Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-01-19

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The breakaway regime signs protocols with Omans Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Self-styled minister announces visits of Arab companies to the occupied areas of Cyprus in February or in May

[02] Eroglu returns to the occupied areas of Cyprus after his contacts in Istanbul

[03] Talat to announce his candidacy for the illegal presidential elections after the visit of the UN SG to Cyprus

[04] EVKAF foundation will apply to ECHR

[05] Self-styled minister admits that the population living in the occupied areas is unknown

[06] The illegal parliament to discuss the Cyprus problem on January 21

[07] Turkish Cypriot MPs to attend meetings of the European Parliament in Strasbourg

[08] Talat hosts a working breakfast for the members of the Foreign Press Union

[09] Turkeys Minister for National Education to illegally visit the occupied areas of Cyprus

[10] Erdogan claimed that a positive result might be reached in Cyprus, if Turkey and Greece extended support to the process as guarantor countries

[11] Government delays new constitution focuses on EU reforms

[12] Turkish airlines signed a sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Russia cannot afford to lose Turkey, says expert

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The breakaway regime signs protocols with Omans Chamber of Industry and Commerce; Self-styled minister announces visits of Arab companies to the occupied areas of Cyprus in February or in May

The protocols were signed by Taner Yolcu and Ali Cirali, representative of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Chamber of Industry respectively, on the one hand, and Kahlil Bin Abdullah Bin Mohammed Al Khonji, Chairman of the Chamber of Industry and Trade of Oman, on the other.

The protocols provide for mutual visits between businessmen of the two countries, investigating the possibilities for investments, exchanging information between the chambers regarding each others country and providing aid in the organization of fairs.

In statements to the illegal TAK news agency, Mr Cirali commended on the protocols and said: We believe that they are very important. They confirmed with this protocol that they wish to develop trade relations, even though we are not politically recognized. Referring to the visit to the UAE and Oman, Mr Cirali said it has achieved its goal and pointed out to the importance of more visits to the Arab countries.

Moreover, in his statements Mr Yolcu said that according to the decisions taken by the Organization of Islamic Conference, relations between the chambers of the two countries could only start with protocols for cooperation and added that with the protocols signed now official contacts could be established between these chambers. Mr Yolcu noted that within the framework of the decisions of OIC, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce has signed similar protocols with countries such as Turkey, Syria and Pakistan and added that their trade relations with these countries continue to exist.

Mr Yolcu said they would sign a second protocol with Oman which will be providing for more detailed work.

Meanwhile, the chairman of YAGA committee, Musa Sonmez said that their aim from now on is to work together with the self-styled government and invite a delegation of Omani businessmen to the occupied areas of Cyprus. I believe that business possibilities will be created if they come and see what is produced and the possibilities in the TRNC and meet face to face with the ministries concerned, he noted.

Finally in statements last night before departing from Oman, Sunat Atun, self-styled minister of economy and energy, expressed his satisfaction with the interest shown for their conference in Oman and the UAE and noted that their contacts in the above-mentioned countries were crowned with the cooperation protocols signed by the Chambers of Industry and Trade.

Referring to the contacts they had with private companies, Mr Atun said they met with two companies which have the capacity of 200 million and 500 million dollars respectively. He noted that these companies have exhibited great interest for the occupied areas of Cyprus and they are thinking of visiting occupied Cyprus in February or in May.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu returns to the occupied areas of Cyprus after his contacts in Istanbul

Speaking to reporters on his return, Mr Eroglu evaluated the contacts he had in the Turkish city, where, as he said, he had the opportunity to hold bilateral meetings with Ministers of Culture from various countries, who attended the launch of the events in Istanbul. He also noted that during the event, he had the opportunity to talk with Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In addition, Mr Eroglu said that he held a tete-a-tete meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, where they exchanged views on the Cyprus problem and that he shared with him some of his concerns about the ongoing negotiation process.

In the meantime, it was announced that todays planned party assembly of National Unity Party (UBP), in order to nominate its candidate for the upcoming illegal presidential elections in April, is being postponed for the end of the week. As it was explained, the main concern now is the flood victims after the heavy rainfalls throughout the occupied areas of Cyprus, the previous day.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot Vatan newspaper (19.01.10) reports on the meeting of the self-styled prime minister Dervis Eroglu with Mr Mustafa Ak, Mayor of Turkeys Kecioren area in Ankara, who is in the occupied areas of Cyprus in order to carry out negotiations for his municipality becoming twin town with occupied Morfou. Speaking during the meeting, Mr Eroglu stated that the Turkish nation in whole comes from the same blood, adding that this kind of visits strengthen their friendship ties.

(EA)

[03] Talat to announce his candidacy for the illegal presidential elections after the visit of the UN SG to Cyprus

(EA)

[04] EVKAF foundation will apply to ECHR

The Evkaf Foundation is preparing to apply to the European Court of Human Rights for the unlawful transfer of endowed properties to Greek Cypriots during the British colonial rule in Cyprus. The Director of the Foundation Mustafa Kemal Kaymakamzade announced that the Administration will bring the issue to the ECHR agenda at the appropriate time.

Speaking on BRT this morning, he reminded that 25 % of the Cyprus land belonged to the endowments during the Ottoman period and that the amount decreased to 8% after the unlawful transfer of some properties to Greek Cypriots.He explained that the Foundation owns properties across the island, adding that the city of Maras [occupied closed city of Varosha] is among them.

Having noted that the Turks of Cyprus were given the Evkaf Foundation in 1957, Kaymakamzade said a farm in Larnaca, which was an endowment property but given to a Greek Cypriot at the time, was taken back after the issue was brought to the Court.

A similar case was also opened for a farm land located in Karpaz but the case could not be followed as a result of violent attacks against the Turks of Cyprus.

[05] Self-styled minister admits that the population living in the occupied areas is unknown

(I/Ts.)

[06] The illegal parliament to discuss the Cyprus problem on January 21

(EA)

[07] Turkish Cypriot MPs to attend meetings of the European Parliament in Strasbourg

(EA)

[08] Talat hosts a working breakfast for the members of the Foreign Press Union

(EA)

[09] Turkeys Minister for National Education to illegally visit the occupied areas of Cyprus

(EA)

[10] Erdogan claimed that a positive result might be reached in Cyprus, if Turkey and Greece extended support to the process as guarantor countries

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that it was wrong to have problems with Greece in the region.

Erdogan assessed his talks in the United Arab Emirates where he attended the opening session of the Third World Energy Summit as speaker.

Regarding his talks with Greek President Karolos Papoulias, Erdogan said that they discussed relations between Turkey and Greece as well as the Cyprus issue. Erdogan said: "We told him that Turkey supports the process with sincerity."

Erdogan said that a positive result might be reached, if Turkey and Greece extended support as two guarantor countries.

Erdogan said that he also discussed the problems in Western Thrace.

Erdogan noted that he was expecting a responsive letter from Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, and he was planning to visit Athens after he received the letter.

He said that he would discuss these issues in a detailed way with Papandreou during his visit to Athens.

"Because, it is not right to have a problematic process with Greece in the region. We have nearly 130,000 kinsmen in Western Thrace. They are dealing with some problems. It is necessary to eliminate these problems. We have nearly 3,000 Greek citizens among the minorities in Turkey, and they have some problems too. We said we should mutually solve these problems," noted Erdogan.

[11] Government delays new constitution focuses on EU reforms

The Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government has decided to take up the preparation of a new and civilian constitution in 2011 following the general elections, placing a priority on European Union reforms for now, Todays Zaman has learned.

The government, which has seen that passage of a new constitution through the current Parliament will not be possible because of the opposition parties blocking the governments plans, wants to carry out its plans for a new constitution after the general elections of 2011. Until the elections, the government wants to work on the enactment of EU harmonization laws that do not require a constitutional change.

The allocation of seats in Parliament following the general elections of 2007 has made it difficult for the government to push ahead not only in constitutional changes but also in EU laws. The Republican Peoples Party (CHP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) continue to oppose a new constitution as well as many of the EU harmonization laws. Taking this into consideration, the AK Party, which has 337 seats in Parliament, wants to push for EU laws by using its parliamentary majority.

Taking important steps toward Turkeys EU goal with eight harmonization laws in 2003, the government declared that 2010 would be EU harmonization year, having only enacted one harmonization law in 2009.

In 2009, a law that allowed members of the military to be tried in civilian courts in peace time was the only legal amendment that was enacted in line with EU harmonization laws.

Upon advice from Turkeys chief EU negotiator, Egemen Bagis, the government decided to allocate one week of every month to EU harmonization laws. The EU process will continue to be one of the agenda items in the first Cabinet meeting of every month.

At a press conference on Friday, Interior Minister Besir Atalay said that 2011s general elections would be a referendum for a new constitution.

A bill proposed by the AK Partys parliamentary group deputy chairman, Bekir Bozdag, which aims to reduce the waiting period before a referendum can be put to public vote from 120 to 45 days, will supposedly turn the 2011 elections into a referendum on a new constitution. The bill will come to Parliament this week.

Since the CHP and MHP continue to oppose constitutional amendments, the government decided to postpone amending the Political Parties Laws, the Ombudsman Law, the Election Law and laws that will change the structure of the Constitutional Court and Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) to 2011.

Two harmonization packages in 2010

The government plans to work on two harmonization packages in 2010, one of which will be about freedom of expression and thought while the other concerns laws regarding the governments Kurdish initiative, which aims to resolve Turkeys long-standing Kurdish problem. Laws that will expand the freedom of the press will be made in the first package as well as amendments in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) and the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) Law. The Human Rights Presidency, which operates under the Prime Ministry, will be turned into a Human Rights Council which will include representatives from nongovernmental organizations and human rights associations. Separate councils will be established to fight discrimination and ill-treatment by the security forces.

[12] Turkish airlines signed a sponsorship deal with FC Barcelona

Turkish Airlines (THY), Turkeys national carrier, signed a sponsorship deal with Spanish first division soccer club FC Barcelona on Monday.

THY General Manager Temel Kotil and FC Barcelona President Joan Laporta signed the sponsorship deal at a ceremony at the clubs stadium Nou Camp, which was also attended by THYs Executive Board members Orhan Birdal and Mehmet Buyukeksi, along with Control Board members Naci Agbal and Ismail Gercek. More than 100 press members from around the world were also at the ceremony.

THY will pay some 9 million euros for the deal, which will last for the following three years. THY will carry Barcelona players to tournaments and camps outside Spain. THY is the third foreign company to become the official sponsor for FC Barcelona. The club currently has four other sponsorship deals, which were previously signed with La Caixa Bank, Estrella Damm, Nike and Audi. THY sponsorship does not include charter flights. Under the deal THY will have the opportunity to make a commercial with Barcelona players and will be allowed to use the sponsorship to promote the company across the world.

Meanwhile, during a first division league match with Sevilla on Sunday, THYs recent promotion film, in which famous Hollywood star Kevin Costner also took part, was shown on the screen. As part of the promotion, five FC Barcelona fans earned free THY return tickets from Barcelona to Istanbul.

Meanwhile, appearing in several dailies on Sunday, THY is also preparing to shake hands with Manchester United, the most valuable soccer team as stated in a recent Forbes study. The parties have agreed to almost all details and are expected to reach a deal within a few weeks time.

Established in 1933, THY increased its number of aircraft from five to its present 124. The airline currently flies to 37 points within the country and 156 points worldwide.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[13] Russia cannot afford to lose Turkey, says expert

Turkey is a country Russia cannot afford to lose, according to Hakan Aksay, a Turkish expert on Russia. Speaking to the Hurriyet Daily News, he says the most important outcome of Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogans visit to Moscow is the Turkish governments decision to have a state-to-state deal that will enable Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Turkey.

Turkey should pressure Russia more to achieve additional economic and political gains in return for billions of dollars worth of energy deals, according to a Turkish expert on the country.

Turkey is dependent on Russia. Two-thirds of its gas and one-third of its oil come from Russia. But Russia is dependent on Turkey, too. Along with Germany, Turkey is one of Russias top two customers, said Hakan Aksay, a journalist who has lived in Moscow for the past 30 years.

There is talk about Turkey becoming too dependent on Russia. But dependence in this case is reciprocal. Russia cannot implement some of its policies without Turkey. Look at the South Stream project, said Aksay, referring to Russias desire to build a natural gas pipeline beneath the Black Sea to Bulgaria.

Russia wants to bypass Ukraine while transporting gas to Europe. It needs to pass through Turkeys waters in the Black Sea, he said, adding that Turkey is a country Russia cannot afford to lose.

Evaluating Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogans recent visit to the Russian capital, Moscow, Aksay said the most important outcome was the Turkish governments decision to have a state-to-state deal to enable Russia to build a nuclear power plant in Turkey.My feeling is that Russia has pressured Turkey to finalize the deal on the nuclear power plant, Aksay told the Hurriyet Daily News and Economic Review, emphasizing that the cancellation of previous tenders like the privatization of TUPRAS, Turkeys biggest energy company, and PETKIM, Turkeys biggest petrochemical company, created resentment in Moscow.

The Russians feel that each time they enter a bid in Turkey, play the game according to the rules and win, the bid is somehow canceled later on. This is what happened with the nuclear power plant tender as well. I believe that a similar negative outcome on the nuclear plant project would have affected bilateral relations altogether, he said, adding that Russia has been trying to sell military equipment to Turkey for years without success.

Subtitle: Energy dependence

While emphasizing that Russia is one of the most important countries in the field of nuclear power plant construction and that Moscows recent winning offer likely benefits Turkey, Aksay said relying on Russian nuclear energy will increase Turkeys energy dependence on its northern neighbor.

Despite this, Aksay believes there is interdependence between the two countries.

He also said German company Siemens might cooperate in building the plant. The Russians are playing the chess board on energy very successfully. On gas and oil deals they are cooperating with Italy. Now they seem to be increasing cooperation with Germany, he said.

With a recent change in government, however, Bulgaria is becoming less enthusiastic toward the South Stream, Aksay said: But the Russians went to Bulgaria and now you dont hear the same criticism from Bulgarians. Russian officials have been travelling all over Europe.

While it is natural for each country to diversify its energy sources, Turkey and Russia do not necessarily need to compete against each other, he said, adding that there is a potential for a win-win situation in the highly complicated energy world. I do not expect the Russians to give up the South Stream project. But you never know, it might become too expensive for them and they might opt to use the Nabucco pipeline, he said.

Designed to carry Central Asian natural gas to Europe via Turkey, Nabucco is seen as the main competitor to the South Stream. There are plans to build a gas pipeline parallel to the one that already exists, connecting the two countries beneath the Black Sea with the Blue Stream. Gas that will pass from the second pipeline could be diverted to Europe and there might not be a need for the South Stream, he said.

There is a large trade deficit in favor of Russia that Turkey might attempt to balance by increasing its exports to Russia. However, there are many difficulties at customs in exporting to Russia, especially among food exporters.

The bureaucratic nonsense at the border should be solved by Russian political authorities. Yet the problems are still there. Turkey could push more strongly for a quicker solution, said Aksay, adding that the problems have now continued for a year.

On the Cyprus issue, Turkey was unable to receive the support it expected from Russia, which blocked a decision in favour of Turkish Cypriots at the U.N. Security Council. In this case as well, Turkey should be self-critical. It should bring this subject to the agenda more, he said.

EG/

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