Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-10-26

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

CONTENTS

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Atalay explains how he promoted Islamism in the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] Twenty six more "TRNC citizenships" were granted by the occupation regime

[03] The French Ambassador visited Yeni Duzen newspaper

[04] A "sport tower" at the illegal "YDU university" was inaugurated yesterday

[05] The "faculty of pharmaceutics" of the illegal "YDU" attended a conference in Malta

[06] More about the occupation regime's "universities"

[07] Ten Egyptian fishermen were "arrested" for "illegal fishing"

[08] Celik: "It will be a suicide for the EU to suspend negotiation talks with Turkey"

[09] Turkey and Iraq agree to cooperate closely in anti-terror fight

[10] Aksener hints at run for presidency in 2019 as she forms 'Good Party'

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Atalay explains how he promoted Islamism in the occupied area of Cyprus

Referring to his work since he came on duty in the occupied area of Cyprus, Atalay said:

"When we started there were problems in the institution and in the schools. When we went at first, there were four theology graduates. Now this number is over 50. The number of the imam preachers' school graduates increased. There was a school problem in Cyprus. There were no imam preachers' schools there. We worked a lot for them to open. Now there are schools for which a seriously high demand exists. We have seriously worked for the opening of the theology faculties and we supported them. Teaching the Koran in the mosques had actually been prohibited. After 2012 we met with everybody concerned and the government and ensured that these prohibitions were lifted".

Atalay argued also that they worked for the "increase of the identity and possibilities" of the "institution" and said that they succeeded to make it possible for the Turkish settlers living in the occupied area of Cyprus to visit the tomb of Mohammed's aunt and more than 100 mosques in the government-controlled area of the island. He claimed:

"In parallel to this, in the TRNC we have been celebrating for four years the Mawlit al Nabi [Translator's note: Ceremony held on the 12th night of the third month of the Islamic calendar which is the birthday of Mohammed] and the Mawlit Week. Because the Mawlit al Nabi is a holiday in the TRNC. We are celebrating the Mawlit at Hala Sultan mosque [in Larnaka] with 1,000 Muslims of Turkish origin. We have exerted international efforts, mainly in the UN, in order for the negative perception caused as a result of islamophobia to be erased. We have exerted efforts in order for having an institutional Religious Affairs Department. And this annoyed those who get unearned income".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Twenty six more "TRNC citizenships" were granted by the occupation regime

According to the paper, the so-called council of ministers during its last meeting dated October 17, has "approved" the "granting of the TRNC citizenship" to 26 more persons.

The names of the persons who obtained the "TRNC citizenship" were published in the "official gazette" dated October 25.

(AK)

[03] The French Ambassador visited Yeni Duzen newspaper

During the meeting with the "directors" of the Media Group, Troccaz stated that his visit is taking place in the framework of their efforts to meet the Turkish Cypriot media and establish a dialogue with them.

Also speaking, the "editor in-chief" and "general director" of Yeni Duzen and Kanal Sim, journalist Cenk Mutluyakali, stated that during the meeting they found the chance to exchange views on the Cyprus problem, the "elections" that are scheduled to take place in both sides of the island, the situation of the Press in the "country" and several global developments.

The French Ambassador was accompanied during his visit by other officials of the Embassy.

(AK)

[04] A "sport tower" at the illegal "YDU university" was inaugurated yesterday

According to the paper, the nine-floor "sport tower" is a center that will offer several services in the field of sports, healthy food and healthy lifestyle.

Speaking during the inauguration ceremony, Irfan Guncel, "chairman" of the "board of trustees" of the illegal YDU, described the opening of the "sport tower" as new page for the development of "sports" in the occupied area of Cyprus, claiming further that it is also very important for the efforts exerted systematically for the "lifting" of the "unfair embargoes" in the "field of sports".

Gunsel further alleged that the success of the "women's basketball team" of the "university" and other "athletes" are also very important for the "lifting of the embargoes".

Also speaking, so called prime minister Ozgurgun alleged that 6,200 persons are "employed" at the "YDU", adding that 120 persons will be also "employed" to the "sport tower".

(AK)

[05] The "faculty of pharmaceutics" of the illegal "YDU" attended a conference in Malta

According to the paper, the conference was hosted by the Malta University. Several participants from Malta, Turkey, Portugal and the US attended the conference writes the paper.

The illegal "YDU univercity" was "represented" by the "chairman" of the "faculty of pharmaceutics" Dr Bilgen Basgut.

(AK)

[06] More about the occupation regime's "universities"

During the press conference, Buke stated that the "number of universities" in the occupied area of Cyprus is very high and argued that it is for this reason that they need to do good planning and evaluate well the issue of "providing permission" to more "universities" to open, since they should take into account the "quality and quantity", as she claimed. She, however, argued that they do not have enough figures to make the evaluation.

(…)

(AK)

[07] Ten Egyptian fishermen were "arrested" for "illegal fishing"

They were "arrested" fishing "illegally" with a boat which carried the name Al Amira Nurhan, seven miles northeast from occupied Apostolos Andreas cape. The "court" "ruled" the fishermen to remain under "custody" for two days.

Commenting on the issue, Kemal Atakan, the chairman of the "Turkish Cypriot fishermen Union" stated that the Egyptians must receive a strong punishment so that similar cases to be prevented, adding that "illegal fishing" creates problems for those who fish for a living.

(CS)

[08] Celik: "It will be a suicide for the EU to suspend negotiation talks with Turkey"

Celik stated that he cannot explain Austria's anti-Turkey rhetoric because it is an 'obsession' rather than a political stance, and that cutting Ankara's pre-accession funds will have no implications for the country.

Celik stated yesterday that Austria's current stance on Turkey is a subject of psychiatry and cannot be explained through political analysis.

With Austrian politicians maintaining that Turkey should never become a part of the EU, speaking to Anadolu Agency, Celik stated further the following: "Austria's obsession with Turkey has become a psychiatric obsession."

(…) Celik commented on the recent status of relations between Ankara and the EU, stressing that the EU should not cancel or suspend Turkey's accession talks. "It would be suicide for the EU, which cannot resolve its problems, if they decide to break off or suspend negotiations with Turkey," he argued.

He added that he does not believe that the EU will make such a decision and that propaganda is being used to discredit Turkey.

Meanwhile, Celik also talked about German Chancellor Angela Merkel's suggestion at the EU Leaders Summit to reduce the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) funds provided to Ankara, saying that cutting the funds would not have any implications for Turkey.

"Talking about breaking off IPA reduces EU's credibility," Celik said, a few days after Merkel's suggestion.

(…)

Celik said further that the EU perceives Turkey as a country to be cooperated with on migration and the fight against terrorism rather than a candidate for EU membership. He added that the EU is trying to bring its "privileged partnership" with Turkey to the forefront, which he called improper.

Turkey is expected to receive 4.45 billion euro from the EU in pre-accession funding from 2014 to 2020. However, so far both sides have signed deals for only 1.78 billion euro, according to Celik.

Celik slammed the EU for not keeping its word concerning the migration crisis, saying that despite the fact that Turkey did its part fully; the EU is not opening chapters or adopting visa liberation for Turkish nationals as promised.

"An EU, in which extremist rightists are on the rise, promises are violated, transformation processes have not been completed and opportunities are not seized, can't be an attraction center for Turkey," Celik further argued. .

(…)

[09] Turkey and Iraq agree to cooperate closely in anti-terror fight

In a statement to the media on October 25 after meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi, Erdogan said that Ankara is ready to cooperate with Baghdad in the fight against PKK elements in the Qandil mountains and the Sinjar region of Iraq.

He also stated that Turkey is ready to give all support to Baghdad as it seeks to reopen a crude oil pipeline from the Kirkuk oilfields to Turkey, through which Iraq stopped sending oil in 2014.

Talks are underway on a possible move to close down Turkey's border with the autonomous Kurdish region, which last month held a non-binding referendum on independence, which both Turkey and Iraq strongly opposed, Erdogan noted.

"From the beginning we have always said we support the territorial integrity of Iraq and we will continue [to do so] … I believe we have come to a positive point with the steps we have taken as Turkey, Iran and Iraq," he said, touching on the measures taken after the Iraqi Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) held a referendum for independence on Sept. 25.

For his part, al-Abadi said that his government will not allow any armed groups other than official forces operate on Iraqi lands.

"Our task is, of course, to ensure the territorial integrity of Iraq and to fight against all terrorist organizations that threaten not only Iraq, but the region," he stated.

Al-Abadi further said that they discussed a project that could help stabilize in the region and stressed that his government gives importance to bilateral relations between Iraq and Turkey.

His visit to Ankara comes amid a call for "dialogue" with the Baghdad government from the KRG, which is under pressure from its neighbors after the referendum move.

(…)

[10] Aksener hints at run for presidency in 2019 as she forms 'Good Party'

Aksener submitted a petition for the formation of the "Good Party" to the Interior Ministry earlier in the day before she held her first meeting with the founders and sympathizers of the new party.

"Turkey will be good," Aksener said in her first address to her followers, referring to the name of the party. "Turkey and its people are tired. The state has corroded. Public order has dissolved. There is no other way but to change the entire political climate," she added.

Aksener and some other Deputies were expelled from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) amid disagreements with MHP Chair Devlet Bahceli, who has sided with President Erdogan on key issues in recent months, including the shift to an executive presidential system.

In 2016 initiatives by Aksener-led dissidents to hold an extraordinary convention within the MHP to challenge Bahceli were nixed in controversial court decisions, pushing the veteran politician to form her own party. Four MHP lawmakers and one Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmaker joined the "Good Party" on its first day, securing five seats for Aksener in the Parliament.

Although the "Good Party" includes figures who have come from a MHP background, Aksener's Good Party aims to target center-right, nationalist and democratic voters through a party program appealing to different political perspectives.

Aksener's first meeting took place at the Naz?m Hikmet Cultural Center that belongs to the CHP's Yenimahalle Municipality in Ankara, as a number of major hotels and convention centers refused to rent their halls to the Good Party.

Her speech was interrupted by chants from participants calling her "Prime Minister Meral," to which she responded by hinting at a presidential run.

"No, no. Not Prime Minister but President. All my friends and founders at the party insist I should become the President," said Aksener, signaling her potential nomination for the presidential election due to take place in late 2019.

"It's time to say new things. Yes, we have major problems. But Turkey has enough powers to resolve them. We have hopes and dreams. We want a prosperous and just Turkey. We want a free society. We want a happy Turkey," said Aksener.

"Good is justice, good is determination. Good is hope, good is future, knowledge. Good is richness, courage. Good means civilization and only the brave will pave this road," she added, describing Turkish democracy as "under threat."

Aksener said the "Good Party's" priority will be to make Turkey one of largest economies in the world, as she instructed her economy team to maintain no less than six percent annual growth when they are in power.

Increasing the quality of education, providing full-scale health services to everyone and fixing the problems of the judiciary have also been cited by Aksener as her priorities.

Aksener also referred to the ongoing fight against the Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETO), describing the July 15 coup attempt as a "most treacherous move" against the Turkish people and the state.

"FETO, this treacherous gang, has been the main actor of each and every operation [against Turkey] not only since July 15, but since 2004 ... The people saved the state in the streets," she said, indirectly criticizing the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) alliance with the group in the past.

Touching on Turkey's democratic problems, Aksener emphasized the importance of a "functioning, competitive political system."

"Media should not be under pressure. Democratic participation, a strong Parliament and the national will are irreplaceable. We will democratize the law on political parties in the light of contemporary democratic principles and the criteria of the Venice Commission," she said.

She also suggested decreasing the national threshold applied for parliamentary elections to 5% from the current 10%.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/indexel/indexel?OpenDocument

(AK / ΑΜ)

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