Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-10-17

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The occupation regime has gained an observer status during the 12th meeting of the ECO in Baku despites of Iran's veto; Erdogan described this development as an important step

[02] Eroglu: Cyprus talks could not resume automatically from where they were left off

[03] Poll shows Kucuk in the lead four days before UBP's congress

[04] Kasif and Eroglu complain of Ankara's interference in UBP's congress

[05] More reactions to Ankara's interference in UBP's congress

[06] BKP reacted to the projects for the transferring of water and electricity from Turkey

[07] The occupation regime continues the illegal distribution of plots of land

[08] High Commissioner of Canada met with Eroglu and Kucuk

[09] EU is the most hypocrite institution of all time, according to Turkish Economy Minister Caglayan

[10] TUSIAD: EU membership still priority for Turkey

[11] EU minister meets with Italian undersecretary of state

[12] "US sees no possibility of war between Syria, Turkey"

[13] Syrian refuges in Turkey may reach 400,000 by June 2013

[14] Turkish President returns ballot bill on early elections back

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The occupation regime has gained an observer status during the 12th meeting of the ECO in Baku despites of Iran's veto; Erdogan described this development as an important step

As the paper writes, Iran has been objected to the granting of the observer status to the occupation regime due to the fact that the Economic Cooperation Organization did not clarified the modality of the observation and as the paper points out, until the night, Iran has putted a veto to the granting of the observer status to the "TRNC".

At the end, when the Turkish delegation said to the Iranian delegation: "If you do not withdraw this decision, a final declaration will not be issued. You need more this final declaration than we need it", the chairman of the Iran's delegation Musavi El Muhamed obliged to say "ok" to the observer status of the occupation regime, he got irritated and walk out from the room where the summit was taking place.

As soon as the agreement was reached, the ministers of states and governments issued at the end of the summit a final joint declaration, and the observer status was given to the "TRNC".

In his statements on the issue after returning to Ankara, Erdogan said that the "TRNC" has gained the observer status at the summit meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization in Baku, Azerbaijan. "This is an important step and we are glad that we achieved this", Erdogan said thanking also all those who had shown a positive stance towards this issue.

Also, in statements on the issue, the so-called minister of finance Ersin Tatar who represented the occupation regime at the summit in Baku, said: "We have achieved this great success as a result of the great efforts of our motherland and of the Premier Erdogan. The decision being taken is an indicator of the lifting of the isolations which are imposed to the TRNC, one after the other".

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (17.10.12) reports that a surprise meeting took place yesterday in Baku between the Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Iranian President Ahmedinecad.

As the paper writes, even thought the meeting between Erdogan-Ahmedinecad was not scheduled to take place; it was determined at the last moment, after Iran lifted the veto towards the "TRNC" and the Turkish Council.

In the 40-minutes meeting, Ahmedinecad and Erdogan discussed the issue of Syria and other regional issues.

(AK)

[02] Eroglu: Cyprus talks could not resume automatically from where they were left off

Eroglu made these statements speaking at the presentation of a book about Turkish Cypriot Media yesterday.

Eroglu also alleged that there is a need to open a new page in the Cyprus negotiations after the elections. "We can't act as if nothing has happened. We need to open a new page and establish a new table for the negotiations. We need to move towards a conclusive process of talks. Deadlines, timetables and a process of give-and-take are necessary for this" Eroglu claimed.

Eroglu also said that he wish the presidential elections will motivate "south Cyprus" to review its policies, and added that "a mutual agreement is needed to overcome the current deadlock in the process".

[03] Poll shows Kucuk in the lead four days before UBP's congress

The results showed that Kucuk secures 52.6% of the votes and the other candidate, Ahmet Kasif only 34.3%. After the distribution of the votes Kucuk's percentage in this survey, which was held in October, reaches 60.5% and Kasif's 39.5%. In a survey held in September Kucuk had received 55.4% and Kasif 44.6%.

The paper writes that the total number of the delegates in the congress is 1.441, that 789 participated in the survey and that 516 of the participants did not reply to the questions.

Asked why they support Kucuk, 13.9% of the participants in the survey said, inter alia, because he is experienced, 13.9% because they want stability, 13.5% because they want the continuation of the projects, 13% because Turkey supports him and 11.3% because they do not want the division of the party.

Replying to the same question, Kasif's supporters gave, inter alia, the following reasons: for change (51.9%), so that the party is not divided (9.9%), because he is young and dynamic (5.3%) and because he keeps his promises (3.8%).

(I/Ts.)

[04] Kasif and Eroglu complain of Ankara's interference in UBP's congress

Kasif noted that in spite of all the "interferences, the oppression, the threats, the intimidation and the promises", he will continue his way together with "the courageous members of the party" who believed in him.

Kasif said that he was planning to hold this press conference tomorrow Thursday, but he was forced to give it yesterday, because "a minister came from motherland Turkey" and "made statements in the capacity of interference" and because the "minister" of public works and transport, Hamza Ersan Saner changed his mind [and stated that he would support Irsen Kucuk].

Kasif wondered the following: "Does Mr Kucuk love Turkey and we do not? Is Mr Kucuk tantamount to stability and we will create instability? Is Mr Kucuk a patriot and we are traitors? Why this discrimination between the UBP candidates is made? Do they have other goals? Do they have some secret plans, some secret goals which we could not implement and to which we could not say 'yes? The time has come now to talk, to discuss these things".

Kasif alleged that these interferences could harm the relations between Turkey and the "TRNC", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Kasif said that he also wants the signing and the serious implementation of a "protocol", which will solve the existing economic problems in the occupied area of Cyprus, and supports the transfer of water and electricity from Turkey to the occupied part of the island. He noted that he also knows Turkey's "sensitivities" on the Cyprus problem and he will protect them.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (17.10.12), the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that any interference in the congress of the UBP "is not correct behaviour". In statements to a television program, Eroglu said that threats, oppression and "games with the people's bread" exist prior to the congress. Eroglu argued that this is the first time that the members of the UBP are afraid to speak and added that such pressures had not been exerted on the members of any other party.

Asked to comment on Turkey's EU Minster and Chief Negotiator, Egemen Bagis illegal visit to the occupied area of the island, Eroglu said that they have a very close relations with Bagis because of the latter's statements on Cyprus and that it was up to Bagis whether he would make any statement regarding the congress [of the UBP]. "I do not want to comment this in any other manner", he added.

When he was reminded of the statements made by Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister, Besir Atalay during his recent illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, Eroglu said he was saddened because Irsen Kucuk commented on an issue which is in "court" at the presence of Atalay and because an opportunity was given to Atalay to also comment on this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[05] More reactions to Ankara's interference in UBP's congress

In statements during visiting Hur-Is and Kamu-Sen trade unions yesterday, Cakici described as "shameful" the fact that Sunat Atun and Hamza Ersan Saner, so-called ministers of economy and energy, and public works and transport respectively, changed their mind "in one day" and stated that they would support self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk for the post of UBP's chairman.

Cakici noted that officials from Turkey expressed their support to Kucuk "in the name of stability" and added: "We assess as interference the visits of officials from Turkey here during the last period. With the visit of Mr Egemen Bagis, Ersan Saner changed side and Sunat Atun, who had been invited to Ankara, changed side even before coming to the island. In the past, interferences were taking place in the elections. Now they interfere even in the congresses".

Moreover, Asim Akansoy issued a written statement yesterday noting that all values in the occupied area of Cyprus have been razed to the ground and that the CTP is against foreign interferences, regardless of the place they come from and towards whom they are addressed. He expressed their protest against those who interfere and those who prepare the ground for such interferences.

Akansoy argued that this kind of political interferences harmed the relations between Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots and opened wounds, which could not be healed easily. He noted that issues which should be debated are the fact that clear statements have been made as regards interferences by the so-called embassy of Turkey in the occupied part of Lefkosia, and the fact that "ministers" who went to Turkey within the framework of their duty changed side.

"This guardianship" which they try to establish over occupied northern Cyprus, he noted, is "as big political shame as the importance of the fact that AK Party got rid of the guardianship of the army in the Republic of Turkey".

On his part, Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that openly referring to stability for offering support to the continuation of Irsen Kucuk's self-styled government, is an excuse to cover the shame of changing sides before the congress.

Finally, Sener Elcil said that they were watching with interest what Kasif will do. He noted that the right thing for him to do is to take his place by the side of the Turkish Cypriots and struggle against the decisions which Ankara wants to impose.

(I/Ts.)

[06] BKP reacted to the projects for the transferring of water and electricity from Turkey

Saying that that project's aim is not as innocent as is the transferring of water and electricity, Korkmazhan stated that this projects are the result of Turkey's conquering and annexation policy. He further said that with electricity and water, Turkey is aiming to make Cyprus to be totally depended on it, and also to penetrate and seize the population's rights, both economically and politically.

(...).

[07] The occupation regime continues the illegal distribution of plots of land

Speaking during the ceremony, Kucuk pointed out that families (children's of the martyrs) worth this plots of land and he added that the "TRNC government" will add to the "2013 budget" grants for the children's of the "martyrs" for infrastructure.

Kucuk reiterated also Erdogan's statements when he illegally visited the occupation regime that "Morfou is not possible to be broken off the country's lands".

(AK)

[08] High Commissioner of Canada met with Eroglu and Kucuk

Peck met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk.

The latest developments on the Cyprus problem were among the issues discussed at the two meetings.

No statements were released before or after the meetings.

[09] EU is the most hypocrite institution of all time, according to Turkish Economy Minister Caglayan

He made these statements speaking at the Elita Oil Factory's opening ceremony in southern province of Adana.

He added that EU grew 1.5 percent last year and on the other side, Turkey grew 8.5%

Caglayan reminded that Nobel Peace Prize was given to EU this year and he said: "Nobel Peace winning EU puts a quota on Turkish products and trucks and applies visa to Turkish businessmen even though Turkey has signed the Customs Union deal with the union. This is a shame on behalf of EU and it is a crime against humanity. EU visas do not get applied on Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Montenegro and Ukraine. So, I refute EU's Nobel Peace Prize as it commits a crime against humanity and creates unfair competition in trade. It is not called peace. If you give EU the prize of hypocrisy, then we will accept it."

[10] TUSIAD: EU membership still priority for Turkey

"The EU is crucial to many aspects of life, from trade to manufacturing to the daily lives of ordinary people", Boyner said, while speaking at an event organized by Bogazici University's foreign policy forum.

"It is unrealistic to remain outside the EU since EU policies and regulations have been adopted by Turkey," she said. Turkey's acceptance into the EU has two prerequisites, according to Boyner, the first is the fulfilment of the EU's democratic criteria and the second is for the EU to adopt a rational global vision of Turkey's membership.

[11] EU minister meets with Italian undersecretary of state

The meeting was held in Milan prior to the Turkish minister's speech at a conference on "Turkey as an emerging regional power: Challenges and Opportunities," at the International Political Studies Institute.

Bagis and Dassu discussed bilateral relations between the two countries as the Turkish minister asked Italy for the continuation of Italian support for Turkey's EU membership.

[12] "US sees no possibility of war between Syria, Turkey"

In a meeting with representatives from TV channels in Ankara, the ambassador responded to questions by reporters on the recent developments in the Syrian crisis. Stating that the US does not see a possibility of war between Syria and Turkey, he said the US is on the same page with Turkey on the Syrian issue.

The US ambassador suggested that two incidents which have raised tensions between Syria and Turkey, the downing of a Turkish military jet by Syrian air forces and a mortar fired from Syria on Turkey's border town of Akcakale, were "traps" set by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. He reportedly praised Turkey for not falling into these traps.

"Turkey has responded very proportionately and calmly and confidently - which is obvious to us a position of strength. Turkey has not fallen into a trap that perhaps the Assad regime, in its desperation and its weakness, seems to be trying to set." Ricciardone said.

[13] Syrian refuges in Turkey may reach 400,000 by June 2013

The United Nations Refugee Agency warned in September that the total number of Syrian refugees fleeing the conflict in their country could reach a total of 700,000 by the end of the year and 1.5 million by June 2013.

So far, Turkey has allocated 400 million Turkish Liras from its budget for the support of the Syrian refugees, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said, noting that with the added expenses of municipalities and state institutions, the figure was likely to be much higher. The funds were transferred to organizations supporting over 100,000 Syrian refugees staying in camps within Turkey, Simsek said. As of Oct. 15, more than 100,000 Syrians in 14 camps have received "temporary protection" in Turkey. Two more camps are currently being established with a capacity to shelter 30,000 people.

[14] Turkish President returns ballot bill on early elections back

Gul's veto came nearly 24 hours after the presidency was notified that Parliament approved the constitutional amendment expediting local elections by five months - moving them from Mar. 30, 2014 to Oct. 27, 2013. However, the measure was eight votes short of the required 367 votes needed for a two-thirds majority and necessitated a referendum for its adoption.

The president's veto was based on three factors. The first stemmed from the amendment's attempt to protect pre-election campaigns from harsh winter conditions. If the amendment is approved, the necessary referendum will be issued in the winter months, the President said.

"This will contradict with the purpose of the change as winter conditions will negatively affect the referendum works and the people's participation to it."

The second reason Gul mentioned was the additional economic burden the referendum would place on the country and the people. He also emphasized that the amendment had no other benefit than to expedite the elections by five months.

After Gul's veto, all eyes have now turned to the government and opposition parties.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) supports holding local elections earlier than scheduled, although political parties in Parliament could not reach an agreement on a specific date. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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