TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C
O N T E N T S
No.
88/16
13.05.2016
1.
The German Ambassador to Nicosia considers hydrocarbon resources a
catalyst for solving the Cyprus problem
2.
The construction of the new road to the occupied village Louroudjina
will continue uninterrupted
3.
The “immovable property commission” is almost deactivated
4.
The demand of EVKAF to be included in a property case in the fenced
off city of Varosha is adjourned sine die
5.
The breakaway regime’s “central bank’s” report for the first
quarter of 2016
6.
“Health tourism” project was discussed in Ankara
7.
A new hotel was inaugurated in the occupied Keryneia
8.
Erdogan and Ban discussed regional issues and Cyprus problem
9.
Erdogan slams EU for demanding changes to terror law
10.
More deadly bombs blasted in Turkey
1.
The
German Ambassador to Nicosia considers hydrocarbon resources a
catalyst for solving the Cyprus problem
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.05.16) reports that the German
Ambassador to Nicosia, Nikolai
von Schoepff has said that the hydrocarbon resources found in Cyprus’
exclusive economic zone (EEZ) should be a catalyst in creating the
conditions for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem.
In
an interview with Kibris, Schoepff noted that Germany
has been following the negotiating process for many years, shares its
experiences and provides technical support.
He pointed out that the German Embassy organizes seminars on a
regular basis for the negotiators and their teams with the
participation of German experts. The Ambassador said that Germany
cooperates with UN and EU Commission representatives in order to
coordinate their future actions.
Asked
to comment on the agreement between Turkey and the EU on the refugee
crisis, Schoepff expressed the view that Turkey and the EU share the
same aims as regards the refugee crisis and added that this agreement
will strengthen their relations.
“Moreover, in case it is successfully implemented, it has the
potential to pave the way for a deeper cooperation between the EU and
Turkey in the solution of the refugee crisis”, he said.
Asked
whether the visa requirement for the Turkish citizens who wish to
travel to EU member states will be abolished in June or later,
Schoepff replied: “The first assessment of the European Commission
on this issue was positive. However, Turkey has to implement the 72
pre-conditions agreed with the EU. As to when all these conditions
will be fulfilled, this is entirely up to Turkey”.
(I/Ts.)
2.
The
construction of the new road to the occupied village Louroudjina will
continue uninterrupted
Turkish
Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (13.05.16) reports that in their
weekly routine meeting yesterday Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa
Akinci, self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and self-styled
deputy prime minister and finance minister Serdar Denktas discussed
the Cyprus problem and domestic issues.
During
the meeting, Akinci
stressed the importance of not interrupting the construction of the
new road which will enable the inhabitants of the occupied village
Louroudjina to access their village without passing through a
military control.
The construction had started during the “previous government’s
term in office”.
Ozgurgun
and Denktas said that they would ensure the continuation of the works
without interruption.
Akinci
also raised to the agenda the issue of construction projects in the
occupied villege Templos which will cause environmental problems.
He urged the “newly coalition government” to take the necessary
measures.
(DPs)
3.
The
“immovable property commission” is almost deactivated
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (13.05.16) under the front-page
title: “The
immovable property commission hit bottom”, reports that the
“immovable property commission” which was established in the
occupied area of Cyprus in 2006 and is considered one of the most
important actors in the Cyprus negotiation process, is going through
its most difficult period.
According
to the paper, the
applications to the “committee” had been dramatically reduced,
while, after Turkey cut off all financial resources to the
“committee”, it suspended all payments.
The
paper points out that those, whose rights are not fulfilled, seek
solutions at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).
The
paper adds that there is also a remarkable reduction in applications
by the Greek Cypriots. The number of Greek Cypriot’s applications
to the “committee” in 2011 was 1926, while, in 2015, was only 182
and in 2016 only 23.
(AK)
4.
The
demand of EVKAF to be included in a property case in the fenced off
city of Varosha is adjourned sine die
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (13.05.16) reports on the case
before the “high administrative court” of the breakaway regime in
the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus regarding the demand of
the EVKAF religious foundation to be included in the property case of
Andreas Lordos family.
The
businessman’s family had filed an application to the “property
compensation committee” demanding their property in the occupied
fenced off city of Varosha and a compensation of 34 million euro for
loss of use. Evkaf claims that the property belonged to Abdullah Pasa
foundation.
The
“high administrative court” conducted the last hearings yesterday
and decided to adjourn sine die.
(DPs)
5.
The
breakaway regime’s “central bank’s” report for the first
quarter of 2016
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.05.16) reports that Bilal
San, chairman of the breakaway regime’s “central bank”, has
said that the banking sector in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus continues to grow in a “confident and stable manner”.
This is what San argued in the introduction of the
“bank’s” report for the first quarter of 2016 which was
published recently.
According
to the report, the
total deposits in the banks in the occupied area of Cyprus were 14
billion Turkish liras
(TL) in the end of this year’s first quarter and the
gross credits increased to 11,1 billion TL.
San
said that in the above-mentioned period 22 banks operated in the
occupied area. These banks have 227 branches and 2881 employees.
(I/Ts.)
6.
“Health
tourism” project was discussed in Ankara
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (13.05.16) reports that Turkey’s
deputy Prime Minister also in charge for Cyprus Affairs, Tugrul
Turkes, said that Turkey would always be near its brothers who live
in the “TRNC” during a visit by a delegation of “Cyprus health
tourism council” headed by its chairman, Ahmet Savasan.
During
the visit, possible steps were discussed for the development of
“health tourism” in “north Cyprus” which would increase the
added-value of their “country”.
Savasan
explained that “north Cyprus” has significant potentials in the
area of “health tourism” due to its climatic conditions and its
price advantages. He added that Turkey’s support for the
development of the “health tourism” is decisive.
Turkes,
for his part, said that he considered “health tourism” beneficial
for the “TRNC”.
(DPs)
7.
A
new hotel was inaugurated in the occupied Keryneia
Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis
newspaper
(13.05.16), on its front page under the title “A huge investment in
Keryneia”, reports
that the Lord’s Palace hotel in the ococupied town of Keryneia was
inaugurated last night.
The
inauguration ceremony was attended by self-styled prime minister
Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled minister of tourism and environment
Fikri Ataoglu a number of “deputies” and businessmen.
The
hotel belongs to the Aydogan group and is its first investment in the
tourism sector. Unal Aydogan, chairman of the group’s
administrative board, in his opening speech, thanked the Creditwest
bank officials for financing the hotel’s construction. He added
that the group considered the use of local products very important.
He
further said that by the end of 2017 the foundation of a new hotel
will be laid.
Ataoglu,
for his part, said that the tourism is one the “TRNC’s leading
sector” and added that everyone, particularly local investors who
invest in the sector should be promoted.
Ozgurgun,
addressing also the event, said that local investments were proof
that the “TRNC people” were establishing roots on their “land”.
(DPs)
8.
Erdogan
and Ban discussed regional issues and Cyprus problem
According
to Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 13.05.16), Turkey’s
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had on Thursday a telephone discussion
with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on regional developments prior
to the UN Humanitarian Summit which will be held on May 23-24 in
Istanbul.
According
to presidential sources, Ban thanked Erdogan for hosting the summit
in Turkey and told him that the organization would convey a strong
message to the world about the cooperation on humanitarian matters.
Erdogan,
for his part, said that Turkey was proud of organizing such events, a
first of its kind, and that it would offer a great opportunity for
world leaders to discuss global and regional developments.
The
two leaders also discussed the Syrian crisis and the Cyprus dispute,
agreeing that the world needs to enhance cooperation on Syria's
political transition and the refugee crisis.
Ban
also told Erdogan that the UN was hopeful that the two sides in
Cyprus would find a common solution while assuring the president that
he was following the situation on the island closely.
On
the same issue, illegal Bayrak television (online, 1305.16) reports
that Erdogan,
for his part, reiterated
Ankara’s support to a bi-coomunal, bi-zonal federation settlement
in Cyprus based on the political equality of the two sides. He added
that they were following the process closely.
9.
Erdogan
slams EU for demanding changes to terror law
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.05.16), Turkish
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has slammed Europe for demanding
changes to Ankara's legislation on terrorism.
In
his address at an event titled "National Will in Turkish
Political History" in Ankara on Thursday, Erdogan
said: "Asking Turkey to revise its terror law means to give up
on the cause" in ongoing talks with EU on visa-free travel.
"If
the European Union wants to address a terrorist group [the PKK]
instead of the Republic of Turkey, we are OK with it. Because
we look at the ones who defend causes of terrorist groups the same
way we look at terrorist groups.
(…) You see the attitude from the European Union. They say we
should loosen our grip on terror. Since when are you controlling
Turkey, who gave you the mandate?" Erdogan asked.
On
the same issue, Turkey's EU Minister Volkan
Bozkir said Thursday that European Parliament "rigidity" on
changing Turkey's terrorism law was making negotiations over the
sticking point "impossible" and prevented possible
visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in the Schengen zone.
Speaking
to journalists in Strasbourg on the sidelines of his meetings at the
EP and the Council of Europe, Bozkir said that the EP was still
"rigid" on the condition that Turkey change its
anti-terrorism law and did not want to move the process forward.
He
added that during the presentation of its monitoring report on May 4,
the European Commission did not present the question of changing the
law as part of a "test" but as a simple "recommendation".
Bozkir
said there seemed to be a "misunderstanding" on the part of
the EP. "The
European Parliament does not seem motivated to address the issue of
visa exemption as long as the suggestion of the Commission is not
implemented by Turkey. Despite our many discussions with leaders from
the parliament, it seems impossible to move forward on the visa
issue," Bozkir said.
He
said it seemed necessary to refer to the Commission to clarify
expectations and criteria considered by the European Parliament.
Bozkir
ruled out on Wednesday any changes to Turkey’s anti-terror law. He
said it remained “impossible” for the country to accept changes
to its anti-terror legislation amid ongoing violence from the PKK.
10.
More
deadly bombs blasted in Turkey
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.05.16), Istanbul’s
governor has confirmed that eight people were hurt after a bomb
attack in the city on Thursday.
Meanwhile,
explosions
ripped through Turkey's southeast late Thursday, killing four
suspected bomb makers and wounding 17 people.
The
first large explosion took place in southeastern Diyarbakır province
late Thursday, with many injuries reported. An explosion was also
heard in the Sur district of Diyarbakır, reportedly killing four and
wounding 17 people.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs
/ AA)
