Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-11-06

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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] Akay: The return of Maronites is at its final stage

[02] Nami: As long as the Cyprus problem exists, efforts for a solution will continue, but the process should be different

[03] Atun and Zeybekci discussed "foreign trade relations" between Turkey and the breakaway regime

[04] Atun announces that natural gas explorations in occupied Famagusta Gulf will start

[05] Ozgurgun distributed building plots

[06] Survey showed that the people in the occupied area of Cyprus do not give a pass grade neither to their "government" nor to the opposition

[07] CMIRS director analyses the pulse of the upcoming "early elections"

[08] The KTTO called for measures for the reactivation of the "IPC"

[09] The occupation regime to be "represented" at the WTM tourism fair in London

[10] Inflation the breakaway regime reached 11,32%

[11] Call for prayer disturbs the inhabitants of occupied Ankastina village

[12] Turkish Foreign met with German Foreign Minister

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akay: The return of Maronites is at its final stage

Referring to the decision taken at the European Parliament on 25 October regarding the Maronites, Akay argued that the above-mentioned decision "does not include references which we could accept". He recalled that the decision notes that the financial aid to the Turkish Cypriots should be provided for continuation of the work of the Committee on Missing Persons, re-establishment of Maronites to their occupied villages and securing the prosperity of the enclaved persons according to the 3rd Vienna Agreement as well as for supporting the work of the bi-communal Committee on Cultural Heritage, thus increasing trust and reconciliation between the communities. Akay argued that they want the aid for the Maronites to be granted as a supplementary amount to the EU's "financial aid program" to the Turkish Cypriots for 2017 and added that they do not consider appropriate for this money to be granted through the Greek Cypriots.

Akay said that through the above-mentioned program, the EU provides for granting 34,836,240 euros to the Turkish Cypriots and added that they should do whatever is necessary for this money to be used and not be lost. He noted that this amount will be used in projects determined as a result of close consultations with the Turkish Cypriot "authorities". Akay said that as "EU coordination center" they work in harmony with the EU in spite of the differences which occur from time to time.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami: As long as the Cyprus problem exists, efforts for a solution will continue, but the process should be different

"The new effort should be result oriented. It should be a different process. We see this as a structure which will have a concrete time limit and if the Greek Cypriots say no again, the status of the Turkish Cypriots will be defined. If the Greek Cypriot side puts forward a different structure which will be persuasive, constructive and have the approval of the Turkish side, let them put it forward and with the UN's help, we will create a new structure within the framework of an agreement. I think that this is necessary. [?] If the Greek Cypriots use delaying tactics again, the world will undertake its responsibility. We put forward this framework in order to motivate the Greek Cypriots. If the Greek Cypriots do not accept this framework, we will be able to turn to the world and say: 'Look we do not have a serious interlocutor before us. There is a side which does not want the issue to end, but it is presented as if it wants the continuation of the negotiations. The Turkish Cypriots should not pay the price for this. Therefore, you should lift the isolation, the embargoes".

Referring to the UNSG's call on the sides to use the current period for pondering on the Cyprus problem, Nami claimed that they are doing so and have started expressing these concrete proposals as a part of this process. He alleged: "The Greek Cypriot side does not say something new. They say that we will continue from the point where we remained. [?] No one should put us into such a process".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Atun and Zeybekci discussed "foreign trade relations" between Turkey and the breakaway regime

"Foreign trade relations between the two countries" were discussed during the meeting where Turkish Minister for Economy Nihat Zeybekci noted that for foreign trade only Turkish Liras can be used between Turkey and the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus".

"Just recently we came to an agreement with the Nakhchevan Autonomous Republic and we can do the same with the TRNC as well" said Zeybekci.

Saying that until "all unjust practices enforced against the TRNC are removed Turkey will continue to offer privileged benefits to the country", Zeybekci said: "Cyprus is just like Sparta to us in the economic sense, like Pisidia, Konya and Karaman".

Noting that they aimed to increase imports from the "TRNC" worth 100 million dollars by the end of 2018, Zeybekci said that they were working on making changes so that they can reach this aim more easily.

He said that his ministry is ready to support and assist the "TRNC" in any possible way.

Atun said that economic cooperation between the "TRNC" and Turkey had been continuing for 10 years now and expressed the hope that in 2018 they will fulfill their aim of importing 100 million dollars worth of goods from the "TRNC" to Turkey.

[04] Atun announces that natural gas explorations in occupied Famagusta Gulf will start

Addressing an economic conference at illegal "International Final University" ("UFU"), Atun claimed that in parallel to its contribution to the occupied area, the water from Turkey could also reach the government-controlled area of the island and the countries of the region. He alleged that the electricity from Turkey will reduce the energy prices in the occupied area of Cyprus and at the same time it could reach other countries of the region via interconnected networks through the "TRNC".

Referring to the natural gas resources in Eastern Mediterranean, Atun said that explorations in the occupied Famagusta Gulf will start, adding that the resources to be possibly found in our area, will be transferred to the Ceyhan pipeline. He alleged that the natural gas found by Israel during the explorations it had carried out alone and with the Republic of Cyprus is in commercially acceptable quantities, but only if it is transferred through Ceyhan pipeline it could be purchased by the EU. "This means that the most correct, the most feasible way is to connect to our pipeline or to use our route", he alleged claiming that this will lead the occupied area of Cyprus to an important point within the energy geography of the area.

Referring to the economy of the breakaway regime, Atun said that the habit of borrowing money in foreign currency continues in the occupied area of Cyprus and described this "a risk for the economy". He noted that they are working to find a solution to this issue and added that the raw materials and end products produced in Turkey will be imported to the occupied area of Cyprus in Turkish liras. He said that during a meeting with the Turkish Energy Minister they demanded that the raw materials and the intermediate products produced in Turkey be sold to the occupied area Cyprus in Turkish liras, just like they are sold to Turkey's internal market.

Referring to the regime's "budget", Atun said that it will give a surplus of 240 million Turkish liras (TL) in 2018 adding that 80 million TL will come from internal resources and 160 million TL from Turkey's aid.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Ozgurgun distributed building plots

He made the statement while handing out certificates to those who "gained the right to claim land" in occupied Assia, Makrasyka and Kouklia villages.

A total of 43 people in Assia 16 in Kouklia and 12 people from Makrasyka received their certificates during a ceremony in the Assia village.

"The state is supporting the farmers, animal breeders and youth by paving the way so that they can receive countryside land and claim ownership of their lands", Ozgurgun stated.

"This way some movement will take place in villages and those who have eyes on our lands can look elsewhere" said Ozgurgun.

Explaining that the aim of the "countryside land project" was to ensure that 'the youth state a claim on their land and then their country", Ozgurgun said that therefore, the mission behind the project is very important

"Thanks to this project the future of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is further strengthened", he claimed.

[06] Survey showed that the people in the occupied area of Cyprus do not give a pass grade neither to their "government" nor to the opposition

According to the paper, the survey showed that no one in the "cabinet" got more than "5" grade, which was the pass one. Self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun came to the forefront as the most successful of the "cabinet" with an average grade of 4.4. Following Ozgurgun were the self-styled tourism and environment minister Fikri Ataoglu with a 3.81 grade and the self-styled minister of finance Serdar Denktas with a 3.73 grade.

The paper stressed that the opposition did not get a pass grade either. The top grade being 10, the opposition did not receive a pass grade from the citizens for its performance of "defending the people's rights against governmental actions". The respondents failed the opposition with a grade 4 out of 10. The People's Party (HP) got the highest grade with 3.66, followed by the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) with 3.45 and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) with 2.60.

According to the survey's results, the army is considered the most reliable institution. The survey also highlights that the army, as has been the case in many different surveys, is still considered the most reliable institution. In addition to this, the "presidency" is considered the most trusted institution after the army.

The paper will continue to publish the results of the survey the whole week.

(DPs)

[07] CMIRS director analyses the pulse of the upcoming "early elections"

Yucel commented on the trend of the "early elections" that will be held on January 7, by saying that it will be a completely different "election". She added that there is nothing clear yet. However there is a rise only in the UBP (National Unity Party) and the CTP (Republican Turkish Party).

Asked to comment on the latest results of their survey conducted in October, Yucel replied that they repeat their survey every three months and that their research covers all the regions in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Asked to comment on the stance of the community, because while it does not like the "coalition government", it will vote for it again, Yucel stressed that in this community there are 4-5 large parties. While the community got angry with UBP in the past and brought to power CTP thus punishing it, it was also angry with CTP and turned its back to UBP. The CTP was divided and there is a large part of their followers that has not forgotten this. Meanwhile, Yucel said that the People's Party (HP) came out as an alternative, adding however that this party does not have a large number of followers; it is just its leader, Kudret Ozersay. The Social Democracy Party (TDP) is not a serious alternative and is also divided. The DP at this moment has very low numbers. So the HP rises and falls from time to time. But the UBP has been on the rise for the last 9 months and the CTP for the last one and a half years. The rates are not certain yet, because the community is still angry and upset. The number of the persons, who used to say that they will not vote, has decreased.

Referring to the party which was established by Turkish origin persons, Yucel said that she believes that this term is not very appropriate, because they are talking about people who have lived in the occupied area of Cyprus more than her. She added that when you talk to people, who feel that that they belong here (translator's note: in the occupied part of Cyprus), they see these political parties as "front parties". Because for many years, they have been conducting policies through fear. The political parties used to tell them: "They will sell you, they will send you back". They were afraid of CTP, but CTP came to power, as well as Akinci, but neither sold them nor sent them back. Yucel further said that this party (translator's note: she refers to the newly established party Revival Party) does not go around and collect votes as a "Turkish party" and it is not a party that protects its Turkish rights. However, an ethnic discrimination is being used and the politicians used this ethnic discrimination for political interests.

(DPs)

[08] The KTTO called for measures for the reactivation of the "IPC"

The chamber underlined in the statement that the "immovable property commission" which was established in the occupied area of Cyprus in 2006 and is considered one of the most important actors in the Cyprus negotiation process, is going through its most difficult period due to lack of resources.

Pointing out to the importance of the "commission" which is considered to be the most important mechanism that could contribute towards finding solutions and protecting Turkish Cypriots' property rights deriving from the Cyprus problem, the "chamber" called on the "officials" to evaluate this issue seriously and provide funding to the "commission".

(AK)

[09] The occupation regime to be "represented" at the WTM tourism fair in London

According to the paper, the "delegation" which is "representing" the occupation regime at the fair departed yesterday for London and is composed of "ministry officials, hoteliers and representatives of travel agencies". The "delegation" is headed by the "director" of the "tourism, promotion and marketing department" of the so-called ministry of tourism and environment, Mustafa Koprulu and also by Neriman Ihtiyar, "officer" in the same "department".

So-called minister of tourism and environment Fikri Ataoglu will carry out several contacts in London and visit the occupation regime's stand.

The fair is expected to attract more than 50 thousand visitors, the paper adds.

(AK)

[10] Inflation the breakaway regime reached 11,32%

There was an increase in the price of 333 items, especially shoes and clothing material, the paper mentions.

(CS)

[11] Call for prayer disturbs the inhabitants of occupied Ankastina village

According to the paper, the loud (recorded) voice used for the call for the Muslim prayer is very annoying for the inhabitants who issued a complaint to the "religious affairs department" on the issue, without any result.

(CS)

[12] Turkish Foreign met with German Foreign Minister

Minister Cavusoglu and his German counterpart discussed Turkey-Germany relations and mutual expectations.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(CS /PH)

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