Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-03-10

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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] Nami asked "the support of the EU institutions to lift the restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots"

[02] Ertug: If the Greek Cypriots want to talk with Turkey, the only way is a four-party or five-party international conference

[03] The Turkish Football Federation wants to establish a representation office in the occupied area of Cyprus; FIFA informs the "KTFF"

[04] Serdar Denktas in Ankara to discuss economy issues

[05] The historic harbor and the castle in occupied Keryneia to be restored

[06] Fidan withdrawn decision to run for Parliament; Erdogan reappointed him to MIT

[07] Turkey's former President Gul rules out any move to run in June elections

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Nami asked "the support of the EU institutions to lift the restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots"

According to a press release by the "foreign ministry", Nami started his contacts by meeting with Johannes Hahn, EU Commissioner for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy. Later, he had meetings with the Permanent Representatives of various EU member states with representation in Brussels. During the meetings, Nami briefed them on the latest developments on the Cyprus talks and reminded them the decisions of the EU institutions to lift the "isolation" imposed on the Turkish Cypriot side. Claiming that a comprehensive settlement on the island will be easier to achieve along with the integration process of the Turkish Cypriots to the EU, Nami asked "the support of the EU institutions to lift the restrictions imposed on the Turkish Cypriots".

Nami later gave a lecture titled "The Cyprus Problem and Hydrocarbon Resources: Challenges and Opportunities" at the Brussels Press Club Europe (PCE). During his speech, he said that a new order in the Eastern Mediterranean based on stability and cooperation instead of chronic disputes stemming from increased tension and the power politics of various countries is possible. He added that in order for this project to materialize, the Cyprus problem must be resolved in the shortest possible time. Nami explained that the positive effects of the resolution of the Cyprus problem will be perceived in Turkey's EU membership process, in EU-NATO relations as well as in several other fields. Nami noted that the natural gas resources found around Israel and Cyprus can be transported to the EU via Turkey in a way which will contribute to the EU's energy security needs. Furthermore, Nami argued that "the international community and particularly the EU must encourage the Greek Cypriot side to return to the negotiation table without any preconditions".

Nami, who will continue his contacts in Brussels on Tuesday, is being accompanied by the self-styled undersecretary of the foreign ministry Dr Erhan Ercin, his personal secretary Huseyin Ozel and the "third secretary" Sertac Guven.

(DPs)

[02] Ertug: If the Greek Cypriots want to talk with Turkey, the only way is a four-party or five-party international conference

In a written statement issued yesterday, Ertug criticized a statement made by Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides who has reportedly said that during President Anastasiades' recent visit to Russia a message was conveyed to President Putin in order to transfer it to Turkish President Erdogan.

Addressing the Greek Cypriot side, Ertug claimed: "Your interlocutor both in the hydrocarbons [issue] and on the issue of the comprehensive solution of the Cyprus problem is the Turkish Cypriot side, not Turkey". Ertug alleged that there is no need for the Greek Cypriot side asking third parties to mediate or trying to engage them.

Arguing that in case of a four-party or a five-party international conference all sides concerned will have the opportunity to talk to each other, Ertug said that the Turkish side supports the continuation of the two communities negotiators' cross visits to Ankara and Athens respectively. "This is what reciprocity and balance necessitates, but the Greek Cypriot side rejects our positive approach on both issues", he alleged.

Ertug claimed that this effort of the Greek Cypriot side aimed at alleviating the political and diplomatic pressure it feels because it allegedly "abandoned" the negotiations. He also argued that this move contradicts to the spirit of the joint Declaration of 11 February 2014 and the Greek Cypriot approach that rejects arbitration and mediation.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The Turkish Football Federation wants to establish a representation office in the occupied area of Cyprus; FIFA informs the "KTFF"

Hasan Sertoglu, chairman of the "KTFF", said yesterday that on Friday they received a letter signed by FIFA's general secretary having as attachment the letters sent by TFF to FIFA.

On 2 March 2015, TFF's general secretary, Kadir Kardas sent a letter to FIFA noting that they want to open a representation" in the occupied area of Cyprus "in order to help the Turkish football players".

FIFA did not reply to this request and on 6 March 2015 it sent a letter to "KTFF", signed by FIFA's general secretary Jerome Valcke, asking whether it had been informed on the issue and what its opinion was. In FIFA's letter information was also asked for the process as regards "KTFF's" discussions with the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP).

Reacting to "TFF's" action, Sertoglu said that "we have never been so much humiliated" since "KTFF's" establishment in 1955 and strongly criticized the fact that TFF had sent a letter to FIFA on this issue without taking the "KTFF's" view. He noted that they will write a letter to the TFF on this issue and recalled a statement made by TFF's president Yildirim Demiroren, who during his recent illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus, had said that they could not hold contacts with the "KTFF" because FIFA did not recognize it.

Sertoglu said that they will discuss the issue and the developments with Jerome Champagne, adviser of the "federation", who is expected in the occupied area of the island this week. He noted that during the weekend they will visit Zurich and hold contacts to review some steps they will take.

When some journalists drew attention to the fact that the 45-day deadline which the "KTFF's" general assembly has given for the solution of their problems before becoming members of the CFA, Sertoglu replied: "There is a general assembly decision on this issue and we have not abandoned our stance. If there is no positive development after the deadline ends, everyone will see what we will do".

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (10.03.15) covers the issue under the banner front-page title "'This step annihilates our existence'". The paper notes that Sertoglu strongly reacted to TFF's letter and said that this move annihilates their existence. He added that if the TFF wants to open a "representation office" in the occupied area of Cyprus it should sit and talk with the "KTFF". The paper writes that Champagne will come to the occupied area of Cyprus on Monday or Tuesday and Sertoglu will visit Zurich during the same week, even though this is not certain.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Serdar Denktas in Ankara to discuss economy issues

During his visit, Denktas will meet today Turkey's Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci and the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Omer Celik. On Wednesday, he will meet with the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus affairs Bulent Arinc.

The Chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO) Fikri Toros and the "chairman" of the "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO) Ali Cirali will be also present at the meetings, which aim to form a new cooperation in the fields of economy and tourism, to cooperate on the development of tourism in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and to promote local products.

(DPs)

[05] The historic harbor and the castle in occupied Keryneia to be restored

According to a written statement issued by the "deputy prime ministry' office", Denktas was briefed by the worker's director in the port about the works.

(AK)

[06] Fidan withdrawn decision to run for Parliament; Erdogan reappointed him to MIT

Fidan's decision was announced to the public through the Anadolu Agency on March 9 during a second cabinet meeting chaired by Erdogan.

"As of today, I have withdrawn my application for the parliamentary elections, as I deem necessary. I will be exerting all efforts in order to properly fulfill all duties consigned to me in the way of serving to my country and to my people. On this occasion, I want to express my gratitude and my respects to our President, our Prime Minister and our people for their support and trust," Fidan said in a statement to Anadolu Agency.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Ar?nc announced yesterday following the cabinet meeting that Fidan will return to lead National Intelligence Agency (MIT). "Mr. Prime Minister has appointed Fidan as the undersecretary of MIT, again. He will soon start to perform his duty," Arinc said.

Fidan resigned from MIT on February 10 to enter active politics for the Justice and Development Party (AKP) despite Erdofan's opposition. Erdogan publicly criticized Fidan for quitting his job after serving years as his right-hand man and "secret-keeper."

(?)

[07] Turkey's former President Gul rules out any move to run in June elections

Gul did not give a reason for his decision but he said that "I will not be a candidate" openly and clarified that the discussion over his candidacy was not his desire.

The sources said that Gul plans to keep working as a statesman involved in foreign and domestic meetings.

Meanwhile, Erdogan stated on March 6 that it would be "felicitous and propitious" if Gul declared his candidacy to run in the upcoming general elections scheduled for June 7.

As sources said the two founders of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) would soon meet to discuss the issue.

(?) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ AM)

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