitarian tragedies in Syria and Myanmar, Erdogan stated the following: "Europe died in Bosnia and it was buried in Syria. The bodies of innocent children washing up ashore are the tombstones of the Western civilization. Unfortunately, in the last seven years, the old European values have been discredited and destroyed by the very owners of these values".

(…)

"Those who did not see the atrocity in Bosnia are also deaf and blind to the atrocity in Rakhine," Erdogan stated, adding that even though the timing and the actors have changed, people's pain and suffering has continued as "imperialist bloodsuckers continue to exploit."

"What is the difference between what happened 25 years ago in Bosnia and what we are witnessing today in Syria?", Erdogan asked.

(…)

Accusing the West of hypocrisy and double standards on democracy and human rights, Erdogan also said the suffering in Syria, Palestine and Libya today is caused as a result of seeing human rights, democracy and freedoms as a luxury for them, as it was before for Bosnians.

[10] Ruling AKP's Bursa mayor Recep Altepe resigns after Erdogan's call; Gokcek's resignation to follow

Altepe's resignation, issued on October 23, came amid an ongoing saga in the party, with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also calling on Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek and Bal?kesir Mayor Ahmet Edip Ugur to resign, citing a "regeneration process" ahead of the 2019 elections.

"We will never go against our party or our leader, nor give any damage to our party. We will do what benefits us and we will not try to create a crisis environment. Under these circumstances, I do not have any opportunity to provide service to my country, so I am resigning from my post as Mayor," Altepe told reporters in Bursa.

Just three days before his resignation, Altepe had vowed to continue to do his job, despite President Erdogan's call and persistent speculation.

Gokcek, meanwhile, held a meeting with Erdogan on October 23 at the presidential palace in Ankara.

Altepe's resignation follows the resignation of the AKP's Mayors of Istanbul and Duzce, with Erdogan warning that many party members are suffering from what he calls "mental fatigue."

Nigde Mayor Faruk Akdogan also resigned on Oct. 18.

Also, Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek has stated that he would resign from his post on October 28. "God willing, I will extraordinarily convene the Ankara municipal council on Saturday and bid farewell to council members and present my resignation," Gokcek announced on his Twitter account.

Gokcek was elected as the mayor of Ankara in 1994 and joined the AKP in the early 2000s. He was re-elected in Ankara in three consecutive elections in 2004, 2009 and 2014.

[11] MP resigns from CHP to join Aksener's new party

C?ray was first elected to Parliament in 2011 as a CHP Deputy, despite his previous experience in center-right politics.

In a written statement issued on October 23, he urged the need for a new political movement that would address Turkey's problems, citing it as a reason behind his decision to join Aksener's party, which will be formed on October 25.

C?ray will be among the founders of the party. "It's something you have to ask him [C?ray] directly," Aksener told reporters earlier on October 23 when asked about the potential move by the CHP Deputy.

"We have no intention of forming a group in Parliament by transferring lawmakers from the AKP [Justice and Development Party], the CHP or the MHP," she said.

Four former Deputies of the MHP, Nuri Okutan, Umit Ozdag, Yusuf Halacoglu and Ismail Ok, are also set to join the new party, which is expected to help Aksener's movement secure five seats in Parliament.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/indexel/indexel?OpenDocument

(AK / ΑΜ)

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