Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 16-03-30

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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 met with Schulz; statements by Akinci

[02] Akinci's advisor: "The Turkish Cypriots' security, equality and freedom are being guarded at the negotiating table"

[03] Atun: "It is not right to open for discussion the issue of Turkey's guarantees while the Cyprus negotiations process is still continuing"

[04] Eroglu criticized the calling for tenders for hydrocarbon exploration and claimed that Turkey could issue a new Navtex

[05] Aktoprak is the new general secretary of DP

[06] An "emergency action exercise in cases of disaster and emergency" to be held in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] Columnist: "If Akinci thinks of the solution, he must state that the Republic of Cyprus' right to search for natural gas should be respected"

[08] Sahalli: "The Green Line Regulation not enough satisfactory for us"

[09] Turkey holds nearly 700 Daesh suspects so far this year

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Akinci met with Schulz; statements by Akinci

In statements to the press after the meeting, Akinci described the meeting as very constructive and explained that he briefed the President of the EP on the latest stage of the Cyprus negotiation process.

Reminding that he met with Schulz in the past during his visit in Brussels, Akinci said that Schulz has a good knowledge of the Cyprus problem and added that he is also a person who honestly supports the solution.

Akinci stated that he also thanked Schulz for his support and interest on the Cyprus negotiation talks and added that they exchanged views on the improvement of their ties as Turkish Cypriots with the EP, taking into consideration that they will share a common future all together into the European family.

Akinci also stated that he pointed out once more the Turkish Cypriot's determination towards the solution and added that Schulz' assured him that his support, as well as all other European organizations' support towards the efforts for finding a solution will continue.

(AK)

[02] Akinci's advisor: "The Turkish Cypriots' security, equality and freedom are being guarded at the negotiating table"

He however claimed that this unilateral move did not go well with the positive atmosphere of the negotiations. "The objection of Akinci should be understood [?] there is no active drilling activity today, it is a tender process. But it could create tension and we saw this happen in the past when it even caused the suspension of the talks. There is a need to keep tensions in this geography calm and approach things calmly. Otherwise, such unilateral moves will cause Cypriots to face new tensions", he said.

Hudaoglu also evaluated President Nicos Anastasiades's statements that both sides were digging trenches on the issue of the four freedoms.

"The Turkish Cypriots should feel comfortable and at ease. Their security, equality and freedom are being guarded at the negotiating table" he said.

Evaluating the European Parliament President Martin Schulz's visit to Cyprus, he said that the Cyprus problem and work towards harmonizing with the EU after a solution are on the agenda. "However the issue of guarantees is not, because the guarantees will be taken up by the related parties at the end of the negotiations process" he argued.

Hudaoglu stated that there was a constructive relationship between the Akinci and the "government" and added that this does not mean that there is consensus on all issues.

[03] Atun: "It is not right to open for discussion the issue of Turkey's guarantees while the Cyprus negotiations process is still continuing"

He further claimed that the Greek Cypriot Presidential Commissioner Fotis Fotiou's attempt "to portray the terrorist organisation EOKA as a heroic organisation to new generations is proof that the Greek Cypriot Administration will never change its policies in Cyprus".

[04] Eroglu criticized the calling for tenders for hydrocarbon exploration and claimed that Turkey could issue a new Navtex

Eroglu who issued a written statement, said that the rights of the Turkish Cypriots are usurped and called on Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci to show the necessary determination to stop the Greek Cypriots and to take the necessary steps for safeguarding the rights of the Turkish Cypriots.

He went on and added that the Greek Cypriots should know that if the situation continues in the same way, then by all means the Turkish side will issue a Navtex and the issue of bringing a platform in the area will come into the agenda, like the period he was on "power".

(CS)

[05] Aktoprak is the new general secretary of DP

Commenting on Aktoprak's election, the chairman of DP Serdar Denktas stated that a new era is starting for the party.

DP's previous general secretary Hasan Tacoy quitted his position a few days ago.

(CS)

[06] An "emergency action exercise in cases of disaster and emergency" to be held in the occupied area of Cyprus

Within the framework of the exercises, sirens will rung from time to time.

(AK)

[07] Columnist: "If Akinci thinks of the solution, he must state that the Republic of Cyprus' right to search for natural gas should be respected"

Commenting on the recent statements by Akinci on the issue, Incirli notes that if by making such statements Akinci thinks of the so-called presidential elections, then he is the right path, because Turkey will definitely support him.

The columnist writes that all three Turkish Cypriot leaders before Akinci had tried to "convince the Greek Cypriots" on the "just cause of the Turkish Cypriots", something which Akinci is also trying to do now. He adds the following:

"Shall we explain the issue a little bit? Let's explain it. All four leaders do not recognize the Republic of Cyprus. They believe that there is a separate state in the north. And they put this belief on the table in a very firm manner. Do they not have any difference at all? Those who say that 'they have' should put forward this difference. [?] Have the four leaders said something different on issues such as the security and guarantees, the refugees who came from Turkey, the Turkish army and the property-territory? Are all Denktas and Talat and Eroglu and Akinci not supporting 'Turkey's active and effective guarantees'?

Are all Denktas and Talat and Eroglu and Akinci not saying that the lands which we have taken in 1974 and on which we currently living belong to us? They have a difference of 'nuance'. This is true. The way they say it might be different, but in the end while the uppermost started with saying 'we have taken them with blood and we will not give them away', Akinci is saying 'the current user should have the first say'. There is no different stance between the two leaders on this issue. All four of them supported and are supporting that all refugees who have come from Turkey will stay here.

Do they have differences on the hydrocarbon issue? Before his election Akinci had a different stance, but is he not saying to Anastasiades now 'beware, do not search for natural gas, my mother will beat you'?

This is the reason for which I am saying that 'four leaders', all four leaders have tried to convince the Greek Cypriots on our 'just cause' and the fourth is still trying. We had no other job than convincing the Greek Cypriot side on the issues such as that 'the properties in the north belong to us, the properties we left in the south belong to us, the Turkish army will stay and the refugees from Turkey will not go'.

'Akinci was the last hope'. Is the natural gas a possession for the future? This is what Akinci is saying and adds: If reasonable behavior is not exhibited tension will exist regarding this issue. What does this mean? What is behaving reasonably? It is the Republic of Cyprus, which we call Greek Cypriot Administration, abandoning its most natural and legitimate right! Not conducting a research for natural gas! Very well, what is the tension? Turkey issuing a Navtex again. That is, saying 'look, I will strike'?

If Akinci will not say now on this issue that 'searching for natural gas is Anastasiades' most natural right', if he is not saying this, I can think of two possibilities:

[01] Akinci has forgotten what he was saying before his election.

[02] Akinci is definitely thinking of a next election and not the solution. [?]

The issue should not be recognizing the Republic of Cyprus, when it suits us and saying 'long live the TRNC' when it does not suit us. Yesterday Ali Erel recalled it as well. Was carrying the water from Turkey, which is more valuable than the natural gas, without knowing what would come through the pipelines, something done by taking the permission of the Greek Cypriots as required by the rights deriving from the Republic of Cyprus? Or this is different? [?]

If Akinci thinks of the solution, he must say that the Republic of Cyprus' right to search for natural gas should be respected. The community is definitely behind him. If Akinci is making calculations for the next presidential elections, he is the right path. Turkey will definitely support him".

(I/Ts.)

[08] Sahalli: "The Green Line Regulation not enough satisfactory for us"

Sahalli also stated that the 11 TIR of potatoes were turned back from Mersin port in Turkey was not because the port was closed for the Turkish Cypriot products but because the potatoes suffered from a disease.

Referring to the EU Green Line Regulation, Sahalli described the regulation as a very important opening. He, however, added that the regulation is not satisfying them enough. Sahalli went on and stressed the need for EU experts to carry out controls on the products that are sent to "south Cyprus" within the framework of the GLN.

(AK)

[09] Turkey holds nearly 700 Daesh suspects so far this year

A total of 693 Daesh suspects were held over the first three months, with 160 of them being remanded in custody, reports show. Of the total suspects, 554 were detained between January and February, out of whom 98 were sent back into prison.

During the operations, security forces, including police, gendarmerie and border troops also seized a large number of organizational documents, weapons and ammunition belonging to the Daesh terrorist group. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

(CS/AM)

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