Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-04-12

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

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Erhurman on the "Immovable Property Commission" and the Cyprus problem

[02] Nami: "The energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean should be transformed into a peace project"

[03] Turkish Energy Minister Donmez: "We stand behind the rights of the TRNC's people"

[04] Candan with an Italian Deputy make a call that Turkish Cypriots are also Europeans

[05] The Turkish-German Chamber of Trade and Industry discusses possible "investments and trade cooperation" between Germany and the occupation regime

[06] Tatar: "Federation turns out to be nothing more than a dream"; he reiterated his calling for discussing confederation

[07] "Licenses" to 258 foreigners to buy property in the breakaway regime

[08] Excavation works in occupied Keryneia and Karakoumi village cause damages

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Cavusoglu stated that Turkey will continue to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots

[02] Nine municipalities to be transferred from HDP to AKP after election authority denies mandate for purge victims

[03] President Erdogan calls for Sudan to restore peace, democracy

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Erhurman on the "Immovable Property Commission" and the Cyprus problem

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Yeni Duzen (12.04.19) reports that Tufan Erhurman, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that the so-called "Immovable Property Commission" had been established to eliminate the pressure exerted by the Greek Cypriot side on Turkey and the breakaway regime during the period until the solution of the Cyprus problem and not to solve the property issue. Speaking yesterday to journalist Serhat Incirli on Kanal T television, Erhurman was asked to comment on statements arguing that the "commission is not working". He said that the "commission" had been established in 2003 as "Property Compensation Commission" and in 2005 it was substituted by the "Immovable Property Commission", because it does not pay only compensations but in some cases, it returns properties. He alleged the following:

"[…] This commission worked very seriously. It made payments to the extent of the money it had. It paid compensation to many Greek Cypriot applicants and in return of this, it Turkified these title deeds. It also made a couple of minor returns. However, the money separated for this commission last year, for example, was 75 million Turkish liras […] and because of the conditions in which Turkey was, this [money] could not come fully. The half of it came. […]"

Erhurman said that there was a need for money to be transferred for the continuation of the "commission" and for questioning whether it is an effective local remedy at the European Court of Human Rights. He noted that in parallel to the money transferred from Turkey, they were exerting efforts to create resources for the "commission" from the occupied area of the island as well. "We should know however that when we look at those who applied until now and those who continue to apply, this fund we created is not a fund which will secure that we will pay all of them quickly at once", he admitted.

Replying to a question on the Cyprus problem, Erhurman alleged that the Greek Cypriot side acted with the intention of bringing the problem into a dead-end and of playing with time. Claiming that President Anastasiades either had not enough courage to explain to his people the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots or he was not willing to do so, Erhurman argued that these conditions showed that it was not possible to expect a solution to the problem in the short term.

Referring to those who claim that other solution models except federation should be discussed, Erhurman pointed out that federations had a constitution approved by the people and thus it was binding, and that this constitution included provisions for the property problem as well. He added: "However, in a confederation and in the two separate states there is no common constitution. And the people do not say 'yes' to a common constitution in a referendum. Then everybody will pursue their own property on the property issue".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Nami: "The energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean should be transformed into a peace project"

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (12.04.19) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled minister of economy and energy, speaking at the 10th Energy Efficient Forum in Istanbul, said: "Our stance is clear. The Eastern Mediterranean energy resources should be turned into a peace project. If this principle is adopted then a cooperation can be established embracing all parties involved and the energy resources are a source of prosperity in our region". He further said that Cyprus due to its strategic position and the recently discovered hydrocarbons was extremely important.

Claiming that the Turkish Cypriot side is making every possible effort to resolve the Cyprus problem, which will benefit not only Cyprus but also the Eastern Mediterranean region, Nami argued that despite the positive approach put forward by the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey, as a guarantor country, the efforts for solution remained inconclusive because the Greek Cypriot leader abandoned the negotiating table. He argued that "the cost of this situation should be paid by the Turkish Cypriot people and the unjust and inhumane isolation against them should be terminated".

Noting that in the last one year of his "term" the concrete steps that were taken in the name of renewable energy efficiency in the occupied area of Cyprus have started to be reflected positive, Nami said: "Within 2018, the development bank, which is related to our ministry, has used a total of 27.5 million TL for renewable energy projects, by doubling the percentage of renewable energy in the network in one year. With regard to energy efficiency, we are working with relevant chambers, academicians and experts to complete a new energy efficiency law within 2019. In this context, we welcome with great satisfaction the cooperation which has started between the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Architects and Engineers and the Turkish Investment Union Izoder to ensure energy efficiency in the TRNC. We will continue to provide all kinds of support to this and similar works."

Stating that they will continue to work in cooperation with Turkey's Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, Nami said that "in a country with an isolated network system, the capacity to use solar and wind energy without storage is limited". He argued that although the energy storage cost falls from year to year, it is still expensive, claiming that a connection to large networks is actually a requirement for the whole of Cyprus.

Referring to the "joint energy working group" established between Turkey's Ministry of Energy and the "ministry of energy" of the breakaway regime, Nami said that they are working on the issue of interconnecting Turkey with the occupied area of Cyprus with a cable. He claimed: "We attach great importance to the fast completion of these works and the implementation of this project within the framework of the cooperation agreement signed between the two countries. However, political obstacles on this issue emerge from the European Union and the Cyprus problem and the Turkish Cypriot people once again pay the price of the unjust isolation impose on them".

(DPs)

[03] Turkish Energy Minister Donmez: "We stand behind the rights of the TRNC's people"

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (12.04.19, http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c36-TURKIYE/n282040-fatih-donmez-adada-kktc-halkinin-haklarinin-sonuna-kadar-ark), Turkey's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Donmez, addressing the 10th Energy Efficiency Forum and Fair in Istanbul, said: "We are there on the island, we stand behind the rights of the TRNC's people until the end. Very soon, we will also send our second drilling vessel to the Mediterranean. We will continue our cooperation on this issue".

Donmez further claimed that the Turkish Petroleum Company will continue its seismic researches and drilling activities aiming the production in the authorized areas by themselves (Turkey) and the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (12.04.19) reports that Donmez, in a post at his social media account, said that he met with Nami and evaluated the latest developments. He also wrote: "Turkey and TRNC will protect until the end their joint interests in every platform and will face together every illegal step".

(DPs)

[04] Candan with an Italian Deputy make a call that Turkish Cypriots are also Europeans

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (12.04.19, http://www.yeniduzen.com/italya-uzerinden-dunyaya-cagri-kibrisli-turkler-abnin-parcasidir-avrupalidir-114093h.htm), under the title "Calling the world through Italy: The Turkish Cypriots are part of the EU, they are Europeans", reports that Armagan Candan, "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party, who is currently attending the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg, gave an interview to Italian Media.

Candan with the Italian Deputy Roberto Rampi replied to the questions of the Radicale Media organization on the Cyprus problem and gave information regarding the speech he made at the General Assembly of PACE on the recent soccer game in Pyla and the reportedly restrictions on the sports for the Turkish Cypriots.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Candan said: "We want to reach a peace on the island within partnership with the Greek Cypriots. We are still working for this purpose." Claiming that the Greek Cypriots are ruling the state on their own, Candan argued that they must enter to an administration partnership with them and to share power. He added that the Turkish Cypriots could not trade freely and do ordinary things. He further argued that one of this is the participation in international sport games, adding that the Turkish Cypriots are being presented in the PACE with a special representation status. He explained that they have the right to speak but not to cast a vote. He said that a way should be found in order to strengthen the status of the Turkish Cypriots there until the Cyprus settlement.

Meanwhile, Italian Deputy Roberto Rambi, who was in Cyprus a few months ago, shared also his thoughts on the developments in Cyprus. Noting that PACE is the only international institute that the Turkish Cypriots are represented, Rambi argued that this could be precedent also for the European Parliament. He claimed that the European Parliament elections will be held soon, but the Turkish Cypriots, who are European citizens, will not have the opportunity to be represented there. Rambi further argued: "This is a problem, because North Cyprus is also part of Europe. The aim of the Turkish Cypriots is a federal solution, as it was in the Annan plan. Europe needs to take a step on this issue and especially to give a hope to the youth. The Turkish Cypriots are part of the EU and do not deserve any restrictions including sports".

(DPs)

[05] The Turkish-German Chamber of Trade and Industry discusses possible "investments and trade cooperation" between Germany and the occupation regime

Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (12.04.19) reports that the general secretary of the Turkish-German Chamber of Trade and Industry, Okan Ozoglu is illegally visiting the occupation regime for a series of contacts in order to discuss possible investment opportunities between German investors and Turkish Cypriots, prior inviting Germans to visit the occupation regime.

According to a written statement issued by the so-called prime ministry, the "Investment Development Agency" ("YAGA") in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and the "Cyprus businesspersons, investors and economy society" ("KIYED") organized on April 9 two separate meetings where they analyzed in detail possible investment opportunities and investments that could take place in the "TRNC".

Meanwhile, Ozoglu, within the framework of his "contacts" in the occupied area of Cyprus, accompanied by the "director of YAGA", Kaptan Sertoglu and the "deputy chairman of KIYED", Evren Erk, visited the so-called prime minster Tufan Erhurman and the Turkish Cypriot chamber of commerce and the "Turkish Cypriot chamber of industry". During the meetings, investments that could take place between the "TRNC-Germany" and possible trade cooperation between them were discussed.

(AK)

[06] Tatar: "Federation turns out to be nothing more than a dream"; he reiterated his calling for discussing confederation

Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (12.04.19) reports that the chairman of the main opposition National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar, delivering yesterday a speech at a conference entitled: "Energy security and Cyprus in the Eastern Mediterranean", referred to the Cyprus problem alleging that reaching a desired solution on the Cyprus problem is of vital importance for Turkey and the "TRNC".

Claiming that the Cyprus problem derives from the Greek Cypriots' apprehension for "Enosis with Greece", he accused the Greek Cypriot side for intransigent attitude on the Cyprus problem, alleging that the Greek Cypriots donot want power sharing with the Turkish Cypriots and also do not accept the political equality with them. "For these reasons, it is meaningless to discuss about federation. We have been discussing federation for 50 years with no outcome. Federation turns out to be nothing more than a dream", Tatar alleged claiming that it is time to discuss confederation or a two state solution. He added that even if no solution is reached again, they should continue their path.

(AK)

[07] "Licenses" to 258 foreigners to buy property in the breakaway regime

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (12.04.19) reports that "licenses" were given to 258 foreigners who live in the breakaway regime to buy property.

According to the paper, this is in the framework of "acquisition of immovable property and long-term lease law". The decision was applied since the date it was published in the "official gazette".

According to the paper, 110 "licenses" were given to foreigners in January and 148 "licenses" were given in February.

Speaking to the paper, Hasan Sungur, the "chairman" of the "real estate union" said that there should be an alteration to the "licenses" given to person of third countries or to Turkish citizens. He stated that Turkish citizens are facilitated when the want to buy immovable property, Sungur said that third countries citizens face problem especially in military areas. He also said that there was low interest from Turkish citizens to buy property in the last years from the breakaway regime due to the economic crisis.

(CS)

[08] Excavation works in occupied Keryneia and Karakoumi village cause damages

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (14.02.19) reports that during excavation works which took place yesterday in a construction side in occupied Keryneia, serious damages were caused in an ancient tomb in the area.

Meanwhile, other excavation works which were also taking place in another construction side in occupied Karakoumi village caused damages to the historical church of the village. The paper points out to the fact that the construction works in both places are taking place in the ignorance of the "municipality" of occupied Keryneia.

According to the paper, the "antiquities department" has been informed about both cases and "launched investigations".

(AK)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Cavusoglu stated that Turkey will continue to protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots

Turkish Ahaber news agency 12.04.19 https://www.ahaber.com.tr/gundem/2019/04/12/turkiyeden-kibris-icin-akdeniz-mesaji ) reports that Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlut Cavusglu, who attended the 99th Rose-Roth Seminar in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly made statements about Cyprus and France.

Cavusoglu stated that the rights of the "Turkish people" in Cyprus will be defended at all times. "Today, the eyes of the whole world are in the Eastern Mediterranean and the area of tension. We have not turned the Eastern Mediterranean into a zone of peace. Today all the powerful countries are there. The size of the problems in the region is increasing. Turkey's guarantor status for Cyprus and the Turkish people there are important. The unilaterally launching of the works of the Greek Cypriot side on hydrocarbons reminds us how important Turkey's guarantee is. To protect the rights of the Turkish Cypriots is my most natural right. Of course as Greece you cannot wish and you cannot decide. We decide as people of Cyprus and Turkey. Guarantee is very important, you can not underestimate the discourse as out of age", he said.

He went on commenting on the French decision to recognize the Armenian genocide adding that "France is the last country which could lecture Turkey on genocide and history".

[02] Nine municipalities to be transferred from HDP to AKP after election authority denies mandate for purge victims

Turkish Minute news portal (11.04.19 https://www.turkishminute.com/2019/04/11/9-municipalities-to-be-transferred-from-hdp-to-akp-after-election-authority-denies-mandate-for-purge-victims/) reported that a decision by Turkey's election authority this week requires that nine municipalities be handed over to runners-up from the ruling party instead of the elected opposition candidates who were previously purged from public jobs, Euronews Turkish service reported.

The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) objected to the results of the March 31 local elections in at least nine cities where it lost to candidates from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) who in the past were removed from public service.

The Supreme Election Board (YSK) announced that elected Mayors should not be given the mandate to govern if they were subjected to expulsion by decrees the government issued in the aftermath of a failed coup in 2016.

The YSK justified its decision based on a clause in the decrees which stipulate that dismissed civil servants can no longer be employed in public service. The board decided that the runners-up should be given the mandate instead. The AKP's objections were lodged in the predominantly Kurdish East and Southeast where in recent years elected Mayors from the HDP were replaced by trustees appointed by the AKP-led Interior Ministry.

Meanwhile, in a district of the eastern province of Mus, the runner-up from the HDP received the mandate instead of the winner from the Republican People's Party (CHP) because of the same YSK decision.

The HDP reacted to the transfer on Twitter, announcing that it rejects the practice in principle and asking for a new election.

[03] President Erdogan calls for Sudan to restore peace, democracy

Turkish daily Sabah (12.04.19 https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2019/04/11/president-erdogan-calls-for-sudan-to-restore-peace-democracy) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Thursday expressed his hope that Sudan can overcome its upheaval peacefully through "national consensus" and urged it to try to operate "a normal democratic process," after the country's longtime President Omar al-Bashir was overthrown and arrested by the military.

Speaking at a joint news conference with the President of Burkina Faso on Thursday, Erdogan repeated his disdain of undemocratic seizures of power.

"As you know, I'm not a politician who came to power in a coup. From my time as Mayor to now, I am one who always came (to power) through the ballot box and while continuing this journey with the ballot box, I have dealt with a coup attempt," Erdogan said, adding that he knows from experience what a coup can involve.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(CS/AM)

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