Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-05-07

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] NATO head calls for solution to Cyprus problem

[02] Inter-governmental agreement for Turkey's second nuclear plant was signed between Turkey and Japan

[03] Babacan: Turkey would use all its rights stemming from international law if needed regarding hydrocarbon exploration activities

[04] Ozgurgun is in Istanbul

[05] Self-styled minister of public works on airline companies halting flights to illegal Tymvoy Airport

[06] Formula to decrease costs of aviation companies causes problems to occupied Kythrea "municipality"

[07] Eroglu refers to the issue of halloumi cheese and the Cyprus problem

[08] Gul held contacts in Portugal and said that he is hopeful for Turkey's EU membership negotiations

[09] Turkish Foreign Minister in talks with his American and Egyptian counterparts

[10] Bagis slams the remarks of EU envoy to Ankara on Turkey's negotiation process

[11] Turkey, Israel approaching compensation deal

[12] Turkey denies anti-Iran defense pact

[13] Bid for new Istanbul airport breaks all records

[14] Continuing problems in the UBP influence the work of "parliament"; Kucuk warns his opponents within the party "for the last time"

[15] Illegal university will have the Castle of Keryneia in its logo

[16] A coffee war: Is it Greek or Turkish?

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] NATO head calls for solution to the Cyprus problem

In a press conference, Rasmussen called on all sides in Cyprus to advance, find a solution and unite the island. There are many things that remained at risk on economic aspects, and parties will be better off by reuniting, Rasmussen added.

After solving the Cyprus problem, oil and natural gas drilling can be initiated, and beyond these political obstacles before NATO-EU relations will be removed, he said.

Regarding the Israeli warplane's attack in Syria, Rasmussen said that no military activity was seen within the radius of Patriot systems that are installed in Turkey.

[02] Inter-governmental agreement for Turkey's second nuclear plant was signed between Turkey and Japan

"Turkey may become a net energy exporter in the Middle East in the medium term, specifically in light of failures to provide energy in the region due to security concerns", he stated.

"164 new nuclear plants have been planned to be built in the world by 2030. The share of nuclear power is more than 20 percent in 15 countries and the share of nuclear energy will be 17 percent in Turkey by 2023. Seven of the 30 countries that have nuclear power are net energy exporters. Turkey is becoming an energy exporter in its region," Y?ld?z said, adding that the lack of energy supplies for Turkey is no longer on the agenda thanks to the nuclear plants set to be built.

Y?ld?z noted that the share of Japan in the second nuclear plant would not exceed 51 percent, reserving 49 percent for Turkey. "France will get some share from Japan's stake. Our plan A is for the share of the Turkish Electricity Generation Corporation (EUAS) to be 49 percent, and plan B is for EUAS to have maximum 25 percent. We are working on both. The Turkish private sector will also take a share."

The power to be generated at the Sinop nuclear plant, which will be built by a Japanese-French alliance led by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and French firm Areva with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts, will be sold at around 11.80 [U.S.] cent per kWh (plus fuel). "Another option is to set price at 10.80 cents/kWh ? fuel excluded. If we can find cheaper fuel, we will choose this option," Y?ld?z said. Turkey inked a deal to build its first nuclear plant with Russia in the Mediterranean province of Mersin in 2010, at which the power price was set at 12.35 cent/kWh. Turkey is planning to have three nuclear plants in total by 2023.

[03] Babacan: Turkey would use all its rights stemming from international law if needed regarding hydrocarbon exploration activities

Speaking to the Turkish Anatolian News Agency, Babacan alleged that "the Greek Cypriots had brought on themselves all the economic and financial problems they were currently experiencing".

He said that all of the island's resources were the common property of its inhabitants: "Turkish Cypriots have equal rights over any natural resources on the island discovered and extracted".

"It is totally unacceptable to us and the Turkish Cypriots for the island's natural resources to be used as collateral for the settlement of the south's economic or financial problems" he alleged.

Babacan also said that Ankara has issued necessary warnings on the issue of hydrocarbon exploration around Cyprus and claimed: "Should any such attempt be made, we and the Turkish Cypriot Side shall exercise all our rights stemming from international law. We have a strong position in terms of international law."

[04] Ozgurgun is in Istanbul

As part of his contacts in the Turkish city, he will also attend a dinner and a reception hosted by the Turkish National Defense Minister Ismet Y?lmaz in honor of the guest ministers attending the fair. He will also attend another reception hosted by the Turkish National Defense Minister at the C?ragan Palace tomorrow evening.

[05] Self-styled minister of public works on airline companies halting flights to illegal Tymvoy Airport

Saner said that he had met with representatives of the three airlines and alleged that it was out of question for these companies to halt their flights to the breakaway regime.

According to Bayrak, Saner who was in Istanbul to attend a conference organized by the Turkish Corporation for Information and Communication Technologies Authority which was also attended by ministers from Greece, Azerbaijan, Tunisia and Afghanistan.

[06] Formula to decrease costs of aviation companies causes problems to occupied Kythrea "municipality"

The paper writes that Turkish T&T Company has signed a contract for operating the illegal airport for a period of 25 years with the Build-Operate-Transfer model.

According to Havadis, one million 394 thousand passengers used the illegal airport to exit from the occupied area of Cyprus in 2012 and this number is expected to increase by 15% in 2013 reaching one million 600 thousands. With the new arrangement, every passenger who exits the occupied area from illegal Tymvou airport will pay 15 euro and 5.25 Turkish liras (TL) as tax. The T&T Company is expected to have an income of 22.5 million euro in 2013 only from the passengers who will exit the occupied area of the island.

With the new practice, every passenger who receives counter service at the illegal airport will pay 0.25 euro, every airplane which lands will pay 25 euro for approaching the "airport" and additional 4 euros for every ton of fuel. The aviation companies are annoyed by these fees.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Eroglu refers to the issue of halloumi cheese and the Cyprus problem

In his statement, Cirali recalled that they had registered halloumi cheese (with the name of hellim) both in Turkey and the occupied area of Cyprus and they continue their struggle to register it in the European Union (EU) as well. Cirali said that they aim at producing halloumi cheese by preserving its traditional characteristics and this production to be continued by future generations. He noted that they exert these efforts for registering halloumi in order for both protecting its cultural characteristics and gaining an advantage in the international field. Cirali said that they continue their inspections in the factories which produce halloumi and that their aim is to complete the inspections and give certificate to all the producers by the end of this year.

In his address, Eroglu reiterated the allegation that their main aim is the commencement of the Cyprus talks within the framework of a time limit and the conclusion of these talks with an agreement. He argued that if the open-ended negotiations continue for many years, the new generations will adopt the status quo and having a result in the negotiations will become more difficult. He reiterated that when he meets with President Anastasiades on 29 May, they will try to determine a road map for the negotiations and the date on which these negotiations will start.

Eroglu called on the industrialists to register the traditional products of the Turkish Cypriots, which are an inseparable part of their culture and life. Otherwise, he said, these products will either be lost as time goes by or they will be taken by others.

Eroglu expressed his satisfaction with the cooperation between the Chamber and the "universities" and added that they closely follow the efforts for registering halloumi in the EU. He noted that they had brought up the issue of halloumi within the framework of confidence building measures with Greek Cypriot side, but because of what he described as Greek Cypriot side's intransigent stance, they could have no result. He argued that the process as regards halloumi was "didactic" for them and called on the industrialists to register all traditional Turkish Cypriot products.

Referring to the economic crisis in the government-controlled area of Cyprus, Eroglu alleged that it seems that this crisis will be exploited on the issue of the commencement of the Cyprus talks and added that he conveys to all foreign diplomats his demand for the beginning of the talks the soonest within the framework of a time limit. He said that the approach of the Greek Cypriot side is for the negotiations to start in autumn.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Gul held contacts in Portugal and said that he is hopeful for Turkey's EU membership negotiations

Holding a joint press conference with Portuguese Prime Minister Pedro Passos Coelho on Monday, Gul said that Turkey's completing the negotiation process successfully would be in everybody's interest.

Gul noted that Turkey and Portugal's relationship was very strong today, and added that both countries served within NATO in hard times. He underlined that the trade volume between the two countries was about USD 1 billion and would continue to increase and that businessmen would be able to establish valued partnerships.

"As of April 2013, Portuguese citizens are able to visit Turkey only by using their ID cards. We hope that the EU will change its visa policy against Turkey and make it more understandable," Gul said.

The Portuguese Prime Minister said that "the political relationship between Portugal and Turkey is on a great level. The signing of four agreements will boost it."

[09] Turkish Foreign Minister in talks with his American and Egyptian counterparts

The diplomats discussed the ongoing conflict in Syria and recent developments in the region, and made mutual situation assessments, sources said.

[10] Bagis slams the remarks of EU envoy to Ankara on Turkey's negotiation process

"We appreciate Mr. [Jean-Maurice] Ripert's steps, but he couldn't put an end to his inexperience in terms of following the messages we share with him [nor could he] adapt to our country. It is a serious gaffe to say Turkey is seeking to only open one chapter in each presidency. He should at first correct himself," Bag?s said in a written statement to the Hurriyet Daily News. "If this is 'wishful thinking' for the EU, then they should put this into words."

Ripert's remarks on the pace in Turkey's EU accession bid came in an interview with the Hurriyet Daily News. "At any rate, the best way is to have one chapter open in each presidency. This is the objective of Egemen Bag?s," the EU envoy said in the interview.

"It is a naive to think that we would accept the opening of just one chapter in each presidency. Our patience has been tested in the past and now. If we wait for it, then we will still be talking about chapters in 2023. I don't think we have that much patience. Our people won't allow this, first of all," the EU minister said.

[11] Turkey, Israel approaching compensation deal

"If a result from the meeting is not obtained, a third meeting could be on the agenda," Arinc told members of the press after a cabinet meeting in Ankara.

After his statement, the Associated Press reported that a draft agreement on compensation for the victims had been reached by Israel and Turkey, but the Israeli side reportedly said "additional clarifications" were needed on "a few issues."

A Turkish delegation led by Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlioglu had travel to Tel Aviv for the second round of compensation talks for the families of victims of Mavi Marmara raid by Israel in 2010. Turkish and Israeli delegations held their first meeting in Ankara to discuss the compensation, discussions that were described at the time by Ar?nc as "positive."

"Rather than attempting to set an exact amount for the compensation, the Turkish side referred to international law when presenting the criteria to be used for the amount of compensation to be requested", writes the paper.

[12] Turkey denies anti-Iran defense pact

Ministry spokesperson Levent Gumrukcu called the report "unreal and manipulative."

"We invite the public to be prudent in the face of such manipulative news in such a sensitive period," Gumrukcu said.

Citing an unnamed Israeli official, the Sunday Times said Israel was preparing to make "a defense crescent" with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan to establish a warning system against Iranian missiles. The daily said the proposal dubbed as "4+1" would involve technicians from the five countries working together in joint command-and-control centers.

[13] Bid for new Istanbul airport breaks all records

"It was a fair and transparent bid. The airport addresses the following 50 years of Turkey", Yildirim said.

For the construction and 25-year lease of the third airport in Istanbul, the group offered the highest bid of 22.152 billion euro, which is the record price in the history of the country.

Tender for the third airport in Istanbul took place in Ankara's Esenboga International Airport on May 3.

Fifteen Turkish and two foreign companies received approval for their technical capabilities to build the third airport.

[14] Continuing problems in the UBP influence the work of "parliament"; Kucuk warns his opponents within the party "for the last time"

According to the paper, UBP chairman in occupied Keryneia area, Necdet Numan said that this situation could not continue and that holding "early elections" was absolutely necessary. The opposition parties are also annoyed with the developments, calling on the opponents of Kucuk to resign and on the "prime minister" to declare "early elections".

Meanwhile, Havadis (07.05.13) reports also that Kucuk issued a written statement yesterday "warning for the last time" his opponents within the party and calling them to "reason". Under the title "Hint for expulsion", the paper writes that Kucuk said that the rules and the members of the UBP would not allow for the party to be weakened and that those who undermine the process today would very soon receive the necessary answer within the framework of the statutes of the party.

(I/Ts.)

[15] Illegal university will have the Castle of Keryneia in its logo

(I/Ts.)

[16] A coffee war: Is it Greek or Turkish?

The campaign, titled "Dr. Mehmet Cengiz Oz, Turkish-American TV show host: Celebrate Turkish coffee culture's 500-year-old history," aims to gather at least 5,000 signatures; it currently has some 250. What urged Gizem Salc?gil White, the founder of the Mobile Turkish Coffee Truck, to start the petition was a recent TV program hosted by Dr. Oz, where he promoted a super-potent coffee as a heart-protecting and antioxidant beverage, saying it was Greek coffee.

"As a person of Turkish heritage, I look up to Dr. Mehmet Oz as an inspiring figure. Millions of people are exposed to Turkey and Turkish culture through Dr. Oz's television program. Turkish people proudly applaud his success and contributions to society," the "Turkish Coffee Truck lady," as she calls herself, says in the petition, calling on Dr. Oz to recognize the significance of Turkey's cultural contribution to the world.

White also gives a historical background of Turkish coffee in the petition: The properties of coffee were first observed in Ethiopia by herders who watched their goats become hyperactive after eating the beans. Coffee beans were brought to Istanbul in 1517 from Yemen and then brewed and served in a unique way that has been a fundamental part of Turkish culture and heritage ever since. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

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