Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-05-23

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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] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the results of the parliamentary elections in the government-controlled area of Cyprus

[02] Akinci: If 2-3 issues are settled we could say that we are close to an agreement on four chapters

[03] Akinci: Next 7 months vital for peace in Cyprus

[04] UN Secretary General said that he is encouraged by the ongoing Cyprus negotiations

[05] Burcu dismisses reports on guarantees

[06] Cavusoglu announces price of water

[07] Ertugruloglu restricts the religious ceremonies to one per year to the churches in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

[08] Izmir Commerce delegation held contacts in the breakaway regime

[09] Harmanci in Istanbul for the UN World Humanitarian Summit

[10] Denktas: "We will come across a referendum this year"

[11] Talat will not seek reelection as CTP's president; CTP's charter was amended

[12] The "New Rising Movement" to become a party

[13] Erdogan gives AK Party chairman Y?ld?r?m mandate to form new government as PM

[14] Erdogan says vote on lifting immunity expresses nation's will

[15] Erdogan's chief advisor criticizes EU demands from Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the results of the parliamentary elections in the government-controlled area of Cyprus

Under the title "DISI is first again", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper reports that "DISI and AKEL, which openly support the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, finished in the two first places", while "extremist rightist ELAM entered into the parliament". The paper notes that the total percentage of the two big parties was around 56% and points out that both of them lost totally 10% of their power. Referring to the turnout, the paper writes that it was 66.64% and recalls that in 2011 this percentage had been 78% and in 2006 88%. Noting that the percentage of those who did not participate in the elections was 33.26%, Kibris writes that this was commented as that "the boycotters were the winners of the elections".

Afrika refers to "surprises" in the elections and notes that the "yes front" was weakened, the "no front" was strengthened and ELAM entered into the parliament for the first time taking two seats. According to the paper, AKEL "suffered a blow by the boycotters", who were the actual winners of the elections.

Diyalog covers the issue under the title "Dynamite to the solution" and argues that "in parallel to terrorist ELAM organization, which entered into the parliament, the votes of fascist racist parties increased and the votes of AKEL and DISI decreased".

The other newspapers cover the issue under the following titles:

Kibris Postasi: "DISI won, AKEL lost, ELAM in the parliament"

Havadis: "DISI is the winner of the elections in the south"

Kibrisli and Star: "Fascist ELAM is in the parliament"

Halkin Sesi: "Surprise by ELAM"

Vatan: "DISI is the first party in the south"

Demokrat Bakis: "DISI is the winner of the elections, ELAM in the parliament"

Detay: "Fascism rose from the dead"

Ortam: "DISI is the winner of the elections"

Yeni Bakis: "DISI was not misled"

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci: If 2-3 issues are settled we could say that we are close to an agreement on four chapters

Addressing the 30th ordinary general assembly of the Turkish Cypriot chamber of industry, Akinci argued that in 2004 they were very close to the solution and the accession to the EU but they could not do it. Noting that they should have been prepared in every field for joining the Union, Akinci said that they should have worked intensively for harmonizing their "laws" to the EU legislation and standards and added that they should make the preparation from the point they had left.

Akinci noted that they do not know how many qualified employees they could give to the federal government (in case of a solution) and how many personnel they could give to the federal police and added that they have a lot of work to do in the industry and other fields.

Referring to the property issue, Akinci said:

"We do not have the luxury of saying 'we are not ready, wait for us to get ready'. However, let no one understand that this issue was finished, and that there was an agreement. We should work with all of our strength for the solution. I am trying to do this. Have we made progress within one year? Yes we have. We did not throw in the garbage what had been done before us. Therefore, taking a basis the agreements reached before, we have advanced in four chapters. The property issue was discussed in detail for the first time. Now there is only one text in the property, not two. They are not all black. There are red which are ours, there are blue, which are the ones of the south side. However, there are also black which reflect the joint understanding. The efforts are continuing. If 2-3 elements are overcome, if some issues in the Property, Economy, the EU and the Governance and Power Sharing are settled, we could say that we came close to an agreement. If within the next few days we advance in these four chapters, we could turn into a very different format. The period after the Greek Cypriot elections until the end of the year is of vital importance".

Akinci expressed the belief that a result could be achieved by the end of 2016 if there is a political will and added that if this does not happen, it will not be the end of the world, but the procedure will become much more difficult in 2017. He alleged that it is for this reason that the Greek Cypriot side referred to a date for the first time and the end of 2016 was set as target.

Referring to the issues of natural gas, water and energy, Akinci argued that they will either bring new tensions in Cyprus and the area within the forthcoming process, or a positive climate will be created in the entire area.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Akinci: Next 7 months vital for peace in Cyprus

Akinci made the remarks during a keynote speech at a festival in occupied Famagusta. He stressed the long-lasting Cyprus problem had to come to an end, especially for future generations.

Akinci said that the following seven-month period would be significant to establish a two-side, two-community federal structure and added: "I promise that I will do my best to use that time limit in the best way." "I hope we altogether build a future in which we all live in peace without any conflicts, cooperating at maximum level and also I hope Turkey and Greece built further relationships along with Turkey and the European Union," said Akinci.

In addition, illegal Bayrak television (21.05.16) broadcast that Ak?nc? stated that: "All things come to a saturation point, and the Cyprus problem has long come to such a point". He made these statements during a meeting with representatives of the "Public Servants Trade Union (KAMU-SEN)".

Ak?nc? said that 2016 is now "the point at which saturation has been exhausted".

"On the one-year mark of the negotiations, as the two leaders we signed a joint declaration setting a time frame for the first time," he said referring to the joint statement that he and President Nicos Anastasiades issued a week ago.

"There is no precedent to this. We set 2016 as the target for a solution, and committed to this." "When I think what may happen after this [year], we might as well be squashing water. If we go into 2017 and we are still trying to negotiate, in 2018 the Greek Cypriot side will have presidential elections and they will live in that context."

If nothing happens in 2018 and talks flow into 2019, this will drag on for too long, he said. "This is why I believe all sides must realize the importance of the coming seven months ahead of us ? and I think they have," he noted.

[04] UN Secretary General said that he is encouraged by the ongoing Cyprus negotiations

[?]

Turning to Cyprus, the Secretary-General said he is encouraged by the ongoing negotiations there as the parties have expressed a commitment to intensifying efforts with the aim of reaching a comprehensive settlement agreement in 2016.

"I am confident that a peaceful reunification of Cyprus will reap real political and economic benefits," Ban said. "As someone who comes from Korea, itself a divided nation, Cyprus offers me hope for the future."

[05] Burcu dismisses reports on guarantees

The reports claimed that Ak?nc? had proposed that Turkey should remain as a guarantor power only in the north of the island should Cyprus get re-united.

Burcu who denied the reports stated that the issue of guarantees will be the last to come under the microscope in the peace process. He said that the issue was tried to be raised for discussion by various press reports.

"Everyone knows that the opposition of the Greek Cypriot side to the continuation of Turkey's guarantees is a reflection of its traditional positions and policy. More importantly everyone is aware of the special importance and sensitivity the Cyprus Turkish side attaches to the issue" he said.

Burcu also said that the issue will be discussed with the right parties at the right time through the right methods.

[06] Cavusoglu announces price of water

It is however unclear what the price consumers will be paying the municipalities for the water.

Speaking at a press conference Cavusoglu said that work to start distributing the water for public consumption was also underway.

"The 2.30TL per tonne price at which the water will be purchased by the municipalities emerged following talks with our Turkish counterparts. We plan to start supplying this water to areas where the infrastructure is complete and connected to the main pipeline as soon as possible. That includes Lefkosia, Gionelli and Lapitho", he said.

Cavusoglu also stated that the price agreed upon was acceptable for the "government".

"We would like everyone to know that the initial price requested by the Turkish officials was much higher. Bargaining started at 6.63TL and we were able to drop the price to 2.30TL" he added.

[07] Ertugruloglu restricts the religious ceremonies to one per year to the churches in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus

In statements to the paper, Ertugruloglu said that the churches will be able to conduct one religious service either on Christmas, Easter or the Name Day of the church per year. He argued that it is wrong to consider that the religious ceremonies are forbidden, they are just restricted.

Mustafa Lakadamyali, self-styled undersecretary of the foreign ministry, said that the criteria for the permissions of the religious ceremonies have been reviewed. He argued that this decision was taken in order to prevent "the exploitation of this right", adding that they have constantly requests for the "Name days" and the "police" has to take measures in the area for every religious ceremony. He explained that "police force" has to be in different churches at the same day taking security measures during the religious ceremonies. He also argued that problems were encountered when the religious icons are brought to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Lakadamyali claimed that the Greek Cypriot authorities, as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus, do not give permission to all the "TRNC citizens" to cross to the government controlled area of Cyprus, even if it is a religious ceremony. He clarified that there is not any restriction regarding the Maronites.

On the same issue, the paper reports that Serdar Atai, on behalf of the "Initiative of Famagusta" criticized this decision, saying that this is a serious blow to the constructive dialogue and to the rapprochement process in Cyprus. He added that they do not accept such chauvinism at these days where the two leaders declare full support to any kind of dialogue and the religious leaders take their most liberal stance. He noted that he believes that these religious ceremonies refresh the old friendships between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Atai concluded saying that Ertugruloglu has also damaged the positive atmosphere in Cyprus and gives previous examples.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (23.05.16) reports that the leader of the so-called Turkish Resistance organization (TMT), Yilmaz Bora, in a written statement, criticized the "Initiative of Famagusta" for criticizing Ertugruloglu. He argued that it is not possible to live with the Greek Cypriots in a United Cyprus, because the mentality of the Greek Cypriots has not changed for 53 years now.

The paper also reports that Burak Mavis, the education secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) criticized the statements both of Ertugruloglu and TMT. He said that it is shameful to attack those who use the peace language, adding that within the framework of the religious and conscious freedom, it is not possible to have a "state policy" in a modern world by restricting the permissions of the religious ceremonies. He said that this is a retrograde and racist political mentality.

(DPs)

[08] Izmir Commerce delegation held contacts in the breakaway regime

Within the framework of its contacts, the delegation met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc?, the "speaker of the parliament" Sibel Siber and "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun.

Speaking during the visits, the President of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce Ekrem Demirtas said that the aim of their visit to the "TRNC" was to examine possible prospects for investment and cooperation.

Demirtas who pointed out that Cyprus could become the region's Singapore in the event a settlement was reached on the island, stated that immovable property had no real value in a divided island and that there could be no sustainable economy in a place where investors did not come.

He stated that economic developments have a positive impact on politics.

Ozgurgun for his part said that the economic losses of a divided Cyprus were great and that they are aware that an island reunified through a settlement would enhance Cyprus' economic potential tenfold. He also claimed that the Turkish Cypriots had tried everything for a settlement.

Siber said that nothing could replace or substitute a settlement on the island. She further argued that the Turkish Cypriot side's stance in favour of a settlement is always clear and that the non-solution of the Cyprus problem did not benefit any of the two sides on the island.

[09] Harmanci in Istanbul for the UN World Humanitarian Summit

According to the paper, Harmanci was invited by the Mayor of Buyuksehir Municipality of Istanbul, Kadir Topbas. It is also reported that Harmanci was also invited directly to the summit by Stephen O'Brien, UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, as "mayor of the Nicosia Turkish Municipality (LTB)".

Topbas invited Harmanci to participate in a side event of the Summit on "core session of Mayors on the migration issue". It is expected that Harmanci will also address this meeting.

(DPs)

[10] Denktas: "We will come across a referendum this year"

Reiterating the belief that a referendum will take place in Cyprus within this year, Denktas stated the following: "It seems that we will come across a referendum within this year. We can see very obviously the insincerity of the Greek Cypriot side and provided that our sovereignty, equality and expectations are not included in the document to be set for a referendum, then the DP will have to undertake a difficult duty".

(?)

(AK)

[11] Talat will not seek reelection as CTP's president; CTP's charter was amended

Addressing yesterday the CTP's congress held for amending the party charter, Talat announced that he would be stepping down from the party's presidency at the next ordinary party congress in November. He said that when he had returned to the leadership of the party one year ago, his aim was to re-establish unity and solidarity within the party.

"We are very close to achieving that goal", he claimed.

Arguing that the disputes within the party had mostly ended and that the CTP was on the road to recovery, Talat said that the public had lost confidence and trust in the politicians which was something that needed to be addressed.

Talat also explained that his goal was for the party to achieve full unity and to come to "power" on its own. He added that he did not need to be at the head of the party for this goal to be achieved.

Some of the main amendments approved at the congress were the switch from the delegate system to a membership system and the raising of the party's gender quota from 30 to 40%.

Term limitations were also introduced as part of amendments for positions such as the party leadership, members of the "parliament", "mayors" and district chairmen.

[12] The "New Rising Movement" to become a party

The YDP is composed by illegal Turkish settlers and it is a movement which supports a two-state founding solution with Turkey's guarantees.

(AK)

[13] Erdogan gives AK Party chairman Y?ld?r?m mandate to form new government as PM

Erdogan handed Y?ld?r?m the mandate in a meeting at the presidential palace hours after the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) chose him as its new chairman at an emergency convention.

The members of the Cabinet of the 65th government is expected to be announced afterward.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) held an emergency convention on Sunday where Transport, Maritime Affairs and Communications Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m was elected as the new chairman after receiving support from 1,405 party delegates.

Y?ld?r?m, has vowed to boost efforts for the adoption of a presidential system as part of the new Constitution in line with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's demands after officially taking the reins of power from Ahmet Davutoglu at an extraordinary convention.

"The most important thing we have to do today is to turn this de facto situation into a legal one and thus end the confusion. The way to do is with a new Constitution and the presidential system within it," Y?ld?r?m said in a statement to the Justice and Development Party (AKP) at the convention on May 22.

Y?ld?r?m was the sole candidate for the leadership, replacing Davutoglu, who declared his resignation this month. Y?ld?r?m was scheduled to be given the mandate to form the new government late May 22 after Davutoglu submitted his resignation to Erdogan after the closure of the AKP convention.

In a sign of a substantial reshuffle in the Cabinet and party management, Y?ld?r?m's list for the 50-seat Central Decision-Making Body Council (MKYK) featured 26 new figures.

"My legal ties with my party might have been cut on Aug. 27, 2014, when I was elected as the President. But my bonds of love with my party have never been cut and will never be cut," Erdogan said, during the meeting .

His message went beyond a routine congratulatory one as he directly expressed his demands from the next government. "I believe this weird rule that obliged the president to cut ties with the political cadres will be soon removed in this new era as part of efforts to renew the Constitution and governance system," he said.

Erdogan also thanked Davutoglu while wishing success to the new leader and party management. Thousands of AKP members and Ministers stood up in the hall as Erdogan's message was read out by Bozdag.

Continuing the symbolism, Y?ld?r?m started his speech by respectfully saluting Erdogan as "our leader, the architect of a bright Turkey."

In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (23.05.16) reports that outgoing Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu during a farewell address at an extraordinary party convention, reiterated that he did not want to resign but was doing so for the party's unity.

"Today our party came to another crossroad. Going to this extraordinary convention after a successful election was not something I had demanded. I am also aware of the questions it has created in your conscious," Davutoglu said in a highly emotional speech. "We may bid farewell to positions and seats? but we will never bid farewell to our main cause."

Davutoglu said his only motivation in stepping down was his concern for the unity of the AKP. "

[14] Erdogan says vote on lifting immunity expresses nation's will

"What did our nation want? They said, we do not want to see traitors in this country's Parliament. And the Parliament did what the nation wanted," Erdogan said in a speech to the public in Artvin province.

His remarks came a day after the Turkish Parliament approved stripping its members of immunity from prosecution. The new bill allows the Turkish judiciary to try lawmakers for their unlawful actions especially direct or indirect support to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Turkey's Parliament has approved the bill lifting lawmakers' immunity from prosecution. In Friday's third and final vote in a secret ballot, 376 MPs in the 550-seat parliament backed the plan to lift MPs' immunity from prosecution, a high enough level of support to change the Constitution directly without needing to hold a referendum.531 MPs attended the first and second rounds of the secret ballot process, while 526 MPs voted in the second round. The bill will not be taken to a referendum as the results has standed at 367 in the final round of voting. The amenment will be presented to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for final approval, without holding a referendum as the 367 vote threshold was surpassed.

[15] Erdogan's chief advisor criticizes EU demands from Turkey

He said the EU "could not damage our fight against terrorism on this visa pretext. This is not moral or faithful to the deal." Topcu said Turkey was the country "most affected by terrorism," with many soldiers and citizens having been killed. "Unfortunately, we cannot see the necessary support from our friends [in counter-terrorism]," he added. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(CS / AM)

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