Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-04-13

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "For the first time Germany shows such an interest to the Cyprus problem"

[02] Akinci: The cost of the non-solution will be higher than the cost of the solution

[03] Akinci: "We want to cooperate with all EU member countries"

[04] Ozgurgun is expected to submit the new "cabinet list" by Saturday

[05] Talat says that the CTP rejected the privatization of the "electricity authority"

[06] HP: Issues which are not related to the economy should not be included in the "economic protocol"

[07] Aktig: "The political instability in the TRNC affects negatively the tourism sector"

[08] Cavusoglu called on the Islamic States to support the breakaway regime, calling the negotiations the last chance for solution

[09] Davutoglu: The Turkish Airlines will shorty start conducting direct flights from the Turkish city of Sanliurfa to the illegal Tymbou airport

[10] Turkey is expecting visa-free travel in EU by June

[11] Children from various countries to participate in the "18th International 23rd April Children Festival"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci: "For the first time Germany shows such an interest to the Cyprus problem"

In a statement outside the German Federal Parliament (Bundestag) following a meeting with Steinmeier, Akinci said that a very constructive meeting was held with Steinmeier and that they had the opportunity to evaluate the current situation of the negotiating process.

Stressing that he travelled to Germany upon the invitation of Steinmeier, Akinci said that the Turkish Cypriot side is one of the two equal sides of federal Cyprus and the development of relations from today will be beneficial.

Commenting on the election which will be held in the "Greek Cypriot side" (translator's note: he refers to the Parliamentary elections of the Republic of Cyprus), Akinci argued that even though the Greek Cypriot side says that the elections will not influence the negotiations, it has slowed down the process.

Akinci said: "Everyone can see that there is a slowdown in the negotiation process. If we want to turn 2016 into a year of peace, we need to enter into a quicker process as of the end of May. We are determined on this matter".

Upon a question whether the reunited East and West Germany model has been used as an example in the negotiations in order to find a solution to the Cyprus problem, Akinci said that the Cypriots are trying to solve the problem considering the sui generis reality of the Cyprus issue, however, they can benefit from the experiences of other countries.

Asked to comment on the statement by Turkish Minister for European Affairs Volkan Bozkir saying "despite many years have passed over the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Cyprus problem has not been resolved yet", Akinci argued that the Turkish Cypriots have done their part to demolish the wall in the referendum held for the solution of Cyprus problem in 2004, and added that the Turkish Cypriots are not the reason for the wall still standing.

Claiming that "the Turkish Cypriots opened holes on the existing wall" by removing the "visa requirement" for those who pass to the "Turkish Cypriot side" (translator's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), Akinci concluded by saying: "Our wish is to remove this wall completely, and this will not be done with the effort of a single side. Both sides should do their parts and this time we will get two 'yes' votes at the referendum".

(DPs)

[02] Akinci: The cost of the non-solution will be higher than the cost of the solution

Addressing a panel discussion organized by the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Akinci evaluated the Cyprus talks and answered questions regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 13.04.16) reports that Akinci, explaining that the Cyprus negotiations process has been continuing for over 30 years and that this is probably the last chance for a federal solution to be formed in Cyprus, warned that if an agreement is not reached then, next year the two "peoples" on the island will further distance themselves from one another.

Referring to the large amounts of natural gas resources located close to the island of Cyprus, Akinci said that with wide cooperation that will include Israel, natural gas could be sent to Europe via Cyprus and Turkey and all regional countries could benefit from this. "There is a great opportunity for cooperation in the region. This cooperation could strengthen relations between Israel, Cyprus, the EU and Turkey and at the same time contribute greatly to the solution process on the island", Akinci said and added that currently Turkey is the only country that fully supports the "TRNC" and that the solution of the Cyprus issue will assist Turkey's EU membership process.

Asked to comment on the effects the coalition government to be formed in the "TRNC" will have on the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that the "coalition government" to be formed will have less support compared to the previous "coalition government" but expressed the belief that this will not affect the negotiations process. Akinci said that he is sure the "new coalition government" will support the Cyprus talks. "All the parties in the parliament have openly given their support to the February 11 2014 joint statement," he said.

Noting that progress has been achieved at the Cyprus negotiations but that difficulties remained on issues such as territory and property, Akinci said that the financial issues cannot be solved by Turkish Cypriots or Greek Cypriots alone, the support of the EU and the international community is also needed to solve financial problems.

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.04.16), talks on the reunification of Cyprus may see a breakthrough later this year, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci said on Tuesday. "It may be seen as an ambitious date to talk about 2016 but if we continue with this determination after the elections on the Greek Cypriot side, we can have the breakthrough, we can conclude an agreement on the main principles", Akinci said in Berlin.

Greek Cypriots will hold an election in May and Akinci said that he hoped both sides will achieve further progress on the settlement, leaving minor details to next year. "If we conclude everything within months on the political side, on the basic principles, on the territory issue, on the security issue, property and other remaining main issues, then it is not very important, if we extend into 2017 certain other parts that will be worked out," he said.

(DPs)

[03] Akinci: "We want to cooperate with all EU member countries"

When Akinci said that the Cyprus problem is a serious problem for Turkey's accession process to the EU, he was asked to comment regarding the influence of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the policy of the Turkish Cypriots. Akinci replied that they are working with the Greek Cypriot leader Nico Anastasiades for the reunification of Cyprus.

Asked about his expectations from his Berlin visit, Akinci said that he believes that not only a solution to the Cyprus problem will constitute a good example in the turbulent region, but it will also contribute to the improvement of the relations between Turkey and Greece as well as Turkey and the EU. Akinci added that the EU has declared its readiness to support the solution and within this framework he was pleased receiving the invitation from the German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. Akinci further said: "As the Turkish Cypriot leader, I want to cooperate with all the EU member countries".

(DPs)

[04] Ozgurgun is expected to submit the new "cabinet list" by Saturday

According to information acquired by UBP, Ozgurgun, together with the efforts to form a new "government", will exert efforts for the signing of the "economic protocol" with Turkey without any delay.

Meanwhile, the central committee of the UBP will convene again on Friday in order to evaluate the developments, writes the paper.

(AK)

[05] Talat says that the CTP rejected the privatization of the "electricity authority"

Referring to the "electricity authority" issue, Talat said that the division of the functions of this "authority" and the privatization of the distribution and revenue collection were on the agenda during the term of their "government", but the CTP rejected this. Talat noted that electricity is a strategic field and this strategic field should not be given to the private sector. "We have experiences on this issue, the prices increased", he said adding:

"Even Turkey had re-established the Meat and Fish Agency, in spite of that big competitive environment, in spite of the existence of thousands of butchers, of thousands of companies which produce meat. We are a small place. The two companies agree on the price at a dinner one night. They increase it and monopoly emerges. We saw these in the past. We are seeing them today as well [?]".

Referring to the "judiciary" issue, Talat noted that there are a lot of demands on this issue and expressed the view that the correctness of the inclusion of the "judiciary" in the "economic protocol" is something which can be debated. Talat said that the "judiciary" in the occupied area of the island needs money, new buildings and infrastructure, adding that his party had prepared some proposals on the issue together with the "high judiciary committee".

Commenting on the allegations that the recently established People's Party (HP) of Kudret Ozersay will gain ground in possible "early elections", Talat said that the HP is a right-wing party and wondered whether we have clearly seen the positions of this party on the Cyprus problem. He recalled that Ozersay had been the negotiator of former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu and argued that Ozersay was the one conducting the negotiations.

"All statements were made by Mr Ozersay", he noted arguing that this led us to the point we are today. Talat added: "Look, the negotiator now is Ozdil Nami. How many statements he has made? Is the duty of the negotiator to make statements? Even this is showing what the wish or the desire of the people is. Please, let our people evaluate this [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[06] HP: Issues which are not related to the economy should not be included in the "economic protocol"

The party said it does not find correct the inclusion of issues having no "direct or indirect relation" with the economy in the draft of the protocol and expressed the belief that a "government" which will not take the strong support of the "people" will not be able to make the changes which will overcome the worries as regards the draft of the "protocol".

Referring to the issues of dividing the "electricity authority" into three separate companies for production, transfer and distribution of electricity, the party expressed the view that this will cause further increase of the prices of the provided services.

According to the HP, the most realistic solution for the telecommunications in the occupied area is a model in which a percentage of local partners and local employees will participate and the tax will be paid to the "TRNC" on the basis of sharing the income and the investments needed to be made.

The statement notes that any changes in the "judiciary" should be made after the members of the "judicial organs" are informed and their views and opinions are taken. The party said it opposes to the change of the existing Anglo-Saxon "judicial system" and its substitution with another system, adding that all the elements which are tantamount to this development should be taken out of the "protocol".

The party argues also that it cannot understand who and why felt the need to abolish the so-called "state planning organization", adding that it sees "insincerity in a work carried out behind closed doors without the government informing even the undersecretaries it had appointed".

The party expressed also the view that the issue of whether a public private partnership is necessary for the occupied ports should be debated.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Aktig: "The political instability in the TRNC affects negatively the tourism sector"

Pointing out to the fact that they cannot make long-term planning in the tourism sector due to the fact that tourism is bounded to politics, Aktig stressed the need for the "tourist organizations" to become independent.

"Every year the minister of tourism changes and because of this we cannot make long-term planning. All developed countries make a five year planning for their tourism and set goals. In our country, we cannot make long-term plans since our ministers change constantly", Aktig said, adding, that all the sector's representatives will exert efforts to succeed no matter which party or "minister" comes to power.

(AK)

[08] Cavusoglu called on the Islamic States to support the breakaway regime, calling the negotiations the last chance for solution

"We have been given a very important opportunity. We hope that we will be benefited from it because this chance is at the same time the last chance", Cavusoglu stated.

He also called on the Islamic States to support the "TRNC".

(CS)

[09] Davutoglu: The Turkish Airlines will shorty start conducting direct flights from the Turkish city of Sanliurfa to the illegal Tymbou airport

(CS)

[10] Turkey is expecting visa-free travel in EU by June

Bozkir said that the EU Commission will release a report early May on the visa agreement. "We expect that the Commission report will be positive and they will express opinion for removing the visa", he said at a news conference in Amsterdam. "All the developments are advancing in this direction. "Following that, the topic will be presented before term president the Netherlands. It is the Netherlands that will organize the Council's decision. We talked about this. Then it will go to Parliament and the decision? will be finalized".

He said that the necessary legislation will be finalized by the end of April. A decision to open Chapter 33 on financial and budgetary provisions will also be taken soon to speed up Turkey's EU accession.

[11] Children from various countries to participate in the "18th International 23rd April Children Festival"

According to the paper, children from Turkey, Latvia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Kirgizstan and from the London Schools of Turkish Language and Culture will participate in the festival.

(CS) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(DPs/AM)

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article