Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-10-27

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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] Akinci describes the meetings in Switzerland as "turning point" for the Cyprus problem noting that no political parties will participate

[02] Akinci: "Anastasiades must decide to either lead his community with a solution or become one of the presidential candidates in a divided Cyprus"

[03] Reddediyoruz Platform called on the Turkish Cypriots to go out to the streets against the "coordination office for youth and sports"

[04] CHP's vice chairman to hold a series of contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus on the Cyprus problem

[05] Greek Cypriot teacher is reportedly banned from crossing to the occupied area of Cyprus after "instructions" by the occupation army

[06] Turkish origin politicians accuse the Revival Party of creating separatism among the people in the "TRNC"

[07] 18 "conditional citizenships" were annulled

[08] Atun: "We are ready to share both the water and electricity to be transferred from Turkey with the Greek Cypriot side, if it is demanded"

[09] Benli asked from the Council of Europe to monitor also the "Turkish Cypriot municipalities"

[10] Obama held a phone conversation with Erdogan; They discussed Turkey's contributions to anti-Daesh fight

[11] Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia to expand their free trade agreement

[12] Albayrak suggested East Mediterranean natural gas to serve as alternative; Statements on the Turkish Stream

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci describes the meetings in Switzerland as "turning point" for the Cyprus problem noting that no political parties will participate

In statements in the occupied area of the island last night after his five-hour meeting with President Anastasiades, Akinci said that the meeting in Switzerland will be "next to last" and that "we have 45 more days".

According to the paper, the "Switzerland Marathon" will take place between 7 and 11 November at Mont Pelerin area and Akinci will leave for Switzerland on 6 November escorted by his delegation.

Under the title "'We have reached the end now'", Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (27.10.16) reports that Akinci said that "we have reached the end now" and describing as "of vital importance" the meeting in Switzerland, he added:

"The meeting in Switzerland is of vital importance. All chapters including the territory will be discussed. We will hold meetings day and night in Switzerland because we will not have any other job. It will be a meeting of vital importance for realizing the commitment we have for [a solution] by the end of 2016. We are determined to leave a better future for the communities in the island and the young generations. Our equality, freedom and security are important. We want this for the other community as well. We have in hand the necessary elements for a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. Switzerland [meeting] will lead us to the final station. Afterwards we will enter into the last crossroads where the guarantors will also be present. We have 45 days in front of us. Therefore, the stage of the five-party conference will come onto the agenda after Switzerland. There could be a 'road accident' any time and therefore being cautious is always useful. However, the fact that we have taken the decision for Switzerland is a positive development. We will go with hope and good will. I hope that we will return with good results for all Cyprus and for everyone whatever his origin is. We think that we have now come to the end".

Recalling that in the written statement issued upon an agreement between both sides the UN said that the territory will be discussed interrelated to the other unsolved issues in Switzerland, Akinci argued: "Knowing that the final shape will be given at the last five-party conference and without forgetting this, we want the exchange of views on the issues of security and guarantees as well".

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (27.10.16) also reports that replying to questions, Akinci said that in case the process in Switzerland is successful, they will be more optimistic in the next stage of the negotiations. He noted that if an agreement is reached in 2016, some chapters may remain for 2017 and after the plan is explained to the people, a referendum in June-July 2017 will be possible.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci: "Anastasiades must decide to either lead his community with a solution or become one of the presidential candidates in a divided Cyprus"

"I am not saying it to sadden Anastasiades, but I want to really underline it. Anastasiades must decide for one thing. He will either historically lead his community with the solution or become one of the presidential candidates in the south of a divided Cyprus. I am not sure whether he has taken a clear decision in this sense. [?] We are sincere in the 2016 target. If everyone is sincere, it means that the time left is little, taking into consideration the vacations which will come as of the mid-December. We have 1,5 month left. People who have the will and the target for a solution are ready for definitely taking place in a five-party conference within 1,5 month. [?]"

Noting that only principles have been discussed until now on the chapter of territory, Akinci said:

"The Greek Cypriots expressed their known views. We also expressed our views. Neither a map nor percentages or places were discussed. Efforts will be exerted for these issues to be concluded within the forthcoming 45 day period. [?] The Greek Cypriot side is not yet saying openly and clearly that it accepts the rotating presidency. I have said it openly and clearly that I cannot submit in front of my community a text which does not include the rotating presidency. This is an important element of the political equality. I am sincere on this [?]".

Alleging that from time to time the Greek Cypriot side falls short on the issue of showing empathy, Akinci argued that from time to time they see this empathy, but they cannot see it "on some points which are the substance of a federation".

Claiming that he sees some different approaches on the issue of the Turkish Cypriots' effective participation in the decision making mechanisms, Akinci alleged that "the state has been turned into a unitary state with a single community" and that the Greek Cypriot side "cannot abandon easily a habit of 53 years".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Reddediyoruz Platform called on the Turkish Cypriots to go out to the streets against the "coordination office for youth and sports"

Underlining that the issue will be sent again to the "assembly" for discussion on Friday, the Platform called the Turkish Cypriots to resist and addressing the "government", called it to "avoid coming across the youth".

The Platform warned that if the "government" insists on the establishment of the "office", they will "escalate their struggle in order to secure the democratic structure of the community and the country not to be plunged into darkness".

(AK)

[04] CHP's vice chairman to hold a series of contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus on the Cyprus problem

According to information acquired, Yilmaz's visit will take place today and tomorrow. Yilmaz is expected to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, "the deputy speaker" of the so-called assembly Huseyin Avkiran, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami and with representatives of Turkish Cypriot political parties.

In a statement to Ankara Anatolia's correspondent, Yilmaz stated that the aim of his visit is to exchange views and be informed about the current phase of the ongoing Cyprus negotiation process.

Pointing out that he will further discuss the situation of the Turkish Cypriots, Yilmaz added: "We will convey to our interlocutors that the CHP is always by the side of the TRNC and the Turkish Cypriots and that it supports the efforts for reaching to a fair and comprehensive solution on the Cyprus problem. We want to show to the Turkish Cypriots that they are not alone", Yilmaz said.

(AK)

[05] Greek Cypriot teacher is reportedly banned from crossing to the occupied area of Cyprus after "instructions" by the occupation army

"However, the above-mentioned woman has no relation with ELAM. It is possible to verify this from many sources", writes the columnist.

Pointing out that a second allegation by the "foreign ministry" is that Koukoutsika was provoking the students living in occupied Rizokarpaso. Noting that he investigated these allegations, Ozdag writes:

"The mayor of Rizokarpaso, Suphi Coskun says that Alexandra is a quiet, calm teacher, and that she had no problem with the people of the area and she was not involved in any incident. Coskun has even conveyed in writing to the competent ministry this view, he said. [?] Suphi Coskun, who points out that the mother of the above-mentioned person Erato Zaharia is also living in Rizokarpaso, wants from the foreign ministry to explain the reasons of its security claim. I called and asked the foreign ministry, which put forward these claims and banned the woman from crossing to the north. No clear information was given. [?] However I obtained some information.

First of all, let me note the following: The 'negative report' which prevents Alexandra from crossing to the north, has been prepared by the army. [?] The issue has actually absolutely nothing to do with the woman's security problem. It is said that the problem is based on another very personal issue. Of course this is an allegation. As a result, Alexandra Koulia Koukoutsika cannot cross over to the north for almost two months and cannot reach her 84-year-old mother. A shame is actually experienced here. We should examine carefully the security report submitted to the foreign ministry and it is said to be negative. Who complained about Alexandra Koulia Koukoutsika? Is the issue a private one as it is alleged? If the issue is a private one, how the army and especially the foreign ministry interfered on this issue? If Alexandra had a situation and behavior which would create a security problem (something which the people of the area very clearly say that does not exist), which are the concrete data for this? The institution which should reply to these and similar questions is the TRNC ministry of foreign affairs. I think that putting a ban on a person's right of free movement should not be so easy. And if there is a mistake (and it seems that there is), it should be corrected the soonest. It is obvious that there is no place for such mistakes especially during these days, when we are building peace. [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[06] Turkish origin politicians accuse the Revival Party of creating separatism among the people in the "TRNC"

Kenan Akin, former minister of agriculture of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus (implicated to the murder of Solomos Solomou in 1996) and Hamit Bakirci, self-styled deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP), commenting on the issue to the paper, said that the separation on the ground of ethnic origin is not correct.

Bakirci claimed: "We are all TRNC citizens and live in the TRNC. This should be known. For this reason, why should we be divided on ethnic origin? It cannot happen".

Akin argued that it is not ethic the Turkish origin people (settlers) to establish their own party. He said that the YDP, after its establishment announced that they do not address only the people of Turkish origin, adding that the existence of such party in the TRNC creates troubles to Turkey and for this reason they closed their party in the past.

(DPs)

[07] 18 "conditional citizenships" were annulled

The lawyer Urun Solyali, told the paper that the "conditional citizenships" were annulled by the "council of ministers" the previous day, adding that today they will file an application again to the "supreme administrative court" for another 40 "citizenships", which were specified as "illegal and conditional".

Tufan Erhurman, self-styled deputy with the CTP, accused the "government" of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus that its incompetence and unlawfulness is continuing.

The paper also publishes the names of those whom their "citizenships" were annulled.

(DPs)

[08] Atun: "We are ready to share both the water and electricity to be transferred from Turkey with the Greek Cypriot side, if it is demanded"

Stating that even though electricity is expensive in Turkey, electricity will be certainly transferred to the "TRNC" from Turkey via cables. He further announced that the price of electricity will be increased as of next week.

Accusing the "Turkish Cypriot Electricity Authority" ("KIB-TEK") and also some "deputies" for utilizing the issue for political purposes, Atun assured the workers at ("KIB-TEK") that they will not be damaged. "It is out of question for the electricity authority to close down. We want the continuation of the function of the Turkish Cypriot organization even after the solution", stated Atun.

Underlining the important steps taken by Turkey in the recent years in the energy field, Atun argued that Turkey is moving towards becoming an energy basis in the region.

Referring to the "energy cooperation agreement" signed between Turkey and the occupation regime, Atun claimed that the electricity to be transferred from Turkey via cables will be both cheap and environment friendly.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (27.10.16) reports that Atun, in statements during an event organized in occupied Keryneia, said that the "agreement" with Turkey in the field of energy is very important for the increase of the energy diversity of the "country". He further argued that if there is a demand by the Greek Cypriot side, they are ready to share both the electricity as well as the water transferred from Turkey. "We give a friendly hand to them. Providing that they want to hold this hand of peace. We are ready for any kind of cooperation", Atun alleged.

Supporting that together with Turkey they prepared their "water and energy policies" for their development for the next 50 years, he recalled that the water transferred from Turkey has been distributed all across the "TRNC" and added that it will cover their needs for the next 50 years. "It is not only for the TRNC, if necessary, we are ready to sell water to the Greek Cypriot side. This is our vision. In extension of this agreement, we have signed the energy cooperation agreement and the electricity interconnection with Turkey. Not only we will be able to take electricity from Turkey, but also we will try to make use of the region's energy resources in the future", Atun further argued.

(?)

(AK)

[09] Benli asked from the Council of Europe to monitor also the "Turkish Cypriot municipalities"

Addressing the general assembly of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, Benli asked that the Turkish Cypriot "local authorities" to be viewed under a "condition of the European Local Administration". He further argued that they took promises from the Rapporteur for the opening of the process of the "self-government condition of the European local administrations", besides the evaluation and supervision of the local democracy in the northern part of Cyprus and the creation of a timetable towards this.

Benli further argued that the presentation of the Cyprus report under the title "Local democracy in Cyprus" referring only to the "South Cyprus" (translator's note: the government controlled area of the Republic of Cyprus) was not fair, adding that he had intense meetings.

Benli and his accompanied delegation met with Jean-Philippe Bouzouls, Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Local Authorities of the Council of Europe and conveyed to him their expectations.

Recalling the Resolution 170 (2004) of the Council, in which the Turkish Cypriot local representatives would have participated in all the committees, Benli argued that the resolution manifested that closed contacts would have also established with the northern part of Cyprus (translator's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), asked these relations to be furthered more.

Benli, in his address, also asked from the Council to monitor also the Turkish Cypriot "municipalities".

(DPs)

[10] Obama held a phone conversation with Erdogan; They discussed Turkey's contributions to anti-Daesh fight

According to the statement, the two leaders discussed a number of regional issues.

They both agreed to continue to fight Daesh, especially in Syria and Iraq, and highlighted the importance of denying the PKK terror group a safe haven in northern Iraq.

Both Presidents also expressed support for the territorial integrity and political independence of Iraq and President Erdogan highlighted that the ongoing operations in Mosul to clear Daesh terrorists from the Iraqi city should be conducted with utmost sensitivity.

Obama welcomed the dialogue process between Turkey and Iraq to determine the appropriate level and form of Turkey's participation in the anti-Daesh Coalition's efforts.

He also said he appreciated Turkey's contribution to the Daesh fight, especially for the use of the Free Syrian Army to clear Daesh elements from the Turkish border.

[11] Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Serbia to expand their free trade agreement

Speaking in Istanbul at the opening of the third trilateral trade committee between the three countries, Zebekci said they aim to finalize the expansion of the current free trade pacts by 2017.

"We discussed the expansion of FTAs to a maximum extent possible. The scope of free trade agreements between Turkey, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Serbia is narrow for us. Expanding these agreements and increasing Turkish investments in Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina is very important," Zeybekci said.

"We agreed to realize this goal as soon as possible. If possible we want to finalize it by 2017," he added.

Stressing the importance of trade and investment ties for cooperation in all other areas between the three countries, Zeybekci said that relations between those states will reflect trade and investment ties.

(?)

[12] Albayrak suggested East Mediterranean natural gas to serve as alternative; Statements on the Turkish Stream

Recalling that East Mediterranean natural gas has been on Turkey's agenda for a long while, Albayrak said they discussed this issue with the Israeli Minister at the 23rd World Energy Congress.

According to Albayrak, Turkey does not foresee a delay to the schedule for the Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline project announced by Russian project partner Gazprom's chairman, who said the two lines would be ready by the end of 2019.

Albayrak said that the Turkish Stream, whose intergovernmental agreement was signed on Oct.10 in Istanbul, would be a win-win project for Turkey.

Russia has announced two new pipeline projects for Europe in the last few years, the Turkish Stream and NordStream II, Albayrak explained. "Turkey sometimes has problems in receiving Russian gas via the Western line through Ukraine, and that is one of the reasons why Russia developed the infrastructure (for the Turkish Stream) and announced a project in accordance with its regional energy politics."

Albayrak stressed that the Turkish Stream would not only supply Turkey, but would serve Europe as the second line of the project is planned to transfer gas to the southern European markets. However, Europe needs to give a guarantee to Russia to benefit from the Turkish Stream, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The Turkish Stream project aims to transfer Russian natural gas to Europe via the Black Sea and Turkey. Under Russian state-owned energy giant Gazprom's plans, the Turkish Stream pipeline will be split into four lines with a total capacity of 63 billion cubic meters a year. In December 2014, Russia scrapped the South Stream pipeline project that would have transported natural gas to Europe via Bulgaria, and brought forward the proposed four-line project that will bypass Ukraine and stretch to the Turkish-Greek border through the Black Sea.

(?)"The process for the Turkish Stream slowed down due to the crisis on Nov. 24 between Russia and Turkey. But now everything is back on track," Albayrak said.

The Minister hailed the importance of the project in having a positive effect on relations in the region and in eliminating potential gas supply delays or stoppages from the Western line via Ukraine. "There is a plan to start construction in 2017 and to complete by 2019. We don't foresee any delay for its completion," he noted. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/AM)

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