Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-11-12

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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 daily reports that the rules of engagement given to Turkish Naval Forces provides to harass but not to hit in Eastern Mediterranean

[02] Ertug describes the Republic of Cyprus' cooperation agreements with neighbouring countries as hostile for Turkey and the breakaway regime

[03] Eroglu briefed PACE's media members on the Cyprus problem

[04] Bozkir on the Cyprus problem

[05] Commissioner Hahn: The EU expects Turkey to respect Cyprus' sovereign rights over its EEZ

[06] Nami discussed with Schulz the hydrocarbon and the Cyprus issues

[07] Akinci: "We can fairly share the territory, the water and the sea wealth. This should be the mentality"

[08] ATCA's "representative" in the occupied area of Cyprus conveyed a letter to the UN's Secretary-General

[09] Cyprus' Greens Party's bill on the hydrocarbon explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean was rejected at the Greens meeting in Istanbul

[10] Self-styled minister of public works carried out contacts in Ankara

[11] Siber: Opposition and ruling parties should unite on the hellim issue

[12] Self-styled interior minister: "Our citizenships will be EU citizenships in the future"

[13] Mungan: We aim at paying salaries without receiving money from Turkey

[14] "KITSAB" will attend the 47th UFTAA congress in Bali

[15] "Turkish Stars" to violate Cyprus' airspace for the UDI

[16] Turkey calls for cooperation against Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish daily reports that the rules of engagement given to Turkish Naval Forces provides to harass but not to hit in Eastern Mediterranean

According to the paper, the rules of engagement given to the Turkish Naval Forces by the Turkish Prime Ministry are "to harass but not to hit". The paper notes that this is not the case as regards Syria where the rules of engagement are to strike.

The paper also writes that Turkish Naval Forces are following very closely the Greek submarine and the Greek Naval vessel sent in the area by the Greek government and will not allow these ships to prevent the seismic research conducted by the vessel Barbaros. In the framework of the rules of engagement provided, the Turkish Naval Forces can block the radars of the war-ships that may approach it, but only the Turkish Prime Ministry can give permission to strike.

The paper also notes that Turkey has no allies left in the Eastern Mediterranean and comments on the recent agreement between Cyprus, Greek and Egypt, stating that Greece benefited from the bad relations between Turkey and Egypt.

[02] Ertug describes the Republic of Cyprus' cooperation agreements with neighbouring countries as hostile for Turkey and the breakaway regime

In a written statement issued yesterday, Ertug alleged that the Greek Cypriots are looking for "unilateral alliances" with some countries of the area as a requirement of their strategy according to the "scenario" they had beforehand prepared with Greece to cover their leaving the negotiating table and burden Turkey with the responsibility.

Noting that after the three-party cooperation agreement with Egypt and Greece, the Greek Cypriots are preparing another three-party agreement with Greece and Israel, Ertug recalled a statement allegedly made by the Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides, according to which "we will act in fields in which we are comparatively advantageous against Turkey". He claimed that this statement reveals the Greek Cypriot side's aim of establishing "a network of hostile alliances' against Turkey and the "TRNC". Referring to the statement made by President Anastasiades in Cairo, he alleged that the Government Spokesman's so-called "confession" reveals how "unserious and insincere" President Anastasiades' statement was.

According to the international sea law, claimed Ertug, the countries' sovereign rights in their exclusive economic zones could be enacted only through an agreement with the other sides concerned. He further alleged that the Greek Cypriot side, as he described the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, cannot legally speak of any sovereign rights in Cyprus' EEZ.

"In this sense we want to draw attention to the statement made by the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus Espen Barth Eide saying that EEZ is not a part of the territorial waters and everyone could enter this area, including warships", he noted adding: "We are at the table and we expect our Greek Cypriot interlocutors to unconditionally return to the table, instead of looking for outside alliances".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu briefed PACE's media members on the Cyprus problem

Following his briefing, Eroglu also answered the questions of the media members of PACE.

[04] Bozkir on the Cyprus problem

Responding to the Greek Cypriot parliamentarians who brought the EU Council's decision of opening Turkish ports to the Greek Cypriot vessels onto the agenda, he referred to the EU Council's decision on direct trade and financial aid regulations for the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and asked "why don't you bring these to the agenda?"

Responding to another question asked by the Greek Cypriot parliamentarians regarding the existence of the Turkish army in the "TRNC", he pointed to the existence of the Greek army in the "South of Cyprus" (editor's note: the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus) and reminded that this issue had been solved on the Annan Plan but that this plan had been rejected by the Greek Cypriots.

Stating that claims that Turkey sees the "TRNC" as its backyard did not reflect the realities, Bozkir reminded that during the last EU Summit the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades had been hospitalized and the Greek Prime Minister Samaras represented "South Cyprus" at the summit.

He also stated that at a time when the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall was being celebrated, the continuation of the division of Cyprus is a disgrace and stressed the need for the two sides to return to the negotiating table.

The Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations Johannes Hahn for his part said that the Cyprus negotiations should resume from where they left off.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (online, 11.11.14) reports that Bozkir has said that he holds the EU responsible for the slow speed of Turkey's accession talks, adding that some member states are blocking it "politically".

Bozkir said that, although Turkey was "committed to the EU accession process and to the reform agenda it entails ... it is vital that the EU also properly responds to our determination".

"Unfortunately, the negotiation process is not proceeding as it ought to be. The accession process has been facing resistance particularly led by certain member states. 17 chapters are still blocked on political grounds," he claimed.

Bozkir alleged that if it were not for the blockage of the 17 chapters (- reforms in political, economic and other areas which need to be reformed in Turkey in order for it to join the European Union -) Turkey would have opened up to 28 chapters by now instead of 14 and closed about 14 instead of only one.

Out of 35 chapters, 14 chapters have been opened and 17 remain blocked, including Chapter 17 on Economic and Monetary Policy and Chapter 26 on Education and Culture, according to Bozkir.

He went on: ''If the EU says 'open 10 more chapters' we could open them in a few months''. ''So, the chapters' names have been pronounced, we are ready to open any chapter, the responsibility is on the shoulders of the European Union,'' he concluded.

[05] Commissioner Hahn: The EU expects Turkey to respect Cyprus' sovereign rights over its EEZ

Speaking at the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Committee's 75th meeting in Brussels, which Turkish EU Affairs Minister Volkan Bozkir also attended, Hahn said: "The [Turkish] government's response to the December 2013 corruption allegations has raised serious concerns regarding the independence and impartiality of the judiciary and the separation of powers. We regret the restrictive approach adopted with regard to freedom of expression, including the blanket bans on social media and the right to assembly."

Noting that while the 2014 progress report for Turkey welcomes the fact that several of these decisions could be overturned by the Constitutional Court, Hahn said: "We once again note the tendency to pass laws and decisions, including on fundamental issues for Turkish democracy, in haste and without sufficient consultations of stakeholders."

Hahn said the Commission will renew its call to the European Council to define the opening benchmarks for Chapter 23 on the judiciary and fundamental rights and Chapter 24 on justice, freedom and security. "The Commission holds that it is in the interest of both Turkey and the EU that negotiations under these two chapters open as soon as possible," said Hahn.

The Commissioner also said the EU continues to encourage Turkey to develop its foreign policy "as a complement to and in coordination with the EU and to progressively align with EU policies and positions."

In this context, Hahn said the EU expects Turkey to respect Cyprus's sovereign rights over its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and to "show restraint and to avoid any more statements or actions that could cause more friction."

"At the same time, it is very important that all parties de-escalate tension and act constructively. We stand firmly behind UN Envoy Espen Barth Eide in his efforts to get the communities in Cyprus to resume the settlement talks," he added.

[06] Nami discussed with Schulz the hydrocarbon and the Cyprus issues

As part of his contacts, Nami met with the President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz. They discussed the Cyprus problem, the negotiation process and the hydrocarbon issue.

[07] Akinci: "We can fairly share the territory, the water and the sea wealth. This should be the mentality"

Speaking during a televised program broadcast in the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci said, inter alia, the following: "This island is an island of 9 thousand square kilometer. We can fairly share the territory, the water and the wealth at the sea. This should be the mentality".

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that as a "candidate" he wishes for a solution on the Cyprus problem to be found, adding, that he will continue to exert efforts towards this direction.

Akinci said further that the Greek Cypriot side should show a positive approach on the natural gas issue and discuss it with the Turkish Cypriot side.

(AK)

[08] ATCA's "representative" in the occupied area of Cyprus conveyed a letter to the UN's Secretary-General

A delegation of "ATCA", headed by the "association's representative" in the occupied area of Cyprus Kerem Hasan, conveyed the letter to Ban through UN's officials.

In the letter, the association protests against the suspension of the Cyprus negotiation talks by the Greek Cypriot side, and demands by the international community to bring to the agenda the alternative of the two-state solution model, in case the process collapses.

In the letter, the "association" underlines further that for the tension created during the last period in the Eastern Mediterranean, the Turkish Cypriot side is not responsible but the Greek Cypriot side is and added that the Turkish Cypriot "people" are amongst the two partners in the island of Cyprus and have equal rights in the natural resources to be found.

The "association" thanked also in the letter the UN Secretary-General Special Envoy in Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide for the sincere efforts he exerts on the Cyprus negotiation talks.

Recalling the stance of the Turkish Cypriots during the Annan Plan period in comparison with the stance of the Greek Cypriot side, the "association" referred to the so-called isolation imposed in the "TRNC" and demanded the "lifting" of the so-called embargoes.

Accusing the Greek Cypriot side of unilateral oil exploration activities, the "association" points out in the letter that the Greek Cypriot side had always exerted efforts and took actions that seized the Turkish Cypriot's rights in all fields and in every chance.

Regarding the Cyprus negotiation talks, the "association" said in the letter that the Turkish Cypriots are watching with a great displeasure the maximalist demands of the Greek Cypriots. The "association" stated that these demands, like for example the return of occupied Varosha, cannot be accepted. "They demand concessions and the return of excessive land. (?). If we make concessions and return this excessive land, then chaos will be created in Cyprus and we consider that tension that will lead to a war will emerge", the association added in the letter.

(AK)

[09] Cyprus' Greens Party's bill on the hydrocarbon explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean was rejected at the Greens meeting in Istanbul

During his contacts, Candan met with the German Greens Party Co-chairman Cem Ozdemir, Europe Greens Party Co-chairman Monica Frassoni, Europe Parliamentary Greens Group Co-chairman Rebecca Harms and Greens and Left Future Party Co-spokesperson Sevil Turan.

Meanwhile, the bill, which was presented to the congress by the Greek Cypriot Greens Party about the hydrocarbon explorations in the Eastern Mediterranean and the crisis brought by it, was found inappropriate and therefore rejected by the congress.

[10] Self-styled minister of public works carried out contacts in Ankara

Following their meeting, the two men held a joint press conference.

Speaking first, Zeybekci said that he will be in the "TRNC" (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) either in December or January to carry out technical works on tourism promotion provided by his Ministry as well as on investment support and promotion.

He also said that they are aiming to carry out efforts towards supporting the Turkish investors to invest in the "TRNC" with the same conditions as they are investing in Turkey.

For his part, Tacoy said that their main aim is to further develop the "TRNC" economy and noted that their only guarantee is motherland Turkey.

As part of his contacts in Ankara, Tacoy will also meet with the President of the Turkish Information and Communication Technologies Authority Tayfun Acarer, the Deputy Prime Minister who is also in charge of Cyprus Affairs Bulent Arinc and the Turkish Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Fikri Is?k.

[11] Siber: Opposition and ruling parties should unite on the hellim issue

The chairman of the "KTSO" Ali Ciral? referred to the many problems that they are experiencing with the local cheese hellim, namely with the Greek Cypriots that are trying to register the cheese with the European Union and the Turkish firms that are producing cheese using the hellim name.

Cirali warned that "if Greek Cypriots are successful and Turkish Cypriots remain outside this registration, this will have dire consequences for the TRNC's (editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) economy".

Siber, for her part, noted that the legal proceedings are continuing on the hellim issue and said that the whole community must unite and call on the European Union to use common sense.

Explaining that a great duty fell upon the "MP's", Siber said that the opposition and the "ruling party" must unite and act as one on the hellim issue. She noted that if the Greek Cypriots are successful in their hellim endeavours this will deliver a major blow to the "TRNC's hellim exports".

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (12.11.14) reports that Cirali said at the meeting that hellim exports make up 20% of the total exports.

[12] Self-styled interior minister: "Our citizenships will be EU citizenships in the future"

"draft law" on immigration which will be presented for approval by the "assembly" in the following week.

Ulucay explained the "citizenship rights and amnesties of the resolution", and added that in order to increase the number of investments to the island and provide easy access to investors, "citizenships" under the name of investor will be provided. "If you are going to make a 5 million lira investment in north Cyprus then you can obtain a citizenship. South Cyprus is currently giving EU citizenship but the citizenship we will be giving in the future will be an EU one," he said.

Ulucay noted that children who have been born and brought up in the breakaway regime but whose parents have not obtained a "citizenship" will not be given a "citizenship" if they have passed the age of 18.

[13] Mungan: We aim at paying salaries without receiving money from Turkey

Addressing yesterday a meeting of the "parliamentary committee" on economy, finance, budget and planning, which started the discussion of the regime's budget for 2015, Mungan noted that they aim at decreasing the current expenses within 4-5 years and at not receiving money from Turkey for covering these expenses, that is, for paying the salaries of the personnel.

The "budget", which reaches 4 billion 95 million Turkish liras, is expected to be discussed for eight days at the "committee" and after the completion of this discussion, the "budget" is expected to be sent to the "general assembly" of the "parliament" on 28 November.

(I/Ts.)

[14] "KITSAB" will attend the 47th UFTAA congress in Bali

The occupation regime will be represented by the honorary "chairman" of "KITSAB" Ahmet Necati Ozkan and Ozbek Dedekorkut, member of the management board.

Ozkan, in an announcement, said that they will insist that the next congress of UFTAA is held in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Ozkan also said that they have informed the UFTAA that in case the Congress takes place in the occupied part of Cyprus, then they will have reduced air tickets, reasonable hotel rates, as well as simultaneous interpretations. Ozkan added that the place and date of the next year's Congress will be decided by the administrative board of UFTAA during the general assembly meeting in Bali, Indonesia.

Ozkan added that during the congress, the participating delegations will be briefed on the occupation regime's tourism as well as the problems that "north Cyprus" confronts with IATA (International Air Transport Association).

(AK)

[15] "Turkish Stars" to violate Cyprus' airspace for the UDI

According to the statement, a demonstration will take place above occupied Lefkosia and Karavostasi between 15.30-16.30 and another demonstration will take place in occupied Keryneia.

(AK)

[16] Turkey calls for cooperation against Israeli attacks on Al-Aqsa Mosque

"We will recommend setting up an 'International Quds Foundation' as a proposal," he told an Anadolu Agency reporter at Morocco's Casablanca International Airport on Tuesday.

The Turkish Deputy Prime Minister also said they will propose the setting-up of the 'International Quds Foundation' before the OIC member states "so that concrete efforts towards the protection of Quds' assets and heritage can be launched and made public to the international community."

"We will call upon all world states and circles that side with justice and are uncomfortable over the aggressive attitude of the Israeli government to act jointly in a sense of coalition," he said. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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