Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-11-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Peres has reportedly stated that they see positively the development of relations with the TRNC

[02] The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Real Estate Agents Union says that 11,000 houses were built last year in the occupied areas of Cyprus

[03] The breakaway regime participates in World Travel Market in London

[04] Kaya Artemis Hotels coordinator says that they plan to bring 10-15 thousand German tourists to the occupied areas as of April 2008

[05] Hasan Sarica was appointed yesterday as the new presidential advisor

[06] Two more huge flags on Pendathaktylos Mountains

[07] Another party will reportedly be established in the occupied part of Cyprus

[08] Avci says that the journeys with ferryboat from the occupied areas to Syria will continue

[09] Avci to visit FYROM

[10] The occupied part of Nicosia has a twin town with FYROMs city of Kumanova

[11] Investigation is launched against an MP of the DTP on the claims that she has connections with PKK

[12] Eight soldiers freed by PKK face up to 20 years

[13] Turkish minority foundations own over 2,000 estates

[14] Erdogan to pay an official visit to Czech Republic

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Peres has reportedly stated that they see positively the development of relations with the TRNC

The paper reports also that Mr Gul told Mr Peres, that he expects from Israel to open a commercial representative office in the occupied areas of Cyprus in order to help on the lifting of the economic isolation of the TRNC. Moreover, Gul said: Ferryboat trip services between Haifa and Famagusta harbours can be organised. On his part, Peres stated that they see positively the development of relations with the TRNC.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Todays Zaman newspaper (13.11.07) reports the following:

Israeli President Shimon Peres lauded Turkey's role in efforts for peace in the Middle East yesterday, likening Turkey to "an eagle," and announced support for Turkish participation at a US-sponsored conference on Middle East peace planned for later this month.

Speaking at a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart, Abdullah Gul, Peres explained his eagle metaphor by saying one of the two wings of this eagle is trying to constantly move forward, while the other is constantly trying to balance politics.

Turkish participation in the upcoming Middle East peace conference will bring spirit to the conference, said Peres, underlining the importance attached by Israel to probable contributions by Turkey to the Middle East peace process, which is at a critical crossroad. The United States is expected to host an international peace meeting in Annapolis, Maryland, later this month aimed at reviving the Middle East peace process that broke down seven years ago.

Israel has decided to make Annapolis a success -- to bring an end to the conflict, to finally make peace between the Palestinians and ourselves, he said, pledging Israel's determination to work for a tangible result at the upcoming conference and readiness to make peace with the Palestinians.

It takes time to make peace ... but I believe we can make peace now with the Palestinians, Peres said.

The upcoming conference in Annapolis occupied a considerable part of bilateral talks between the two leaders, with Peres clearly voicing eagerness for Turkey's participation in the conference as he praised Turkey's regional role in the Middle East. Ankara believes that --for as much as both Peres and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas assume the Annapolis talks to be a starting point-- talks should be comprehensive and broad-based.

Gul underlined Ankara's stance by saying that Turkey expected the Annapolis talks to yield "concrete and tangible results" and emphasized that Syria should also be invited to participate.

As a country that is a party to the problem, it is important that Syria participate, Gul said, adding that Syrian President Bashar Assad told him in Ankara several weeks ago that Damascus was interested in renewing negotiations with Israel and that it believed in lasting peace.

In response, Peres welcomed the participation of all moderate countries, saying the voice of peace will be stronger and louder with increased participation. Yet he also accused Syria of not taking steps toward peace.

Syria has belittled the talks and Syrian Ambassador to the United States Imad Moustapha called them a waste and a photo opportunity last week. No invitations have yet been issued for the Annapolis conference, but US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said Sunday it was likely Syria would be invited. Assad has said that Damascus will stay away from Annapolis unless the Israeli-Arab conflict at large is discussed, including the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.

While cautioning against high expectations for the meeting, Peres nonetheless said it could serve as a starting point and that Turkey's participation would also be useful.

We start with a high degree of trust. We start in a good atmosphere, he said.

Turkey, a NATO member and Israel's closest ally in the Islamic world, has in the past played the role of mediator between the Jewish state and its Muslim neighbours.

Subtitle: Divergence of opinions

Despite strongly worded compliments by the Israeli president and a statement of joint will to make Annapolis a success, the two presidents did not hide their divergence of opinions regarding their approaches to certain issues concerning the region.

While Peres told Gul that Israel could not accept a nuclear Iran, Gul said for his part that while Turkey was against the development of weapons of mass destruction, it did believe countries had the right to develop alternative sources of energy.

In response, Peres told Gul that Israel did not accept this line of thinking and that Iran had a large amount of oil and natural gas and hence does not need an alternative source of energy.

Iran does not need nuclear energy, said Peres. I know the president has a different assessment, but we feel threatened.

When the Turkish president also warned Israel against taking any unilateral steps vis-à-vis the Palestinians ahead of the parley and that Israel needed to stick to a two-state solution, Peres responded that he wasn't aware of any unilateral steps Israel planned to take and that Hamas was the only entity taking unilateral steps.

Subtitle: Turkey trying to help free Israeli soldiers

Another major issue discussed between Gul and Peres was two Israeli soldiers being held by Lebanese Hezbullah guerrillas since last year. Gul told Peres that Turkey would work for the release of the soldiers.

We hope a good result can be achieved (on the Israeli soldiers). Turkey will make every effort to achieve that result, Gul said.

The two soldiers were seized by Hezbullah in July 2006, triggering a war in which around 1,200 people in Lebanon, mostly civilians, and more than 150 Israelis, mostly soldiers, died. The United Nations is mediating talks to secure a prisoner swap between Hezbullah and Israel. Hezbullah wants to exchange the soldiers for Lebanese and Arab prisoners in Israeli jails. As Turkey's foreign minister at the time, Gul raised the case of the missing soldiers in his talks with Syria at Israel's request.

Subtitle: Abbas arrives in Ankara

Also on Monday Palestinian President Abbas arrived in Ankara to participate in the seventh meeting of the Ankara Forum, to be hosted by Gul at the presidential palace. Abbas and Peres will together participate in the forum, which held its first meeting in April 2005 in Ankara at the initiative of then Foreign Minister Gul and which has since been named the Ankara Forum for Economic Cooperation, holding its most recent meeting in September in East Jerusalem.

During talks in Ankara, the Turkish government is expecting to hear about a decision from Abbas' leadership on how much land can be allocated for setting up a large industrial park in the West Bank that could provide jobs for thousands of Palestinians. The forum and the project --one of the seven projects which the envoy for the Middle East Quartet, Tony Blair, took note of due to their probable contributions to the peace process-- is being conducted by the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) and the Israeli Industrialists' Union and the Federation of Palestinian Chambers of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture (FPCCIA).

(E/A)

[02] The chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Real Estate Agents Union says that 11,000 houses were built last year in the occupied areas of Cyprus

Mr Sungur said that in a research they carried out in the area between occupied Keryneia and Akanthou in the period 2004 - October 2007 they found out that 4,700 new houses were built, that the 2,812 of them are still under construction, that 1,263 of them are dwelled and that 625 are empty in spite of the fact that their construction is completed.

Mr Sungur noted that the percentage of the villas in Keryneia area decreased to 54% today from 73.5 % before the Annan Plan and that the percentage of the apartments increased from 19.7 % to 34 %. Mr Sungur noted that the most preferred village from the above-mentioned area is Agios Epiktitos and the less preferred village is Trapeza. He pointed out that the number of the firms of the subcontractors and the contractors in the building sector was 65 in 2003 and increased to 927 in 2007.

He noted that these numbers show the growth in the sector. He said that the unbalanced growth could result to chaos. Pointing out that 30.2 % of the economy of the breakaway regime is powered by this sector, Mr Sungur said: Constructions have been turned into a main sector in our country.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The breakaway regime participates in World Travel Market in London

In statements to Kibris, Erdogan Sanlidag, self-styled minister of economy and tourism said that their main target and policy is to overcome the decrease in the number of tourist from Britain which is observed during the past few years and to increase this number to the highest level.

Pointing out that Britain and Germany are among their target-markets, Mr Sanlidag said: The tourist and travel agents, with whom I met today, gave positive messages on the issue of the tourist incentives law that we have passed from the Council of Ministers. I believe that as a ministry we have done a positive movement. We will hold a meeting with the travel agents who send tourists to the TRNC and Turkey. I will meet with Turkeys Minister of tourism as well. We want to benefit from Turkeys experience. We are also considering of an educational plan. We do not think that this will happen with the incentives law that we have passed from the Council of Ministers. As a second step we need to turn advertisement into a matter of primary importance. .

Mr Sanlidag said also that the number of the beds increases every day with the new hotels which are built, but the number of tourists does not increase.

Furthermore, illegal Bayrak television (12.11.07) broadcast the following on the issue:

North Cyprus is being represented at the World Tourism Market which opened its gates in London today.

The Minister of Economy and Tourism Erdogan Sanlidag is also in the British capital for the Fair which will keep its doors open until Thursday.

On the first day of the fair, the North Cyprus stand attracted great interest from visitors.

3 professional associations, 10 tour operators and 2 airlines are promoting the North Cyprus tourism at the World Tourism Market in London.

Throughout the fair, brochures promoting the North Cyprus tourism will be distributed and North Cyprus tourism advertisements will be published by the Travel Weekly magazine.

The Minister of Economy and Tourism Erdogan Sanlidag who is currently in London for the fair, had inspections at the World Tourism Market.

Mr Sanlidag said that the special events organized within the framework of the fair increased the interest shown to the North Cyprus stand.

The Minister also added that Britain is the major target market and that a new program was prepared to attract more tourists from Britain in coming years.

The World Tourism Market is a four-day travel industry event and brings together worldwide buyers and sellers from every sector of the industry.

A record breaking 46,945 travel industry professionals participated at WTM 2006 representing 202 countries and regions.

Meanwhile, a total of 46 posters promoting North Cyprus are being displayed at the Tottenham Court Road Tube Station as part of the efforts aiming to attract more tourists to the North.

[04] Kaya Artemis Hotels coordinator says that they plan to bring 10-15 thousand German tourists to the occupied areas as of April 2008

Mr Cetin noted that they have an agreement with the illegal Turkish Cypriot airlines on the issue and that their aim is to bring minimum 10-15 thousand tourists from Germany with charter flights as of April 2008. He argued that the Greek Cypriots prevent them from taking to the occupied areas big groups of tourists and from bringing tourists from Larnaka Airport.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Hasan Sarica was appointed yesterday as the new presidential advisor

(I/Ts.)

[06] Two more huge flags on Pendathaktylos Mountains

Referring to the same issue, Afrika reports that those, who consider the illuminated huge flag on Pendathaktylos to be insufficient, yesterday put the two biggest flags of the TRNC in Guven Park in Ciklos area! The paper notes that the commander of the Turkish occupation army in Cyprus, lieutenant general Hayri Kivrikoglu and the commander of the so-called security forces major general Mehmet Eroz attended the ceremony.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Another party will reportedly be established in the occupied part of Cyprus

The paper reports that the preparations for the new party are about to be completed and adds that the name of the new formation will be Liberal Democrat Party. It has been known that the Liberal Party will follow a policy at he same line with the Motherland Party (ANAP) in Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Avci says that the journeys with ferryboat from the occupied areas to Syria will continue

Commenting on the visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Erato Kozakou Markoulli to Syria and her statement that the journeys will stop, Mr Avci said that the efforts of the Greek Cypriots were not successful until now and they will not be successful from now on as well. He noted that Syria is a serious state and that President Assad, who had been welcomed to Ankara at the highest level, will do nothing to hurt Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots for the sake of the Greek Cypriots.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Avci to visit FYROM

In his statements, Mr Avci said that his visit to FYROM is under consideration, that until now he could not visit the above-mentioned country because of his other program and that he will visit it as soon as possible.

(I/Ts.)

[10] The occupied part of Nicosia has a twin town with FYROMs city of Kumanova

(I/Ts.)

[11] Investigation is launched against an MP of the DTP on the claims that she has connections with PKK

The prosecutor launched the investigation under Article 250 of the Criminal Procedures Law (CMK) upon the news stories that Kurtulan had received training at camps of PKK terrorist organization.

Akcadirci said the investigation was under way and it was confidential.

[12] Eight soldiers freed by PKK face up to 20 years

Eight soldiers who were detained by a Van court on Sunday after spending two weeks as hostages at a Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) camp in northern Iraq were sent to prison on Monday after testifying to the military prosecutor, facing charges of disobeying orders that might result in up to 20 years of jail time.

The soldiers were captured by the PKK during an ambush in Dagl1ca, Hakkari province, on Oct. 23, and they were released 14 days later after US officials, northern Iraqi administration officials and three deputies from Turkey's Democratic Society Party (DTP) negotiated with the PKK in northern Iraq. A probe was launched into the hostage situation last week. The soldiers were taken into custody and referred to a military court on Sunday by the military prosecutor carrying out the investigation. The soldiers facing charges are Pvt. 0lhami Demir, Pvt. 0rfan Beyaz, Pvt. Ozhan Sabanoglu, Pvt. Fatih Atakul, Pvt. Fuat Basoda , Pvt. Ramazan Yuce, Tech. Sgt. Halis Cagan and Sgt. Mehmet Senkul.

The privates are accused of disobeying orders. In addition, Pvt. Basoda and Pvt. Yuce are charged with desertion to a foreign country. Cagan is facing an additional charge of not fulfilling the necessities of civil duty.

The military court said the minimum sentence for the crimes is five years, subject to a maximum of 20. The court decision can be appealed within seven days at the 12th Infantry Command Court in Agr1. Ramazan Korkmaz, a lawyer appointed by the Van Bar Association to represent the eight soldiers, said the defendants had denied all charges in their testimonies, adding that they would appeal the arrests.

[13] Turkish minority foundations own over 2,000 estates

The foundations established by various minorities in Turkey own over 2,000 immovable (buildings and land holdings), most of which are located in Istanbul districts where real estate prices are generally higher, according to a recent study conducted by the General Directorate of Foundations.

The study contains such details as provinces, districts, neighbourhoods, islets and lots where these immovable are located. Balikli Greek Hospital Foundation owns 327 immovable, which is the highest number among the minority foundations. Also, Greek and Armenian minorities tend to own more immovable than Jewish minorities.

Some 2,235 immovable are owned by 147 minority foundations in Turkey. In terms of ownership of high numbers of immovable, the Balikli Greek Hospital Foundation is followed by the Yedikule Surp P1rg1ç Armenian Church Foundation with 162; Kurtulus Aya Dimitri Aya Tanas Aya Lefter Aya Kiryaki Church and Primary School Foundation with 73.

Arnavutkoy Aya Stirati Taksi Arhi Greek Orthodox Church Foundation have 63; and Bulgarian Ekzarhl1g1 Orthodox Church Foundation 57 estates. The Catholic Georgians have 12, Syriacs eight and Catholic Chaldeans only one. Orthodox Turks own 10 immovable, all of which are located in Beyoglu and are owned by the Independent Turkish Orthodox Church and Patriarchate Foundation.

Haskuy Turkish Karaim Jewish Foundation owns seven immovable, five of which are located in Beyoglu and two in Eminonu. The registry kept by the General Directorate of Foundations does not list any real estate owned by the Heybeliada Greek Clerical School Foundation, the Buyukada Surp Astvazazin Armenian Church Foundation or the Kad1koy Surp Levon Armenian Church Foundation.

While it is possible to find immovables owned by minority foundations in any district of Istanbul, they are concentrated in Beyoglu, ^ili, Eminonu, Eyüp, Uskudar, and Besikta as well as the islands of Buyukada, Heybeliada and Burgazada. Of 57 immovable owned by Bulgarian foundation Ekzarhligi, 19 are located in Kirklareli, 18 in Edirne and the remainder in Fatih and Sisli. Moreover, some foundations also own immovable in Adapazar1, Bursa, Bayburt, Canakkale and a few other Turkish cities.

Many of the immovable that belong to the minority foundations consist of entire buildings. These immovable include places of worship, schools, hospitals, marketplaces, waterside mansions, apartments, detached residences, arable fields, gardens, cemeteries, shops and plots of land; also, most of them are operated by the relevant foundations whereas some of them are rented. Some of the immovable that belong to minority foundations have had lawsuits filed against them by the Treasury, the General Directorate of Foundations or individuals. Some of these lawsuits are currently underway. In particular, the Balikli Greek Hospital Foundation is currently dealing with several lawsuits launched in connection with its immovable.

Subtitle: Some minority foundations and the number of immovables they own

* Bal1kl1 Greek Hospital Foundation: 327

* Yedikule Surp P1rg1ç Armenian Church Foundation: 162

* Kurtulu Aya Dimitri Aya Tana Aya Lefter Aya Kiryaki Church and Primary School Foundation: 73

* Arnavutköy Aya Stirati Taksi Arhi Greek Orthodox Church Fundation: 63

* Bulgar Ekzarhl11 Orthodox Church Foundation: 57

* Üsküdar Surp Garabet Church School and Cemetery Foundation: 47

* Taksim Elmada Surp Agop Armenian Hospital Foundation: 44

* Kumkap1 Meryemana Armenian Church and School Foundation: 42

* Balat Surp Hretegabet Armenian Church and School Foundation: 40

* Boyac1köy Panayia Evengelistra Greek Orthodox Church Foundation: 39

* Kad1köy Greek Orthodox Churches and Schools Foundation: 39

* Kocamustafapaa Surp Kevork Armenian Church School and Cemetery Foundation: 39

* Üsküdar Surp Haç Armenian Church and School and Cemetery Foundation: 36

* Hasköy Aya Parekevi Greek Orthodox Church Foundation: 35

* Fener Men s High School Foundation: 32

* Üsküdar Profiti 0lya Greek Orthodox Church and School Foundation: 32

* Beyolu Greek Orthodox Churches and Schools Foundation: 27

* Yeniköy Panayia Greek Orthodox Church Foundation: 26

* Çengelköy Aya Yorgi Greek Orthodox Church Foundation: 25

* Büyükada Panayia Aya Dimitri Profiti 0lya Greek Church and School Foundation: 25

* Aya Yorgi Greek Orthodox Church in Fener Greek Patriarchate s Courtyard Foundation: 25

* Heybeliada Aya Nikola Greek Orthodox Foundation: 25

* Langa Aya Todori Greek Orthodox Church Foundation: 25

* Tarabya Aya Parekevi Greek Orthodox Church and School Foundation: 24

* Kuzguncuk Aya Pandelimon Greek Orthodox Church Foundation: 22

* Hasköy Maalem Jewish Synagogue Foundation: 21

* Kumkap1 Greek Orthodox Aya Kiryaki, Panayia Elpida Churches Foundation: 21

* Heybeliada Aya Dimitri Triade Foundation: 21

* Kuzguncuk Bet Yaakov Synagogue Foundation: 20

* Bak1rköy Aya Yorgi Aya Analipsiz Greek Orthodox Churches and Schools Foundation: 19

* Eyüp Surp Astvazazin Armenian Church Arakelyan School and Cemetery Foundation: 18

* K1nal1ada Surp Kirkor Lusavoriç Armenian Church Foundation: 18

* Burgazada Aya Yorgi Karipi Greek Monastery Foundation: 17

* Kartal Surp Nian Armenian Church Foundation: 16

* Yeilköy Aya Stefanos Church and Cemetery Foundation: 15

* Burguzada Aya Yani Greek Orthodox Church and School Foundation: 13

* ^ili Georgian Catholic Church Foundation: 12

[14] Erdogan to pay an official visit to Czech Republic

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will pay a formal visit to Czech Republic on November 15th-16th.

´Erdogan will be the guest of his Czech counterpart Mirek Topolanek,´ his office said Monday.

PM Erdogan will discuss ways to further improve relations with the Czech Republic as well as regional and international issues.

Erdogan will also meet Czech President, President of the Senate, Chamber of the Chamber of Deputies and chairperson of main opposition party.

PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan will take the floor at the Turkish-Czech Business Council during his stay in this country.

EG/

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