Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-03-20

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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] Ozersay: Steps parallel to the solution are on the agenda; The duty of Van Nuffel in the negotiations has not changed

[02] Eroglu: We are holding negotiations to reach the agreement which is missing for the Turkish Cypriots so as to take their place in the world

[03] Siber met with Luis Ayala

[04] Atalay: The psychological barriers in Cyprus must be overcome

[05] Debates on the decision of the recent education council continue

[06] Left parties in the occupied area of Cyprus on the way to form an alliance for the "municipal elections"

[07] An increase of tourists in the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Ozersay: Steps parallel to the solution are on the agenda; The duty of Van Nuffel in the negotiations has not changed

Ozersay noted that while they exert efforts for finding a comprehensive solution, in parallel to the process, they also work on steps which will benefit both the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots. "I hope that soon we will be able to implement some of these measures", he added.

Ozersay said that the Turkish Cypriots experience many difficulties because of not being part of the international law for years and added that the existing status quo includes many uncertainties as a result of which they "cannot see their future". Therefore, he added, they want a negotiating process that will have results. He noted that he drew attention to these "basic issues" during his contacts in Washington and shared with their interlocutors the concrete steps that should be taken for the success of the process. Ozersay said that they received satisfactory answers from this point of view.

Referring to some reports in the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot press referring to the Annan Plan, he described them as "not helpful to the process" and added that "there is no need for the Greek Cypriots to worry, because the Annan Plan is not on the table" and that "the Turkish Cypriots should not worry in any way, because the on-going process is not an effort to adjust the Annan Plan in favour of the Greek Cypriots or changing it". "No one could do such injustice against the Turkish Cypriots and of course we cannot allow this", he argued and claimed: "What will come up if this process ends successfully, is a new solution agreement which will establish a new partnership. In order for such a solution agreement to be acceptable, not only the rights and the benefits which will be acquired should be balanced, but at the same time, the prices which will be paid should be balanced. This is an indispensable condition for a viable agreement. I assure everyone that we are working for this".

During his visit in the USA, Ozersay gave a lecture at Georgetown University and participated in round table discussions at think tanks as the Heritage Foundation and the German Marshall Fund.

Meanwhile, Kibris reports also that Ozersay replied to what are described as allegations that Pieter Van-Nuffel, special representative of the President of the European Commission in the Cyprus problem, could participate in the negotiations. Ozersay said that Van-Nuffel is not a person who has just arrived in the island, he is a part of the UN's good offices mission, but his actual title is "personal representative of the EU Commission's President Jose Manuel Barosso".

"Van-Nuffel is doing today what he has been doing in the past", argued Ozersay adding that Van-Nuffel's duty is to provide technical support on the issue of increasing the convergences under the EU Chapter and help within the EU context on some confidence building measures. Ozersay said that the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem are a UN process, something which the Greek Cypriot side knows very well and accepts.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: We are holding negotiations to reach the agreement which is missing for the Turkish Cypriots so as to take their place in the world

In statements yesterday during one of his meetings, Eroglu said that everyone should know that they are looking for an agreement which will secure their opening to the world and not one which will make their life more difficult.

Eroglu pointed out to the importance of the agreement eliminating the worries of the people and protect their rights. He noted that the other side will always have demands which they do not approve and added that this has started happening.

"Reaching an agreement which will create unrest could secure that the two sides will again have controversies with each other on these lands", he claimed.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Siber met with Luis Ayala

According to a press release by Siber's office, Erhun Sahali, "deputy" of the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG), was also present at the meeting.

During the meeting, the resumption of the Cyprus peace talks, as well as, the benefit of the contribution of all involved sides in reaching a permanent solution to the Cyprus problem were discussed.

In the meeting, it was also noted that a positive outcome of the negotiations will contribute to the creation of stability in the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean. They also referred that in addition to this, the stability in the region will prevent human trafficking and illegal migration.

[04] Atalay: The psychological barriers in Cyprus must be overcome

Atalay, who evaluated during a press conference the "Promotion of Inter-religious Dialogue", which took place recently in Geneva, said that these meetings carry great significance.

He said that the meetings held between the religious leaders, which started three years ago have a positive reflection to the society, adding that the religious leaders can play a supportive role with their attitude in the process of overcoming the psychological barriers between the two communities.

He went on and added that for the first time in its history, the Church contributed to peace. "Politics and political language is politicians' job. The language of religious leadership should be kept separated from political language" said Atalay.

[05] Debates on the decision of the recent education council continue

Referring to the issue, Turkish Cypriot Realist newspaper (20.03.14) reports that the protesters were holding banners, which said: "KTOS and KTOEOS should close down", "It is not KTOS which saved this country" and "We do not recognize the decisions of the council".

Meanwhile, Realist reports that Sunat Atun, general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP) criticized Kutlay Erk, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) who had said that the oath in their schools "have fascist and racist mentality". In a statement yesterday commenting on Erk's evaluation of the council's decisions, Atun argued that Erk "went beyond the limits". He noted that the decisions taken at the council are only recommendations and argued that Erk may be happy because the decision for teaching the Greek language as obligatory subject "echoed" positively in the government-controlled area of the island, but "it will never be possible for such a decision to be implemented". "This will find the UBP opposing with all its power", he noted.

Moreover, in an interview with Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (20.03.14), the chairman of the UBP, Huseyin Ozgurgun expressed his full support to the self-styled minister of education, Mustafa Arabacioglu, who had opposed to the abolishment of the oath and the closure of the theological college. He noted that the decisions of the council seem very "innocent" but they will definitely not be accepted. "When you abolish the oath in such a structure, when you start such things, the day will come when they will say to us 'let us not raise the flag'", he argued describing the decisions of the council as "shameful".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Left parties in the occupied area of Cyprus on the way to form an alliance for the "municipal elections"

Harmanci stated that the party will convey on Monday and discuss the formation of an alliance with United Cyprus Party (BKP), noting that the idea for a political alliance between TDP and BKP has matured. He also stated that the ties with the New Cyprus Party (YKP) who is leaning towards independent candidates, are not completely broken.

In addition, Kibris Postasi (19.03.14) reported that New Cyprus Party (YKP), Revolutionist Communist Union (DKB) and Cyprus Turkish Civil Servants Union (Cag-Sen) agreed to form an alliance for the "municipal elections" and join forces for social issues.

[07] An increase of tourists in the occupied area of Cyprus

Tolun noted that in 2013, the 500,000 tourists came from Turkey, the 65,000 from Britain and the 30,000 from Germany.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 19.03.14) reported that the "chairman of north Cyprus hoteliers association" (KITOB) Huseyin Aktig said that a Cyprus settlement will create a boom in tourism.

Noting that tourism is the destiny of the island, Aktig said that the opening of the occupied airport of Tumvou and the occupied port of Famagusta to international transportation, as well as, the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha will lead to a serious touristic activity. However, he stressed that there are lots to be done regarding the tourism sector.

The number of tourists in 2009 was 370 thousand in the occupied area of Cyprus and this number has increased by 100% by 2013 and reached 800 thousand, he noted. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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