Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-03-29

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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] Akinci argues that if a rational stance is not exhibited, the natural gas in Cyprus' EEZ could cause tension

[02] Turkish Cypriot columnist emphasizes on Turkish side's double standards and intransigent policy on the Cyprus problem

[03] Cavusoglu met with Kerry; They agreed that a Cyprus settlement is possible this year

[04] Turkish Cypriot daily reveals details on the new "economic protocol" to be signed between Turkey and the occupation regime

[05] Incentives to tourists arriving to Larnaka and crossing to the occupation regime

[06] The occupation regime launched a campaign in Scandinavian countries to attract tourism

[07] Turkey sent diplomatic note over foreign envoys attending journalists' trial

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci argues that if a rational stance is not exhibited, the natural gas in Cyprus' EEZ could cause tension

In statements after his meeting yesterday with President Anastasiades within the framework of the Cyprus talks, Akinci said that the Greek Cypriots see the natural gas as a field of sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus and added: "They think that they can do whatever they want on this issue, but we do not share this view. This wealth is a common property, a common wealth of the two communities?"

Noting that the negotiations are continuing in an intensive manner, Akinci argued that "while we should concentrate all our energy here and create a field of cooperation by which everybody will benefit, no pretext should be given for new tensions and for turning the future common wealth into a tension today".

We have concerns on this issue", he noted and said that he conveyed his concerns both to the UN and President Anastasiades, arguing that he did the right thing. He afterwards expressed the wish that this message is "correctly perceived".

Referring to the issue of halloumi, Akinci recalled the agreement reached with the President of the EU Commission, Jean Claude Junker and added: "Halloumi is also a wealth of Cyprus. We also want it to belong only to the Cypriots with its geographic registration, but the Greek Cypriot Ministry of Agriculture is proposing some changes outside this understanding. This mistake should not be committed. The reached agreement should not be spoiled. We conveyed our concerns on this issue as well to Anastasiades".

Akinci referred also to the issue of nine Roma families living in the government-controlled area of Cyprus which had reportedly been informed by the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus that they should evacuate the house there are living in. Akinci said that he discussed the issue with the UN Secretary-General's Special Adviser for Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide and with President Anastasiades. He noted that he was told that the one of the families is currently staying at a hotel and when the house they were living is repaired, they will move there again. No procedure will be followed for the other eight families, said Akinci adding that the letters sent to them have been withdrawn and described the conclusion of the issue as satisfying.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkish Cypriot columnist emphasizes on Turkish side's double standards and intransigent policy on the Cyprus problem

"When it suits you, you say 'we cannot stop life'. You do not wait for the solution. You build a new university in Morfou. Morfou is an issue of bargain on the table. However, you continue doing what you know saying 'life is continuing'. And on the other hand, you related Varosha to the comprehensive solution with a totally opposite understanding. Life continues in Morfou, but stopped in Varosha, is that so? It stopped in 1974. The watches are not functioning in Varosha. When it suits you, 'life continues' and when it does not suit you, life does not continue.

We were curious about Mustafa Akinci's stance after Turkey's ultimatum to the Greek Cypriot side on the hydrocarbons issue. And behold, we found it out. There is no surprise. He did not surprise us. He did not say why Turkey interferes in Cyprus' natural gas and oil explorations in its own territorial waters. He did not say that Ankara is actually dynamiting the negotiations process. He did not say anything contrary to Ankara's statements. Look what he said:

'While the negotiations for the solution are continuing, we should concentrate all our energy here and create a field of cooperation by which everybody will benefit, no pretext should be given for new tensions. It was my duty to convey my concerns on this issue both to the UN and my interlocutor'.

He said he conveyed to his interlocutor, that is, to Anastasiades. What he conveyed? Of course, Ankara's concerns. The first reaction to the new hydrocarbon tender came from Ankara, not from us. [?] If Ankara had not made such a statement, we would not have even thought about doing this...

However, life continues dear Mustafa. You also said that life continues. We cannot stop life, can we? What did you say when a reaction came from the Greek Cypriot side to the construction of a new university in Morfou? Have you forgotten? Did you not say that 'we cannot stop life until a solution is reached'? E, if you cannot stop life, can the others stop it? Why the others should wait? Is Morfou not a common wealth for us, like the wealth in the sea? Moreover, as Ankara demands again, you do not intent to return Morfou. What is it if not a mentality of conqueror at the table to expect all the concessions to be made from the other side? What is the difference of this from Danktas' 'what is taken with blood cannot be returned at the table'? If there is a difference show it to us so that we also see it.

During your election campaign you were continuously referring to Varosha. After you were elected, you forgot Varosha. You totally forgot it. The word Varosha is not even heart from your mouth. What happened to 'we cannot leave it to the snakes and centipedes to eat it'? Behold, we still continue leaving it [to these] to eat it. We have consumed one year with you. Come and let us count what we did not do, what we could not do within a year and not what we did. You will see that it is not very different than the past years. I do not want to destroy the hopes of those who have not stopped hoping in you. However, the fact that you could not exhibit a different stance from Ankara is not giving me hope for the period to come.

We will not open Varosha. We will not give Morfou. We do not want too many Greeks among us. We will not abandon the guarantees. We will not abandon the population from Turkey. E, how a solution will be reached in this manner? If this is not legalization of the existing status quo, then what is it?"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Cavusoglu met with Kerry; They agreed that a Cyprus settlement is possible this year

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu met U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in Washington, and both diplomats were upbeat about chances for a deal.

"We have also some good news from the eastern part of the Mediterranean, I mean Cyprus," Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by AFP to a group of reporters ahead of their meeting.

"We are hoping to reach a settlement in Cyprus in 2016. Turkey's side is ready," he said, confirming for the first time that a deal is possible this year.

Cavusoglu added that the Cyprus negotiation talks on the issue had slowed down during the preparations for May's legislative elections in "Greek Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus. "But after the elections we are hoping to reach a settlement and the United States is giving its full support to this process as well as Turkey", Cavusoglu added.

On his turn, Kerry said that he "couldn't agree more". "We are very deeply committed to and involved in the talks on Cyprus," said Kerry, adding that both he and U.S. Vice President Joe Biden had recently visited the island.

"We have met with the folks on both sides as well as individual countries and we are going keep pushing very, very hard towards a resolution of the Cyprus crisis", Kerry added.

[04] Turkish Cypriot daily reveals details on the new "economic protocol" to be signed between Turkey and the occupation regime

According to the paper, the demands of the Turkish side include among others the abolishment of the "State planning organization" ("DPO"), the complete privatization of the "telecommunications and ports" in the "TRNC", and the privatization on the "transmission" of energy. The model being proposed, envisages the partnership of the "private-state" sectors under the model of build-operate-transfer (BOT).

On the issue of "judiciary", Turkey has also demanded for the "judiciary o become more independent and transparent", writes the paper.

The main surprise of the "new protocol", adds the paper is related with the "state planning organization" ("DPO"), since Turkey's demand is the lifting of the "organization" and the distribution of its duties to the "ministries". Also, a separate "department of Statistics and Planning" will be established under the "prime ministry", while the authorities for incentives funds will be transferred to the so-called ministry of economy.

(AK)

[05] Incentives to tourists arriving to Larnaka and crossing to the occupation regime

Supporting that their goal is to bring around 50,000 tourists in case that the problems exist with Larnaka on the issue of tourism are solved, Sucuoglu said that in order to achieve this, they will need 6 million TL in total as prims.

Sucuoglu added that they are on talks on this issue at the moment and added that he will discuss the matter during his contacts in Ankara next week.

Referring to the problems experienced by several tourists who arrive to Cyprus via Larnaka airport and they want to cross to the "TRNC", Sucuoglu said: "A tourist arriving to Larnaka, cannot cross to north Cyprus via buses. He can only come either with a taxi or with a mini bus. And he is charged with 100 or 200 TL extra".

(AK)

[06] The occupation regime launched a campaign in Scandinavian countries to attract tourism

According to the paper, the tourism fair "Road Show" which is co-organized by the Turkish Airlines and the "tourism ministry" was inaugurated yesterday in Copenhagen, capital of Denmark. The fair will be opened for six days and afterwards it will continue to Oslo, Stockholm and Helsinki.

Tourist operators, hoteliers and representatives of the sector from several Scandinavian countries will attend the fair writes the paper, adding that efforts will be exerted by the "representatives" of the "TRNC" to attract tourists in the "country".

The occupation regime is represented in the fair by "officials" of the "Turkish Cypriot travel agencies' union", the "director" of the Turkish Airlines in the occupation regime, and the "director" of the "ministry of tourism", Umit Ozkiran.

In statements on the issue, "officials" from the "ministry of tourism" said that the Scandinavian countries are very important and that they will continue their efforts for attracting tourists from there.

(AK)

[07] Turkey sent diplomatic note over foreign envoys attending journalists' trial

Foreign Ministry officials said that the sharing on social media of photos at the trial by some diplomatic and consular representatives amounted to an intervention in an ongoing independent judicial process and is incompatible with the principle of impartiality. They said that Turkey's disturbance over the issue had been sent to the related country representatives.

The announcement came after leading political figures including Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kal?n, Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag, and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan slammed Consuls General from various countries as well as main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Deputies for attending the first hearing of the case on March 25 to show solidarity with Dundar and Gul, who were released on February 26 upon a Constitutional Court decision after 92 days in jail.

Diplomats from several countries including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Canada, Italy and Poland attended the hearing where U.K. Consul-General in Istanbul Leigh Turner shared images from outside the courtroom and messages of support for the journalists on his official Twitter account.

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