Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-04-19

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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] European Parliament adopts progress report on Turkey; Bagis' comments

[02] Turkey's reaction on EU report regarding Cyprus

[03] Kucuk says developments regarding "TRNC" at EP are better than in the past

[04] Eroglu alleged that EU has to accept the existence of the breakaway regime if it sees it as an interlocutor

[05] Reactions to the decision of the EP regarding the representation of Turkish Cypriots

[06] Sonya: solution has come closer than ever in Cyprus

[07] Tatar: "Foreigners buy much property in 'TRNC'"

[08] A cooperation agreement between "GAU" and La Rochelle Business School of Tourism

[09] Moves by the "national olympic committee" in sports

[10] "Pilot project" by the European Commission for students who study in occupied Cyprus

[11] Children festival with the participation of seven countries in the breakaway regime

[12] Turkish Journalists and Writers Foundation statement on media freedoms receives broad support

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] European Parliament adopts progress report on Turkey; Bagis' comments

The report was accepted by 451 to 75.

Prior to the voting, European lawmakers rejected a proposed amendment to the wording of draft that would leave out a definition of PKK as a "terrorist organization."

A proposal to grant the breakaway regime an observer status was rejected by Greece and the Republic of Cyprus. However but European lawmakers decided to refer the issue to the Conference of Presidents.

Lawmakers rejected by a majority of the votes an amendment to invite Turkey to participate at a summit meeting of the European Union on December 2013 in Brussels.

Commenting on the issue, the Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that the European Parliament (EP) approved the Turkey progress report for 2012 and that "for the first time, the EP called on the European Commission to open certain chapters to talks with Turkey".

"The EP has called on the European Commission to open several chapters to negotiations as they saw Turkey's performance clearly. They are aware that they are to blame for certain issues they hold Turkey accountable for," Bagis said.

Bagis' comments came at a seminar held by Microsoft Turkey as part of the "Open Academy Project".

Touching on the issue of visas, Egemen Bagis said he wanted a little bit more patience from Turks for visa exemption in the EU.

[02] Turkey's reaction on EU report regarding Cyprus

The Turkish Foreign Ministry commented on the rejection by the European Parliament (EP) of a motion calling for representation for Turkish Cypriots as observers in the institution.

"The EU's flawed and biased position regarding the Cyprus issue is regrettably echoed in the EP's resolution. We will under no circumstances accept unconstructive attitudes which ignore the sovereign rights of Turkish Cypriots. The EU can be of help to a solution on the island only by acting impartially and objectively", was said at the statement of the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

[03] Kucuk says developments regarding "TRNC" at EP are better than in the past

In statements during a meeting with a delegation from Turkey's Ministry for EU Affairs, Kucuk said that they continuously send delegations to the European Parliament (EP) and that the Greek Cypriots continuously try to prevent them.

Kucuk said that they have asked for the so-called deputies from the "TRNC" not only to be represented as observers at the EP, but to be able to de facto perform their duties, address the EP as speakers and participate in the voting procedures. He noted that the decision they expected had not been taken and on the other hand it had been decided that the "TRNC" representatives should travel through Larnaka International Airport. Alleging that this decision "does not reflect realities", he added that the decision should not be accepted as definite rejection and they should work for the realization [of their demands] after a period.

Kucuk noted that they would take the necessary measures especially before the general "elections" which will be held next year and make "legal arrangements" regarding the two representatives who will participate in the EP. He argued that in spite of everything, the developments regarding the "TRNC" at the EP are much better than in the past.

Kucuk said that Turkey's contribution for coming to this point was big and added that they expect more positive developments to come.

On his part, referring to the aim of their illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, Burak Erdenir, deputy undersecretary at Turkey's Ministry for EU Affairs, said that they wanted to brief the "officials" of the regime on Turkey's EU accession process and exchange views with them. He argued that their EU bid became more difficult after Cyprus's accession to the Union in 2004 and alleged that this development has negatively influenced both the Cyprus problem and Turkey's accession to the EU.

Erdenir said that in spite of the negative developments Turkey's government is determined to continue its EU accession process and recalled Minister Bagis' statement that they will not abandon Cyprus for the EU or the EU for Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Eroglu alleged that EU has to accept the existence of the breakaway regime if it sees it as an interlocutor

He also expressed his gratitude to the Turkish Minister of EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis for always bringing up the problem of Cyprus.

"Cyprus problem being on the agenda of Turkey all the time is crucial" Eroglu stated.

He went on and alleged that the accession of the Republic of Cyprus in the EU was a mistake on the part of the EU.

[05] Reactions to the decision of the EP regarding the representation of Turkish Cypriots

Under the title, "The progress report was accepted" and "Swoboda: it is unacceptable", Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Yeni Duzen (19.04.13) reports that the President of the Socialist Group Hannes Swoboda said they would refer the issue to the Presidential Council. The co-chairperson of Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee, Helene Flautre said that the possibility of the issue being solved at this council is high.

Swoboda noted that they have met with officials of the Republic of Cyprus and asked from them to produce solutions so that the "elected representatives" of the Turkish Cypriots to participate in the works of the EP. He argued that the fact that a group of European citizens do not participate in EP's important works is unacceptable. He said that the Cypriot officials should submit "valid and practical" proposals on the issue of how this representation will be addressed.

Meanwhile, the paper writes also that the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce issued a statement yesterday arguing that returning the two seats at the EP to their "real owners" would be an "equitable and creative act". It claimed that such an act would accelerate the relations between the EU, Turkey and Cyprus. The chamber said it had sent a letter to all Members of the EP explaining this.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Sonya: solution has come closer than ever in Cyprus

Sonya argued that some circles, both in the government-controlled and the occupied area of Cyprus, do not want a solution and are trying to make use of the economic difficulties on the island. He alleged that a possible change of mentality which could be created by the economic crisis in the government-controlled area of Cyprus "is an important element that will ensure the elimination of prejudices which have been ossified in front of the solution".

Sonya pointed out to the importance of submitting "supportive, realistic and innovative proposals" during the solution process and recalled DP's proposals on the issue of the Cyprus Airways, which, he argued, "goes beyond the ordinary" and "will overcome many deadlocks".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Tatar: "Foreigners buy much property in 'TRNC'"

Tatar claimed that the title deeds given by the occupation regime are valid. However, the paper reports that he did not announce whether these title deeds are Turkish or Greek.

[08] A cooperation agreement between "GAU" and La Rochelle Business School of Tourism

The director for "school of Tourism & Hospitality Management Education" Dr. Ismet Esenyel, in an announcement, said that within the framework of the students exchange programme, the students would be able to continue the fourth year and their graduate studies in France.

Esenyel also said that "school of Tourism & Hospitality Management Education" of "GAU" is accredited by United Nations World Tourism Organization TedQual (UNWTO) and the World Association for Hospitality and Tourism Education and Training (AMFORHT). He added that the exchange programme will start with the new academic year on October and the first students and academic staff will be sent to France.

[09] Moves by the "national olympic committee" in sports

During the meeting with the delegation from Kazakhstan, who are also in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus for the ECO University Sports Games, Savim said that they renewed their cooperation protocol.

Savim, who also had a meeting with Muhammed Zahir Agbar the head of the National Olympic Committee of Afghanistan, said that they exchanged views on the issue of launching sports relations between Afghanistan and the breakaway regime.

[10] "Pilot project" by the European Commission for students who study in occupied Cyprus

According to the paper, the EC supports that the Turkish Cypriot students who study in the Republic of Cyprus can be benefited by European Union Scholarship programs and that this year a "pilot project" will be launched for students who study in the occupied part of Cyprus. According to the EC, students who study at least for seven years in occupied Cyprus can be included in the program.

In statements to Yeni Duzen, officials from the EC said that the project aims for Turkish Cypriot students and teachers who did not receive any education outside occupied Cyprus and want to receive education in any other European Country. The project also aims to ease the feeling of "isolation" for them, according to the paper.

[11] Children festival with the participation of seven countries in the breakaway regime

The festival is organized in the occasion of the 23rd April which is declared in Turley as Children's day.

Children from Azerbaijan, India, Malaysia, Serbia and of Turkish schools in the UK will participate in the festival.

[12] Turkish Journalists and Writers Foundation statement on media freedoms receives broad support

The GYV stated that increasing debates on restrictions on media, harm Turkey's image in the international arena and it criticized the problematic relations between media owners and the state.

Journalist and columnist Alper Gormus commented that the statement touched upon important points. In addition, Gormus emphasized the importance of editorial freedom from big business. Journalist Dogan Ak1
n joined Gormus in, saying that the statement has important emphasis on media's problems in Turkey. Secretary-General of the Media Association Deniz Ergurel also said that he finds the statement very positive and important. "There is a great responsibility on the shoulders of journalists in terms of protecting media freedoms," Ergurel said, as he added that GYV's statement would make a positive contribution to the debate on the freedom of media in Turkey.

Finding the GYV's call for democracy and freedom of media positive, Taraf Editor-in-Chief Oral Cslar says, "I wish civil society organizations would have a similar reaction and defend the freedom of media."

EI/

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