Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-12-10

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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] Erdogan and Davutoglu discuss Cyprus with Cameron

[02] Cicek asked from Jordan support on the Cyprus issue

[03] Chairman of Businesswomen's Confederation asked the support of Muslim countries on the struggle for "TRNC" independence

[04] Eroglu's policy on the Cyprus problem was criticized

[05] Sibel: Secret funds of the "presidency" can be used for lobby activities

[06] CTP "deputy" participated in the Progressive Alliance Parliamentarian Conference in Lisbon

[07] Ozersay called the "Turkish Cypriot authorities" to make a statement on Akkuyu issue

[08] Austrian Ambassador to Nicosia visited "GAU"

[09] Illegal YDU became member of ECREA and EUPRERA

[10] The "law of foreigners and immigration" entered into force

[11] "Livestock breeders union": Our animals have many illnesses because the "government" does not take any measures

[12] Data for lyceum graduates and university registers in the breakaway regime

[13] Davutoglu: Demirtas would be responsible for every drop of blood during reconciliation process

[14] Debates over the teaching of the Ottoman language in Turkey continue; Reaction statements by CHP' Deputies and Demirtas

[15] Lithuania expressed full support to Turkey's EU bid

[16] Turkey to lift visa requirements for Polish nationals

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Erdogan and Davutoglu discuss Cyprus with Cameron

In statements at a press conference after holding a 1.5-hour meeting with Cameron, Davutoglu said that when the leaders of Turkey and Britain meet, Cyprus is definitely one of the issues which they discuss. Responding to questions, Davutoglu noted that he briefed Cameron on his recent visit to Athens and added:

"As two guarantor powers, and Greece as the third guarantor power, we have a common stance in the direction of the commencement of the peace talks on the island the soonest. The commencement of the peace talks the soonest and the settlement, through dialogue, of all problems of the island by the two sides, including the natural gas resources, as well as avoiding unilateral steps, constitutes our common point of view".

The Turkish Prime Minister said that Turkey and Britain have a "very deep rooted historic past" and a "very sound cooperation", arguing that within next years this cooperation will greatly contribute to regional peace and not only to the welfare of their two peoples. Davutoglu described ISIS as a threat to the peoples of the area and the international community and underlined the need for everybody's cooperation on this issue.

In his statements, the British Prime Minister said that during their meeting they discussed Cyprus and the pressure which Turkey is experiencing on the issue of the [Syrian] refugees. He noted that Turkey is one of the biggest donors for these refugees and added that that they should do whatever they can on this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cicek asked from Jordan support on the Cyprus issue

During the meeting, which was held in Amman, Cicek said that he had very beneficial meetings during his contacts in Jordan. Referring to Jordanian-Turkish relations, he added that that they want to develop their relations more. He also noted that they should strengthen their economic relations more.

Ensour, for his part, highlighted the leading Turkish role in the regional and international political arena.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (online, 09.12.14) reports that Cicek asked from Jordan, which is a temporary member of the UN Security Council, support on the Cyprus issue.

[03] Chairman of Businesswomen's Confederation asked the support of Muslim countries on the struggle for "TRNC" independence

According to a press release issued by the Confederation, Atasoy delivered a speech in a "peace summit" in Ankara with the participation of Ambassadors in Ankara from 150 countries (Arab countries, Central Asia Turkic Republics, African and Europe countries), as well as, Turkey's powerful civil organizations.

[04] Eroglu's policy on the Cyprus problem was criticized

Addressing the "assembly", Ferdi Sabit Soyer, self-styled deputy with the Republican Turkish Party, recalled the process prior to the National Unity Party's (UBP) congress in 2012 and argued that the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu "designed" developments according to his plans for the 2015 "presidential elections". Referring to the five years of Eroglu's so-called presidency, Soyer claimed that they have never experienced a period with such explicit interferences by the Turkish Cypriot leader in the internal politics and added that such a period must never be repeated. He described the "road" followed by Eroglu both in the Cyprus talks and in the internal politics as "not being sound".

Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the main "opposition" UBP, accused "prime minister" and chairman of the CTP, Ozkan Yorganciolu of meeting with Greek Cypriot officials who "do not recognize his title". Referring to the Cyprus talks, Ozgurgun alleged that the process has been interrupted in spite of what he called Eroglu's "positive stance". Ozgurgun criticized the fact that after the interruption of the talks, Yorgancioglu met with "some Greek Cypriots" who do not recognize the "prime ministry of the TRNC". Replying to CTP "deputy" Fazilet Ozdefne's remark that Eroglu had met with the US Vice President Joe Biden who forced him ?? lower the flag of the "TRNC" and entered the "presidential palace" through the back door, Ozgurgun said that Biden recognizes Eroglu as the leader of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Huseyin Angolemli, "deputy" with the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that President Anastasiades withdrew from the negotiations "in the face of the negative developments". Referring to the return of the occupied fenced off city of Varosha to its legal owners, Angolemli noted that such a provision was included in the 1977-79 High Level Agreements and added that this issue is on the agenda, but the Turkish side says that Varosha is a part of the comprehensive solution. Noting that the Greek Cypriot side says that the exploitation of the hydrocarbon will be realized after the solution, Angolemli argued that both statements are made with the same aim.

Omer Kalyoncu, "deputy" with the CTP, referred to the decision of the UBP and the Democratic Party (DP) to support Dervis Eroglu in the forthcoming "presidential elections" and noted that after this decision these parties should not say that they want peace. He said that all parties support the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, but it is important to support them by "speaking the language which the world understands". Recalling that Eroglu had stated that he would continue the Cyprus negotiations from the point at which his predecessor, Mehmet Ali Talat, had left them, Kalyoncu noted: "He said this, but what did he do?"

Mehmet Cakici, "deputy" with the TDP, said that Eroglu's real intention is to not find a federal solution to the Cyprus problem and added that Eroglu continued negotiating because he could not leave the table. According to Cakici, it is not possible to say that the negotiating process is successfully administrated by Eroglu. He said that the recent five years of Eroglu's being at the leadership of the community were lost for Turkish Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Sibel: Secret funds of the "presidency" can be used for lobby activities

Siber stated that the most efforts put by lobbies in the international arena for the Turkish Cypriot side, the stronger their position would be at the negotiation table. She also stated that the secret funds of the "presidency" can be used for lobby activities and added that if she is elected she will use these funding for this purpose.

[06] CTP "deputy" participated in the Progressive Alliance Parliamentarian Conference in Lisbon

The conference was organized by the European Parliament Socialist Group in co-operation with the Portugal Socialist Party which hosted the event.

The paper writes that Candar held contacts in the sidelines of the conference where he evaluated the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem and in the Eastern Mediterranean.

[07] Ozersay called the "Turkish Cypriot authorities" to make a statement on Akkuyu issue

Speaking during a TV program aired on Channel Sim, Ozersay evaluated the news regarding the nuclear plant.

Replying to a question, Ozersay noted that there are lots of holes in this project and urged the "authorities" and especially the so-called ministry of environment and natural resources to make a statement regarding the issue.

Stressing the need for the issue to be discussed at the "government level", Ozersay said that the "minister of environment" has not made any comment on the issue until now.

Addressing the "ministers", Ozersay asked whether they have contacted Turkey on the issue and added: "If our country is a tourism centre, our health ministry should go directly to Turkey and communicate with them for the sake of our people's health and food safety". Ozersay also said that it is not clear what risks are awaiting us and what would happen in case of an accident.

[08] Austrian Ambassador to Nicosia visited "GAU"

Self-styled vice chairman of the board of directors of "GAU" Dr Asim Vehbi said that aim of Austrian Ambassador's visit to "GAU" is to know more regarding the "university" and to take steps that will strengthen the bonds between the universities by discussing the higher education system of Austria and "TRNC" (translator's ntoe: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).

Dr Vehbi claimed that the interest on "GAU" increases every day, adding that until today they have academic cooperation with approximately 200 international universities. He also added that "GAU"'s international vision is for the "TRNC" to become more known and the "isolation" imposed to them lifted in academic terms.

[09] Illegal YDU became member of ECREA and EUPRERA

According to the paper, the dean of the faculty Gokce Kececi stated that this is one of the important steps taken by the faculty which continues the efforts for co-operation with various universities.

[10] The "law of foreigners and immigration" entered into force

According to the "announcement", the "law" embraces all the unregistered foreigners, who are living in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Unregistered foreigners are the following: foreigners who are married to "TRNC citizens"; single children of the "TRNC citizens" who are older than 18 years old and are not "TRNC citizens"; mothers and/or fathers of the "TRNC citizens" who are not "TRNC citizens"; those who are married to foreigners who have the "white card"; older single children of foreigners who have a "white card"; spouses of the foreigners who are living in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus with a working or student permission; older single children of the foreigners who are living in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus with a working or student permission; students who have a registration right at the "TRNC universities" and spouses, mothers and fathers of registered students.

[11] "Livestock breeders union": Our animals have many illnesses because the "government" does not take any measures

Darbaz stated that the "government" did not keep the promises given to the livestock breeders who face many financial problems. He also stated that their animals have many illnesses due to the fact that the "government" does not take any measures to protect them. He said that the animals suffer from many illnesses as Brucellosis and the "authorities" do not take any action. "They just sit there watching", he stated.

[12] Data for lyceum graduates and university registers in the breakaway regime

According to the "ministry" 800 of these lyceum graduates were registered to universities.

[13] Davutoglu: Demirtas would be responsible for every drop of blood during reconciliation process

"We know about talks and contacts between the Gulen Movement and the [PKK]. The public also has a right to know" Davutoglu claimed.

(?)Touching on the reconciliation process between Ankara and Kurds that started with Justice and Development Party (AK Party) initiatives, Davutoglu said that the reconciliation process includes all actors in Turkey, including the government, in talks with different groups to successfully end the process.

Regarding the security package that was proposed by the government to prevent anti-democratic incidents and to strengthen Turkish security forces in line with EU norms, Davutoglu said that the security package prepared to prevent incidents such as the October 6-7 Kobani protests. He also warned Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) leader Selahattin Demirtas by saying: "Demirtas will be responsible for every [drop of] blood that may be shed from now on", following Demirtas's statements that the HDP will prevent the security package by taking to the streets in protest if necessary.

(?)

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (10.12.14- online in English) reported that the Peoples' Democratic Party's (HDP) Imral? Committee, with the exception of Istanbul Deputy S?rr? Sureyya Onder, visited the Kandil Mountains in Iraq to discuss the details of the meeting held between the committee and Deputy Prime Minister Yalc?n Akdogan on Monday as well as the meeting between PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan in Imral? prison on November 29 with the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK).

The committee is expected to discuss details of the 'Democratic reconciliation and negotiation draft' which was presented by PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan with the KCK. Pervin Buldan, who is one of the members of the Imral? Committee and HDP's deputy chairwoman, has stated that they are visiting the Kandil Mountains to evaluate the conclusions reached at the meetings held between the committee, the government and PKK's imprisoned leader Abdullah Ocalan.

It was reported that the committee will be holding meetings with the government when they return from the Kandil Mountain and convey the messages of KCK's administration pertaining to the draft plan. They will be visiting Ocalan afterwards to discuss the current state of events and the situation of the reconciliation process.

(?)

[14] Debates over the teaching of the Ottoman language in Turkey continue; Reaction statements by CHP' Deputies and Demirtas

Hamzacebi said that Ottoman Turkish can be proposed as an optional subject but the issue has been distorted by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The President, addressing the fifth Religion Council on Monday, apparently contradicted Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu as Erdogan announced Ottoman Turkish would be a compulsory subject whether critics like it or not, whereas Davutoglu had said the matter is just a suggestion at the moment.

CHP Deputy chairman Burhan Senatalar said THAT the debates on Ottoman Turkish and religious education have overshadowed the chronic problems of the educational system in Turkey, such as crowded classrooms, inequalities in education, the inadequacies of libraries and laboratories, a shortage of teachers and large numbers of teachers waiting to be appointed to schools.

CHP deputy Nur Serter told reporters in Parliament that the message the AK Party government wants to give with compulsory Ottoman Turkish, is that they plan to bring the Arabic alphabet back into schools as a compulsory subject despite the alphabet reform of Parliament in 1928. Serter said the suggestion of the National Education Council is a coup of the reform in 1928.

Talking to the media after the opening of the Vocational and Technical Education Quality Improvement Project (METEK) in Ankara on Tuesday, Education Minister Nabi Avc? said that the debates on Ottoman Turkish should be conducted in a civilized manner. Avc? also noted that teaching Ottoman Turkish will not be easy as it is a combination of languages.

Avoiding questions by reporters on the differing views of President Erdogan and Prime Minister Davutoglu, Avc? asked the media to pay as much attention to vocational and technical education as they do with Ottoman Turkish.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (09.12.14) reported further that the Pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-chairman Selahattin Demirtas, in an interview on Tuesday with the daily Bugun newspaper, slammed the government plans to teach the Ottoman language in compulsory classes at high schools, saying that nobody, not even the Turkish military, can force his daughter to take the course.

"It is nonsensical to make Ottoman language courses compulsory. You forced children to say the pledge of allegiance [And?m?z] for years as well, but you recently stopped that. If you try to teach it [Ottoman language] by force, nobody, even your whole army, can make my daughter enter the course", Demirtas said.

The practice of reciting the pledge of allegiance by primary and secondary school students every morning had led to resentment among the Kurdish population, as they viewed such acts in schools to be part of broader assimilation policies and ultranationalist ideology that ignore the existence of minority identities in Turkey. The practice was recently stopped by the government.

(?)

[15] Lithuania expressed full support to Turkey's EU bid

Accompanied by two Ministers and a business delegation on her visit, Grybauskaite spoke about her country's support for Turkey's EU negotiation process.

After the meeting in which two agreements ? the Memorandum of Understanding on Co-operation in the Field of European Integration and the Declaration on the Establishment of the Joint Economic and Trade Commission ? were signed, Grybauskaite and Erdogan held a press conference.

Indicating his satisfaction with Grybauskaite's visit, Erdogan said that it is a sign of relations with Baltic countries moving forward, echoing the relations between the Ottoman Empire and the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

Pointing to the two countries' alliance in NATO and common perspective on many regional issues, Erdogan said: "Turkey was among the countries that strongly supported Lithuania's NATO membership in 2004. Contributing to NATO Baltic Air Policing mission in 2006, our country still provides personnel and financial assistance to the NATO Energy Center of Excellence settled in Vilnius. I would also like to express our satisfaction and gratitude for Lithuania's support to our EU membership process" and noted that the two agreements that were signed will render this support stronger and clearer.

Expressing her gratitude for Turkey providing a substantive and permanent support for her country, Grybauskaite said: "It is important to agree about combatting the challenges in our region, to answer them timely," adding, "Our targets are not easy to deal with".

Emphasizing her country's support to Turkey's euro-integration process, Grybauskaite said: "Turkey's EU membership process is an area in which Lithuania can be helpful. ... We are always ready to share our experience".

Last month, she praised Turkey's democratic and determined attitude by stressing that Turkey is a country that has coped with crises and security issues in its region. "Turkey should have close relations with the EU because Turkey's membership will benefit both sides", she said.

(?)

[16] Turkey to lift visa requirements for Polish nationals

In statements during a joint press conference with his Polish counterpart Ewa Kopacz, following the two leaders' private meeting and a working dinner in Warsaw, Davutoglu said: "In response, Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz promised us to increase the frequency of flights between the two countries", said Davutoglu.

He stated that his Polish counterpart also pledged full support to Turkey for Schengen visa liberalization.

"We hope that the air transportation will increase and Turkish citizens will have the chance to freely move throughout Europe with the support from Poland", Davutoglu added.

Deputy PM Numan Kurtulmus, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci and Culture and Tourism Minister Omer Celik accompanied the Premier during the visit. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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