10/6/16

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S


No. 108/16                                                                                                                           10.06.2016

1. Burcu expressed the Turkish Cypriot side’s readiness to attend a meeting chaired by Ban whenever the latter asks it
2. They will build a mosque in the “international fair” in the occupied area of Cyprus
3. The water from Turkey is causing debates in the occupied area of Cyprus
4. More about Ataoglu’s meeting with Veysel Eroglu
5. Turkish Cypriot shopkeepers ask for the opening of Deryneia barricade
6. Casein protein in dairy products; milk remains unsold in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
7. Akinci visited Maronite villages
8. Ozkurt is the new “director” of illegal BRT
9. Biden and Yildirim reaffirmed their strong support for a Cyprus settlement
10. Erdogan tells Germany to rectify resolution 'mistake'
11. A public opinion poll by AKAM Research Company demonstrates an increase on the HDP’s percentages if its leader is arrested
12. Turkey is EU's strategic partner in energy, EU official Gargya says


1. Burcu expressed the Turkish Cypriot side’s readiness to attend a meeting chaired by Ban whenever the latter asks it
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.06.16) reports that the so-called presidential spokesman Baris Burcu, in  exclusive statements to the paper, commented on the meeting of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ioannis Kasoulides with the UN’s Secretary-General Ban Ki moon, and the UN’s readiness for a meeting chaired by the UN Secretary General and the two leaders in the island and stated that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready to participate in this platform, whenever the UN’s Secretary-General wishes to, either during the maturity stage of the negotiation process or at the end of the process.

Describing as very natural the fact that Ban would like to see the solution of the Cyprus problem prior to the end of his term, Burcu pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has also always expressed his wish for a solution within 2016.

Reminding of the fact that during the latest leader’s meeting, they have decided to intensify the process and to increase the number of their meetings, Burcu argued that the Turkish Cypriot side’s utter goal is to be able to reach to a result the soonest possible.
(AK)

2. They will build a mosque in the “international fair” in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.06.16) reports that Turkish Minister of Economy, Nihat Zeybekci is paying an illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus today for attending the opening ceremony of the “40th International Fair” and meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, the “speaker of the assembly” Sibel Siber and “prime minister” Huseyin Ozgurgun.

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (10.06.16) publishes on its front page a letter signed by the “director” of the “ministry of economy and energy”, Metin Ozerem, who asks for financial aid, in order to construct a masjid [small mosque] in the area in which the “fair” will take place.
The paper’s general director, Cenk Mutluyakali refers to the issue in his column under the title “Masjid for the economy” and notes that “they have probably told Ozerem to write the letter and he wrote it and sent it”.

“The letter reached some economic institutions and a backstage took place”, he says adding that the letter asks for five thousand Turkish liras to build the masjid in the fair, which will take place between 10 and 19 June, because this is a period that coincides with the Moslem month of Ramadan.
(I/Ts.)

3. The water from Turkey is causing debates in the occupied area of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (10.06.16) reports that Mehmet Harmanci, self-styled mayor of the “Nicosia Turkish municipality”, has said that he always preserves the view that water of high quality should continuously be given to the people and that he will continue struggling for this. In a statement yesterday, Harmanci referred to the fact that occupied Nicosia’s “municipal council” rejected buying the water from Turkey for 2.30 Turkish liras (TL) and expressed the view that it is wrong to correlate the use of the water during this transitional period with the approval of the “agreement” which will create a monopoly of a private company in the water sectorHarmanci recalled that two members of the “municipal council” coming from the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and one coming from the New Cyprus Party (YKP) voted “no” yesterday because they think that the use of the water during this transitional period would be tantamount to the beginning of the privatization. He noted that eight members of the “municipal council” coming from the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) voted “no” because the price is high, but other “municipal councils” unanimously approved this price and six “mayors’ who belong to the CTP decided to buy the water for 2.30 TL.

Under the title “The CTP is divided on the water”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (10.06.16) reports that members of the occupied Nicosia “municipal council” who belong to the CTP rejected the price of the water from Turkey, but in many areas, including occupied Famagusta, the members of this party voted “yes”. “Municipalities” which belong to the CTP, such as occupied Lefkoniko, Lisi and Chatoz, approved the agreement on the water and applied to the “ministry of interior” for getting water from Turkey.

The paper writes that Nazim Cavusoglu, self-styled minister of agriculture and natural resources, said yesterday that ten “municipalities” have signed the “protocol” on the water issue and eight “municipalities” decided in favor of the agreement, but have not signed it yet

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (10.06.16) reports that the CTP issued a statement yesterday calling on the “government” to share with the public all the information as regards the water from Turkey and to prepare the ground for the “municipal councils” to produce “sound decisions” on this issue. CTP notes that the party will react to the pressures exerted on the “municipalities” to sign the “subscription agreement” until this is done and added that if the “municipalities” are forced to approve the agreement because of these pressures, the “government” will be responsible for the problems which the consumers and the “municipalities” will face in the future

Noting that “Everybody is confused”, the paper writes that the CTP said “no” in Nicosia, but its stance in the rest of the occupied area is not known. According to Havadis, 14 “municipalities” are under CTP’s control. Some “mayors” stated that in case the price of 2.30 TL determined by the “government” is not reduced, no “municipality” has the strength to survive financially and all of them will go bankrupt. 
(I/Ts.)

4. More about Ataoglu’s meeting with Veysel Eroglu
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.06.16) reports that the so-called ministry of tourism and environment, issued a written statement concerning “minister” Ataoglu’s contacts in Turkey and his meeting with the Turkish Minister of Forestry and Water Affairs Veysel Eroglu.

According to the statement, Eroglu stated during the meeting that the water transferred from Turkey to the occupation regime will contribute not only to the tourism sector but also to the development of the agriculture sector in the “TRNC”.

Eroglu also stated that incentives will be given for the production of olives, carobs and almonds.

In his turn, Ataoglu stated, inter alia, that they have reached to an agreement envisaging that a fire-fighting helicopter will be deployed by turns during the summer months both in Mersin and the occupied area of Cyprus and will be ready to intervene in emergency cases and in fire cases.
(AK)

5. Turkish Cypriot shopkeepers ask for the opening of Deryneia barricade
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.06.16) reports that the within the walls shopkeepers in the occupied city of Famagusta will organize an activity tomorrow demanding the immediate opening of the Deryneia barricade under the slogan “open this gate”. The activity will take place at the entrance of the within the walls area of occupied Famagusta and is supported by the Turkish Cypriot teachers’ trade union (KTOS), the “ancient Famagusta foundation” and the New Cyprus Party (YKP). 

In a written statement issued yesterday, the organizers of the activity said that they will demand the opening of the barricade before the tourism season is over.

Yilmaz Parlan, shopkeeper in occupied Famagusta and one of the organizers of the activity, told Kibris that politics is the “art of solving problems”, but in the occupied area of Cyprus, it has been turned into the art of postponing the solution of problems. He noted that the Cyprus problem exists for 43 years and that they have been exerting efforts during the past 13 years to open the Deryneia crossing point. He pointed out that during the past 13 months they are carrying out an “intensive campaign” for the opening of this crossing point.   

Parlan said that the generation which fights for the opening of Deryneia will not be alive after ten years and complained of the fact that in spite of this, the politicians are still telling them to wait.

Parlan added that their debts to the “state” and the banks cannot wait and every month the interest rate is added to them.

He said that the shopkeepers have always been saying that trade will become a bridge for peace and added that those who cannot conduct trade will not be able to exist. Giving the example of Arasta area in the occupied part of Nicosia, Parlan said that the volume of trade had been zero in that area and after the crossing points opened it reached 42 million. He further complained that the status quo and the politicians committed to it do not want them to become free as a community and earn money. He noted that these politicians are responsible for the non-opening of Deryneia crossing point until today.
(I/Ts.)  

6. Casein protein in dairy products; milk remains unsold in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (10.06.16), on its front page under the title “Shocking news” and the subtitle “Everyone will become Arnold Schwarzengger”, reports that 90 tons of milk remain unsold every day in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, adding that there are also allegations that the casein protein and milk powder are used for the production of halloumi/hellim.

Oguz Ceyda, former chairman of the “farmers union”, speaking to the paper, argued that their milk production remains unsold, because the producers of halloumi/hellim are being using casein protein and milk powder instead of milk, adding: “The way things are going, everybody who consumes milk, especially our youth, will become Arnold Schwarzenegger”. Ceyda also claimed that they are consuming dairy products that are full with chemicals, adding that this has an impact on the increase of cancer in the “country”.

Candan Avunduk, chairman of the “dairy producers union”, said that the problem of the unsold milk is because the exports of halloumi/hellim to Turkey have been reduced.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.06.16) reports that Gazi Guney, an animal producer in the occupied village of Elia, complained that the raw milk is not taken by the “dairy board” and is asking the “officials” of the breakaway regime to find a solution to their problems. He added that he produces a half ton of milk every day and he has to scatter it because he cannot give it to another place.

Furthermore, the paper reports that self-styled minister for agriculture and natural resources Nazim Cavusoglu, evaluating the problems of the milk producers at the “assembly”, said that the issue is very “sensitive”. He added that he explained the issue to the Turkish officials when they visited them and asked for their help.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (online, 10.06.16), self-styled minister Cavusoglu met also with a delegation from the “Cyprus Turkish Chamber of Industry”.

Speaking during the meeting, Cavusoglu touched upon the Halloumi/Hellim issue, stressing that traditional cheese should receive the pricing it deserves when being imported. He further said that necessary steps will be taken on the issue in light of the information that will be revealed during the recent workshop held on dairy production and the extensive report to follow.
The Chairman of the “Chamber of Industry” Ali Çıralı for his part informed the “minister” regarding the ongoing developments on the registration process for hellim as a Product of Designated Origin (PDO).

Çıralı said that their priority is to raise the standards of the halloumi/hellim production in Cyprus to that of the EU’s registration standards.

Putting forward requests for the further promotion of halloumi/hellim products, to raise product prices, to prevent the export of hellim which doesn’t meet the standards and to organize workshops so that hellim can be produced in line with the food production statuette, Çıralı said that within this framework there is a need to develop sheep and goat breeding in the “country”.
(DPs)

7. Akinci visited Maronite villages
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.06.16) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci visited yesterday the Maronite villages of Karpasa, Agia Marina and Asomatos.
According to the paper, Akinci was welcomed by the head of the Karpasa village Yiannoula Orfanou and by inhabitants of the villages.
After inspecting the villages, Akinci was briefed about the restoration works which are taking place in the temple at Asomatos village by the Cultural Heritage Technical Committee. He then was briefed about the restoration works which are taking place in Archangelos Michael church in Asomatos village.
(AK)

8. Ozkurt is the new “director” of illegal BRT
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (10.06.16) reports that Meryem Cavusoglu Ozkurt has being appointed by the “council of ministers” as the new “director” of the illegal Bayrak television (BRTK).

Before her appointment, Ozkurt was the director of TRT in Istanbul.
(AK)
9. Biden and Yildirim reaffirmed their strong support for a Cyprus settlement
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.06.16), U.S. Vice President Joe Biden vowed to continue the U.S.’ counterterrorism assistance to Turkey during a Wednesday telephone call with Turkish Premier Binali Yildirim.

"The leaders pledged to continue the robust cooperation between the two countries on combatting terrorism”, according to the White House.

Biden strongly condemned the attacks during the call with Yildirim, according to the White House and, congratulated the newly-appointed Prime Minister on his post.

"The leaders also reaffirmed their strong support for efforts in Cyprus to reach an agreement that reunifies the island as a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation," the White House added.

10. Erdogan tells Germany to rectify resolution 'mistake'
According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.06.16), Turkey has outlined its possible moves if Germany does not correct its “mistake” following Bundestag’s non-binding Resolution recognizing Armenian “genocide” claims, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said.

In remarks made to reporters late Wednesday at Ankara Esenboga Airport prior to his visit to the U.S. where he would be attending Muhammad Ali's funeral, Erdogan said that a high-level security meeting had discussed the issue on Wednesday. "We specified some topics for our possible steps during our talks with the government. We will take those steps if Germany will not correct its mistake," he said.

He also called on Germany to desist from what he termed as the "wrong" step.

"If it [Germany] does not desist from this wrong step, our steps will be different. In other words, the process will not be as it is now," he added. He also noted that almost 3.5 million Turkish people lived in Germany.

11. A public opinion poll by AKAM Research Company demonstrates an increase on the HDP’s percentages if its leader is arrested
Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (10.06.16) reports that a public opinion poll conducted by the Eurasia Public Opinion Research Center (AKAM) between May 31-June 3, in 24 provinces and 96 districts in Turkey, with a sample of 1,642 people, demonstrates an increase on the percentages of the People’s Democratic Party (HDP) in case of its leader arrestment, of Selahattin Demirtas, after the recent development in Turkey related with the lifting of Deputies’ immunity.

Also, replying to the question: “Which party would you vote for if elections were to take place today?”, the participants in the poll answered as follow: AKP 47,66%, CHP 25,33%, MHP 11,16%, HDP 11,16%, other parties 4,69%.

The poll demonstrates also an increase on the HDP’s percentages, from 11,16 to 14,05% in case of Demirtas’ arrestment.
(AK)

12. Turkey is EU's strategic partner in energy, EU official Gargya says
Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (online, 10.06.16) reports that the Head of the Trade, Agriculture, Economy and Energy Policy and Projects Section of the Delegation of the European Union to Turkey Balazs Gargya said: "We see Turkey as a strategic partner in energy and we wish to continue our negotiations in the field of energy".

Speaking to Anadolu Agency at the International Geothermal Conference, Gargya said the EU and Turkey held positive meetings regarding energy issues. Stressing the importance of Turkey's goal to be an energy centre for Europe, Gargya argued that “the establishment of a direct line between Turkish and European markets and Turkey's transformation into an energy centre will be beneficial for Europe's energy supply security."

Gargya further argued that Turkey's becoming a centre in energy would revive the natural gas trade among countries in the region and that this situation would positively affect the pricing of the natural gas supply that would go through the country.

Highlighting two conditions for Turkey to become an energy centre, Gargya said: "First, the market operations need to be distinguished as foreseen in EU regulations, meaning that the transmission network operation's complete separation from the supply operations need to be guaranteed. Second, it is really important to provide equal and transparent access for the third parties to the natural gas transmission network, LNG [liquefied natural gas] and storing facilities within the country."

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