Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 17-02-03

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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] Yildirim discussed the Cyprus problem with Merkel

[02] Turkish Cypriot daily refers to an "end game" for the solution in Cyprus

[03] Erhurman on the Cyprus problem

[04] Ozersay said that "early elections could be held on April or May"

[05] Turkey, Germany pledge close cooperation against terror

[06] CHP accused the EU of carrying out double standard policy

[07] Turkey to Greece: Act like a neighbor

[08] Kilicdaroglu: "Erdogan is insisting on system change 'out of fear of prosecution'

[09] New minimum wage in the occupied area of Cyprus

[10] A new increase in the price of electricity is on the way

[11] Fourteen "universities" with 93,292 students exist in the occupied area of Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Yildirim discussed the Cyprus problem with Merkel

Speaking during a joint press conference with the German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Yildirim claimed also the following: "The solution of the Cyprus problem is our biggest desire. A united Cyprus, a fair Cyprus of two federations will be by its very nature a solution that not only Europe but also Turkey and Greece wish for. The sides should be more patient and should make the necessary mutual sacrifices", Yildirim said.

Also speaking, Merkel said that she discussed with Yildirim the Cyprus problem and stressed the need for the problem to yield a result. "This is a very important issue for Greece, Cyprus, Turkey and the whole EU", she added.

Meanwhile, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (03.02.17) reports that Y?ld?r?m stated during the joint press conference with Merkel that it is not deliberate if Turkey makes some mistakes when going after the hundreds of thousands of people suspected of links to the Gulen Movement under the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, accused of orchestrating the July 2016 failed coup attempt,

Yildirim said also that Turkey would not act in motivation of revenge while implementing its post-coup security.

Y?ld?r?m also said that Ankara needed more support from Berlin in fight with the Fethullahist Terror Organization, warning that terror organizations inside European countries might become a threat for all of Europe in the future.

In this sense, he underlined that the security of Europe was passing through Turkey both in terms of immigration and terror, acting as "a preventive country." The Turkish Premier also praised Germany's contribution in fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) jihadist group, while noting that it was common responsibility to clear terror organizations in the region.

In addition, Merkel stressed that Berlin was taking action against the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) as a terror organization and that the interior ministries of both countries would continue to be in cooperation on that issue.

She also said that the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump seemed to be making the fight against international terrorism a top priority, adding that there was a lot of continuity between the old and new U.S. governments in this regard.

[02] Turkish Cypriot daily refers to an "end game" for the solution in Cyprus

Speaking to Havadis, foreign diplomats said that President Anastasiades wants the solution of the Cyprus problem and he is sincere on this issue, but he behaves in an allegedly "reserved manner" on the issue of taking the necessary political decisions for materializing this wish. The same sources argued that in the current stage of the Cyprus talks, political leadership, courage and determination are needed and alleged that they are expecting President Anastasiades to take "more courageous steps". The diplomats described as a "positive step" the joint call by the community leaders for continuation of the Conference for Cyprus at a political level in the beginning of March, alleging that President Anastasiades took such a step knowing that Greece will not be able to say "no" to such a meeting.

Other sources told the paper that Akinci is worried that if the current momentum in the negotiations is lost, the countries which are involved in the process might enter into a period during which they will experience "very serious problems". The collapse of the negotiating process without a positive or a negative result will allegedly cause problems to all sides concerned.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Erhurman on the Cyprus problem

Erhurman went on arguing that if the political equality is not secured, the federation to be established will not be functional and added that he will continue expressing and supporting this view to all his collocutors. Stressing the need for reaching to a solution of the Cyprus problem the soonest possible, Erhurman said that it is necessary for the agreement to be reached to ensure its "legal certainty", since, as he explained, an agreement that will not secure the political equality and will not be legally certain will yield to a non-functional federal state with several problems, something which will cause several problems to both Turkish and Greek Cypriots.

Referring to the property issue, Erhurman underlined that there are still 3-4 chapters that remained unsolved and added that on the territory issue only a map was submitted, something that caused a considerable disturbance to the circles opposed to the solution.

Reminding that prior to the Geneva summit, he has "stated that was not the last station", Erhurman stated that after returning from Geneva he is more optimistic about the solution and described the five-party conference in Geneva as a very important step.

Referring to the issue of guarantees, Erhurman stated that it is considered as a taboo, adding that surveys have shown that the majority of the Turkish Cypriots are in favor of Turkish guarantees in Cyprus while on the contrary, the majority of the Greek Cypriots are against. "Although, the opening of the issue of guarantees for discussion is a very important step", Erhurman said, adding that the Cyprus conference will continue at the beginning of March, provided that the guarantor counties approve it.

(AK)

[04] Ozersay said that "early elections could be held on April or May"

[05] Turkey, Germany pledge close cooperation against terror

"We have discussed what we can do in the fight against terrorism. International terrorism is not an issue that any single country can manage alone. There should be international cooperation. As two NATO allies, I believe our cooperation with Germany, which is also part of the [anti-ISIL] coalition forces, should continue just as we performed for Ukraine," Erdogan said in a joint press conference with Merkel on Feb. 2.

Merkel also stated that the two countries should more closely cooperate in the fight against "every kind" of terrorism.

Merkel said that Germany was "determined to struggle against terror but evidence needs to take a step forward." She added that the courts are examining the issue and vowed that her country will respect the "impartial evaluation" of German courts. Merkel also referred to claims of spying by Turkish clerics in the country, after Ankara allegedly asked Muslim imams sent to "Ditib," Germany's largest association of mosques, to provide information about followers of U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, who the government accuses of being behind the failed July 2016 coup attempt.

Merkel said further that Turkey had put efforts for the integration of refugees. "What is important for me is to continue discussions and find solutions," she noted in an indirect reference to the standstill in the deal, which includes visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in return for the refugee readmission agreement.

"I expressed the financial support that EU promised should be flown as soon as possible. 2.2 million euro were given. Of course we expressed that this financial contribution should flow to concrete projects," she said.

On the deal, Erdogan praised Merkel's efforts in putting an end to deaths in the Aegean Sea but the European Union has failed to fulfill its duties, according to presidency sources.

Turkey shared its concerns over the activities of terror groups �namely the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), Fethullahist Terror Organization (FETO) and the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C) during the Erdogan-Merkel meeting, according to the sources.

Ignoring such activities contradicts with the ties between allies, the sources said. The economic ties, which have been improving starting from the second half last year, were also discussed, the sources said.

Turkey also demanded an easing for Turkish citizens in Germany during the upcoming referendum voting. Erdogan told Merkel that German officials have occasionally made statements on freedom of speech in Turkey depending on "wrong, imperfect and sided information."

Meanwhile, the Turkish President also reacted against Merkel's use of the phrase "Islamist terror," saying it would be disappointing to use the term due to ISIL.

"Please don't use it. As a Muslim President, I cannot accept it," Erdogan said. In her reply, Merkel stressed the difference between "Islamic" and "Islamist" and said she attributes great importance to freedom of religion in Germany.

[06] CHP accused the EU of carrying out double standard policy

Ozturk Yilmaz, the deputy leader of CHP, in a joint press statement with Ambassador Christian Berger, head of the EU delegation in Turkey, following the meeting with the EU Ambassadors in Ankara, said that they explained to the EU Ambassadors the strategy that the CHP will follow during the referendum for the constitutional amendments. He also added that they also discussed Turkey's relations with the EU and its neighbours, the ongoing Euphrates Shield operation and the Cyprus issue. He concluded by saying that they had a fairly productive and comprehensive evaluation.

[07] Turkey to Greece: Act like a neighbor

"The refusal to extradite coup plotters is a frustration for us. I have sent a letter to Mr. Tsipras about it. I have again expressed our expectation for the extradition of these people by reviewing this verdict within the boundaries of the law," Y?ld?r?m told reporters in Ankara on February 2, adding that he sent the letter quite recently and had yet to receive any reply.

Tension in the Aegean Sea has flared once again after a Greek court denied the extradition of eight Turkish troops who escaped to Greece during July 2016 coup attempt in a military helicopter. After the ruling, Turkish Chief of General Staff General Hulusi Akar and all force commanders paid a surprise visit to "Kardak" islets [Imia] in the Aegean on the 21st anniversary of the crisis that brought the two neighbors to the brink over a war over the allegedly disputed sovereignty of the islet.

Y?ld?r?m called on Athens to hand over the troops to Turkey "just as other neighbors have already done."

He said that Turkey and Greece as two neighbors should always try to get along well, as they cannot change their geography, stressing that Turkey has no intention to break its ties with its Aegean neighbor.

"We are replying to some exaggerated [moves] and provocations coming from the other side of the [Aegean] by smiling. They should not misread it," Y?ld?r?m added.

Recalling Greek Defense Minister Panos Kammenos' visit to the rocky islets in the Aegean, where he posed for photographs, Y?ld?r?m said they have "no meaning for us at all," claiming that there are 130 islets and rocks whose sovereignty is "not certain."

"Problems in the Aegean are not new. They have a long history. But we can't build a constructive neighborhood relationship if we always put forward our differences. We should talk about our mutual future and mutual interests, not about problems," he said, warning that Turkey has the "power to reply to any hostile attempt."

[08] Kilicdaroglu: "Erdogan is insisting on system change 'out of fear of prosecution'

"He is afraid of being tried. He knows that if he and his family are prosecuted, he will be convicted. Everybody knows this. Even his closest circle knows this. So he wants to secure his own future. He cares about his own future more than the people's future," said K?l?cdaroglu on February 1 in an interview with German broadcaster Deutsche Welle's Turkish service.

"The most successful leader is the one who makes others feel the need for him the least," the CHP head said, adding that competent institutions should carry out the state's duties rather than individuals.

"If you take all the power, this means you break down this structure. You only create an environment of chaos. No sensible person would want so much responsibility. All Erdogan cares about is the thought: 'What if I get prosecuted one day?' His whole strategy is founded on this," said K?l?cdaroglu, referring to President Erdogan.

He described the constitutional amendments set to be taken to the people in a referendum in April as a "regime change," arguing that if such excessive responsibilities are handed over to the president a "totalitarian presidential system" will emerge. "This is called a regime change," said K?l?cdaroglu.

[09] New minimum wage in the occupied area of Cyprus

The paper publishes the following table showing the minimum wage since 2011 and compares it with the foreign currency:

Minimum wage Year Dollar Sterling Euro Purchasing power

1300 2011 1.58 2.55 2.18 $823 �510 �596

1300 2012 1.76 2.78 2.32 $739 �467 �560

1415 2013 1.75 2.77 2.39 $809 �511 �593

1560 2014 2.27 3.74 3.07 $689 �418 �509

1730 2015 2.42 3.65 2.74 $715 �474 �632

1834 2016 2.97 4.25 3.22 $618 �432 �570

2020 2017 3.78 4.77 4.08 $535 �424 �496

The new rate came into force as of the 1st of February.

(DPs)

[10] A new increase in the price of electricity is on the way

Replying to questions of Kibris, Erdogan said that the "cost of the fuel was raised from 39 qurush to 45 qurush". He recalled that the prices of electricity in Turkey have been stabilized in Turkish liras and added that the biggest problem in the occupied area is the fact that they are using fuel oil. "The price of this fuel is constantly increasing", he noted adding that the fuel oil consists 60% of the fuel cost of electricity in the occupied area.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Fourteen "universities" with 93,292 students exist in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to data as announced by the "higher education and foreign relations directorate", during the 2016-2017 academic year 93,292 students are receiving education at the "universities" in the occupied area of Cyprus. The data showed that 52,135 of these students come from Turkey, 27,538 are citizens of foreign countries except Turkey and 13,619 are "citizens of the TRNC".

The "Eastern Mediterranean University" ("DAU") is the oldest in the occupied area of Cyprus. It was established in 1979 in occupied Famagusta and became a "state university" in 1986, when the "institute of higher technology" was named "DAU" with a "law" "approved" by the "assembly". In 2005 "DAU" became a full member of the European University Association (EUA) and the International University Association (IUA).

The "Near East University" ("YDU") was established in 1988 in the occupied part of Nicosia. It is a full member of 118 national and international organizations such as the European University Association (EUA), UNESCO's International University Association (IUA), the Federation of Universities of the Islamic World (FUIW) and the International Society for Engineering Pedagogy (IGIP).

The "American University of Keryneia" ("GAU") was established in 1985 and has campuses in occupied Keryneia, Washington, Canterbury, occupied Karpasia and Istanbul.

The "European University of Lefka" ("LAU") was established in 1990 by the "Cyprus Science Foundation" and is considered to be a "state foundation university". It is built in occupied Lefka area.

The "International Cyprus University" ("UKU") was established on 4 February 1997 in the occupied part of Nicosia. During the academic year of 2001-2002, "UKU" started offering education in its campus at occupied Mia Milia.

The Middle East technical University's (ODTU) campus in the occupied area of Cyprus is said to be the first campus established by a Turkish university abroad. The "ODTU" started offering education in occupied Morfou area with the "three party protocol" signed in 2000 and its "law of establishment" adopted in 2003. The "ODTU-Cyprus" is academically and administratively bound to ODTU Ankara and it is said that it operates having the same understanding and standards with the Ankara campus of the university in the fields of education, research and offering services to the community.

The "Cyprus American University" ("KAU") was established in 2014 in the area within the walls of the occupied part of Nicosia, having as mission to protect and bring to life the historical aspect of the area and contribute to the educational, cultural and socioeconomic development of the area.

The "Cyprus Science University" ("KIU") was established in 2013 by the Ozok Company in occupied Keryneia. Its aim is reportedly to offer the highest quality of education at international standards.

The "Mediterranean University of Karpasia" ("AKUN") was established in 2012 in the occupied part of Nicosia. In 2014 the "university" completed its second campus.

The "University of Keryneia" ("GU") was established in 2013 in occupied Keryneia. It is considered to be a "brother" of the "Near East University" ("YDU"). Educationally, its origins rely upon the formation in 1978 of the infrastructure of "YDU" for establishing the first maritime faculty in Cyprus.

The "Cyprus Social Sciences University" ("KISBU") was established in 2014 in the occupied part of Nicosia and started offering education in autumn 2015.

The Istanbul Technical University � "KKTC" ("ITU-KKTC") is established in occupied Famagusta. It is located 600 meters away from the port of the city at a point where the traffic between the walls of Famagusta and the center of the city meet. According to the paper, "ITU-KKTC's" campus has some buildings of historic and cultural value. "ITU-KKTC" has a campus in occupied Yialousa area as well. The campus is by the sea towards the northeast of the island.

The "Cyprus Health and Social Sciences University" ("KSTU") was established in 2016 in occupied Morfou.

Lastly, the "International Final University" is said to be a "product of innovative cooperation" created by the expertise of Final Group in the field of education and the entrepreneurship of Acapulco � DMG Group in the tourism and hotels sector.

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(AK / AM)

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