Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-02-14

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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] Turkish and Israeli firms are reportedly negotiating to carry natural gas from Leviathan to Turkey with pipelines

[02] Turkey's Yildiz on the Republic of Cyprus' oil exploration activities; he confirmed that Turkey made warnings to giant energy companies; Yildiz: Sinop nuke plant to cost $25 billion

[03] Eroglu reiterates that he wants a time limit in the Cyprus negotiations

[04] Erdogan warns of retaliation after blast in Turkish-Syrian borders

[05] Ustel: Agia Thekli chapel will be ready in June; the works in Apostolos Andreas will start soon

[06] Babacan to attend the G-20 ministerial meeting in Moscow

[07] The opening of Agia Sophia for prayer to be discussed at the TGNA

[08] Bagis' contacts in London

[09] Turkish professor: progress in Turkey's EU accession course depends on Cyprus' positive stance

[10] AKP Deputy comments on a possible victory of DISY chairman in the presidential elections

[11] International education conference is taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus

[12] CTP nominates Kadri Fellahoglu as candidate in the "municipal elections" in occupied Lefkosia; Efforts to cooperate with TDP

[13] More detentions of retired generals in relation to "post-modern" coup

[14] Turkey's economy

[15] Figures reveal that AKP party ranks first with 7.5 million party members

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkish and Israeli firms are reportedly negotiating to carry natural gas from Leviathan to Turkey with pipelines

The Israeli paper has reportedly said that Zorlu Group's proposal was one of the "cheapest ways" in order to carry the Israeli natural gas to the "main clients". The frozen relations between Ankara and Tel Aviv are said to constitute the biggest problem in front of this project, the paper notes.

According to the paper, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement yesterday denying the information that negotiations are being held for transferring the natural gas from Leviathan to Turkey.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkey's Yildiz on the Republic of Cyprus' oil exploration activities; he confirmed that Turkey made warnings to giant energy companies; Yildiz: Sinop nuke plant to cost $25 billion

In an interview broadcast on the Turkish State Television channel TRT, Yildiz said that Turkey would not remain a bystander to any attempts by the Greek Cypriot side not to share equally with the Turkish Cypriot side any hydrocarbons discovered.

Y?ld?z repeated that the "Greek Cypriot Administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, was carrying out exploration activities in a "disputed economic exclusive zone" over which the "TRNC people" shared rights.

He said that failure to share equally any hydrocarbons discovered in the area with the Turkish Cypriot side, would render the activities illegal and that Turkey would not remain a bystander to this.

Evaluating statements made by Greek Cypriot leaders that natural gas to be extracted from the area could be transported to Europe via a pipeline over Turkey, Y?ld?z said that this could be possible under certain conditions. "Such move could be possible if mutual political steps are taken. There is no obstacle for the case to be transported over Turkey. The most realistic route is to carry the gas over Turkey via a pipeline. Energy could be used to overcome political deadlocks. Everyone would benefit in such a case" he added.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet (14.02.13) under the title: "Our main goal is to proceed to the Mediterranean", reports on statements by Turkey's Energy Minister Taner Yildiz who confirmed that they made warnings to the energy giant companies who had signed agreement on oil and natural gas exploration activities with the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, adding that Barbaros ship, might be offshore Cyprus in one month.

Yildiz called also the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, to accept that the natural gas to be extracted belongs to the whole of Cyprus and said: "Accept that the natural gas to be extracted belongs to the whole of Cyprus and we will legalize it. Let's market this legal natural gas via Turkey", Yildiz said.

Reiterating that "Greek Cypriot administration's activities" are contrary to the international law, Yildiz said: "The Greek Cypriot administration has two choices. Either will continue with this lawlessness, or will continue its activities in a legal way and accept that the whole of Cyprus has rights from the natural gas to be discovered(?)".

Referring to the new seismic ship that Turkey recently bought, Yildiz signaled that Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa ship might change its route and in one month it might be offshore Cyprus, as he said.

Yildiz referred to the 400 million dollars agreement that Turkey will sign today with Shell envisaging explorations in the Black sea. "We are paying importance both, to the explorations in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. For this reason, we will take a final decision on the issue of the ship's route in two weeks. At the moment it seems that our priority is the Black Sea; however, we will evaluate everything in this meeting. If we decide that the first route of the ship will be the Mediterranean that means that in one month the ship will be around Cyprus. Nevertheless, this ship will by all means, go to Cyprus and start research activities", Yildiz added.

Also, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.02.13) reports that Taner Y?ld?z said that Turkey is getting new offers for its second nuclear plant.

Speaking at a press conference on February 12, Taner Y?ld?z said that Turkey's second nuclear power plant, slated to be built in the northern province of Sinop, will cost around $25 billion, Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister.

"The second nuclear power plant will require an investment worth between $22 billion and $25 billion," he said during the Turkish National Committee of World Energy Council conference.

"Turkey needs to diversify its energy resources with sources such as nuclear power. Several countries have asked to build the nuclear power plant, which will possess four units", he said. Y?ld?z underlined that they had received new offers from countries and companies as the competition heats up.

"The country generated 4,100 more megawatts of power last year, bringing the total to 58,000 megawatts", he said. "Turkey's energy demands are increasing because it is a growing country", said Y?ld?z, adding that they aimed to satisfy such needs through domestic renewable energy resources.

The Minister also said crude oil and natural gas, which were imported, should be provided by domestic resources, adding that an oil exploration fund had risen 13 times in the last 10 years. "We will find oil, if it exists [in Turkey]," he said. "While a barrel of oil cost $22 10 years ago, it has jumped to around $122 today."

Y?ld?z said that six wells that had been capped with concrete in the 1980s because they had been deemed dry, had now been reopened and were producing between 100 and 500 barrels of oil.

"Exploration has begun in south-eastern provinces like Diyarbakir, Ad?yaman and Sanl?urfa and will soon begin once more in others", he said.

AK

[03] Eroglu reiterates that he wants a time limit in the Cyprus negotiations

Addressing the so-called 2nd Cyprus International Conference on Educational Research organized jointly by the Ataturk Teachers' Academy and the "Cyprus Educational Sciences Association" yesterday, Eroglu said that the Turkish side supported the idea of quartet or quintet meetings with all the sides concerned.

"We want to reach a solution with the participation of Turkey, Greece and Britain", he argued.

He reiterated the allegation that it was impossible for the Greek Cypriots to be motivated, as he said, towards a solution as long as the negotiations continued open ended.

Claiming that the continuation of the current situation on the island did not pose a problem for the Greek Cypriot side, Eroglu alleged that the same could not be said for the Turkish Cypriots, who allegedly suffered under so-called international embargoes and isolation.

Noting that the Turkish Cypriot side was against an open-ended process "as and when the negotiations resumed", Eroglu alleged that the duty which fell on the international community was "to both motivate the Greek Cypriots towards accepting a solution and lift the unjust embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots".

"The Turkish Cypriot side desires a mutually acceptable solution that will safeguard the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people", Eroglu alleged.

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (14.02.13) refers to the same statements and reports that Erogu argued that they were looking for an agreement, based on the so-called realities and accepted by both sides.

Referring to the illegal universities in the occupied area of Cyprus, he said that they have eight "universities" and 55 thousand students. Eroglu argued that they should evaluate well their "higher education" and define a higher target. Noting that they should increase the number of "universities" and students, Eroglu wished that "one day the possibility of seeing 100 thousand students" in the occupied area of Cyprus is created.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Erdogan warns of retaliation after blast in Turkish-Syrian borders

"I saw the Syrian National Coalition's claims in the papers today. I'm not sure if these are true," Erdogan said in Ankara in reference to the group's claim that they were the target of the blast.

Asked if the target was Turkey, Erdogan said: "There is no doubt. If this is happening inside Turkey's borders, [it means] some want to drag Turkey into this and provoke it, but we are not worried. We want the [aftermath of the] incident to settle down and then [we will] take action thoroughly. But I want you to know this. Nothing will go unanswered," Erdogan said.

One man was taken into custody over alleged connections to the border gate blast that killed 14 people, but Erdogan said the number of detainees might increase. "I haven't received the most recent information yet, but, there are some detentions and this number is likely to increase," he said.

The man allegedly took one of the unidentified suspects into his vehicle after the suspect got out of the van in which the explosives were placed. The other two suspects then advanced toward the Syrian side of the border.

The person in custody, identified as Tamer A., took the suspect about 35 kilometers into the city, before dropping him off near the center of Hatay. Tamer reportedly said he did not know who the person was.

Erdogan said that the Interior Ministry and National Intelligence Organization (MIT) are working on the case, adding that he hoped the inquiry would end as soon as possible so that an official announcement can be made.

[05] Ustel: Agia Thekli chapel will be ready in June; the works in Apostolos Andreas will start soon

In statements yesterday, he noted that tourists show great interest for such historic buildings and therefore they will visit the area to see the chapel. He recalled that the chapel had been demolished during the construction of the Noah's Ark Hotel at occupied Vokolida's beach. Responding to a question regarding the expenses for the construction of the chapel, he said that one part will be paid by the hotel and the rest by his so-called ministry. "We think that it will cost 700 thousand Turkish liras", he noted.

Referring to the restoration of Apostolos (Saint) Andreas Monastery in occupied Karpasia Peninsula, Ustel said that they will start working soon and that the Greek Cypriots will pay only the money for the construction of the church. He argued that he could not understand the Greek Cypriot reaction after the statement issued by Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu's office that the Turkish side would restore the monastery. "The project we implement is their project", he claimed adding that they also pay the money for this project and that the Greek Cypriot Orthodox Church is paying only for the restoration of the monastery.

He went on and said: "When I go there I see that it is difficult even to walk there. Therefore, we talked and decided to restore the place and give it to tourism. We could not leave our environment in this manner... We will build a beautiful cafeteria opposite Apostolos Andrea monastery. Shops will be built and there will be a parking place opposite these shops. The vehicles will park in the parking place and will not go in front of the church. The street sellers are going away because shops will be built. We will illuminate the area? Moreover, we will restore the rooms there and furnish them according to their original form. Those who wish can stay overnight there?"

(I/Ts.)

[06] Babacan to attend the G-20 ministerial meeting in Moscow

Babacan will deliver a speech at the "High Level Public-Private Sector Conference" organized by the Russian Ministry of Finance and the Institute of International Finance.

Babacan will return to Turkey on Saturday.

[07] The opening of Agia Sophia for prayer to be discussed at the TGNA

AK

[08] Bagis' contacts in London

"Neither Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan nor British Premier David Cameron said they wanted to be out of the EU", Bagis said while delivering a speech at think-tank RUSI, the Royal United Services Institute, on Wednesday.

Expressing pleasure over Britain's support to Turkey's EU membership, Bagis said that Turkey's getting good relations with its close geography did not mean that it would be distant from EU target and western world.

Bagis also expressed pleasure that France was determined to bring a new dynamism in Turkish-EU relations, and decided to lift obstacles before the 22nd chapter heading.

Also, speaking to reporters prior to his departure from London, Bagis underlined: "while it was a short visit, our visit to London was very beneficial."

Bagis said that the London Mayor Boris Johnson promised to fully support Istanbul in its bid to host the 2020 Summer Olympic Games. "I had a chance to speak with my counterpart in London as well as with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. We had a chance to speak on Turkey's EU process with members of the House of Lords and House of Commons," Bagis stressed.

[09] Turkish professor: progress in Turkey's EU accession course depends on Cyprus' positive stance

In statements to Anatolia news agency, Erhan noted: "However, lifting the blockage on the eight chapters which have been blocked with a decision by the EU, Council is directly depended on which shape the Cyprus problem will take".

Erhan said that as long as Turkey does not open its sea and airports to Cyprus "it seems a little bit difficult to convince the 27 EU member states and lift the decision of the Council.

Referring to the blocked negotiating chapters, Erhan pointed out that even if the Europeans said to Turkey "let us start the negotiations", only three chapters are ready. "And in some of them, there are some preconditions which Turkey finds it difficult to implement", he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[10] AKP Deputy comments on a possible victory of DISY chairman in the presidential elections

In statements yesterday at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Isler referred also to the forthcoming presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus and alleged that serious concerns on the issue of the solution are created due to a possible victory in the elections by the Democratic Rally Party (DISY), which, he said, is the party of the members of EOKA organization that allegedly created the Cyprus problem.

He reiterated the Turkish view that the Cyprus problem is a national issue for them. He pointed out to the importance of this problem not to be turned into a political issue and of creating a consensus.

(I/Ts.)

[11] International education conference is taking place in the occupied area of Cyprus

Addressing the conference, Dr. Hasan Ali Bicak, chairman of the so-called Higher Education Planning, Evaluation, Accreditation and Coordination Council (YODAK), argued that "north Cyprus", as he described the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, deserves to be described as "island of universities" with its eight "universities" and more than 55 thousand students. He noted that the breakaway regime has the capacity to organize an international conference with the participation of 300 persons from 21 countries. He argued that the best reply to those who say that the "universities" in the occupied area of Cyprus are illegal is the membership of "YODAK" in two international organizations which are in the center of Europe.

Bicak said that "YODAK" is following the issue of the accreditation of the programs of the "universities" and added that the "TRNC" universities are accredited in the higher education of Europe, Britain and Germany.

Meanwhile, illegal Eastern Mediterranean University's (DAU) deputy rector, Halil Nadiri said that the 300 participants in the conference will present the developments in the field of education with 264 reports.

Moreover, Huseyin Uzunboylu, deputy rector of illegal Near East University's (YDU) Ataturk Educational Sciences Faculty and chairman of the "Cyprus Educational Sciences Association", said that the "Cyprus Educational Sciences Association" has 127 members and it is a full member of the European Educational Sciences Institute. He alleged that two separate peoples and two separate education systems exist in Cyprus and argued that a provision for two separate educational systems is included in the 1960 agreements.

(I/Ts.)

[12] CTP nominates Kadri Fellahoglu as candidate in the "municipal elections" in occupied Lefkosia; Efforts to cooperate with TDP

Citing information from reliable sources, the paper writes that the CTP will wait to officially announce its decision regarding Fellahoglu's candidature after a meeting it will hold with the TDP to discuss cooperation between the two parties in the "municipal elections". Only the National Unity Party (UBP) has not decided about his candidate, notes the paper, adding that the final date for determining the candidatures is 1st March.

(I/Ts.)

[13] More detentions of retired generals in relation to "post-modern" coup

The arrested retired generals were identified as Orhan Yoney, Koksal Karabay, Hayri Bulent Alpkaya and Altac At?lan. Another retired general, Ersin Y?lmaz, was released under probationary conditions, Anatolia news agency has reported.

In early January, former Chief of General Staff General Ismail Hakk? Karaday? was released after his testimony in the same investigation on condition of control.

The "post-modern" coup, or the February 28 process, refers to a military intervention that forced late ex-Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan to resign. Suspects who have so far been detained in relation to the February 28 investigation were sent to court on charges of "attempting to annul the government of the Republic of Turkey; or attempting to partially or entirely block the government from performing its duties."

"The judiciary is fulfilling its own duty and as the executive [body], we are doing our part," PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in response to reporters' questions about developments in the ongoing investigation.

[14] Turkey's economy

In a written statement released by the Finance Ministry, Simsek said the annual trade deficit for 2012 dropped by $28.3 billion, or 36.7%, over 2011, a sign that the central bank's "tighter monetary policies have been successful in bringing down the trade deficit", as he said.

The central bank kept borrowing costs high in the first three quarters of 2012 to combat inflation and dampen domestic spending on imports -- measures which were helped along by already slowing domestic spending and a surge in exports.

Also, Turkey's Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan said on Wednesday to reporters on the way back from a visit to Libya, that the economy grew by just 2.5% in 2012 -- below Ankara's earlier predictions of over 3 % in the year.

Caglayan said that the economy wouldn't be on par with earlier expectations and said that it was a sign that the economy needed to "step on the gas" in 2013.

As in past months, the Minister focused on Turkey's record export performance in 2012 -- which totaled $152 billion during the year -- as a sign that the economy was handily weathering the downturn. "The reason for the better than expected [CAD] numbers in 2012 was our success in exporting goods and services," Caglayan said to the Anatolia news agency. But though exports in 2012 were indeed 13.1% higher than in 2011, much of that increase was driven by the gold trade to Iran, which may have bought as much as $11 billion in gold from Turkey over the year. In early February, Caflayan said he expected that number to decrease in 2013, hinting that the Iranian demand might slow.

(?)

Also, according to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.02.13) Mukim Oztekin, the President of Turkey's Banking Regulation and Supervision Agency announced yesterday that Turkish banking sector expanded by 12.6 % last year, as the size of total assets reached 1.3 billion Turkish Liras, mostly due to the growth rate in the second term of the year

"Sector growth, which was 4.6 in the first half of the year, jumped by 7.6 in the second half due to a rehabilitation in the risk perception of Turkey, the acceleration of capital inflow and the decreasing interest rates, as well as the surging economic growth trend," Oztekin said during his speech at a meeting of the Economy Journalists' Association in Ankara.

Praising the outlook of the sector over the last year, he said that while the traditional strengths of the sector were surging at a higher rate, the problematic notions had also been getting better.

The sector earned 23.6 million liras in net profits last year, a 19.2% rise on the previous year. Some 37 of the 49 banks operating in the local sector increased their profits last year, as their interest income surged by 21.7 billion liras while their interest expenses increased by 8.8 billion liras. "Net profit for the period has surged by 3.8 billion liras compared to the same period of the previous year, due to the increase in the net interest margin. This is despite the retreat of the non-interest income-expense balance," Oztekin added.

"The strong of outlook is mainly prompted by the increase in equity capitals", he said. The banking sector's equities increased by 26% to 182 billion liras, surpassing the growth rate of the sector assets in general.

"In 2010, Turkish banks raised almost 50% of their funds from European banks, while in 2012 this plummeted to around 35%. During the same period, shares in the Gulf countries', Japanese and Swiss banks rose," Oztekin said.

He also shared his reflections on the projections for the sector for 2013, saying that an increase in the size of assets of around 16% was expected, while the net interest margin and equity capitals were expected to remain steady at 2012 levels.

[15] Figures reveal that AKP party ranks first with 7.5 million party members

Data gathered by Anatolia news agency showed that some 10 million out of more than 77 million citizens are members of a political party.

The main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) has 953,416 members, while 363,393 people are registered as members of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). The number of Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) members stands at 44,156.

The office said there were 71 active political parties in the country, but added that 15 of these parties did not have any members.

According to election board figures, nearly 50.2 million people had the right to vote in the general elections of 2011. A total of 42.8 million valid votes were cast in the election. http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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