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Turkish Press Review, 06-12-13Turkish Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: Turkish Directorate General of Press and Information <http://www.byegm.gov.tr>Summary of the political and economic news in the Turkish press this morning13.12.2006CONTENTS
[01] ERDOGAN CRITICIZES EU FOREIGN MINISTERS' DECISION TO PARTIALLY FREEZE TURKEY'S NEGOTIATION PROCESSAddressing his party's Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke about the decision of the European Union member states' foreign ministers to partially freeze Turkey's negotiation process, saying that the decision was expected, but that Ankara was being subjected to unequal treatment by the EU. Stressing that Turkish-EU relations were going through a serious test, Erdogan stated that the reform process would continue determinedly. "The decision is not in accordance with the dimension of relations between the Union and Turkey, " he said. "The Cyprus issue should be solved within the UN, not the EU." Also commenting on claims that not all official state bodies had been informed about Turkey's recent Cyprus proposal, Erdogan said that such arguments made the process more difficult. "If they hadn't done this (made such arguments), we could have gotten a better outcome," said Erdogan, adding that one of the priorities of the government's Cyprus policy was the development and progress of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC). "We've always stood by the Turkish Cypriots and will continue to do so," said Erdogan. In related news, Erdogan is due to travel to the United States to attend a meeting of the Alliance of Civilizations starting next Monday. /Sabah/[02] GUL: "THE EU DECISION TO PARTIALLY FREEZE TURKEY'S NEGOTIATION PROCESS SHOWS ITS LACK OF VISION"Speaking to reporters before his party's group meeting yesterday, Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul commented on the decision of the European Union member states' foreign ministers to partially freeze Turkey's negotiation process, saying that the decision showed the EU's lack of vision. "Our government is determined to continue to make reforms for the nation," said Gul. "The reforms will continue no matter what the EU says." Commenting on claims that not all official state bodies had been informed about the government's recent Cyprus proposal, Gul stated that someone was trying to score political points. /Sabah/[03] BAYKAL HARSHLY CRITICIZES ERDOGAN'S STANCE ON CYPRUSSpeaking at his party's group meeting, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal harshly criticized the stance of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the Cyprus issue, saying that if Ankara makes concessions, then the southeastern Anatolia and Aegean issues would also become bargaining chips. Baykal stated some parties were trying to make Turkey's European Union talks like the Lausanne conference after World War I. "We're constantly making concessions," added Baykal. "This doesn't hurt Erdogan but it does hurt us." Baykal added that the government has become a burden on the nation, which has run out of patience. /Milliyet/[04] BLAIR: "REJECTING TURKEY WOULD BE A STRATEGIC MISTAKE"British Prime Minister Tony Blair yesterday warned that rejecting Turkey would be a big strategic mistake in the long term, adding that he was hopeful about making progress during the European Union summit starting tomorrow in Brussels. Before the summit, Blair told a press conference, "In the future, I hope that we can make advances on various issues, including the Ankara Protocol." /Hurriyet/[05] AUSTRIA'S SCHUSSEL: "SOMETHING BESIDES FULL EU MEMBERSHIP COULD EMERGE AT THE END OF TURKEY'S TALKS"Austrian Prime Minister Wolfgang Schussel yesterday asserted that at the end of the Turkey's negotiations something besides full membership could emerge. Ahead of the European Union summit of heads of state and government tomorrow and Friday, Schussel held a joint press conference with Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and said, "A decision to hold open-ended negotiations with Turkey was taken. I have been saying this for two years. Open-ended negotiation means that something besides full membership is possible. Moreover, there is a series of protective mechanisms on Turkey. First of all, opening the Austrian business market to the Turkish labor force is out of the question." He also said, "If a full membership decision emerges at the end of Turkey's negotiations, Austria will hold a referendum, " adding that the referendum decision was taken with the agreement of all parties of Austria's Parliament. Meanwhile, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that the Turkey issue will be discussed at the EU summit and said, "Progress reports will be prepared. But I have doubts about rapid progress for now, due to (next year's) elections in Turkey." /Cumhuriyet/[06] REHN: "WE WELCOME ERDOGAN'S DECLARATION THAT REFORMS WILL CONTINUE"European Union Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso yesterday said that he was pleased with the EU Council's decision to partially suspend Turkey's EU talks. At a joint press conference alongside EU Commission Vice President Guenter Verheugen and Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn, Barroso spoke about the decision on Turkey, characterizing it as fair and moderate. Rehn also cited Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's speech at his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) group meeting, highlighting Erdogan's statement that "reforms will continue with the same determination," saying that they welcomed this declaration. /Star/FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS…FROM THE COLUMNS… [07] HASAN CEMAL (MILLIYET) WHAT SHOULD THE EU DO?Columnist Hasan Cemal comments on recent developments on Turkey's relations with the European Union. A summary of his column is as follows:"Yes, as Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, the European Union has done wrong. Yes, as Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul pointed out, the decision made by the EU was an act lacking vision, showing the strategic blindness of the bloc. Both of these determinations are correct. In addition to their fair criticisms, the Erdogan-Gul duo made clear once again two points: Go on with the EU! Continue with the reforms! Then what has the EU done? The bloc let off Turkey -- which has not opened its ports and airports to Greek Cyprus, in other words has not fulfilled its commitment regarding the free flow of goods -- with a penalty. But this penalty is very heavy. Suspension of eight related chapters and tying the closure of others to the Cyprus condition is a very heavy, very disproportionate sanction. On the other hand, the EU is saying this: ‘Don't forget! Although Turkey doesn't recognizing Greek Cyprus, its accession talks have begun. Furthermore, Turkey isn't implementing one of its important commitments to the EU concerning the Customs Protocol. But your talks weren't completely cut off. What more do you expect?' Isn't there some truth in the view of the EU, which has not kept its promises to lift the embargo from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC)? There is, of course. Turkey's greatness and strategic importance -- and the government's persistence, including its recent Cyprus proposal -- for the time being, have stymied certain EU member states which wanted to do worse to Turkey. In brief, there is a livable situation! However, in order to let the train go on and dispel the current negative atmosphere, the EU has to take concrete steps on three points: 1) Four chapters ready to open for discussions, but unable to so far due to Greek Cypriot blocking, should be opened for talks right away... 2) No opportunity should be given to the Greek Cypriot Tassos Papadopulos administration to organize a new ploy... 3) Regarding lifting the isolation of the TRNC, direct trade regulations should be taken up in January, and the EU should begin direct trade with the country -- not via Greek Cyprus. If the EU would like to show its good will, it should take action soon on these three points. Because Ankara is furious! The air blowing behind closed doors both in the government and the Foreign Ministry is very negative. Officials are afraid of reflecting this situation to the outside through statements. Can Ankara preserve its stance towards the EU? In other words, can Ankara, from time to time, keep its distance from the EU on certain matters due to its disappointment? Whether or how much it becomes influential it is a separate matter. But there's a possibility. The continuation of cooperation depends on the EU's stance on the three points mentioned above. Meanwhile, we should point out that Turkey's reforming Article 301 would have a positive impact on developments. Yes, the train is slowing down. But it's still on track! Everything has been tied to our elections next year. Who will be the president? How will the general elections go? Everything, Turkey's political stability in particular, is tied to these two questions. How this knot will be untied, everybody, including the EU, would like to see." 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