Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-01-19

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu meets with Turkish Cypriot politicians before the Geneva Summit

[02] Davutoglu says Downer will visit Turkey before January 26

[03] Yasar Yakis: The solution in Cyprus is not close

[04] "North Cyprus Airlines" establishment agreement signed

[05] So-called tourism minister asks for support to promote tourism

[06] Tore in Ankara for contacts

[07] Preparations for the rally on January 28; DP supports the Trade Unions' Platform

[08] Tension in occupied Morfou

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Turkish Foreign Minister's contacts in Lebanon

[10] Russian Foreign Minister visits Turkey

[11] Turkey and Russia sign readmission deal

[12] Turkish official on Greek Orthodox Patriarch's rights

[13] Breaking the EU-Turkey deadlock

[14] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu meets with Turkish Cypriot politicians before the Geneva Summit

In this framework, Eroglu will have meeting with the former Turkish Cypriot leaders Rauf Denktas and Mehmet Ali Talat on Wednesday and with political parties represented in the so-called parliament on Friday. On Saturday, Eroglu will meet the "Peoples' Council" at the so-called Court of Auditors building to discuss and exchange views on the Cyprus process.

[02] Davutoglu says Downer will visit Turkey before January 26

Davutoglu said there will be intensive diplomatic traffic will take place in Turkey within the next few days. He added that the P5-1 ? Iran negotiations will start, the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit Turkey and Alexander Downer will go there for consultations prior to the Geneva meeting on January 26.

Davutoglu said Turkey could not simply watch the crisis in "our friendly and sister country of Lebanon" and therefore it will continue its contacts. He noted that the "regional momentum" should continue. He said he held telephone conversations with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of France and Qatar on the situation in Lebanon and added that during the three-party meeting held yesterday in Syria they decided to act together in order to reach a solution by achieving stability in Lebanon with the support of the international community.

Davutoglu noted that he will have contacts today with all the sides in Lebanon, together with the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Hamid Bin Casim in their effort to contribute to the solution of the crisis.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Yasar Yakis: The solution in Cyprus is not close

"If the sides do not exhibit will in the direction of an agreement soon, there is a strong possibility that Ban Ki-moon throws in the towel by saying 'this is as far as I can go'", argued Yakis.

Asked what will happen after a possible new failure in finding a solution, Yakis claimed: "First of all, the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots will be left alone. Afterwards the negotiations will move to a bilateral, three-party, four-party, or even five-party framework".

Yakis said Turkey, "which is continuously strengthened", might bring "important openings onto the agenda which will end the political loneliness of the TRNC" and noted that "the political loneliness of the past will not be experienced at this point".

(I/Ts.)

[04] "North Cyprus Airlines" establishment agreement signed

Speaking at the ceremony on behalf of the private sector shareholders, Unal Caginer pointed out that "KKH" will play a very significant role in further development of the "TRNC".

The Head of the Executive Board of THY, Hamdi Topcu, who attended the ceremony, said that connecting the "TRNC" with the rest of the world has been the major goal of the Turkish Airlines.

The so-called minister of public works and communication, Ersan Saner, welcomed the establishment of the new "national carrier", stating that the new company is an honour for the Turkish Cypriots. He also thanked officials from Turkey for their continuous support to the Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking at the ceremony, the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk made strong reference to the assistance provided by Turkish officials while working on the establishment of the new airline company. Recalling that "KKH" will start operating as of March this year, Kucuk stated that for the first five years the company will carry out its flights under the supervision and guidance of Turkish Airlines.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (19.01.11), in its front page under the title "planes collided", reveals that another British private company, established in October 2010, has two planes with the name "North Cyprus Airlines Ltd.". According to the paper, this company rents its planes to different companies for flights to different destinations in Europe. However, the name of the company is not written on the planes.

Asked to comment on this news, Saner said that another company may exist, however it will not affect the flights of the "North Cyprus Airlines". Commenting on Saner's statement, the paper writes: "It is understood that the minister did not know about the existence of this company".

[05] So-called tourism minister asks for support to promote tourism

Speaking to journalists yesterday about his contacts, Durust recalled that the year 2011 had been declared in Turkey as the "year of TRNC tourism" adding that Arinc had expressed his full support to the campaign. "Mr Arinc and his family will be spending their summer holidays in the republic in order to show their support to the campaign," Durust announced.

Regarding the meeting with the TRT Director, Durust said he requested joint action of his "ministry" with the TRT, which has the highest audience rate in Turkey. He also noted that to this end, the TRT Director Sahin will visit the occupied areas within a few weeks.

[06] Tore in Ankara for contacts

Moreover, according to the cooperation protocol signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime on 9 August 2010, the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry will donate to the occupation regime three fire engines and one bulldozer.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (19.01.11) reports that while visiting butcher's shops in the occupied part of Lefkosia. Yesterday, Tore was told by the butchers that meat sales have increased as employees of foreign delegations in Lefkosia buy their meat from them, even priests.

[07] Preparations for the rally on January 28; DP supports the Trade Unions' Platform

Seylani noted that their aim is to increase the participation in the rally of January 28, which, he said, is tantamount to the "existence or the annihilation" of the Turkish Cypriots. He said the migration of the Turkish Cypriots continues because of the economic policy implemented by the regime. Seylani noted that since 1956 KTAMS has been contributing in labour relations and the issue of finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, Ahmet Kaptan, chairman of KTAMS said the main source of the problems in the occupied areas of Cyprus is the non-solution of the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, Kibris (19.01.11) also reports that Serdar Denktas, chairman of the Democratic Party (DP), said his party decided to support the activities of the Trade Unions' Platform. Yesterday, Denktas visited the strikers who have camped, for an indefinite period of time, outside the "ministry" of interior in order to express DP's support to the strikes launched by the Platform at the "Land Registry Office" in the occupied part of Lefkosia, the "courts" and schools.

According to a statement by the DP, Denktas said despite of the fact that they have different views from some of the members of the Platform they decided to support its activities because it is time to stop the "wrong practices" of the "government" and solve the problems of the "country" with an approach "appropriate to our people". He said the DP believes that it is wrong to turn their back to Turkey, but at the same time, the party does not think that the Turkish Cypriots should be led to a situation where they will humiliate themselves to Ankara. He noted that the main target of the DP is a Turkish Cypriot "people" which is master of itself, lives in prosperity and talks with Ankara as an equal.

Denktas called on everybody to support the activities which will start on January 28. (I/Ts.)

[08] Tension in occupied Morfou

The protesters were holding placards with slogans such as "We are not beggars", Neither Lefkosia, nor Ankara hear our voice", "We do not want to emigrate" etc.

Sinasi Ozdes, chairman of the persons whose houses had been damaged by the flood in occupied Zodia area, said no money was paid to them for the flood, that the 'government" sends taxes to the tradesmen every day and that the people of the area live in uncertainty because it is said that "Morfou will be given to the Greek Cypriots". He noted that Morfou is a forgotten area because no investments are made and for this reason, the number of people who emigrate increases continuously.

(I/Ts.)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Turkish Foreign Minister's contacts in Lebanon

Earlier Davutoglu had a meeting with Lebanese President Michel Suleiman as part of his talks aiming at finding a solution to the current political crisis in Lebanon. Davutoglu will continue his talks in Beirut.

[10] Russian Foreign Minister visits Turkey

Preparatory work ahead of the High-level Cooperation Council meeting scheduled to be held in Moscow in March, will be high on agenda of the meeting. Turkish and Russian ministers will also exchange views on recent developments in the Balkans, Caucasus and in the world.

Prime Minister Erdogan and Russian President Dmitriy Medvedev will preside the High-level Cooperation Council meeting. The first meeting of the Council took place in Ankara in May 2010.

[11] Turkey and Russia sign readmission deal

The fight against illegal migration was also included in the wide activities of cooperation between Turkey and Russia, the statement said. Officials expect illegal migration could become a bigger problem when Turks and Russians are allowed to travel without having to obtain a visa.

The paper adds that "economic and political ties between Turkey and Russia have grown dramatically in the past years. Tourism is also booming as about 3 million Russians flock to Turkey every year, particularly to tourism destinations along the Mediterranean coast.

The decision to sign a readmission agreement, seen as the final obstacle before a visa-free regime, was made during a visit to Russia by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan last year. The agreement was signed by Sakir Fakilli, the director-general for consular affairs at the Foreign Ministry, and Russian Deputy Director of the Federal Migration Service Nikolay Smorodin in Moscow on Tuesday. Fakilli said he hoped the ratification processes of both the visa exemption and readmission agreements would be completed soon so that visa-free travel could begin as soon as possible. The readmission agreement obliges the parties to readmit persons who enter the other country illegally. Turkish Foreign Ministry officials said visa-free travel between Turkey and Russia could begin as soon as April."

[12] Turkish official on Greek Orthodox Patriarch's rights

"The institution represented by Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew does not have a legal personality under current Turkish law. They don't have a legal personality, but they exist," Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc said on Monday, echoing Ankara's argument that Turkey doesn't consider the patriarchate to be ecumenical, in line with the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, which governs the status of the Greek Orthodox Church in Turkey.

Arinc underlined that the same was valid for Roman Catholics living in Turkey as well. "For now, it is not possible for us to meet the Vatican's demands for a legal personality for the Catholic Church in Turkey," Arinc said.

TZ, inter alia, reported the following:

"Turkish authorities say that the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne, the main agreement regulating minorities in Turkey, recognized only Jews, Armenians and Greek Orthodox communities as minorities, meaning many others, including Roman Catholics, Syriacs and Protestants, were left out. Last year, Pope Benedict XVI said, 'the Catholic Church in Turkey is waiting for civil juridical recognition', noting that this would help the Turkish Catholic community 'to enjoy full religious freedom and make an even greater contribution to society'."

[13] Breaking the EU-Turkey deadlock

To illustrate this, the writer recalls that in article in Newsweek in which Prime Minister Erdogan "lambasted the EU", claiming that the remedy to the EU ailments was Turkey, while Foreign Minister Davutoglu deplored the EU's lack of vision and leadership during a visit to Ankara by EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton.

Referring to the current stage of Turkey EU accession process with chapters "frozen due to vetoes by Cyprus, France or the European Council", Amanda Paul notes that "Clearly with parliamentary elections slated for June, the government will no longer be willing to carry out tricky reforms after March", hoping to score more votes.

The writer acknowledges some justification for Ankara's recent animosity and argues: "Some member states are now clearly trying to tip Turkey over the edge. These countries do not want Turkey in the EU and would like Turkey to draw a line under its own membership process. They may believe that if they anger Turkey enough, Ankara will snap. Clearly, Turkey was extremely disgruntled by the recent visit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel to Cyprus, when she pointed the finger of blame entirely at Ankara for the ongoing non-solution of the Cyprus problem rather than sending a message to all parties, encouraging them to find a way through these difficult negotiations.

It was an unfair, insensitive and very untimely statement coming as it did just a couple of weeks before the crucial meeting that is due to take place between the leaderships of the two Cypriot communities in Geneva. This behaviour, very unfitting of a leadership of such an important and influential EU member state, was clearly not welcomed by Ankara. But more distressing is that it came as a harsh blow to the Turkish Cypriots, leaving a sour taste in their mouths. While it did not even occur to Mrs Merkel that it may have been opportune to combine the visit with a visit to the Turkish Cypriot leadership at such a crucial time, it has left the impression --of course not for the first time-- that the EU is biased. Unfortunately, Cyprus has been used by external forces for centuries. And it seems the trend is set to continue as the island and its problem are exploited by anti-Turkish accession leaderships."

Wondering whether Turkey and the EU are heading into a brick wall, the writer maintains that while the EU is apparently incapable of breaking the deadlock, Turkey may do it. She considers that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) is going to win the June elections with a bigger majority, giving Erdogan "a massive mandate and opportunity." It is therefore not impossible, the writer speculates, that Erdogan takes some big, bold steps on a number of issues, including Cyprus. However, she points out, he cannot do this alone and he will need other partners ready to move (in particular Greece and the UN) in order to achieve success.

"If Turkey is as 'wise' as Foreign Minister Davutoglu recently said, then Ankara will not be ready to give up on the EU just yet --after all, it has nothing to gain by doing so-- and may well make such a big, albeit highly unexpected, move, which will breathe new air into the negotiations and give the likes of Merkel and French President Nicolas Sarkozy one less skirt to hide behind.", the writer concludes.

[14] Highlights

a) Protests against Erdogan

An editorial in Hurriyet Daily News assesses the protests against Erdogan at the new Galatasaray Stadium conceding that "the crowd's reaction was inappropriate and offensive." However, the editorial adds, the implicit threats made by Erdogan "are authoritarian in their nature, disproportionate in measure and reflective of an immaturity that mirrors that of the protesters."

Writing in Vatan, Gungor Mengi views Prime Minister Erdogan's reaction to the protests at the stadium and advises him to show patience and tolerance following the example former President Turgut Ozal. Commenting on Erdogan's remarks that the stadium protest should not be attributed to the recent developments in the country, Mendi concludes: "In other words, he said that the various negative developments such as the ban on alcoholic beverages, the destruction of a statue, the escalation of the headdress issue, the censure on a television series, and the release of the Hizbullah suspects have no role in this protest. It seems as if he has failed to get the message. What a pity."

b) Turkish-Russian relations

Serpit Yilmaz of Milliyet views the diplomatic traffic that will increase between Turkey and Russian in the months of February and March and writes that since both countries will be entering an election atmosphere soon, the two countries should by March conclude definite protocols regarding their transactions on such projects as the Akkuyu nuclear plant, the South Stream project, and the Samsun-Ceyhan pipelines. Viewing the various energy projects Russia is planning by bypassing Turkey, Yilmaz writes: "From the picture that emerges it is difficult to say that Turkey is best using its time to initiate project that are 'competitive' in the energy markets."

c) Ergenekon

Yeni Safak publishes a front-page report which asserts that it has turned out that an attempt by Retired Colonel Hasan Atilla Ugur, "an Ergenekon suspect codenamed 'Kursad,'" to create a rift within the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and "change the parliamentary arithmetic" by persuading a number of AKP deputies with nationalist tendencies to quit their party, was obstructed by Former Chief of Staff Hilmi Ozkok who "stopped this dirty operation by banishing Ugur to Canakkale."

Yeni Akit carries a front-page report which highlights "shocking confessions" by Colonel Arif Dogan, "who is known as the black box of the terrorist Ergenekon organization." The report quotes Dogan as saying that he is the founder of JITEM [alleged gendarmerie intelligence organization], that he distributed AK-47 rifles to as many 10,000 people and had some 78 people in two villages killed during his period of service in the southeast. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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