8/7/14

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

C O N T E N T S


No. 125/14                                                                                        08.07.14

1. Turkish Cypriot side submitted 5-step road map
2. Nami met Ashton in Brussels; He is reportedly meeting with Fule
3. Ozersay: Varosha has turned into a political material
4. Italian Ambassador to Lefkosia: Cyprus cannot be ignored; Turkey must implement the UN and EU rules
5. A Court in the Republic of Cyprus decided to confiscate the property of a Russian billionaire in Turkey
6. Harmanci: We will be working to solve the financial problems of the “municipality”
7. So-called universities’ activities and events
8. The Turkish “embassy” and TUK to provide aid to livestock breeders in the occupied area of Cyprus

1. Turkish Cypriot side submitted 5-step road map
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.07.14), the Turkish Cypriot side has submitted a five-step road map on future negotiations for the Greek Cypriot side to evaluate, Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu said on Monday.

The two-and-a-half hour meeting held with Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades and DervisEroglu was conducted in a "constructive and sincere manner," according to UN chief's special representative in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim.

“We answered the Greek Cypriot's offers on Confidence Building Measures (CBM) and submitted a five-step road map to Anastasiades”, Eroglu said. A "transition period" as well as the opening of three crossing-points in Lefkosiaare on the agenda for discussion.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 07.07.14) reported that both sides submitted responses to CBM proposals during the meeting said Eroglu.

Speaking after the leaders meeting, Eroglu added that the two sides will be evaluating CBMs and the negotiators will convey both side's opinion on these issues during their next meeting, which will take place on the 24th of July.

Replying to a question regarding the possibility of a framework agreement, Eroglu said: “Framework agreement is not on either side's agenda. Our aim is to put the agreement to public vote at the end of the negotiation process”.

Answering another question regarding the opening of new check-points, Eroglu said: “During our talks with Mr Christofias, we proposed a check-point to be opened in Aplici/Lefka when Limnitis check-point was opened. Our proposal was well received at the beginning, although the committees worked on the opening of the Limnitis check-point, the Lefka check-point remained closed”. Eroglu said that the opening of a new check-point in Nicosia is on the agenda but before the decision, an assessment should be conducted and a consultation with the military should take place too.

According to Eroglu, the opening of each check-point requires new staff from “police force and customs”, which also is a “lengthy” process.

“Opening of new check-points in Nicosia is currently on the agenda. Opening of Lefka check-point simultaneously with a new check-point in Nicosia would be beneficial for the Greek Cypriot community. Greek Cypriots petitioned to their government for opening of Lefka check-point. We both agreed to shift the time for evaluation of this possibility to an earlier date”, Eroglu claimed.
2. Nami met Ashton in Brussels; He is reportedly meeting with Fule
Illegal Bayrak television (08.07.14) broadcast that the self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami who is holding contacts in Brussels evaluated his meetings to BRT.

Nami stated that he met with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy for the European Union Catherine Ashton and they talked about the latest developments of Cyprus negotiations and EU-Turkish Cypriots relations.

He also said that he met with the Permanent Representative of Turkey to Brussels and that he will meet today with Stephan Fule, the European Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy. Nami said that he will discuss the latest stage and the problems occurred at the Cyprus negotiations. He will also discuss the EU harmonization efforts of the Turkish Cypriot side.

3. Ozersay: Varosha has turned into a political material
Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (08.07.14) reports that the Turkish Cypriot negotiator KudretOzersay, commenting on the fenced off town of Varosha, claimed that although Cyprus President Anastasiades  knows that he will not get any result, he adverts on this issue. He added that the issue of Varosha has been turned into a political material.

Speaking at the ADA TV programme “Today’s agenda” with CansuOrmeci, Ozersay also said that they will make an evaluation regarding the issue of opening new crossing-points and they will go into details in the coming days. He added: “The troubles that the Greek Cypriot side implements nowadays to the Turkish Cypriots on the issues of education, art and sports are, however, one of the most important steps that feed the distrust. They even prevent us to get in contact with international organizations. For me it is not a Confidence Building Measure (CBM), if it’s for the one side and not for the other. I don’t accept it. To bring in the table of the negotiations the same proposal again and again, how can this be evaluated?”

Commenting on yesterday’s leaders meeting, Ozersay said that some proposals have come from the Greek Cypriot side, although their proposals are not complete. He explained that their proposal was a road map on the issue, how the negotiations will proceed step by step to the referenda, claiming: “The Greek Cypriot side said some ideas in general terms, but they did not put forward a complete proposal, we proposed a road map.” Claiming that these negotiations cannot be getting ahead as open-ended, Ozersay repeated his view that the open-ended negotiations cannot go anywhere, so they should do something.

Referring to the issue of opening new crossing-points, Ozersay said that the issue is not essential and the crossing-points is not an element that will obtain trust.

4. Italian Ambassador to Lefkosia: Cyprus cannot be ignored; Turkey must implement the UN and EU rules
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.07.14) publishes an interview by Guido Cerboni, the Italian Ambassador to Lefkosia who spoke about Turkey’s EU membership, his participation to Nami working meal and noted that energy can be a catalyst for the establishment of stability in the region.  

Cerboni stated that the EU membership depends on Turkey and added that they want to see Turkey in the EU, but this is connected to Turkey. He stated that Italy has been always opened to Turkey and added: “Turkey is a very important strategic partner for the EU. However, it takes two to tango”.

He went on and added that the situation in Cyprus cannot be ignored and noted that Turkey must implement the UN and EU rules. “A country that wants to become an EU member cannot avoid applying the rules”, he stated.

Asked if the issue of implementing the rules refers to the implementation of the Additional Protocol, he said that the fact that Turkey has not recognized yet a country that is both member of the EU and the UN, creates a challenge. “President Anastasiades presented a proposal package for Famagusta. This package can be a win-win situation for all parties. Hopefully this package of proposals can be evaluated and taken further”, he said.

He said that the Republic of Cyprus demand, for the EU to have a more active role on Cyprus negotiations, is reasonable. He also said that bearing in mind the UN Resolutions and the EU acquis, will help on the efforts towards the road of federation. “However, we cannot underestimate the role of the UN”, he stated.

Referring to his participation in a working meal upon an invitation by the so-called foreign minister OzdilNami, which led the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus to give to the participants a verbal note, the Italian Ambassador said that he does not think that they violated any rules. As he said, they met with Nami with his capacityas representative of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and noted that Italy does not recognize the TRNC. He added however, that Nami is a leading politician who is involved in politics for many years.

Cerboni said that the new energy reality can be a catalyst for the stability in the region. He said that in case the Cyprus problem is solved the flow of the natural gas to Europe can be secured by achieving cooperation in the field of energy between Israel, Cyprus, Turkey and other countries. “We hope that energy will become a factor of stability rather that a factor of conflict in the area”.

5. A Court in the Republic of Cyprus decided to confiscate the property of a Russian billionaire in Turkey
Under the front-page title: “Mardan Palace is under the Greek Cypriot threat”, Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (08.07.14) reports that the “Nicosia Court in south Cyprus”, as it describes the Republic of Cyprus has decided to confiscate the property of the Russian businessman and billionaire of Azeri origin, TelmanIsmailov who owns to the Greek Cypriot company Sezaria LTD the amount of 100 million dollars.

According to the paper, the Greek Cypriot company aspire the immovable property of Ismailov in order to get its amount of money that is 130 million dollars together with the interest. The Greek Cypriot company is also preparing to apply to the International Abritration Court, writes the paper.

Referring to the issue, the Azeri press wrote that the decision to be taken by the arbitration court will be binding and the issue of the confiscation of the 7star hotel in Antalya, Mardan Palace which belongs to Ismailov, might come to the agenda.

The paper adds that is spite of the fact that the last date for Ismailov to settle down its debts to Sezaria LTD was by the end of 2013, yet, the Russian billionaire have not arrange his debts.

Referring to the Mardan Palace hotel in Antalya, the paper writes that it is a 7 star hotel, an ultra-luxury hotel which opened in 2009. During its inauguration ceremony, famous names like Sharon Stone, Richard Gere, Monica Belluci, Tom Jones and Paris Hilton attended the ceremony.

Meanwhile, as the paper points out, a company in Moscow named CerkezPazari which belonged to Ismailov has closed down since it was dealing in contraband goods.  
(AK)

6. Harmanci: We will be working to solve the financial problems of the “municipality”
According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 07.07.14), the so-called municipal assembly of the Lefkosia Turkish municipality held its first meeting on Sunday.
The self-styled deputy mayor and reserve deputy mayor were elected at the meeting chaired by the newly elected “mayor” Mehmet Harmanci. Akin Aktunc was elected as the city’s new “deputy mayor” while BoysanBoyra was elected as his substitute.

Speaking before the meeting, Harmanci drew attention to the financial and administrative problems of the “municipality”, stating that their priority will be to ensure that the occupied part of Lefkosia receives its basic services uninterrupted.

Stating that he is open to different views and ideas on how to overcome the outstanding problems of the “municipality”, Harmanci said that their aim is to build and create a new Lefkosia.

Describing the “municipality’s” financial status as serious, Harmanci said that they will be working to solve the problem of paying the salaries of the “municipality’s employees”. A committee which will assess and test the level and qualifications of employees was also established.

7. So-called universities’ activities and events
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.07.14) reports that the “chairman” of the “Department of International Relations”, Dr ElifAsudeTunca has represented the so-called International Cyprus University (UKU) in an international symposium called “3rd International Communication Symposium” which took place in the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek.

As the paper writes, around 80 academicians and students from Turkey, the occupation regime, Kakzastan and Kyrgyzstan attended the symposium.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (08.07.14) reports that the so-called American University of Kyreneia, (GAU) in the framework of its 30 years of establishment, is preparing to host one of the biggest academic events in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
As the paper writes, illegal GAU has already started preparations in order to host and organize the “2nd CAUMME- (Contemporary Architecture and Urbanism in the Mediterranean and the Middle East), International Symposium”.

The symposium will take place in the next October and academicians, scientists, architecture authorities from more than 20 countries are expected to attend it.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi (08.07.14) reports that the “Pharmaceutics Faculty” of the illegal “Near East University” (YDU) has been accepted and accredited to have training by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education – (APCE).

Speaking in a press conference, the “dean” of the “faculty”, Prof. Dr RumeysaDemirdamar has succeeded for the first time to be approved and get a certification for educational quality and standards by an international council. 
(AK)

8. The Turkish “embassy” and TUK to provide aid to livestock breeders in the occupied area of Cyprus
Under the title: “Livestock breeders to be ease”, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (08.07.14) reports that the so-called Turkish embassy in the occupied area of Cyprus and the “Natural produce foundation” (TUK) in the occupied area of Cyprus have decided to provide aid to the livestock breeders.

As the paper writes, TUK will purchase today totally 6,000 lambs for 11 T.L per kg, while the so-called Turkish embassy” in the occupied area of Cyprus, in the framework of a program it prepared called “aid program for the livestock breeders” will start providing zero-interest credit to livestock breeders. As the paper points out, it will also give 40 TL per animal as a grant and 100 TL zero-interest credit per sheep.
(AK)
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION