Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-06-02

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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 and Cavusoglu are allegedly ready for an international conference on Cyprus without pre-conditions

[02] Cavusoglu said that they drew the road map of the Cyprus talks

[03] Ertugruloglu played an important role on the cancellation of the "decision" regarding Denktas' university plot

[04] Ozgurgun announced the "distribution of rural plots of land" to occupied Louroudjina village

[05] The "occupancy rate" at the occupation regime's hotels has been reportedly increase by 4% on May

[06] 131 cases of sexual assaults or rapes went to trial within the last 10 years

[07] Turkey's ambassador to The Hague appointed as Erdogan's adviser

[08] Turkey and Ukraine begun passport-free travel

[09] Turkey and Pakistan to cooperate in energy sector

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci and Cavusoglu are allegedly ready for an international conference on Cyprus without pre-conditions

In statements yesterday during Cavusoglu's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, Akinci claimed that the pre-conditions [allegedly put by the Greek Cypriot side] are contrary to the agreement of 11 February 2014 and the "Geneva Declaration" of 12 January 2017. Arguing that the time for a solution in Cyprus has come and that the negotiation held for 50 years should come to an end, Akinci reiterated that he and President Anastasiades are persons of the same generation and that the current effort for finding a solution is the last of this generation. He alleged that they want for the process to succeed, but it is not possible to achieve progress by putting pre-conditions and asked from the Greek Cypriot side to remain faithful to the 11 February 2014 agreement, like the Turkish Cypriot side allegedly is. Wishing that President Anastasiades' stance during the forthcoming meeting with the UNSG in New York will pave the way for Geneva, he argued:

"Let us lead to success the last attempt of our generation. This is our wish, our target. Let us discuss all issues without pre-conditions in Geneva, let us focus on the big picture. Let us create a situation there in which all sides will benefit. It is possible to achieve this. Intention and will should exist. We are ready to exhibit this will".

On his part, Cavusoglu alleged that they want to spend their energy for reaching solution and added that there is a full harmony between Turkey and the breakaway regime regarding the steps to be taken and the road to be followed. He argued: "Now we have before us the Plan A on the Cyprus issue, the solution process in Cyprus. We have been totally concentrated on this. We have been focused on the conclusion of this process positively or negatively. If this does not happen, we will see the Plan B and C. The important thing now is to operate the Plan A".

Cavusoglu accused the Greek Cypriot side of intending to "prolong the process without killing it" and of blaming Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side for this. Calling on the Greek Cypriot side to abandon these efforts, the Turkish Minister described as "unacceptable and negatively influencing the process" the statements which reject the Turkish Cypriot side's political equality.

Referring to the Republic of Cyprus explorations for hydrocarbon resources in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), Cavusoglu alleged that these "unilateral activities" will negatively influence the negotiating process and cause tension in the area. He argued that they expect from the Greek Cypriots and the international companies to stop ignoring the rights of the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey over the natural resources in the surrounding area of the island. He alleged: "This harms also the potential economic cooperation which could come up with the solution. Therefore, the Greek Cypriot administration should abandon these unilateral steps which will harm the process and cause tensions".

Replying to a question, Akinci said that they will go to New York to hold the meeting with the UNSG on Sunday with good will for having a result adding that the Turkish Cypriot side knows what it wants and its ground is solid. He noted that they cannot make assumptions from now based on failure of the meeting and reiterated that their expectation and wish is for the Greek Cypriots to abandon what he called as pre-conditions.

Commenting on the same question, Cavusoglu said that "we should go to Geneva and decide whether there will be [a solution] or not", adding that "this cannot go in this manner forever; it is the last window of opportunity".

Replying to a question on Cyprus' hydrocarbon explorations, Cavusoglu argued that Turkey has "warned" the Greek Cypriots, the companies and their interlocutors at the companies' headquarters and asked from them not to become an instrument to "the Greek Cypriot side's unilateral activities before the solution". "If they do not abandon these unilateral steps, there will be steps which we will take as Turkey. Our wish is for the Greek Cypriot side to abandon the unilateral steps", he alleged.

Replying to a question on the issue of security and guarantees, Cavusoglu alleged that there could be no solution by saying "zero troops, zero guarantees" and that the adaptation of the guarantees to the conditions of today could only happen at a five-party international conference. He then reiterated the Turkish allegation that if problems have not been experienced on the island until today, this is because of the existence of the Turkish occupation army.

Commenting on the same question, Akinci argued that security and guarantees had not been discussed in any negotiating process in the past and that issues adapted to the conditions of today could be discussed but nothing remains to be discussed in case reference to "zero troops, zero guarantees" is made. He alleged: "It is not only the Greek Cypriot side that worries. The Turkish Cypriots who are fewer on this island have more security needs. A solution in Cyprus should include the equality, freedom and security of both sides".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Cavusoglu said that they drew the road map of the Cyprus talks

Ozgurgun, during the meeting with Cavusoglu, claimed that if there will be a Cyprus settlement, then there will be an agreement that will protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriot "people" and Turkey in the island and added that the Turkish Cypriot side carries out the Cyprus talks with Turkey for years now. Ozgurgun reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side thinks that the negotiation process can bring results in Geneva only if there are no conditions.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side and Turkey have been clear on the Cyprus problem, Ozgurgun alleged that despite they have taken positive and constructive steps in order to be able to solve the Cyprus problem, a positive answer for these steps has never come from Greece and "South Cyprus" as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus. He also claimed that "South Cyprus" and Greece are responsible for this situation and not Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side, adding that they expect this to be put clearly by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and his Special Adviser Espen Barth Eide. Ozgurgun concluded by claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side's stance is clear, positive and accurate.

During the meeting with Siber, Cavusoglu, claiming that there is an impasse at the Cyprus talks due to the unacceptable conditions of the Greek Cypriot side, said that he went to the occupied area of Cyprus to evaluate this issue. Noting that he evaluated the negotiation process with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ozdil Nami and the negotiating team, as well as the leaders of the political parties represented at the "assembly", Cavusoglu further said: "We evaluated what our road map will be and which steps we will take. I can say gladly that we have consensus both on the road map that we will follow and on the determination of the situation. This shows the determination of the president (Turkish Cypriot leader), the political parties and the negotiating team to protect the interests of the Turkish people".

Siber said that from the past to the present the Turkish Cypriots have always desired a bi-communal, bi-zonal solution based on the political equality, adding that this is a right request. Noting that these norms have been accepted by the United Nations, Siber argued: "We cannot accept that these are open to question. I hope that the world is aware of this reality. Our first wish is to reach a solution, however if this cannot happen due to reasons beyond our control or due to reluctance of the Greek Cypriot side, then the world should not make us to pay the price".

Later, Cavusoglu met with Ertugruloglu yesterday afternoon after the joint press conference with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. During the meeting, Ertugruloglu said that the necessary messages were given during the press conference.

Cavusoglu, for his part, said that he held a series of contacts evaluating the latest stage reached at the Cyprus talks, adding that they were very beneficial. He further noted: "Particularly, the road map that we determine which steps we can take forward is utmost objective, sound, constructive and protects in the best way the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people".

Noting that he has a close cooperation with Ertugruloglu, Cavusoglu also said that they work together for the visibility of the "TRNC", its activities in the international platform, its "passport" to be able to be valid in more countries, to increase its "representation offices" abroad including Turkey, to raise the standards of the buildings and to work together on archives, communication technology and other issues.

(DPs)

[03] Ertugruloglu played an important role on the cancellation of the "decision" regarding Denktas' university plot

Citing information, Afrika writes that the "foreign minister" insisted that the plot given to the Denktas family to be taken back because Serdar Denktas did not give him a permission for opening an internet firm under the name Ertugruloglu H.T. some time ago. According to Afrika, Ertugruloglu's attitude put "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun in a very difficult position since the seven "deputies" of the National Unity Party (UBP) who participate in the "coalition government" with UBP and the Democratic Party (DP) of Denktas supported Ertugruloglu as well.

Reporting further on the issue at "Afrika'dan mektup" (Letter from Afrika) column, the paper writes that because the plot that Denktas demanded "belonged" to a "military area", the "government" asked and received permission from Ankara. However, Ozgurgun faced an unexpected reaction by members of his party on the issue and he was forced to take a step back.

(CS)

[04] Ozgurgun announced the "distribution of rural plots of land" to occupied Louroudjina village

According to the paper, speaking during the ceremony, Ozgurgun claimed, inter alia: "If the distribution of plots of land to youth with the aim to settle in, in these territories is considered as giving a bribe, then we will continue giving more bribes to 1,500 youth in 51 more villages".

Ozgurgun continued and alleged that the development of the occupied Louroudjina village will contribute to the further economic development of the area.

(…)

(AK)

[05] The "occupancy rate" at the occupation regime's hotels has been reportedly increase by 4% on May

According to the statement, the "occupancy rate" at five-star hotels is 65%, while at the smallest hotels is between 47-56%.

(…)

(AK)

[06] 131 cases of sexual assaults or rapes went to trial within the last 10 years

The following table shows the distribution of rapes or sexual assaults cases between the years 2006-2016:

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016

9 5 12 5 3 11 14 7 15 21 29

(DPs)

[07] Turkey's ambassador to The Hague appointed as Erdogan's adviser

Arslan has effectively been at the Presidency for several months and was absent from the Netherlands in March when Turkish Ministers were barred from speaking in Rotterdam in a row over campaigning among Turks living in the country.

Turkey will appoint a new Ambassador to The Hague, but there is no timetable at the moment for such an assignment as the current tension between the countries could further delay the procedure.

(…)

[08] Turkey and Ukraine begun passport-free travel

"Both countries will benefit from this agreement," Sybiha told reporters at Ankara's Esenboga Airport after Ukrainian citizens entered the country by showing only their national ID cards for the first time.

"Last year, more than 1 million tourists came from Ukraine to Turkey. More than 200,000 Turkish tourists traveled to Ukraine," he said. "Thanks to this agreement, we expect a 30% increase in these numbers this year", he added.

Turkish Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Groysman, agreed on March 14 to allow their citizens to travel to each other's country without passports.

Under the deal, citizens of both countries will only need to present their national ID cards for stays of up to 90 days.

[09] Turkey and Pakistan to cooperate in energy sector

The MoU was inked during a high-level cooperation meeting held in Ankara in 2013.

"The agreement establishes joint research and investment in the energy sector", the Official Gazette said.

The two counties will share information and expertize to strengthen ties between the public institutions and private companies operating in the field of energy.

They also agreed to exchange information in the coal sector -- including technical consultations and mining.

It also aims to boost the cooperation in the fields of science, technology and commerce.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK / AM)

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