Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-02-08

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

[01] Eroglu's stance at the negotiations satisfies those who want separate states in Cyprus

[02] Durduran says the negotiating process should advance

[03] So-called minister Cavusoglu gives data on the number of persons benefited from the migration "amnesty"

[04] The Evkaf Foundation intends to build a mosque in the building where the TDP offices are located

[05] The breakaway regime will participate in tourism fairs in Turkey, Norway, Denmark and Russia

[06] Data on unemployment in the occupied area of Cyprus

[07] One hundred thirty-shop mall plan unveiled

[08] Bagis held contacts in Brussels

[09] EU Turkey Rapporteur criticizes Swiss probe against Minister Bagis who stated that he would deny the Armenian genocide all over again

[10] Davutoglu comments on Swiss probe against Bagis

[11] Erdogan's hard message to Syria's al-Assad

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Bagis' contacts in Brussels, Erdogan' call to the Syrian President to end violence in Syria, reports that Turkey is to undertake a new initiative on Syria, Bagis's reaffirming his latest statement that the Armenian incidents in 1915 was not a genocide, reports that the EP's Rapporteur for Turkey, Ria Oomen Ruijten has expressed support to Bagis and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish press. About Cyprus, Turkish dailies report on the health condition of Seyh Nazim Kibrisi of Lefka and on Eroglu's statements on the Cyprus problem.

[01] Eroglu's stance at the negotiations satisfies those who want two separate states in Cyprus

In statements during the meeting, he said the sides should show mutual respect to each other's rights and alleged that the Greek Cypriot side should understand that a solution will be reached if the negotiations are held within this framework.

Referring to President Christofias, he argued: "There is no meaning to show an effort to postpone the negotiations by saying 'I am a state, I am member of the EU'. If you have no intention to agree, you could come out like a man and say 'I do not feel the need for any agreement under these conditions'".

Eroglu alleged that President Christofias himself forced the National Council to decide "no" on four issues and argued: "If you are going to say no to everything, then why you delay us? It is not possible to accept further continuation of the negotiations which are going on for 48 years".

Eroglu thanked the association for its visit and support at this stage of the negotiations. He said he is aware of the fact that having a "state" strengthens him at the negotiations and added that the negotiations are held under equal conditions at the table. Eroglu noted that it is natural to have different views within a state, but if the objectives are the same in the national cause, the negotiations could be carried out in a more successful manner and you have more chances to achieve an agreement which satisfies your people. Eroglu expressed the belief that they persuaded the world that the Turkish Cypriots are the side which negotiates having the will of reaching an agreement.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the association for protecting the "TRNC", Nejat Kocaismail said they feel that Eroglu is on the right path in the ongoing negotiations and that he stands upright. "Therefore, we held this visit in order to once more express our support to you in front of the press", Kocaismail added pointing out that they are in favour of the continuation of the "TRNC" and they will not accept its abolition. He also said that his association is against giving "territorial concessions".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Durduran says the negotiating process should advance

Durduran argued that attacking the UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor and asking for his removal from his duty shows that the Greek Cypriot side is not satisfied with these options. "However, it should be known that it has not the power to secure a solution without the UN", he added noting that the European Union also supports the policy of the UN in Cyprus.

Durduran alleged that the EU is against the policy followed by the Republic of Cyprus on the Cyprus problem. He claimed that a significant part of political parties represented in the National Council are against the federal solution, which exists within the UN parameters, and entered into the climate of the presidential elections. Therefore, he alleged, the Government will need the support of the parties which are against the federal solution and "it is not possible to expect a serious contribution" [by the Government] to the solution from now on.

(I/Ts.)

[03] So-called minister Cavusoglu gives data on the number of persons benefited from the migration "amnesty"

Speaking at a press conference organized yesterday in the so-called ministry of interior, Cavusoglu, inter alia, said that the total number of the illegal foreigners who were applied to be benefited from the migration "amnesty" until the night before yesterday when the deadline for applications was expired, was 9,543 persons, something that shows that the migration "amnesty" is very successful, as he said.

Giving more data, Cavusoglu said that 9,156 persons were benefited from the "amnesty" and departed from the "country", 299 persons entered the "country" and 88 persons applied to continue working in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Referring to data concerning the "amnesty" given the previous years, Cavusoglu pointed out that during 2007, 1,613 were benefited from the "amnesty", 2,122 person in 2008 and 2,122 in 2009. He then said that the total number of the persons benefited from the "amnesty" during the previous years was 5,857, while the total of those benefited from the last "amnesty" was 9,543, a number that was doubled.

Cavusoglu continued saying that from now on they will launch a struggle against the illegal and added that the controls will be stricter.

He reiterated that those who did not applied to be benefited from the "amnesty" and they insist to remain illegal, as soon as they are detected by the so-called police, they will be deported.

Cavusoglu stated further that the so-called ministry has set to function a new telephone line where anybody can call to give information about the illegal. He further added that in a period of one month, the "ministry" will set a new website address where all citizens will be able to give information about the illegals and file their complains.

Cavusoglu recalled also that according to the figures given by the so-called department of state and planning organization, the number of the illegal persons in the occupied area is 10,000.

(AK)

[04] The Evkaf Foundation intends to build a mosque in the building where the TDP offices are located

According to the paper, a mosque is to be constructed in the place where the TDP headquarters are located.

In statements on the issue, the director of the Evkaf Foundation, Mustafa Kemal Kaymakamzade stated, inter alia, that they have not decided yet what they will do with the building.

Speaking also on the issue, Esat Varoglu, General Secretary of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that they rent the above-mentioned building since 1999 and that during 2011 they paid the amount of 860 TL for the rent per month. He also said that the new administration of the Evkaf Foundation has informed them that they intent to demolish the building and built a mosque in its place.

Meanwhile, according to another report published in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (08.02.12), members of the Turkish Cypriot Secondary School Teachers' Trade Union (KTOEOS) paid a visit yesterday to the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and asked for the party's support to the actions and the protests which are taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus against the opening of a religious seminary at the Mia Milia Vocational High School.

Also, Kibris newspaper reports that the illegal International Cyprus University (UKU) is to organize today together with some NGO's, a protest in front of the building of the so-called prime ministry in order to protest about the leasing of land in occupied Mia Milia for building religious complex.

(AK)

[05] The breakaway regime will participate in tourism fairs in Turkey, Norway, Denmark and Russia

The self-styled minister of tourism, Unal Ustel told Halkin Sesi that this year they turned their interest towards the Scandinavian countries, that 10-12 thousand Dutch tourists visited the occupied area of Cyprus in 2011 and that their target is to increase this number to 20 thousand.

Ustel said their aim is to have tourists all year long and added that in February they will participate in fairs which will be organized in Norway and Denmark and in March they will go to a fair in Russia.

Ustel argued that they faced many difficulties during a recent fair in Finland and they could not have a stand under the name "TRNC". He said that they participated in the fair in Turkey's stand and added that they fight with the Republic of Cyprus in all fairs they participate. He noted that this was the first time they participated in the fair in Finland and expressed the belief that next year they will take a stand under the name "TRNC". He said that they filed their application to participate in next year's fair in Finland right after the completion of this year's fair and added that they will apply to court regarding the problems they faced.

Ustel said that in spite the difficulties, they organized a reception during the Finnish fair and had the opportunity to meet with around 60 tour agents.

Ustel noted that for the first time they expect tourists from Finland to come to the occupied area of Cyprus this year and that they were not able to take permission for charter flights from Finland but they plan to solve the problem with the Turkish Airlines (THY).

Ustel said that they will put into circulation around 25-30 double-deck buses in London and that the promotion of the "TRNC" continues also through the social media, newspapers, magazines and the internet. He noted that they are preparing a webpage regarding the "TRNC" in London and this webpage is in seven languages.

Meanwhile, Halkin Sesi (08.02.12) reports that the breakaway regime will participate in the Eastern Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition which will be held in Istanbul between 9 and 12 February. More than 60 countries will participate in this fair.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Data on unemployment in the occupied area of Cyprus

As the paper writes, according to statistical figures of the "ministry of labour", the number of the registered unemployed persons was only 1,094 while the number of persons applied to the so called ministry of labour for finding a job has reached 4,568 persons during the current year.

According to the figures, among the 4,568 applications to the "ministry" for finding job, 2,723 were made from women and 1,845 from men, and 1608 of them were from the Famagusta district.

Meanwhile, according to data given by the so-called employment centre in occupied Lefkosia, a total of 10,859 persons had visited the centre during the past two months looking for a job.

(AK)

[07] One hundred thirty-shop mall plan unveiled

"A multimillion euro shopping complex is being planned on agricultural land off the Lefkosa [occupied Lefkosia] to Girne [occupied Keryneia] road.

Turkish firm Turkmall is behind the 130- shop, five-cinema complex, which will also boast a bowling centre, amusement park, children's playground and fitness centre.

It says it is waiting for planning permission for the 150 million euro scheme, but the official gazette published on February 1 showed the government had earmarked land for development at Bogaz [Bogazi].

The land had been protected by a decree, introduced in 2006, but this was one of several scrapped by the government in 2010.

Mehmet Altmham, a member of the steering committee of Turkmall, which was behind an abortive attempt to build a shopping centre in Gonyeli, said they would start construction as soon as they get permission.

The shopping mall could open as soon as April next year if all goes to plan.

He told Cyprus Today: 'We bought 80 donums of private land to construct the shopping mall, which will be called Forum Akdeniz.

It would create employment opportunities as we will seek to employ some 1,500 persons. It is going to be an eco-friendly project as it involves the service industry and we will be creating green areas in the mall.

What we are aiming for is not only to set up a shopping mall, but a living space for the people there.'

He said Turkmall had conducted research in the area and 90% of people questioned agreed there was a need for a shopping centre.

What is more, the TRNC will be a more attractive tourist destination with the construction of such a giant shopping mall, as there is huge demand, particularly from Iran and other Arab countries.'

Mr Altmham said that 'many companies' had already applied to be part of the development, snapping up some of the 130 shops and other facilities already.

Turkmall is behind developments in Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, China and the Middle East, as well as in Izmir, Istanbul, Ankara and Mersin, and other Turkish cities.

Forum Akdeniz would also include a small lake and fitness centre.

The land had been protected against business development by the decree, but not housing.

However, the decision of the TRNC government has opened it up for business purposes.

However, there is currently no road access and infrastructure will also have to be constructed.

Ahmet Omer Yagnan, of the Chamber of Architects and Engineers, said the government had acted alone, without consulting any group.

'These kinds of big investments have to be regulated very well, as there is no turning back [once they have been approved]. There is a need for a master plan.'

Mr Yagnan, a regular critic of the government, added: 'No-one is asking for our views. We have not been given any chance to put forward our ideas on the issue.'

Ertan Oztek, a member of the state planning department said it had not been informed on the latest move. He said an environmental and shopping assessment was necessary before any decision is given to allow the construction of the shopping mall.

Turkmall was founded in 1992 and plans clothing, food, furniture and other shops as part of the Bogaz development."

[08] Bagis held contacts in Brussels

"Negotiations with Turkey demand a new beginning in the chapters of energy and justice. We need to strengthen our alliance with Turkey, which is an important country in a very hard region," EP's second largest political group said in a statement released after a meeting between Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator for accession talks Egemen Bagis and Hannes Swoboda, head of the Socialist Group.

The statement said Swoboda conveyed socialist lawmakers' expectations from Turkey to strengthen the rule of law and their support for the opening of policy chapters on judiciary and fundamental rights, as well as justice, freedoms and security.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.0212) also reported that Bagis met with the Union's Enlargement Commissioner Stefan Fule, in Brussels.

The meeting between Bagis and Fule focused on efforts to create "a positive agenda" in Turkish-EU relations to take "concrete results" in 2012, said a statement from Fule's office.

"We are working together to take concrete results this year in bringing Turkey closer to EU standards and practices as well as in commerce and customs union, the visa issue and migration," the statement said.

The statement also said that the Union welcomed a recent reform package in Turkey's judicial system, adding that more reforms are needed to remove "problems in freedom of expression and long police detention periods."

In a separate meeting with the EU Deputy Commissioner on Competition, Joaquin Almunia, Bagis discussed conditions on the opening of the policy chapter on competition in Turkey's accession talks.

Ankara Anatolia (07.02.12) also reported about the meeting of Bagis with the European Parliament President Martin Schulz, who released a statement after his meeting with the Turkish Minister, saying that Turkey played a vital role in resolving the crisis in Syria.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (08.02.12) writes that Schulz, tweeted after the meeting he held with Bagis the following: "EU countries should stick to their commitment on Turkey's future membership to the Union. It will be a long way but the EU has to work on it."

[09] EU Turkey Rapporteur criticizes Swiss probe against Minister Bagis who stated that he would deny the Armenian genocide all over again

While criticizing the efforts of Switzerland and France to put a limit on freedom of expression through the courts, Oomen-Ruijten emphasized that it does not matter where, in Switzerland, France, any other European country or Turkey, people should have freedom of expression and called on Turkey to be more sensitive on the issue, in her address to the press members following her meeting with Bagis in Brussels. She also supported Turkey's offer to establish a Turkish-Armenian joint history commission to investigate the genocide.

Last week, in response to a question from a French journalist on what he thought of a bill criminalizing denial of the Armenian genocide adopted by the French Senate in January, Bagis said: "Here I am in Switzerland today, and I'm saying that the 1915 incidents did not amount to genocide. Let them come arrest me." A Swiss prosecutor launched an investigation on Monday in Zurich.

Oomen-Ruijten said she disapproved the efforts of various members of the European Parliament to include the Armenian genocide in a draft report concerning Turkey. The report calls on Turkey and Armenia to take initiatives to normalize their relations and open the border between the two nations.

Earlier at a press conference he held at Istanbul Ataturk International Airport before leaving the country for an official visit to Brussels, Bagis said he is confident regarding the Swiss investigation into his statements regarding the issue, as he does not know of any power that can arrest a Minister of Turkey. "No genocide took place in 1915. I will say this again and again. Such initiatives [investigations] are null and void for us. I do not know of any power that can arrest a Minister of the Republic of Turkey," he said. "I am very confident on this issue," he noted. "We will go to Davos and say the same thing again."

Commenting on foreign parliaments' stance toward the Armenian genocide, Bagis said that politicians and parliaments should focus on the future instead of dealing with the past and making historical research.

[10] Davutoglu comments on Swiss probe against Bagis

Davutoglu's comments came after Switzerland launched an investigation Monday on recent remarks made in Switzerland by Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis on the Armenian Genocide.

Switzerland and France are two cases that do not resemble each other. On one hand, there is a law supported by the political will in France and a completed process with penalties. On the other hand, there is an incomplete legal process in Switzerland, Davutoglu noted.

We have summoned the Swiss Ambassador in Ankara to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday after Switzerland launched an investigation against Egemen Bagis, Davutoglu underlined.

[11] Erdogan's hard message to Syria's al-Assad

Speaking at a group meeting of his Justice and Development (AK) Party in the Turkish Parliament in Ankara, Erdogan said that he advised al-Assad to turn back before more bloodshed takes place in Syria and more innocent civilians get killed.

"We are making efforts to facilitate peace and stability in Syria. We will begin cooperating with countries that will opt to be on the side of the Syrian people and not the Syrian administration and we will begin a new initiative on the matter. We will continue to support the initiatives of the Arab League", Erdogan said.

He also added that those responsible for the incidents in Homs, Syria would pay the price sooner or later.

Touching on the process at the United Nations on Syria, Erdogan said that the process at the UN was a total failure on the part of the civilized world.

Meanwhile, asked after the group meeting about the initiatives to be taken on the side of the Syrian people, Prime Minister Erdogan said that Turkey would primarily work with the Arab League and then with the West. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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