Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-02-27

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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] Ozersay: Davutoglu is coming to the island on Monday

[02] Ozersay's statements prior the meeting in Athens

[03] Eroglu said that confidence building measures important for a solution

[04] Talat: it's the first time since 2004 that the Greek Cypriots have a tendency to a solution

[05] Murat Kanatli's imprisonment continues

[06] Yorgancioglu on Kanatli's detention and on the cooperation agreement with Turkey

[07] Remnants dated to the late Bronze Age were discovered near occupied Galinoporni village

[08] British EU Minister said that the Energy Chapter should open for Turkey

[09] Turkish main opposition takes judicial bill to Constitutional Court

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay: Davutoglu is coming to the island on Monday

[02] Ozersay's statements prior the meeting in Athens

Evaluating his contacts in Athens to the editor-in-chief Harun Denizkan and the news coordinator Ulas Baris of the paper Realist, Ozersay said that he is very satisfied from the sincere welcoming and the warm interest he has received, adding that from a symbolic point the meetings carry bigger meanings. He noted that the Undersecretary of the Greek Foreign Minister welcomed him in Athens airport.

Commenting on the Cyprus talks, Ozersay said that the new process is a quite serious process. He noted that the serious situation that used to be at the period of the Annan plan also exists at this moment, adding that there is an air of peace in the island and this situation increases his own hopes.

Avoiding making any comments regarding the meeting, Ozersay said that it is not right to say anything prior to the meeting, however, the top-level meeting is very important as symbolic.

Meanwhile, under the title "Cross Cypriot talks set to kick-off today", Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 27.02.14) reports that negotiators from each side of Cyprus are set to embark on visits to guarantor powers Turkey and Greece today to hold meetings on the fresh reunification talks.

Mavroyiannis will meet Undersecretary of the Turkish Foreign Ministry Feridun Sinirlioglu for talks aiming to break prejudgments and to build confidence in a bid to support the Cyprus negotiations, according to Turkish officials.

A Turkish official told the Hurriyet Daily News that the cross-meetings with the negotiators mainly aim to help break psychological barriers and did not amount to a negotiation platform with the guarantor countries.

These visits are to be held in the framework of a comprehensive solution, Anadolu Agency quoted Ozersay as saying.

"The dispute in Cyprus has not been able to be solved merely between Turkish and Greek Cypriots, and guarantor countries Turkey and Greece are part of the discord," Ozersay said, noting that all parties, therefore, should build a healthy dialogue.

Hence, both societies will be able to meet in a bid to find a solution, Ozersay said, adding this model requires will from both sides for a solution.

"I believe a healthy dialogue can be built through meetings in Ankara and Athens. These discussions will develop a reliable environment of dialogue that will enable the removal of prejudices. What is crucial is removing prejudices," Ozersay said.

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.02.14), Ozersay said a 'structured negotiation' should be held as soon as possible to obtain a result, and added: "What we need is not to make a law. The thing we need is that the two leaders reach a result by negotiating for the solution of the Cyprus issue. It is essential to negotiate with political parties at the parliament and to prepare different sections of the society and inform them."

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (27.02.14) reports that Ozersay, in statements to the paper's chief-in-editor Rasih Resat, said that with this dialogue in Athens and Ankara, the sides will understand each other better. Noting that there is a delayed solution, Ozersay said that in order to reach this solution, the international actors try to obtain a better understanding between them particularly on Cyprus and the solution should be attained to an international balance.

Furthermore, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 26.02.14), speaking to the "BRT" before his departure to Athens, Ozersay said that the visits are important in removing existing prejudices between the parties involved and establishing a healthy dialogue which is necessary for a political settlement.

He said that the visits are an ideal opportunity for the two sides to convey their positions to the guarantor countries directly.

Pointing out that it was the first time since 1959 that a Turkish Cypriot negotiator is travelling to Athens, Ozersay said: "The Cyprus problem is not only a problem that can be solved with the involvement of the two sides in Cyprus. The guarantor powers are a part of this problem which is why these visits are important."

Noting that the Cyprus problem will not be solved at discussions held during the cross visits, Ozersay said that a comprehensive settlement will ultimately be found at the negotiating table by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

Responding to a question as to whether or not similar visits will be conducted in the future, Ozersay said that this depends on whether or not the outcome of the visits satisfies the two sides. He, however, added that any such future visit had to be reciprocal and based on political equality.

[03] Eroglu said that confidence building measures important for a solution

During the meeting, Eroglu stated that confidence building measures are important for both the two "peoples" in Cyprus and added that some issues can be included in the confidence building measure package and some other can be discussed at the negotiation table.

Eroglu further said that he would not be accepting an agreement that would take the Turkish Cypriots back to pre-1974 conditions and that he will strive to reach an agreement that is viable and will secure the peace and harmony of the two "peoples" on the island.

In addition, illegal Bayrak (26.02.14) broadcast that Eroglu also held a meeting with the "Association for the Protection of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus". During the meeting, Eroglu claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side had sincerely begun the Cyprus negotiations process and alleged that if the Greek Cypriot side showed the same sincerity then it will be easier to reach an agreement on the Cyprus problem.

[04] Talat: it's the first time since 2004 that the Greek Cypriots have a tendency to a solution

Commenting on the reciprocal meetings of the negotiators in Athens and Ankara, Talat said that both negotiators will say after the meeting that they had a constructive meeting and that Turkey and Greece would support any solution. However, Talat wonders whether the confidence building measures could be in the agenda of the meetings.

[05] Murat Kanatli's imprisonment continues

Kanatli stated that he was detained because he considers himself not to be guilty and did not pay the fine ruled to him by the "military court". He also said that the decision was not democratic; however he said that he hopes this development will help towards the democratization in the occupied area of Cyprus. He also said that he is waiting for the appeal of the case and added that the decision is against paragraph 9th of the European Charter of Human Rights.

In addition the Turkish press writes that various organizations and political parties in the occupied area of Cyprus expressed their support to Kanatli.

[06] Yorgancioglu on Kanatli's detention and on the cooperation agreement with Turkey

Referring to yesterday's news report that Turkey and the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus will sign a cooperation agreement on the fields of energy and natural resources, Yorgancioglu confirmed the news. He added that energy and natural resources issues are on the self-styled parliament's agenda and the issue will be discussed at the meeting of the "council of ministers".

Referring to the Cyprus talks, Yorgancioglu said: "We as the government will make positive contributions towards these efforts".

[07] Remnants dated to the late Bronze Age were discovered near occupied Galinoporni village

According to the paper, the remnants were discovered during archaeological excavations conducted by the illegal Near East University and the German Tubingen University.

[08] British EU Minister said that the Energy Chapter should open for Turkey

"Lidington, in an interview with Anadolu Agency, recalled that the opening of the energy chapter had been blocked by Greek Cyprus, a member of the EU since 2004", the paper writes and reports that Lidington said that all blocks on chapters should be lifted in the shortest time possible and the path for Turkey's EU membership should be smoothed.

Delivering a speech at an energy forum organized by the Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) and British Petroleum (BP) in Ankara, Lidington said energy cooperation with Turkey is important in the U.K.'s quest to diversify its energy supplies.

On his part, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z claimed that the reasons for the blocking of the energy chapter were "political." "Not opening the energy chapter in Turkey's EU membership process is politics' burden on the sector. This burden should be lifted," Y?ld?z said.

[09] Turkish main opposition takes judicial bill to Constitutional Court

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