Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-03-12

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu: I hope we will reach a solution in Cyprus this time

[02] Ozersay and Mavroyiannis held their fourth meeting; The territory is reportedly also on the table; The leaders will meet on 31 March

[03] Nami continues intensive contacts in Washington

[04] Akinci: I want steps to be taken for changing the existing situation in Cyprus

[05] Bryza: Noble Energy discusses with Turkish companies

[06] Foreign media are interested on Cyprus issues

[07] Journalists' organizations meet to discuss the new blow to the freedom of the press in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] "TRNC" is taking part in the CeBIT 2014 fair in Hannover, Germany

[09] Demonstrations to protest death of Berkin at the occupied area of Cyprus

[10] Protests over young Gezi victim Berkin Elvan's death grip Turkey

[11] Bulgaria plans gas pipeline to Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Davutoglu: I hope we will reach a solution in Cyprus this time

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Davutoglu said that they came to an agreement that an eventual peace of these negotiations should be seen. Noting that there is a positive agenda in Cyprus, Davutoglu stressed that the reciprocal visits to Turkey and Greece were very successful and the sides were satisfied from this.

Noting that Turkey, Greece and the international community support the new process in Cyprus, Davutoglu said: "I hope that we will reach a solution in Cyprus this time".

[02] Ozersay and Mavroyiannis held their fourth meeting; The territory is reportedly also on the table; The leaders will meet on 31 March

In statements after the meeting, Ozersay said that there is a convergence document between the sides on the issue of the powers of the federal government and added that there are also some points on which agreement had not been reached as to whether some powers will remain to the federal government and if they will what kind of arrangement should be made. Ozersay noted that they expressed in detail the Turkish Cypriot side's views on this issue and submitted some proposals.

According to Ozersay, the two negotiators will be meeting again on Friday, 14 March in the afternoon in order to discuss the election and the formation of the federal government, the decision taking mechanisms and they will also continue talking about the property issue.

During the meeting the sides agreed that the second meeting between President Anastasiades and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu will be held on Monday 31 March at a time that will be announced later.

In his statements, Ozeray said that during the meetings which started in February, the only issue which has not been discussed is "the map and the numbers". "The fact that the map and the numbers are not touched upon does not mean that the issue of the territory is also not discussed", he added.

Citing some information, Kibris reports that Eroglu and his team are annoyed because the Greek Cypriot side increased its demands comparing to the previous negotiating period on the percentage of the territory it wants and the number of the Turkish settlers that will remain on the island after a possible solution.

Ozersay said that the issues of the federal police, the police of the constituent states and the "Federal Cooperation Agency", which are the internal aspect of the "security and the guarantees" have been discussed in the past and convergence papers were secured. "These issues are settled to an important extent", he noted adding that the guarantees and the international security will be discussed at a meeting with the participation of the guarantor powers because they concern international agreements.

Ozersay pointed out that except these chapters, the Greek Cypriot side expressed to an extent its general vision regarding the EU, while the Turkish Cypriot side reiterated its views on the issue of the EU's primary law and the derogations.

Ozersay said that the sides have not yet brought to the table any proposal regarding confidence building measures.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Nami continues intensive contacts in Washington

Nami held a briefing yesterday at the Woodrow Wilson think tank in Washington regarding the negotiating process in Cyprus. He expressed the view that the conditions on the island have matured for the solution and that we have now came to the last stage for a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution on the island.

Nami argued that the explorations for oil and natural gas which are separately held by the two sides on the island could legally and politically continue without a problem only in case of an agreement between the two communities. He said that in case of an agreement the income from any kind of hydrocarbon product should belong to the federal government.

In statements to Anatolia news agency after his speech at the above-mentioned think tank, Nami said that there are reasons for being hopeful about the negotiations between the two communities and added that the community leaders have signed a "very important joint declaration". Thus, he added, a common understanding was achieved on issues which had been discussed for years between the sides such as the sovereignty, the international identity, the citizenship and the political rights of the founding states. He noted that the other issues such as the property, the territory, the security and the guarantees are difficult and hard negotiations will be held for their solution.

Nami expressed the view that a new comprehensive solution plan could come out within some months.

Moreover, within the framework of his contacts in Washington, Nami participated in a round table discussion at the Atlantic Council think tank and explained the perspective of the solution in Cyprus. He also gave an interview to the Washington Times newspaper. According to a statement issue by his "office", on that interview he reiterated that the Cyprus problem could be solved within months and alleged that 20 years will be needed for the Greek Cypriots to reach the standard of living they had been enjoying before the economic crisis. Therefore, they should be interested in an agreement on the Cyprus problem, he claimed.

Furthermore, Nami met also with President Obama's Special Advisor Christopher Smart and the Director of the National Security Council responsible for Turkish, Greek and Cypriot Affairs, Christian Bobrow. The "undersecretary" at the self-styled foreign ministry of the regime, Erhan Ercin, the "representative' of the regime in Washington, Ahmet Erdengiz and the "director" at the "foreign ministry", Huseyin Ozel participated in the 45-minute meeting, during which Nami evaluated issues discussed in the solution process. He said that the continuation of the strong support provided by the USA to the solution of the Cyprus problem will be helpful in the process.

Nami argued that the fact that for the first time a Turkish Cypriot official has been accepted in the offices of the White House reflects the positive way by which the USA views the Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Akinci: I want steps to be taken for changing the existing situation in Cyprus

"?On this issue of Varosha, if you say today that we give it to its legal owners, how many years will take for the people to go and settle there? Do we not intend to end the Cyprus problem within five years? There could be serious steps. Some people are worried. Our confidence building steps are Tymvou and the Famagusta Port. These are the issues which will bring balance. If they say that Nicosia [airport] is feasible, I agree to this also. Some very technical detailed reports had been prepared on what will be done in case the Nicosia Airport opens. Let steps be taken as a good will gesture".

Akinci expressed the view that the biggest benefit of the solution for the Turkish Cypriots will be their inclusion in the international law. "Nothing exists at a place where law does not exist", he noted adding that the number of the people who want to live within EU standards increased in the occupied area of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Bryza: Noble Energy discusses with Turkish companies

In an exclusive interview with Havadis, Bryza noted that Turkish BOTAS, which is the regulator of this field in Turkey, has also participated in the discussions.

Bryza reiterated that the energy resources around Cyprus motivate for a solution on the island and added that energy help in the revival of the talks and created more enthusiasm to the people.

According to the paper, Bryza sent a message to the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu by saying: "I hope that Mr Eroglu understands that his own community will also secure outstanding benefits from the solution".

Bryza argued that the USA always exerts efforts for a solution in Cyprus and that the US Embassy to Nicosia, in cooperation with the British High Commission, tries to bring the sides together. Bryza said that after the election of President Anastasiades their initiatives for a solution increased.

Bryza noted he is hopeful for a solution in Cyprus, but he expressed the view that the comprehensive solution could not be reached soon and that "the developments will happen in an order". He went on and pointed out that some steps could be taken which will secure the advancement of the energy issue.

Asked to give some examples, he said that Turkey could implement the Ankara Protocol, some steps could be taken in the occupied closed city of Varosha in this context and the Port of Famagusta could open. "Perhaps a document of origin recognized by the EU could be given for Turkish Cypriots' products', he noted pointing out that the Ankara Protocol "gains are more meaningful than only opening the ports". "It will give the opportunity for the Turkish Cypriots' window to the world even for a little bit", he said.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Foreign media are interested on Cyprus issues

The France 24 crew interviewed yesterday the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Kudret Ozersay, who explained briefly the text of the joint statement, said that this time the sides do not focus on maximalist approaches hoping that they will enter a give and take process soon. He claimed that this is the only way to reach a comprehensive solution. He stressed that the issue of security is very important for the Turkish Cypriots, adding that the Cyprus problem is not a legal problem but a political one.

Later the crew interviewed the mayor of the occupied old city of Famagusta Oktay Kayalp , who briefed them on the declaration that he signed with the Greek Cypriot Mayor of Famagusta Alexis Galanos on the town's future. On the same issue, they also interviewed members of the Bicommunal Varosha Initiative, who explained that the situation of the fenced off town of Varosha is disastrous for Famagusta and for the whole island, so the unification of Varosha with Famagusta will also contribute positive to the ongoing Cyprus talks.

Meanwhile, the journalists Thomas Bormann and Mehmet Uksul from the German ARD radio are also in the occupied area of Cyprus to make a programme on the Cyprus problem. According to the paper, they interviewed the paper's journalist Hasan Hasturer on the Cyprus problem, who told them that the Turkish Cypriots are the victim side of the Cyprus problem.

[07] Journalists' organizations meet to discuss the new blow to the freedom of the press in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper notes that the "law" supresses the press, forbids the publication of various kinds of information such as tape recordings and tax lists and provides for many years imprisonment for the journalists.

Referring to the issue in her commentary in Afrika (12.02.14) under the title "New imprisonment era", Aysu Basri Akter notes that with the above-mentioned "law", the ground is prepared for developments that are the same with what has happened until today in Turkey on the issue of the freedom of the press and the judiciary. She says that Turkey is on the top of the list of the countries with the most imprisoned journalists and that its judiciary cannot function.

(I/Ts.)

[08] "TRNC" is taking part in the CeBIT 2014 fair in Hannover, Germany

According to a press release issued by the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO), it is the first time that they participate as "North Cyprus" and they have their own kiosk, where the Turkish Cypriot companies can exhibit their products.

[09] Demonstrations to protest death of Berkin at the occupied area of Cyprus

The protesters were chanting slogans like "Berkins are immortal", "Death to fascism, the only way is the revolution", "The assassin state will give an account of", and "We silence when the children are sleeping and not when they are being killed".

[10] Protests over young Gezi victim Berkin Elvan's death grip Turkey

Police resorted to tear gas and water cannon attacks against protesters who started gathering in central Ankara.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (online, 11.03.14) reported that hundreds of Turks, in some places thousands of them, held demonstrations to protest the death of Elvan across several European capitals and metropolitan cities late Tuesday.

Protesters lighted candles in Paris to honour Elvan while hundreds of protesters in cities such as Berlin, Cologne, Mannheim, New York and Brussels, took to main squares to mourn the tragic death of the Gezi victim.

Meanwhile, CHP Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanrikulu said those who caused the death of Elvan will go down in history as killers of a child who was out to buy bread for his family. "It is Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who said, 'I instructed the police [to crack down on the Gezi protesters]' caused Berkin's death," Tanrikulu said in a written statement on Tuesday.

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul said in a news conference that he was saddened to hear about Berkin's death and gave his condolences to the boy's family.

[11] Bulgaria plans gas pipeline to Turkey

An announcement from the Bulgarian authorities in the Turkish capital of Ankara said a group of experts, along with representatives of the Bulgarian Ministry of Economy and Energy, will soon negotiate a gas pipeline connection between the two countries.

Bulgarian Ministry officials announced their full support for the project and urged for a swift timetable in undertaking the project.

The planned pipeline between Bulgaria and Turkey will be approximately 114 kilometers in length and is due to be completed in two years. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article