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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-02-04Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-02-04.01.2019 No.23/19 02-04.02.2019 Contents[A] Turkish Cypriot Press
[B] Turkish Press
[A] Turkish Cypriot Press[01] Lute met with AkinciIllegal Bayrak (04.02.19 http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=lute-continues-to-meet-with-both-leaders ) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met yesterday with the UN Secretary General's envoy Jane Holl Lute who is in Cyprus to hold meetings with both leaders.No statement was issued before or after the meeting. [02] The so-called foreign ministry issues a statement on the MED7 Summit declarationIllegal Bayrak (02.02. 19 http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=mfa-statement-on-5th-med7-summit-declaration) broadcast that the so-called foreign ministry reacted against the joint declaration adopted at the Fifth Summit of the Southern European Union Countries (Med7), held in the Republic of Cyprus on 29 January 2019 with the participation of France, Italy, Spain, Malta, Portugal, Greece and Cyprus.A statement issued by the "ministry" claimed that "the joint declaration was yet another proof that the Greek Cypriot Administration used its EU membership for its own interests". It also alleged that the joint declaration was "another example of the unfair and unconstructive attitude maintained by certain EU members, in the name of the so-called Union solidarity". "The joint declaration claims to express support to the efforts of the UN Secretary General's Good Offices Mission but contrary to the latest observations regarding the mission put forward by the Secretary General, the declaration gives praise to efforts of the Greek Cypriot side towards a settlement which in reality does not exist. More importantly the declaration embraces the hard-line positions of the Greek Cypriot side which cannot be accepted by the Turkish Cypriot side" the statement read. The so-called ministry also claimed that " commendation in the declaration of the so-called efforts by the Greek Cypriots regarding the settlement process in Cyprus and the expression of support for their unilateral hydrocarbon activities in the Eastern Mediterranean clearly display the continuation of the Greek Cypriot Administration's abuse of its EU membership. It should not be forgotten that the main reason for the failure of the Cyprus Conference in 2017 was the Greek Cypriot side's intransigent mentality, considering themselves as the sole owner of the Island and the Turkish Cypriots as a minority. The fact that in the joint declaration there is no mention of the legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriots on the natural resources of the Island proves the persistence of this distorted mentality" the statement alleged. It concluded by alleging that "the joint declaration which ignores the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people and which is far from reflecting the political and historical facts is null and void for the TRNC". [03] Ak?nc? inspects Apl?kis and Deryneia crossing pointsIllegal Bayrak (02.02. 19 http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=akinci-inspects-aplic-crossing-point) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? has held inspections at the Apl?ki crossing point. Speaking during the visit he expressed his view that the opening of the crossing point will benefit greatly the people of the area.He argued that the crossing point had opened after great difficulties despite being one of the first confidence building measures they had reached agreement on with the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades. Ak?nc? claimed that the opening of the crossing point had been delayed due to problems such as expropriation of land. Sharing the latest figures regarding the use of the crossing point, Ak?nc? said: "So far, since the opening of Apliki on the 12th of November 2018, 2,543 Greek Cypriots have used the crossing point to cross over to the north while 2,614 Turkish Cypriots have used it to cross over to the south. 1,843 nationals from third countries have also used the crossing point". Expressing his belief that the figures will increase with the arrival of summer, Ak?nc? said: "It is my hope that both sides will further develop relations. I hope the economy will also benefit". Reporting on Akinci's visit ti Deryneia
crossing point, illegal Bayrak (02.02. 19
http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=akinci-visits-derinya-crossing-point)
broadcast that Ak?nc? said that the aim of his visit was to inspect
the Deryneia crossing point which had opened simultaneously with the
Apliki crossing point.
Stating that this was the first time he had visited the crossing point
since it opened up late last year, Ak?nc? said that the high number of
people using the crossing point to cross from north to south and vice
versa showshow much a crossing point was necessary for the area.
"While Mr Cavusoglu's words sprinkled water on our hearts, the Greek
Cypriots and our opposition immediately started attacking Turkey with
lies. Mr Talat could not resist and declared federation as the only port
for taking shelter. Why? Because no other political material is left
for them except for defending federation on the Cyprus issue. They know
that federation will not happen, but because if they accept this they
will remain totally without any policy, they are defending federation
with lies. UBP's youth should know these well. [Teacher's trade union]
KTOS attacks Turkey with false accusations calling it occupier country
which implements ethnic cleansing on the Turkish Cypriots, which imposed
surnames on us by force, which changed our place names by force, but
there is absolutely no reaction by president Akinci, by prime minister
Erhurman. Why?"
Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot newspaper Gunes(02.02.19), in
statements during a visit to occupied Famagusta, Tatar reiterated the
view that the Turkish Cypriots would never abandon Turkey's active and
effective guarantees and claimed that no one would be able to cut the
ties between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots.
Commenting on a recent agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and
France, Tatar alleged that the fact that the Greek Cypriots signed an
agreement for granting a naval base and an airbase on the island was
a new evidence for the fact that they were very far from a federal
solution. "Their intentions are not good. This is why we put emphasis
on the solution of two separate states", he alleged.
(I/Ts.)
(I/Ts.)
In a written statement, the leader of BKP Izzet Izcan said that the
UN Security Council confirmed that the federal solution based on a
bi-zonal, bi-communal political equality is on the table. Noting that
the secessionist policies of the status quo political parties with the
encouragement of the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu against
the federation have gone bankrupt, Izcan added that the priority duty
of the negotiations is to start as soon as possible within the framework
of the Guterres document.
Noting that it was requested in the UN Security Council Resolution to
implement the Confidence Building Measures (CBM) in order to strengthen
the trust between the two communities and to facilitate life in Cyprus,
Izcan called on the sides to act together without delay.
Meanwhile, the paper reports that the Leftist Movement (Sol Hareket)
said that the approaches of ignoring the UN parameters and federation
are a waste of time. Abdullah Korkmazhan, in a statement on behalf of
the Movement, argued that the references of two separate states or a
model based on the cooperation regarding the Cyprus problem have been
registered once again with the last Resolution of the UN Security Council
that they are living in a dream world.
Korkmazhan called on all those who made an attempt so the UNFICYP's
mandate not to be extended and especially the "foreign minister" Kudret
Ozersay to make self-criticism.
(DPs)
"An academician who was a guest of a discussion program on television
is asking: 'Why Tufan Erhurman, who has three books on the issue of
federalism, is not interfering in the debates for abandoning federation?'
It is correct. In the speech, which he delivered at the assembly towards
Turkey's Foreign Minister Cavusoglu's stance that 'other options outside
federation exist', Erhrurman said that 'Cavusoglu sees federation also
as an option'. I honestly found it strange. Why the chairman of the
CTP, which related the source of its existence to a federal solution,
[a chairman] who has carried out scientific studies on federalism,
remains silent? Or why does he try to give the message that 'we are in
the same direction with Cavusoglu' by drawing off a meaning which does
not exist? And furthermore, why CTP deputies, who especially have much
more knowledge and experience on the issue of federalism, are remaining
silent exactly during this period? [?]"
(I/Ts.)
"Barbaros sailed to the coastal area south of Cyprus for seismic
exploration activities. It has been searching natural gas-petrol wells
for a while now in the parcels that South Cyprus claims itself despite
Greek harassments," the paper claims.
Barbaros vessel is accompanied by Turkish war ships.
(DPs)
"[?] The administrators of trade unions which are members of the Trade
Union Platform organized an activity next to the TRNC assembly and the
Turkish embassy the day before yesterday. The aim of the demonstration
was to support Akinci because of the actions and statements by Turkish
Foreign Minister Cavusoglu during his recent visit and give the Turkish
ambassador a letter to convey to Cavusoglu criticizing him because of
his actions and statements. However, this extremely democratic activity
and demand by the Trade Union Platform was rejected and prevented by
the so-called TRNC police! The police closed the road in front of the
embassy! A barricade of at least 50 policemen was established in front of
10-15 trade unionists! Around 20 civilian policemen were waiting ready
to interfere if necessary. And not only the trade unionists were not
allowed to give the letter to the ambassador to convey it to Cavusoglu,
but they were also not permitted to approach the embassy 's door!
They were forced to stop 100 meters away from the door! In the end, it
was decided that the letter, which stresses that the statements made by
Cavusoglu during his recent visit to Cyprus were perceived as 'pressure
on the political will', will be sent to Cavusoglu through mail and the
activity which had been prevented by the police ended.
At the same time there was another activity. The demonstrators were the
Turkish Peace Forces Veterans' Association. What was their aim? To condemn
[teachers' and secondary school teachers' trade unions] KTOS and KTOEOS,
which they said that 'were against Turkey'! The police, which forced
the Trade Union Platform to stop 100 meters from the embassy's door and
prevented it, did not interfere with the Turkish Peace Forces Veterans'
Association which came to express support to Cavusoglu! They protected
them and led them to the embassy's door! And there, by waving their
flags inside the embassy's door, they condemned our teachers and those
who think like them!
Now I am asking Mr Tufan who says 'I do not allow any debates on
our police'. Did you hear anything about the Trade Union Platform
attacking the embassy and you prevented them? Did the trade unionists
have any weapons? [?] If there is a decision regarding a prohibition for
holding activities in front of the embassy, why did you not implement
this prohibition for the Turkish Peace Forces Veterans' Association as
well? Or has the order come from above?
Excuse me Mr Tufan. Actually I know the answer to these questions. Why
have I asked them then? You said that 'I do not allow a debate on my
police'! Not for debating. For hearing them [the answers] from you only
[?]"
(I/Ts.)
Reporting on the same issue, Kibris (04.02.19) writes that there is not
an imam in occupied Vasileia village as well and as a result imams from
the neighboring occupied villages have to come to Vasileia when there
is a funeral. In addition, the mosque of the village is in a very bad
condition and in danger of collapsing.
(CS)
(DPs)
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul after the commemoration of a population
exchange between Greece and Turkey after World War I, Y?ld?r?m said
the two countries share a common history and culture despite on and off
disputes in the Aegean Sea. His remarks come ahead of a two-day visit
by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Feb. 5-6.
Y?ld?r?m added that Tsipras would be hosted with "Turkish hospitality."
Tsipras is expected to be the first Greek leader to visit a former
Christian Orthodox seminary located on one of the Princes' Islands off
the Istanbul coast.
Recep Tayyip Erdogan received the representatives in a closed door
meeting lasting roughly 90 minutes at the Tarabya Presidential Campus
(Huber Villa), presidential sources said.
Erdogan underlined that Turkey will not "turn its back" on the Palestinian
cause or people, adding that Ankara will share "all means available"
for ending the occupation and establishing peace.
He went on to thank the Knesset members for their service of representing
the Palestinian will in Israel's legislative body against Tel Aviv's
"oppression" in Gaza as well as its "Jewish State" law and "baseless
rhetoric" against Turkey.
The Turkish President further encouraged the group to work in unity and
solidarity, saying that the controversial law defining Israel as a Jewish
state is in open disregard of Palestinian citizen rights.
Russia's RIA news agency cited the Kremlin as saying Sunday that Putin
would meet Erdogan and Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani in Sochi on
Feb. 14.
The summit is expected to address the situation in Syria, where Russia
and Turkey have been trying to create a de-escalation zone.
Erdogan and Putin held their first meeting of 2019 on Jan. 23 in Moscow.
Erdogan on Sunday gave a live interview with Turkish broadcaster TRT. In
the interview, Erdogan discussed Turkey's strategies against terrorists
east of the Euphrates in Syria.
"In Turkey's policy in northern Syria, Syria's territorial integrity
and political unity are essential at this point. We are not in favor
of the disintegration of the Syrian people," he said, adding that some
300,000 Syrian refugees have been able to return home from Turkey. Turkey
currently hosts some 3.6 million Syrian refugees, according to estimates.
Noting that steps have been taken with Russia regarding patrols around
the northern Syrian town of Manbij, Erdogan announced that a Turkish
delegation had returned from Russia for talks on Syria which had resulted
in "positive developments."
"I hope this positive development will lead to the exit of these
(terrorist) organizations leaving this place as soon as possible and
its rightful owners will come and settle in their lands," he said.
Erdogan also discussed United States' involvement in Syria, saying:
"(Donald) Trump has promised that the U.S. will leave Syria soon. I hope
he keeps his promise. Likewise, we do not want to live under threat."
"Control over the planned buffer zone in northern Syria must be
surrendered to Turkey. Then we will be able to provide security and
everything (necessary for the region)," Erdogan said.
Erdogan also discussed the stability of the Turkish economy, stating
that investment would continue. He pointed to the Turkish stock market,
which hit a peak over 100 points, as an indicator that Turkey is a
"place to go" for investment.
A High Criminal Court in the eastern Malatya province found K?sanak
and Tuncel guilty of terrorist organization membership and spreading
terrorist propaganda, said the sources, who asked not to be named due
to restrictions on talking to the media.
The DBP is the regional-level sister party of the Peoples' Democratic
Party (HDP).
Turkey's government accuses the HDP of being linked to the PKK, which
is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and the
European Union.
"We made the biggest commitment to Iraq," Mevlut Cavusoglu told a meeting
organized by the Beyoglu Municipality in Istanbul.
"We will provide $5 billion credit," Cavusoglu said, adding that Turkish
business people will utilize this loan for their projects in Iraq. "We
have already begun coordination of these works for the reconstruction
of Iraq," Cavusoglu added.
The top diplomat added that he is set to visit both, the Iraqi capital
Baghdad and Erbil, the administrative capital of Kurdish regional
government. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will visit Iraq after the
local elections in Turkey slated for March 31.
In 2017, Iraq was Turkey's fourth largest export partner, according to
the Foreign Ministry. "Turkey's bilateral trade volume with Iraq declined
from 2014 to 2016 due to security problems in Iraq. In 2017, this trend
has been reversed and the bilateral trade volume has increased," the
Ministry said, adding that Turkey expected the trade volume to reach
over $12 billion in the upcoming years.
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(CS/AM)
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