Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot Press and Other Media, 98-10-30

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS AND OTHER MEDIA

No. 201/98 -- 30.10.98

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ankara declaration on Baku-Ceyhan pipeline signed.

[02] Russia´s Primakov pledges not to shelter PKK leader.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Ankara declaration on Baku-Ceyhan pipeline signed

The declaration signed by Turkish President Suleyman Demirel; Prime Minister Mesut Yilmaz; Geydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan; Eduard Shevardnadze, President of Georgia, Nursultan Nazarbayev, President of Kazakhstan; Islam Karimov, President of Uzbekistan; and Bill Richardson, the US Energy Secretary, as the observer, said ``the Presidents strongly confirm their resolution to materialize the Caspian-Mediterranean (Baku- Tbilisi-Ceyhan) line as the main oil pipeline at this stage when a final resolution will be taken related with the Azeeri main oil pipelines.''

The declaration, composed of six articles, was signed by considering the urgency of taking a decision and evaluating the issues of searching, drilling and transportation of oil and gas sources with more than one pipeline in a secure way. The declaration said:

``1. The Presidents, by taking into consideration the operating of hydrocarbon sources in these countries for strengthening of independence and security of the neighbouring countries, strengthening their efforts for economic development and increasing the level of welfare of the people, confirmed that transportation of oil and natural gas sources to world markets with more than one pipeline, which is economically and commercially optimal, is necessary. The Presidents also confirmed that they are faithful to the principles, included in the European Energy Charter, related with the transportation of hydrocarbons independently, in a stable way and in a secure way for the environment.

2. The Presidents noted that this project is a just one for hydrocarbon producer countries, and an acceptable commercial project which also doesn´t make discrimination. The project is also important for the transportation of hydrocarbon sources, drilled in the Caspian Sea region and other related countries, to the world markets which also includes realization of the Eastern-Western corridor covering the Trans-Caspian and Trans-Caucasia oil and Natural Gas Pipeline system.

3. The Presidents strongly confirmed their resolution for the realization of the Caspian-Mediterranean (Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan) line as the main oil pipeline at this stage when decision related with the Azeri main oil pipelines will be taken.

4. The Presidents stress that this line should be equally open to the producers and transporters who are in two sides of the Caspian and the importance of the providing of the oil required for this line. The Presidents, with this aim, participated in the operation of the hydrocarbon sources in the Caspian region and continue to extend support to realize intense and constructive negotiations with the concerned governments by putting forward beneficial conditions to the related companies and international finance institutions to get required finance for the construction of the pipelines.

5. The Presidents promise to give required instructions to their related authorities for the formation of required conditions for the implementation of the Eastern-Western Energy corridor and Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan Pipeline. This should be done according to the principles of international law foreseeing the preservation of the rights of foreign and native entrepreneurs in projects related with the transportation of energy sources to the world markets. The Presidents also agree to take required measures to create attractive atmosphere for the entrepreneurs.

6. The Presidents once more point out the importance of maintaining the efforts related with the preservation of the natural environment of the Turkish Straits, the shores of the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. The Presidents, to this end, stress that transportation of oil and natural gas sources to the world markets with pipelines is obligatory to abolish the threats and dangers forwarded to the Turkish Straits.''

Meanwhile, Cumhur Ersumer, Turkish Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, responding to a question if this declaration was a binding text, said ``no binding works can be done in this period. A chess is played''.

Geydar Aliyev, President of Azerbaijan, said that there were some oil companies which did not find the Baku-Ceyhan oil pipeline economic, adding that they will work with these companies. Aliyev said ``the political will, expressed by the Heads of states today laid the foundations for the realization of the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline.''

Addressing the signature ceremony of the ``Ankara Declaration'' staged in Parliament, Aliyev pointed out that this declaration has a historical importance, adding that ``this is a new start for the cooperation between our governments and states.''

Recalling that contracts were signed with the 11 oil companies in 1994 in an effort to process and transport to world markets, Aliyev said, ``Baku- Ceyhan was the first pipeline and Baku-Supsa was the second when we signed the contract in 1994 to transport the oil to the world markets. It is true that there are several oil companies opposing to the Baku-Ceyhan pipeline saying that it will not bring commercial benefits. We will work with the companies in this respect.''

Also addressing the signature ceremony, Turkish President Suleyman Demirel recalled that natural gas and oil beds that are in the Caspian basin will be transported with the Eastern-Western corridor covering Transcaucasia oil and natural gas pipeline systems.

Demirel pointed out that with the Declaration, all investor companies, governments of the concerned countries and international finance institutions were called to conclude required negotiations with an intense and constructive approach for the implementation of the project in question which is harmonized with the environment and having highest economic rational.

Demirel stressed that Bill Richardson, the US Energy Secretary signed the Declaration as the observer, and that this was a very important and meaningful development underlining the importance of the issue in global dimensions. Demirel said, ``we appreciate the support of the US extended to the energy projects and the pipelines which will directly effect welfare and stability in the region.''

Demirel concluded his words saying: ``There is desire and will to work with Russia in partnership base on concrete cooperation projects related with the future of Eurasia that will play an important role in the fate of the 21st century world in which our countries are located. To this end, I reiterate my call to the Russian Federation to make cooperation in energy transportation system projects in Eurasia.''

Addressing the signature ceremony Turkish Foreign Minister Ismail Cem said:

``This great agreement, great compromise forms the political framework of the economic development which closely interests our country for the future. The concerned states made a moral commitment here. The country who fails to abide by this commitment will be under a serious responsibility. Thus, I attribute great importance and I thank to everybody who contributed to the signature of this declaration.''

Foreign Minister Ismail Cem also said that there were several difficulties related with the Ankara Declaration adding that they were in an effort to overcome these problems.

Speaking to Anatolia, Cem said all heads of states who signed the Ankara Declaration which foresees the transportation of Caspian and Central Asian oil to Western markets through the Eastern-Western corridor made a commitment in front of history.

The President of Turkmenistan did not sign the agreement.

[02] Russia´s Primakov pledges not to shelter PKK leader

In reply to reporters´ questions as he was emerging from the Sheraton Hotel where he met with Israeli President Weizman, Yilmaz said that in his meeting with Ivanov the Russian foreign minister conveyed to him a written message from Primakov. Yilmaz pointed out that the message says that ``Russia will not allow the head of the separatist terrorist organization to take shelter in Russia.'' He added: ``Therefore, we will wait for the contents of the message to be implemented. I said as much to Ivanov.''

Asked by a journalist if Russian officials have confirmed that Abdullah Ocalan is currently in Russia, Yilmaz said:

``It is said that he will not be allowed to take shelter in Russia. This concerns the future. There is nothing that contradicts the initiative we under took with regard to the current situation. As you know, we had earlier told them that we have definite information that the head of the terrorist organization is in Russia. There is no denial in this regard. It is said, however, that he will not be allowed to take shelter in Russia. This is a pledge for the future. We are waiting and hoping for this commitment to be fulfilled.''

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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