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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-28

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/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 246/11 28.12.11 C O N T E N T S

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

  • [01] Eroglu on the Cyprus negotiation talks
  • [02] Eroglu's spokesman alleges that the Turkish side did not step back on the issue of cross-voting as there was no agreement
  • [03] Ozgurgun alleges that the Greek Cypriot side will lose its motivation for a solution after Cyprus's EU term presidency
  • [04] Turkish daily cites statements by Turkish officials denying reports over an Eastern Mediterranean zone conflict between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus
  • [05] CTP celebrates 41st anniversary
  • [06] Ustel comments on tourism
  • [07] "Municipalities" of the breakaway regime shocked with results of the population census
  • [08] "Money for the 13th salary exists"
  • [09] Erdogan urges restraint over Armenian allegations
  • [10] Davutoglu expressed hopes that the 21st century will be the century of Turkic-speaking countries
  • [11] Turkey, Russia to sign agreement on South Stream project
  • [12] Turkey's tourism over passed 30 million in 2011

  • [A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

    Statements by Eroglu during a meeting with Turkey's Turk Metal Sen trade union, reference by Eroglu's spokesman to the cross-voting and the negotiating process during the Cyprus talks, statements by Unal Ustel on the positive development of tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus, a reception on the occasion of the 41st anniversary from the establishment of the CTP, and other internal matters are the main topics covered by the Turkish Cypriot press today. The papers refer also to the approval of the social insurances "draft-law" by the "assembly" of the regime and to the shock reportedly experienced by many "municipalities" after the announcement of the results of the population census held at 4 December, because they expected the number of their population to be by 25 % higher.

    Erdogan's new remarks on the adoption of the French resolution criminalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide, Syrian people's slogans regarding Erdogan, new strategies against the PKK and the discovery of an underground stronghold, an exclusive interview with the President of the Swiss Federation, President Abdullah Gul's remarks about his mandate, Yildiz's contacts in Russia and other internal issues are the main topics covered in today's Turkish press.

    [01] Eroglu on the Cyprus negotiation talks

    According to illegal Bayrak Television (27.12.11), the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu in statements today (yesterday) while receiving a delegation from the Turkish Confederation of Labor Unions, has once again criticized the Greek Cypriot side for resorting to delaying tactics at the Cyprus negotiations.

    Eroglu stressed that the solution would be easy to reach if all that was required, was the Turkish Cypriot side's will.

    Touching upon the Cyprus issue, Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is aiming to extend the Cyprus negotiations process until the Greek Cypriot Presidential elections in 2013. "We have been negotiating the Cyprus problem for the past 48 years. We are losing our patience. We've always said "yes" to resolution plans put forward at the talks and the Greek Cypriot side has always said "no". However the EU is still maintaining the embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. It is also calling on Turkey to resolve the Cyprus problem in order to pave the way for its accession. The EU needs to put an end to such double standards" Eroglu said.

    Eroglu went on saying that, in the absence of a settlement, the Turkish Cypriot "people" will maintain their peaceful existence on the island with a strengthened state and economy, as well as the support of "motherland" Turkey.

    Referring to the French Parliament's approval of the so-called Armenian genocide bill, he called the move a "shame of humanity" adding that such a move neither contributed to democracy nor did it serve the improvement of interstate relations.

    [02] Eroglu's spokesman alleges that the Turkish side did not step back on the issue of cross-voting as there was no agreement

    Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (28.12.11) reports that Osman Ertug, spokesman of Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu, has said that the cross-voting is a proposal submitted by the Greek Cypriot side and that the former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat included this proposal in his own package of proposals. In statements to Haberdar, Ertug noted that this package was an "integrated whole" and therefore the balance of the package is spoiled when one of its elements is taken out. Ertug alleged that the Turkish side did not reject the package and that Eroglu did not step back on the issue of cross-voting, because no agreement had been reached on this issue.

    Ertug said that no chapter closed at the negotiations, but this does not mean that absolutely no progress was made. Ertug alleged that "with the flexibility and the statements made by the Turkish Cypriots side", some progress was achieved on the chapters of economy, the EU, the citizenship, and the governance and power sharing. "Some steps were taken on the property as well, but the Greek Cypriot side has not moved from its main approach on this issue in any way", he added.

    Ertug argued that the Turkish side's and the special envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Alexander Downer's interpretation regarding the meaning of the "End Game" expression is the same. The statement of Ban [Ki-moon] that 'very limited time has left' is an indication of this, he added.

    (I/Ts.)

    [03] Ozgurgun alleges that the Greek Cypriot side will lose its motivation for a solution after Cyprus's EU term presidency

    Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (28.12.11) reports that Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime, has alleged that the Greek Cypriot side will completely lose its motivation for a solution after the Republic of Cyprus overtakes the EU term presidency in July 2012. In statements to a private Turkish television, Ozgrugun argued that the efforts for a solution continue since the 1950's, that the Greek Cypriot side implements the same policy for years and that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot "people" cannot tolerate any more the "games" of the Greek Cypriot side with the aim of continuing the non-solution.

    Ozgurgun claimed that international powers exert efforts to dominate over Cyprus because the island is located at a very important place in the Eastern Mediterranean. He alleged that instead of search for a solution in a sincere manner, the Greek Cypriot side raised tension and harmed the negotiations process by "unilaterally and illegally" starting to look for natural gas and oil.

    Ozgurgun reiterated the Turkish allegation that the Turkish occupation army brought peace in Cyprus in 1974 and argued that due to the geopolitical position of Cyprus, foreign powers try to gain rights over the island.

    Responding to a question regarding their efforts for the recognition of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, Ozgurgun argued that at the moment they are not concentrated on the recognition of the "TRNC", but on finding an agreement based on bi-zonality and two founding states in the direction of the UN parameters with the continuation of Turkey's active and effective guarantees.

    Ozgrugun claimed that an agreement in the Cyprus problem is influenced by the interests of the foreign powers in the area, and this is one of the reasons of the long lasting non-solution on the island.

    Ozgurgun alleged that hatred and enmity increase every day in the Greek Cypriot side and claimed that it does not seem possible to reach a solution "with a mentality which does not even tolerate" a volleyball team from Turkey to play a match in the government-controlled area of Cyprus.

    (I/Ts.)

    [04] Turkish daily cites statements by Turkish officials denying reports over an Eastern Mediterranean zone conflict between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus

    Turkish daily Today's Zaman (27.12.11) reported that as regards news published by Turkish daily Aksam on Tuesday, that has revived controversy over Eastern Mediterranean natural gas and oil resources around the island of Cyprus, diplomatic sources have clarified that a seismic seabed study was carried out by the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) under a license it was awarded by the breakaway regime and that the research activities were not conducted for Turkey but on behalf of the occupation regime.

    Under the headline "Greek Cypriot, Turkish maps in Mediterranean now official, next year to bring natural gas tension in south,", Turkish daily Aksam published a map indicating several zones around the Cypriot island to show that licenses for several of them had been claimed by both Turkey and the Greek Cypriots, generating controversy over claims to the seabed.

    However, Turkish officials approached by Today's Zaman on Tuesday, indicated that the report, although partially accurate, was also misleading since Turkey is not the country whose rights may conflict with Greek Cypriots' -- the "TRNC" is.

    Officials also informed Today's Zaman that the map has been around since September and the "TRNC leadership" has made it publicly clear that they hold the rights to zones also claimed by the Republic of Cyprus, offering a solution to the problem to the UN chief -- a mutual halt in resource studies until a resolution is reached as to the future of the divided Cypriot island.

    The role of Turkey in the controversy is it's, having signed its own continental shelf delineation agreement with the "TRNC", to enable the "TRNC" to perform its own research drills as well as its having provided technical support and tools to the "TRNC" in connection with a license TPAO was awarded by the "TRNC". The officials stressed that the research is being done by TPAO on behalf of the occupation regime not Turkey.

    [05] CTP celebrates 41st anniversary

    Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (28.12.11) reports that yesterday the Republican Turkish Party ? United Forces (CTP-BG) organized a reception in occupied Lefkosia at the Hidden Garden in order to celebrate the 41st anniversary from its establishment. Present in the reception were the so-called speaker of the house Hasan Bozer, self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk, former Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, the temporary charge d'affairs of the Turkish "embassy" in occupied Lefkosia Ali Murat Basceri, the chairman of Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas, "MPs" with CTP, the general secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP) Esat Varoglu, the general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan, representatives from Greek Cypriot political parties, representatives from trade unions and civil society organizations as well as party members and other guests.

    Speaking during the ceremony the chairman of CTP Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that they will continue fighting for the establishment of a federation in Cyprus based on political equality, despite the efforts of their opponents.

    [06] Ustel comments on tourism

    Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (28.12.11) reports that the so-called minister of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel has organized yesterday a press conference at occupied Lefkosia's Merit Hotel. Ustel presented his "ministry's" evaluation and actions for 2011 and its objectives for 2012.

    Ustel said that they plan to create a sustainable infrastructure in macro level and summarized the goals that they have laid out as following: raise the number of tourists to one million, increase their share in various markets, increase the average stay period of tourists and increase the percentages of hotel occupancy, especially during winter.

    Ustel argued that "2012 will be better than 2011" and said that this target is to increase charter flights to 400 from 300, as well as to increase the income of the tourism fund by 30%. He also noted that within the first months of 2012, they plan to pass in the "assembly" a "bill" regarding the environment and a "law proposal" regarding the Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers Association.

    [07] "Municipalities" of the breakaway regime shocked with results of the population census

    Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (28.12.11) reports that as the details of the population census that took place on the 4th of December in occupied Cyprus are being revealed, more and more municipalities are astounded by the results. According to the paper, the announced population of some municipalities is by 25% less than the expected population. This causes great problems because the amount of money that will be allocated to them will be smaller, and it will not represent the actual population, they say.

    [08] "Money for the 13th salary exists"

    Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (28.12.11) reports that the necessary financial resources have been found for the payment of the thirteenth salary in the breakaway regime. The paper reports that the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk had contacted the Turkish "ambassador" to occupied Lefkosia, who is currently in Ankara, and Besir Atalay the deputy Prime Minister responsible for Cyprus affairs, requesting an advance from the money that Turkey will provide as financial aid to the 2012 "budget".

    Atalay, who expressed his satisfaction for the "Social Insurance Amendment Law" that had been approved by the "assembly" of the breakaway regime, was reported to be positive towards the request for an advance. Subsequently, Irsen Kucuk announced that the salaries of "civil" servants and pensioners will be paid today, and on Friday the 30th of December they will deposit the 13th salary.

    The paper also reports that the above mentioned "law" has passed yesterday after a 20-hour-long session, where the Social Democracy Party (TDP) tried to "occupy" the speaker's bench. The "bill" foresees, inter alia, the increase of the retirement age and social insurance premiums, and the decrease of the premiums for the reserve fund.

    Additionally, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (28.12.11) reports that trade unions have described the new "bill" as a violation of their rights and announced that they will continue their struggle against it. Mehmet Seyis chairman of Dev-Is said that they will file a "lawsuit" against this "bill" at the "constitutional court." Also, Ozkan Yorgancioglu chairman of the Republican Turkish Party said that they will evaluate the "provisions" with legal experts and accordingly they will act.

    [09] Erdogan urges restraint over Armenian allegations

    Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (28.12.11) reports on statements by Turkey's Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has called against "bellicose rhetoric" in rows with countries backing allegations of Armenian "genocide," stressing that Turkey should debunk the claims with comprehensive research of historic facts.

    Erdogan's remarks appeared to be aimed at cooling down tensions with France after the Lower House of its Parliament adopted a bill criminalizing the denial of Armenian "genocide" last week, prompting Ankara to recall its ambassador and suspend political and military cooperation with the EU heavyweight.

    Speaking at a gathering of the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (T?B0TAK) yesterday, Erdogan said that those who are bothered by Turkey's continuously growing economic, political and diplomatic power and stability, are trying to pressure Turkey through various methods. "Momentary reactions and temporary solutions will not yield results. Instead of using a populist, bellicose rhetoric and displaying momentary reactions over the 1915 incidents, which some countries want to turn into a campaign against Turkey, we must make use of the guidance of history and science," Erdogan said.

    The Prime Minister urged researchers to intensify studies of Turkey's recent history to help refute allegations that Armenians were the victims of genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. "In the face of illegal, racist, separatist and malevolent campaigns we will only respond with documents, information, archives and the language and method of science," he said. "As we can see from recent events, the gap left by science is filled by populist politicians and racists exploiters", Erdogan added.

    "We will take into consideration books, archives and scientific research, not parliamentary votes. The counter-theses that we will share with the world will be based on solid foundations. Therefore, I'm especially asking researchers and universities to please focus your studies on our recent history", Erdogan said.

    Referring to Turkey's anti-terror struggle, Erdogan said it should not rely solely on security measures but also on sociology, psychology, economy and diplomacy.

    [10] Davutoglu expressed hopes that the 21st century will be the century of Turkic-speaking countries

    Turkish daily Istanbul Today's Zaman online in English (27.12.11) reported that the Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said on Tuesday in Ankara that the 21st century will be the century of Turkic-speaking countries. Turkey signed an agreement with the Cooperation Council of Turkic Speaking States to be the Council's host country during the fourth-annual Ambassadors Conference.

    Davutoglu said the Council, which was formed in 2010, has aimed to boost economic and diplomatic cooperation between Turkic states and will be enlarged by the inclusion of other Turkic states. It currently has only four members: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, the largest member.

    The Council's main objectives are to boost economic cooperation between member states, improve mutual cooperation in culture and tourism and preserve the cultural and historic assets of the Turkic world.

    Davutoglu pointed out that the Turkic states [in Central Asia] are now self-reliant and have made remarkable progress in economic and political fields in the 20 years following their independence after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. "I hope the 21st century will be the century of Turkic-speaking countries," Davutoglu said.

    The Council's secretary, General Halil Akinci, said the agreement [forming the council], which was signed in October 2009, envisaged that the Council's headquarters would be located in Istanbul, and the Council's secretariat general would begin operating in November 2010."With the agreement we signed today, the legal infrastructure is completed regarding the status and operations of the secretariat general," noted Akinci.

    (?)

    [11] Turkey, Russia to sign agreement on South Stream project

    Ankara Anatolia news agency (27.12.11) reported that the Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz is set to depart for Russia late on Tuesday for a series of talks.

    Yildiz is set to meet with Igor Sechin, Russia's deputy prime minister, to discuss buying natural gas from the Western Line and other energy issues.

    Yildiz is also expected to meet with Gazprom officials.

    Turkey's energy minister is set to sign Wednesday a cooperation agreement with Russia's deputy premier regarding the construction of the South Stream, proposed gas pipeline to transport Russian natural gas to the Black Sea to Bulgaria and further to Greece, Italy and Austria.

    Taner Yildiz and Igor Sechin are expected to sign in Moscow the agreement which opens a new chapter in the cooperation between the two countries in natural gas.

    Analysts say the agreement is expected to help settle a number of issues between Turkey and Russia in energy including the cut in price, Turkey sought in the purchase of gas from Russia's western line.

    [12] Turkey's tourism over passed 30 million in 2011

    According to Turkish daily Today's Zaman (27.12.11), Turkey's Culture and Tourism minister Ertugrul Gunay told Turkish ambassadors on Tuesday in Ankara that more than 30 million tourists visited Turkey in 11 months this year, surpassing their expectations despite political turmoil in Turkey's neighborhood.

    Ertugrul Gunay stated that Turkey lost many tourists this year because of the unrest sweeping across the Middle East but the number of tourists visiting Turkey relatively increased compared to the last year.

    Referring to devastating financial crisis in the world the past three years, the Turkish Minister said that Turkey's tourism industry didn't get affected from the financial turbulence.

    Gunay said Turkey hosted only 13 million tourists in 2003 and now the number reached to 30 million, referring to the progress his government has made. "For the first time, we are surpassing 30 million this year. This is an important edge in our tourism history. ...I received this information yesterday and I was very happy," Gunay said.

    The minister said Turkey received 28.6 million tourists last year and many tourist reservations were cancelled this year because of the Arab Spring. Despite this fact, he said, Turkey had nearly 2 million increases in the number of tourists visiting Turkey.

    Gunay also noted that Turkey's Statistics Institute announced tourism revenues as $20.8 billion last year but he said his ministry believes there are many fallacies in their count, implying that the actual revenues are higher. Tourism revenues are key in closing budget deficits and Gunay said tourism is Turkey's "the most important export sector." According to Gunay, Turkey has a target of making into top ten in many spheres by 2023. He said Turkey had already achieved its target in tourism sector as it is in the top ten in the world. The minister added that Turkey is competing with France, Italy and Spain in Europe in tourism sector and the US and China on a global stage. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

    /EI


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