Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-11-26

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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] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers last night's meeting between President Anastasiades and Dervis Eroglu

[02] The breakaway regime participated in the Economic Cooperation Organization with the observer status

[03] The period for applying to the "Immovable Property Compensation Commission" is extended for two years

[04] Sertoglu said they will evaluate the football agreement

[05] Sibel is visiting Turkey; meetings with Cicek and Gul

[06] Mehmet Harmanci is the new general secretary of TDP

[07] Turkey to hike Iran oil imports after nuke deal

[08] Turkey has serious problems with East Mediterranean countries

[09] The Monastery of Stoudios in Istanbul will be converted into a mosque

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers last night's meeting between President Anastasiades and Dervis Eroglu

"The message I want to convey to you tonight is clear: The necessary basis exists in the convergences which are on the negotiating table", said Eroglu in a statement after the meeting.

Noting that impasse exists in the joint statement on the issue of Governance and Power Sharing, Eroglu said that he submitted to President Anastasiades his proposal to resume the negotiations from the chapter of governance and power sharing.

Eroglu added that he submitted some "new formulas" for overcoming the difficulties on the issue of the joint statement and that he reiterated his proposal to visit together with President Anastasiades the occupied Apostolos (Saint) Andreas Monastery before the end of 2013.

The paper writes that President Anastasiades said that the meeting was positive. He added that there is a lot of distance to be covered for being able to reach a result, but the representatives of the leaders will continue meeting for concluding the joint statement.

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (26.11.13) refers to the issue under the title "[They] talked together, but at cross purposes" and reports that the two leaders made separate statements to the press. "While the fact that the statements of Eroglu and Anastasiades were extremely different from each other drew attention, it caused comments such as 'they talked together but at cross purposes'", writes Kibris Postasi. The paper's editor-in-chief, Rasih Resat writes in his column that in spite of the different statements made by the leaders, "we saw that the climate was positive". "That is, they reached no point, but I think we would not be exaggerating if we said that there are at a better place", he adds.

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (26.11.13) writes that "the meeting of the leaders is fruitless", Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (26.11.13) notes that "They could not agree", and Halkin Sesi reports that "There is no result".

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (26.11.13) covers the issue under the title "Anastasiades: there is still a long distance that we should cover" and Star Kibris under the title "There is a lot of way to be covered".

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper (26.11.13) refers to the meeting under the title "'I am sitting unconditionally at the table'".

(I/Ts.)

[02] The breakaway regime participated in the Economic Cooperation Organization with the observer status

Nami, who according to Bayrak also participated in a reception threw in his honour by the Turkish ambassador to Tehran Unit Yardim, stated that occupied Cyprus is under "unjust embargoes" and therefore is very difficult for it to establish contacts with the world. "It is a great opportunity for us the fact that ECO recognize us with this status. We are determined to use actively this right in the coming period", he stated.

He went on and alleged that in 2014, 50 years are completed from the launching of the Cyprus problem and said that a procedure is taking place now under the auspices of the United States for the solution of the problem. "We are saying to all our friendly and brotherly countries that while the negotiations are continuing, there is no point and no right for keeping the Turkish Cypriot people under isolation", he said. He also stated that while the negotiations were continuing, Cyprus became member of the European Union and added that the breakaway regime must continue its economic, social and culture relations with friendly and brotherly countries.

He went on and added that they hope that a federal solution will be reach soon and the problem known as Cyprus problem for the last 50 years to be solved and stay in the pages of history books. Finally he said that their aim is to become full member of the Organization of Islamic Conference.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot Kibris Postasi (26.11.13) reports that in the framework of the ECO meeting, Nami met with the Deputy Foreign Minister of Iran Ibrahim Rahim and they exchanged views on various issues. Nami also met with Iranians who graduated from the illegal universities in occupied Cyprus.

[03] The period for applying to the "Immovable Property Compensation Commission" is extended for two years

Addressing the "parliament", Mehmet Cakici, "MP" with the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that even though the "Commission" has returned and exchanged some properties, the stance of his party did not change. He added: "We believe that the Commission does not contribute to the solution. It serves no other purpose than extending the process". Cakici argued that the place from where the Turkish Cypriots, who abandoned properties in the government-controlled area of the island, could demand their rights is "ambiguous". He expressed the view that the structure of the "Commission" should change and the Turkish Cypriot should also be able to apply for their properties. Cakici said that his party would reject the "draft-law", because it does not speed up the solution process and does not take into consideration the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

Huseyin Angolemli, "MP" with the TDP, argued that it is not correct to compensate only the Greek Cypriots without "overcoming the unjust treatment of the Turkish Cypriots". He noted that the Turkish Cypriots, who abandoned properties in the government-controlled area, had been deceived and forced to renounce their properties with waivers.

Ferdi Sabit Soyer, "MP' with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that the "Commission" had been established "for opening a new window on the property issue" and argued that it takes an important place in the solution process of the Cyprus problem. He said that the next step is securing that the guardian of the Turkish Cypriot properties in the government-controlled area of the island is questioned internationally.

Zorlu Tore, "MP" with the Democratic Party (DP), said that they could accept the exchange and the compensation of properties to a certain point, but they oppose to abandoning the places in which the Turkish Cypriot have settled.

Huseyin Ozgurgun, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), argued that it should not be forgotten that the Cyprus problem is a political problem and not a property problem. He said that his party would vote in favor of the "draft-law", but they did not forget that "no step is taken on the unjust treatment" of the Turkish Cypriots, who left property in the government-controlled area of the island.

Referring to the negotiations process, he argued that when Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu came to "power", pressures had been exerted on him to continue the negotiations from the point where former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat had left them. He alleged that no similar pressure was exerted on President Anastasiades to continue from the point where former President Christofias had left the negotiations. Ozgurgun claimed that UN Secretary-General's special adviser on Cyprus, Alexander Downer "has lost his impartiality".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Sertoglu said they will evaluate the football agreement

Meanwhile, Sertoglu said that Turkey's Minister of Youth and Sport Suat Kilic taught them a lesson by saying that the Cyprus Turkish Football Association is an autonomous organization and that for this reason, its decisions should be respected. He added that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also gave his support, by saying that this provisional agreement will contribute to the solution process.

Sertoglu said that they are on the right path, their aim is clear, they don't get into politics. He wondered why those who say that there should be a Cyprus settlement in three months, are in a panic and are opposed to this agreement.

[05] Sibel is visiting Turkey; meetings with Cicek and Gul

Sibel will also meet with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

[06] Mehmet Harmanci is the new general secretary of the TDP

[07] Turkey to hike Iran oil imports after nuke deal

"We have already reduced our imports to around 105,000 [bpd] due to the sanctions. Once these sanctions are no longer in effect, I believe the amount we buy will hike," he said, adding that Turkey couldn't ignore Iran, which had one of the world's three largest oil reserves, and was Turkey's second biggest oil supplier after Russia.

Turkey cut dramatically its oil imports from Iran from a previously contracted volume of 180,000 bpd last year after a European Union embargo against Iran came into full force on July 1, which also targeted marine insurance.

Yildiz said Turkey has already rejected further reducing its oil imports from neighbouring Iran, adding that Turkey bought natural gas from five countries and oil from 12 countries.

Brent crude fell 1.6% yesterday just after the deal, but Yildiz called for patience. "It is of great importance to be patient and cautious in making any comment on whether the recent nuclear deal with Iran will have an effect on oil prices," he noted.

[08] Turkey has serious problems with East Mediterranean countries

"Turkey's National Security Board (MGK) has not only discussed Syria and Iraq and the Kurdish issue during its Oct. 28 bi-monthly meeting, as it was said in the press release afterwards.

According to high rank sources talking to HDN, one of the main issues discussed was Turkey's national interests in the light of new energy sources, mainly natural gas found in the East Mediterranean. With projections showing liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals and transportation would become more expensive with respect to pipeline transportation, following the new shale gas production technology promoted by the U.S., Turkish officials point out that the cheapest and safest way to transport East Mediterranean gas to European markets would be pipelines through Turkey. One ranking source described the analysis as follows: "Imagine, the island of Cyprus divides the map of East Med into Northern and Southern halves. The northern part is under our maritime influence and the south is Egypt's. We have to find a way to work this out."

Now with this information, President Abdullah Gul's address to the Atlantic Council in Istanbul on Nov. 21 makes even more sense. Without mentioning country names, Gul was criticizing the Europe Union for not opening the energy chapter of membership negotiations because of the Greek Cypriot embargo.

He said that in addition to new pipelines planned from Azerbaijan and Iraq, including the Kurdish region, Turkey was ready to facilitate pipelines carrying East Mediterranean pipelines to Europe.

There is nothing wrong so far, but the problem starts exactly at this point. The new gas fields in East Mediterranean are under control of Egypt, Israel and Republic of Cyprus. The Turkish government has serious political problems with all Greek Cypriot, Israeli and now Egyptian governments ? perhaps no need to mention absent diplomatic relations with another East Mediterranean government, Syria.

It is obvious that Ankara has to enhance its relations with other capitals in the Middle East and East Mediterranean for its national interests; especially for economic and strategic reasons. In a new atmosphere where Iran, as one of the main oil and gas players in the region and the main pole of Shiite, rather non-Sunni Islamic politics has come to an agreement with P5+1 countries over its nuclear program, better political relations between its region and Europe becomes more vital for Turkey.

But Cyprus is not the only problem and the other three arose in the last three years of Tayyip Erdogan's Justice and Development Party (AKP) government. Despite the quick rise and fall of the Arab Spring, Erdogan wants to address the Arab street directly, ignoring their governments in parallel with his "policy of principles," or ideology-based diplomacy, which could only find a limited echo in the pious Sunni street. That caused a reaction among the governments in the region as the recent move of Egypt by downgrading relations and expelling the Turkish ambassador showed. It would not be correct to put the responsibility on Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's shoulders only; not only because the Turkish Foreign Ministry and Presidency are apparently trying their best to normalize the atmosphere, but also because the Prime Minister's close aides and he are playing a greater role in Turkey's foreign policy.

Gul is right when pointing out that the forming of a transportation axis between the Middle East and East Mediterranean to Europe via pipelines through Turkey is in both Turkish national interests and would help European energy security. It should be noted on the other hand that the Turkish government better shift back from its diplomacy with an ideological focus for its national interests, which is causing it to lose ground in this region which has prior importance for the country."

[09] The Monastery of Stoudios in Istanbul will be converted into a mosque

The Monastery of Stoudios, also known as the Imrahor Monument, will be turned into a mosque and be titled Imrahor Ilyas Bey Mosque. The renovation of the mosque, which forms part of the Hagia Sophia Museum, will follow the same fate as that of Hagia Sophia churches in Trabzon and Iznik, which had been already turned into mosques.

"I wouldn't like to speak as a member of a council but my personal opinion is that cultural heritage shouldn't be reflected as an antagonistic heritage. If we reflect it like this, it will damage societies on a macro level," said Laki Vingas, acting as representatives of the Directorate General of Foundations. Vingas added that the issue creates grief within society, and it was not only the Greek community's problem.

"Cultural heritage is universal heritages, meaning that they are humanity's common heritage," he said.

Imrahor's conversion into a mosque came at a time debate continues as to whether to reopen Hagia Sophia as a place of worship. Most recently, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc has expressed his hope to see the Hagia Sophia to be used as a mosque.

Vingas said: "My personal view is that when you are trying to create a new vision you should be careful not to create new problems for the future."

The Monastery, which dates back to the fifth century, was the most important monastery of Istanbul during the Byzantium era, also serving as the centre of Byzantine intelligentsia. The basilica was converted to a mosque, during the period of Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II. After two major fires in the 18th and 19th centuries, the monastery was mostly destroyed. In 1946, it was turned into a museum in line with a ministerial cabinet decision. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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