Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-11-02

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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] Aktag argues that the occupied area of Cyprus is a "strategic area" for Turkey

[02] Nami asks for recognition of the breakaway regime prior to the resumption of the Cyprus talks

[03] Columnist recalls that the Turkish Foreign Minister had thrown the UN parameters into the garbage

[04] Columnist calls on for the opening of Deryneia barricade due to the "early elections"

[05] Number of social insured in the breakaway regime is increased every year

[06] Unemployment the most serious problem among the youth in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] Within one week, 114 new "TRNC citizenships"

[08] SIM TV has reportedly ended its cooperation with CyBC after an investigation was launched by Turkey's RTUK

[09] Ozgurgun "distributed" building plots

[10] The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Cyprus visited "KTOS"

[11] YOK's chairman held "contacts" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[12] "KIBTES trade union" was "established" in the occupied area of Cyprus

[13] Erdogan: "Turkey will not allow the PYD to establish an autonomous region in northern Syria"; Statements on other issues

[14] Erdogan's spokesman: "Turkey has intervened in Russian invitation to YPG"

[15] More renewable investments high on Turkey's energy agenda

[16] Gezici survey showed that the newly founded "Good Party" may mark a dramatic shift in Turkish politics

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Aktag argues that the occupied area of Cyprus is a "strategic area" for Turkey

"They have turned south Cyprus into the spoiled child of the west. The EU did this on purpose and they led the issues into a deadlock", he alleged.

Referring to the "serious potential" of the occupied area of Cyprus, Aktag claimed:

"At the moment it is said that they have incomes which are around 13-14 thousand dollars per capita. When we increase this to around 20-25 thousand dollars, the problem on the island will be solved by itself. We have transferred water there, we did a wonderful job. Let Allah bless our President, our Prime Minister, our Minister Veysel. We have taken there around 75 million cubic meters of water [through] 250 meters under the sea and this water is enough for 25-30 million cubic meters of drinking water. With the remaining 40 million cubic meters we can irrigate Morfou and Mesaoria plains. We can fully irrigate at least one of the two plains. The roads have been built in a good manner. Now we will transfer electricity. This was discussed with our Ministry of Energy within the framework of the economic program. Electricity in the TRNC is expensive. It is around 50 kurus [Translator's note: Half Turkish Lira]. It will be possible for us to decrease it to 20-25 kurus. We are transferring electricity with a cable. We will build a hospital. With Allah's help, we will build such a hospital through a public private partnership that the Greek Cypriots of the south will feel the need to come here to receive services. Because when you need health services on an island, it is very difficult for you to go somewhere else".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami asks for recognition of the breakaway regime prior to the resumption of the Cyprus talks

Nami argued that no one could convince the Turkish Cypriots to commence negotiations in which they will become "hostages" of the Greek Cypriot "no". He alleged that he senses that tiredness exists in the Turkish Cypriot community and expressed the belief that the Greek Cypriot community feels the same. "For a reliable process, we must be able to tell our people that there will be a concrete process which will not be open-ended and a decision will be taken in the end of it", he claimed arguing that otherwise securing the support of the people for this process will be very difficult.

Meanwhile, Cuneyt Oruc in Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (02.11.17) reports that in statements to ADA TV, Nami explained what he meant with his statements to Reuters' describing the negotiations in Crans Montana and the Conference on Cyprus as "a historic turning point" after which "we cannot continue as if nothing happened". "This means that we have to say new things. This is definitely needed in order for the people to be convinced", he alleged arguing that there is a "lack of faith in the process" in both sides of the island. He alleged the following:

"Therefore, when we sit [at the table] this time the end date will be known. When this day of the end comes, the Cyprus issue will be buried in history. That is, before sitting at the table, the two sides are obliged to reach a new consensus on a new construction. Otherwise, it is not possible for the leaders to take the support of the people and become persuasive. In order for this to happen, both the date of the beginning and the date of the end should be known. The procedure should be focused on the basic issues which remain open. It should be an effort to end not only the dimension of security and guarantees which the Greek Cypriot side attempts to put forward, but also all the other basic elements which remain open. In the end of this effort two things might happen. Either a referendum will happen. Or if the Greek Cypriot side prevents us from going to referendum or if they say no when we go to referendum and we say yes, like it happened in the Annan Plan, we must determine that this issue is the final one before the process begins. It must be known which our position as Turkish Cypriots will be in the world. [?]"

Asked on how long the process he described will be, Nami said that we are referring to months not years and reiterated that all these should happen before the leaders sitting at the negotiating table. Replying to a question as to which basic issues remain open, Nami said that "the UN document is there" and that issues such as power sharing, the rotating presidency, the effective participation in the federal organs, the individuals' freedom of movement and some topics in the property remained open. Asked what will happen if a solution is not reached, he alleged:

"If there is no solution, life will continue. We will transfer our will for a solution to the world. We will say to the world that 'we have done our bit'. However, if the other side is not ready for a federal system based on equality, then there is absolutely no excuse which justifies the unjust isolation imposed on us. We will explain this. However, if we do not have the approach and we do what the 19 deputies have done by submitting a proposal to the assembly for the federation to stop being a solution, we will harm our current position. [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Columnist recalls that the Turkish Foreign Minister had thrown the UN parameters into the garbage

You have committed this mistake on the day Turkey had dynamited the negotiating table in Crans Montana Mr Mustafa! When Cavusoglu said that 'no meaning is left in continuing the negotiations within the UN parameters, you should have warned him and say that he should not commit the mistake of throwing the UN parameters into the garbage. However, what have you done? Nothing! You have only kept quiet! You have not dared to conflict on this matter just like you did on every other matter! [?] I think that you actually should have said: 'Mr Cavusoglu has committed a very big mistake in Crans Montana by throwing the UN parameters into the garbage. However, neither Turkey nor we have the luxury of committing a mistake such as throwing the UN parameters into the garbage' [?]"

(I/Ts.)

[04] Columnist calls on for the opening of Deryneia barricade due to the "early elections"

Baturay writes that many developments took place because of the "elections" like the "time changing" and the paying of the 13th month salaries and notes that the Deryneia barricade is ready to be opened therefore it should be opened because of the "elections".

"This is the bribery I am asking for the elections", Baturay writes and calls on the two leaders of the "coalition government" Serdar Denktas and Huseyin Ozgurgun to do "what even the leftists parties would not have done", as he writes and proceed with opening the barricade.

(CS)

[05] Number of social insured in the breakaway regime is increased every year

Saner made these statements speaking during a press conference. He also gave information about the retired social insured persons and argued that in 2015 there were 33,363, in 2016 34,707 and in the ten months of 2017 were 35,759.

(CS)

[06] Unemployment the most serious problem among the youth in the occupied area of Cyprus

(DPs)

[07] Within one week, 114 new "TRNC citizenships"

Furthermore, the paper writes that "according to a decision by the council of ministers on October 23 2017, 52 persons also obtained the TRNC citizenship".

The paper publishes the names of those who "obtained the TRNC citizenship".

(DPs)

[08] SIM TV has reportedly ended its cooperation with CyBC after an investigation was launched by Turkey's RTUK

Ismail said that the chairman of the National Unity and Solidarity Association in London, Mehmet Bayramoglu and himself have launched a "struggle" against this cooperation by sending letters of complaint to the "high broadcasting board" in the occupied area of Cyprus, the "government", Turkish President Erdogan, Prime Minister Yildirim, Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cypriot Affairs Aktag and the Turkish Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTUK). In the letters they demanded that SIM TV's programs should not be broadcast through the Turkish satellite (TurkSat).

In the end RTUK laid hands on the issue and started examining it, he notes adding that it has been announced that the RTUK will send a delegation to the occupied area of Cyprus with this aim. "After these developments, SIM TV has since two weeks stopped transmitting Greek Cypriot state television RIK's propaganda programs", he claims.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Ozgurgun "distributed" building plots

According to the paper, Ozgurgun "granted" "certifications of property" to 89 persons during a ceremony held at occupied Marathovounos and stressed the importance that the "government" gives to young people and to their "right to own property".

(CS)

[10] The Ambassador of the Netherlands to Cyprus visited "KTOS"

Jaarsma was briefed by the "members" of the "union" about "KTOS structure and activities" and also about the "union's approaches in the political, social, cultural, economic and education fields" in the occupied part of the island.

The paper adds that during the meeting the efforts exerted by the two communities for the increase of the bi-communal dialogue and rapprochement with the aim to reach a solution to the Cyprus problem were further discussed.

(AK)

[11] YOK's chairman held "contacts" in the occupied area of Cyprus

Speaking during the meeting, Sarac referred to the importance of the qualitative and quantitative development of the "higher education" in the "TRNC" and claimed that the "TRNC universities" will make an evaluation by the beginning of the new year of their "cooperation" with the "planning, evaluation, accreditation and coordination council" ("YODAK").

Sarac alleged further the following: "We want to see the TRNC becoming an island of higher education. Turkey will contribute for the strengthening of the TRNC in this field. The development of the higher education institutions here is among YOK's priorities".

Also speaking, Berova claimed that the number of students who study in the "TRNC" is more than 106 thousands. Claiming that they are in full consultation with Turkey's YOK, Berova alleged that the number of students from Turkey to the "TRNC" who were sent via YOK are more than 60 thousands.

Berova further claimed that they had achieved with Turkey's help and contributions to overpass in a great extend the biggest obstacle in the field of higher education, which is as he claimed the "embargoes". "The close cooperation between Turkey and the TRNC has reinforced even more the existing protocols", Berova further argued.

Meanwhile, within the framework of his "contacts" in the occupied area of Cyprus, Sarac also met with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and the "chairperson" of "YODAK", Prof. Dr Akile Buke.

(AK)

[12] "KIBTES trade union" was "established" in the occupied area of Cyprus

In a written statement, the "founding chairman" of "KIBTES" Bilal Akbayir stated that the "union" was established with the aim to serve all educators' and teachers' interest, adding that it will struggle to protect the "teachers' social, financial and personal interests". He further added that the "union" will exert efforts and carry out comprehensive scientific projects for the "improvement of the education sector in the TRNC" and with the aim to contribute in solving all problems experienced in "education".

(AK)

[13] Erdogan: "Turkey will not allow the PYD to establish an autonomous region in northern Syria"; Statements on other issues

He noted that rising threat posed by the PKK's Syrian affiliate Democratic Union Party (PYD) and its armed People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria had forced Turkey's hand. The U.S. is aware of Ankara's concerns over American arms going to the PKK's affiliate in Syria, Erdogan said. "We decide on what to do in accordance with developments. Why did we take steps in Jarablus? Because they [U.S.] did not keep the promises they made," he said.

Failure to abide by their promises had forced Turkey to initiate a cross-border operation that liberated Jarablus from the PYD and YPG, Erdogan said, adding that similar actions were taken in al-Rai, al-Bab and several other towns in 2,000 km2 of northern Syria.

He again pointed to a map of the region, saying, "They [PYD] claim that they will expand their corridor to the Mediterranean Sea. They may do this via Afrin by taking over Idlib. We will definitely not allow such a scenario."

For those who are asking why Turkish forces are in Syria, Erdogan said the only answer is that "[t]here are terrorist groups here that harass us. We can and will conduct cross-border operations to eliminate all such threats."

He said the fate of Turkmens in northern Iraq is a particular concern for Turkey. "We want Turkmens from Tal Afar to return to their homes. There are over 400,000 Turkmens, half of whom are Sunni and the other half Shiite.

The completion of the Baku-Tblisi-Kars Railway, which was inaugurated by Erdogan and his counterparts from Azerbaijan and Georgia on Monday, created a connection from Turkey to Kazakhstan, the President said and added that the aim is for the railway to eventually continue to London.

At the 6th High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council meeting on Tuesday between Turkey and Azerbaijan, the two countries had agreed to expand cooperation to education, trade, industry and several others areas, Erdogan said. Another objective is to increase the bilateral trade volume from $1.6 billion, not counting oil and oil products, to reach $5 billion annually.

He further said: "Turkey will also continue to act in solidarity with Azerbaijan in its just cause of getting upper Karabakh back from Armenia. I will talk about the matter with Russian President [Vladimir] Putin when we meet next week or the week after. His attitude is very important. If he really focusses on the matter, it will be easily resolved."

On efforts to rejuvenate the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party), which he chairs, Erdogan said the aim is to get ready for the local, parliamentary and presidential elections scheduled for 2019. "All the steps taken should be seen in that light," he said, in reference to the resignations of several Mayors in the past few weeks.

[14] Erdogan's spokesman: "Turkey has intervened in Russian invitation to YPG"

The Turkish government has "no problem" with any invitation to other Syrian Kurdish groups but sees as "unacceptable" the People's Protection Units (YPG) and the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which Ankara sees as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), he said.

Turkish officials in the last Astana meeting immediately intervened in the invitation and "the problem was resolved", Kalin said, adding that Ankara told Moscow "this kind of initiatives will not be welcomed".

Russia seeks to launch a new initiative to end the Syrian conflict during a two-day meeting in Astana on Nov. 30-31.

"We are studying the issue and our stance has been positive so far," Badran Jia Kurd, an adviser to the administration that governs the Kurdish-led autonomous regions of Syria, told Reuters on Oct. 31. The Syrian Kurdish authorities have so far been left out of international talks in line with Turkish wishes.

Moscow has said the congress will focus on "compromise solutions" towards ending the conflict, which began more than six years ago with street protests against the Syrian leader.

[15] More renewable investments high on Turkey's energy agenda

Turkey steadily moves forward in spite of all the global and regional problems it has experienced in recent years, Albayrak said, adding that it is now necessary to set targets in the energy field to advance to a "higher league".

He said that Turkey prioritized its own resources in the direction of "more domestic and more renewable" principle and those steps were taken in this direction. Turkey has revealed attractive models for international investors with its investment capacity, potential, investment incentives and attractive opportunities, Albayrak said, adding that the country has put forth a great success story thanks to the said models in the last 15 years.

Underscoring that they are working on new models in solar and wind energy, he said, "By using every source with maximum efficiency, we have to open up the way for the maximum competition. Important steps will continue to be taken in terms of technology transfer and domestic production."

He also emphasized the importance of renewable resources. "Turkey provides 55% of the new capacity commissioned in 2016, and 64% of the capacity in 2017, from renewable resources. It is an important success in the world, and it will increasingly continue. Our domestic and renewable support will continue in this context," he said.

[16] Gezici survey showed that the newly founded "Good Party" may mark a dramatic shift in Turkish politics

According to the paper, Gezici is one of the two most accurate pollsters on the results of April 16 referendum.

Gezici carried out the survey between October 10 and 15, with the participation of 4,638 persons with the method face-to-face interview.

The paper reports that in case the IP participates in the election, the 43.8% of the participants will vote AKP and the 19.5% will vote for IP. On the other hand, the 18.5% will vote for the Republican Turkish Party (CHP), the 8.8% for the National Movement Party (MHP) and 7% for the People's Democracy Party (HDP).

In this case, the MHP and HDP are below the 10% threshold necessary to enter the Parliament.

In case of an early election, in which the IP does not participate, the 47.1% of the respondents will vote for AKP, the 26.8% for CHP, the 13.5% for MHP and 9.8% for HDP.

According to the survey, the 60% of the participants evaluated the "political stance" of Aksener as positive, while the 32% described it as negative.

According to the survey on how the people will vote in the presidential election in November 2019, 47% of the respondents said that they will vote for Erdogan, 38% for Aksener and 14.9% for Kilicdaroglu.

(DPs)

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

https://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/All/EDB254ABD6F3EAE1C225816F00425E83?OpenDocument

(DPs / ??)

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