Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-04-17

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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] Eroglu briefed the political parties on the Cyprus problem

[02] Turkish Cypriots continue claiming rights on the Republic of Cyprus's gold forgetting they plundered occupied Greek Cypriot properties

[03] Azeri journalists are illegally visiting the breakaway regime

[04] Bagis: "Cyprus is a biggest problem for Europe than for Turkey"

[05] Bagis called on the investors from EU countries to deposit their money in Turkey

[06] Fule called for the opening of the energy chapter in Turkey's accession negotiations

[07] Turkey's Minister of Youth and Sports continues his illegal contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] The USA Ambassador in Cyprus visited the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade

[09] South Korean FM on how Cyprus gas exploration affects his countries' relations with Turkey

[10] Lavrov, Davutoglu to discuss boost in ties

[11] "Turkish PM's Gaza trip tried to be 'legitimized'"

[12] Merit Tourism Group invested more than $700 million in occupied Cyprus since 1990

[13] Internal crisis in the UBP

[14] Turkey to submit a proposal to the OIC for the Turkish Cypriot athletes to be able to compete under the umbrella of the IOC

[15] Water is found for occupied Kythrea area

[16] European court orders Turkey to pay 1.4 million euro over Semdinli raid

[17] Court accepts indictment seeking life for general over Ozal's death

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu briefed the political parties on the Cyprus problem

In statements after the two-hour meeting, Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister and chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), alleged that the Cyprus talks have been postponed for almost a year because of the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and added that the preparations for the resumption of the negotiations continue and that on 25 April, Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Cyprus, will visit the island for the second time in two months. He said that Downer will meet with the leaders and may bring some ideas.

Kucuk claimed that President Anastasiades is looking for a way out from the economic crisis and is trying to gain time and prolong the negotiations. He argued that President Anastasiades rejected Eroglu's proposal for meeting at a dinner in April and that this social meeting was postponed for May. Kucuk said that the view of his party is that the negotiations should start immediately and that Eroglu will undertake the necessary initiatives mainly towards Downer.

In his statements, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that the Cyprus problem might be on the agenda within the forthcoming days and that they shared with Eroglu their views regarding the ground on which the negotiations will start. He noted that they told Eroglu that the "new negotiations process" should be held on the ground of the issues that have been agreed during the past negotiations and registered by the UN as well as on the basis of the agreements reached during the period of former President Christofias and former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat. He said that they submitted to Eroglu their views for creating and taking alternative proposals to the negotiating table during the new process on issues on which disagreement exist in the chapters of the territory, property and administration and power sharing.

Noting that the time of the resumption of the negotiations is not clear yet because of the economic crisis in the Republic of Cyprus, Yorgancioglu said that they told Eroglu to suggest to the UN the resumption of the talks as soon as possible. He noted that the crisis in the government-controlled area of the Republic might postpone for a couple of months the negotiations which are expected to start in May. He expressed the view that a delay longer than the above-mentioned period would not be positive development.

Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said they believe that the negotiations should start the soonest and added that during the meeting they expressed their view that all agreements reached in the past should be reaffirmed and that new proposals should be submitted regarding the issues on which disagreement exists.

Criticizing Eroglu and wondering whether they have a strategic planning, Cakici said that absolutely no progress has been achieved in the three years during which Eroglu was holding the negotiations and added that especially the last one year passed in vain.

Cakici noted that America, the EU, Turkey and "south Cyprus", as he described the Republic of Cyprus, are making plans on sharing and transferring the natural resources of the area and asked where the Turkish Cypriots are in these plans. He added that what his party will do is to find the "biggest strategic solution", to create a just partnership depended on this, to allow no one to seize their rights and to demand at least their natural gas and oil rights deriving from the Republic of Cyprus, while the West shares the oil and natural gas in this area.

He said in case these things are not done, his party will change the negotiator of the Turkish side, if it wins the "elections" to be held next year.

In his statements, Atay Ahmet Rasit, foreign relations secretary of the Democratic Party (DP), said that they understood that with the change of President in the Republic of Cyprus, some new parameters and details will be brought to the negotiating table. "We strongly oppose to this", he added arguing that this will serve in nothing else than prolonging the negotiating process. He said that their view is the continuation of the talks from the point they have been left. "We should frustrate Anastasiades's efforts to change the content and the ground of the negotiations", he argued.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (17.04.13) reports that in statements during a meeting with war veterans from Turkey, Eroglu wished for the negotiations to start in May or June and reiterated the allegation that the Greek Cypriots want to postpone the negotiations for next year showing as pretext the economic crisis.

Eroglu described as "a wrong decision" the UN Security Council resolution which provides for not recognizing the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus and urging for the protection of the territorial integrity of the Republic of Cyprus, claimed

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriots continue claiming rights on the Republic of Cyprus's gold forgetting they plundered occupied Greek Cypriot properties

According to Ortam, Eroglu's office alleged that no income or property of the Turkish Cypriot "people" could be unilaterally sold, mortgaged or be promised for future purposes, without taking the consent of the Turkish Cypriot side and without settling accounts with the Turkish Cypriot side. The paper writes that Ersin Tatar wondered "whose property the Greek Cypriots are selling to whom". Both Ersin Tatar and his father, Rustem Tatar reiterated their view that the gold belongs to the Turkish Cypriots a well.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (17.04.13) reports that the self-styled speaker of the "assembly", Hasan Bozer also made a statement yesterday arguing that the gold is common property "of the partnership Republic established in 1960" and that "the Turkish Cypriots have also rights on this". Speaking during one of his meetings, Bozer alleged that as a necessity of the politics in the world, the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, continues its existence as "separate state".

"If the Greek Cypriots allege that they have a state, we are also in the position of having a state as they are", he claimed, adding that "either an agreement is reached or not, we have a state".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (17.04.13) reports that political observers argued that these reactions may be justified, but "while we were selling many Greek Cypriot properties by force and distributing title-deeds, we did not say whose property you are selling to whom".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Azeri journalists are illegally visiting the breakaway regime

Speaking during the meeting, Eroglu said that it is important to inform the jouirnalist about the Cyprus problem and added that "he was proud and happy to see other Turkic states, besides Turkey, extending its support to the Turkish Cypriots". He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side had started using the economic crisis as an excuse to postpone the negotiations process, and added that he believed the talks would restart sometime this year.

"But whether or not we can reach a solution after 45 years of negotiations, we shall see once the talks resume" he claimed.

On his part, Kucuk said that Azerbaijan's support to the Turkish Cypriots is important and called on journalists to inform their citizens regarding the developments taking place in Cyprus. He also called the journalists to inform their country regarding the investment, education and tourism opportunities in the breakaway regime in order to further strengthen relations.

"Meanwhile the common message given by the Azerbaijan journalist delegation was for the development of relations between the two countries as Turkey, the TRNC and Azerbaijan are brother nations", Bayrak broadcast.

[04] Bagis: "Cyprus is a biggest problem for Europe than for Turkey"

Noting that Turkey is now more successful, has more self-confidence and is more transparent comparing to 1959, the year when Turkey applied to join the EU, Egemen Bagis said: "This does not mean that Turkey is perfect, we still have our deficiencies, however, today's Turkey is better than yesterday's, and tomorrow's Turkey would be better than today's."

Replying to a question, Bagis said that they expect the opening of the chapter on "Regional Policy" in June. He also said that Cyprus forms a bigger problem for Europe than Turkey, adding he is optimistic on the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Bagis also said that Turkey expects a fair negotiation process from the EU. Asked when Turkey would be EU term presidency, Bagis replied: "2023 would be a meaningful year for Turkey's EU term presidency."

[05] Bagis called on the investors from EU countries to deposit their money in Turkey

Journalist Hazal Ates writes that the implementation of haircutting the deposits over 100 thousands euro, which has started in Cyprus, and the uneasiness in the European bank system show that "Turkey" is a trust address for those who have deposits in these countries.

Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that the most reliable port for the EU is Turkey. He said, among other things, that "the Greek Cypriot sector is an example of frustration and not an example of success for the EU". Bagis said that the most trustful place in crisis times for those who are looking a safe place is Turkey.

On the same issue, Turkey's Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek said that the cutting of the deposits in Cyprus made uneasy those, who have deposits there (Cyprus) and in Euro countries. He added that however to the global uncertainties Turkey has an economic stability and, as government, they always give great importance to stability and financial discipline.

Moreover, Turkey's Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said to the international investors: "Here are our performances, trust us."

[06] Fule called for the opening of the energy chapter in Turkey's accession negotiations

Fule, made a written statement to the European Parliament after receiving questions from the members of Parliament, in which he said "The Commission thinks that Turkey is ready to negotiate the energy chapter." Fule also reminded that "not every member of the EU approved the opening of the energy chapter."

Fule said "energy" is not among the eight chapters which EU suspended due to the disagreement with Turkey on Turkey's refusal to have trade links with the Republic of Cyprus.

There are 35 chapters in total for Turkey to complete negotiations.

[07] Turkey's Minister of Youth and Sports continues his illegal contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

As the paper writes, Atasayan and Kilic made statements to the press after the opening ceremony of the games.

In his statements, Kilic spoke of the importance of the organization of the International Sport Games both for the occupation regime and youths in the occupation regime and said that the Turkish Ministry of Youth and Sports will do the necessary to help them.

Referring to the so-called embargoes, he described them as "unfair" and assured that Turkey will continue calling out for the lifting of the "injustices" which are imposed by the EU to the Turkish Cypriots and added: "You will see that step by step, these embargoes, which are contrary to the international law, will be ended".

Meanwhile, Kilic has also participated yesterday afternoon to a foundation stone ceremony of the 5th Student Campus which took place at the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU).

According to the paper, the new Campus to be constructed at the illegal DAU will be consisting of nine flours and will have a capacity of 400 beds. The campus will cost 5 million TL and will be financed by the Turkish Republic writes the paper. The campus is expected to be completed in 16 months.

Speaking during the foundation stone ceremony, Kilic expressed the belief that the so-called Turkish embassy in the occupied area of Cyprus will contribute to the maximum so that the campus to be completed by the next academic year.

Kilic stated also that two more Youth Centres will be constructed in the future both in occupied Lefkosia and Famagusta, in order to meet as he said the need of youngsters. He then asked from the occupation regime's "authorities" to find the soonest the land where these centres will be constructed and asked for the tender process to be intensified.

At the same time, the Turkish Minister has also participated and delivered a speech at a conference organized at illegal DAU entitled: "Visions for 2023". Kilic referred in his speech to the expectations of youths as regards Turkey's future visions and explained also what the Turkish government's action will be for the next 10 years.

(AK)

[08] The USA Ambassador in Cyprus visited the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade

Speaking during the conference, Koenig said that the businessmen circles in both sides of the island could play an important role for the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Koenig reiterated also the USA support towards the efforts for a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution in Cyprus.

Referring to the economic crisis experienced in the Republic of Cyprus, Koenig said that the businessmen world has always survived from such kind of crisis and said this crisis shows the necessity for the implementation of some conditions.

(AK)

[09] South Korean FM on how Cyprus gas exploration affects his countries' relations with Turkey

When asked whether the South Korean government's Korea Gas Corporation (KOGAS), which is licensed by Greek Cyprus for offshore gas exploration, would be a topic of concern for bilateral relations between Turkey and South Korea, Yun replied that there may be some issues that both sides disagree on; however, he added that the important thing was that the two countries, Turkey and South Korea, trust each other.

"Overall the future of our economic cooperation is very bright. There may be some issues, but after all we trust each other," said the minister.

[10] Lavrov, Davutoglu to discuss boost in ties

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Lavrov are expected to meet in the morning and the two will hold a press conference around 1 p.m. at C1
ragan Palace in Istanbul.

"The meeting is expected to be an opportunity to review the preparations for the fourth meeting to be held in Russia in the second half of the year," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Syria, the Caucasus, the Black Sea, Central Asia and the Balkans will be on the agenda, a Turkish diplomatic source said, adding that the meetings boosted their economic and social ties.

The economic targets between the countries are "assertive but realistic," the diplomat also said, adding that the countries' mutual will was determined in an institutional framework at the meetings. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Syria, Middle East, North Africa and the North Korean crisis will be discussed during Lavrov's visit.

The meeting will be third of its kind of the Joint Strategic Planning Group (JSPG), which is a sub-organ of the Turkish-Russian High Level Cooperation Council (HLCC).

[11] "Turkish PM's Gaza trip tried to be 'legitimized'"

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will visit Istanbul on April 20 and will hold talks with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry as well as with Turkish leaders.

The aim of the visit is not to dissuade Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan from his plans to travel Gaza, Palestinian officials told the Hurriyet Daily News yesterday, but adding that the issue would certainly be discussed during the Istanbul talks.

What the Palestinian Authority expects from Turkey, as an official stance, is to conduct Erdogan's visit to Gaza "through legitimate paths." Abbas is ready to receive Erdogan in Gaza, as the head of State of Palestine, and to travel Ramallah together by helicopter and hold official bilateral meetings there. The Turkish Prime Minister will therefore be the first head of state to visit Gaza, accompanied by Abbas.

The Palestinian President is also keen to show himself in the Hamas-ruled Gaza, which he has long been unable to do because of the dispute between Hamas and Fatah. The official also claimed that if Erdogan was not received by the official head of state of Palestine in the Gaza Strip, it could deepen the division between Hamas and Fatah.

However, such a visit to Gaza will be more beneficial if it comes after progress in the reconciliation process between Hamas and Fatah, which is expected to occur at a mini-summit in Doha in the near future.

[12] Merit Tourism Group invested more than $700 million in occupied Cyprus since 1990

The paper writes that the hotel has 70 king suites. Personalized services are provided by noting in advance how many ice cubes the customer usually has in his or her drink or what kind of pillow he or she prefers. Merit International Hotels Executive Committee head Reha Arar said they had undertaken the mission of diversifying tourism in the breakaway regime as the Merit Tourism Group. "The Merit International Hotels and Resort, a member of Net Holding, has increased the bed capacity to 2,500. With our new hotel that will open in May, the Merit Royal Hotel, the number of our hotels in the region will be seven. As the Merit Tourism Group, we have invested more than $700 million in (occupied) Cyprus since 1990", he stated.

[13] Internal crisis in the UBP

The paper reports that during the meeting some "deputies of the UBP" asked to take decisions on some issues including the "early elections". The so-called deputy of UBP Turkay Tokel, speaking during the group meeting, asked to take measures on various issues including also the "cabinet reshuffle". He also implied that in case these necessary measures are not been taken by 30th of April, then he will act independently from the party.

The so-called UBP deputy of occupied Kyrenia Mehmet Tancer proposed to carry "early elections" under some conditions. He also said that they discussed some internal problems of the party.

The so-called UBP deputy of occupied Lefkosia Zorlu Tore also said that measures should be taken regarding the "cabinet reshuffle".

According to confidential source, the so-called minister of foreign affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun felt uneasy from the meeting, so he walked out from the meeting by saying "it can't be such party".

Finally, the leader of UBP and so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk made a harsh speech and gave the messages that he could launch internal disciplinary actions in the party.

[14] Turkey to submit a proposal to the OIC for the Turkish Cypriot athletes to be able to compete under the umbrella of the IOC

According to the paper, the occupation regime's delegation was headed by the "chairman" of the "committee", Serdar Savim. Savim said during the meeting that the Turkish Cypriot athletes are for years under "embargoes", underling the need for these to be lifted.

Savim went on saying that the "TRNC National Olympic Committee" is exerting efforts so that the Turkish Cypriot athletes to be able to make openings abroad and asked from the Turkish National Olympic Committee to support them on this issue.

Speaking also during the meeting, the chairman of the Turkish National Olympic Committee, Ugur Erdener expressed their readiness to help the "TRNC" in all fields.

Erdener went on and said that after the election of the new chairman of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) who is going to be elected during the general assembly of the IOC on September, they will undertake an initiative and they will submit a proposal, so that the Turkish Cypriot athletes, to be able to compete to several sport events under the umbrella of the OIC, until a solution on the Cyprus problem will be found.

(AK)

[15] Water is found for occupied Kythrea area

According to the so-called mayor of Kythrea, Osman Isisal, the depth of the well is 246 meters and the water will be enough to meet the needs of both the villages bound to occupied Kythrea municipality and many other places outside the borders of this "municipality". He said that they try to further dig the well and argued that next year they will be very relaxed from the point of view of their water needs.

(I/Ts.)

[16] European court orders Turkey to pay 1.4 million euro over Semdinli raid

According to the relatives of the missing villagers, the Turkish military and gendarmerie forces raided the Ormanc1
k village of Semdinli on July 24, 1994. There have also been claims that these forces were part of an illegal intelligence organization inside the gendarmerie known as J0
TEM.

The residents were told by the military to gather at a helicopter landing pad located in the village's main square, according to the villagers. The men of the village were then stripped naked and beaten. Two pregnant female villagers, Emine Celik and Zubeyda Uysal, were also beaten when they protested the security forces' conduct and later suffered miscarriages. The relatives also told the European court that the security forces set fire to their homes. The rest of the people in the village were then forced by officers to leave Turkey and had to cross the border into Iraq. The villagers left their homes in 1994 and returned in 1997.

Fourteen relatives of the missing villagers appealed to the ECtHR on Sept. 10, 2002, having exhausted all domestic legal options.

The court found that the state was liable under Article 2 of the ECHR for the disappearance and deaths of the applicants' relatives and for failing to meet its obligations as outlined in Article 2. The court also found that Article 5 of the ECHR had been violated on account of the unlawful detention of the missing villagers. Additionally, the court decision ruled there had been a violation of Article 3 of the ECHR on account of the suffering of the applicants upon the disappearance of their relatives.

The court awarded 11 applicants 60,000 euro each in pecuniary damages. It also found that the applicants had suffered non-pecuniary damages and awarded 11 applicants each 65,000 euros in this regard. The court also awarded Sengul and Ozturk 32,500 euros each and 0
nan 20,000 euros in non-pecuniary damages. The court also awarded the applicants a collective sum of 5,200 euros to cover their legal fees for the court proceedings they were a part of before taking their case to the ECtHR.

[17] Court accepts indictment seeking life for general over Ozal's death

In the indictment, Prosecutor Kemal Cetin names ErsOz as a prime suspect and seeks an aggravated life sentence for the retired general, accusing him of having a role in Ozal's death and charging him under Article 156 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK), which deals with conspiracy against the president.

ErsOz is also a key suspect in the trial into Ergenekon, a clandestine network accused of working to overthrow the government.

Under Turkey's statute of limitations, legal proceedings cannot be initiated more than 20 years after the event. The 20th anniversary of Ozal's death falls on Wednesday.

An Ankara court accepted an indictment on Tuesday seeking life imprisonment for retired general Levent Ersoz. The indictment lists Ozal's wife and son as plaintiffs and accuses Ersoz of "attempting to or succeeding in an attempt to murder the president."

Ozal's body was first exhumed last October after years of rumours that he was murdered by militants of the "deep state" - a shadowy group within the Turkish establishment of the day. He had angered some with his efforts to end a Kurdish insurgency and survived an assassination bid in 1988. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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