Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-08-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Prime Minister has reportedly stated that Morfou can never be given to the Greek Cypriots

[02] Ercakica said that FIFAs proposal for the future of football in Cyprus cannot be accepted; Statements on Limnitis barricade and Pyla village

[03] Avci attacked President Christofias for his statements at the Olympic Games

[04] Statements by Soyer in occupied Famagusta

[05] Newly appointed Commander paid courtesy visit to Ekenoglu and Soyer

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Prime Minister has reportedly stated that Morfou can never be given back to the Greek Cypriots

According to the paper, it is noted that during his recent illegal visit to the occupied areas of Cyprus on the occasion of the 34th anniversary for the Turkish invasion of the island on 20 July 1974, Mr Erdogan met with representatives of the Democratic Party (DP) in occupied Keryneia and heard their concerns. Noting that Morfou will not be returned to the Greek Cypriots, Mr Erdogan argued: Morfou can never be given to the Greek Cypriots. We shall not make a step backwards on this. We have made millions in investments there.

Furthermore, referring to a possible agreement between President Demetris Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, Mr Erdogan said: Cyprus is a national cause. We should give our approval for an agreement to be reached in Cyprus. We shall approve this as a guarantor power. No agreement which we do not approve can result from here.

The paper notes that Morfou is the most productive area of the island and that after the referendum in 2004 Ankara launched a great effort on the issue of the investments in this area. Within this framework, a campus of the Middle East Technical University was opened in Morfou, the road between Morfou and the occupied part of Nicosia was broadened and thoughts are being given to distributing water brought to the occupied areas from Turkey in 2012, to the rest of the island across the Morfou area.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ercakica said that FIFAs proposal for the future of football in Cyprus cannot be accepted; Statements on Limnitis barricade and Pyla village

In statements yesterday during his weekly press briefing, Mr Ercakica replied to a question on the proposal of the International Federation of Football Associationsl (FIFA) for the unification of the football in Cyprus under the roof of the CFA. He said that football is an issue that has been discussed for a long time. He claimed that only in the fifties did the Greek and Turkish Cypriot teams participated in a joint league, but the Turkish Cypriot teams abandoned this federation and established their own, because the Greek Orthodox Church of Cyprus did not give them permission to play in their own stadiums.

The Turkish Cypriot Football Federation is a federation established according to the laws of the Republic of Cyprus and under the laws and regulations passed by the Turkish Cypriot Communal Chamber, alleged Mr Ercakica.

He said that the chairman of the self-styled Turkish Cypriot football federation, Omer Adal will prepare a counter proposal to FIFAs proposal and for this reason he held contacts with the so-called presidents and prime ministers offices. Pointing out that the issue could be also related to the Cyprus problem, Mr Ercakica noted that the proposals of the Turkish side should be based on the equal status of the two sides as established in the negotiations between President Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader. Otherwise, membership to the Greek Cypriot Football Federation as they want and the opening of the gates for playing football matches as they are proposing is unthinkable, he argued.

Asked about the opening of Limnitis crossing point, Mr Ercakica said that the views of the Turkish side have not changed on this issue and added that in case the Limnitis crossing point opens, access to occupied Kokkina village should be ensured. He said that in parallel to Limnitis, communication with Pyla village should be established so that the village is saved from its isolation.

Mr Ercakica said that the stance of the Turkish side for the participation of the inhabitants of Pyrgos village to the ceremony in the Saint Mamas Church in occupied Morfou in September is positive and the reply will be conveyed within the following week.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Avci attacked President Christofias for his statements at the Olympic Games

Mr Avci alleged that the statements made by President Christofias were insincere, did not reflect the realities and aimed only at seeming nice. Mr Avci claimed that the President did not refrain from continuing his policy of rejecting the existence and the equal status of the Turkish Cypriots even at the Olympic Games and talked about peace and friendship among the peoples.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Statements by Soyer in occupied Famagusta

Referring to the negotiating process planned to start on 3 September, Mr Soyer argued that for the first time a Greek Cypriot leader accepted that there will be a Turkish Cypriot state in the north part of the island which will have equal status with the Greek Cypriot state in the south, that the political equality will be shared and that there will be a single international representation.

He alleged that the non-solution suits the Greek Cypriot side, which has unilaterally become member to the EU and has a say in Turkeys bid for accession to the Union. He claimed that the Turkish Cypriots should solve the Cyprus problem and join the EU with equal rights.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (13.08.08) reports that referring to the economic development of the Turkish Cypriots, Mr Soyer reiterated that their GDP, which was 975 million US dollars in 2003, increased to 3.5 billion dollars in 3.5 years.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Newly appointed Commander paid courtesy visit to Ekenoglu and Soyer

The newly appointed commander of the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus [Tr. Note: Turkish occupation forces in Cyprus] Lieutenant General Hilmi Zorlu paid courtesy visits to state and government officials today.

Accompanied by the newly appointed commander of the 39th Mechanized Infantry Division Major General Kamil Basoglu and Major General Serdar Savas, commander of the 28th Mechanized Infrantry Division, General Zorlu met with the acting President Fatma Ekenoglu and Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer.

Speaking during the visits, the new commander expressed the hope that the ongoing peace process in Cyprus will yield a positive outcome, allowing the Turkish Cypriot people to achieve the humanitarian, economic and political rights it deserves.

He said that the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus will always work to that end.

Explaining that he was following closely the developments on the island, General Zorlu said that the Turkish Cypriot people deserved a just and lasting solution.

Receiving the General, Acting President Fatma Ekenoglu said that they will work together in cooperation towards achieving a lasting and sustainable settlement on the island.

Welcoming the General to the TRNC, Prime Minister Soyer reminded that the Turkish Peace Forces duty on the island was to protect the Turkish Cypriot people and its constitutional order in accordance with rights and authority granted under the 1960 Treaties of Alliance and Guarantees.

He said the Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus has not only contributed to the security of the Turkish Cypriot people to this day but has also contributed to economic and social development in the TRNC.

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