Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-07-06

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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 described the Greek Cypriot side's proposals as nothing new

[02] Cavusoglu condemned the leaking of the Greek Cypriot side's proposals to the press

[03] The solution framework is ready, all eyes are turned to the UN which is actively involved in the process, says the Turkish Cypriot press

[04] Yildirim and Tsipras discussed over the phone the ongoing Cyprus conference in Crans Montana

[05] US's Pence discussed the Cyprus problem with Mogherini over the phone

[06] Izmir Chamber of Commerce: Give priority to economical not political issues

[07] KTAMS accused the so-called government for distributing the "TRNC citizenship"

[08] Assassinated journalist Kutlu Adali is remembered

[09] "European and intercontinental Taekwondo Judo and Karate Championship" is taking place in the breakaway regime

[10] Erdogan: "Problems with Germany nothing personal"

[11] US Secretary of State Tillerson to visit Turkey next week after G20 summit

[12] Celik: "Turkey to insist on EU membership process over 'strong cooperation' deal"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci described the Greek Cypriot side's proposals as nothing new

Evaluating the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres' return to Switzerland as a positive development, Akinci added that an intense day of contacts awaited them. "Thursday is going to be an important day. As you know Secretary-General is arriving for the second time and we hope that with his contribution we will finally be able to conclude an agreement. That is why he is coming," Ak?nc? told reporters.

"We very much hope that what he has already started will be developed so that it will help us to reach a comprehensive settlement," Ak?nc? said.

"We are hoping that Thursday will be intense and a productive day for all people in Cyprus," he said.

Ak?nc? alleged that the proposal from the Greek Cypriot side would not bring a solution as there was nothing new in it. "We need reciprocal steps and tomorrow is the time for that," Ak?nc? said and added that the Prime Ministers of the guarantor countries would not join the talks.

Akinci also claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side's proposals were always constructive and would continue to be so and alleged that it was not their aim to smoke the mirrors or to play to the crowds but to focus on gaining results at the talks.

Referring to the Greek Cypriot side leaking information to the press, Akinci stated that he was saddened to hear this but refuted claims that the Prime Minister's for guarantor powers would be attending the Cyprus conference.

[02] Cavusoglu condemned the leaking of the Greek Cypriot side's proposals to the press

"The UN Secretary- General is coming; however, unfortunately there hasn't been so much progress until now as everyone wait to see the other's position. I made some expansions from the beginning and told under which conditions I can go further" Cavusoglu said.

"We will evaluate all these as a package with the UN Secretary-General tomorrow until the evening and the picture will be clearer. It will be clear whether it is happening or not. There is no need to waste more time", he added.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also evaluated the proposals put forward by the Greek Cypriot side. "We haven't seen the proposals yet. The press saw them before us. It is not a sincere stance to share their proposals with the press before sharing them with us. We see that the Greek Cypriot side is playing to the crowd. If they were real and serious proposals then first they would have been shared with the sides at the table. Sharing the proposals with the press and then saying we brought forward proposals means playing to the crowd", Cavusoglu alleged.

[03] The solution framework is ready, all eyes are turned to the UN which is actively involved in the process, says the Turkish Cypriot press

Under the title "Yes to the rotating presidency on the condition of the return of the entire Morfou", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (06.07.17) writes that as it is reported President Anastasiades submitted new proposals yesterday on the issue of the security and guarantees in view of the arrival of the UNSG to Crans Montana. President Anastasiades accepted the rotating presidency on the condition of the return of the entire occupied Morfou to the Greek Cypriot side, notes the paper adding that the stance of the Turkish side to this proposal has not been known yet, but it is expected that this will be clarified today during the meeting with Guterres' participation. The paper also argues that President Anastasiades accepted the continuation of the guarantees on the condition that there will be no right of unilateral intervention.

Under the title "The 'framework' is ready, the eyes on the UN", Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (06.07.17) reports that Guterres is expected to "carry forward" the negotiations. Citing sources at Crans Montana, the paper writes that the UNSG included the following in the framework he prepared for the Cyprus negotiations:

- A new map on the territory.

- Two separate "property regimes" in the property. In the areas which will be included in the territorial adjustment, advantage to the owners who had been deprived of their property should be ensured, even though this will not be 100%. In the areas which will not be included in the territorial adjustment, advantage to the user should be ensured, even though this will not be 100%.

- A new security regime. There will be no right of unilateral intervention. The Treaty of Guarantee will end. There will be a new security system for the security of all Cypriots. The number of troops will be gradually reduced from the very first day and a timetable for re-examining of the withdrawal of all troops will be set.

- The demand of the Turkish Cypriots in the governance, including the rotating presidency, will be taken into consideration. The weighted voting will be discussed further for the effective participation in the decision making mechanisms.

- Equal treatment to the citizens of Turkey and Greece on the issue of the freedoms in federal Cyprus. The citizens of Turkey will be subject to an "equitable/fair quota" on the permanent residency issue. The "equitable/fair" definition will be further discussed.

Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (06.07.17) refers to the same issue under the front-page banner title "The 'Guterres Document' was announced: 'The Turkish side must give more territory'".

Under the title "Anastasiades 'revised' his proposals', Yeni Duzen's correspondent to Crans Montana, Esra Aygin reports that President Anastasiades submitted orally to the table his new proposals yesterday. These proposals, which "caused many speculations", are focused on the issues of the territory and the security, writes Aygin adding that in his previous proposals, President Anastasiades had left Turkey and Greece outside the International Police Force he was suggesting, but now he added a provision according to which 1/3 of this police force will consist of Turkish and Greek police officers. On the issue of the equal treatment of the citizens of Turkey and Greece in Cyprus, there is no limitation for the workers and the students in President Anastasiades' proposal, but the 4:1 proportion between the Greeks and the Turks is included regarding the right of permanent residence on the island. The Turkish side insists on the proportion of 1:1 on this issue, writes Aygin adding that it is expected that today the proposal will be submitted in writing. She clarifies that the proposal includes also the lifting of the unilateral intervention rights, the abolition of the Treaty of Guarantee and the full withdrawal of the Turkish troops within the framework of an agreed timetable.

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (06.07.17) refers to President Anastasiades' proposals under the front-page banner title "They are called new, but the content is old" and publishes a list with five things which President Anastasiades wants and five things which he is ready to discuss if his demands are accepted. Moreover, under the title "Guterres is coming to untie the knot" the paper reports that the UNSG is going to Crans Montana, in spite of his heavy schedule, to exert efforts in the direction of reaching a framework agreement.

Under the title "Guterres' airplane took off, the 'new' proposals landed in the media before the table" Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (06.07.17) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci alleged that the Greek Cypriot proposals were not new and did not include important openings, while Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu claimed that he had not seen new proposals.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Yildirim and Tsipras discussed over the phone the ongoing Cyprus conference in Crans Montana

During their telephone conversation, Turkey's stance on the Cyprus issue was reiterated and the importance it gave to the chapter on Security and Guarantees was emphasized.

According to information received, during the discussions it was stressed that a permanent, peaceful and comprehensive solution could be possible in Cyprus through equal rights being given to both communities on the island.

[05] US's Pence discussed the Cyprus problem with Mogherini over the phone

In the call, both officials expressed hopes that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? and President Nikos Anastasiades will agree to a settlement "that would reunify Cyprus as a bizonal, bicommunal federation to the benefit of all Cypriots," the statement said.

"The leaders agreed on the importance of the ongoing Conference on Cyprus in Crans-Montana, Switzerland," the readout added.

[06] Izmir Chamber of Commerce: Give priority to economical not political issues

"I beg you to give priority to economy", Ekrem stated, adding that it was Kemal Ataturk who said these famous words: "Economy is everything"

He made this call evaluating the Cyprus talks taking place now in Crans Montana.

As he said, no-one would make investments in a divided, wire fenced Cyprus which will not attract tourists or capitals. "Do you want to have a Singapore like Cyprus […] or a place that everyone would turned his back to each other and where soldiers will keep watch?", he said.

(CS)

[07] KTAMS accused the so-called government for distributing the "TRNC citizenship"

According to a written statement issued by "KTAMS's" chairman Ahmet Kaptan, the cost of living in the breakaway regime has rose up to 7,68% and the workers in the private sector are working hard with less salaries but the "government" has not taken any measures for fixing any problem.

Kaptan said that it is the biggest crime to take a mortgage of the will of the "people" by changing the "population structure".

(CS)

[08] Assassinated journalist Kutlu Adali is remembered

The paper notes that an efficient investigation regarding the assassins of Adali was never conducted and the "investigating committees" established by the "assembly" to investigate Adali's murder and the connections of this murder with the Susurluk scandal in Turkey reached no result, because the "police" is not bound to the "civilian authorities" and the lack of effective cooperation due to this fact.

Ilkay Adali, Kutlu Adali's spouse had filed a lawsuit against Turkey at the European Court of human Rights and won the case, but this was not enough for shedding light on this "unsolved murder".

Before his assassination Kutlu Adali had written articles on the "St Barnabas raid" in which some "officials" of the so-called civil defense organization were involved and for this reason he was threatened. In spite of the fact that it was established that ultra-nationalist Abdullah Catli, one of the members of the Susurluk gang, had been in the occupied area of Cyprus when Adali was murdered, the "police" could not carry out an efficient investigation to satisfy the public opinion on this issue, writes Yeni Duzen.

Moreover, the paper notes that the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Press Laborers Trade Union (Basin-Sen), Ali Kismir issued a statement yesterday noting that Adali's assassination was not solved and the perpetrators were not called to account for in spite of the fact that 21 years passed. "This is a shame of 21 years", he said.

(I/Ts.)

[09] "European and intercontinental Taekwondo Judo and Karate Championship" is taking place in the breakaway regime

Speaking during the meeting, Ozgurgun said that these kinds of events are helping towards lifting "embargoes".

The delegation also held a meeting with the former Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

The Championship is taking place today and tomorrow in occupied Keryneia with the participation of 190 athletes from 16 countries.

(CS)

[10] Erdogan: "Problems with Germany nothing personal"

Erdogan told the Die Zeit weekly that Germany was "committing suicide" by not letting him speak to Turks in the country and it "must correct this mistake."

However, he also said that Germany and Turkey needed each other and on a personal level he has no problem with Merkel.

"I don't have a problem with the Chancellor. At the NATO summit, I met and spoke with Ms. Merkel. We will also have face-to-face meetings. We will address many issues. I will address the terror problem, the ways in which Europe can approach this problem, and what we as NATO countries are doing. There is no animosity between the Chancellor and myself. The Chancellor hasn't made any statements about it, but unfortunately her coalition partners have," Erdogan said.

He also stated that as long as Germany did not send supporters of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who is accused of masterminding the failed July 15, 2016 military coup attempt, back to Turkey, Ankara would view Germany as a place that "protects terrorists."

(…)

[11] US Secretary of State Tillerson to visit Turkey next week after G20 summit

The U.S. State Department announced on Wednesday that Tillerson will meet with the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and young reformers from government and civil society on July 9 in Kiev and "reaffirm America's commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity" before traveling to Turkey's Istanbul to meet with senior Turkish officials on July 9 and 10 .

Tillerson previously visited Turkey on March 30, where he held meetings with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and other Turkish officials.

[12] Celik: "Turkey to insist on EU membership process over 'strong cooperation' deal"

Celik was speaking in Ankara during a news conference with Johannes Hahn, the EU's Enlargement Commissioner.

"The backbone of the relationship between Turkey and the EU is accession negotiations," Celik told reporters.

Celik's remarks came before lawmakers in the European Parliament vote on a 2016 Commission Report on Turkey.

Among other things, the report calls on EU member states to "formally suspend accession negotiations with Turkey without delay" if a series of Turkish constitutional reforms, passed in an April 16 referendum, are implemented "unchanged."

Celik said that any proposal that fell short of accession negotiations would be against the nature of the relationship that Turkey and the EU have had up to now.

He added that Ankara would continue to work to open more chapters in its EU membership negotiations.

Striking a more conciliatory tone, Hahn said that he hoped the interaction between the two sides would lead to a higher level of political dialogue. "I don't know what will be decided, but I have to stress that the European Parliament is one of the institutions elected by the European citizens. Members of the European Parliament represent the view of their voters," Hahn said.

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