Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 15-10-20

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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] Sinirlioglu stated that either a solution will be reached on the Cyprus problem by March or the international community will recognized the current status quo

[02] Akinci: We shared the pain of the past with the Greek Cypriots, now we want to share the blessings of the future

[03] Toplu: Turkey will continue implementing its duty as guarantor power for ensuring a lasting peace based on the realities on the island

[04] The water issue was discussed in the "assembly" of the breakaway regime

[05] YKP and BKP criticizes the fact that the opening ceremony was organized by Turkey

[06] Bilgic denies reports in the Greek Cypriot press on the issue of guarantees

[07] Hurriyet writes that an agreement was reached on the issue of population between the two communities

[08] Moller: "Cypriots close to solution like never before"

[09] "Cabinet reshuffle" in the self-styled government

[10] "GAU" rector Akpinar to Kazakhstan seeking new cooperation

[11] Turkey's EU Affairs Minister due to Brussels for contacts

[12] ISIL child training camp was discovered in Istanbul

[13] New report reveals the lack of media freedom in Turkey

[14] Two new opinion polls show an increase on AKP votes and decrease on HDP's

[15] Ankara suicide bomber officially identified as brother of Suruc attacker

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Sinirlioglu stated that either a solution will be reached on the Cyprus problem by March or the international community will recognized the current status quo

"One thing is certain, Turkey's negotiations for full EU membership will be revived," as the country has been scene to a flurry of diplomatic contacts concerning a wide range of issues from its EU bid to the UN-led reunification talks in Cyprus and from the handling of the European migrant crisis to the US-led efforts signaling a process in quest of "a political resolution" to the Syrian conflict.

When asked how the EU could open more accession negotiations given the Greek Cypriot side's veto, Sinirlioglu said: "The negotiation process in Cyprus is underway. Either a peace agreement will be signed in March and the issue will be resolved via the holding of a referendum or the current situation will be recognized as a solution by the international community if the Greek Cypriot side rejects [the agreement]. This means that no obstacle will remain in front of Turkey's negotiation process".

Meanwhile, Merkel pledged to Turkish leaders that she would "do her best, including putting pressure on the Greek Cypriot side," for the rapid opening of new accession negotiations with Turkey.

"Turkey needs to show the EU that it is not a country which could "tactically" benefit from short-term goals", Sinirlioglu stated. "Turkey's EU membership and the Syrian refugee issue are two separate issues. However, they [EU member states] need to see that Turkey is important for Europe in regards to the refugee issue. They cannot ignore that the instability in Syria has an impact on them. The EU is not fulfilling what it is actually required to do as a favour to Turkey. The turmoil in the region will take long, maybe a decade, maybe two decades," Sinirlioglu added.

"Within this framework, Syrian refugees are not a domestic problem of Turkey, but are an international problem. Europeans need to do their best like we have been doing and they should share this burden in the field," Sinirlioglu.

(?)

[02] Akinci: We shared the pain of the past with the Greek Cypriots, now we want to share the blessings of the future

Akinci said that they shared the pains of the past with the Greek Cypriots and now they want to share the blessings of the future with them. He added that after they guarantee the continuity of the flow of the water from Turkey to the island, they could increase its quantity and share it with the Greek Cypriots.

Akinci noted that the water is important for tourism, pointing out that no life can exist in places that have no water.

Akinci argued that when the sustainability of the water project is proved, this could have positive consequences not only in Cyprus but elsewhere as well and expressed the view that when the water is utilized together with the energy that exists in the Eastern Mediterranean, "a much broader horizon is opened".

Akinci claimed that a situation by which all countries in the area could benefit is being created and reiterated the allegation that the energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean could either be used as "an issue of tension" or could be taken up for peace with a mentality by which all sides will gain. He claimed that experts argue that an energy corridor over Cyprus passing through Turkey towards Europe "is the most reasonable way" for carrying the [area's] natural gas. He argued that this is a situation which will contribute to peace and all sides will gain.

In his statements, Topcu wished for the water from Turkey to increase the "TRNC people's" tranquility, prosperity, happiness and faith in the future and to contribute in peace in Cyprus and the world. He said that the "TRNC", as he described the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, is the pearl of the Mediterranean Sea, but it should be the diamond of the world from the point of view of tourism and its cultural heritage.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Toplu: Turkey will continue implementing its duty as guarantor power for ensuring a lasting peace based on the realities on the island

Topcu met with Faiz Sucuoglu, self-styled minister of tourism of the breakaway regime and discussed their efforts in the field of culture and tourism.

Topcu alleged that the international community also accepts that Turkey shows will and determination for a lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. He added that a "seriously positive climate" was created with the commencement of the negotiations and argued that continuing the positive climate and making use of the window of opportunity is important.

Topcu reiterated the known Turkish view that the agreement in Cyprus should protect the political equality of the sides and the balance between Turkey and Greece and that the Turkish Cypriots should not become a minority. "We fully believe that we will ensure the Turkish Cypriots to gain the position they deserve", he said.

Referring to the current self-styled government, Topcu expressed their support to the "broad-based-coalition" between the Republican Turkish Party and the National Unity Party, arguing that establishing such a "coalition government" between two parties politically different is "very important for the development and growth of the TRNC".

Referring to the water from Turkey, Topcu said that "we are certain that the water will be well administered, well managed by our brothers here".

Referring to their joint efforts in the field of culture and tourism, Topcu noted that they will develop projects in the field of theater as well as education, investments, incentives, exchange of experience, research, statistics and promotion in the field of tourism and organize workshops and educational tours.

Topcu and Sucuoglu visited yesterday the dam at occupied Panagra village as well as the castle and the ancient port of occupied Keryneia. During the visit, Topcu described the water project as "the stamp of the century" and the "key for peace".

In his statements, Sucuoglu said that the dam will be full in four months and that the water continuously flows 24-hours a day.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The water issue was discussed in the "assembly" of the breakaway regime

Mehmet Cakici, self-styled deputy with the Socialist Democratic Party (TDP), asked the "government" what it has done on the administration of the water. He added that there are different voices on this issue. Cakici further said that they are satisfied by the project; however, what is important is if the water will be administered by the Turkish Cypriot side or if it will be privatized. He stressed that even the "government" has different views on the issue. He added that the water there (translator's note: he refers to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) should be administrated by the Turkish Cypriot "people".

Self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu, for his part, said that the parties within the "coalition government" should avoid the statements that will lead to a fight between Turkey and the "TRNC" (translator's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus), adding that they should turn this important development against the "TRNC people". Kalyoncu reminded Cakici that the administration of the water should be brought under control with "legislation", adding that until "TRNC" takes over, the water will be controlled by Turkey's General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works (DSI).

The leader of the National Unity Party Huseyin Ozgurgun said that the important thing is the arrival of the water, adding that he sees from now that the Greek Cypriots will also use it in the future.

Tufan Erhuman, general secretary of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) said that the position of their party is clear, the administration of the water will be done by the "public" in an autonomous structure. He also said that what is unclear is the distribution of the water, how the water from the "municipalities' water storehouses" will reach to the storehouses that will distribute the water for irrigation.

Self-styled deputy with the Democrat Party ? National Forces (DP-UG) Hakan Dincyurek claimed that the water will strengthen the existence of the Turkish Cypriots in the island.

(DPs)

[05] YKP and BKP criticizes the fact that the opening ceremony was organized by Turkey

YKP noted that even Turkey organized the opening ceremony, adding that the administration of the water is not clear yet and the "government" has not shared with the public the agreement with Turkey on the issue and the "legal arrangements".

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Bakis (20.10.15) reports that the leader of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan, evaluating the "water supply project", said that they should have used in a more effective way their current water resources. He added that the water, which came from Turkey, does not belong to Cyprus and even the opening ceremony was organized by Turkey officials and the "TRNC official" attended the ceremony as guests.

Referring to the protocol signed by Irsen Kucuk, Izcan argued that with the first signed protocol Turkey is the owner of all the investments made in the "TRNC" (translator's note: the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) and added that with the second protocol which was prepared now and given for a signature by Ankara, it contains articles that cannot be accepted by any other country in the world.

(DPs)

[06] Bilgic denies reports in the Greek Cypriot press on the issue of guarantees

Bilgic, in response to a question regarding the news covered in the Greek Cypriot media about the guarantee system said: "News that was given room in the Greek Cypriot media that refers to statements made by the Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasulides regarding the guaranty system are baseless."

"Turkey, which continues to support finding a just, comprehensive and lasting solution as a result of the ongoing negotiations process, has a known manner on the issue of guarantees. Turkey preserves its stance to take up this issue at a quintet meeting to be held with the participation of the guarantor powers at the last stage of the negotiations" Bilgic added.

[07] Hurriyet writes that an agreement was reached on the issue of population between the two communities

According to the paper, the population proportion will be four Greek Cypriots for one Turkish Cypriot; therefore the number of the Greek Cypriots will be 734,000 and the number of the Turkish Cypriots will be 220,000. These will be both citizens of the common state and EU citizens as well.

The paper also writes that the Greek Cypriot side supported in the past that the number of the Turkish Cypriots who would become citizens of the common state was 180,000. However, Hurriyet claims that the Turkish Cypriot side insisted that the criteria of marriage and of being born in Cyprus were taken into consideration and these have been accepted by the Greek Cypriot side so the number of Turkish Cypriots reached 220,000.

(CS)

[08] Moller: "Cypriots close to solution like never before"

Moller who served as the Secretary-General's Special Representative for Cyprus from 2006 to 2008, replying to a question regarding the ongoing Cyprus negotiations process that is being held under UN supervision, said: "This problem that affects the people and the region should have been solved long ago. The time for a solution has come".

Explaining that he was optimistic towards the ongoing Cyprus negotiations process, Moller said: "For over 40 years this process has been continuing and they have never been as close to a solution as they are now".

Moller also made statements regarding the refugee crisis that is affecting Europe.

[09] "Cabinet reshuffle" in the self-styled government

According to the paper, Birikim Ozgur replaced Hasan Basoglu in the "ministry of finance", Erkut Sahali replaced Onder Sennaroglu in the "ministry of agriculture and natural resources" and Asim Akansoy replaced Aziz Gurpinar in the "ministry of labour".

The self-styled prime minister Omer Kalyoncu, stated that Basoglu has the only one who asked to be replaced because he faced health problems. After this development, Kalyoncu decided to refresh the cabinet and to make a mini "cabinet reshuffle".

Afrika (20.10.15) reports on the same issue under the title "They are becoming ministers each in turn". The paper notes that Ozgur, who has become the new "minister of finance", is very close to the "Turkish embassy" to the occupied area of Lefkosia and in favour of privatization and argues that his appointment was faced with reaction.

In his column in Kibris Postasi newspaper (20.10.15) Rasih Resat writes that the "cabinet reshuffle" was a shock and argues that the reason behind the replacement of the "minister of finance" was his objection to apply the "economic protocol" signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime as well as his position on the issue of privatization, especially of the privatization of the "electricity authority" (KIB-TEK). According to Resat the newly appointed "ministry of finance" Ozgur is in favour of KIB-TEK's privatization.

(CS)

[10] "GAU" rector Akpinar to Kazakhstan seeking new cooperation

(DPs)

[11] Turkey's EU Affairs Minister due to Brussels for contacts

Dedeoglu is set to meet Johannes Hahn, the EU Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations, and Kristalina Georgieva, Vice President for Budget and Human Resources.

Dedeolgu will also meet Pierre Moscovici, the Commissioner for Economic and Financial Affairs, Taxation and Customs, and will attend a dinner hosted by the Friends of Turkey in the European Parliament (EP).

Dedeoglu, who was appointed to the position in September after the previous Minister, Ali Haydar Konca, quit the post in protest of the government, will discuss "Turkish-EU relations," according to a press statement by the Ministry of EU Affairs.

(?)

[12] ISIL child training camp was discovered in Istanbul

The suspects were reported to have trained children in basement apartments in Pendik and Basaksehir, using the apartments as militant training camps, according to physical and technical surveillance collected by Istanbul Police Department Counterterrorism Unit officers before raiding 18 separate homes in Pendik and Basaksehir's Kayasehir neighbourhood.

The suspects, mostly Uzbeks, who were detained in the Oct. 18 raids, were reported to have lectured children on the basics of ISIL as well as how to live in an Islamic state.

In August, the Uzbekistan Islamic Movement, an al-Qaeda offshoot based near the Afghan border, announced allegiance to ISIL.

Uzbek intelligence sources reported that more than 5,000 paid Uzbek militants were fighting in Syria alongside ISIL.

(?)

[13] New report reveals the lack of media freedom in Turkey

Bianet report said that within the past three months, 101 news sites and 40 Twitter accounts were blocked, 178 news reports were censored, 21 journalists and three media outlets were attacked, 88 journalists faced legal action and 24 others involved in the media, including nine newspaper delivery men, were arrested.

It pointed out that all media groups known for their critical views have been targeted by the government.

Bianet attributed the pressure on the media to the interim Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government losing its majority to govern the country alone after the June 7 election and its move to terminate talks with Kurdish groups to solve the decades-long Kurdish problem.

The report stated that after the government launched an air-strike campaign targeting the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) bases in the Kandil Mountains, media outlets that prioritized the Kurdish issue faced widespread police operations and their Internet pages were censored.

Bianet noted that the Ipek Media Group was also recently raided by the police, seven TV channels were dropped by the Digiturk satellite network and Bugun daily columnist Gultekin Avc? was arrested.

The report went on to state that the Dogan Media Group as well as the Cumhuriyet daily was subject to a series of investigations on accusations of "promoting terrorism," "espionage" and "insult." It pointed out that verbal attacks by senior government officials laid the groundwork for a physical assault on Hurriyet columnist Ahmet Hakan.

The report found that 14 journalists were tried on accusations of insulting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during that period of July to September.

(?)

Between July and September this year, 28 journalists were tried and face up to 430 years in prison, as per the Counterterrorism Law (TMK). Four journalists and the authors of 18 books that are critical of Erdogan and the government were under investigation pertaining to other offenses defined in the TMK.

(?)

The bans or punishments are not limited to only journalists. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal K?l?cdaroglu and CHP deputy Huseyin Aygun were fined TL 45,000 in total over the charge of insulting President Erdogan.

(?)

[14] Two new opinion polls show an increase on AKP votes and decrease on HDP's

The most recent survey by MAK Consulting revealed that the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) currently ranks as the majority party with 43.5%. Additionally to MAK's findings, PollMark, which is also a leading research company, revealed that the AK Party's support has increased to 43.9%. After the June 7 elections, no political party was able to gain a majority. After rounds of negotiations, the parties failed to agree on a coalition government.

With both polling companies revealing a significant increase in support for both the AK Party and the Republican People's Party (CHP), 51% of MAK participants indicated the AK Party will gain a majority and form a single-party government.

The public opinion survey conducted by MAK, face-to-face with 5,500 respondents, further showed a significant decrease in support for the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), with the party only getting 11.8%, a 2% drop from their result in the June 7 elections. The PollMark survey, which interviewed 5,184 people, showed the support for the HDP being 12% while the support for the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) increased to 14.8%.

MAK survey respondents said the recent terror attack in Ankara, which left more than 100 people dead and many more wounded, was an attempt to destabilize Turkey. Furthermore, both surveys revealed that participants believe terror is the most important issue at the top of the country's political agenda, with the elections and the economy the second and third most important. It is also expected that expat votes will significantly change the percentage.

[15] Ankara suicide bomber officially identified as brother of Suruc attacker

"The other suicide bomber was confirmed by a photo image and a series of tests have been carried out to identify him or her," the written statement said.

The prosecutor's office said Alagoz had come to Turkey from Syria but gave no time frame for his return, according to Anadolu Agency.

The two suicide bombers targeting a peace rally in the capital Ankara on October 10 killed at least 102 people, wounding hundreds of others. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK/ LF)

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