Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-02-14

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/>

[01] Eroglu continues to accuse the Greek Cypriots of not wanting a solution

[02] Yorgancioglu argues that Eroglu committed a mistake by withdrawing Talat's package of proposals

[03] Self-styled minister reiterates that occupied Morfou is indispensable for the Turkish Cypriot side

[04] Tatar on his contacts in Ankara and on imports and exports of the occupation regime

[05] Kucuk met with a Turkish Deputy; The issue of Mersin port and the relations of Turkey with the occupation regime in the agenda

[06] Haberdar writes that the permission granted to a British university to built a campus in Pyla aims to harm Turkish Cypriot "Universities"

[07] OIC Secretary-General visits Australia for first time

[08] Davutoglu discussed developments in Syria, Iraq and Turkey's EU bid with Hilary Clinton in Washington

[09] The Czech President to visit Turkey for talks

[10] Turkey's Econony Minister gives figures on Turkey's economy; Turkey's foreign trade deficit surplus in commerce with OIC' countries

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The contacts of Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoglu in the USA and his meeting with the Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, where Davutoglu stated that democracy must be secured in Syria as soon as possible, the arrest of 100 persons for suspected links to the Kurdish Communities Union an affiliated organization of PKK, reports about the first transplant recipient seeing his new face on mirror, after a face transplant operation that was undertaken in Turkey and other internal issues are some of the main topics in today's Turkish newspapers.

[01] Eroglu continues to accuse the Greek Cypriots of not wanting a solution

Eroglu said that he would raise the issue today during the meeting of the leaders within the framework of the negotiations. He alleged that the Turkish side would do everything it can to make use of the period by the end of March in the best way.

Responding to a question on the resumption of the talks between the leaders today, Eroglu said that the meeting would be held as a result of an agreement during separate meetings of UN Secretary-General's Special Advisor on Cyprus Alexander Downer with the sides, and added that they would discuss the method to be followed in the talks during the forthcoming 3-4 week period.

He argued: "We have a very short period in front of us. We will continue to make use of this period in the best manner and show our sensitivity on the issue of esteemed Downer preparing his report according to the realities".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Yorgancioglu argues that Eroglu committed a mistake by withdrawing Talat's package of proposals

Yorgancioglu expressed the view that the Turkish Cypriot side was weakened by the withdrawal from the table of a package of proposals on which agreement had been achieved by 90%. He argued that Eroglu and his advisor Kudret Ozersay are not saying the truth when they express the satisfaction of the Turkish Cypriot side after the tripartite summit at the Greentree.

Yorgancioglu noted that CTP also holds meetings with foreign diplomats, including Alexander Downer, and added that what they are told is that in case the negotiations are interrupted, the Turkish side is the one to be blamed.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Self-styled minister reiterates that occupied Morfou is indispensable for the Turkish Cypriot side

Amcaoglu discussed the problems of occupied Morfou with the area's Union of Tradesmen and Craftsmen. The chairman of the union, Ulus Ese said that political uncertainty was the most important problem of the area and that the population of Morfou and the people in the market decreased because of migration.

According to a statement issued by the self-styled ministry, Ese said that the "government" should work for preventing migration and added that this could happen with the housing and employment of young people in Morfou. He expressed the view that agricultural plots of land should be distributed to young people living in the centre of the town. He noted that the statement made by Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan that "Morfou will not be given away" [Translator's note: To its legal Greek Cypriot owners in case of a solution to the Cyprus problem] should not remain in words.

In his statements Amcaoglu said they were taking into consideration the "sensitivities" of Morfou area and added that Morfou would "come to a much better point".

Amcaoglu described as "very important" the messages given by the Turkish Prime Minister during his visit to the occupied area of Cyprus and recalled that Erdogan had said that much more importance should be attached to agriculture and livestock breeding. He noted that Morfou is a special area which meets the needs of the occupied part of Cyprus in water and it is also a productive land. He added that the water which will be brought from Turkey will be used especially in this area.

Amcaoglu claimed that Morfou is indispensable for them and called on its inhabitants to be at ease.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Tatar on his contacts in Ankara and on imports and exports of the occupation regime

Tatar made these statements speaking at a program of illegal Bayrak television where he referred to the contacts he recently held in Ankara and other issues.

The self-styled minister stated that during his contacts in Ankara he discussed with Turkish officials the problems that exist regarding exports to Turkey in the framework of the Coast Trade Agreement and stated that after the contacts, the political authorities gave instructions so that the problems to be solved.

He stated that the exports of the occupation regime to Turkey are 60 million dollars adding that Turkey is a very big market and stated that the exports could reach 250 million dollars. He also said that the imports of the breakaway regime are 1.5 billion dollars and that 2/3 of the imports are from Turkey.

[05] Kucuk met with a Turkish Deputy; The issue of Mersin port and the relations of Turkey with the occupation regime in the agenda

The so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk met yesterday with the Deputy Undersecretary Celalletin Damlac1
.

Speaking during the visit, Damlac1
said their aim was to take concrete and positive steps towards improving economic and trade relations between Turkey and the "TRNC".

Also speaking, "prime minister" Kucuk wished a speedy recovery to Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdo
an who underwent a second digestive system surgery over the weekend.

Expressing that meetings with officials from "motherland Turkey" were necessary on trade issues, Kucuk said that such meetings are useful in overcoming some problems which emerge from time to time.

Kucuk also added that if the problems faced at the Turkish port of Mersin could be solved, this would help improve the confidence of the Turkish Cypriot businessmen.

[06] Haberdar writes that the permission granted to a British university to built a campus in Pyla aims to harm Turkish Cypriot "Universities"

According to the paper, the Republic of Cyprus was able to choose a lot of other locations for the University, which is expected to start operating next autumn. The paper writes that by doing this, the Greek Cypriot side wants to harm the illegal Turkish Cypriot Universities.

[07] OIC Secretary-General visits Australia for first time

Ihsanoglu traveled on Sunday to Sydney upon the invitation of Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Kevin Rudd.

Speaking at a press conference on Sunday, 0
hsanoglu said he was in Australia as an OIC Secretary-General, marking a first in the 40-year history of the Organization that he feels is a historic step in all respects. He added that he will discuss with the Australian government the fostering of relations with Australia and the promotion of cooperation with Islamic countries.

Noting that Australia has been quite interested in the OIC for a long time, 0
hsanoglu indicated that Rudd had visited the Organization several times and is always in contact with the OIC. He added that the Australian government showed great interest after seeing the effectiveness of the OIC and its international missions, so he accepted the invitation of the Foreign Minister in order to make more concrete the relationship between the OIC and the Australian government.

0
hsanoglu noted he will meet with senior government officials such as Governor-General of Australia Quentin Bryce, Prime Minister Julia Gillard, Minister Rudd and representatives of several nongovernmental organizations. Announcing their intention to sign a cooperation agreement during his visit, 0
hsanoglu added that he will ask the Australian government to host a special representative of the OIC in Australia.

[08] Davutoglu discussed developments in Syria, Iraq and Turkey's EU bid with Hilary Clinton in Washington

"We cannot be silent when these humanitarian tragedies continue. At this moment we are talking on diplomatic and humanitarian steps to be taken on Syria. But for other scenarios, we hope that those things will not be needed but we need to think about contingencies as well", Turkish Foreign Minister said.

Clinton said in the news conference that the US backs the Arab League's latest plan for Syria, but sees challenges in winning UN approval for peacekeepers to halt the Syrian government's violent crackdown on protests.

Clinton discussed Syria with visiting Davutoglu, and agreed to discuss further steps at the inaugural meeting of a new "Friends of Syria" contact group in Tunisia on February 24.

The Arab League on Sunday threw its support behind Syria's opposition and called for a joint UN-Arab peacekeeping force to quell the violence, boosting pressure on Russia and China which on February 4 vetoed UN Security Council action on the crisis.

Clinton said the United States would work to tighten international sanctions on the Assad government and seek ways to deliver humanitarian aid amid what she said was a "deplorable" escalation of violence by government forces. "We have heard the call of the Syrian people for help and we are committed to working to allow the entry of medical supplies, of emergency help to reach those who are wounded and dying" Clinton said.

But she suggested that the Arab peacekeeper proposal would be tough to get through given Russian and Chinese support for Damascus. "There are a lot of challenges to be discussed as to how to put into effect all of their recommendations and certainly the peacekeeping request is one that will take agreement and consensus," Clinton said.

"We don't know that it is going to be possible to persuade Syria. They have already, as of today, rejected that", Clinton added.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (14.02.12), speaking at a joint press conference with his U.S. counterpart Hillary Clinton in Washington on Monday, Davutoglu said that if there was no stability in Iraq, there would be no stability in the region.

"The only thing that Turkey desires is the welfare of all Iraqis, regardless of their ethnic or sectarian structure", Davutoglu said.

"Whenever we tell Iraq a certain thing, we do not intend to interfere but rather have a desire to help", Davutoglu said.

Touching on Turkey's European Union (EU) aspirations, Davutoglu said that "yes, we do wish to become an EU member. Despite all discouraging acts by the EU, we are optimistic that one day we will be an EU member".

Also speaking, the U.S. Secretary of State said that the U.S. believed Turkey played a constructive role in Iraq.

On Turkey-EU relations, Clinton said that she believed she was part of those who thought that Turkey would be an EU member sooner or later. "I do not want anyone to be discouraged and get far away from Turkey's EU process", Clinton noted.

"As in every tough negotiation, this issue may have to be temporarily put aside. There are enough issues in the region that keep us very occupied", Clinton also said.

Clinton continued and expressed her country's strong support to the decisions of the Arab League in the Cairo meeting. "We wish to participate in the meeting of 'Syria's Friends' that will take place in Tunisia with an initiative by the Arab League", Clinton emphasized.

(?)

Referring to the issue of Iran, Clinton said: "We do recognize Iran's right for peaceful nuclear energy. At the same time, there are international responsibilities that Iran must fulfil in nuclear energy".

"Today, we talked about Turkey's support to the new democracies in the region and made Turkey's successful democracy a "real model for these countries", Clinton noted.

Clinton also touched on the importance of making contributions to the democracies in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya and emphasized that they should focus on the needs of Syria.

[09] The Czech President to visit Turkey for talks

The Turkish Presidential press centre stated on Monday that Klaus would visit Turkey upon an invitation by the Turkish President Abdullah Gul, adding that this would be the second formal visit that Klaus would pay in Turkey in the past six years.

Klaus will be accompanied by Czech businessmen.

He will hold official talks and attend a Business Forum and he will address businessmen in capital Ankara.

Klaus will then visit the southern provinces of Mersin and Adana between February 15 and 17.

EU, regional and international issues and Turkey-Czech Republic cooperation areas will be high on the agenda of the meetings.

[10] Turkey's Econony Minister gives figures on Turkey's economy; Turkey's foreign trade deficit surplus in commerce with OIC's countries

Releasing a written statement on Monday, Caglayan said that Turkey continued to be an attraction centre for investors despite many problems in the world, adding that direct foreign investments in Turkey increased 74% from 9 billion USD in 2010 to 15.7 billion USD in 2011.

"3.3 billion USD was invested in Turkey in the last month of 2011, he added.

"Direct international investment in Turkey was 20.2 billion USD in 2006, 22 billion USD in 2007, and 19.5 billion USD 2008", said Caglayan, adding that 71 % of investments in 2011 was made by the EU countries.

"Austria (2.24 billion USD), Spain (2.23 billion USD) and the Netherlands (1.6 billion USD) are the top three countries which made the highest investment in Turkey", said Caglayan, adding that the United States, Russia and Azerbaijan were the other important investor countries for Turkey.

He said that banking and insurance sectors drew the most investment with 5.9 billion USD, and followed by energy sector with 4.2 billion USD, and manufacturing industry sector with 3.4 billion USD.

Caglayan said that the increase in the international direct investments would help decrease the current account deficit.

Moreover, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency (13.02.12), Turkey's foreign trade deficit, which is one of the major reasons of current account deficit, is dropping thanks to trade with Islamic countries.

According to foreign trade figures, Turkey had nearly 29 billion USD of foreign trade deficit in its commerce with EU countries, while it had nearly 6 billion USD of foreign trade surplus in its commerce with Islamic countries last year.

Turkey exported products worth of 37.3 billion USD to the countries of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and imported products worth of 31.4 billion USD from these countries in 2011.

Turkey's foreign trade surplus was 5.9 billion USD with OIC member countries last year.

Turkey exported most products to Iraq (8.3 billion USD), United Arab Emirates (3.7 billion USD), Iran (3.5 billion USD), Saudi Arabia (2.7 billion USD), Egypt (2.7 billion USD), and Azerbaijan (2 billion USD) among Islamic countries in 2011.

Turkey earned the highest foreign trade surplus from Iraq with 8.2 billion USD last year. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article