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

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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 side's Cyprus strategy will be determined during Bozkir's illegal visit; Statements on halloumi cheese by Bozkir

[02] The self-styled foreign ministry called on the Cyprus government to conduct together the works regarding the natural resources

[03] Cavusoglu said that in case of Cyprus talks' failure, they will look for other solutions

[04] Yorgancioglu on gas exploration

[05] Foreign diplomatic sources warn the Cypriots that "the last opportunity is being wasted" for solving the Cyprus problem

[06] Dr Gunsel delivered a speech at the British House of Lords

[07] Cyprus is at risk because of Akkuyu nuclear power plant

[08] Turkey asks Russia for bigger reduction in gas prices

[09] The self-styled Turkish embassy donated 100 thousand dollars to the Committee on Missing Persons

[10] Eroglu: I hope to be elected from the first round

[11] Siber: The desire of all of us is to be part of the international community with our own identity and existence

[12] Self-styled minister of transportation: "We are working on a tram project idea"

[13] Turkey: "Egypt's statement on Erdogan 'unacceptable"

[14] Davutoglu announced paid exemption from military service

[15] Turkey approves law restricting rights, damaging the judiciary

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish side's Cyprus strategy will be determined during Bozkir's illegal visit; Statements on halloumi cheese by Bozkir

Bozkir is expected to tour the occupied part of Nicosia and visit the barricade at Ledra Street-Lokmaci area.

Nami, who received Bozkir at the illegal Tymbou airport, said that he is happy with seeing Bozkir in Cyprus, noting that Bozkir "knows the Turkish Cypriot people very closely" and offered "great support" to them from the various posts he has served. Nami said that today they will discuss the Cyprus problem and the support which the Turkish Cypriots can offer to Turkey as regards its EU accession process.

In his statements, Bozkir said that they are at an important point [as regards the Cyprus problem and the EU accession course], noting that the Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu will visit Athens this weekend and three important EU Commissioners will visit Turkey next week. Furthermore, he added, the British and Italian Prime Ministers will also visit Turkey next week. "Before all these meetings, I came to the island in order to reexamine our situation, discuss some matters on the situation in the Cyprus negotiations and share some common views regarding both TRNC's and Turkey's EU accession process", he said.

Meanwhile, according to Kibris Postasi newspaper (03.12.14, on line, in English) Bozkir met earlier today with Siber, who stated that she will share with Bozkir "crucial issues" experienced during the halloumi-hellim cheese's registration process.

After the meeting Bozkir said that Turkey is showing "great care" to the issue of halloumi-hellim, and that next week the issue will come onto the agenda at a meeting in Turkey, which will be attended by some international representatives. Bozkir added: "We are going to hold this meeting and we will be there for north Cyprus. Do not have any concerns; we are going to bring this issue to the agenda as if you also present there."

(I/Ts.)

[02] The self-styled foreign ministry called on the Cyprus government to conduct together the works regarding the natural resources

The press announcement issued by the "foreign ministry" is the following:

"The Minister of Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism of the Greek Cypriot Administration of South Cyprus (translator's note: Minister of Energy, Trade, Industry and Tourism of the Republic of Cyprus) has made a joint statement with his Greek and Egyptian counterparts on 25 November 2014 following their meeting regarding the hydrocarbon reserves in the Eastern Mediterranean. These actions and continuing one-sided initiatives of the Greek Cypriot side taken on a platform at which the Turkish Cypriot side lacks representation implies that the Greek Cypriot leadership is disregarding the equal and inherent rights of the Turkish Cypriot 'people' over the hydrocarbon reserves and does not consider as a priority the resumption of the negotiation process, which it has abandoned by showing this issue as an excuse.

We deem is necessary to emphasize once again that the Turkish Cypriot 'people', as one of the two equal partners on the island of Cyprus, have equal and inherent rights over the existing natural resources within the maritime jurisdiction area of the Island, and that they have as much of a say as the Greek Cypriot leadership over all decisions to be taken regarding the exploration, exploitation and exportation of the hydrocarbon reserves.

As the Turkish Cypriot side, we are of the firm belief that all work related to the assessment of the natural resources around the Island, which belong equally to both communities, should be conducted within the framework of the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side made in 2011 and 2012 and which still stand, rather than through one-sided initiatives, until a comprehensive settlement is reached. With this goal in mind, the expectation of the Turkish Cypriot side continues to be for the Greek Cypriot side to respect the progress achieved until today and to urgently resume the structured negotiations without any preconditions as expressed in the joint declaration agreed by the two leaders on 11 February 2014."

[03] Cavusoglu said that in case of Cyprus talks' failure, they will look for other solutions

In an interview to the paper's journalist Tulu Gumustekin during his flight to Brussels on Monday night for the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting, asked to comment on one of the most frequent questions, how Turkey can get rid of the most difficult situation, which has embroiled herself into, with South Cyprus (translator's note: as the Republic of Cyprus is referred to), Cavusoglu said that Turkey is at the negotiation table on the Cyprus issue and is determined to work on the solution process. Cavusoglu, making a major important statement, stated that both Turkey and the UN General Secretariat perceive that these negotiations as the last chance. If this time, the "South Cyprus" takes a negative stand on the Cyprus settlement, then it seems like Turkey will come up with thoroughly other solutions, Cavusoglu added. He also said that possibly Israel also affecting these developments, stayed in the position to announce that the Israeli war vessels only visited the ports and they did not make a joint military manoeuvre with "South Cyprus".

Cavusoglu claimed that Greece's effectiveness on the Cyprus issue has been increased lately, adding, however, that whatever country was, it would see Turkey as the necessary side of all the countries in the region to take always steps and to make first concessions. He also said that Turkey's important symbolic openings cannot produce a solution when there is not a mutual response.

[04] Yorgancioglu on gas exploration

Yorgancioglu also said that they had proposed to conduct joint exploration once a federal settlement is reached to the Cyprus problem.

Speaking to reporters yesterday, Yorgancioglu said that there is an accepted view that all resources in Cyprus and its surrounding areas is the property of all inhabitants of the island. "If we accept these views which even the Greek Cypriots accept we propose that hydrocarbon exploration should be conducted together with Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots as and when a federal settlement is reached on the island" he said.

He also said that a joint company could be set up to oversee the gas exploration if the Republic of Cyprus was insistent on going ahead with exploration before a settlement is reached. "We do not approve of the Greek Cypriots going ahead with gas exploration without our permission or approval" said Yorgancioglu.

[05] Foreign diplomatic sources warn the Cypriots that "the last opportunity is being wasted" for solving the Cyprus problem

The source said, inter alia, the following: "Let no one think that the interest of the international community for the problem is permanent. The international community is fed up with dealing with the problem. [?] The sides are negotiating in order for taking something. Especially the Turkish side has created disappointment on this issue. The sides turned the negotiations into a platform at which they achieved to impose their own arguments and show this to their own voters. On the other hand, questions exist as to whether Turkey wants to cooperate with its neighbors on the issue of sharing the seas in Eastern Mediterranean".

Other questions, the diplomat added, concern the issues of whether it is just for the Turkish Cypriots to possess 37% of the island and settlers from Turkey to be carried to the northern part of Cyprus. The diplomat noted that the solution of the Cyprus problem will eliminate the existing risks, which the Cypriots will also feel in case the non-solution continues.

"In order for the implementation of any result except federation to be possible, it should be accepted by both sides", the diplomat added.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Dr Gunsel delivered a speech at the British House of Lords

Delivering a speech at the British House of Lords on December the 1st after a special invitation the House of Lords, Dr Gunsel said that they have reached a high level on the education and health fields in the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and that they do not have to go abroad anymore. He also explained the achievements of the "YDU" in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and abroad.

Meanwhile, during a meeting with Lord John Kevin Sharkey, member of the Liberal Democrats of the British Parliament and member of the House of Lords, Dr Gunsel was presented with an award for his contribution to the education and health of the Turkish Cypriot community by Baroness Meral Huseyin Ece.

The paper reports that a meal was hosted by Lady Butterworh for Dr Gunsel in the special restaurant of the House of Lords. During the meal, the representative of the breakaway regime Oya Tuncali, officials from the "TRNC representative office" and officials from Turkey's Embassy in London were also present.

[07] Cyprus is at risk because of Akkuyu nuclear power plant

Moreover, Armagan Candan, "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), told the paper that the European countries started abandoning the nuclear energy and closing their nuclear power plants. The reason for this, he noted, are the very disastrous results of possible accidents for both the people and their economy. Referring to Akkuyu nuclear power plant, he said: "Just like when in the Chernobyl disaster a very broad area had been influenced, the same thing is on the agenda here as well. It is definite that the entire Cyrus is at risk. The entire Cyprus will very easily be influenced".

Furthermore, Devin Bahceci, responsible of the Greenpeace organization, pointed out that it is not known who will bear the responsibility in case of a possible accident and added that with the approval of the environmental influence assessment (CED) report they will launch a legal procedure.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Turkey asks Russia for bigger reduction in gas prices

"No one could envisage that Turkey and Russia could make such progress in relations in such a short time span. Our trade volume has increased to $32 billion and during yesterday's meetings we made constructive decisions for the future. As you know, the decision to decrease the gas prices by 6% was announced by Putin. But after the press conference we told him this reduction is not sufficient. Talks will continue," Davutoglu said during his parliamentary group meeting on Dec. 2.

Turkish officials have not announced the exact amount of reduction they seek, but according to Russian officials Turkey expects a 15% reduction in gas prices. Turkey is Russia's second largest natural gas market.

Before Davutoglu spoke on Dec. 2, Energy Minister Taner Yildiz said that talks on the natural gas prices will continue between the two countries' state companies and energy ministries aiming to reach a final compromise on the issue. Russia and Turkey have already agreed to increase Russia's volume of natural gas up to 3 billion cubic meters starting from Jan. 1, 2015.

[09] The self-styled Turkish embassy donated 100 thousand dollars to the Committee on Missing Persons

The self-styled Turkish ambassador to occupied Lefkosia Halil Ibrahim Akca gave the donation cheque to Committee on Missing Persons Turkish Cypriot Member Gulden Plumer Kucuk who visited the "embassy". Speaking during the event Kucuk stated that Turkey donates around 100 thousand dollars every year to the Committee expressing her gratitude in the name of the Committee on Missing Persons

[10] Eroglu: I hope I will be elected from the first round

Eroglu during his visit to UBP evaluated the Cyprus problem and said that he hopes that he will be elected from the first round of the "elections". He also said that the Turkish Cypriots will experience many difficulties in the coming five years.

During his visit to DP Eroglu thanked the party for its support adding that the "elections" are about those who believe in the "TRNC", want to safeguard its soil and for those who want to live in safety.

[11] Siber: The desire of all of us is to be part of the international community with our own identity and existence

Siber, attending a programme at Kanal Sim, said that she would be a "president", who will embrace the whole community, who will negotiate for the community and that she believes believes in solution and peace.

Siber also said that the desire of all of them is to be part of the international community with their own identity and existence.

[12] Self-styled minister of transportation: "We are working on a tram project idea"

"We do not only have works to do with bus transportation but also different means of transportations," he said. Tacoy stated that among the projects there was the tram rail system project whose procedures were continuing. He also said that the project works are going to commence in 2015, and for this purpose a technical team from the Istanbul Municipality are continuing their feasibility works currently together with the "ministry".

[13] Turkey: "Egypt's statement on Erdogan 'unacceptable"

The ministry said in a statement that all allegations about Erdogan were unacceptable and did not fit within diplomatic norms. Turkey has repeatedly called on the Egyptian regime "to meet its own people's demands for genuine democracy, equality and freedom". "However, it is observed that Egypt's pro-coup executives have been asserting unacceptable claims against our country as an indication to their guilty conscience and incapability," the Turkish ministry's statement said.

Egypt condemned Monday Erdogan's statement about the situation in the Arab country. Last year, Turkey and Egypt downgraded their diplomatic relations.

[14] Davutoglu announced paid exemption from military service

There are reportedly 800,000 people awaiting paid military service and, reportedly, men have vehemently demanded that the age limit be decreased to 25. The requirement to pay TL 30,000 ($13,600) for an exemption from mandatory service is also considered to be too high by many.

[15] Turkey approves law restricting rights, damaging the judiciary

The law will empower the police and prosecutors with sweeping powers in search, seizure, detention and arrests, while significantly restricting the rights of the defence for suspects. The bill provides new and expansive powers to the already-controversial system of penal judges of peace, which was hastily introduced following graft probes that went public on Dec. 17 and 25 and implicated senior government officials. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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