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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-01-23Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA No.16/07 23.01.07[A] NEWS ITEMS
[A] NEWS ITEMS[01] Turkish General Ilker Basbug visits the occupied areas; How the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish press cover the visitIllegal Bayrak television (22.01.07) broadcast the following:The Commander in Chief of the Turkish Land Forces General Ilker Basbug is in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for routine annual inspection of Turkish military units stationed across the Republic. As part of his visit to the TRNC, General Basbug will also be meeting with government and state officials. Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency (22.01.07, in English) reported from occupied Lefkosia the following: President of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Mehmet Ali Talat stated that they wanted the world to take notice of Turkish Cypriots more and lift the unfair isolations, underscoring that Turkish Cypriots had proved their will for a solution in the island and their intention could not be judged. Talat received Turkish Land Forces Commander Gen. Ilker Basbug at this office in Lefkosia. Delivering a speech at the visit, Basbug said, as the Turkish Military Forces, they desired a comprehensive, fair and lasting peace in Cyprus, to be provided within the framework of UN. Noting that they were taking the Cyprus issue as a common and national issue of Turkey and TRNC, Basbug said, improving Turkish Cypriots' presence, sovereignty, political equality and level of prosperity were the basic targets of Turkey and TRNC. Meanwhile, Talat emphasized that Turkish Cypriots were striving for a lasting and fair compromise in Cyprus, with the help of Turkey. Stressing that they had taken a remarkable step by approving the Annan Plan, Talat declared, after that point, Turkish Cypriots' intention towards the solution of Cyprus issue could not be judged. "We want the world to take notice of Turkish Cypriots more and lift the unfair isolations," Talat said. Pointing to the extensive armament in the Greek Cypriot part as well, Talat said the race of armament of the Greek Cypriots disconcerted them. On the other hand, Turkish Land Forces Commander Basbug paid a visit to TRNC parliament speaker Fatma Ekenoglu. Meanwhile, Turkish daily ZAMAN (23.01.07, Internet version) reports on the same issue: Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat reiterated his call for an end to international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots, saying they proved that they wanted peace after voting for a UN plan to reunite the island in a referendum in 2004. We want the international community to take the Turkish Cypriots more
seriously and end the unjust isolation, Talat said as he met with
Gen. 0lker Babu, the commander of Turkish Land Forces, in his office.
The meeting is the first public contact between Talat and the Turkish
military after the tension over the demolishing of a walkway in the
buffer zone dividing the Turkish and Greek Cypriot zones of the island
earlier this month.
The military reportedly opposed Talats decision to demolish the
walkway, which was inside a military zone, but the Turkish Cypriot
authorities eventually removed it. We, without internal conflict, are
coordinating the security aspect of our policies, Talat said.
Babu arrived in the island to attend a regular military exercise and
inspect the Turkish forces there. Talat also expressed concern over an
ongoing armament in Greek Cyprus, saying this led to questions over
intentions of the Greek Cypriot side .
Furthermore, illegal Bayrak television (22.01.07) broadcast the
following regarding Basbugs meeting with self-styled Prime Minister
Soyer:
Speaking during the visit, General Basbug said that he was very pleased
to see that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was economically
prospering.
Pointing out that the Turkish Peace Forces which have been present in
Cyprus since 1974, have been maintaining the peace and security of the
Turkish Cypriot people, the Commander in Chief said that the Turkish
armed forces will always be by the side of the TRNC and the Turkish
Cypriot people.
For his part, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer drew attention to the
special relationship that existed between Turkey and the Turkish
Cypriot people.
He stated that Turkeys generous contributions and support have played a
major role in the economic, democratic, cultural and political
improvements that have taken place in the Turkish Republic of Northern
Cyprus over the past years, adding that this special relationship will
continue in the future.
Pointing out that the Turkish Cypriot Side aim was to finding a
bi-communal, bi-zonal solution to the Cyprus Problem that safeguards
the 1960 Treaties of Guarantee and Alliance, Mr. Soyer said that
alongside the political and economic struggle waged by the Turkish
Cypriot Side, the security provided by the Turkish Peace Forces was an
important basis of support for the Turkish Cypriot people.
I thank the Turkish Armed forces for that he said.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily AFRIKA newspaper (23.01.07), the
real aim of the Generals visit is the Ledra Street (Lokmaci) crossing
point and not the inspection of the units of the Turkish occupation
forces, as stated in the press. He will investigate the withdrawal of
the military posts and demilitarization of the area.
Under the title He came for Lokmaci, AFRIKA adds that during General
Basbugs visit decision will be taken regarding the opening of the Ledra
Street.
Furthermore, under the title Basbug: Just solution, lasting peace,
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (23.01.07) on the other hand
reports that the General, who arrived in the occupied area yesterday,
paid courtesy calls to Talat, Soyer and Ekenoglu. After meeting the
Turkish Cypriot leader Talat, General Basbug said: We assess that
Cyprus and the Cyprus problem is a common and national problem of the
Turks and the Turkish Cypriots people, the TRNC and the Republic of
Turkey.
Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (23.01.07) refers to the
issue under the title Basbug: our common target is the development of
the TRNC. The paper notes that Mr Talat drew attention to the armaments
of the Republic of Cyprus and said that although they do not seem very
important in front of the strength of the Turkish Armed Forces or the
so-called Turkish Peace Forces in Cyprus, as he described the Turkish
occupation army, the Turkish Cypriots are worried from the point of
view of the intention shown by the Greek Cypriots for a race of
armaments. It worries us especially not from the point of view of our
security, but from the point of view of their intention, he noted.
Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (23.01.07) reports that general
Basbug stressed: The common target is the development of the TRNC and
the promotion of the existence, sovereignty, political equality and the
prosperity level of the people.
Turkish Cypriot daily GUNES newspaper (23.01.07) refers to the issue
under the title: The Commander in Chief of the Turkish Land Forces
General Basbug is among us: The TRNC must be supported. According to
the paper Basbug said that the common target is supporting the TRNC
with its everything and strengthening it further.
According to Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (23.01.07), General
Basbug stressed once more: Our common target is supporting the TRNC.
The paper argues that General Basbug gave five important messages: 1)
The army and the people are side by side, 2) It supports a
comprehensive and lasting solution, 3) The common aim is supporting the
TRNC, 4) The Greek Cypriots cannot be trusted and 5) The Treaty of
Guarantee cannot be watered down
Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (23.01.07) refers to the visit
of Basbug under the title General Basbug in the TRNC.
Finally, Turkish daily SABAH newspaper (23.01.07), under the title
Basbug: Cyprus is our national problem , reports that Turkish Cypriot
leader Mehmet Ali Talat met yesterday with General 0lker Babu, the
commander of Turkish Land Forces, at his office. General Babu said
that he arrived to the island to attend the military exercise 2007
planned military exercise to be held by the Turkish occupation forces
and to inspect the Turkish forces there.
Reminding that his last visit to the TRNC was in 2002, Basbug said that
the Turkish Military Forces desire a comprehensive, fair and lasting
peace in Cyprus, to be arrived at within the framework of UN. He also
added that Cyprus and the Cyprus problem is seen as a joint national
problem of Turkey and TRNC.
(MHY/ITS)
Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI newspaper (23.01.07) refers to the
issue under the title The wish of the EU is direct trade. The paper
reports that the General Affairs Council of the EU which met yesterday
in Brussels approved the text for the fulfilment of the promise for
direct trade, which has been given about 3 years ago.
Turkish Cypriot daily VATAN newspaper (23.01.07) under the title The
decision was taken, notes that the General Affairs Council of the EU
decided the beginning of the works for direct trade in the TRNC without
delay.
Turkish Cypriot daily CUMHURIYET newspaper (23.01.07) refers to the
issue under the title Are you enjoying being squeezed like a lemon?.
Turkish Cypriot daily ORTAM newspaper (23.01.07) describes the direct
trade regulation as confused regulation.
Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (23.01.07) reports that the
General Affairs Council of the EU decided that the work on the issue of
the trade with Northern Cyprus must start without delay.
Under the banner headline The approval of the direct trade regulation
for Cyprus by the EU without a discussion, Turkish daily SABAHs
correspondent in Brussels Fikret Aydemir reports that the EU Commission
adopted the resumption of work regarding the direct trade regulation
with Northern Cyprus. The EU General Affairs Council gathered at the
level of EU foreign ministers to adopt without any discussion Article A
of the regulation, which anticipates direct trade with the TRNC. The EU
Council urged a quick resumption of work (without any delay) in order
to launch the direct trade regulation by the EU-presidency Germany. The
paper reports that in the draft text the TRNC was described as the
areas of the Republic of Cyprus in which the Government of the Republic
of Cyprus does not exercise effective control. According to the paper,
the Greek Cypriot Administration prior to the discussions that the
EU-term Presidency Germany will start, asked to bring to the agenda the
return of Varosha and a provision for trade to be carried out from the
ports in the south, so as to lift its veto on direct trade. The Turkish
Cypriot side stressed that direct trade will be meaningless in case
they have to use ports in the south and has asked to use Famagusta as
its port and Ercan (occupied airport of Tympou) as its airport.
"Italy has always supported Turkey in its EU process since the day I
became the prime minister," Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan
said on Monday.
The Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and the Prime Minister Romano Prodi
of Italy, who is currently paying a state visit to Turkey, held a joint
news conference following their tête-à-tête meeting.
Prior to the news conference, Erdogan and Prodi signed a "strategy
document" with the aim of further strengthening cooperation between
Turkey and Italy.
"During the meeting, we had the chance of reviewing our political,
military, economic, commercial and cultural relations in detail. Also,
we exchanged views over recent regional and international
developments," he said.
"Italy has always supported Turkey in its EU process since the day I
became the prime minister. We evaluated the decision made at the EU
Summit in December 2006. I thank Mr. Prodi once again for Italy's
support to Turkey," he said.
Erdogan told reporters, "during the meeting, we also had the
opportunity of explaining our views and expectations about the Cyprus
issue. I highlighted the importance we attached to finding a solution
to the Cyprus issue under the roof of the United Nations."
Recalling that Prime Minister Prodi and he would attend the
inauguration of Istanbul-Ankara lane of Bolu Mountain Tunnel on
Edirne-Istanbul-Ankara expressway tomorrow, Erdogan said: "Later, we
will meet Turkish and Italian businessmen in Istanbul."
When asked by an Italian journalist, "one of the conditions for
Turkey's accession to the EU is press freedom and more democracy. A few
days ago, an Armenian origin journalist was killed in Istanbul. If
there had been more freedom, could Turkey prevent the killing?" Erdogan
said: "The killing of Dink cannot be justified anyway. The real target
of the attack was, in fact, Turkey, Turkish nation, democracy and
freedoms. It was a heinous murder. The only consolation is that the
suspect was arrested in a short period of time. Such attacks take place
in different countries from time to time. They are totally
unacceptable. I believe that our judiciary will make the fairest
decision. On the other hand, our works under the EU political criteria
have been continuing."
Upon another question on energy, Erdogan told reporters, "as you know,
Turkey has become an important energy corridor. Turkey, Italy and
Russia have carried out a joint project under the name Blue Stream.
Now, we have been constructing a natural gas pipeline to transport
natural gas to Greece and Italy via Turkey."
In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (22.01.07) reported invoking
sources that executives from OIC and Islamic Solidarity Fund were also
present at the meeting between Turgay Avci and Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu.
During the meeting Avci informed the participants about the recent
developments in the Cyprus problem and called for development of
bilateral relations between OIC member states and TRNC (breakaway
regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus).
The parties discussed the projects presented by TRNC to the OIC
affiliates, and future projects for Islamic Solidarity Fund and Islamic
Development Bank were also on the agenda of the meeting.
Chairman of Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, Erdil Nami, who is in
the TRNC committee in Jeddah, called for improvement of commercial
relations between TRNC and OIC member states.
In a written statement issued today, the Foreign Minister said that the
latest statements made by the Greek Cypriot Leader Tassos Papadopoulos
disregarding the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots in any
future settlement proved the Greek Cypriot Sides intransigence.
Stating that the Turkish Cypriot Side was expecting for the restart of
comprehensive negotiations in April this year, Mr Avci said that the
real aim of the Greek Cypriot Administration was to run away from
negotiations table as well as to break off concessions from the Turkish
Cypriot Side by using its EU membership.
Stressing that the Greek Cypriot Sides statement expressing commitment
to the 8th of July process was deceptive, the Foreign Minister
nevertheless expressed the Turkish Cypriot Sides determination to be
constructive and work sincerely towards finding a solution to the
Cyprus Problem.
On the same issue Turkish daily SABAH (23.01.07) reports that the
parliamentary delegation from the German Social Democratic Party, which
is currently in the occupied areas as guests of the Republican Turkish
Party (CTP), said they believed that an injustice was committed against
the Turkish Cypriots. The German deputy Jurgen Walter noted that they
came in Cyprus to be informed regarding the TRNC, because they do not
have enough information about the TRNC and many discussions regarding
Turkeys EU process are going on. Replying to a question, Mr Walter said
that it was a conscious choice to enter the island through Ercan
airport (occupied airport of Tymbou), adding that there was no pressure
on this matter. He concluded by saying that even if there was pressure
he would have chosen again to arrive from Ercan airport.
(MHY/DPs)
European Union Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn argues there is no
deadline for Turkey to open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels. Adding
a new phrase to the already extremely rich EU lexicon on Turkey, Rehn
says there is no "guillotine clause."
Turkey's refusal to allow Greek Cypriot vessels and planes access to
Turkish ports resulted in the freezing of eight policy chapters late
November, a first in EU history.
In an exclusive interview with Today's, ZAMAN the extremely cautious
enlargement chief defends the decision to freeze eight chapters out of
35 and refutes arguments that Turkey's accession talks are about to
come to a halt. Hopeful about the German EU presidency, Rehn thinks "a
certain number of chapters" could be opened to negotiations.
Here are the excerpts:
Question: It was a first in European history to freeze eight chapters
of the negotiation process. Was it not a bit tough?
Answer: It was a very carefully calibrated decision. In fact, if you
think this is tough, you have to look at how we acted against some
other candidate countries. If you take Bulgaria and Romania, their
accession was postponed from 2004 to 2007; they could not join in 2004.
They could only join after they did their homework. With Croatia, we
did not start accession talks until they cooperated fully with the
International Criminal Court for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY); we
called off the Stabilization and Association Agreement with Serbia, as
they were not cooperating with the ICTY. We have to apply rigorous
conditionality, it should apply rule of law and fundamental freedoms,
and these are core EU values. That is why we underline freedom of
expression in the case of Turkey. In any country that aspires to be a
member, the two cornerstones are freedom of expression and the rule of
law.
Question: After your decision to freeze eight chapters, some argue that
talks are about stop.
Answer: I don't agree. There was an undeclared strike in the council
working group for six months in 2006. The strike was not officially
declared; people were at work but they were not working. That is what
happened in six months, nothing moved there. This decision cleared and
showed the way forward. This decision revitalized the process, in
fact.
Question: Is this your interpretation or the EU interpretation? It
changes depending whom you ask.
Answer: That is the virtue of the EU. There are little differences in
nuances and interpretations. While we don't open talks on eight
chapters, we can continue the screening of these eight chapters. We can
open 27 chapters out of 35, that is what I expect. Moreover we shall
complete the screening process. This means that the German presidency
can steer the council to open a certain number of chapters.
Question: How many chapters can be opened during the German
presidency?
Answer: That is something we will work on together with the German
presidency, but you better ask them. I underlined the present
importance of opening a number of chapters during the German
presidency. There are several important elements right now. The first
is to complete the screening process, to open a certain number of
chapters during the German presidency, to resume work for the adoption
for the regulation of special conditions for trade, and a
council-endorsed comprehensive settlement.
Question: Joost Lagendijk, the co-chairman of the Turkey-EU Joint
Parliamentary Committee, argues if just one chapter was opened during
the German presidency it would send a very bad signal to Ankara.
Answer: I have not seen each and every statement Joost makes. It is
important that the process is alive and moving ahead. For us quality is
more important than speed.
Question: Don't you think that the EU has to encourage the Turkish
government to go ahead with reforms? Most people do not see any
encouragement.
Answer: After a half year of no progress because of the undeclared
strike we will complete screening and open one chapter soon but
altogether more than one during the German presidency. That is my
expectation. Moreover we are resuming work on the Cyprus issue in a
serious manner. So I don't see any reason to complain, I think it is
very encouraging.
Question: Do you think the next chapter will be opened in March?
Answer: My understanding is the presidency will call the IGC
(Intergovernmental Conference) in March. We could well have another one
before the end of the German presidency. This depends on the quality of
technical preparations.
Question: You assume the Greek Cypriots will not create more problems.
Answer: The Republic of Cyprus is a full member of the EU and they
participated in the GAERC (General Affairs and External Relations
Council) meeting last December and the European Council. I have no
doubts whatsoever they will respect the Council decision in this
regard.
Question: The council decision on Turkey is again very ambiguous. What
will happen if Turkey does not open its ports by 2009? Will you punish
Turkey again and freeze all the remaining chapters?
Answer: This time the decision has multiple elements. The commission
has been tasked to monitor Turkish compliance with its obligation
related to the Ankara protocol. In our annual progress reports of 2007,
2008 and 2009, we will look into it. There is no guillotine clause, no
special rendezvous clause and no deadline. Because we have seen that
both sides of the conflict dislike deadlines. I recall that Mr.
Papadopoulos has underlined that one of the reasons why the Annan plan
failed was because a strict deadline was attached to it. I heard the
same sort of complaint from the Turkish Cypriot community, Turkey and
Greece. Let's be realistic: We will fail if we cannot achieve a
comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus problem. Cyprus should be an EU
member state like any other, in peace and united. When you visit the
Green Line, you feel like visiting Charlie checkpoint in Berlin in the
early 1980s. That is not the kind of EU that I want to build. We cannot
live with a divided island for long. We should all work for
unification.
Question: Did Turkey's last-minute proposal for Cyprus have any effect
on your decision?
Answer: It would have had a more serious impact had it been
unconditional. I have not seen any port opened yet.
Question: Did Gen. Büyükan1t's remarks that were abused by the Greek
Cypriots have any influence?
Answer: It is the Turkish government that decides Turkish policy as
regards the EU and the Ankara protocol. I have a high regard for the
professionalism and competence of the Turkish Armed Forces in their
responsibilities, which is to defend the country and to contribute to
international peacekeeping missions. We have a very good cooperation in
Bosnia and Lebanon. At the same time I welcome the developments in
civilian-military relations in Turkey, where the democratically elected
government leads foreign and security policy.
Question: Are you personally disturbed by not being able to keep your
promise to start direct trade with the Turkish Cypriots?
Answer: I think it is high time that the EU live up to its political
commitments and adopt trade regulations. I hope it will be adopted in a
form as close as the commission proposal. But the important thing is to
get it adopted and respect our commitments. That is why the German
presidency is committed to achieving that objective.
Question: What can we expect from the GAERC meeting on Monday for
direct trade?
Answer: The decision that will be taken on Monday means resuming work
for the adoption of regulations; work will start on Monday without
delay. I hope the council will come up with concrete outcomes for the
special conditions for trade between the Turkish Cypriots and the rest
of Europe.
Question: Turkey is obsessed with Iraq and some argue for a
cross-border operation. How can a cross-border operation possibly
impact Turkey-EU relations? Erdogan even declared that Iraq is now more
important than the EU.
Answer: I would not want to get into that discussion because it is
better not to paint the devil on the wall prematurely before anything
has happened. I am aware of the consultations between the US and Turkey
on PKK terrorism. I follow that debate. We condemn all terrorism,
certainly including PKK terrorism; we regret the loss of lives in the
past year or so. We share Turkey's determination to fight international
and PKK terror. Iraq is dominating the political agenda in many
countries, in the US, UK, and Turkey. However PM Erdogan agrees with
me: For the national interest of Turkey, the EU is an important
project.
Question: Is it an important project or more important than Iraq?
Answer: You can guess my view in that regard. Europe needs a more
European Turkey, stability and democracy in a very troubled region. We
should see that mutual dependence.
Question: I interviewed your predecessor Mr Verheugen back in 2003 and
he had told me that Turkey could be a member in 2014. Can you still
confirm that date after the summit last month and the strict decisions
on further enlargement?
Answer: Last month European leaders did not close the doors, they kept
the door open. It is more in the hands of Turkey. It may take 10-15
years. What is important is to keep the process on track. It is not
beneficial to bet on the dates.
Question: "Its people are richer than those in Romania, its economic
growth outpaces that of Bulgaria and its goods were moving freely
within the European Union when the two Eastern European countries were
still emerging from communism." This quote is from the International
Herald Tribune implying the EU's double standards, particularly in its
relations with Turkey.
Answer: The International Herald Tribune is a constant advocate of
membership, and its arguments for Turkish membership are most welcome.
However, the article is a bit provocative. The economic growth both in
Bulgaria and Romania has been solid and bold; the two countries have
grown as fast as Turkey in recent years. I must say that the case of
Turkey should be argued on its own merits, not by criticizing unfairly
the others. Besides, Turkey has still some way to go to improve
fundamental freedoms.
Question: The new coalition in Austria reiterated that they would carry
on a referendum on possible Turkish membership. Pottering, who is well
known for his opposition to Turkish membership, has been elected
speaker of the European Parliament. Are anti-Turkey feelings gaining
ground in Europe?
Answer: We have had a lively and democratic debate on Turkish
membership. This first led to Turkish candidacy during the Finnish
presidency in 1999. Then we decided to open talks in 2004 and again
took the decision in October 2005 to start talks. The EU has taken
these decisions unanimously with the 25 governments in 2004 and 2005.
That is the policy of the EU. We need consistency, we need long-term
determination to work for a Turkey where the reforms are moving forward
and fundamental freedoms and European values are respected. That is in
the interest of the EU and in the interest of Turkey and its citizens.
Therefore we have to have boldness and consistency in our actions,
especially with Turkish membership talks. We shall not pay too much
attention to political cycles but work in a consistent manner and in a
long-term perspective for the membership of Turkey, which has historic
significance. By the way, President Pottering, whom I respect as an
experienced, competent and committed European, has stated that he will
respect the decisions and maturity of the EU and honour the decisions
taken by the EP regarding Turkey.
Question: Likely French candidate president Mr Sarkozy has declared
that Turkey has no place in EU. What sort of a club will the EU be when
its powerful leaders are changing their minds each day?
Answer: Mr. Sarkozy is a competent and popular politician. His views
concerning Turkey are well known. Recently he reiterated his views on
privileged partnership. Mr. Sarkozy has, of course, full rights to
express his views in the context of democratic debate in Europe.
Possible Turkish membership is now part of a debate and will be a part
of the debate for the coming years and maybe even after accession. We
had the debate on UK membership and that did not end in 1974; it is
still an ongoing debate both for the UK and the European nations. One
should not be afraid of debate.
Question: Chancellor Merkel was arguing for the same option but now
that she has been elected, she now says she will honour her promises.
Sarkozy gives another impression.
Answer: We work with the government and president of France. We will
work with the future president and government of France. In my view, in
international relations it is extremely important to be consistent and
to stick to one's commitments. That is the EU that I want to build and
that is the way we can make the EU stronger and a more important actor
in world affairs.
Question: Are you concerned about the creation of a racist group in the
EP, a group that is against almost everything the EU stands for?
Answer: Of course I disagree on policy with this extreme right
political grouping, but they have been legally elected in national
elections for the EP. As long as they don't commit themselves to any
criminal act they can express their views in the EP. However, I want to
underline especially for Turkish readers that this group is a minority.
One should not pay too much attention. From the Turkish perspective and
its EU accession process, the commission is consistently working for
that project and the council, who calls the shots, is supportive and
the EP actually is supporting this process. Of course we have to
observe the political landscape but not exaggerate the political
minorities. The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is not leading Turkish
policy, so this group is not running the policy as well.
Question: I don't think the MHP is a racist party.
Answer: It is the party of nationalist people.
Mr Bilman replaced Namik Tan who has been appointed as Turkey's new
Ambassador to Israel.
Born in the Aegean city of Canakkale in 1961, Bilman graduated from
Ankara University's International Relations Department and began to
work at the MFA.
Bilman earlier served as the second secretary and first secretary at
the Turkish Embassy in Tel Aviv, counsellor at Turkey's Permanent
Representation to the UN, and several other departments of the
Ministry.
Ambassador Bilman worked as the head of the UN NGO Committee and the
head of Cyprus Department of the MFA. He has been the deputy director
general of the MFA Northeast Mediterranean (Cyprus-Greece) Department
since 2004. He is married to Barbara Kristina Bilman.
The Captain of the national football team of the breakaway regime,
Huseyin Amcaoglu, commenting on the game, said that although the team
is not used to play two games in two days, they had scored good results
and added: We did not come here to relax We played football under the
Northern Cyprus flag and under FIFA flag. We had two games in two days.
We played with the best teams of a country of 32,5 million population.
Both of the teams give many football players to national teams and
participate also to African Champions League. For this reason, the
games were difficult We had the pleasure to play football in front of
18 thousands people. It was really important.
/SK
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