Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-11-10

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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] Burcu: The developments at Mont Pelerin are satisfactory until now

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press assesses the Cyprus negotiations in Switzerland

[03] Ozgurgun held a meeting with Erdogan in Istanbul; Erdogan allegedly sent the message that occupied Morfou will not be returned

[04] EU report on Turkey focuses on coup attempt; Turkey's EU Minister criticized it

[05] Erdogan: A new era has begun in the US

[06] Turkish Cypriot political parties surprised by Trump's election

[07] Turkey ignores EU's threats of freezing accession talks

[08] Erdogan inaugurated the "1st TRNC fair and promotional days" in Istanbul

[09] The illegal "YDU" to host an international congress

[10] Three wounded in attack on District Governor's Office in Mardin

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Burcu: The developments at Mont Pelerin are satisfactory until now

"I can say that until now the developments are as planned and satisfactory", he said and added: "If we can reach an agreement on the criteria of the territory – at which direction we exerted efforts – simultaneously with the determination of a date for the five-party conference which will take us to the final stage, we will start working together on the map of the agreed criteria".

Burcu argued that they are trying to make use of the time, they work until the late night hours and meetings are held not only between the leaders, but also at the level of the negotiators, negotiating trams and technical teams.

Asked to comment on the different approaches between the sides on the form of the process in Switzerland, Burcu replied that prior to their departure they shared the road map with the public and added: "We should leave this behind today. Today the two sides exert efforts within this road map. We found an appropriate and productive working climate and we are achieving reasonable and remarkable progress. I think that at this stage it would not be appropriate for us to return to the discussion as regards the form".

Expressing the belief that an agreement on the political framework could be reached before the end of 2016, Burcu argued: "Of course, it is not possible to believe and work alone. The sides which could contribute in this issue should be activated and a response should be found. We will see this by experiencing it. We can agree on the political framework before 2016".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (10.11.16) reports that Burcu was asked whether the leaders assessed the Donald Trump victory in the US presidential elections. He said that he could not comment on the issue at the current stage.

(I/Ts.)

[02] How the Turkish Cypriot press assesses the Cyprus negotiations in Switzerland

Under the title "Crucial 24 hours at Mont Pelerin", Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.11.16) reports that the negotiations in Switzerland entered into the last 48 hours and if a date on holding a five-party conference comes out from today's meetings, on the last day of the Mont Pelerin talks the leaders will put on the table the map that will determine the borders of the founding states. If a date for a five-party conference is not determined, notes the paper, no map will be put on the table.

Under the title "The leaders are playing 'chess'", Havadis' editor-in-chief Huseyin Ekmekci refers to each side's goals on the territory chapter and alleges that disagreement exists within the Greek Cypriot side between Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides and Negotiator Andreas Mavroyiannis on the one hand and President Anastasiades on the other. Ekmekci claims the following: "[…] Anastasiades experiences this difficulty at the table. From time to time the Greek Cypriot Spokesman is accused of 'informing and manipulating' which causes difficulties to the process. This is one of the issues which tired the most the Turkish Cypriot side. […]"

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (10.11.16) cites information obtained by Turkish Anatolia news agency and reports that UN sources said that the responsibility of the Greek Cypriot side will be great if the efforts fail and no date for a five-party conference is determined prior to returning from Switzerland.

Finally, writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (10.11.16) under the title "The summit might collapse", columnist Gokhan Altiner argues that the achievement of progress at Mont Pelerin on the issues of the rotating presidency and the property is a reality, but if the Greek Cypriots insist on a map to be submitted to the table and villages to be shared on the territory chapter and this is attempted before the discussion of the guarantees at a five-party conference, the Cyprus negotiations will collapse and end at Mont Pelerin.

Altiner alleges the following: "[…] The Turkish side has a clear stance on the issue of the security and guarantees, on the issue of the five-party conference. If a date for a five-party and not a multi-party conference does not come out from the summit and if the Greek Cypriots continue to insist on the issue of the territory and the map before all these, the solution process will be interrupted. The Turkish side supports the discussion of the territory and the map, after the issue of security and guarantees is ensured. The Greek Cypriots do not accept this. Behold, for this reason the process is in danger […]".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun held a meeting with Erdogan in Istanbul; Erdogan allegedly sent the message that occupied Morfou will not be returned

According to a claim by Ozgurgun, Erdogan referred to the issue of Morfou and said the following: "I came to Cyprus in 2008 and I have said then that Morfou cannot be returned. Nothing has changed in our stance towards this matter".

Ozgurgun referred also to the guarantee issue and claimed that Erdogan told him the following: "I do not permit to touch the Treaty of Guarantees, but if the Greek Cypriots show a compromise stance on the territory issue and maps and everything proceed well, we can discuss all these together with Greece in a conference".

On the territory issue, Erdogan has reportedly said the following as alleged by Ozgurgun: "A percentage less than 30% is unacceptable to be accepted on the territory issue and this is also included in the UN's parameters". Ozgurgun further claimed that Erdogan told him that he considers that the Greek Cypriots have excessive demands.

(AK)

[04] EU report on Turkey focuses on coup attempt; Turkey's EU Minister criticized it

The annual assessment noted the attempt to overthrow the government "represented a direct attack on democracy in Turkey" and said that the EU had "strongly and immediately" condemned the bid by some sections of the military to seize power.

However, it said the "scale and collective nature" of measures taken by the government since the failed coup -- arrests and detentions, dismissals and suspensions over alleged links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- led to EU calls for Turkey to "observe the highest standards in respecting the rule of law and fundamental rights".

The report added: "Any allegation of wrongdoing should be established via transparent procedures in all individual cases. Individual criminal liability can only be established with full respect for the separation of powers, the full independence of the judiciary and the right of every individual to a fair trial, including through effective access to a lawyer."

It said several key pieces of legislation regarding the rule of law and fundamental rights, such as data protection, were not in line with European standards.

Wednesday's report also described the lifting of parliamentary immunity and the subsequent arrest and imprisonment of lawmakers from the opposition Peoples' Democratic Party as "a matter of crucial concern".

The EU also noted the suspensions and arrests of some local elected officials in Turkey's southeast under emergency powers introduced after the coup attempt. The conflict in the southeast could only be solved by political means, the report added.

There had been "serious backsliding" over the past year on freedom of expression, the report noted.

However, Turkey's EU Minister Omer Celik criticized the report as having been "written with a sense of not to serve… Turkey-EU relations", and said it was "far from the spirit of accession negotiations".

Celik, in a press conference in Ankara, said that the report should have consolidated Turkey's relationship with the EU, offered guidance and constructive advice and paved the way for negotiations. Instead, Celik added, the document failed to properly evaluate Turkey's fight against terrorism and progressive steps towards reform. "We do not accept the viewpoint that disproportionate force is used in the fight against the PKK," he said, referring to the terrorist organization recognized as such by Turkey, the U.S. and EU.

Referring to reforms needed to qualify for EU accession, the report said that Turkey was "moderately prepared" in public administration reform while the judiciary was at an early stage of preparation, although there had been "backsliding" following the attempted coup.

Corruption remains "prevalent in many areas and continues to be a serious problem," the report claimed.

In the fight against terrorism, plans to tackle illegal financing were in place and Turkey had stepped up its involvement in the international coalition against Daesh.

Turkey continues to support talks for a Cyprus settlement, for which its contribution "remains crucial", the report added.

In the economic sphere, Turkey's economy is "well advanced and can be considered a functioning market economy", although a large foreign deficit makes it vulnerable to financial uncertainty, changes in investors' sentiment and political risks.

The report said that Turkey was well-prepared to cope with EU market forces.

Regarding the fight against terrorism, the report said Turkey had been struck by several large-scale deadly terrorist attacks attributed to the PKK and Daesh, which were promptly condemned by the EU.

Pointing out that Turkey "has a legitimate right to defend itself against such terrorist violence", the EU warned that measures taken needed to be proportionate.

Recalling that Turkey joined the international coalition to counter Daesh in September 2014, the EU said terrorist attacks by Daesh caused Ankara to strengthen its engagement with the coalition and to launch several airstrikes plus Operation Euphrates Shield against Daesh positions in Syria.

"Turkey also maintained an agreement with the U.S. on the use of the Incirlik base for coalition forces," the EU said. "Turkey has improved its means of combating the financing of terrorism."

However, the EU criticized Turkey's anti-terror laws and claimed their implementation was "not in line with the acquis".

The EU recommended Turkey over the coming year to continue to implement the refugee deal plus an EU-Turkey readmission agreement. It also said personal-data protection had to be in line with European standards and cooperation established with Europol.

Wednesday's report also called for Turkey to bring its anti-terror legislation in line with European practices.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called on the EU to make a final decision on Turkey's accession to the union.

Speaking ahead of the annual EU report assessing Turkey's progress on EU membership and visa-free travel due later in the day, Erdogan said: "They shamelessly say that Turkey's EU negotiations should be reviewed. You are late. Review it as soon as possible. "But do not just review, make your final decision."

[05] Erdogan: A new era has begun in the US

"I wish a future full of success and that the choice of the American people be favourable, on behalf of my nation and myself", Erdogan said.

"With this choice, a new era has begun in America. I hope this choice of the American public will contribute to beneficial steps toward basic rights and freedoms, democracy and developments in our region," Erdogan said.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 10.11.16) reports that Erdogan congratulated the U.S. President-elect Donald Trump late Wednesday in a phone call.

In the call, Erdogan reiterated Turkey's commitment to its fight against terror and its collaboration with the United States.

Presidential sources stated that Erdogan wished Trump a successful term in the office, also expressing his willingness to strengthen Turkey-U.S. relations. Erdogan said that Turkey and the U.S. are allies who have "mutual respect, mutual profits and shared values," the source added.

Erdogan later also tweeted: "I congratulate @realDonaldTrump on being elected as the 45th President of the US and look forward to further strengthening our relations."

[06] Turkish Cypriot political parties surprised by Trump's election

Cemal Ozyigit, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), stated that "Trump is an uncertainty for Cyprus", adding that the Cyprus talks should be finalized before taking over his duty. He also expressed his surprise for the results.

Dursun Oguz, general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP), wished "Trump to see Cyprus problem's reality".

Mustafa Arabacioglu, "deputy" with the Democratic Party (DP), stated: "The Cyprus problem in any case is uncertain. Trump's surprise is even more ambiguous in the foreign policy".

Muhittin Ozsaglam, foreign affairs secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that they will see by the end of the year if the U.S. will interfere less on the regional problems, in which Cyprus is also included.

(DPs)

[07] Turkey ignores EU's threats of freezing accession talks

Turkey's long quest to join the EU is likely to end in failure unless Ankara reverses its fight against the perpetrators of the military coup attempt, the bloc's top official in charge of ties with Turkey said.

"Turkey is an EU candidate and that means they have to accept that we apply higher standards... If they don't want to accept it, they have to face the consequences," said European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, without touching upon Turkey's criticisms that Europe is a safe haven for the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO) and PKK terrorists.

The European Parliament's Turkey Rapporteur Kati Piri also called for the suspension of Turkey's EU bid. "The EU has to immediately freeze the accession talks," Piri stated.

During a televised interview shortly after the EU statements, Turkey's Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin warned the bloc, saying that the EU would have to suffer the consequences if it decides to halt the negotiations.

"The EU is mistaken if it thinks it can subdue Turkey with such a decision; it does not understand the social dynamics of Turkey or the region," he said, adding that the EU applies double standards when the subject is Turkey.

He said that while European officials only bothered to visit Turkey nearly a month after the failed July 15 coup attempt, they were very swift to respond when pro-PKK Deputies from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) were detained as part of an ongoing terrorism probe.

[08] Erdogan inaugurated the "1st TRNC fair and promotional days" in Istanbul

The fair which is being hosted by the Turkish Economy Ministry, is being carried out in cooperation with the so-called ministry of economy and energy and the so-called ministry of tourism and environment and the "ministry of national education and culture"

The fair will take place between November 9-12. So-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, the "minister of tourism and environment", Fikri Ataoglu, the "minister for national education and culture", Ozdemir Berova and the so-called minister of agriculture and natural resources, Nazim Cavusoglu attended the fair.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Turkish Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci, stated, inter alia, that Turkey will continue supporting the Turkish Cypriot "people" in order to continue to live in prosperity and peace and will also continue providing support for the development of the "TRNC's economy". "Cyprus is our soul and our heart", said Zeybekci.

Also speaking, Ozgurgun alleged that "Turkey and the TRNC had made great progress together and thanked the Turkish government for the support it has given to the TRNC and the 1st TRNC Fair". He also thanked everyone who contributed to the opening of the "fair" and called on the public to visit it.

Erdogan for his part touched upon the important economic contributions made by MUSIAD to Turkey and added that in the past 14 years Turkey has made historical progress in its economy.

(AK)

[09] The illegal "YDU" to host an international congress

According to information acquired by the "press and foreign relations department" of the illegal university, experts from several countries such as the USA, the UK, Germany, Italy, and Turkey will attend the "congress".

(AK)

[10] Three wounded in attack on District Governor's Office in Mardin

The attack was carried out with a rocket-propelled grenade targeting the Derik District Governor's Office. District Gov. Muhammed Fatih Safiturk was among the wounded, according to reports. Safiturk had been appointed as a trustee to the District Governor's Office. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs/AM)

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