Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-02-15

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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] Bagis presented the example of Pope' elections for the solution of the Cyprus problem

[02] EU Turkey's rapporteur accused Bagis for "missing chance to develop a constructive dialogue between Turkey and the EU"

[03] Ripert: "New chapters to come in 2013

[04] TPAO and Shell signed a cooperation agreement to drill in the Black Sea

[05] Turkish official confirms that Israel offered to lay a gas pipeline to Turkey

[06] The occupied area of Cyprus might reportedly be plunged into darkness due to lack of fuel

[07] The situation in occupied Prastio village; A place inhabited by Turkish settlers

[08] Four more retired generals arrested in Feb 28 coup probe

[09] Population of Turkey estimated to be 84 million in 2023

[10] Turkish Cypriot is elected dean of the University of Cyprus's Faculty of Humanities with the votes of Greek Cypriot professors

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Bagis presented the example of Pope' elections for the solution of the Cyprus problem

Bagis spoke at the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission in the Turkish parliament on Thursday.

Stating that Turkey possessed a significant portion of the energy resources that the EU required, Bagis said: "Opening the chapter of energy is extremely vital for the 500 million citizens of the European Union."

"The Greek Cypriot administration's blocking of the energy chapter does not damage us but the 500 million citizens of the European Union. If three out of four Greek Cypriots had not rejected the Annan plan, today the Greek Cypriots wouldn't have been on the verge of bankruptcy and the EU wouldn't have had an energy crisis".

[02] EU Turkey's rapporteur accused Bagis for "missing chance to develop a constructive dialogue between Turkey and the EU"

The recent positive signs from France that it would lift its block on one of the five negotiating chapters in the EU acquis communautaire that has been in place since former President Nicolas Sarkozy's term in office, was not sufficient to disguise the tense relations between Turkey and the EU.

While Turkish EU Minister Egemen Bagis welcomed the French move as revitalizing to the stalled discussions, he reiterated that the fact that no chapter having been opened in the last two-and-a-half years, is a major hindrance to the development of relations.

Speaking on the sidelines of a Paris meeting on Libyan security on Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said France was ready to unblock talks with Turkey. "I confirmed to him that we are ready ? to begin discussions on Chapter 22," Fabius said after talks with his Turkish counterpart, Ahmet Davutoglu.

Bagis thanked the French administration in his remarks during the joint parliamentary meeting, but emphasized that Turkey would not be satisfied with such an overdue development and would continue to wait for bigger steps in Turkey's EU bid. "We are in a position to open many other chapters, such as the energy chapter and the chapter on education and culture. We will not be lulled by the opening of just one chapter in the last two-and-a-half years. We cannot complete Turkey's accession process by waiting for two or three years to open just one chapter," Bagis noted.

Bagis also referred to a 270-page EU progress report that was prepared by the Turkish government last December and said that "we managed to produce a big document that recorded our progress on our EU bid, but the EU could not manage to open even one chapter in two-and-a-half years," he remarked.

Bagis also held the "Greek Cypriot administration", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, responsible for Turkey's stalled EU negotiation process. "Greek Cyprus" is blocking a total of six chapters, two of which are of great importance to Turkey, including Chapter 15, dealing with energy, and Chapter 26, related to education and culture.

(?)In response to Bagis's remarks, European Union Turkey rapporteur Ria Oomen-Ruijten stated that his "bashing" of the EU and a country which had the former term presidency, "Greek Cyprus", did not reflect a goal of developing a constructive dialogue between the EU and Turkey. Oomen-Ruijten also criticized Bagis for only referring to the Turkish government's own progress report and not to last October's progress report prepared by the European Commission on Turkey, saying that this indicates Turkey's "neglect of what is happening on the EU side related to the Turkish process."

She also added that the tone Bagis used to make his criticisms means it was a "missed chance to develop a constructive dialogue between Turkey and the EU."

Oomen-Ruijten emphasized the deficiencies related to media freedom in Turkey but noted that there is optimism that the upcoming fourth Turkish judicial package could be a positive step to lift the pressure on the media in Turkey.

The fourth judicial reform package, which mainly aims to do away with violations in the area of human rights, such as ensuring a fair trial, expanding the boundaries of freedom of expression and preventing unduly long detention and trial periods, is scheduled to come before the Cabinet this week.

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's recent remarks on dropping the EU bid and joining the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) instead have further aggravated the sour relations between Turkey and the EU.

Bagis's remarks during the meeting have also drawn criticism from members of the Turkish opposition. Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Oguz Oyan has complained that the Turkish government "is not used to consulting with opposition parties in general," and that the recent EU progress report created by the government was not prepared in a cooperative process with opposition parties.

(?)

[03] Ripert: "New chapters to come in 2013

Jean-Maurice Ripert spoke at the Turkey-EU Joint Parliamentary Commission in the Turkish Parliament on Thursday.

Emphasizing on the affirmative effects of the "positive agenda" during the "Greek Cypriot administration's EU Term Presidency" as the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency is called, Ripert stated that they were hopeful and said: "We are sure about opening new chapter in 2013."

Ripert stated that he had positive expectations in terms of visa and immigration and added that the EU was working on a roadmap which is to be discussed with Turkey.

Stating that there were parts that Turkey had to complete, Ripert underlined harmonization to the EU in regards to the standards of the International Labor Organization, public tender legislation and customs union.

Ripert also touched on freedom of expression, press, organization and fair hearing and said: "The 4th judicial package was prepared to cover these issues anyway. Now, what is necessary is to bring this draft to the parliament and have it approved."

Ireland's Ambassador in Ankara Kenneth Thompson stated that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan had shown his determination in Turkey's target of full membership into the EU, at the dinner he gave for the Ambassadors earlier in the week.

Thompson touched on the importance of concluding the 22nd chapter which recently opened and stated that failure would result in a vicious cycle in the negotiation process.

[04] TPAO and Shell signed a cooperation agreement to drill in the Black Sea

The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) and one of the world's leading energy firms Shell, have concluded a deal to explore for gas and oil in the western Black Sea.

As per the joint management agreement signed on Thursday in the presence of Turkey's Energy Minister Taner Y?ldz, the Shell company is to collect and analyze three-dimensional data of an area of 1,500 square kilometers, block number 3,920, which lies in the westernmost part of the Black Sea. The partners are also to drill at least one well within three years.

TPAO and Shell both hold a 50% share in the venture. For the deep-water exploration to be conducted in the western Black Sea, Andy Brown, upstream international director of Shell, said at a press conference in Ankara: "We see potential to drill for either gas or oil [in the region]".

Shell is estimated to spend nearly $200 million per each deep-water well and already gave Turkey $5 million for the signing of the contract as well as a letter of guarantee worth $150 million.

Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z also expressed hope that deep-water exploration being conducted off Turkey's Mediterranean coast in cooperation with Shell would prove fruitful. "The results will become clear at the end of 2013", Y?ld?z added. Turkey, which paid $60 billion last year for energy, has stepped up efforts to meet its needs from domestic sources as much as possible in recent years. In the last 10 years Turkey's oil production has increased by 27 million tons, achieved through the efforts of both public and private companies.

In 2012, TPAO drilled 57 wells for oil and struck oil in one-third of them. Though admitting that these wells have low production capacities, the minister said, "If it weren't for the increase achieved in the last 10 years, we would have had to pay $35 billion more for oil in that same time period", Yildiz added.

In order to facilitate the conduct of more expert exploration in the seas surrounding Turkey, the country recently bought a seismic research vessel that can carry out the two and three-dimensional seismic surveys that help locate exploitable oil reserves. Turkey paid $130 million for the vessel, the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa, named after the renowned 16th-century fleet admiral of the Ottoman navy, and the vessel is getting ready to set sail to collect seismic data in the western Black Sea.

In response to a question over whether the vessel would head for the Mediterranean in reaction to rival drilling activities launched by the "Greek Cypriot government", Y?ld?z stated: "Research activities in both the Black Sea and the Mediterranean are important. We are not acting provocatively". Turkey was nevertheless widely understood to be acting to secure for the Turkish Cypriots a share in the natural resources that are located in regions currently controlled by the "Greek Cypriot government". The recently purchased vessel is to set sail in a ceremony in which Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan will also participate.

(?)

[05] Turkish official confirms that Israel offered to lay a gas pipeline to Turkey

"Israel has made a bid to build a pipeline to Turkey within last two weeks," the official said. "But we have a policy regarding Israel and the claims that Turkey leans towards this idea is not true."

Referring to Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronot, Turkish daily Vatan claimed yesterday that Israeli Prime Ministry Undersecretary Harel Locker and Israeli energy giant the Delek group - who also signed an agreement with "Greek Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, to explore off-shore energy, arousing reactions from Turkey - had conducted two meetings with the Turkish Energy Ministry to present the pipeline offer.

The newspaper also said that the project would cost $2 billion, most of which will be financed by the Ankara government, which views the project positively.

However, the Ministry official denied the claims of the newspaper by saying that Turkey's current policy on Israel relations would hamper any possible agreement with the country.

On the same day, another Israeli daily newspaper made another claim about the issue, saying that the Turkish conglomerate Zorlu Group planned to lay an undersea pipeline from the Leviathan field, the biggest in Israel.

The relationship between Turkey and Israel hit a historic low after Israel's deadly May 2010 raid on a Gaza-bound flotilla aid ship that killed eight Turkish citizens and one U.S. citizen of Turkish origin.

The attack was the climax of a two-year-long saga of rising tensions between Turkey and Israel, during which the former's prime minister walked out of the Davos Economic Forum in protest at the latter's President. The chill in ties has continued due to Turkish demands for an official apology from Israel for the Mavi Marmara attack and compensation for the raid's victims.

Recently, Israel has authorized the passage of Turkish trucks through Gaza carrying materials for the construction of the Turkish-Palestine Friendship Hospital. Lifting the siege on Gaza constitutes Turkey's third condition to Israel for the normalizing of relations.

[06] The occupied area of Cyprus might reportedly be plunged into darkness due to lack of fuel

In statements to Kibris, Caglayan Cesurer, chairman of EL-SEN, the employees in the so-called electricity authority, said that in case the "ministry of finance" did not urgently pay 143 million 28 thousand and 891 Turkish liras to the "electricity authority", the production of electricity at the above-mentioned power plant will completely stop within 20 days.

Cesurer argued that the "ministry" owes the above-mentioned sum of money to their organization, adding that they could not purchase the necessary fuel for the power plants, because this money has not been deposited. Noting that after a certain period of time, the entire occupied area of Cyprus will be plunged into darkness.

(I/Ts.)

[07] The situation in occupied Prastio village; A place inhabited by Turkish settlers

According to Kibris, nearly 30 families in Prastio are unemployed and the main occupation of the villagers is livestock breeding, farming or work as carriers in the constructions. Kibris notes that the village has problems with its infrastructure and the sewage water coming from occupied Lefkosia.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Four more retired generals arrested in Feb 28 coup probe

Upon a petition from Ankara's chief prosecutor, the court ruled for the arrest of Ayhan Cansevgisi, Refik Zeytinci, Metin Yasar Yukselen and Cengiz Kosal. Temel Batmaz Dandin, Fuat Buyukcivelek and Ahmet Ziya Oztoprak have been released under probationary conditions despite the prosecutor's request for their arrest.

Another retired general, Abdullah Cahit Sars?lmaz, who gave his testimony earlier in the day was released after the hearing.

"The judiciary is fulfilling its own duty and, as the executive [body], we are doing our part," Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on February 14 in response to reporters' questions about developments in the ongoing investigation.

[09] Population of Turkey estimated to be 84 million in 2023

Turkey's Statistical Authority, Turkstat, announced on Thursday the results of "Population Projections 2013-2075" research.

Elderly population, people who are 65 years of age and over, was 5.7 million in 2012 with a proportion of 7.5% in the whole population and this population will reach 8.6 million people with a proportion of 10.2% in 2023.

The population of Turkey is expected to be 84,247,088 in 2023 and half of the population of Turkey will be over 34 years old the same year.

While the population of 60 provinces will increase, the population of 21 provinces will decrease in 2023 compared to 2012 figures. The order of the most populous four provinces will not change. The population of Istanbul, the most crowded city in Turkey will be 16.6 million followed by Ankara which will increase to 5.9 million, the population of Izmir will be 4.4 million, and the population of Bursa will be 3.1 million in 2023. The place of Adana, which is the fifth populous province in 2012, will be taken by the province of Antalya with a population of 2.6 million.

According to the 2012 based population projections of United Nations, world population is approximately 7 billion and 52 million. Turkey, which forms 1.1% of the world population in 2012, is the 18th of most populated country. In 2075, world population will increase to 9 billion and 905 million people. The rank of Turkey will change as 24.

[10] Turkish Cypriot is elected dean of the University of Cyprus's Faculty of Humanities with the votes of Greek Cypriot professors

(I/Ts.) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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