Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-02-28

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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] Sinirlioglu on the Ankara meeting: Turkey is willing to open its airports and harbours if a permanent resolution is reached

[02] Ozersay: The meeting in Athens is the start of a healthy dialogue

[03] Davutoglu described the visits of the negotiators as a historic step

[04] Eroglu: The cross meetings are the start of a dialogue

[05] Talat has his concerns on the negotiation process

[06] Cicek wants Russia to undertake "a more balanced and constructive role" in Cyprus

[07] Nami met with a delegation from the UK Foreign Ministry

[08] Siber met with the settlers association from Malatia

[09] Turkey to lend $500 million to the breakaway regime

[10] The occupation regime participates in a tourism fair in Budapest

[11] Columnist in Taraf writes that Cyprus is one of the primary tests of relations between Turkey and the United States

[12] More about the remnants discovered near occupied Galinoporni village

[13] Hurriyer on leaked voice recordings in Turkey incriminating Erdogan and his son of corruption

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Sinirlioglu on the Ankara meeting: Turkey is willing to open its airports and harbours if a permanent resolution is reached

Sabah writes that according to information obtained from diplomatic sources, the negotiator from the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Feridun Sinirlioglu said that the cross talks symbolized an unprecedented opportunity to reach a resolution in the island and claimed that both Turkey and "Northern Cyprus" have a strong and determined political will. He said that the Turkish side came to the negotiating table without preconditions, and said that the Greek side should do the same. He also stated that Turkey is willing to open its airports and harbours if a permanent resolution is reached. Touching upon the energy resources of the island, Sinirlioglu stated it would be possible to sell the gas to Europe with a pipeline from Turkey.

[02] Ozersay: The meeting in Athens is the start of a healthy dialogue

In short statements afterwards, Ozersay described the meeting as "the start of a healthy dialogue". The delegations met for more than two hours at the Greek Ministry and continued their discussions over a working lunch.

After the lunch, Ozersay said that the Greek officials hosted them very well and added that they discussed all issues which are on the table in the Cyprus talks. Noting that they exchanged views with Mitsialis, Ozersay pointed out: "The negotiating process consists of various stages. The stage during which Turkey and Greece will interfere in the process will come. The meeting we held has a preparatory character for this stage".

Arguing that the Turkish Cypriots have some prejudices against Greece and the Greek Cypriots have prejudices against Turkey, Ozersay noted that launching a dialogue to overcome these prejudices is "meaningful and positive". He argued that this dialogue started with delay and added that the two "peoples" of the island are each other's interlocutor and that the guarantors are included in the process, but the problem will be solved by the two "sides".

Asked whether meetings will be held with Greek officials in the future, Ozersay replied that this issue will be decided by Turkey, Greece and the two communities of the island.

Replying to a question as to when he would talk with the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis, Ozersay said: "I can call him now as soon as I return to the hotel. We have such a sincere relationship".

Asked to clarify what surprises carried in his bag to Greece, Ozersay said: "What is important here is to explain before a meeting the issues which will be discussed before a meeting. This is how you should perceive the surprise. We discussed everything which we should have discussed, we conveyed our views, and we took Greece's views. This meeting is by itself a historic meeting".

Meanwhile, according to Kibris, the self-styled foreign ministry of the breakaway regime issued a statement yesterday describing as "extremely satisfying development" the visits of the negotiators to Greece and Turkey respectively. The "ministry" expressed the hope that the structured negotiations after these meetings will advance in an "effective manner".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Davutoglu described the visits of the negotiators as a historic step

Davutoglu replied to questions on the Cyprus talks during a press conference with the Turkish Foreign Minister's Bulgarian counterpart, Kristian Vigenin in Sofia.

Noting that it is an important step on the Cyprus process, Davutoglu stressed that "it is the first time that a TRNC (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) representative visits Athens and a representative of the Greek Cypriot Administration (translator's note: as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus) visits Ankara". He added that it is a historic step and proves mutual trust.

Davutoglu stated: "As you know, these meetings were planned with a consensus during the meeting with my Greek Foreign Minister friend on the margins of the Ministerial Week at the UN General Assembly in New York on September last year".

Davutoglu went on saying that they will benefit when these visits somehow continue by going into deep waters, claiming that Cyprus belongs to both communities and the Republic of Cyprus was established by both communities in the agreements of 1959-60.

Davutoglu said that it is the political will of both communities who will overcome today this problem, adding that Turkey and Greece will also support this political will. He noted: "We value this positive approach that we see also in Greece. We hope that with this approach all the concerned sides to involve and to contribute all together positive to the negotiation process. I congratulate the sides because of these historic steps".

[04] Eroglu: The cross meetings are the start of a dialogue

He claimed, inter alia, the following: "A bi-zonal, bi-communal solution based on political equality sounds good, but the important thing is how the details will be filled in? For this reason the Greek Cypriots demanded for a meeting from the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu through the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Davutoglu is an experienced person. 'We accept this, but the Turkish Cypriot negotiator will be accepted under the same conditions in Athens', he said. The meeting would have been held in September, but it was held yesterday. The Greek Prime Minister has tried to prevent it. The interlocutor of the Greek Cypriot people is not the government of the Republic of Turkey. They exchanged views with an undersecretary of the Foreign Ministry, but not for the solution of the problem, but for the beginning of a dialogue. For example, when we wanted to have a meeting with the German Foreign Ministry, the Greek Cypriot side said that 'these are a non-recognized state, do not meet with them'. However, now, because Greece held this meeting with us, they will not be able to prevent our meetings from now on. This meeting is an advantage for us? According to the Greek Cypriots no emigrant and Turkish soldier will remain on the island. Very well, what our stance will be in front of these? My stance and your stance are known. Our duty will be to warn the people of this country and the political parties, because giving the land and making the movement of population which the Greek Cypriots want, completely abandoning Turkey's guarantees is tantamount to accepting a life full of dangers again for us. Everyone knows what happened before 1974. We are trying for these not to happen again?"

(I/Ts.)

[05] Talat has his concerns on the negotiation process

Replying to question whether this time the Cyprus problem will be finished, in a television programme Talat said that it would be inappropriate to make any evaluation statements regarding the issue, because the leaders have not yet said "ok".

Referring to the issue of arbitration, Talat said that this stance is not correct, adding that it is almost impossible for the sides to agree to any issue and at the end they will need mediation.

Talat claimed that the Greek Cypriots have started now to see the realities, as Turkish Cypriots did in 2004, adding that it seems that the Greek Cypriots, who voted "no" in 2004, are more towards the solution this time.

Evaluating the reciprocal visits of the Greek and Turkish Cypriot negotiators in Ankara and Athens, Talat said that these visits cannot obtain an extraordinary progress, adding, however, that these contacts are for the consciousness of the people that Turkey and Greece show interest in the Cyprus problem.

Noting that the Greek Cypriots are trying to establish a natural gas terminal in Vasiliko and this will cause a fall at the electricity prices, Talat said that they could install lines of natural gas from there to their own electrical plants, as confidence building measure. He added that this will be a real confidence building step.

[06] Cicek wants Russia to undertake "a more balanced and constructive role" in Cyprus

Cicek said that the visit of the Russian delegation was important and meaningful, because the last visit from Russia to Turkey was held in 1998. He argued that they should intensify their mutual visits, because friends should meet more often.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Cicek argued that this problem is not solved for 50 years and alleged: "We want a political solution mutually agreed there and based on the political equality of the two peoples. During the last few days, discussions between the two sides started. We hope that this problem is solved now with negotiations, because this process lasted too long. We are expecting from the Russian Federation to undertake a more balanced and constructive role in the Cyprus problem".

(I/Ts.)

[07] Nami met with a delegation from the UK Foreign Ministry

According to a press release by the "ministry", Nami met yesterday with Louise De Souza, Head of the European Affairs Department and Mathew Deith, Head of Cyprus Desk, both of the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office. During the meeting, they discussed the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

[08] Siber met with the settlers association from Malatia

Speaking during the meeting, Siber said that such associations are part of the "country's cultural mosaic and added that these associations are strengthening the ties between motherland Turkey and the TRNC".

[09] Turkey to lend $500 million to the breakaway regime

The first repayment of the loan will start three years from the date loan is withdrawn. The loan will be paid in 14 equal payments in 10 years. Turkish Cypriot "officials" said that they will be using the loan for infrastructure projects.

[10] The occupation regime participates in a tourism fair in Budapest

The fair, the biggest one in Hungary, has opened yesterday and will close on March 2. Several airline companies, travel agencies, hoteliers and marketing companies are participating in the fair.

As the paper writes, the occupation regime participates in the fair with its own stand and it has prepared touristic booklets translated in Hungarian language for its promotion.

In statements on the issue, "officials" from the so-called ministry of tourism said that around 1.000 people arrived last year in the "occupation regime" with charter flights from Hungary, adding that their goal for this year is the number of visitors, to be increased.

The paper continues and writes that the Akmina Travel Club participates in the fair and points out that Hungary is the new destination of Akmina Travel Club. Akmina Travel club's partner in Hungary is Green Travel, which will transfer tourists to "north Cyprus" for the second time after 12 years.

Speaking to the newspaper, the director of Akmina Travel Club, Ismail Abidin said that the number of tourists they are planning to bring from Hungary with charters flights is 4.500. Abidin added that they had already signed a 5-year agreement. He said further that the first charter flight from Hungary has taken place on May 16, 2010 and was conducted by Corendon Airlines.

AK

[11] Columnist in Taraf writes that Cyprus is one of the primary tests of relations between Turkey and the United States

"[?] The United States, in particular, has been very proactive in the process. Washington's aspirations are driven by its strategic interests in the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East in general. The United States views the natural gas fields discovered in the region as a new opportunity. It sees the exploitation of these fields by Cyprus, Israel, and Turkey as a vehicle for ensuring stability in the region. It also believes that this can bolster Israel's security.

However, the Cyprus problem has to be solved for these to happen. A solution can not only end the chilly relationship between Turkey and Israel but also remove a hurdle before expanded collaboration between NATO and the EU. A solution can also clear the way for Turkey's EU process.

As negotiations in Cyprus move forward this year, Erdogan's posture will have a special significance. We will see how willing he will be to conclude an accord on Cyprus as the string of elections at home unfolds. We will see whether he will resort to the populism of "not selling out Cyprus" in the heat of his "total war." At the same time, we will see if he will bow to the--for now quiet--resistance of the Turkish Armed Forces, which he is trying to win over as an ally now, with regard to the withdrawal of soldiers from the island."

[12] More about the remnants 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. During a press conference held yesterday regarding the artifacts that were found as result of the excavation works carried out decorative objects dating back to the Bronze Age and early Bronze Age have been unearthed and therefore a museum will be built to display the artifacts.

[13] Hurriyet on leaked voice recordings in Turkey incriminating Erdogan and his son of corruption

A number of "experts" have been quoted by Turkish media since the tapes were disclosed Feb. 24, with many claiming that they seem authentic and others claiming that the recordings were edited.

Pro-government private broadcaster Kanal 7 said analyses of the recordings by U.S.-based audio studios, reportedly commissioned by the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), "proved" that they had been edited. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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