21/5/15

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW



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

No. 93/15                                                                                                       21.05.15

1. Akinci: The coordinates of the 28 minefields are insufficient
2. Akinci briefed the political parties on the Cyprus talks
3. Talat visited Akinci
4. The negotiators held a four-hour meeting yesterday
5. “Cyprus Health Care Travel Council” has become member of the World Health Tourism Council
6. Teachers are taken to “court” because of holding a protest in the “assembly” 
7. Major boost to commercial ties with Bosnia following President Erdogan's visit

1. Akinci: The coordinates of the 28 minefields are insufficient
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (21.05.15, online) reports that BarisBurcu, spokesman of the Turkish Cypriot leader, has argued that the coordinates given by the Greek Cypriot side regarding 28 minefields in the occupied area of Cyprus are insufficient. In a written statement issued today, Burcu said that Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci discussed the issue today with Lisa Buttenheim, Chief of the UN Peace Keeping Force Mission and UNFICYP’s General Commander, Kristen Lund.

Burcu noted that Akinci told the UN officials that the coordinates of the 28 minefields are insufficient and asked them to obtain all the details regarding the minefields and convey them to the Turkish Cypriot side. Moreover, Akinci asked UN mine experts to join these efforts the soonest and in the most effective manner.  

According to Burcu, Lund promised Akinci that they could obtain detailed information on this issue within a few days from the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Cyprus. Buttenheim has reportedly seen positively Akinci’s request on this humanitarian issue and said that the UN will do whatever it can and will be in continuous cooperation with the political and military authorities of both sides on this issue.
(I/Ts.)

2. Akinci briefed the political parties on the Cyprus talks
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 21.05.15), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci briefed the “parliamentary platform”, which consists of leaders and representatives of political parties with seats at the “parliament”, on the Cyprus negotiations process which resumed on Friday, the 15th of May.

The briefing was attended by the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and self-styled prime ministerOzkanYorgancioglu, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) SerdarDenktas, the leader of the National Unity Party (UBP) Huseyin Ozgurgun and the leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) CemalOzyigit.

Also present at the meeting were the general secretary of CTP KutlayErk, the “deputy” of CTP ArmaganCandan, the foreign affairs secretary of DP IsmetKotak and DervisRefiker, the “deputies” of UBP Ersan Saner and TahsinErtugruloglu and finally the “deputies” of TDP Mehmet Cakici and HuseyinAngolemli.

Akinci’s under-secretary GurdalHudaoglu, the Turkish Cypriot negotiator OzdilNami and Akinci’s spokesman BarisBurcu were also present from Akinci’s office. Academician MeltemOnurkanSamani was present at the meeting as well.

Speaking after the meeting to the press, Yorgancioglu said that the negotiation process was discussed and Akinci had shared with them the developments up to date. Nami also briefed on the meetings he had held. Yorgancioglu said that they shared their views with Akinci and added that it was a fruitful meeting.

Denktas also speaking to the press touched on the Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) and claimed that the mines issue had been “dropped in the public’s lap” as no one knew where the mines actually were. He warned the public to be careful and underlined that this issue was more of a humanitarian issue rather than a confidence building one. Denktas also said that queues still exist at the crossing-points despite the removal of the “visa papers” claiming that the Greek Cypriot side has increased their checks.

Ozgurgun said that they will be following the talks closely and hoped that they will be finalised soon. Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot “public” are equals on the island, Ozgurgun said that CBMs needed to pave the way for a comprehensive settlement.

Ozyigit, speaking after the meeting, said that the positive atmosphere of the elections is reflected to the negotiations; the important thing is to follow and assess the developments and contribute where is needed. The real thing here is the reunification of this country, he concluded.

3. Talat visited Akinci
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen (21.05.15) reports that the newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci met yesterday with the former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat.

Speaking during the meeting, Akinci said that the process for a Cyprus settlement can only be successful if they work together and stressed that the success will come only through cooperation. Noting that he wants to benefit from Talat’s knowledge and experience, Akinci said that solidarity will continue.

Talat, for his part, congratulated Akinci for his election and added that Akinci’s vision is already seen as a success. He also said that the whole world expects in excitement the solution of the Cyprus problem. Finally, Talat said that he believes that the Turkish Cypriots will benefit from this procedure and will do whatever he can to contribute to this process.
(DPs)

4. The negotiators held a four-hour meeting yesterday
Under the title “’Eroglu’s positions will be withdrawn’”, Turkish Cypriot daily HalkinSesi newspaper (21.05.15) reports that Turkish Cypriot negotiator OzdilNami and his Greek Cypriot counterpart, Andreas Mavroyiannis held a four-hour long meeting yesterday.

Technical work for clarifying the convergences achieved until today and the existing disagreements started during the meeting at which the “green light was given to the Greek Cypriot side” on the issue that newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will withdraw some positions of former Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu and some “objections” might be turned into agreements. According to the paper, because difficulties were established on the issue of determining a joint confidence building measures list, “the Greek Cypriot side does not intend to insist on this issue”.
(I/Ts.)

5. “Cyprus Health Care Travel Council” has become member of the World Health Tourism Council
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (21.05.15) reports that the “Cyprus Health Care Travel Council” has become the 54th member of the World Health Tourism Council.

According to the paper, the agreement was signed at the “Vuni Place Hotel” in the occupied area of Cyprus by the chairman of the World Health Tourism Council, EminCakmak and the chairman of the “Cyprus Health Care Travel Council”, AhmetSavastan. Speaking during the ceremony, Cakman stated that they support sincerely the health tourism in the “TRNC” adding that despite its small size, the “country” made big steps on the issue with the establishment of university hotels and clinics.

On his part, Savastan said that health tourism is a developing factor, adding that in the past Cyprus was only known for the sun, the sand and the sea. He also said that the turnover in the health tourism reached 400 billion dollars last year in the world and it can be very profitable for the breakaway regime as well.
(CS)

6. Teachers are taken to “court” because of holding a protest in the “assembly” 
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (21.05.15) reports that the “police” of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus have filed a “lawsuit” against the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot secondary school teachers’ trade union (KTOEOS) and twelve members of the Union, who participated in an activity protesting against the so-called “migration law” in the “assembly”.

The teachers are accused of “violating property”, after a complaint by Zorlu Tore, so-called deputy with the National Unity Party (UBP) and an “official complaint” filed by the “speaker of the assembly” to the “police”.

The chairman of KTOEOS, TahirGokcebel told Kibris that they had entered into the “assembly” after acquiring the necessary permission and showed their identity cards before entering and thus they did not do anything “illegal”. He noted that they had put into an envelope the so-called “law which arranges the public servants’ salary, allowance and pay”, which is described as “migration law”, wrote the names of the “deputies” on these envelopes and distributed them by hand to each one of them.
(I/Ts.)


7. Major boost to commercial ties with Bosnia following President Erdogan's visit
According to Turkish daily Sabah (21.05.15), several commercial deals aiming to further boost bilateral trade were signed during President Erdogan's visit to Bosnia on Wednesday. The President, who was accompanied by Ministers and businessmen, also held key meetings on energy and construction

During his visit, a new deal was signed by Turkey's state-owned Ziraat Bank's BiH branch, which will offer 50 million euro in credit to Bosnia-Herzegovina's small- and medium-sized enterprises. It was said that the main purpose of the loan is to ensure that entrepreneurs and tradesmen in the country have easy access to resources and development. Ziraat Bank's loan program will be offered for investments, increasing employment and production, economic development and the agriculture, tourism and construction industries in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

 Erdogan, during a joint press conference MladenIvanic, said that the current trade volume between Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina, which totals $500 million, tops the agenda since it is relatively low, and his delegation is ready to create new investments in Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Before the press conference began, the country's Ministries of Foreign Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding regarding information technologies and a cooperation agreement regarding veterinary medicine. Cooperation agreements regarding international travel of passengers and goods via highways and one regarding science and technology were also signed between the two governments.


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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(DPs/ AM)