Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 14-12-18

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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] Olgun discussed with Eide the resumption of the Cyprus talks

[02] Derya filed a lawsuit against those who insulted her

[03] Zaroglu, one of Derya's insulters was granted the "TRNC citizenship" in 2010

[04] The "labour ministry" gave 14,500 work permits while there are 12,000 unemployed persons in the breakaway regime

[05] The Jerusalem Orthodox Church issued a warning that the Hala Sultan mosque constructed in the occupied Agia Milia village belongs to the Church

[06] So-called minister Dincyurek attends ECO's meeting in Turkey

[07] Erdogan: EU cannot give 'democracy lesson' to Turkey

[08] Political ban of pro-Kurdish politicians ends as they seek to join HDP

[09] Columnist: "Europe has to decide about Turkey"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Olgun discussed with Eide the resumption of the Cyprus talks

The Norwegian diplomat, who arrived on Tuesday held separate meetings with Andreas Mavroyiannis and Ergun Olgun.

Speaking earlier to "TAK news agency", Turkish Cypriot negotiator Olgun said that the purpose of the UN Special Adviser's visit is to take stock of the current situation in the Cyprus peace process, already faltering when the Greek Cypriot leader Nikos Anastasiades walked out of the talks two months ago.

Reminding that the Cyprus Turkish side is still at the negotiating table, Olgun said that possibilities and opportunities regarding the return of the Greek Cypriot side to the negotiating table will be discussed.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi Daily News (online, 17.12.14) reported that following an hour long meeting with the UNSG Special Advisor in the buffer zone, Olgun told "TAK News agency" that they discussed the resumption of the talks in their meeting.

Olgun also said that they conveyed their views to Eide regarding the unilateral exploration of oil off the coast of the island by the Greek Cypriot side and claimed that it is important that the Greek Cypriots refrain from this.

[02] Derya filed a lawsuit against those who insulted her

Derya went to the "police department" in the occupied part of Nicosia with a group of lawyers to file a lawsuit against Bertan Zaroglu, Latif Akca, Kenan Akin, Rifat Yildiz, Ali Tekin, Abdulkadir Tapinc, Aydinli Tayfun and Keman Ozkan Cakirgoz for their "aggressive and obscene" insults against her.

Amongst the lawyers accompanying Derya were Tahir Seroydas, Ongun Talat and Mehmet Ekin Vaiz. Other lawyers also announced that they would be willing to volunteer to take Derya's case in "court".

On the same issue, the paper reports that the General Secretary of CTP-BG Kutlay Erk slammed the obscene attacks directed against Mrs Derya and called for the "denaturalization" of the chairman of the "Association of Solidarity and Culture of People from Hatay" Bertan Zaroglu's "citizenship".

Moreover, the paper reports that self-styled prime minister Ozkan Yorgancioglu, speaking to the press before a "council of ministers" meeting in the afternoon yesterday, referred to the verbal attacks on Mrs Derya and added that this was unfair and inappropriate. He condemned the attacks and said it was wrong that "deputies" words were exploited in this way.

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (18.12.14) reports that many Turkish Cypriot politicians supported Derya's case.

Mustafa Akinci, "candidate" for the upcoming "presidential elections", said that they should not be afraid of facing the reality, adding that there was a war in Cyprus and the rape of women is a traumatic fact of the wars. Unfortunately, he added, during war periods, kids and children are the biggest victims.

Kudret Ozersay, "candidate" for the upcoming "presidential elections", convicted the verbal attack against Derya, adding that it is wrong and dangerous to insult through the social media those who have different opinion than you.

Sener Elcil, General Secretary of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS), said that it seems that the persons, who have made a fortune with the Greek Cypriot properties, have come to this country with the struggle of the Turkish Cypriots and added that this community knows very well those who give lessons of nationalism and manhood. Elcil also said: "If they believe that they can hide the war crimes and the realities in Cyprus with outcries, they are mistaken. These cheap leftists and fake nationalists cannot love Cyprus and people more than Derya." He concluded by saying that Derya is not alone.

[03] Zaroglu, one of Derya's insulters was granted the "TRNC citizenship" in 2010

The paper publishes documents that prove that Zaroglu was granted the "TRNC citizenship" with a "decision" of the "council of ministers" of the "National Unity Party (UBP) dated 20.1.2010 and adds that Zaroglu arrived in occupied Cyprus as a student and then was granted the "citizenship" without obtaining a work permit first.

The paper writes that the general secretary of CHP Kutlay Erk stated that Zaroglu's "citizenship" must be cancelled.

[04] The "labour ministry" gave 14,500 work permits while there are 12,000 unemployed persons in the breakaway regime

The paper reports that unemployment consists one of the biggest problems in the occupied area of Cyprus and adds that during the last few years the numbers of unemployed persons has increased. At the same time, the paper notes it is "striking" that while so many persons have no job, the "ministry" is giving so many "work permits" to foreigners.

[05] The Jerusalem Orthodox Church issued a warning that the Hala Sultan mosque constructed in the occupied Agia Milia village belongs to the Church

Citing information, Havadis writes that the Church asked either for a compensation to be given or for the plot to be returned to it. The paper writes that the Evkaf Foundation stated that the 100 donum plot is among the land that belongs to the Church and that they researched the issue in a great depth.

The chairman of the administrative office of the Evkaf Ibrahim Bentler stated that he personally researched the issue. The paper also writes that the "Jerusalem Orthodox Church" will for the first time send a representative in Cyprus to discuss the issue.

[06] So-called minister Dincyurek attends ECO's meeting in Turkey

The Ministerial meeting is focusing, among others, on the state of play of ECO environmental agenda; national environmental policies and efforts to enhance regional cooperation and synergy; the emerging regional and environmental challenges; and strengthening ECO cooperation with relevant international organizations.

Dincyurek attends the meetings as a guest of the Turkish Minister for Environment and Urban Planning, Idris Gulluce who delivered a speech.

The Climate Change and Green Economy Istanbul Declaration are also expected to be approved at the meeting which started on Monday.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (18.12.14), in statements while delivering a speech at the meeting, Dincyurek, referred inter alia, to the water project envisaging the transferring of water from Turkey and said that the infrastructure works for the completion of the project will be completed very soon.

Dincyurek added that as soon as the infrastructure works are to be completed, they will proceed with the issue of the management of the water.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Dincyurek said that the Turkish Cypriot "people's" desire is for a fair solution to be found to the Cyprus problem, adding that they would also like to take their place in the world.

Dincyurek added that within the framework of the meeting, he had the opportunity to meet and have contacts with Ministers and representatives of more than 10 countries.

(AK)

[07] Erdogan: EU cannot give 'democracy lesson' to Turkey

"They say they will give a democracy lesson to Turkey. Take the trouble to come here, so that Turkey can give you a lesson in democracy," Erdogan said at a rally in the Central Anatolian city of Konya.

He told Brussels to "look in the mirror," particularly in its dealings with Egypt and Syria, vowing that Turkey would never be the EU's "doorman."

The weekend detention of journalists and television staff linked to U.S.-based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen earned Turkey severe criticism from the European Union, which denounced the raids as "incompatible with the freedom of the media."

But Erdogan on Dec. 15 lashed out at the rebuke and told European leaders to "mind their own business," in a diatribe that raised new doubts about Turkey's stalled bid to join the bloc.

On Dec. 17, the Turkish President further stepped up his rhetoric, on the 10th anniversary of the EU "green light" for the start of formal membership negotiations with Ankara. "They've been dragging their feet over the last decade ... Sorry, but we are not the EU's doorman", Erdogan said.

"If they let us in, they do. If they don't, they don't. You may speak against Turkey as much as you like. We will draw our own route," he said.

"Let me repeat it, those who try to advise Turkey by shaking their finger, just like a governess, must understand that they are no longer facing the old Turkey," Erdogan added.

"They say they will give Turkey a lesson in freedoms. You first go and give an account of rising racism, Islamophobia and discrimination in Europe. Those who close their eyes to what happens in Syria, who turn their back on the massacres in Palestine, cannot preach to us about freedom, democracy and human rights," he said.

[08] Political ban of pro-Kurdish politicians ends as they seek to join HDP

"Political bans are a serious violation of rights" said Tugluk according to reports and said that she hopes political bans and closure of political parties will not occur in the future. She stated that they are in favour of resolving the Kurdish issue through democratic and political means rather than violence and noted that the Kurdish people have elected them as representatives. Tugluk argued that the right to participate in political activities should be guaranteed by the state.

Leyla Zana and Aysel Tugluk, along with 30 other politicians, were banned from politics for five years in 2009 for being members of DTP, which allegedly had links with the PKK. While the decision banned their affiliation with political parties, Zana and Tugluk were re-elected to the Parliament in 2011 as independents.

Their transfer to HDP will increase the party's seats in the Parliament to 29.

[09] Columnist: "Europe has to decide about Turkey"

"It is ironic that it is only at times like these that the EU starts waving the big stick, warning Ankara that if it does not fulfil its obligations in terms of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law it will endanger its membership prospects.

I am convinced, however, that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed the view of the majority of Turks when he blurted out, in response to the reactions from Europe to the operation against the Gulen movement's media outlets, that 'Turkey does not have an EU problem'.

His remark suggests that he personally couldn't care less whether Turkey's EU dimension progressed, stalled, or fell by the wayside. In other words, the EU stick just doesn't work on Turkey anymore, and more's the pity.

It is very unlikely, despite the small flurry of recent diplomatic activity between Turkey and the EU, that Ankara's membership bid will emerge from the stagnation it is currently in and make fresh strides any time soon.

It is not just that Turkey's democracy is heading for the sinkhole that is the problem. Opposition to Turkey's membership remains at the highest level in Europe, despite the optimism that European diplomats try to inject into the subject with lofty remarks.

This is the main reason behind Erdogan's 'couldn't care less' attitude, which has a lot of public support. When Turks look to Europe they see very few, if any, partners, potential or otherwise, that they genuinely believe their country can rely on. This also feeds into their inbred sense of victimization.

It also works to Erdogan's advantage, given that he has made it amply clear that if he could he would turn Turkey in a different direction and away from Europe. It is the insurmountable facts of international relations, which in effect force Turkey to maintain the appearance of continuing its commitment to the EU perspective, that are preventing him from doing so.

Europe, however, is also faced with insurmountable facts concerning Turkey. It can't do with it, but it can't do without it in terms of its long term strategic interests. If it is as concerned with Turkey's fate as it claims to be at time such as this, then it has to decide what it is willing to give Ankara to keep it truly 'anchored in Europe'. This will, of course, have to be meaningful for Turkey; otherwise it will only be more of the same.

(?)

Unfortunately, the criticism from the EU and individual member states today rings hollow to the same Turks who appear keen on EU membership again. This criticism from Europe comes only days after it became clear that key chapters in Turkey's membership talks will remain blocked by certain members, and not just Cyprus.

The overall picture today suggests that Turkey is drifting away from Europe. Lowest common denominator interests will obviously ensure that ties are somehow maintained at some level. But the day when Turkey does not see a strategic value in pursuing its European vocation does not appear such a dim prospect anymore.

Therefore, Europe has to go beyond rhetoric and decide what its meaningful response will be to Erdogan's dismissive attitude about the EU, and his increasing authoritarianism at home. This will have to be accompanied by the promise of concomitant rewards for returning to the correct path.

A nagging voice inside me says this will not happen and that Europe will continue to muddle through with empty warnings, hoping somehow to keep Turkey tethered to Europe even as it drifts away." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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