Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-05-09

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu on the Cyprus problem

[02] Kucuk says their relations with the EU are not at the "desirable level" because of the "isolations"

[03] Cerkez argues that the occupied area of Cyprus is an open prison

[04] Elcil: "Prohibiting the passport of the Republic of Cyprus shows who actually implements embargo on the Turkish Cypriots"

[05] Turkey's Arinc on the Cyprus negotiation talks

[06] Hurriyet is reportedly says that the Turkish Cypriot side submitted a proposal to the UN asking the UN to focus on confidence-building measures

[07] Swedish investors visited Kucuk and Ozgurgun

[08] A ground-breaking ceremony for illegal GAU campus took place yesterday; Statements by Kucuk

[09] More on Erdogan's contacts in Italy; Turkey and Italy signed three contracts

[10] Italian Prime Minister backs Turkey's EU membership bid

[11] Gul to carry out contacts in the US; He will reportedly meet with Obama and Hollande and represent Turkey at NATO's summit

[12] Turkish Chief of General Staff Ozel due in USA for contacts; He will reportedly discussed Syria developments and possible NATO role

[13] IMF chief to meet Erdogan in Turkey

[14] Messages by Gul, Erdogan and Davutoglu marking yesterday's Europe Day

[15] Turkey's Parliamentary Constitution committee will begin writing new constitution on May 10

[16] A US think thank defines Turkey an increasingly influential regional and economic power

[17] Turkish exports up after visa exemption with Russia, Jordan, Syria, Libya and Albania

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu on the Cyprus problem

Receiving a delegation from the KAMU-Sen Trade Union today (yesterday), Eroglu said: "My team and I have been working long and hard to reach a settlement that will allow the Turkish Cypriots to live freely and in security in these lands". He also reminded that the Cyprus talks had been continuing absent of deadlines or a time table, adding: "It will be extremely difficult to reach a settlement as long as there are no deadlines in the talks, as long as the embargoes on the Turkish Cypriot people continue, as long as we are perceived by the international community as a country which should not be recognized and as long as the Greek Cypriot side is fully aware of all these" he said.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot side perceived the latest process as a new phase of the negotiations, Eroglu said that their dialogue with the UN Special Adviser Alexander Downer continued.

Pointing out that the UN Special Envoy will be arriving in Cyprus next week, Eroglu said that it was possible that the UN Special Adviser will be seeking a new formula that will be accepted by both sides.

[02] Kucuk says their relations with the EU are not at the "desirable level" because of the "isolations"

In a message on the occasion of 9 May Europe Day, Kucuk expressed his sorrow because of the fact that the Greek Cypriots, as he described the Republic of Cyprus, will overtake the EU term presidency on 1 July 2012, as representatives of the whole island. He wished that during the six-month presidency, the other EU member states will realize that they are represented by a divided country and "encourage" the Greek Cypriot side in order for a lasting solution on the island to be reached. He alleged that the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem have not yet reached a conclusion, as a result of the stance of the Greek Cypriot side, originated of its EU membership .

(I/Ts.)

[03] Cerkez argues that the occupied area of Cyprus is an open prison

Cerkez recalled that the chamber was established in 1958 and it is the only (internationally) recognized "NGO" in the occupied area of Cyprus. He argued that they still preserve their vision as regards the solution in Cyprus and their accession to the EU. He claimed: "However, in spite of the fact that we are partners of the EU for the solution here, we are experiencing all together that the EU kept almost no one of the promises it gave to the Turkish Cypriots. Now is the time to raise our voice and express our discontent, our troubles in a constructive manner".

He argued that the "negative developments" resulted in the decrease of the trust of the Turkish Cypriots in the EU from 65% to 35%. He claimed that the Turkish Cypriots are fed up of being kept in an open prison without having committed any crime.

Responding to a question, Cerkez argued that the Greek Cypriots prevented the approval of the "Direct Trade Regulation" with the Turkish Cypriots, that the "Green Line Regulation" includes contradictions and that it provides for the Turkish Cypriots to trade with a side which wants the continuation of the "embargoes". "The EU should support us more, we are an EU territory, but we cannot carry our products to EU territory", he claimed.

Cerkez further noted that they carry out their transactions through banks in Turkey, because the IBAN of the banks in the occupied area of Cyprus is not accepted. He alleged that the EU should find a solution to these problems, even though it does not recognize the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Referring to the problems which the Turkish Cypriots face at the customs gate of the Turkish port in Mersin, Cerkez said that 70-80% of these problems have been solved, as a result of the initiatives of the chamber. He recalled that Turkey is included in the Customs Union with the EU and it should seriously implement the regulations. Cerkez noted that 100 TIR of oranges passed the other day from the above-mentioned customs gate and 6 TIR were returned back because more than the acceptable quantity of pesticides was established as a result of the necessary analysis that was held. He noted that these oranges might be sold in the local market, that the necessary importance is not given to the human health and that the quality of production should be increased.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Elcil: "Prohibiting the passport of the Republic of Cyprus shows who actually implements embargo on the Turkish Cypriots"

Elcil noted that the National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government implements "travelling embargo" on the Turkish Cypriots. He recalled that as of 1 May 2004, the Republic of Cyprus is a member of the European Union as a whole, but the acquis communautaire is suspended for the occupied area of the island. "While the AKP government exerts efforts to colonize the north of the island, the EU authorities remain spectators only", he added.

He accused the Turkish side of trying to mislead by putting forward the "isolations and the embargoes" under the name of "Plan B". He said: "The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce, with its statements and the policy it follows, is becoming an instrument for the Plan B, as if proving that it has entered under the control of Mr Erdogan and the AKP".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkey's Arinc on the Cyprus negotiation talks

"We stand where we are" he said, adding that it had not be possible to shake hands with the Greek Cypriots on an agreement due to the latter's EU membership since 2004.

[06] Hurriyet is reportedly says that the Turkish Cypriot side submitted a proposal to the UN asking the UN to focus on confidence-building measures

The proposal was delivered by the Turkish Cypriot leadership to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's special envoy to Cyprus, Alexander Downer, who had earlier reported that the parties had not been able to make progress in the talks. Downer's announcement caused Ban to call off a planned international conference to reach a breakthrough in the years-long negotiations.

The proposal reflects the Turkish Cypriot side' disappointment that the international community, particularly the UN, has not exerted enough effort to push "Greek Cyprus" [as the Republic of Cyprus is called by the paper] to an agreement before July 1, when the Republic of Cyprus assumes the EU's term presidency for six months.

Although it shows that the UN-led process has clearly failed, it should not be interpreted as a declaration of the end of peace talks, according to diplomatic sources.

Due to the inevitable deadlock in the U.N.-sponsored negotiations, caused by "Greek Cyprus' EU term presidency" and its upcoming presidential elections in 2013, the Turkish Cypriot side has proposed establishing a climate of confidence within this timeframe by solving day-to-day problems on the island. As part of the measures, sources mentioned resolving judicial problems that occur when criminals cross over to the other side of the island to escape trial.

According to the proposal, teams tasked with confidence-building measures such as mutual extradition of criminals and the preservation of cultural heritage should start working when the talks end, after "Greek Cyprus" assumes the EU presidency. Downer, who is carrying out shuttle diplomacy between the parties, is currently looking into the feasibility of the proposal.

[07] Swedish investors visited Kucuk and Ozgurgun

In statements before the meeting, Kucuk said that the visit of the investors for holding contacts with YAGA was "an expected development". "We have many areas for investments. The relations established with the investors should be continued and the repetition of the visits should be secured. More detailed contacts with business circles are a must", he added.

Kucuk noted that they have secured big opportunities to the investors in the field of tourism and incentives were given especially to the tourist agents. He recalled that there are flights from the occupied area of Cyprus to 14 destinations in Europe and added that it would be good if they launched relations with the Scandinavian countries. He said: "We have to brief them on the support given to the investments in tourism. There are tourist installations which remained unfinished. They could be saved. Agricultural projects could also be developed. The possibilities of the water to be brought from Turkey should be explained well".

Furthermore, Kibris (09.05.12) reports that the European investors met also with Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled minister of foreign affairs of the regime. The paper writes that the Europeans will meet with high ranking "officials" of the regime and carry out a research as regards the areas where investments will be made.

(I/Ts.)

[08] A ground-breaking ceremony for illegal GAU campus took place yesterday; Statements by Kucuk

A ground-breaking ceremony for the "University's Karpasia Life Campus", which will operate as a cultural and educational facility, was held today (yesterday).

Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony for illegal GAU's Karpasia Life Campus, the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk highlighted the importance of cooperation between the "private sector" and the "state" in serving the economic development of the "country".

Kucuk said that huge economic gains will be achieved in the Karpasia region with the realization of the project.

Pointing out that tourism and education are the two locomotive sectors of the "TRNC", Kucuk also underlined the need for further developing the agricultural and industrial sectors, in order to ensure a sustainable development in the "country". "The government will continue to work to improve the living standards of the Turkish Cypriot people and to internationally promote the TRNC. Our achievements are proof to this", he added.

Speeches were also delivered by the so-called Turkish Ambassador to occupied Lefkosia Halil 0
brahim Akca, the so-called minister of interior and local administration Nazim Cavusoglu and "GAU" representatives, highlighting the importance of the project.

[09] More on Erdogan's contacts in Italy; Turkey and Italy signed three contracts

Following the ceremony the two officials held a bilateral meeting followed by a joint press conference.

Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, Environment Minister Erdogan Bayraktar, Energy Minister Taner Y1
ld1
z, Interior Minister 0
dris Naim Sahin, Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, Justice and Development Party (AKP) Vice Chairman Omer Celik and AKP Group Deputy Chairman Mustafa Elitas accompanied Erdogan on his official visit to Rome for the "Turkey-Italy Intergovernmental Summit."

In a joint statement released after the meeting, Turkey expressed gratitude to Italy for easing visa requirements for Turkish businessmen. Italy said it will work with the EU on a mutual visa policy to ease visa requirements for Turkey. The two countries signed three contracts about the fight against the terrorism, environment and social security. They also signed two statements on economic and trade relations. Erdogan also met with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano at the Quirinalle Palace early yesterday.

The Prime Minister also received "the Statesmen of the Decade Award" from the International Middle East and Balkans Studies Institute (IFIMES) in a ceremony held in the town of Bled in north-western Slovenia on May 7. A statement by IFIMES said that Erdogan received the award due to his vision of leadership, his sound policies in the Middle East and Balkans, his economic achievements and his contribution to alliance of civilizations.

[10] Italian Prime Minister backs Turkey's EU membership bid

Monti effusively praised the Muslim country's EU bid and said: "Turkey's accession talks began in 2005 but have stalled, with EU scepticism over Turkey's bid building as Turkish reform efforts have slowed. Italy has been among EU nations who have long supported Turkey's candidacy".

Monti said that Turkey represents an important example of a demographically young, vibrant country on the up-and-up economically.

[11] Gul to carry out contacts in the US; He will reportedly meet with Obama and Hollande and represent Turkey at NATO's summit

Gul, who will represent Turkey at NATO's May 20-21 summit in Chicago, will travel to the U.S. on May 18 and return on May 27, sources said. He is expected to hold bilateral talks with a number of leaders, including Obama and Bulgaria's new President Rossen Plevneliev on the sidelines of the summit.

A meeting with Hollande following his election victory last week is also likely, if the new French President attends the gathering. Gul is also planning to meet with representatives of Turkish-American communities on both the east and west coasts of the U.S.

[12] Turkish Chief of General Staff Ozel due in USA for contacts; He will reportedly discussed Syria developments and possible NATO role

General Ozel will meet Gen. Dempsey in Washington on Wednesday.

Turkish daily Today's Zaman (08.05.12) reports that Necdet Ozel is slated to meet with his American counterpart, Martin Dempsey, in Washington a meeting which comes as continued fighting in Syria undermines hope that a UN cease-fire plan can succeed.

The two are widely expected to discuss a possible NATO role in the conflict, an idea which both states have floated amid escalating violence at Turkey's southern border.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is rumoured to have discussed the Syrian issue with Ozel during a special three-hour meeting this weekend, told an Italian newspaper on Monday that he is "prepared to ask NATO for a military intervention."

Erdogan criticized the way the newspaper put the headline of the interview and said he doesn't endorse the misleading headline. He added that the text of the interview says no such thing.

US envoy to NATO Ivo Daalder told reporters on Tuesday that Turkey has not demanded a military assistance due to the situation in Syria so far but said the NATO's only Muslim member was informing NATO member states about what is happening along its Syria border.

Erdogan told a joint news conference with his Italian counterpart, Mario Monti, that NATO could invoke Article 5 of the alliance in case Turkey is under attack, but he said this is not the case at the moment. Art. 5 stipulates common NATO defense in case one of the members of the alliance was attacked. (?)

[13] IMF chief to meet Erdogan in Turkey

According to the newspaper's website, Lagarde is expected to discuss Turkey's economic outlook and the possibility of increasing Turkey's voting rights at the IMF.

Along with Turkey, some leading emerging economies, such as Brazil and South Korea, also claim more say in both the IMF and World Bank.

Last month, in a speech she made in Washington D.C., Lagarde referred to Turkey's previous economy minister Kemal Dervis as "Turkey's brave economy minister."

Lagarde said that due, partly, to his reform program that Turkey was able to reach the level of economic development it was at today.

The IMF expects Turkey's 2012 economic growth to be 2.3%, way below the official 4.5% forecast of the Turkish Government. Several cabinet ministers have repeatedly claimed that the country would grow even around 5%.

[14] Messages by Gul, Erdogan and Davutoglu marking yesterday's Europe Day

The message was released by the President's office on Tuesday. Europe Day is marked on May 9. Gul defined Europe Day as a celebration of peace, stability and welfare on the European continent of which Turkey is politically, economically, historically and culturally a part and wished all European peoples a happy Europe Day.

The President furthermore recalled that Turkey made big sacrifices in the past to defend freedom, including a free Europe, and to protect all values belonging to all nations. However, he said, some movements feeding on xenophobia, racism and Islamophobia pose a threat to the values of Europe. "I sincerely hope that Europe will prevent the threat of these movements gaining more ground before they lead the EU to collapse in on itself, doing irreparable damage to universal values," he stated.

According to G?l, Turkey is keeping up efforts for harmonization of its legislation in an attempt to fulfill the Copenhagen criteria for becoming a full member of the EU, adding that some reforms undertaken recently in the political and judicial arena have helped the construction of a more democratic, more prosperous and stronger Turkey. The President also said Turkey's full membership in the EU will "add dynamism" in all fields to the 27-nation bloc. "Turkey's membership will certainly increase the strength of the EU in the international arena, including in the fields of economy, energy, foreign policy and security. It will also pose a unique opportunity to gain acceptance for the EU's values and its future role in a wider area of the world," he added.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan also released a message for Europe Day in which he defined Turkey's membership in the EU as "indispensable." He said Turkey expects its European partners to fulfil their responsibilities on Turkey's road to full membership. "The deeply rooted history of relations between Turkey and the EU as well as our mutual interests makes Turkey's membership in the union indispensable. For this reason, I am fully convinced that Turkey will [soon] take its place in the union. I wish all European peoples a happy Europe Day," the message read.

Also, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said in a Europe Day statement that the European Union, which does not embrace Turkey, will remain as a non-accomplished political project, reiterating Turkey's strong determination to join the 27-nation club.

Davutoglu said in the written statement released on Tuesday to mark the end of the World War II, that May 9 is the re-birth day of peace, prosperity and stability in Europe, as well as an occasion for a forward-looking assessment of the current situation.

Turkey, he said, with its historical background and vision for the future, is an integral part of the European integration process; however, the deadlock in Turkey's EU accession process resulting from the politically motivated blockages by some EU members is a source of disappointment.

(?)

[15] Turkey's Parliamentary Constitution committee will begin writing new constitution on May 10

"We will firstly focus on basic rights and freedoms, and then legislation, execution, management and public services, jurisdiction, fiscal, economic and social sentences", Cicek added.

"Political parties will shape up a catalogue on basic rights and freedoms tomorrow, and that catalogue will be the main agenda item of Thursday's meeting", said Cicek.

He added that the committee would convene on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays and added that that the committee would make decisions by the consensus of all parties, adding that the issues, on which parties were not able to agree, would be discussed later again.

(?)

[16] A US think thank defines Turkey an increasingly influential regional and economic power

In a 96-page report prepared on the United States and Turkey, the CFR called on US and Turkey to forge a new partnership.

Among those who prepared the report on Turkey was former US Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright.

The report stated that Turkey is an increasingly influential regional and economic power, adding that with the US, Turkey is supporting transitional period in the Middle East.

The report pointed also out that Turkey has been working to stop the bloodshed in Syria.

"Turkey and US relations should not point out to only two countries' interests but also it ought to reflect Turkey's economic and political success and a new role in changing Middle East", the report said.

It mentioned that bilateral relations must be improved due to significant strategic reasons such as security, economic, humanitarian and environmental problems in the region.

The study group of the report stated that Turkey was not well understood in US. The group also made several suggestions to forge a new partnership.

The study group made following suggestions:

Ankara and Washington ought to build up new forum on governmental level such as US and China's Strategic and Economic Dialogue. Washington should conduct several researches to remove obstacles on free trade agreement between Turkey and US. US ought to encourage Turkey on strengthening its political reform process.

The report also stated that, to realize a new partnership, Ankara and Washington should comply with several principles, including respecting each other's interest, principle of equality, privacy and reliability.

[17] Turkish exports up after visa exemption with Russia, Jordan, Syria, Libya and Albania

Turkish exports to Russia rose to 4.6 billion USD in 2010 and to 6 billion USD in 2011. They were around 3.2 billion USD in 2009. Turkey and Russia lifted visa procedures for trips up to 30 days on May 12, 2010. Turkey earned 1.5 billion USD from its exports to Russia in the first quarter of 2012.

Turkey and Albania lifted visa under a memorandum of understanding they signed on November 20, 2009. Turkish exports to this country decreased to 241 million from 273.1 million between 2009 and 2010 due to global financial crisis. Turkish exports to Albania rose to 270.7 million USD in 2011, and Turkey exported goods worth 64.8 million USD in the first three months of 2012.

Turkey and Libya launched visa exemption on April 19, 2009. Exports rose to 1.9 billion from 1.8 billion between 2009 and 2010. However, Turkish exports to Libya had a significant decrease due to Arab Spring and fell to 747.7 million USD in 2011. Turkey earned 526 million USD from its exports to Libya in the first quarter of 2012.

Moreover, Turkey lifted visa procedures with Syria on October 17, 2009. Turkish exports to Syria were 1.4, 1.9 and 1.6 billion USD respectively in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Turkey exported goods worth 172 million USD to Syria in the first quarter of 2012.

Lastly, Turkey and Jordan ended visa procedures on December 1, 2009. Turkish exports to Jordan rose to 571 million from 455 million USD between 2009 and 2010. Although Turkish exports to Libya had a slight decrease in 2011, they continued to increase in the first quarter of 2012. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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