Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-09-22

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish diplomats assess the EU counter declaration to Turkey´s declaration rendering void its signing of the Ankara Protocol.

[02] The Turkish Foreign Minister discussed the Cyprus problem with the US Secretary of State.

[03] Extract on Cyprus from Mr Gul´s address of the UN General Assembly.

[04] Mr Namit Tan responds to a statement by Mr Koumoutsakos on the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

[05] The so-called prime minister of Ankara´s puppet regime in occupied Cyprus met with Olli Rehn in Brussels.

[06] Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press reaction regarding the counter declaration.

[07] Gul comments on the counter declaration of the EU. Turkey is still negotiating with Britain.

[08] The Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of Azerbaijan will visit the occupied areas by the end of September.

[09] UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari may visit Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish diplomats assess the EU counter declaration to Turkey´s declaration rendering void its signing of the Ankara Protocol

Turkish government prefers to wait and see the EU 25 meeting today on the negotiations framework and then respond to Cyprus declaration. Ankara wants to see whether Greek Cypriots will respect the package deal on COREPER and the agreement that 'issues covered in the declaration will not be reopened during the discussion of the negotiations framework'.

In the face of the European Union's long-awaited and controversial counter-declaration on Cyprus yesterday, the Foreign Ministry was uncomfortable but did not lose its cool.

"We want to wait and see today's meeting in Brussels where the EU 25 will discuss Turkey's negotiating framework," one high-level Turkish diplomat told TNA. "We'll determine our position accordingly."

Turkish diplomats signalled their unhappiness with the final draft and even described several elements of the document as "unacceptable," but they held their tongues yesterday. "What is really important is not this declaration, but Turkey's negotiating framework. Introducing these controversial elements in the draft to the framework would be totally unacceptable for us," one Turkish diplomat stressed, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Ankara wants to see whether the Greek Cypriots will be respectful of the "package deal" of the EU's Permanent Representatives Committee (COREPER) and the agreement that "the issues covered in the declaration will not be reopened during the discussion of the negotiating framework."

EU diplomats said that EU ambassadors in Brussels will talk today about Turkey's negotiating framework and if they fail to reach a consensus, the issue will be probably be passed on to the EU ministers.

Turkey's concerns on the EU's Cyprus declaration are focused on six major points, according to Turkish diplomats.

One of them is the recognition issue. For the first time in an EU document related to Turkey and Cyprus, the word "recognition" is introduced. According to Turkish diplomats, this is unfair. Recalling Turkey's efforts for a solution on Cyprus and support for the Annan plan last year, while the Greek Cypriot leader pursued a "no" campaign, they say that the EU's recent stance serves to favor those who do not support a solution on the island. Turkish diplomats underlined that this policy undermines peace efforts.

The second concern is paragraph 5 of the final draft. It underlines that "recognition of all member states is a necessary component of the accession process." In the previous drafts, recognition was an issue "prior to accession." Ankara sees the new wording as the fruit of the Greek Cypriots' attempt to lay the groundwork for future compromises during Turkey's negotiation process.

A third point is the EU's introduction of a linkage between the overall progress of Turkey in negotiations and the Cyprus issue. According to paragraph 3, Turkey's failure to open airports and harbors to Greek Cyprus will affect the "overall progress" in the negotiations. According to Turkish diplomats, here the EU contradicts its past decisions, which separated Turkey's EU process from the Cyprus issue.

Another concern is the EU's very limited reference in the declaration to the UN's peace efforts. The text fails to mention the UN secretary-general's goodwill mission at all but instead refers to past "UN Security Council resolutions" which favor Greek Cypriot positions, and the text also underlines a future solution based upon principles "on which the EU is founded."

In the draft, the reference to the UN comes in the very last paragraph, after paragraph 6.

This is another concern for Turkey. Before that paragraph, the EU states´ demands for moves towards opening ports and recognition, and paragraph 6 underlines that the European Council "will ensure a follow-up on the progress made on all these issues in 2006." But the follow-up lacks any reference to progress in the UN peace process. Ankara is also unhappy with a reference to the council here, since problems of the Customs Union are normally dealt with in a joint platform of the EU-Turkey Association Council.

[02] The Turkish Foreign Minister discussed the Cyprus problem with the US Secretary of State

''Intervention against PKK terrorist organization in Iraq is a matter of timing, not principle,'' U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said at a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul.

Iraq, PKK, and Cyprus were mainly discussed during Gul-Rice meeting in NYC, Turkish diplomatic sources said.

Gul expressed Turkey's views on Iraq, Afghanistan, Middle East, Caucasus, Armenian-Azeri conflict, terrorism, Cyprus question, Central Asia, Balkans and European Union (EU).

It was reported that Secretary Rice said her country shared the views of Turkey as regards to the presence of terrorist PKK organization in northern Iraq, and stated that U.S. was determined to take action against PKK which was considered as a terrorist organization.

Diplomatic sources said Rice stressed that taking action against the PKK was not ''a matter of principle but a matter of timing''.

''U.S. is more prepared to take concrete steps against PKK,'' diplomatic sources reaffirmed.

''Improvement of bilateral relations were also reviewed at the meeting,'' the sources said, and noted that, ''both parties have assessed that they are in a comprehensive partnership.''

Sources said some critical issues like Kirkuk, PKK, and Tal Afar were also discussed, stating that ''it was observed that views on the mentioned issues were parallel''.

According to diplomatic sources, Gul informed Rice about the ongoing EU membership process and she said that the Bush Administration would maintain its support to Turkey in this respect.

What could be done further was also discussed while reviewing the steps which U.S. tries to take to remove the blockade against `TRNC´ (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus), sources said.

Sources said Rice expressed her satisfaction over the information given by the Turkish officials and the policies pursued. ''It has been assessed that U.S. could better understand Turkey on many issues today,'' they noted.

Meanwhile, Gul as a reaction to the EU's Cyprus declaration, did not attend the reception hosted by foreign ministers of NATO and the EU.

[03] Extract on Cyprus from Mr Gul´s address of the UN General Assembly

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Gul said: ''Regarding the Eastern Mediterranean, our vision is to create a basin of cooperation, stability and prosperity among Turkey, Greece and the two peoples of Cyprus. However, it is regrettable that, at a time when we are debating the best way to reform the UN and enhance its role, we are at the same time witnessing an attempt to move the Cyprus problem away from this Organization. We regard these efforts to undermine the role of the UN as a most disturbing paradox.''

''The Annan Plan represented a unique basis for the solution of this problem. Although it did not fully meet their expectations, the Turkish Cypriots, for the sake of compromise, approved the Plan with an overwhelming majority. On the other hand, under the effective guidance of the Greek Cypriot leadership, the rejection of the Annan Plan at a referendum held last year was a blow to the international community. Thus, the chance to put an end to the division of the Island, once and for all, was missed. The Report of the Secretary-General, issued after the referendum gave an overview of the long negotiating process and recommended the lifting of all restrictions upon the Turkish Cypriots. Unfortunately, against established practice, the comprehensive Report of the Secretary-General on Cyprus is being disregarded. As a result, the unfair restrictions imposed upon the Turkish Cypriots could not be lifted. One might find it difficult to believe that the Turkish Cypriots still continue to live under restrictions, cut off from the outside world,'' he said.

Gul went on: ''In the following period the Secretary-General's soundings and efforts to re-activate the talks, based on his plan, have yielded no tangible results because of the continued intransigence of the Greek Cypriot administration. As if this was not enough, the Greek Cypriot administration is now trying to side-line the United Nations and carry the issue to other fora. I urge all international actors to discourage these misguided efforts.''

Noting that Turkey continued to be ready to contribute to the United Nations' endeavours to find a just, equitable and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the Annan Plan, Gul said: ''On this occasion, I would like to reiterate the proposal that I made, on May 30th, 2005 for the lifting of all restrictions related to the Island. In this proposal, I basically suggested the need to enable the free movement of people, goods and services and the lifting of all restrictions applied to sea and airports between the two sides in Cyprus as well as to Turkey and Greece. It is evident that this proposal conforms with the legitimate expectations of the international community.''

[04] Mr Namit Tan responds to a statement by Mr Koumoutsakos on the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus

Turkey harshly reacted to the statement of Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman George Koumoutsakos who said that Turkey would recognize the Greek Cypriot administration.

In response to Koumoutsakos, Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Namik Tan said: ''The United Nations accepted earlier that Greek Cypriots do not represent Turkish Cypriot people. As we all know, Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Koumoutsakos makes a serious mistake. Any recognition in Cyprus is out of question before a comprehensive solution is reached. No one should try to mislead people with such wrongful statements. It is impossible to legitimate the Greek Cypriot administration without a solution.''

[05] The so-called prime minister of Ankara´s puppet regime in occupied Cyprus met with Olli Rehn in Brussels

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer, continuing his contacts in Brussels, had a meeting today with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn.

Present at the meeting were also high level TRNC (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus) officials and the Director of Turkish Cypriot affairs at the EU Commission, Leopold Maurer.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Soyer said the EUs continuous pressure on Turkey to open up its ports to Greek Cypriot-registered vessels and raising this as a pre-condition for Ankara before it starts accession negotiations was an undemocratic practice unbecoming of the European Union.

Speaking after his meeting with Mr Rehn, the Prime Minister said the position of the Turkish Cypriot side, its strong desire for a solution to the Cyprus problem, were explained in detail to the Commissioner.

He said the initiatives already taken by the Turkish Cypriot side for a permanent settlement were also reminded to the EU officials during the meeting.

Mr Soyer said the Greek Cypriot sides stubborn position against a solution to the Cyprus problem was not only blocking the solution efforts, but also undermining those aimed at improving the two sides relations.

He said hed also told the EU officials of possible adverse effects the pressure on Turkey to recognize the Greek Cypriot side as Cyprus, would have.

Referring to the draft counter declaration being issued by the EU in response to Turkeys earlier declaration on Cyprus, Mr Soyer said that the EU would rather consider keeping up its own promises of lifting the Turkish Cypriot sides international isolation when calling on Turkey to open up its ports to Greek Cypriot registered vessels.

Mr Soyer also called on the Union to make a thorough evaluation of the draft counter declaration being issued.

`The inclusion of the recognition of Cyprus into Turkeys negotiations process carries dangers for the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ he said, stressing that the `TRNC´ will never recognize the Greek Cypriot Side as the Republic of Cyprus even if the whole world did so.

Underling the fact that the people of the `TRNC´ is not part of todays Republic of Cyprus, he said that todays Republic of Cyprus` is one which was occupied and usurped by the Greek Cypriots in 1963 thus killing the-then partnership republics bi-communal character.

This is why the raising of the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus as a precondition for Turkey is being seen by Turkish Cypriots as a direct attempt at their very existence; something, the European Union has no right to do.

Earlier at a round table meeting in Brussels, the Prime Minister re-affirmed the Turkish Cypriot Sides readiness to work for a solution to the Cyprus Problem.

Explaining that the Greek Cypriot Administration was trying to avoid a settlement to end the Cyprus problem, Mr Soyer complained also of the Greek Cypriot political leaderships constant smearing campaign in which the `TRNCs´ official figures and entire leadership are being labelled pseudo.

[06] Turkish and Turkish Cypriot press reaction regarding the counter declaration

Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (22.09.05) reports under banner headlines Framework document will be taken up next week and says: The Greek Cypriot side which made COREPER to accept its demands gave up its objections, and the counter-declaration was approved. However, as regards the Negotiation Framework Document, during the deliberations this time Turkey faced Austrian obstacle.

Austria insists that the document should include the expression `privileged partnership and as a result of this insistence no agreement was reached.

VATAN reports under banner headlines EU Cyprus Declaration has been approved. EU debates Negotiations Framework Document.

EU Visa to Turkey, Against Cyprus under the above title AFRIKA reports that The EU counter declaration published against Turkey was officially approved yesterday´. Following the approval, Ankara remained silent. Those who were boasting and shouting, `we will not let the ports to operate, and we will not recognize south Cyprus´ were silent as well.

ORTAM reports under banner headlines EU Declaration has been Approved The Greek Cypriot administration is satisfied.

HALKIN SESI , reports under banner headlines Greek Cypriots retracted and claims that because of the strong pressure exerted on them the Greek Cypriot side retracted its objections and the counter-declaration was approved. Opposition newspaper GUNES reports under banner headlines:

Neither could it be eaten nor would it be swallowed and says that what Talat and RTP-DP were saying just the opposite happened and the declaration has been approved. GUNES, publishes the English text of the EU counter-declaration.

CUMHURIYET, mouthpiece of the Serdar Denktas´s Democrat Party, reports under the title: The EU approved Cyprus declaration, no agreement yet on the Negotiation Framework Document and gives the statements of the government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides´ and Turkish Cypriot leader Talat´s evaluations of the decision.

YENI DUZEN, the mouthpiece of the Republican Turkish Party (RTP), reports in its front page under the banner headlines. We have been condemned with subtitle: Soyer: Very big danger RTP: Not helpful to the solution.

A lot of storms will break out is the title of KIBRISLI newspaper in which it gives a summary of the text of the counter-declaration and the comments by the Cyprus Government Spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides.

Ultra-rightist VOLKAN reports in its front page under banner headlines Turkey, should recognize the Greek Cypriot administration during the negotiation process and says that the EU counter-declaration which is the death fiat (ferman) of Turkish Cypriots has been approved.

TURKISH PRESS

MILLIYET reports under banner headlines: Austria Obstacle and says that although consensus is close in debates about the Negotiation Framework Document, which includes the methods to be implemented in Turkey´s EU talks, the document could not be approved due to the insistence of Austria. Austria insists to add `privileged partnership´ expression to the document.

In its turn RADIKAL reports under the title: Greek Cypriots´ request accepted and writes that EU agreed on counter-declaration about Cyprus. The document wants Turkey to recognize Cyprus during entry talks process and to eliminate all obstacles before free trade. It also states that if Turkey does not fulfil its responsibilities, the whole negotiation process will be affected.

YENI SAFAK reports under the title: They still think of privileged partnership and says that in the end the obstinacy of the Greek Cypriots was over and the declaration was approved. However, this time Austria tries to include `privileged partnership´ to the negotiation framework document.

SABAH reports under banner headlines, Tense bargaining until 3rd October and writes that Greek Cypriots hurried attempt to attach the counter-declaration into the Negotiation Framework Document has created concern in Ankara, and says that Turkish diplomats are unhappy fearing that the Greek Cypriots will eventually block the negotiation process.

[07] Gul comments on the counter declaration of the EU. Turkey is still negotiating with Britain

The Minister of Foreign Affairs Gul has said that the Greek Cypriot side wanted to make the UN ineffective on the issue of the solution on the Island. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Gul evaluated as follows the counter declaration approved by the EU: Our negotiations with Britain continue, the process is still going on.

Responding to the questions of Selim Atalay, NTV New York correspondent, Gul noted that they are discussing with Britain and said: The broad information will be given by the spokesman. The process is going on. Everything is related with each other. I could not make a comprehensive statement regarding a document issued two hours ago.

Abdullah Gul criticized the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side to include the European Union in the solution to be reached on the Island. Gul said: The solution is at the UN. While everybody in the General Assembly wants to make the UN more powerful, the Greek Cypriots are trying to make it ineffective. I have sent a message regarding this.

I/Ts.

[08] The Minister of Youth, Sports and Tourism of Azerbaijan will visit the occupied areas by the end of September

The paper writes that the issues of improving of the relations between the two parties and the arrangements of Tourism fairs between them will be taken up during the visit. Representatives of Tourist companies of Azerbaijan will accompany the Azeri Minister during his visit to occupied Cyprus.

(C/S)

[09] UN Under Secretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari may visit Cyprus

Mr Gambari, who succeeded Sir Kieran Prendergast to the post, is in charge of the Cyprus dossier by virtue of his post dealing with Political Affairs and according to diplomatic sources he has expressed his intention to visit the island once he has mastered the dossier.

(C/S)

/SK

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article