Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-02-13

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/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] France and Turkey agree to open regional policy chapter

[02] Erdogan provocatively criticized again the EU accusing it for having affection to terrorism

[03] Brussels reacts to Erdogan's statements that Turkey planned to create a Turkish Lira-based monetary zone instead of accepting the euro

[04] First visit abroad of the new US State Secretary to Turkey

[05] "Ricciardone: US starts to see Turkey as Iraq energy bridge"

[06] PACE rapporteur to visit Turkey on February 14

[07] Azeri deputy refused to have his picture taken under the Turkish flag at the self- styled assembly

[08] BKP is concerned over the increase of the criminal incidents

[09] The regime will be granting "work permits" to foreigners more easily

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] France and Turkey agree to open regional policy chapter

The French Foreign Minister said the two countries agreed to open Chapter 22 titled "Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural Instruments" for Turkey's EU membership bid. This move has come after two years of stagnant ties with the EU. No chapters have been opened since the end of the Spanish presidency in June 2010.

During the press conference, Fabius, stating that French President Fran?ois Holland planned a visit to Turkey, said his country aims to enhance relations with Turkey in all aspects.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto
lu and his French counterpart met early in the day to discuss issues that concerned both countries, on the sidelines of the meeting on Libyan security. It was also reported that during the meeting Davuto
lu discussed EU membership and the issue of lifting political obstacles the previous French government had put forward.

A French diplomatic source described it as "a political signal, a first step."

"We believe that the veto would be lifted gradually for other chapters under the blockage of France, hopefully starting from chapter 22," Davuto
lu told a news conference in Ankara later on in the day.

He depicted the development as a positive sign that would accelerate the EU process with the opening of new chapters. Davuto
lu said Turkey and France have long been contemplating and discussing such topics and the move will certainly contribute to Turkish-EU and Turkish-French relations.

"We hope this will give new momentum to the European Union's relationship with Turkey," French foreign ministry spokesman Philippe Lalliot said. "France now expects Turkey to contribute concretely to this new process."

Following his meeting with Fabius, the Turkish Foreign Minister met with his British counterpart, William Hague, at a working group meeting in the Turkish Embassy.

The meeting about Libyan security was attended by representatives from Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Qatar, Spain, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, the Arab Maghreb Union (AMU), the European Union, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Nations.

A statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on Tuesday, said the meeting in Paris is to determine Libya's needs regarding security cooperation, the legal system and the rule of law, and the ways to address these needs.

The statement said the meeting aims to step up Libya's security and stability.

Libya and foreign diplomats fear an exodus of Malian and foreign fighters following a French-led intervention in Mali. Unless Mali's borders are secured, weapons smuggling will also pose a threat.

[02] Erdogan provocatively criticized again the EU accusing it for having affection to terrorism

Erdogan, who was speaking at the parliamentary commission of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), accused the European countries "for failing to take the necessary measures to prevent the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) from operating on their soil".

"The EU, which criticizes us in every field, should put its relations with terror under the spotlight," Erdo
an claimed and added: "What is this affection between the EU and terrorists? How long will this continue?".

Also, addressing the ambassadors of EU member countries in Turkey during a dinner at his official residence on Monday, Erdo
an alleged the fact that cooperation against terrorism in Europe falls short of expectations. "Despite some countries' serious and sincere efforts, the level of cooperation against terrorism in Europe in general is not what Turkey expects", he said.

[03] Brussels reacts to Erdogan's statements that Turkey planned to create a Turkish Lira-based monetary zone instead of accepting the euro

F?le's comments came in the wake of a written question from EU Parliament member Mario Borgezio following Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an's recent statement, that Turkey planned to create a Turkish Lira-based monetary zone instead of accepting the euro as a national currency after joining the European Union.

"After the EU Council approves the membership of Turkey [subject to its fulfilling the required conditions], Turkey will join the economic and monetary union and adopt the euro as its national currency," Fule said.

F?le also said the EU Council had never invited Turkey to present its own position in terms of economy and monetary policy negotiations ? a chapter that has not yet been opened.

Erdo
an said some EU members had advised Turkey to stay out of the euro zone and establish a "Turkish Lira zone" instead amid the continuing accession talks.

"Securing political stability in Europe is critically important to maintain the confidence of European societies in the union and the euro," Erdo
an said in October in Germany.

"I know that there are some EU member countries which say,  I am against the euro, I do not want to take part in the eurozone.' For instance Britain& It is quite satisfied. They even say 'You should stay away from the eurozone, you can establish a Turkish Lira zone.' And I said I think the same way, too. The EU should check up on itself regarding the monetary system," he said.

[04] First visit abroad of the new US State Secretary to Turkey

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters on Tuesday that officials were working on setting a date for the visit.

"The day Kerry took over the office, we discussed foreign policy matters on the phone, and he conveyed his wish to visit Turkey, said Davutoglu, adding that it seemed certain that Kerry would pay the first abroad visit to Turkey after he started his term in office", Davutoglu stated.

[05] "Ricciardone: US starts to see Turkey as Iraq energy bridge"

He was speaking during the U.S.-Turkey Smart Grid Workshop in Istanbul.

"Energy has always led our economic relationship. We are beginning to describe Turkey as bridge to Iraq's energy. We're very optimistic about that," Anatolia news agency quoted him as saying at the workshop.

He said conducting joint energy projects was important and added that such relations have been much more vivid compared to the past. The relationship will continue to rise with the fresh energy that comes with U.S. President Barack Obama's second term in office, he said.

"The ambassador's statements came amid rising tensions between Baghdad and Ankara over the latter's assertive energy ties with the Kurdish Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq. These ties have aroused objections from the U.S. as well. Baghdad has been saying it alone has the authority to control exports of the world's fourth-largest oil reserves and deals outside of its authority are illegal", the paper wrote.

Ricciardone praised Turkey's progress in the energy field and its strategic geographical location, which enables implementing critically important projects for both Turkish and European markets. The Smart Grid project of Turkey, funded by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to provide a cheaper and safer electricity network, is only applicable because of Turkey's strategic importance, he said.

"In the 1990s when I was here, we were working on carrying Hazar energy and the Baku-Tiflis-Ceylan (BTC) oil pipeline. Now here, we're discussing really important energy alternatives prompted by Turkey's strategic geographical location for both Turkey's and European markets.", he said.

[06] PACE rapporteur to visit Turkey on February 14

The British parliamentarian is preparing a report on illicit drug trafficking from Afghanistan to Europe.

He will hold meetings with officials at Turkish Interior Ministry, Security Department and Customs Department in Ankara.

The report is expected to be voted in a session of PACE in spring.

[07] Azeri deputy refused to have his picture taken under the Turkish flag at the self-styled assembly

Citing information published in "Bizim Yol" newspaper of Baku, Afrika writes that during his visit in the occupied area of Cyprus, Mirzazade wanted to meet with the "speaker" of the self-styled assembly, Hasan Bozer. He went to the "assembly", but he was astonished when he saw the flag of Turkey on the wall together with the flag of the breakaway regime. He told Bozer that they could have their picture taken under the flag of the regime, but not under the flag of Turkey, "because this was contrary to the TRNC's internal protocol".

According to the paper, the Azeri deputy gave them the following message: "you are an independent state, why you present yourselves as colony?" However, writes the paper, Bozer did not understand this and ordered for the Azeri deputy to be sent out of the "assembly". At the same time, the regime informed Turkey about the situation and complained to the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs against Mirzazade. Bozer confirmed the incident to the Azeri newspaper, which published the information.

(I/Ts.)

[08] BKP is concerned over the increase of the criminal incidents

In a written statement issued yesterday, Efendi said that almost every day murders, rapes, armed robberies, thefts and arsons happen in the occupied area of Cyprus. "Just like the economic crisis and the deepening of poverty are important factors in the booming of the crimes, entering into the country with identity cards and the disorder also constitute an important reason", he said.

Noting that "it is not known who enters into the country and who goes away", Efendi added that tens of thousands of illegal persons exist in the occupied area of Cyprus and that the increase of crimes is "normal and expected" development in this situation.

(I/Ts.)

[09] The regime will be granting "work permits" to foreigners more easily

In the issue of the above-mentioned paper on 29 January 2013, it is also said that preliminary "permit" will not be asked in the following cases: the foreign spouses of a worker in the "TRNC", their children who completed their 18th year of age in the occupied area, the foreigners whose "permit" to establish a business ended and submitted an application for a transitory work "permit" within 30 days from the expiry of their "permit" and persons whose exit from the occupied area had been forbidden by a "court" order.

(I/Ts.)

[10] Dispute over the restoration of a building that belongs to St. Mamas church in occupied Morfou

The director of Evkaf foundation, Kemal Kaykamzade confirmed the information and said that the Vakiflar Bank started the repairing of the above-mentioned building without informing the foundation. He noted that they stopped the repairing and the persons who want to do this work have applied to Evkaf for getting the necessary license. Kaykamzade added that a restoration could be made in the manner by which the Evkaf and the "museums' and antiquities' department" will suggest.

Emine Sivri, head of the "museums' and antiquities' department" in Morfou, said that the bank had secured a license for restoring the inside part of the building, but said nothing about the outside part.

(I/Ts.)

EI/

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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