Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-05-26

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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] Turkish Cypriot reactions to the EP elections; They are ready to go to the ECHR

[02] Eroglu and Yorgancioglu assess the EP elections

[03] Eroglu evaluated Biden's visit at the Turkish press

[04] Comments on Biden's visit to Cyprus

[05] Nami assesses US Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Cyprus

[06] Ozersay accuses the Greek Cypriot side of "not showing courage" on the issue of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily reveals details related to the backstage of Biden's visit; "The Turkish Cypriot side is the responsible for the deadlock"

[08] Siber discussed with Cicek and Atalay the Cyprus problem

[09] Davutoglu will discuss the Cyprus problem with Lavrov in Moscow

[10] Ertugruloglu to attend a meeting on human rights at PACE

[11] Deep Purple's concert in the occupied area of Cyprus

[13] The "Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent Association" to attend international events

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish Cypriot reactions to the EP elections; They are ready to go to the ECHR

Kibris notes that Turkish Cypriot candidates and voters participated for the first time in elections held in the government-controlled area of the island, but the amendment of the law that provided to the Turkish Cypriots living in the occupied area of Cyprus to vote has allegedly caused problems. Many Turkish Cypriots, who visited the polling stations in order to vote, could not exercise their right, because they had not stated that they live at an address in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus when taking an identity card of the Republic.

The Turkish Cypriot candidates reacted to this situation, arguing that the announcement regarding the voters' lists had not been made in the way it should have been made and even more some days before the elections. They claimed that no time for objections had been left and described this as "a deliberate action".

The Turkish Cypriot candidates in these elections, Deniz Birinci, Alev Tugberk, Sener Levent, Osman Zorba and Mehmet Birinci protested against this "negative situation". Moreover, the chairman and general secretary of the primary school teachers' trade union, Guven Varoglu and Sener Elcil, who visited a polling station near Ledra Palace barricade in an attempt to vote and were not allowed to do so because of the reason mentioned above, condemned this situation.

Deniz Birinci claimed that "this is a great violation of human rights and people's democratic and civic rights".

Sener Levent argued that the right of 30 thousand Turkish Cypriots to vote was allegedly usurped because of "unconvincing reasons".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (26.05.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot candidates told the paper that they will carry the "injustice made against the Turkish Cypriots" to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). Alev Tugberk said that they will launch legal proceedings. Deniz Birinci noted that if necessary they will ask for the annulment of these elections.

Furthermore, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (26.05.14), 1,890 Turkish Cypriots voted in the EP elections yesterday. Sener Levent, the paper's editor-in-chief received the most votes (2,718 or 1.05%), followed by Drasis/Eylem group in which Deniz Birinci and Alev Tugberk participated (2,220 votes or 0.86%) and the Cyprus Socialist Party (278 votes or 0.11%).

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu and Yorgancioglu assess the EP elections

Meanwhile, Ozkan Yorgancioglu, self-styed prime minister of the breakaway regime and chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), argued that the elections where the "official representatives" of the Turkish Cypriot "people" will be elected should be held by the Turkish Cypriots in their own territory, and added that the EP should take care of this. "We believe that whoever is elected there he will not be representing the Turkish Cypriots", he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu evaluated Biden's visit at the Turkish press

Speaking to Milliyet, Eroglu referred to the Varosha issue and claimed that during the dinner held between him, President Nikos Anastasiades and Biden they agreed with Anastasiades about the statement that the US Vice President would have make; however, five minutes after a statement was issued, Anastasiades brought up the Varosha issue, arguing that he was worrying about the first pages of the Greek Cypriot press if Varosha were not mentioned at the statement. Eroglu claimed that he reacted on this, saying that there was no agreement as regards Varosha and that if such a statement was to be made, he would not have been standing next to Biden and Anastasiades while it was read. According to Eroglu, Biden said then that he would read the statement as it was agreed by the two sides and then, after the two leaders left, he would speak about Varosha, saying that the US government is ready to support an agreement reached by the two sides.

"These are the facts. Varosha is a part of a comprehensive solution. There are six chapters at the negotiation table. One of them is the territory issue. Varosha will be discussed at the territory chapter", Eroglu stated.

Referring in general to Biden's meeting, Eroglu stated that he was not surprised that the US Vice President did not treat them as if the "TRNC" was a "state". "He saw us, as the Turkish Cypriot leadership. [?] The US government recognizes the Greek Cypriot administration as the Republic of Cyprus", he stated adding that nevertheless the visit of the second ranged US official to them should not be underestimated. "In the end of the day Biden knows that here is the TRNC", Eroglu claimed.

In addition, speaking to Sabah newspaper, Eroglu again referred to Varosha and said that the issue was discussed during the dinner with Anastasiades; however, they have not placed this matter among the confidence-building measures. Eroglu also claimed that Biden's visit to the "KKTC Presidency", showed, that both "governments" are being treated equally during the negotiation process.

Asked about the consensus reached after the dinner between him Anastasiades and Biden, Eroglu said: "During dinner an agreement containing four clauses was agreed on. The first of these is to hold meetings with Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiadis frequently, twice monthly. Another clause of the agreement is for both sides to cooperate and assist the research commission on missing persons. We also agreed to continue to take actions that would contribute to the growth of mutual trust and to establish joint technical committees."

Asked about the confidence-building measures, Eroglu said that confidence-building measures are solutions that will be beneficial and accepted by both sides of the island. "For example, we proposed the removal of all land mines from the island as such a measure. Such a tangible measure would increase safety for people on both sides of the island; however, the Greek Cypriot side did not accept our proposal. Another issue is trade", he claimed.

[04] Comments on Biden's visit to Cyprus

Explaining that his meeting with the US Vice President had been planned and that he had proposed that "government officials" take part at the meeting as well Eroglu said however that this proposal had been rejected.

"The reason my request had been rejected is because this visit was a courtesy visit and nothing more. Mr. Biden came to Cyprus upon the invitation of the Greek Cypriot administration. If he had been my guest then the government would have taken part in the meeting," he said.

Noting that the US official did not want to meet where flags were present also not true, Eroglu said: "Currently, I am in a room where there are no flags because this is where I receive my visitors. Therefore all the rumours are unfounded".

Eroglu said that flags are hoisted outside and that the US Vice President had entered the grounds via these flags and left the same way.

"If there had been such a request by the US Vice President for the removal of the flags I would never have accepted such a visit" said Eroglu.

According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 24.05.14), the so-called foreign ministry of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus issued a statement evaluating the US Vice President's visit to the island.

The statement welcomed the visit to the island by a US Vice President after 52 years, describing it as a pleasing development.

"The visit to Cyprus by the US Vice President Joe Biden, at a time when efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem have intensified clearly demonstrates that a settlement is amongst the international community's priorities", the statement read.

It said that the visit also played an important role in helping efforts to intensify and speed up the negotiations process and to reach a successful conclusion resulting in a federal partnership on the basis of equality of the two sides and the creation of an atmosphere of peace and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean.

The statement said that as announced by Biden of the agreement reached by the two leaders to further speed up the process was a concrete step taken in that direction. It is also said that other agreements announced by the US Vice President such as revitalizing the bi-communal technical committee were welcomed by the Cyprus Turkish side.

On the same issue, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 26.05.14), former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, evaluating also Biden's visit, said: "US Vice President Joe Biden's visit was very important, but you should remember that he came upon the official invitation by the Cyprus Republic. Therefore you can't expect him to treat both sides equally in these circumstances."

Talat claimed that the coverage of the Biden-Eroglu meeting by the Greek Cypriot media was intentionally giving a bad impression on the meeting by focusing on details and false allegations like "no handshake", "no flags" in order to humiliate the Turkish Cypriot side. Commenting on the atmosphere surrounding the meeting, Talat said: "The reason Biden didn't make a statement after his meeting with Eroglu was deliberate, and it was based on the nature of his visit which took place upon the official invitation of the Cyprus Republic".

Talat also criticized Eroglu of not inviting "foreign minister" Nami to the meeting. "Greek Cypriot FM was present at their meeting, but Nami was not invited to the meeting here", said Talat, but he did not mention if this was to be decided by Eroglu or if the names who could attend the meeting was determined by the American side.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (26.05.14) reports that Eroglu's spokesman Osman Ertug said that Biden visited also the Turkish Cypriot side, which is equal owner of the island, adding that the meeting with Eroglu poses a different meaning.

In a written statement, Ertug claimed that when the Greek Cypriot side didn't succeed to prevent this visit, it tried to distort the results. He alleged that the statement by the Cyprus government spokesman on Biden's visit, reflected this effort of distortion.

The leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Cemal Ozyigit said that the visit of Biden to Cyprus is important from a historical view, but the interests of the Cypriots and of the USA should be included in the solution of the Cyprus problem.

In a written statement, Ozyigit also said that the discussions on "flags" are not so important. He also stressed that if they want to interpret in their favour the US initiatives, then they should cooperate between them, adding that the duties of the Greek and Turkish Cypriots are very important for a solution for "Cypriots".

The National Unity Party, in a written statement, said that Biden's visit will contribute positive to the ongoing solution process and will increase the impetus of the talks. The statement also read that "despite all the obstacles, Biden's visit at Eroglu's office, which was elected by the free will of the Turkish Cypriot people, was a registry of the two democracies in this region and the existence of two separate people".

[05] Nami assesses US Vice President Joe Biden's visit to Cyprus

Nami expressed the view that Biden's visit was successful by 50%. "There were two obstacles in front of the rapid and effective progress of the comprehensive solution negotiations. The one was the intensity of the meetings. Biden's visit solved this part regarding the intensity of the meetings. However, there is another more important part and this is not remaining committed to the convergences achieved in the past. There is no reference to this in Biden's statements I think that this part remained deficient".

Nami said that no dialogue existed between the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and the self-styled government regarding Biden's visit. He said that there was a "difference in the level" between the meetings held by the US Vice President in the government-controlled area and the occupied area of the island.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ozersay accuses the Greek Cypriot side of "not showing courage" on the issue of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha

Ozersay responded to questions by Kibris on the US Vice President, Joe Biden's recent visit to Cyprus and noted that the expected development during this visit was a study by experts in the occupied fenced off city. He argued that no development happened on this issue not because of a crisis during the dinner hosted by Biden for the two leaders, but because the negotiations held one week before Biden's arrival were suspended upon a demand by the Greek Cypriot side.

Referring to a statement made by Foreign Minister Kasoulides on this issue, Ozersay argued that this statement was "false from some aspects" and that the issue of experts entering into Varosha had been discussed for one week through the US Ambassador to Nicosia, John Koenig. Alleging that the negotiations on Varosha were postponed because the Greek Cypriot side asked for it, Ozersay claimed: "If we have to be more open, the Greek Cypriot side could not show courage. It could not show courage for the conclusion of an issue brought onto the agenda by itself".

He accused the Greek Cypriot side of giving its own reasons for the failure and of not referring to the other reasons because this does not suit its purpose. He alleged: "What was discussed was not the return of Varosha before the solution. What was discussed was to carry out a technical research on Varosha and on some other issues. The real deadlock derives from the fact that the Greek Cypriot side did not want to relate such a step with the comprehensive solution ? The Greek Cypriot side opposed to the idea of 'let us do something on Varosha when we agree on the issue of the steps which will lead us to the comprehensive solution'".

Arguing that the Turkish Cypriot side wants to see some concrete steps on the issue of the solution, Ozersay said that if a road map is determined, a study could be held in Varosha before the solution. The second problem, he claimed, is the fact that the Greek Cypriot side rejects the demand [of the Turkish Cypriot side] that a study should be held in the ports in the occupied area of Cyprus as a return of Varosha.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Turkish Cypriot daily reveals details related to the backstage of Biden's visit; "The Turkish Cypriot side is the responsible for the deadlock"

Referring to the dinner between the two leaders and the US Vice President, the paper writes that in fact it has turned out to be a negotiation talks table meeting, since the issue of Varoshia was discussed at the table.

As the paper points out, Biden and his consultants insisted during that night on the discussion of a road map on the issue of Varoshia and occupied Famagusta port, in the framework of the confidence building measures and exerted efforts for reaching to an agreement. Still, due to the stance of the Turkish Cypriot side, their insistence was fruitless writes the paper, underlining especially Eroglu' stance on the issue.

Invoking diplomatic resources, the paper writes that after the deadlock on the discussions of the action plan proposed by Biden on the issue of Varosha, a problem was experienced on the issue of the final statement of Biden.

As the paper writes, Eroglu insisted that no reference should be included on Biden's statement on the proposal related with the Varosha issue and as it was made known Eroglu warned Biden that in case he would referred to Varoshia, he would not stand by his side at the podium.

(AK)

[08] Siber discussed with Cicek and Atalay the Cyprus problem

Siber and the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Cemil Cicek delivered opening speeches at the workshop which was organized by the Eurasia Economic Relations Association and was attended by many participants from Turkey and the "TRNC".

As part of her other contacts in Ankara, Siber met with Cicek at a working breakfast on Saturday.

Speaking at the end of the meeting, Siber reminded reporters that the Cyprus negotiations process was going through a crucial phase.

Stating that she had found the opportunity to evaluate the latest developments in Cyprus with Cicek, Siber said: "We exchanged views on a wide range of issues concerning the Cyprus issue as well as bilateral issues. It is my hope that we reach a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem in the near future. I hope that soon we shall no longer have to speak of a 50 year old problem but an island of peace and stability when we refer to Cyprus".

For his part, Cicek said that they have held a productive meeting which has focused on the various aspects of the Cyprus issue.

"It is Turkey's desire to see that the current negotiations are concluded with a just and lasting peace settlement based on the political equality of the two sides. We have been stressing this desire since the problem first began. The Cyprus issue remains to be one of the longest unresolved disputes on the UN's agenda spanning over 50 years. Unfortunately, the Turkish Cypriot side is always being held responsible for the failure of all solution efforts", he claimed, expressing the hope that the Greek Cypriot side makes the best of the current window of opportunity and contributes to reaching a settlement on the island.

Later, Siber also met with the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, who is also in Charge of Cyprus Affairs, Besir Atalay. According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (25.05.14), Sibel and Atalay discussed the latest developments on the Cyprus talks and evaluated the visit of the US Vice President Biden in Cyprus.

Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.05.14) reported that Sibel told the agency on Sunday during her visit in Ankara that they hope that the ongoing process for the unification of the island would bear fruit.

"A rise of confidence between the two parties will be the most powerful motivator toward a resolution," Siber said.

She also hailed as "very positive" Thursday's visit to the island by the U.S. Vice President Joe Biden, the first such trip in 50 years.

In order for the solution process to yield results, the Turkish and Greek Cypriot communities need to forgive each other on the common historical pain and approach one another with empathy, Siber said.

[09] Davutoglu will discuss the Cyprus problem with Lavrov in Moscow

Davutoglu's visit to the Russian capital will follow his participation in a trilateral meeting with Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan to be held in Baku today.

While in Moscow, along with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, Davutoglu will chair a meeting of the Joint Strategic Planning Group, a sub-body of the High Level Cooperation Council between the Black Sea neighbours which was founded in 2010.

The crises in Syria and Ukraine, including the situation of the Turkish-speaking Crimean Tatars, will be on agenda, the Foreign Ministry said, noting that a comprehensive exchange of views was expected to take place between Davutoglu and Lavrov. On the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah (26.05.14) reports that they will also discuss the Cyprus problem.

[10] Ertugruloglu to attend a meeting on human rights at PACE

According to a press release by the self-styled parliament, Ertugruloglu was to fly to Helsinki on Sunday, May 25 and return to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on May 28.

[11] Deep Purple's concert in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper claimed that among the 35 thousand persons who attended the concert were 8 Ambassadors to the Republic of Cyprus. According to the paper, the Ambassadors of FYROM and Hungary, along with their families were among the persons who watched the concert from the VIP platform. The paper also writes that United Nation's Peace Forces members, tourists who were on holiday in the occupied area of Cyprus and thousands of persons were among those who attended the concert.

The paper also writes that the band landed in illegal Ercan (Tymvou) Airport in a British Airways plane rented for the trip.

[12] The "Turkish Cypriot Red Crescent Association" to attend international events

In statements during the meeting, the "chairman" of the "association", Ahmet Ulubay informed Eroglu about their participation to several international events abroad.

Particularly, Ulubay said that they will be attending the meeting of the International Iran Islamic Communities which will take place soon and the International Red Crescent-Red Cross meeting which will take place in Italy between June 3-7.

(AK) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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