Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-10-10

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[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The Turkish cabinet approved the "agreement" on "limiting Turkey-TRNC continental shelf"

[02] Turkish daily characterizes EU report for Turkey's Progress as the toughest of the recent years

[03] Bagis to illegally visit the occupation regime on Sunday; he commended on the EU report: "what is important is the report that Turkey will prepare"

[04] Fule: "The EU shooting itself in foot over Turkey"; he criticized the Republic of Cyprus and France for unilaterally blocking Turkey's accession talks

[05] Eroglu: "Even if the negotiations continue we will defend our state"

[06] Eroglu says that delegates for UBP congress are threatened

[07] Officials on agriculture from Cameroon and Senegal carried out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

[08] Kucuk stated that those in the occupied area of Cyprus who did not received exchange value property in return for their property in the free area of the Republic of Cyprus, will receive property in the occupation regime

[09] Cakici suggests a three step struggle for the Turkish Cypriots to "clean their political system"; TDP will issue a manifesto next week

[10] A Scottish trade union has reportedly called on the ending of the "embargoes" on the Turkish Cypriots

[11] A remarkable decrease is observed on the number of tourism to the occupation regime from the UK; half of the Britons who are illegally living in the occupied area of Cyprus return back to the UK

[12] Erdogan strictly rules out education in Kurdish

[13] Turkey's Deputy PM Babacan presented Medium Term Program; 3.2% the growth of Turkey's economy for this year, 4% for next year

[14] Turkey's Caglayan stated that Turkey and Slovenia will boost trade ties; Slovenian Minister calls for more Turkish investments in his country

[15] Turkey and Sierra Leone signed economic cooperation agreement

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The Turkish cabinet approved the "agreement" on "limiting Turkey-TRNC continental shelf"

The cabinet decision, on the "agreement" was issued on Wednesday in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Turkey.

The "agreement" was signed by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu on September 21, 2011 in New York upon "Greek Cypriot administrations'", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, announcement that they started drilling in Mediterranean for natural gas on September 19, 2011.

According to the content of the "agreement":

The "agreement" limits a part of Turkey's and "TRNC's continental shelf" by a line obtained by connecting 27 geographical coordinates and the limitation is appropriate with the international law and was made by considering just principles.

The "agreement" does not break Turkish Cypriots' legitimate, even and inseparable rights on the island's whole continental shelf, and parties that penned the "agreement" would continue efforts to find a comprehensive solution to Cyprus issue.

The "agreement" will go into effect on the date of exchange of parliamentary approval certificates of the parties.

[02] Turkish daily characterizes EU report for Turkey's Progress as the toughest of the recent years

The reports on Turkey's progress are tough on Turkey, which has in the last decade enjoyed the comfort of being praised in similar reports from EU bodies.

'Concerns are growing regarding Turkey's lack of substantial progress towards fully meeting the political criteria. The situation regarding the respect of fundamental rights on the ground continues to be the source of serious preoccupation,' the draft Enlargement Strategy Report read. This report will be announced simultaneously with Turkey's Progress Report.

The report cites recurring infringements of the rights to liberty and security and to a fair trial, as well as of the freedom of expression, calling on the government to present swiftly the fourth judicial reform package, addressing all core issues affecting the exercise of freedom of expression.

The EU's report comes during Greek Cyprus's rotating EU presidency, which has caused Ankara to freeze its dialogue with the EU Presidency, and amid concerns that the country's democratic progress has slowed down, especially due to restrictions on freedom of expression. On that issue of the freedom of expression, the reports say the increasing incidence of violations of freedom of expression raises serious concerns, and freedom of the media continues to be further restricted in practice. The increasing tendency to imprison journalists and media workers and distributors fuelled these concerns. A large number of cases have been brought against writers, academics and journalists writing and working in Kurdish. High-level government and state officials and the military repeatedly turn publicly against the press and launch court cases. On a number of occasions journalists have been fired after signing articles openly critical of the government. More than 2,800 students are held in detention, mostly on terrorism charges.

Regarding the 'Balyoz' (Sledgehammer) and Ergenekon cases, the reports say concerns persist over the right of defense, lengthy pre-trial detention and excessively long and catch-all indictments.

Although they offer a chance to strengthen confidence in the proper functioning of Turkey's democratic institutions and the rule of law, these cases have been overshadowed by real concerns about their wide scope and the shortcomings in the judicial proceedings. Moreover, they tend to contribute to the polarization of Turkish politics. Judicial proceedings need to be speeded up to ensure the rights of the defense and to promote transparency in these cases, the reports say.

With regard to the judiciary in general, the reports say some progress has been made in this area, with the adoption of the third judicial package constituting a step in the right direction, although it has failed to sufficiently address problematic areas. Further efforts are needed with regard to the independence, impartiality and efficiency of the judiciary. The report cites the Deniz Feneri case as an example reflecting pressure from the executive on the judiciary.

The reports claim there has been no progress towards a solution of the Kurdish issue. Terrorist attacks have intensified, as have military operations. The detention of elected politicians and human rights defenders gives rise to serious concerns. In incidents such as the Uludere killings of civilians, calls on the authorities for effective and swift investigation and a transparent public inquiry have not been met. There has been no direct apology, from either the military or civilian authorities.

Regarding Turkey's new constitution, the reports say it is unclear what the follow-up of the Constitution Reconciliation Committee's work will be. There are some limits on transparency, with submissions to the committee by civil society and others removed from or not published on the Internet. Key challenges to consensus are on the issues of separation of powers, state-society-religion relations and the Kurdish issue. Maintaining a spirit of compromise and ensuring the broadest possible consultation remain key for the legitimacy of a new constitution.

The reports also say prison overcrowding remains problematic, especially in terms of sanitation and other physical conditions. A reform of the complaints system in prisons is needed, and children, especially girls, are not held separately from adults in all prisons, the report says.

On the issue of the reopening of Halki Seminary the report says non-Muslim communities continue to face problems due to their lack of legal personality, with adverse effects on property rights and access to justice. Restrictions on the training of clergy remain. Despite announcements by the authorities, the Halki (Heybeliada) Greek Orthodox Seminary remains closed. Non-Muslim religious communities have reported several instances of hate crimes. Anti-Semitism and hate speech in the media has not been punished. There is a culture of intolerance of minorities. Missionaries are widely perceived as a threat to the integrity of the country and to the Muslim religion. Turkey's overall approach to minorities remains restrictive and full respect for and protection of language, culture and fundamental rights in accordance with European standards have yet to be achieved, the report says.

The report addresses the concerns of Alevis, saying Alevis were concerned by the marking of many houses belonging to Alevi citizens in a number of provinces and by incidents against them.

And regarding Cyprus, the report says the EU urges the avoidance of any kind of threat, source of friction or action that could damage good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes. It calls Turkey to fulfil its obligation to fully implement the Additional Protocol and make progress towards normalization of bilateral relations with Cyprus".

[03] Bagis to illegally visit the occupation regime on Sunday; he commended on the EU report: "what is important is the report that Turkey will prepare"

According to a statement issued by the press office of the so-called foreign ministry, Bagis will visit the "TRNC" upon an invitation he received by the so-called foreign minister, Huseyin Ozgurgun.

"Bagis' program is to be announced during the forthcoming days", the statement said.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (09.10.12) reported from Ankara that Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis met on Tuesday in Ankara with the former Speaker of European Parliament Hans-Gert Pottering.

Replying to questions on the progress report on Turkey which was made public on Wednesday, Bagis said that the report was not a report card. "We attach importance to the report we will make public at the end of the year," he said adding that EU's credibility has weakened in Turkey in the recent period.

Moreover, under the title: "We will write our own", Turkish daily Cumhuriyet (10.10.12) reports on statements by Egemen Bagis who commented on the EU Progress Report and said that the report is criticizing AKP in many areas and that the invoice of Turkey's Progress report was issued to the Greek Cypriots". Bagis added the following: "This report is not a card report. What is important for us is the reports we will publish by the end of this year. It is not persuasive to expect a praising report for Turkey during a period that a country that Turkey does not recognize and has no diplomatic relations, holds the EU term Presidency" (?).

(AK)

[04] Fule: "The EU shooting itself in foot over Turkey"; he criticized the Republic of Cyprus and France for unilaterally blocking Turkey's accession talks

Stefan Fule, the Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Commissioner, said that the EU was 'shooting itself in the leg by not allowing the accession process to go on' with Turkey. While not referring to member states by name, the commissioner made it clear that the countries he was referring to, were those which were unilaterally blocking the accession talks. The member states that have publicly declared they would unilaterally block chapters are the Greek Cypriot administration and France. The Greek Cypriots are blocking six chapters and France has unilaterally frozen a further five.

In a meeting with a group of reporters in Brussels, Fule underlined that the language used in this year's report on Turkey has been 'strengthened on fundamental freedoms, and in particular on freedom of the press. We have used strong language concerning Turkey,' Fule said one day before the progress report's release.

While criticizing Turkey's shortcomings, the European Commission will for the first time use a stronger language against those member countries that are blocking Turkish accession. Dubbed by Fule as 'a clearer language than before,' the report will mention 'the lack of consensus among member countries' as the reason for the suspension of accession talks.

Fule was particularly very upset about the suspension of two chapters -- namely, chapter 23 on the Judiciary and fundamental rights and chapter 15 on Energy. Stressing that he drew attention to this situation on many occasions, Fule said: 'Behind closed doors I tell not only the Cypriot representative but other representatives as well that we are shooting ourselves in the foot by not allowing the accession process to go on those two chapters -- namely, on chapter 23 on the Judiciary and fundamental rights and chapter 15 on Energy.'

On the energy chapter, he said: 'What great interest we have,' going into details on how he and Energy Commissioner Gunther Oettinger had talks with Turkish Ministers in Stuttgart in May. 'Why do we do this outside these relevant chapters? Why can we not do it within these chapters using all the instruments provided by this chapter?' asked Fule.

According to the paper, both chapters 23 and 15 have been blocked unilaterally by the Greek Cypriots since 2009.

Subtitle: I'm not blind and I'm not deaf

Asked whether the commission could do more to revitalize the negotiations process, a clearly frustrated Fule responded that he was not 'blind or deaf.' 'What does it mean that you weren't able to open any chapters in the last two years? It means you lack one of the most important engines of the accession negotiations and that is the reform process,' he said.

Subtitle: We hold politicians responsible for constitution

On the process of drafting a new constitution, Fule made it clear that the EU would hold Turkish politicians responsible for delivering on their promises to the Turkish people. 'We hold them responsible to deliver those commitments and not for the sake of the European Commission but for their citizens,' said the Commissioner. He also stressed that he would be 'concerned' if signs showed that Turkish politicians were backtracking on their promises of a new constitution. Underlining that the principle of 'inclusivity' should prevail, Fule said: 'I am hopeful that the constitutional process will be used to put the Turks and Turkey together and will in no way be interpreted as a source of friction.'"

[05] Eroglu: "Even if the negotiations continue we will defend our state"

In statements yesterday during the opening ceremony of the road between occupied Kridia and Ovgoros villages, Eroglu argued that his strongest point at the negotiating table is the existence of his so-called state. He added: "What strengthens me is that we are a separate state. This is a great advantage for me in order for not being convicted to the Greek Cypriots. Therefore, we will all defend this state. Even if the negotiations continue, first we will defend the state. We will arrange our home in a manner that to be ready for tomorrow, if there is an agreement".

Eroglu said he expects "a new period" in the Cyprus problem, because of the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and that he will meet with the newly elected Greek Cypriot leader in February. "We are trying to follow his policies from now", he said.

Erolgu alleged that an agreement was not reached in Cyprus during his negotiations with President Christofias, because if the Turkish Cypriots accepted whatever the Greek Cypriots wanted, they would not have the opportunity to live on these lands and "it would be tantamount to daydreaming to talk about a separate area, a separate TRNC state".

According to the paper, the cost of the four kilometer long and eight meter wide road reached 2.4 million Turkish liras (TL) and it was covered by Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Eroglu says that delegates for UBP congress are threatened

Eroglu noted: "Many friends, members of the UBP, who come to me, say that they cannot talk, they are under oppression, and they are threatened in the one way or the other. Still, I trust the UBP delegates. I believe that they will defend the party. I believe that they will take the necessary steps, take the necessary decisions in order for not causing the division of the party, its leaving from power and its defeat in the elections".

Eroglu said that self-styled prime minister, Irsen Kucuk continuously offers dinners to the delegates for the congress and wondered who pays for these dinners. He added that Kucuk should make a statement on this issue.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Officials on agriculture from Cameroon and Senegal carried out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

The Secretary-General of Cameroon's National Agricultural Advisory Organization Maria Engama and the Chairman of the Organization of Renewable Energy of the Farmers' Union in Senegal- Abdu Diob are holding contacts in the "TRNC" as guest of the "Cyprus Turkish Farmers' Union".

Speaking during the meeting, Amcaoglu pointed to the fact that the dialogue the "TRNC officials" established with international collocutors during the World Farmers' Organization General Assembly meeting in Rome, has started to yield positive results.

Amcaoglu pointed out that the "TRNC" is a country which maintains its efforts towards further development despite international "isolations" imposed against it.

Underlining the importance of cooperation between the countries, he expressed the hope that the "TRNC" will improve further its relations with members of the World Farmers' Organization.

[08] Kucuk stated that those in the occupied area of Cyprus who did not received exchange value property in return for their property in the free area of the Republic of Cyprus, will receive property in the occupation regime

Speaking at a UBP dinner last night hosted for the party delegates, Kucuk said that large scale investment projects were being planned as a result of the strong relations established with "motherland" Turkey.

Giving the water transfer project from Turkey as an example, Kucuk said electricity would also be brought to the "TRNC" from Turkey.

He said work was underway to ensure that people who hadn't received exchange value property for the past 35 years would finally receive their rightful property.

Also touching upon the three year economic program, Kucuk said any rise in the cost of living will be reflected on salaries in 2013-2014.

[09] Cakici suggests a three step struggle for the Turkish Cypriots to "clean their political system"; TDP will issue a manifesto next week

Cakici noted that next week the TDP will announce its manifesto under the title "Time has Come, Need for New Politics Exists". He added that this will be like an oath for the party and will "shed light to the Turkish Cypriot people's future".

Moreover, a delegation from the TDP visited yesterday KTAMS trade union and made a call for a joint struggle in order for getting rid of the National Unity Party so-called government. Arguing that the "people" are experiencing an economic and social collapse, Cakici suggested a three step struggle: all trade unions to announce a strike for an indefinite period of time, the civilian organizations to launch an action of disobedience, and the "opposition" parties to withdraw from the "assembly". He said that they should turn the square in front of the "assembly" into Tahrir Square.

(I/Ts.)

[10] A Scottish trade union has reportedly called on the ending of the "embargoes" on the Turkish Cypriots

The proposal was submitted by Fevzi Hussein, former chairman of the "Embargoed", who participated in the congress on behalf of the Communication Workers' Union (CWU). Star Kibris notes that this is the first time that such a powerful trade union offered support to the Turkish Cypriots and argues that STUC adopted an official political stance. The initiative of Hussein was also supported by Ismail Donmez, member of United Kingdom's UNISON trade union.

(I/Ts.)

[11] A remarkable decrease is observed on the number of tourism to the occupation regime from the UK; half of the Britons who are illegally living in the occupied area of Cyprus return back to the UK

In his interview, Tolun said, inter alia, that a dangerous loud sound rung on the sector of tourism in occupied Cyprus, which is consider to be the locomotive sector of the "TRNC's economy", as he said.

According to Tolun, a remarkable decrease has been observed in the number of tourists from the UK who are visiting the occupied area of Cyprus. Tolun said that the image promotion (advertisement) of the occupation regime in the UK has been stopped during the last three years, in spite of the fact that money were given to the tourist operators to promote the "country".

Tolun said further the British market which was consider to be until today the most "stable and reliable" market for the "tourism of the country", and the most important life preserver towards the direction of "branding" the "TRNC", now presents a serious downfall.

Tolun also stated that half of the Britons who were living in the occupied area of Cyprus sold their houses and went back to the UK. He said that the most important reasons forcing the Britons to return back to their country is the environmental pollution and the expensiveness.

Tolun said that because of the environment pollution in the "country", they feel that they have been disgraced to the tourists who are visiting the "country".

(AK)

[12] Erdogan strictly rules out education in Kurdish

"Education in the mother tongue. There is no such thing. Our country's official language is Turkish," Erdogan said, adding that education in mother tongues is one of the demands the "outlawed" Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) is exploiting in its campaign of separatist terrorism. "The government has fulfilled its duty by granting students the right to study Kurdish as an elective course, which was introduced this school year", he said.

"Some European countries have also been exploiting the issue of education in mother tongues, although Turkish is not being taught as a mother tongue in those countries", Erdogan added.

Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtas swiftly responded to Erdofan's comments about European countries' attitude on the issue.

"He [Erdogan] cites [Europe as] an example, saying 'Is there education in mother tongues [Turkish] in Germany and France?' Look, there is not a Turkey in Germany; there is not a Turkey in France. But there is a Kurdistan in Turkey. That's why Kurds have the right to education in their mother tongue from birth. You cannot eliminate this reality just because you don't understand it," Demirtas said.

[13] Turkey's Deputy PM Babacan presented Medium Term Program; 3.2% the growth of Turkey's economy for this year, 4% for next year

Speaking during the press meeting, Babacan said that the Turkish government has revised its 2013 growth target down to 4%, signaling that the slowdown policy will continue next year. He also said that the year-end inflation target at 7.4%.

In addition to a 1% cut in the 2013 growth target, the program expects the country to grow 3.2 % this year, which is 0.8 % below the earlier forecast. This approaches the IMF forecast also revealed yesterday, which projected 2012 growth at 3%, 2013 growth at 3.5 percent.

Babacan said that the government expected the year-end current account deficit to drop to 7.3 % and this figure to decrease to 6.5 % at the end of 2015.

The medium-term framework suggests that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has said he would like to see real interest rates of zero percent to stimulate growth, ultimately sided with the government's more cautious economic wing. Erdogan has made strong growth a priority and is keen to maintain that reputation as elections loom.

The budget deficit was expected to come in at 2.3 % of GDP this year, above the government's original 1.5 % target, and to decrease only marginally next year.

Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek, who accompanied Babacan at yesterday's meeting, said this was due to improvements in social security and changes in local administrations that increase the number of metropolitan municipalities. "We have not made a budget of war or election," he said.

Economist Erdal Saglam said that workers and public servants may not receive salary increases and Erdogan's possible moves to boost the economy, in a bid to gain votes at the upcoming elections, may pose risks. However, Reuters quoted several economists as saying that the government was simply moving into an election cycle.

"This program covers the next three years when Turkey faces local, presidential and parliamentary elections, plus a likely referendum on constitutional reform," said Timothy Ash, head of emerging markets research at Standard Bank. "In my mind, given the backdrop of elections, this looks like a prudent and very credible set of targets," he said.

Ozgur Altug, an economist at Istanbul-based BGC Partners, said the revised forecasts were appropriate: "It appears that budget balances will remain relatively expansionary compared to previous forecasts ? Besides, they are still below the related Maastricht criterion of 3%."

[14] Turkey's Caglayan stated that Turkey and Slovenia will boost trade ties; Slovenian Minister calls for more Turkish investments in his country

Speaking in a Turkish-Slovenian Business Forum in Istanbul, Caglayan said current level of bilateral trade between Turkey and Slovenia did not represent the true potentials. He added that the two countries should diversify sectors in their business relations.

Caglayan said Turkey and Slovenia should also develop cooperation in third countries, adding that Turkey offered vast opportunities for Slovenian businesspeople with a newly introduced incentive package.

Caglayan said Turkey planned to invest $250 billion in energy and transportation projects within the next ten years, adding that Turkey aimed at increasing its exports to $500 billion by 2023. The Turkish Minister also said trade between Turkey and Slovenia increased eightfold in the last 9 years.

Moreover, speaking at the forum, Slovenia's Economic Development Minister Radovan Zerjav has urged Turkish businesspeople to invest more in his country. "I hope we will see more Turkish investors in Slovenia soon. Slovenia sits in the heart of Europe and it could work as a bridge to reach the Balkans," Radovan Zerjav said.

Zerjav said that Slovenia had boosted significantly its foreign trade volume over the past couple of years, adding that it was up by 7 percent in 2011.

Zerjav said the Slovenian government had introduced several incentives packages to encourage foreign investors, adding that government funding for research and development had been increased to 100 % from 40%.

[15] Turkey and Sierra Leone signed economic cooperation agreement

The agreement was signed during a ceremony in Istanbul with the participation of Turkish Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and Sierra Leone's Commerce and Industry Minister Richard Konteh.

Speaking at the ceremony, Caglayan said the agreement laid the foundations to set up a joint economic commission that would help boost relations between the two countries as well as allow for cooperation in third countries.

Caglayan said Turkey expected Sierra Leone to support Ankara's bid for a temporary seat at the UN Security Council for 2015-2016 as well as the Turkish city of Izmir's candidacy to host Expo 2020.

Caglayan said the trade volume between Turkey and Sierra Leone reached $50 million in 2011 from $1.7 million in 1991, adding that the two countries aimed at bring up the figure to $100 million.

Konteh, on his part, said that the agreement constituted an important step for cooperation between private sectors of the two countries, adding that the agreement would also help Turkey enter markets in West Africa. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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