Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-09-14

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat admits that the issue of returning properties to the Greek Cypriots is discussed only in order to avoid paying heavy compensations.

[02] The first meeting of the "Platform for Communication with the Civilian Organizations" is realized upon the initiative of Mehmet Ali Talat.

[03] The occupation regime will prepare an inventory regarding the properties.

[04] Erdogan describes as "shameful" the demand regarding Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus.

[05] A Pakistani businessman began an organic agriculture project in the occupied area of Cyprus by investing two million dollars.

[06] Turkish Cypriot Trade Unions will take part in an international congress in Havana.

[07] The so-called Ministry of Tourism issued a statement saying it was unaware about the destruction of an archaeological site.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat admits that the issue of returning properties to the Greek Cypriots is discussed only in order to avoid paying heavy compensations

In statements to the illegal TAK news agency, Mr Talat reiterated the Turkish view that the issue of the properties could be solved only with an agreement within the framework of the solution of the Cyprus problem. Referring to the property regime of the Annan Plan, Mr Talat noted that if the ECHR "makes an evaluation within the framework of this regime, this will ensure a great profit for the Turkish side".

Asked to comment on the opinion of some Turkish Cypriot organizations regarding some amendments in the "law" providing for the possible return of occupied Greek Cypriot properties to their owners, Mr Talat said:

"Among the lawyers there is a general tendency on this issue. The lawyers suggest that we should bring onto the agenda the return of properties under specific conditions and thus to use the internal legal means. This has nothing to do with the annulment of the title deeds. The annulment of the title deeds or their reevaluation could only be done with the solution. The return of properties is suggested especially for being saved from the heavy compensations. This is an opinion and we are evaluating it. We are not rejecting it, but we are evaluating it with the political parties and the parliament".

Commenting on this part of the statements of Mr Talat, Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (14.09.05) writes that the occupation regime is trying to find a "magic formula" in order to seem that it returns properties to the Greek Cypriots and trick the ECHR. "Without realizing it, Talat revealed yesterday this game", adds the paper.

Meanwhile, according to KIBRIS, Mr Talat referred to other issues as well. He expressed the opinion that a dynamic process will start regarding the Cyprus problem after the commencement of Turkey's accession negotiations with the European Union on October 3rd. He alleged that "all restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, including their international isolation, must be lifted" during this process.

Noting that he sees nothing wrong in promoting the Cyprus issue in cooperation with Turkey, Mr Talat said that his basic goal was to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots.

Expressing the view that Turkey's EU process will inevitably be locked-on to the Cyprus problem, Mr Talat argued that this would not create only difficulties, but at the same time new opportunities will be created, because the European Union should not be expected to keep up its support to the Greek Cypriots under the current circumstances.

Stating that the EU is based on the principles of the free trade and free economy, Mr Talat reiterated that the direct trade and financial aid regulations must be implemented simultaneously.

He claimed that putting into practice these regulations would not lead to the Turkish Cypriot side promoting its political ambitions, and argued that a political gain can only be achieved through a settlement to the Cyprus problem.

[02] The first meeting of the "Platform for Communication with the Civilian Organizations" is realized upon the initiative of Mehmet Ali Talat

Mr Talat noted that such meetings will be conducted once a month with all the civilian organizations which are active in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

Mr Talat expressed the opinion that the civilian organizations played an important role in the change of the image of the Turkish Cypriots in the world during the period before and after the 24 April referendum. He noted that this new image of the Turkish Cypriots has not yet been reflected to the Cyprus problem and added that they started preparing the necessary infrastructure on this issue.

The paper writes that the Secondary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOEOS), the Primary School Teachers Trade Union (KTOS), the Union of the Turkish Cypriot Civil Engineers and Architects (KTMMOB), DEV-Is, Turk-Sen, Tel-Sen, Tip-Is, El-Sen, Basin-Sen, the Journalists' Union, Guc-Sen, DAU-BIR-SEN, the Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen, DAU-SEN, BES, KOOP-SEN and KTAMS participated in the meeting.

[03] The occupation regime will prepare an inventory regarding the properties

The paper notes that the project will include the inventory of the immovable properties which are in the occupied areas of Cyprus and the properties abandoned by the Turkish Cypriots in the free areas of Cyprus.

On behalf of the "universities" the "protocol" was signed by Dr. Halil Guven, rector of the "Eastern Mediterranean University", Dr. Senol Bektas, deputy rector of the "Near East University" and Dr. Zeynep Onur, deputy rector of the "American University of Kyrenia".

Mr Murat said that the cost of the project will be 500 thousand New Turkish Liras and that this will be covered by the "embassy" of Turkey to the occupied part of Nicosia.

According to the paper, all the information regarding the above-mentioned properties will be transferred in computers.

[04] Erdogan describes as "shameful" the demand regarding Turkey recognizing the Republic of Cyprus

In statements at the Foreign Relations Council in New York, Mr Erdogan argued that Turkey fulfilled all necessary conditions for the commencement of its accession talks with the EU and alleged that "putting not related issues before Turkey is contrary to the international diplomatic morals".

"This is a shameful behaviour and such behaviours create lack of confidence", he claimed and alleged that the Republic of Cyprus was accepted in the European Union in spite of not having fulfilled the Copenhagen Criteria.

[05] A Pakistani businessman began an organic agriculture project in the occupied area of Cyprus by investing two million dollars

The Pakistani businessman yesterday briefed a reporter of the illegal TAK news agency regarding the project. Mr Rashid rented a 5,000 square-metre field in an area two kilometres southeast of the occupied village of Nikitas. He has succeeded in producing vegetables according to EU standards without using fertilizer, chemicals or hormones. He will export these vegetables to Britain and other EU countries with "Turkish Cypriot Airlines". Mr Rashid added that he could help Turkish Cypriot businessmen to sell their products to EU countries.

[06] Turkish Cypriot Trade Unions will take part in an international congress in Havana

Among the decisions is for representatives from trade unions in the occupied area of Cyprus to take part in the congress of the Confederation of World Unions that will be held between 1-4 November in Havana, Cuba. A representative of the so-called Ministry of Labour and Social Insurance, as well as representatives from the Turkish Cypriot trade Unions Dev-Is, KTAMS, KTOS and KTOEOS, who have been invited to the congress will travel to Havana.

[07] The so-called Ministry of Tourism issued a statement saying it was unaware about the destruction of an archaeological site

The statement reads: "Information regarding the opening a road from the archaeological site of Kastros to the sanctuary of Aphrodite, which is located on a hill at Karpasia, as well as the placing of flag poles there, had reached the Department of Antiquities yesterday. Technical experts of the Department of Antiquities will carry out the necessary investigation and will submit a report to our Ministry. Our Ministry has already begun the necessary investigations with the cooperation of the Security Forces."

AFRIKA, on its front page under the title "They planted flag poles and learned it from us", reported that "the flag poles were placed on 18 July and that the so-called Ministry launched a probe after learning about it from our report yesterday."

The paper asked whether those responsible would be punished.

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