Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-04-29

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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: Our effort was to create an independent state and we achieved our aim

[02] Ozersay: There is no need to be pessimistic

[03] Talat: No solution within this year

[04] Single electoral list by Cypriots for EP elections

[05] Columnist: No matter who is "elected" in the Turkish Cypriot leadership, Ankara is the place where the decision of accepting an agreement on the Cyprus problem will be taken

[06] The "TRNC kickbox national team" due to Spain for 2014 ISKA World Kickbox Championship

[07] German President has questions on Turkish democracy; Gul called on the EU to open all chapters

[08] Erdogan: My government will never tolerate other countries meddling in our country's internal affairs

[09] Turkey's government unveils strategy to bring presidential system to Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: Our effort was to create an independent state and we achieved our aim

Addressing yesterday the inauguration ceremony of a "martyrs'" monument and a bust of Ataturk at occupied Platani village, Eroglu said that as a person who had seen the experiences and the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots, he feels honour and happiness with the point they have reached today. Eroglu added: "We have created a state from nothing. All our efforts were for freedom and independence. They were for establishing an independent state under the roof of which we would live. We have achieved our aim".

Eroglu alleged that the "TRNC", as he described the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, is a "state" and it has all the elements which should exist in a state, even though it is recognized only by Turkey.

Eroglu said that he could not accept the mentality that the Turkish Cypriot "people" are obliged to reach an agreement in the Cyprus problem and that the Greek Cypriot "people" are not. Eroglu argued that both "peoples", as he described the communities in Cyprus, need an agreement.

Eroglu alleged that the Turkish side continues its efforts for an agreement in Cyprus, but this could only go on up to a certain point. "If those who are in front of you do not wish an agreement or if they think that you will always give and they will always take, it will not be easy to unlock the lynchpin of the agreement", he claimed arguing that the Greek Cypriot side has not shown will for an agreement until now at the negotiating table.

Eroglu argued that during the substantial negotiations which will start in May, they are expecting the Greek Cypriot side to show more understanding and will for a lasting agreement.

Eroglu reiterated the allegation that the two sides and especially the Greek Cypriot side should take into consideration all the developments that happened during the 40 years that followed the Turkish 1974 invasion of Cyprus. He claimed that the Greek Cypriot side should "see, understand and appreciate" that the Turkish Cypriot "people" have established a "state" and a future on "their own land". "If it does not see, understand and appreciate this, the difficulty of an agreement will come up and continue automatically", he alleged.

Eroglu argued: "Both peoples need an agreement by which they will live side by side in peace on these lands. In case this is accepted, reaching an agreement is easier".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 29.04.14) reports that Eroglu, speaking today during a meeting with the Turkish Cypriot farmers association, said that the issue of land, which is very important for production, and related headings are among the most challenging topics of the negotiations.

"It is important that this community remains connected to production on this land in peace and serenity. Otherwise any agreement we reach will only be on paper. We are seeking a permanent settlement not a one which will remain only on paper", said Eroglu.

Commenting on the challenges of the land issue, Eroglu said that the Turkish Cypriots had to negotiate the land issue with the consideration of the current situation. "Like Greek Cypriots do, we also have to care about our own situation" added Eroglu.

Admitting that there are challenges ahead, Eroglu said: "Naturally there will be certain challenges at the negotiation table. But as without land there would be no farming and no homeland, we will continue the negotiations with that in mind. The Greek Cypriots cannot disregard the period after 1974 so we are trying to remind this to them"

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay: There is no need to be pessimistic

In his statement Ozersay reiterated his earlier remarks regarding the Turkish Cypriot side's request for speeding up the process. Ozersay claimed that the Greek Cypriot side did not accept this request, alleging that the Turkish Cypriot side had presented bridge-building proposals including the "give-take" ones. "However, the fact that our proposals were not accepted will not affect our determination to engage in result-oriented negotiations. Therefore no one should be quick in making pessimistic statements", said Ozersay.

Ozersay emphasized the crucial essence of the substantive talks in which negotiating teams will present proposals, counter proposals and bridge-building proposals to each other.

Touching upon the different statements given to press, Ozersay said there was no need to be pessimistic. "It is the Turkish Cypriot side who requests the process to be speeded up and everyone should see the steps we are taking towards that" added Ozersay.

Ozersay said that using negotiations as a tool for internal politics would not bring any benefits to the Turkish Cypriot community "Populist approaches have always damaged the negotiations" noted Ozersay.

Referring to the discussions on the pace of the process, Ozersay said: "There are two sides in the negotiations. If your counterpart, namely the Greek Cypriot side does not approve to meet more often, you cannot do it by yourself. We expressed our dissatisfaction regarding the speed of the process before and we are still doing everything we can for that to happen. Hopefully, the Greek Cypriot side will also agree and the negotiations will speed up."

[03] Talat: "No solution within this year"

Talat made the above statements at Adnan Menderes University in Turkey where he delivered a speech on the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the re-launching of the negotiation talks, Talat supported that Turkey is interested about the negotiation process. He added that the accession of Cyprus in the EU has brought the Cyprus problem in another point and compared the situation that exists today with the period of 2004.

Speaking about the existence of new dynamics, Talat referred to the natural gas resources in the island and the economic situation in the Republic of Cyprus.

As regards the natural gas in the island, Talat said that it is necessary the natural gas to be evaluated and pass to Europe via Turkey.

(AK)

[04] Single electoral list by Cypriots for EP elections

The bi-communal group has six candidates in which two Turkish Cypriots and four Greek Cypriots will seek the votes of the Cypriot electorate.

The bi-communal group announced their list during a press conference they organized at the Home for Cooperation in the Buffer Zone.

The candidates of the united list are Deniz Birinci, Alev Tugberk, Marina Payiatsu, Kostis Ahniotis, Stavros Tombazos and Dinos Ayiomamitis. The Radical Left Cooperation also has a gender balance as the list has 50-50 female-male ratio.

Deniz Birinci, who is one of the candidates, shared her feelings about the joint list on social media. Birinci wrote:

"Today was a historic day for Cyprus. For the first time in history, Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots came together to establish one single common electoral list. This has never ever happened anytime in the whole history of the island. The list is also of significance for giving a strong message of gender equality with 50%-50% male-female ratio. We hope that we can be a good role model for others while establishing future electoral lists. We also hope to be a beacon of light for peace and solution in our divided island. At the end of our press conference, a Turkish Cypriot woman got together with her Greek Cypriot compatriot whom she met for the first time in her life and sang together a Cypriot song with Turkish lyrics called 'K?br?s?m (My Cyprus)'. Let us hope that the days are very near for Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to spread their voice in the international arena about their Cyprus together!!!"

[05] Columnist: No matter who is "elected" in the Turkish Cypriot leadership, Ankara is the place where the decision of accepting an agreement on the Cyprus problem will be taken

In an interview with Star Kibris, Cemal alleged that the Greek Cypriots are using delaying tactics and argued: "I think that the oil that has been discovered is insufficient. They are playing with time for the other parcels. Secondly, [they think that] 'Eroglu will go away in 2015, Talat will come and Talat will give what we want'. Whoever comes, Ankara is the focus point as to whether the text regarding the negotiations will be accepted or not".

(I/Ts.)

[06] The "TRNC kickbox national team" due to Spain for 2014 ISKA World Kickbox Championship

The team will be consisting of 13 persons, including the athletes, the trainer and the "president of the judo, hapkido and kickbox federation" Niyazi Demirel.

[07] German President has questions on Turkish democracy; Gul called on the EU to open all chapters

"Friends may be able to tell each other about unpleasant things that the other does not want to hear. We are not asking questions that have never been asked," Gauck said at a joint press conference with Gul on April 28 as part of a four-day official trip to Turkey.

Gauck listed his questions: "For example, should Twitter and the YouTube be banned? Why did the head of the Constitutional Court speak that critically [in an April 25 address directed at the government]? Why intervene in the judiciary when you have so much power after an important election victory? Will this really strengthen democracy?"

Upon a question from a German journalist as to whether he regarded Gauck's questions as a suggestion or an insult, Gul said no country should claim that it is perfect. "We all recall the embarrassing situations in Germany after the massacres committed by extreme right groups and how the families of the victims were accused of murder. Racial enmity was committed. As these are the realities of European countries and we denounce them when asked whether these are compatible with the EU, we also have some negative [issues]. We have to see these from this angle. The most important thing is to be aware of discrepancies and to be determined to correct them,"Gul said.

Expressing that he would be delighted to meet a successful politician like Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the German President said he would also raise his questions with Erdogan as well. "I don't think this [Turkish] government is under threat. There is a government that won legitimacy through the elections and it has to be in comfort. I will surely talk about it," he said.

Asked whether Turkey's aspiration to become a full member of the European Union could be realized, Gauck expressed his satisfaction at hearing Gul mentioning Turkey's absolute commitment to the EU and its values.

European countries have not been able to agree on Turkish accession to the EU, he said, adding that they did not know yet whether Turkey would one day join the club. "But our approach toward Turkey is positive. Various political powers have different views about the timing [of Turkish accession]. There is some hesitancy about a quick membership. But although they differ about its timing, they are all exerting efforts for the continuation of the process."

Gul, for his part, said he demanded more support from Germany to Turkey's accession process through the opening of more chapters.

[08] Erdogan: My government will never tolerate other countries meddling in our country's internal affairs

"In Germany, there is something called 'Alevism without Ali', which is an atheist belief presented under the guise of Alevism, also supported by him [Gauck], and he projected it to us. In Turkey, there is no such Alevism. [Gauck] spoke the way that a small group in Germany, supported by Germans, speaks. This is improper," Erdogan said during his weekly parliamentary group meeting on April 29.

"That's why he should act the way that statesmen do. He probably thinks that he is still a pastor. These are ugly matters," Erdogan said without elaborating on why a Christian cleric would busy himself with promoting godlessness.

Erdogan said Gauck's hardened rhetoric in the ODTU speech was different than the way the two talked in an April 28 meeting. "He went there and spoke oddly," Erdogan said.

Answering one of Gauck's questions in the ODTU (Middle East Technical University) speech ? "Why intervene in the judiciary when you have so much power after an important election victory?" ?Erdogan said his government "has no fear."

Turkey's Prime Minister also said he personally told Gauck that his government "will never tolerate [other countries] meddling in our country's internal affairs."

[09] Turkey's government unveils strategy to bring presidential system to Turkey

Arinc was discussing the potential under the scope of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan being elected to Presidency in August.

"Our honourable Prime Minister believes a semi-presidential or presidential system could govern Turkey better," Arinc said April 28, speaking in an interview with news channel A Haber.

Underlining that both semi-presidential and presidential systems are being used in democratic regimes, Arinc cited the American and French political systems as good examples.

"Let's suppose that our honourable Prime Minister becomes President [in the August 2014 elections] and his party [the AKP] wins the 2015 [parliamentary] elections in a way that would bring 367 seats, then the AKP would definitely make a constitutional amendment on its own and may carry out the transition to one of the presidential systems via a constitutional amendment," Arinc said.

Turkey's Parliament holds 550 seats. A minimum of 330 votes are required for a constitutional change, while any motion accepted with between 330 and 367 votes goes directly to a referendum. The total number of seats currently occupied by the AKP is 313. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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