Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-02-25

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] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus; Soyer calls on the newly elected President to withdraw the lawsuits at the European Court of Justice

[02] Massive air deal

[03] The first British law office has been opened in North Cyprus

[04] The Cyprus Peace Platform will send a letter to Erdogan

[05] Koran lessons have reportedly started again in the occupied areas

[06] The self-styled mayor of occupied Famagusta to meet with the chairman of the EPs Petition Committee

[07] EU Troika Political Directors met with Turkish officials

[08] Turkish top diplomat to visit Paris for talks

[09] Prime Minister Erdogan receives US delegation

[10] World Bank appoints Turk as Deputy Chairman for Human Resources Department

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[11] "Cyprus Sold Out?"

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] How the Turkish Cypriot press covers the results of the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus; Soyer calls on the newly elected President to withdraw the lawsuits at the European Court of Justice

Kibris under the title Christofias era in the south reports that the general Secretary of AKEL won the elections with 53.36 % of the votes against 46.64% of the candidate of DISY, Yiannakis Kasoulides. The paper refers to the statements made by the new President of the Republic after his election and notes that he pointed out that difficult days are coming for the island.

He said that as of today they will join their forces and work in unity for the reunification of Cyprus. The paper reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat called and congratulated the newly elected President. Invoking information acquired by Anatolia news agency, the paper notes that during the conversation the two leaders expressed their willingness to meet soon.

Kibris publishes also statements by the self-styled prime minister, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, who addressing the newly elected President Christofias said that negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem must start immediately. He said that two important issues stand in front of President Christofias. The one is sitting at the negotiating table as soon as possible with Mehmet Ali Talat on the basis of the parameters of the United Nations and the other is the lawsuit filed by Papadopoulos at the European Court of Justice on the issues of the EU Financial Aid Regulation and the harmonization of the Turkish Cypriots on 12 chapters.

Afrika refers to the election of president Christofias under the title Now solve it. Above the title the paper writes the following: Now the solution in Cyprus is entrusted to the former comrades. Those who were regarded as obstacles in front of the solution have been removed on both sides. Now in the north there is Talat and the CTP and in the south Christofias and AKEL. No excuse for the non-solution remained. The steps that the two parties, which have been in solidarity and close cooperation for years, and their leaders, will make on the issue of the solution of the Cyprus problem are awaited with interest. The paper reports that the victory of President Christofias was welcomed with enthusiasm among the Turkish Cypriots.

Many Turkish Cypriots celebrated the victory of AKEL in the south, adds the paper and points out that no flags of Greece were seen in the celebrations for the victory of Mr Christofias yesterday.

Halkin Sesi refers to the issue under the title The first communist president in the south and points out that the supporters of AKEL held flags with Che Guevara during their celebrations. The paper notes that the newly elected President Christofias won the elections with the support of the outgoing President Papadopoulos whom he accused of the non-solution of the Cyprus problem.

The paper writes that after the victory of Mr Christofias DIKO also was very happy. Halkin Sesi reminds statements made by the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat before the elections in the Republic of Cyprus and writes that Mr Talat could meet Mr Christofias at the Ledra Street (Lokmaci area) barricade. The paper reports that Hasan Ercakica, spokesman of Mr Talat, said that the Turkish side is ready to work for a solution in Cyprus. The paper points out that Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Izzet Izcan were among those who congratulated the newly elected President.

Yeni Duzen refers to the issue under the title New era, new actors and publishes pictures of Mr Christofias and Mr Talat.

Star Kibris refers to the result of the elections under the title Leftist leader stroke with the right and notes that Mr Christofias won the elections with the support of Mr Papadopoulos. The paper adds: The era of Papadopoulos who rejected the dialogue in Cyprus, has ended. A new era begins now. Christofias had pointed out to this era by saying that as soon as he won the elections he would meet with president Talat.

Kibrisli refers to the issue under the title The new president of the Greek Cypriots is Christofias! The paper publishes statements by the leaders of the main Turkish Cypriot political parties regarding president Christofias victory. The chairman of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that President Christofias should show his good will by withdrawing the lawsuit filed regarding the EU Financial Aid Regulation.

The chairman of the Freedom and Reform Party (ORP), Turgay Avci said that the policies, not the persons are important. Our stance is clear from the beginning, he noted.

The chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), Tahsin Ertugruloglu argued that the policies of the Church as well will be influential in this process.

Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), stated that thanks to the three-party coalition, the candidate of the USA Christofias won.

Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Social Democrat Party (TDP), described President Christofias victory as a window of a new opportunity. The friendships of the past must be hope for the future, he said.

Bakis refers to the issue and argues that the candidate of the EU lost and the candidate of the USA won.

Gunes refers to the victory of President Christofias under the title The names changed and reports that the Greek Cypriot people have made their choice in favour of AKELs candidate Christofias who was supported by DIKO and EDEK.

Yeni Volkan refers to the issue under the title Marxist-Leninist President and writes that Mr Christofias won the elections with the support of President Papadopoulos who said that Our borders are in Keryneia, Cyprus is Greek and I will protect the Greek character of the education. The paper argues that in his speech during the last meeting before the elections, Mr Christofias said that he has no doubt that Cyprus is Greek.

Vatan refers to the issue under the title Christofias with 53.5 %.

Ortam writes that Christofias breasted the tape.

Sozcu newspaper refers only to Mr Soyers statement on the elections.

The Turkish press (25.02.08) covered the elections as follows:

Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper under the title, For the first time Greek Cypriots chose a communist, reports on the Presidential elections of the 24th of February in Cyprus. The paper reports that in the second round of the elections of the Cyprus Greek Cypriot part, the General Secretary of the communist AKEL party Christofias was elected with 53.3% leaving behind his opponent Kasoulides with 46.5%.

Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper reports on yesterdays presidential elections in Cyprus under the title, Communist salon: Christofias won the Greek Cypriot presidential elections. The paper refers to the outcome of the 24th of February Presidential elections in Cyprus and writes that the leader of the communist AKEL party, Mr Demitris Christofias, was elected as the new President, defeating the DISY candidate, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides. The paper reports under the subtitle, The first red in the EU, that due to the Marxist-Leninist line of Christofias AKEL party, remarks like The fist red member entered the EU are taking place. The paper writes: Nevertheless, essentially AKEL supports the social justice. In the partys rank and file there are both salon socialists and headscarved women from the mountain villages.

Under the subtitle, Tassos is the shadow power, the paper reports on the agreements that the new President of Cyprus made with the party of Mr Papadopoulos, DIKO. Under the subtitle I am a social justice communist, I am not Castro of the Mediterranean, the paper publishes a brief curriculum vitae of the new President.

(EA)

[02] Massive air deal

A British firm has secured a deal the first to see large-scale direct foreign investment in the TRNC to redevelop Gecitkale [occupied Lefkonoiko] airport into a cargo hub.

Cyprus Aviation Services Limited (CAS) has been granted a 15-year lease at the airfield and is planning to initially invest about 50 million euros in a ground-breaking deal.

It is the first time a foreign company has invested in the TRNC not under the auspices of the European Union, United Nations or Turkish front companies.

CAS says it is also set to challenge the embargo on TRNC-produced fruit and vegetables by selling direct to supermarket chains in the UK and Europe, as well as the Middle East. It says it will work with EU agronomists, who specialize in checking whether foodstuffs grown for public consumption are safe, to ensure the quality of products grown in the TRNC meet EU guidelines.

The venture is also set to boost employment opportunities in the TRNC, with jobs for 800 to 1,000 people promised in the first two years with at least 75 per cent of posts going to Turkish Cypriots. Within five years they hope 10,000 people could be employed by CAS.

There are several big supermarket chains that are interested in buying our products, said Mustafa Ebgu, one of the CAS board members. We will have packaging facilities and export fresh fruits to the UK, the Middle East and other European countries.

Producers will be trained by our agronomists how to preserve the fruits.

We will have quality control and everything will be up to EU standards.

The whole idea is to make an investment for the locals and we wanted to be realistic and logical about it.

Currently, with the TRNC recognized only by Turkey, goods exported from North Cyprus to the rest of the world have had to be stamped with Produce of Turkey, or head south to become Produce of Cyprus.

Mr Ebdu said the ambitious project included making Gecitkale suitable for heavier aircraft, and the 2,850-metre-long runway would be extended to 3,500 metres the longest in the Mediterranean and Middle East.

The project is set to start within a year after the agreement was rubber-stamped by the Council of Ministers. CAS was the only firm bidding for the contract.

Mr Ebgu said there would also be aircraft maintenance and service facilities offered under the contract.

Gecitkale is a secondary airport, but temporarily became the main air gateway into the TRNC five years ago while Ercan was rebuilt.

Mr Ebgu said the big benefit would be employment. My personal opinion is that I would love to see my own people who are living abroad coming here to work, if we can provide the resources. I would love to see my people coming back to their own country and to show the world that we can be successful if given the opportunity.

Former president of the Chamber of Commerce and head of the Cyprus EU Association Ali Erel sounded a note of caution, however, saying: For TRNC-stamped products to be exported is just not possible. The EU Security Council has made their stance on the TRNC very clear, as recently as December last year.

If we assume that CAS does get past that problem, there is no reason why Ercan [occupied Tymvou] would not be able to do the same, especially when it can support more traffic. At the moment, it is a luxury for the TRNC to operate two airports at once.

[03] The first British law office has been opened in North Cyprus

In its subtitle the paper notes that the first lawyers firm in North Cyprus has entered into service with the approval of the British Bar.

The office in Keryneia was opened under the Turkish Cypriot lawyer Erdogan Dervis and in cooperation with Sener Law Firm Advocates.

The paper notes, inter alia, the following: Erdogan Dervis, who stressed that the advocates office which they have opened in Keryneia with the approval of the British Bar, serves two purposes, stated that their first aim is to be a mean for the law offices and their operation between the two countries and the second aim is to make efforts towards meeting the needs of the British regarding the real estate affairs which are booming on the Island.

Dervis said that the foreigners prefer the British advocate firms which have to do insurance and guarantee especially in the legal procedures according to the British law. He said: They want to purchase property in Cyprus, but they work with advocate companies in order to help them because they do not know the laws and the regulations. But the fact that this company is according to the British laws is giving them guarantee.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The Cyprus Peace Platform will send a letter to Erdogan

The letter is still in the form of a draft, notes Kibris, and writes that in the letter the Platform expresses the opinion that when the decrease in the value of the US dollar is taken into consideration, it is seen that per capita income of the Turkish Cypriots has not increased to the extent it is alleged. It also notes that the financial aid which Turkey sends at the end of each month to the breakaway regime is an indicator of the social erosion and not a criterion of the prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots.

While the policy towards the lifting of the isolation continues, the demographic, economic, social and cultural collapse of the Turkish Cypriots continues, argues the Platform.

The communal existence of the Turkish Cypriots is under serious danger. This collapse cannot be stopped by sending money to northern Cyprus, notes the letter.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Koran lessons have reportedly started again in the occupied areas

It is alleged that the Koran Courses which started at the mosques after the Justice and Development Party (AKP) came to power, this time are being carried to houses which have been turned into dervish lodges. The paper argues that young Turkish Cypriots are brainwashed by persons who have not enough knowledge on religious issues. It is also alleged that parties which base their policy on religion have begun to appear.

(I/Ts.)

[06] The self-styled mayor of occupied Famagusta to meet with the chairman of the EPs Petition Committee

According to a statement issued by the municipality, Mr Kayalp will meet with the chairman of the EPs Petition Committee, Marcin Lubicki, who had visited Cyprus some time ago, and members of the above-mentioned committee. The delegation headed by Mr Kayalp will return to the island on 27 February.

(I/Ts.)

[07] EU Troika Political Directors met with Turkish officials

Turkey-EU Troika Political Directors meeting was held in Ankara on Friday. Turkish Foreign Ministry deputy undersecretary Ahmet Acet represented Turkey in the meeting.

High-level officials from EU Commission and European Council as well as political directors of EU Troika president Slovenia and next president France attended the meeting.

Participants exchanged views about Turkey's activities pursued under EU accession process as well as regional and international matters during the meeting.

[08] Turkish top diplomat to visit Paris for talks

Last autumn, bilateral relations between France and Turkey, which have deteriorated since France passed a bill making denial of the Armenian "genocide" a crime, were revived with a high-level visit to Ankara. Then the secretary-general of the French Foreign Ministry paid an official visit to Ankara in early September to restart annual political consultations at a meeting with Ambassador Apakan.

In October 2006 the French parliament approved a bill that made it a crime to deny that the Ottoman Turks committed genocide against Anatolian Armenians during World War I, despite Ankara's protests. Turkey is also concerned by Sarkozy's firm objections to Turkey's accession to the European Union. France is to take over the rotating presidency of the 27-member bloc in the second half of this year.

[09] Prime Minister Erdogan receives US delegation

[10] World Bank appoints Turk as Deputy Chairman for Human Resources Department

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[11] "Cyprus Sold Out?"

He goes on and writes that after the 2004 referendum there was a pessimistic atmosphere. The EU did not keep its promises regarding the lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. Moreover, in the framework of the Customs Union agreement it was made clear that Turkey had to open its airports and ports to south Cyprus [the Republic of Cyprus] and the negotiation for eight EU chapters for Turkey was stopped. As the paper notes, the situation created troubles to Turkeys EU relations.

Ihsan Dagi also writes that the climate changed after the Turkish side manifested its will for solution in a sincere way and the Greek Cypriots created great antipathy because on one hand they became member of the EU, but on the other hand they pursued a non-solution policy.

Finally, the columnist of Zaman writes that now that Papadopoulos stayed out of the elections, is the time for a new initiative to be taken and that Turkey must follow not an one step ahead but a two step ahead policy. As he writes, one of these steps must be the approval of the Customs Union agreement the sooner possible. In this way the EU process will breathe. In addition the opening of the eight chapters which were suspended will be safeguarded.

EG/

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