Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-01-21

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu ? Philip Gordon

[02] Eroglu meets Swedish, Finnish and Danish Ambassadors to Cyprus

[03] Davutoglu: Turkey expects a positive result from the Geneva meeting

[04] Ozgurgun calls the EU a Christian club

[05] Major general reiterates that the army's duty is to keep the "TRNC" alive

[06] ATCA will convey a petition to the UN demanding a Plan B

[07] Kucuk due to Istanbul

[08] The protests continue; Kucuk asks Turkey to make a remittance

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Kilicdaroglu: "The Turkish army brought peace and not war in Cyprus"

[10] Turkish and Russian Foreign Ministers meet; Turkish Premier to travel to Russia; Visa agreement between Turkey and Russia to be signed soon

[11] Turkish and Argentinean Presidents meet in Ankara

[12] Venezuela to provide oil to Turkey in exchange for building residences

[13] "Turkish government decides to attend Davos summit"

[14] Highlights

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] Eroglu ? Philip Gordon

Following the meeting with Eroglu, Philip Gordon also met with Kudret Ozersay, "representative" of the Turkish Cypriot leader.

(AK)

[02] Eroglu meets Swedish, Finnish and Danish Ambassadors to Cyprus

During the meeting, views were exchanged regarding the latest phase in the Cyprus negotiations Eroglu informed the Ambassadors on the Turkish sides' views regarding the process. The meeting was held behind closed doors and no statements were made.

[03] Davutoglu: Turkey expects a positive result from the Geneva meeting

Davutoglu, who was briefed by Downer on the situation in Cyprus, said that Turkey expects a positive outcome from the Geneva meeting. In addition, Davutoglu informed Downer that Turkey was irritated by German Chancellor Angela Merkel's statements during her visit to Cyprus.

[04] Ozgurgun calls the EU a Christian club

Ozgurgun said that "members of the Greek Cypriot Orthodox church living in the TRNC have been freely worshipping in line with relevant laws". He added that it is great misfortune that this resolution strengthens the allegations that the European Union is not a community with joint values but a Christian club.

Ozgurgun also said that this resolution is a result of the Greek Cypriot propaganda and overshadows the importance and the neutrality of the EU.

"It would be a much more consistent act for the European Parliament to look into the rise in racist attacks in the Republic of Cyprus that was illegitimately made an EU member, instead of blackmailing the TRNC- which avoids religious fanaticism and allows everyone to enjoy freedom of religion", Ozgurgun concluded.

[05] Major general reiterates that the army's duty is to keep the "TRNC" alive

Under the title "A sovereignty message from Daysal to the Greek Cypriots", Halkin Sesi reports that Commander Daysal said that the Turkish occupation forces are determined to perform their duty to strengthen and keep alive the breakaway regime.

Volkan reports that Daysal said that the greatest national ideal of the Turkish Cypriots is to keep alive the occupation regime.

[06] ATCA will convey a petition to the UN demanding a Plan B

Kerem Hasan, the representative of ATCA in the occupied areas, said that the petition to the UN will convey the message if the Cyprus talks fail or no important progress is achieved by the end of January 2011, then the Turkish Cypriot Diaspora demands a "Plan B".

[07] Kucuk due to Istanbul

[08] The protests continue; Kucuk asks Turkey to make a remittance

CTP calls on the Turkish Cypriots and all the political parties to join them in the march.

According to the Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (21.01.11), the leader of the Communal Democrat Party (TDP) Mehmet Cakici visited yesterday the places that strikes are continuing. Cakici criticized the "government" saying that they have not implemented their promises, adding that the TDP will participate in the rally of January 28. Cakici also said that the TDP protests in order to overthrow the "UBP government".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (21.01.11) reports that the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said in a written statement, that some circles are trying to turn people against one another and are being hostile to Turkey. Kucuk added that the chaos that they are trying to create and their attitudes cannot be ignored.

He reiterated that the Turkish Cypriots "have always been an inseparable part of motherland Turkey and they will continue to work hand in hand with pride". Explaining that "some are using the austerity measures as an excuse to call for the government's resignation or for early elections", Kucuk said the "governing National Unity Party (UBP) gives importance to the country by creating a prosperous future for the people just as much as anyone".

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (21.01.11) reports that self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk participated yesterday in a meeting with the "Turkish ambassador" in the occupied part of Cyprus Kaya Turkmen and the "Turkey's Aid Delegation". Citing confidential sources, the paper reports that Kucuk asked Turkey to send the money so that the 13th salaries can be paid.

The Turkish State Minister responsible for Cyprus affairs, Cemil Cicek, sent a message that "the reforms should not be delayed".

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[09] Kilicdaroglu: "The Turkish army brought peace and not war in Cyprus"

Speaking during an event in Erzerum, Kilicdaroglu recalled statements by the Greek Prime Minister, George Papandreou that the Turkish army in Cyprus is an occupying force, and accused Erdogan for becoming tongued-tied.

Kilicdaroglu accused Erdogan for remaining quiet after the statement made by Papandreou and said after the Turkish army brought peace to Cyprus and not war.

[10] Turkish and Russian Foreign Ministers meet; Turkish Premier to travel to Russia; Visa agreement between Turkey and Russia to be signed soon

Davutoglu said that this was the first meeting of the planning group, established as part of the High-Level Cooperation Council. He said relations between Turkey and Russia go beyond friendly neighbourly relations, they also have a joint perspective about regional and global developments.

"Davutoglu said that bilateral relations as well as regional and global developments were reviewed at the meeting and added that Turkey and Russia have taken very important steps regarding energy. We are determined to bring our energy cooperation to the highest level. "Recent developments in Caucasus, Balkans, Central Asia and the Middle East were also high on agenda of the meeting. I informed Mr Lavrov on my meetings with Lebanese authorities. Russia, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, made important contributions to the Middle East. We also reviewed cooperation areas in the Black Sea," Davutoglu said.

Davutoglu also said that a visa agreement between Turkey and Russia will be signed during the High-level Cooperation Council meeting, to be held in Moscow in the spring, recalling that a Readmission Agreement has already been signed.

For his part, the Russian FM Sergey Lavrov said his country had never supported unilateral sanctions concerning Iran's nuclear programme. He said the latest developments concerning Iran's nuclear programme, Iraq, the Middle East, Lebanon, Palestinian-Israeli conflict, Caucasus region and the Balkans were on the agenda of his meeting with Davutoglu, adding that Turkey and Russia have similar stances on these issues.

Commenting on the nuclear talks to start in Istanbul (today), the Russian minister said Turkish officials' interest in the issue is praise-worthy. Expressing Russia's objection to unilateral sanctions, Lavrov said one-sided sanctions would harm the process and weaken the grounds needed for joint efforts.

Furthermore, Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (20.01.11) reporting on the joint press conference of the two officials quotes Lavrov as saying that both countries are committed to reach the $100 billion in trade cooperation [targeted] by our leaders in previous meetings', and that the two countries have significantly improved their relations in recent years. 'Turkish construction firms' investments sum up to some $20 dollars', he said, adding that more than 3 million Russian tourists visited Turkey last year, a figure that will surely rise once all legal procedures are finalized to allow the liberalization of the visa regime between Turkey and Russia. (...)

Lavrov said both Russia and Turkey were committed to contribute to resolving issues in Balkan countries, such as helping Bosnia and Herzegovina become stronger and contribute to the acceleration of talks between Belgrade and Pristina."

[11] Turkish and Argentinean Presidents meet in Ankara

Speaking at a joint press conference following the talks, President Gul said that Kirchner's visit opened a new page in bilateral relations. "It is very important that both countries' political wills aim to carry relations forward," Gul said, citing Argentina's decision to open a consulate general in Istanbul as a sign of such will. "High-level visits are taking place. Today's visit, which is at the highest-level, has a very different symbolic value," he added.

As TZ reports, Kirchner is accompanied by three Cabinet ministers, two state governors and a huge business delegation. She is scheduled today [Friday] to participate in a meeting in Istanbul to be chaired by Umit Boyner, the president of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD). The meeting will focus on economic relations and investment opportunities in both countries.

Ahead of the press conference, Argentine and Turkish officials signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between diplomatic academies, an intergovernmental cultural cooperation agreement for 2011-2014 and an agreement for air transport.

Gul announced that Turkey is considering to launch direct flights to Argentina in the near future and expressed the hope that Argentine companies invest in Turkey.

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.01.11), speaking at the joint press conference the Argentine President said Turkish-Argentine relations were discussed with President Gul. She said the agreements signed are an indication of the good relations between the two countries and added: "The economies of both countries have made remarkable progress and in the past decade our economies have become role models for other countries". She said ways to boost economic relations will be discussed.

"President Gul and I discussed the G20 and the UN Security Council. We discussed the importance of reforming the UN," Kirchner said. "Turkey and Argentine share special bonds. We want to develop our relations with Turkey", Kirchner said.

[12] Venezuela to provide oil to Turkey in exchange for building residences

On the second day of his visit to Venezuela, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz met with the Venezuelan Minister of Energy and Petroleum Rafael Dario Ramirez Carreno.

Speaking to reporters after meeting, Ramirez said the issues pertaining to energy were discussed adding: "Venezuela needs hundreds of residences and we made an offer to Minister Yildiz to provide oil to Turkey in exchange for building residences. We made a request for residences from Turkey as Turkey has an excellent construction sector".

Minister Yildiz, described the meeting very fruitful and said business opportunities in both countries were discussed. "The residences Venezuela needs could be built by the Housing Development Administration of Turkey (TOKI) as well as by the Turkish private sector," Yildiz said.

In addition, AA reported (21.01.11) that Yildiz was received by Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez on Thursday. Chavez expressed his desire to pay a visit Turkey in April, officials said. Pointing to his country's need for two million residences, Chavez also called on TOKI to take part in housing projects in Venezuela, sources added.

[13] "Turkish government decides to attend Davos summit"

After Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan stormed out of a panel during the 2009 summit, in reaction to Israeli President Shimon Peres and the panel moderators, relations between Turkey and the World Economic Forum, organizer of the summit, soured. Erdogan said after the January 29, 2009 incident that he "would not go to Davos anymore" and that Davos was "finished" for him. Last year, no one from the Cabinet attended the summit; Turkey was represented by the Central Bank Governor Durmus Yilmaz.

The 2011 summit, the 41st, will be held between January 26 and 30. Around 2,500 participants from 90 countries are expected.

[14] Highlights

a) Turkey-Lebanon/Turkish foreign policy issues

Asli Aydintasbas in Milliyet, while being supportive of Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's "vision and tireless regional efforts", remains critical of Turkey's stance on the Lebanon crisis: "Ankara is trying to convince Lebanese Prime Minister Al-Hariri to cancel the UN investigation on Hariri's assassination." Asli Aydintasbas notes: "When it comes to choosing between justice and stability, Ankara prefers the latter. Turkey is increasing its regional power but it always takes sides with the status quo, as it has been doing with with the repressive regimes of Iran, Sudan, and Syria."

Murat Yetkin in Radikal questions the validity of "zero problems with Turkey's neighbours" strategy, especially in the light of Greek president's remarks about Turkey during a meeting with Armenian prime minister. Yetkin observes that there was no response by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs after the Greek president told the Armenian prime minister that both Armenian and Greek peoples were massacred by the same barbarians. "This no reaction was obviously a result of zero-problem with neighbours approach", he writes and warns: "While Turkey presents itself as a foreign policy actor in the region, it should also be careful not to go too far and fare worse. There might be consequences in moving away from Europe and getting deeply involved in the Middle East. In order to balance this policy choice, Turkey may find itself more attached to the United States than necessary or may be forced to create some irreversible ties with Russia."

b) Turkey-Iran/P5+1

Kadri Gursel in Milliyet shares his observation from a round table discussion on Turkey-Iran relations organized recently in Tehran. In an article entitled "Iran wants to cooperate [With Turkey] against the United States", Gursel recounts his talk with Iranian diplomats and academics: "Iran hopes to cooperate with Turkey in order to be influential in the Middle East. In this context, Egypt will be next on Tehran's list to cooperate when the Mubarak regime is changed. By establishing such a cooperation scheme, Iran also hopes to take other players out of the game, the United States in particular." The writer asserts: "The partnership as well as the alliance between Turkey and the United States seem like an antithesis to Iran's expectations."

Barcin Yinanc of Hurriyet Daily News, quoting diplomatic sources, says: "Although Turkey's role [in the P5+1 talks] has officially been limited to hosting the talks, the possibility of active Turkish involvement in the facilitation of the talks should not be excluded."

c) Fourth anniversary of the Hrant Dink murder

Rusen Cakir in Vatan expresses disappointment about the murder case remaining unresolved after four years and emphasizes the need to conclude the investigation.

Mehmet Ali Birand in Hurriyet Daily News also considers unsatisfactory the explanation given by the authorities that "the necessary investigations have been carried out and the file has been closed. No one has been found responsible."

Mehmet Altan in Star agrees with Dink's wife and writes: "Hrant Dink's wife has made the most striking and to the point explanation about the murder. He was killed by the state, and also the murder was covered up by the state. Efforts to shed light on the murder case were deliberately hindered." TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EG

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