Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-07-17

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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] The content of yesterday's Ozersay - Mavroyiannis meeting leaked to Halkin Sesi

[02] Ozersay: The issue of the citizenship is difficult but can be solved

[03] Eroglu stated that the solution to be found on the Cyprus problem should be a Cypriot solution

[04] Avci stated that Lynn Pascoe is the right person for the position of the UN Special Adviser for Cyprus and says that he visited the "TRNC foreign ministry" in 2008

[05] Representatives of the kingdom of Bahrain met with Talip Atalay

[06] MHP Deputy Chairman accuses AKP government for not protecting Turkey's and Turkish Cypriots "rights" in the Eastern Mediterranean region

[07] Gul to pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus for the "celebrations" of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus

[08] The "Cooperative Credit company" of the occupied Neochorio Kythreas village accuses the EU Commission for implementing a double standard policy

[09] Erdogan calls on the Italian EU presidency to open new chapters for Turkey's EU negotiation

[10] US nominee for Turkey's Embassy admits Turkey drifting towards authoritarianism

[11] BBP becomes seventh party to lend support to Ihsanoglu

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The content of yesterday's Ozersay - Mavroyiannis meeting leaked to Halkin Sesi

According to the paper, during the meeting the "most difficult" issues of the Cyprus problem were put onto the table. The arrangements during the transitional period after the solution, the security and guarantees and the issue of the citizenship were discussed. The Turkish Cypriot side submitted yesterday two proposals on the issues of the transitional period and the security and guarantees, while the Greek Cypriot side submitted what the paper calls "its demands" on the issue of the citizenship.

Citing information obtained from diplomatic sources by Ali Fahrioglu, its publishing editor, Halkin Sesi reports that the Greek Cypriot side demanded that only the Turkish settlers, who are married to Turkish Cypriots and their children should remain in the island while the rest of the settlers should go away after the solution. Noting that the Turkish side "strongly opposed to this demand", the paper writes that the Turkish reply was that "we can definitely not make discriminations among the TRNC citizens" and that the Turkish side will make no step backwards on the issue of all the so-called citizens of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, becoming citizens of the "joint state".

According to the same sources, the Greek Cypriot side demanded the termination of the Treaty of Alliance and Guarantees and "put an unexpected proposal onto the table". The sources argued that while the Greek Cypriot side was asking the demilitarization of the island and was stressing this on every occasion, yesterday made a "surprising move" by asking the presence of a small military unit on the island after the solution. The Turkish side was reportedly not positive to this proposal.

The Turkish Cypriot delegation, which allegedly thinks that a "weakened security system" could be risky, asked who will provide the security on the island. The reply it received was that the security could be provided by the EU and that the UN Security Council could also take action. The paper reports that the Turkish Cypriot side has absolutely not accepted the proposal of the Greek Cypriot side which says that the "Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee" should not continue. To support its position, the Turkish Cypriot side showed as example the situation in Syria, Palestine, Ukraine and Georgia where the rights of the individuals are reportedly ignored and argued that we live in a geographical area where people resort to violence.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Ozersay: The issue of the citizenship is difficult but can be solved

In statements yesterday after his six-hour meeting at the buffer zone in Nicosia with the Greek Cypriot negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis within the framework of the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriot side submitted two proposals on the issues of the transitional period after the solution and the security and guarantees, while the Greek Cypriot side submitted a proposal on the issue of the citizenship. He noted that they discussed "issues which are difficult to be solved". He said that they took up the issues related to the federal public service, the Public Service Commission and the number of the public servants. He added that both sides had earlier submitted proposals on this issue and yesterday they discussed them in depth.

According to Ozersay, the two sides have generally "a difference of understanding" on the issue of the transitional period, but the Turkish Cypriot side thinks that there is no difficulty which cannot be overcome. Ozersay said that the Turkish side wants the "new partnership" to emerge right after the solution is approved by the communities in a referendum and it is not positive to having an interim period. He noted that it might not be possible for the institutions to be formed within a short period of time and added that they suggested the establishment of a special committee which will carry out preparations in this direction. Ozersay said that they want the "new partnership" to emerge both internally and in the international field within 24 hours.

Ozersay said that on the issue of the security and guarantees they discussed many topics and not only the "Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee" and its future. He noted that they discussed "what kind of demilitarization" will be held after the comprehensive solution, the issue of whether Cyprus will be used in some international military operations and to what extent and how united Cyprus will take its place in the security and defense of the EU. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side submitted a document with its positions on this issue and that the Greek Cypriot side is expected to submit its proposals in a next meeting. Ozersay argued that he was surprised by a proposal submitted yesterday by the Greek Cypriot side which said that a small military unit should remain on the island after the solution and that it is not positive to the demilitarization of Cyprus.

According to Ozersay, tomorrow they will hold a special meeting during which each negotiator will be accompanied by two persons. During this meeting they will discuss the issue of where the negotiations are heading to, their methodology and confidence building measures.

Referring to the cross visits of the negotiators to Ankara and Athens, Ozersay said that they have agreed that these would be held in the beginning of August, but they are facing a problem deriving from Greece. He argued that they do not know when and how this difficulty will be overcome and alleged that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have absolutely no problem as regards the materialization of the second cross visits and they are always ready for them.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu stated that the solution to be found on the Cyprus problem should be a Cypriot solution

Eroglu made the above statement during a visit paid to him by "Beden Education Teachers association".

Expressing hopes that an agreement will be reached on the Cyprus problem, Erogly stated that the "Turkish Cypriot people's rights" should not be oppressed.

Referring to the ongoing negotiation process, Eroglu said that the solution to be found should be "a Cypriot solution", something that both Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots reiterated in the past.

Recalling yesterday's meeting between the negotiators and the leader's meetings that will take place on July 24 and in August; Eroglu said that both sides support the continuation of the negotiation until the end. "Still, there is a difference between us, we support that the negotiations should not continue open-ended, the Greek Cypriot side insist on open-ended talks".

Pointing out that the negotiation talks continue for 40 years and that no agreement has been reached yet, Eroglu alleged that it is for this reason that they insist on a road map in order as he said to reach to an agreement within a time limit.

Streesing the need for the agreement to be found to reflect the "Turkish Cypriot's rights and legitimacy", Eroglu added that they are exerting efforts for an agreement that will not ignore "the existing realities".

"An agreement that will not rid us of the embargoes is not an agreement. We are looking for an agreement that will not ignore the existing realities and the fact that since 1974, 40 years have passed", Eroglu alleged.

(AK)

[04] Avci stated that Lynn Pascoe is the right person for the position of the UN Special Adviser for Cyprus and says that he visited the "TRNC foreign ministry" in 2008

Avci claimed that the Greek Cypriot side is against Pascoe's appointment because they consider him to be "a friend of the Turks" and alleged that they tried to stop it. He also said that in 2008, while Avci was "foreign minister" Pascoe visited the "TRNC foreign ministry". "It is the 2nd rankingname in the UN. Of course the relation with Turkey will become better. Pascoe knows the views of the Turkish side very well. It is the right person for the position of the Special Adviser. The Greek Cypriots are saying the same things for every person to be appointed, they want to build a psychological wall", Avci claimed.

[05] Representatives of the kingdom of Bahrain met with Talip Atalay

According to the paper, Atalay met with Mohammed Tharwat Atiya, Parliament press counselor and journalist Noha Fathy and they discussed the Cyprus problem, the meetings of religious leaders and Cyprus' relations with Islamic countries.

[06] MHP Deputy Chairman accuses AKP government for not protecting Turkey's and Turkish Cypriots "rights" in the Eastern Mediterranean region

Referring to the agreements signed by the "Greek Cypriot administration" as he called the Republic of Cyprus, since 2003 with several countries like Lebanon, Egypt and Israel and in connection with these, with the EU, Greece, the UK and the US in order to extend its economy in the Eastern Mediterranean, Cetin added: "It is unacceptable the fact that Turkey which has the biggest offshore zone in the Eastern Mediterranean, is not protecting at all none of its resources and of the Turkish Cypriots' in the region".

(AK)

[07] Gul to pay an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus for the "celebrations" of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus

According to a statement issued by the "press office of the foreign ministry", Gul will arrive to the occupied area of Cyprus on Saturday and depart on Sunday.

(AK)

[08] The "Cooperative Credit company" of the occupied Neochorio Kythreas village accuses the EU Commission for implementing a double standard policy

Referring to the application made by the olive oil-producers in the village to the "cooperative company" in order to have a grant by the EU for "dripping-watering" within the framework of the "EU Commission -Grant program for rural development", the "administration board of the co-op" criticized strongly the EU Commission for rejecting their application.

The "administration board" stressed that the Greek Cypriot's Co-ops were given a grant while the Turkish Cypriot Cooperatives applications were rejected and accused the EU Commission for implementing "double standards" towards this issue.

(AK)

[09] Erdogan calls on the Italian EU presidency to open new chapters for Turkey's EU negotiation

According to the paper, envoys from diplomatic missions represented in Ankara, mostly charge d'affairs, along with representatives of various religious groups and Ankara bureau chiefs of selected media outlets, were gathered at the headquarters of Justice and Development Party (AKP) late on July 15 for the seventh traditional iftar dinner. Erdogan sat Palestinian Ambassador to Turkey Nabil Maaroof to his left at the table, in a bid to display his attention to what's going on in Palestine.

[10] US nominee for Turkey's Embassy admits Turkey drifting towards authoritarianism

After delivering his testimony along with four other ambassadorial nominees during a hearing at the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on Tuesday, Bass, who was nominated to the position of Ambassador to Turkey in early June, started taking questions from Senators. Following a few questions on Turkey's relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), reunifying Cyprus and US-Turkey cooperation regarding conflict areas, Senator John McCain asked if Turkey is moving toward authoritarianism.

McCain asked Bass, "Are you concerned about Prime Minister Erdogan's desire to change the Constitution and other actions that we've seen on the part of Erdogan as a drift towards authoritarianism?" Obama's nominee for Ambassador to Turkey avoided providing a direct answer to McCain's question, saying Erdogan is "the leader of a democratically elected parliamentary democracy" and that he will look closely at whatever steps he takes. Without giving Bass an opportunity to circumvent the question, McCain clearly stated that he wanted a yes or no answer and that Bass would be putting his nomination in jeopardy by not answering the question. "It's a drift in that direction, yes," Bass admitted.

During his testimony, Bass mentioned the growing security threats around Turkey in the region and said that Turkey faces "very real challenges on its own borders. "The instability along Turkey's southern border gives renewed urgency for Ankara to build stronger relationships with other neighbors -- Israel, Armenia and Cyprus. We continue to encourage Turkey and Israel to restore positive official relations by completing the normalization process, which would enhance regional stability and complement their continued strong trade and investment relationship," Bass said.

Commenting on the issue, columnist Murat Yetkin writes in Hurriyet Daily News (17.07.14) the following under the title: "Tough days ahead for Turkish-US relations".

"[?] The exchange between Bass and McCain seems to be part of a Republican plan to block the Obama administration in the legislative house. [?] The testimony scene is likely to have an adverse effect on Turkish-U.S. relations, at a time when critical developments are unfolding in and around Turkey.

During the testimony, Bass was also asked whether he was planning to go to Ankara before the presidential elections. There was, of course, no answer to that question, as it is in the hands of Senators to approve the nomination. However, after McCain, another source of strain in Turkish-American relations could be whether Bass will present his credentials to Turkish President Abdullah Gul, whose term expires on Aug. 27, or to the next President. This next President might well be Erdogan, about whom Bass said his way was "a drift toward authoritarianism" upon Senator McCain's persistent stance.

It is clear that McCain was trying to give a strong message to Erdogan about what they think of him in the U.S. capital by beating up his own to-be-Ambassador with words.

In Bass' testimony, it is clear that promoting media freedom, the independence of the courts, the rights of free assembly, louder minority voices, civil society and the Kurdish peace process will be among the top priorities of the new Ambassador. On security issues, Bass said "Turkey faces very real challenges on its own borders," including the threat from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Priorities also included supporting Turkey for better relations with its neighbors (including Israel, Armenia and the Republic of Cyprus), as well as the Syria, Iraq and Iran conflicts.

The difficulties of the new U.S. Ambassador to Turkey (if Bass is approved) have already started even before day one, promising a tough time ahead."

[11] BBP becomes seventh party to lend support to Ihsanoglu

Nominated by the two major opposition parties at Parliament - the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) - Ihsanoglu has also received support from the Democratic Left Party (DSP), the Democrat Party (DP), the Independent Turkey Party (BTP), and the Liberal Democrat Party (LDP), all of which are not represented at Parliament. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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