Turkey and the European Union need each other, but Turkey's need for the union continues to decrease while the union's need for Turkey grows bigger with each passing day, according to Bagis. One day, he said, the EU will look for ways to do away with obstacles standing in the way of Turkey's membership in the union.

Egemen Bagis also said: "What is behind Turkey's difficulty to open new chapters [for negotiation] is the Cyprus issue or things brought before Turkey in connection with the same issue. Today we have political obstacles to the opening of 17 or 18 chapters. These obstacles will be overcome some day because Turkey and the EU need each other. ? Today Europe is mired in a serious economic crisis. And before them is an economic power they are watching admiringly: the Republic of Turkey.

Turkey is the 6th biggest economy in Europe and the 15th in the world. While Europe's most successful country, Germany, witnessed an economic growth of 3% in the 2nd half of 2010, the figure was 11% in Turkey. The average age in Europe is 45. It is 27 in Turkey. We have a young and dynamic population. In addition, we have a dynamic market. Turkey will host the leaders of 150 countries in the spring for a summit of less developed countries. And it will assume the term presidency for the summit for the next 10 years. On the other hand, Turkey is the secretary-general of the Organization of the Islamic Conference [OIC] as well as the co-chairman of the Alliance of Civilizations. Turkey is also one of the reputable countries among the G-20 countries. The EU cannot ignore such an active country."

According to Bagis, Turkey's EU bid is not focused on its aspiration to become a member of the bloc. Rather, it is focused on efforts to raise democratic and economic standards in Turkey. He said Turkey will continue to take steps on reforms included in its national programme regardless of the EU's intentions concerning Turkey's bid for membership.

"We will change our laws and make our constitution a civilian one that will embrace all citizens of Turkey. And we will take all steps required to adhere to EU standards. It is not important whether the EU opens chapters or not. We will make the necessary reforms. What is important to us is the process itself, but not membership in the union. We want to reach the level required to become an EU member. When we reach that level we may not want to become member of the union, who knows? We may head to a referendum and our public may refuse to join the EU. What is important for Turkey is to reach standards in every field and not lag behind European countries," the minister noted.

Bagis also said Turkey would not make concessions on its Cyprus policy for the sake of its EU bid. "We will neither abandon Cyprus for the EU nor the EU for Cyprus. ? Our policy is very clear: ports for ports. Let the Greek Cypriots open their ports to us, and we will open our ports to them. The Greek Cypriots should quit acting like spoiled children and launch commercial ties with the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus [KKTC]."

In response to a question whether the Turkish nation would still like to see Turkey join the EU, the minister said Turks complain about the insincerity of the EU and about Turkey's efforts for membership. "We regularly conduct surveys on people's thoughts about the EU. Half of our population is positive towards the union, but they do not trust Europeans. Two out of every three Turks, for example, believe that Europeans are not sincere with us. We do not have much to say about this because no other nation has faced so many political obstacles in opening negotiation chapters," he remarked.

Referring to the incidents after the basketball game in December, the Minister said he found the fine imposed on Apoel "very small" and vowed to pursue efforts in the international arena to seek a greater penalty for the Greek Cypriot fans.

[10] "Turkey will be in the EU, says Sweden's foreign minister"

Bildt said Turkey faces some very complicated issues coming out of its own history that need to be addressed in order to become a full member of the EU. He said the EU, having gone through the process of setting up the Lisbon Treaty and now struggling with economic problems, has regained the strategic perspective of enlargement, which he believes had been missing in the past few years.

Bildt also said: "Turkey is of course particularly important in a number of aspects, it has an economic dimension, and it has demographic potential. But, clearly I say there is a need for reform in Turkey."

Foreign Minister Bildt, together with Franco Frattini, William Hague, and Alexander Stubb recently penned an op-ed in the International Herald Tribune in support of Turkey's European Union membership.

[11] Istanbul and the occupied part of Lefkosia to be twinned.

Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbas will travel to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus on Friday to sign a protocol with self-styled Lefkosa Mayor Cemal Bulutogullari.

The move aims to raise international recognition of Turkish Cypriots and "Turkish Cypriot state", exchange of information and experience on business, trade, culture, tourism, preservation of urban and historical heritage, as well as an advanced level of cooperation between young generations in both cities.

Topbas and his delegation from Istanbul Municipality will also have meetings with Turkish Cypriots leader Dervis Eroglu, self-styled TRNC Assembly Speaker Hasan Bozer and self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk.

[12] Bagis comments on Greek border fence

Responding to a question, Bagis said: "There is a process regarding the illegal migrants of different countries who go to Greece via Turkey and from Greece to EU countries. The foreign ministry carried out negotiations on a readmission agreement for four years. We decided with the European Commission the conditions under which illegal migrants would be sheltered and returned to their countries when they are captured. However, the readmission agreement could not be signed as diplomats carrying out talks on behalf of the EU could not agree. Turkey is doing its best on the matter."

He also said that walls would not change anything and added: "In the past, the illegal migrants passed to EU member counties from Morocco, Algeria and Portugal. They are now crossing the Greek border via Turkey. If you build walls, there will be illegal migrant problem in the EU border with Belarus, Ukraine and Russia. Building walls is not the way to stop an illegal migrant who decided to risk his life." On the contrary, he said there should be cooperation with their countries to provide a better living in their own countries.

Asked what he would propose to Greece, Bagis said Greece should negotiate with members of EU countries and carry out some studies, adding that the issue would be discussed with Premier Papandreou during his visit to Erzurum. "The EU does not need new walls but needs to break the walls in the brains. It needs to get rid of prejudices. There are many problems in the EU that need to be solved. Turkey is a key country in solution of the problems. They need to build bridges to borders with Turkey, not walls. Turkey will be a very important country for EU to solve its problems", he said.

[13] "ABGS launches media campaign to support for EU bid"

The spots, produced as part of the EU Communication Strategy, aim to explain the concrete, positive impact of full EU membership on individuals' daily lives in fields such as women's rights, the environment, social rights and food safety.

[14] "Israel says 'go home' to Turkish construction workers"

The workers were asked to leave Israel by Jan. 31, according to a written statement by Y1
lmazlar Holding.  This is a new crisis with Israel. Their contracts originally continued until 2015. A written warning from Israel to the workers has left them in a tough situation. [We have] informed the Prime Ministry and the government."

The 800 workers, who staged a protest Dec. 28 in Tel Aviv, had been working as part of a tank modernization deal between Israel and Turkey since 2002. The company asked also the Turkish government to intervene.

[15] "New broadcast laws in Turkey to legalize foreign languages"

Turkish Parliament has approved articles that would allow foreigners to own 50% of media companies and would open the possibility to all radio and television stations in the country to broadcast in languages other than Turkish.

Both legislative articles are part of a bill governing the Supreme Board of Radio and Television (RT?K) that is currently being debated in Parliament.

The ability to broadcast in languages other than Turkish is currently limited to a small number of specially licensed channels, while the cap on foreign ownership of media companies is 25%.

[16] Highlights

a) Reaction to Davutoglu's remarks about Turkey's role in the world

An editorial" in Hurriyet Daily News (5.1.11) endorses Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's recent remarks that Turkey needs to become a "wise country." Noting that cynics can scoff at Davutoglu's naivety, it says: "But we think for the architect of foreign policy of the rising power in the world's most dangerous region, this is a restrained, moderate and intelligent vision that should not be dismissed."

Hurriyet Daily News (5.1.11) columnist Yusuf Kanli argues that: "Before moving on to 'visionary foreign policy' and becoming a 'wise country' capable of telling others how to resolve problems, perhaps we should resolve some of our own important foreign policy problems such as Cyprus, Armenia relations, and of course outstanding Turkey-Greece problems."

Milliyet (5.1.11) columnist Sami Kohen describes Davutoglu's remarks about Turkey's future role in the world as "ambitious and aggressive." He comments: "This may be interpreted as overconfidence or an exaggerated mission. It may also stem from his own visionary, committed, and ambitious character. But, it is clear that the profound transformation that Turkey has recently undergone provides confidence and encouragement to him in setting new goals for the Turkish foreign policy. Indeed, the economic and political levels reached by Turkey enable it to come forward as an emerging power in its own region. Turkish diplomats use it for making some bold overtures and moves."

In an article in Taraf (5.1.11) entitled "Foreign policy squeezed between new and old Turkey," columnist Lale Kemal applauds the ruling Justice and Development Party and Davutoglu for making efforts to free Turkey of shackles around its ankle. Pointing out that Turkey is trying to take advantage of its military capabilities in an effort to overcome problems in bilateral relations with the United States, Kemal cites the following from a booklet distributed at a meeting of Turkish ambassadors chaired by Davutoglu: "So, those capabilities and facilities which ensure that our country is seen by the United States as an indispensable ally should be used for furthering our relations with the United States based on more concrete cooperation."

Cumhuriyet (5.1.11) columnist Utku Cakirozer argues that Davutoglu's assertion that Turkish diplomats have accomplished a lot in the past eight years conflicts with deterioration witnessed in Turkey's relations with its allies, including the United States and neighbors.

b) 10-year detention period; judicial system

Hurriyet Daily News (5.1.11) columnist Mehmet Ali Birand describes as a "cruelty and injustice" a recent ruling by the Turkish Supreme Court of Appeals that a person may be detained and be incarcerated for 10 years without conclusive evidence.

Hurriyet (5.1.11) quotes Republican People's Party leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu as saying that the 10-year detention period is unacceptable.

Hurriyet (5.1.11), columnist Tufan Turenc argues that the extension of the detention period to 10 years is against democracy and human rights. Pointing out that detainees make up 70% of all prisoners in Turkey which, he says, is a ratio unparalleled in the world, Turenc predicts that the European Court of Human Rights will probably overrule the Supreme Court's decision about the detention period.

Star (5.1.11) columnist Yasemin Congar expresses her discontent with the release of eight detainees linked to Hizbullah, a terrorist organization, due to the expiry of their 10-year detention period, she criticizes the Supreme Court's ruling setting a maximum detention period of ten years which, she notes, has demonstrated that a far-reaching reform is necessary in the judiciary in order to ensure that courts can hand out their judgments rapidly.

In an article in Cumhuriyet (5.1.11) entitled "Is this a just world?", columnist Hikmet Cetinkaya says that some members of Hizbullah, drug traffickers, and murderers have been released after the Supreme Court's ruling while people, including journalists, intellectuals, politicians, and academics, standing trial due to their alleged links to the Assembly of Communities of Kurdistan and Ergenekon may remain imprisoned for 10 years without being convicted.

In an article in Radikal (5.1.11) entitled "Justice is bleeding," columnist Murat Yetkin criticizes the government for failing to carry out reforms needed to speed up the judicial process, including the establishment of appellate courts. He concludes: "We have released murder suspects rather than accelerating the judicial process while keeping Mustafa Balbay and Mehmet Haberal who have never fired a single shot or killed anybody on the grounds that they might have been associated with an illegal organization. We are deepening the sense of injustice prevalent among people."

Vatan (5.1.11) columnist Rusen Cakir says that the release of Hizbullah members has served as a moral support for the organization amid speculation that the organization has decided to focus on legal activities and to become an alternative to the PKK in almost every place where Kurds live and currently plans to establish a television channel and to nominate independent candidates in elections.

Yeni Safak (5.1.11) carries a front-page report which highlights reactions to the discharge of members of certain terrorist and mafia groups from prison based on a new legislative amendment. The report quotes certain "jurists" as saying that even though the amendment is correct from the standpoint of EU criteria, the release of suspected terrorists indicates problems stemming from the slowness of the judicial system.

Yeni Safak (5.1.11) columnist Ibrahim Karagul argues that the disappearance of former Iranian Deputy Defense Minister Ali Riza Askari during a visit to Istanbul some four years ago and recent foreign press reports linking Turkey to alleged Mosad, MI, and CIA attacks against Iranian nuclear scientists, have raised the question of whether Turkey has unknowingly turned into a centre of foreign intelligence operations against its own neighbours.

Yeni Akit (5.1.11) carries a front-page report which quotes Prime Minister Erdogan as saying that the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) is a political offshoot of the Kurdish problem and that it will come to an end when that problem has ceased to exist.

Zaman (5.1.11) runs a front-page report which asserts that the heavy workload of the Supreme Court of Appeals is responsible for the release of many murder and terrorism suspects from prisons following an amendment to the Law on Criminal Procedures.

Guneri Civaoglu argues in Milliyet (6.1.11) that the debate over the 10-year detention period boils down to the judicial bottleneck in the country and the insufficiency of judges and prosecutors. Noting that some 3-4,000 more judges and prosecutors are needed, the writer holds the Justice and Development Party (AKP) responsible.

Mehmet Ali Birand in his article in Hurriyet Daily News (6.1.11) entitled "The sorrowful collapse of the judiciary", views the judicial problems in Turkey and the fact that the Turkish society no longer believes in justice in the country. The writer accuses the government of being a mere spectator to the problems instead of trying to solve them.

Writing in Hurriyet Daily News (6.1.11), Yusuf Kanli criticizes the slow pace of justice in the country Kanli concludes: "What should be done is clear: Enact a comprehensive justice reform to facilitate justice and speed up the court process."

In an article in Cumhuriyet (6.1.11), Cuneyt Arcayurek draws attention to the judicial injustice of releasing terrorists and murderers while keeping journalists under detention and wonders why the government, well aware of the consequences of Article 102 of the CMK, failed to take any measures to deal with the slow pace of the judicial process. In response to his own question, Arcayurek expresses the belief that the release of all these suspects was another way for the AKP, which is focused on the 2011 elections, to declare amnesty.

c) Kurdish issue/ democratic autonomy project

Taraf (5.1.11) quotes PKK leader Abdullah Ocalan as saying that the PKK's armed forces could be withdrawn to a specific area in June 2011 depending on the outcome of the ongoing talks with the government. He said: "If such a thing happens, they should be under my command."

Milliyet (6.1.11) columnist Dogan Heper, argues that Turkey has a single problem, that of "division." Heper believes that Abdullah Ocalan announced that "they are not after a separate state and a separate flag" because he fears the extreme reaction the democratic autonomy project will initiate. The writer concludes: "Turkey cannot continue like that. It cannot live with the 'fear' of division. The AKP has been in power for the last eight years but the Southeast is like a 'liberated region.' Our brethren of Kurdish ethnicity who are not pro BDP [Peace and Democracy Party] are living like slaves in that region. They are waging a silent struggle of life and death. If this situation is to end through a civilian will, then a 'provisional coalition' should be established immediately and an end should be put to this extraordinary situation as soon as possible no matter what."

Hurriyet (6.1.11) columnist Rahmi Turan argues that the real problem of the Kurds is not bilingualism, two flags, an autonomous region, or an independent Kurdistan but unemployment. He dismisses the non-action period, maintaining that it was declared as a result of the harsh winter conditions on the mountains and that terrorist activities will resume in the spring. Noting that erroneous policies have turned Ocalan into a political leader, Turan criticizes the government for negotiating with the leader of a terrorist gang. Underling that terror will not end even if the Kurdish demands are accepted, Turan concludes that in the absence of a political will, the struggle the military and the police are waging against the terrorists will become more difficult.

d) Turkey and the Arab world

Today's Zaman (6.1.11) columnist Ibrahim Kalin comments on "increased cooperation" between Turkey and Arab countries partly as a result of a change in Turkey's foreign policy stance which means that it is "rediscovering its forgotten past and forsaken neighbourhood ... in a multitude of ways." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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