Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-05-31

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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 interferes with the domestic affairs of the breakaway regime, comments on the Annan plan

[02] Turkish Cypriot "deputies" asked for the occupation regime's representation at the EP; they met with Schulz in Brussels

[03] Rubin had separate meetings with Eroglu and Talat

[04] Sixteen NGO's in the occupied area of Cyprus sent a letter to Downer

[05] Former Turkish Minister was granted the "TRNC citizenship"

[06] DP on its new members and new emblem

[07] Self-styled government gives as a "present" a lease for an invaluable plot of land to a Turkish firm

[08] CTP's Youth Organization participated to YES Bureau meeting in Dublin

[09] The occupation regime to participate to TURKPA meeting in Ankara

[10] Turkey signed 12 cooperation agreements with Turkmenistan

[11] The "University of Mediterranean Karpasia" was approved by YOK

[12] Gul signals approval of new law on alcohol supporting that no ban is imposed

[13] Turkey approves 50% sale of Star media group to Azerbaijan's SOCAR

[14] Turkish Parliament opens way to oil market liberalization

[15] Turkish troops fired into Syria after troops shot

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Bagis interferes with the domestic affairs of the breakaway regime, comments on the Annan plan

A group of "lawmakers" from the ruling National Unity Party (UBP) recently issued a "motion of no confidence" with opposition parties, pushing the country into political turmoil. The ruling party and the opposition also agreed to hold early elections on July 28. Parliamentary elections were due to be held in April 2014.

"There is an ongoing crisis in Turkish Cyprus. We are dissatisfied with this and it is not something that can be explained rationally. I hope they will come to their senses," Bagis told a group of reporters yesterday in Istanbul. Fierce debates erupted in "parliament" earlier this month over the proposal on early elections, after opposition parties suggested holding "elections" on September 29, in response to self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk's offer, which had suggested July 21 as the date.

The EU Minister also called for a solution in the island based on "political equality". "If both sides agree on a solution, this is OK for us," he said.

Bagis criticized the decision of Greek Cypriots to say no to the Annan Plan in 2004. "They [Greek Cypriots] say yes to Turkish troops on the island by saying no to the plan. If they accept the plan, then there would be no troops left on the island, not only Turkish but Greek troops too", Bagis added.

The "TRNC" also sees growing public discontent with the administration. Ankara has recently pressured the "TRNC" into reforming its political system and economy. Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay met with the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk on April 29 and presented a comprehensive study which reflects the growing displeasure of the public over the status of the country.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (31.05.13) reports that EU Minister, prior an informative meeting in Istanbul in order to promote dialogue between civil society in the EU and Turkey, replying to reporters' questions, said that the Cyprus problem is an obstacle for the Article 14, and added: "The solution of the Cyprus problem means that the biggest obstacle for Turkey's EU process will be lifted. We see as an opportunity that the only Greek Cypriot politician, who said 'yes' to the Annan plan, has been elected President. However, the poor man has caught in such financial crisis, that he cannot see neither the Turkish Cypriot side nor the EU. His problem is to save first the banks. We are aware that we should give him some time. We encourage that the Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot leaders should sit and launch the negotiations in the island in a fast way. While, we were doing this, the domestic crisis in the 'TRNC' has emerged. As EU Minister, I am not pleased from this."

Noting that a comprehensive solution is not very difficult, Bagis said: "Here you are, let's negotiate again the Annan plan. Let's put together in the table the issues from the Annan plan that make us and them uneasy. Then the issue of Maras (the fenced off town of Varosha) will also be solved. As a matter of fact, the issue of Maras would have been solved in the Annan plan. Let's sit tete-a-tete and agree upon it." Bagis stressed that they are not the interlocutor on this, adding that they are ready to say "yes" in any solution that both sides agree on. Furthermore, he said that their only condition is that the solution to be based on the political equality. He added: "Let's not to be forced to send our army back, after we withdraw it from the island. The security of this is the political equality."

[02] Turkish Cypriot "deputies" asked for the occupation regime's representation at the EP; they met with Schulz in Brussels

President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz met with "TRNC parliamentarians" Ozdil Nami, Mehmet Tancer and Teberruken Ulucay to discuss the representation issue as well as the solution process.

Following the meeting which was closed to press, "Turkish Cypriot parliamentarians" told reporters that they conveyed "TRNC's rightful demands" for the "country's" representation at the EP, adding that the issue would be discussed at the EP in coming weeks.

Meanwhile, Schulz held a meeting with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Stefan Fule.

According to EU sources, Fule told Schulz that the Commission was positive about "TRNC's representation".

(?)

[03] Rubin had separate meetings with Eroglu and Talat

No statement was issued to the press.

[04] Sixteen NGO's in the occupied area of Cyprus sent a letter to Downer

The 16 NGO's, underlined also in their letter that the Turkish Cypriots demand an early solution to the Cyprus problem and pointed out that in case no solution is found until 2014 the latest, the willingness and the motivation of the Turkish Cypriots towards the solution, will be damaged.

The letter said also that the recent statements made by Anastasiades that the two sides will not resume the comprehensive negotiation talks from the point they were interrupted during 2012, is an approach which constitutes a clear indicator of the stance of the Greek Cypriot side to delay the process, as well as its will for the Cyprus problem to continue exist for years. The statement continues and calls both the UN and the involving parts to proceed to the negotiation talks the soonest possible and to exert efforts for finding a solution.

The letter was signed by the following NGO: The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO), the so-called Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO), the "Turkish Cypriot Tradesmen and Craftsmen Chamber" (KTEZO), HUR-IS trade union, the Turkish Cypriot "public" servants' trade union (Kamu-Sen), KAMU-IS trade union, the Cyprus Turkish Building Contractors Union (KTIMB), "Turkish Cypriot Hoteliers' Union" (KITOB), Turkish Cypriot travel agents Union (KITSAB), the Turkish Cypriot's businessmen Association (ISAD), the Turkish Cypriot's youth businessmen Assosiation, the "union of producers of dairy products" (SUIB), the "quarry trade union", the "Turkish Cypriot aliment suppliers union", "the Turkish Cypriot employer's union", and the "young professionals".

AK

[05] Former Turkish Minister was granted the "TRNC citizenship"

The paper notes that Gunay is one of the 26 persons to whom the "TRNC citizenship" was granted in the last two days. The names and place of birth and the 26 persons are published in Yeni Duzen.

[06] DP on its new members and new emblem

The paper reports that during the party's congress which will be held on June 5, some of DP regulations as well its emblem will change so that they would adapt the new developments in the party.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (31.05.13) reports that one of the main issues regarding the early "elections" is which party the Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu will support. The paper, which writes the road for UBP's fraction was opened after the quarrel that Eroglu started with Irsen Kucuk reports that it is really interesting to see if Eroglu support UBP or DP in the "elections".

[07] Self-styled government gives as a "present" a lease for an invaluable plot of land to a Turkish firm

The paper writes that the self-styled government took the same decision in 2011, however was forced to cancel the lease after a "court" in occupied Cyprus ruled against this decision.

The paper writes that with this decision, which is one of the last of the current "council of ministers", the breakaway regime is giving a last minute present to the Turkish firm and notes that since the decision which is dated May 27 was already published in the official gazette of the breakaway regime which is published on May 29, and will be published prior to the decision regarding the "elections", it will be come into force at once.

[08] CTP's Youth Organization participated to YES Bureau meeting in Dublin

As the paper writes, CTP's youth organization participated to the meeting for the first time as an "administration board member".

The paper writes that during a youth campus that will be organized on July 2013, the Cyprus problem will be discussed at a special meeting.

AK

[09] The occupation regime to participate to TURKPA meeting in Ankara

According to the paper, this was announced yesterday during the meeting of the so-called assembly.

AK

[10] Turkey signed 12 cooperation agreements with Turkmenistan

Turkish President Abdullah Gul and Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow signed on Thursday a joint declaration while 12 new cooperation agreements were also signed in fields of energy, technology, agriculture, sports, law, and economy.

The agreements also included cooperation in the transfer of natural gas, the restoration of some tombs and buildings together with some landscaping.

Following the signing ceremony of the new cooperation agreements, Gul and Berdimuhamedow held a joint press conference in Turkmen capital of Ashgabat.

Referring to the trading volume between two countries, Gul said: "The trading volume reached up to 3.5 billion dollars and Turkish companies carried out projects worth 34 billion dollars in Turkmenistan."

Stating that Turkish companies contributed to the development of Turkmenistan with their knowledge and skills, Gul said that Turkey was pleased for the country's confidence in Turkish companies.

Gul stressed in his speech that it was God's blessing on Turkmenistan that the country had extensive gas and oil reserves, and said "Markets both in Turkey and in Europe will be available to Turkmenistan," adding that natural gas in the country was delivered to the west and to the east via pipelines.

Reminding that Turkey was the first country ever to recognize Turkmenistan and open embassy in the capital city, Gul said: "We are all various states of a major nation."

Turkmen President Berdimuhamedow emphasized that there were mutual values in science, education, and culture between two countries and said: "It is a sacred duty of us to transfer all those values to the next generations."

[11] The "University of Mediterranean Karpasia" was approved by YOK

"AKU" announced that YOK gave the quota of 600 students from Turkey to enrol for the academic year 2013-14.

Meanwhile, the programmes of "AKU" have also been accredited by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD), the European Council for Business Education (ECBE), the Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education (CHIRE), the International Ecotourism Society (TIES), the World Association for Training in Tourism (AMFORHT), the International Vocational Education and Training Association-USA (IVETA), America Association for Higher Education Accreditation (AAHEA), Education and Excellence (EDEXCEL) and the Association to Advance Colligate Schools of Business (AASCB). It also announces that they continue their efforts to cooperate with international institutions for all their faculties.

[12] Gul signals approval of new law on alcohol supporting that no ban is imposed

"As far as I understand, there is no ban [on alcohol]; the law is just a regulation of the sales", Gul said.

The law, proposed by the Justice and Development Party (AK Party) government seeking limitations on the consumption of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, was approved by Parliament last week, introducing strict restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages and penalties for those violating the law. The government says it drafted the bill in order to protect children and young people from the harmful effects of alcohol consumption.

According to the law, campaigns, promotions or events that aim to encourage the use or sale of these products will not be allowed. Companies that produce, import or market alcoholic beverages will not be permitted to sponsor events using the brand or logo of their products. These companies will also not be allowed to offer free alcoholic beverages as a promotion or giveaway. Violation of this section of the law will incur a fine of between TL 5,000 and TL 200,000. No images of alcoholic beverages will be allowed in TV series, movies or music clips, and any that do appear will be blurred.

In addition, the sale of alcoholic beverages will be banned between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. Those caught violating this section will incur a fine of between TL 20,000 and TL 100,000.

The Prime Minister also stated that his government had to take measures against traffic accidents caused by too much alcohol consumption.

[13] Turkey approves 50% sale of Star media group to Azerbaijan's SOCAR

The Azeri oil giant said earlier that the talks on the purchase of the Star daily and Kanal 24 television, two of Turkey's largest media outlets, are positive.

Star Media Group partner and chairman of the Rixos chain of luxury hotels Fettah Tamince, told the Turkish media earlier, that his future stake in Star media "was not yet clear."

Star Media is owned by Tamince and Tevhit Karakaya and was purchased by Tamince from Ethem Sancak in 2009. The Star daily was founded in 1999 and later purchased by Turkish Cypriot businessman Ali Ozmen Safa in 2006.

[14] Turkish Parliament opens way to oil market liberalization

The new law, which is designed to regulate oil exploration and production operations in compliance with the country's energy policies, has passed into law late on May 29.

The government says the new regulations would liberalize the sector significantly.

But opposing groups say that it would leave the state-run Turkish Petroleum Company (TPAO) in a weaker position.

During the discussion of the draft in Parliament, one of the main opposition Republican People's Party Deputies attacked the draft, blaming the government for "not thinking to make exploration and production more efficient and rather seeking ways to please foreign capital."

The real aim is to transform TPAO into a company that can operate flexibly in international markets, Turkish Energy Minister Taner Y?ld?z said, answering questions. "As long as we can achieve this, it can remain a state company, can become a private company, can be offered to the public, or not", Yildiz said.

According to the existing law, TPAO may acquire more licenses in each region, provided that the total number of licenses does not exceed 10 times the number of petroleum regions. However, the limitation on the number of licensees per region has been completely removed in the draft law. Furthermore, TPAO no longer has any special privileges over other exploration companies.

Y?ld?z said that none of top global energy companies like BP, Shell or Exxon were state firms, noting that 41% of the world's integrated companies are private firms. "Total being owned by France doesn't mean it is France's national company," he added.

Another prominent reform to be brought with the new law is the measure taken against inefficient operations in the market.

The new scheme suggests regulations to force companies to search for oil and gas promptly, instead of holding fields without making any investments for long periods.

Under the present law, companies are able to hold petroleum fields without making any investments. However, according to the new draft law, companies that do not make investments in the areas they are committed to, will be discharged from the petroleum field and their deposits will not be refunded.

The law also divides Turkey into two petroleum regions ? onshore and offshore ? instead of 18 regions as it had been. The offshore region is also divided into two regions: interior and exterior territorial waters.

The companies will be also obliged to present their annual investment plan in order to obtain their research license.

[15] Turkish troops fired into Syria after troops shot

A statement by the Turkish military said that the troops returned fire after three to five gunmen shot between 15 and 20 rounds at the vehicle patrolling a stretch of the shared border in Turkey's southern Hatay province on Wednesday afternoon. There were no Turkish troop casualties.

The statement said the fire was random and the Turkish armoured vehicle was not hit. The army said they returned fire and the assailants escaped the scene into Syria. AK/ http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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