Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 03-05-22

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas rejects the measures of the EU towards the Turkish Cypriots before the measures are announced.

[02] Erdogan met Ozkok and discussed with him the Turkish-US relations, EU, Iraq, and Cyprus.

[03] Arinc reiterates the Turkish views on Cyprus.

[04] Pakistan continues to support Turkey on Cyprus.

[05] Ozilhan says that the recent developments showed that the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could live together.

[06] Durduran: The Cyprus problem could not be solved with packages of measures.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in KIBRIS supports that the issue of how the Turkish Cypriots will participate in the Republic of Cyprus and in the EU is not on the agenda of the Union any more.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Denktas rejects the measures of the EU towards the Turkish Cypriots before the measures are announced

"We have two institutions that can issue the necessary certificates, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce and the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry. In fact, laws can be adopted to establish other institutions for that purpose. However, they [EU officials and the Greek Cypriot side] want to make their own decisions. Obviously, they do not want to open the door to our trade. If the information we have received thus far is correct, an effort is made to realize a design to force our businessmen to recognize what is described as the legitimate Cyprus Government. If the EU sincerely wants to contribute towards peace, then it must draw up a plan that will not include such restrictions on us. It will be better if it refrains from making initiatives that are aimed at placing us under the Greek Cypriot Republic and forcing us to accept Greek Cypriot authority. Naturally, such initiatives will be rejected by our `Government' and people. However, we have not received any official document or information. The EU official who called on us yesterday heard what we had to say. We informed him accordingly."

Alleging that the "danger" of Cyprus moving towards Greece continues to exist, Denktas claimed that the foreign officials do not want to accept that "two peoples" exist in Cyprus. He alleged that the Greek Cypriots objected to the Annan plan because it might recognize the right to self-determination. Denktas said that the Turkish Cypriots are determined to insist on various principles because they do not want to be a minority dominated by the Greek Cypriots. He alleged that these principles safeguard the "equality", of the Turkish Cypriots, prove that they are a "sovereign people" and maintain Turkey's guarantorship. A bizonal structure must be established for "two states" on the island, he supported adding that these states must exist in their own territories and establish good-neighborly relations with each other.

Denktas said that the Annan plan was not accepted because it would remove the Turkish Cypriot side's principles.

[02] Erdogan met Ozkok and discussed with him the Turkish-US relations, EU, Iraq, and Cyprus

The Chief of the Turkish General Staff first of all discussed various subjects with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, led by the relations with the United States and the draft Penitence Law, as well as the subjects of the Meeting of the Chiefs of General Staff of the NATO member countries and the EU Harmonization package. Gen. Ozkok and Prime Minister Erdogan met at the Prime Ministry yesterday evening. The fact that the meeting was held prior to the NSC [National Security Council] meeting to be realized on Wednesday, 28 May, drew attention. It was learned that the request for the meeting came from Gen. Ozkok.

One of the subjects, which came to the forefront during the talks between Prime Minister Erdogan and Gen. Ozkok was the Sixth Reform Package within the framework of the EU harmonization activities and the National Program. Gen. Ozkok stressed that the Turkish General Staff supports the EU target and activities, just as it had stated previously. The developments in Iraq and the most recent point reached on the subject of Cyprus were discussed during the talks. It was learned that in the NSC meeting the military and civilian wings of the NSC wanted a consensus of opinion on the subject of the EU. This reconciliation reached prior to the NSC meeting is expected to be declared to the Turkish and foreign public after the meeting.

[03] Arinc reiterates the Turkish views on Cyprus

Arinc hosted a luncheon in honor of ambassadors of member and candidate countries to the EU.

Addressing journalists following the luncheon, Arinc said, ``ambassadors of member and candidate countries to the EU partook in the luncheon. During the luncheon, I informed the ambassadors on parliamentary works. Ruling and opposition parties at the parliament have been cooperating on the issue of the EU membership. There is a sound political will at the parliament to this end. We are determined to become a full member of the EU as soon as possible by fulfilling Copenhagen criteria before December of 2004.``

``I also gave information about content of the sixth and seventh harmonization packages and constitutional amendment works. The ambassador of EU Term President Greece said at the luncheon that they were aware of Turkey 's efforts and that they had been supporting Turkey's EU membership,`` he said.

Referring to the Cyprus question, Arinc said, ``Turkey has been defending from the very beginning that acceptance of the Greek Cypriot side's unilateral EU membership contradicted with international law and main approaches of the EU. We think that the EU should have a position facilitating a solution to the Cyprus question instead of having a partial position.``

Arinc alleged that Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side were in favour of a solution and a compromise between the two equal sides on the basis of the facts in the island.

``We believe that the two leaders can negotiate solution by benefiting from the current positive atmosphere in the island. Therefore, we have been continuing to support good-will mission of United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan. We are in favour of lifting all embargoes and restrictions on both sides as soon as possible. I believe that the EU will take steps to this end,`` he added.

[04] Pakistan continues to support Turkey on Cyprus

Following their meeting, Gul and Kasuri held a joint press conference.

Noting that Turkey and Pakistan were two friendly and sister countries, Gul said: ``We have perfect political relations, and we plan to reflect this perfection onto the field of economy. We want to deepen our cooperation in commercial field. To this end, we will work hard.``

Regarding Kashmir problem, Gul said that Turkey was pleased with the rapprochement between India and Pakistan in recent period.

Noting that they were expecting Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to visit Pakistan in June, Kasuri said that Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf accepted President Ahmet Necdet Sezer`s invitation and he would pay a visit to Turkey.

Kasuri said that with Gul he had discussed Kashmir problem, Iraq, Afghanistan, Cyprus and close cooperation between Turkey and Pakistan within the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC).

Kasuri stressed that private sector had important role to play in further development of bilateral commercial relations.

Noting that Gul`s visit had brought excellent results, and they had decided to institutionalize bilateral relations, Kasuri said that foreign ministers would pay reciprocal visits once in a year and undersecretaries would pay mutual visits twice in a year.

When asked whether or not their support to Turkey about Cyprus issue would continue, Kasuri said they had always supported Turkey and would continue to do so.

[05] Ozilhan says that the recent developments showed that the Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could live together

When asked yesterday whether solution in Cyprus was close, Ozilhan said that it was seen after the recent developments that two societies could live together and added, ``I wish this step was taken earlier.``

Noting, ``I think that we are close to a solution'' Ozilhan said that the EU had an important mission, which was lifting of the so-called "embargo" imposed on Turkish Cypriot side.

[06] Durduran: The Cyprus problem could not be solved with packages of measures

In a written statement issued yesterday Mr Durduran expressed the opinion that the substance of the Cyprus problem has not changed and that the problem is not solved by allowing the Greek Cypriots to travel to Turkey without visa. Mr Durduran noted, inter alia, the following:

".Putting forward these developments and saying that 'the embargoes should be lifted and that the EU should lift the embargoes', could not mean anything else but trying to lead the efforts for reaching a solution to decline. .The embargoes came up because the north is a not a recognized state, that is it is an illegal territory. Therefore, the embargoes will not be lifted before a solution is found. .The embargoes were imposed by Denktas and the authorities of Turkey who wanted to isolate and own the north. .".

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[07] Columnist in KIBRIS supports that the issue of how the Turkish Cypriots will participate in the Republic of Cyprus and in the EU is not on the agenda of the Union any more

".The Turkish Cypriot and the Greek Cypriot journalists were in a room at the building of the Parliament of the EU. When we took our places Leopold Maurer came. .Maurer is the head of the EU delegation, which conducts the negotiations with Cyprus. Noting that they are closely following the developments after the opening of the doors, Maurer added: 'These are positive developments but could never substitute the solution'.

I listened carefully to the openings of the EU regarding the Turkish Cypriots, when Maurer explained them in brief. The substance of what he said is that they want to help the Turkish Cypriots. We noticed that they want to improve the communication not with the administration in the north but with the Turkish Cypriots who live there and after 1 May 2004 will become citizens of the EU. Maurer told us the following regarding the announcement which the EU will make in June towards the Turkish Cypriots:

'Aid will be given for the Master Plans of Nicosia, Famagusta and Kyrenia. Financial opportunities will be ensured to the small and medium sized enterprises. The Chamber of Commerce will be authorized to issue documents for the export of goods. The products, which will be exported from northern Cyprus, will go abroad form the ports of southern Cyprus'.

At this point, where we came because of the intransigent stance of Denktas, the issues of the administrative structure of the Turkish Cypriots and how they will take their place in the Republic of Cyprus and in the EU have been removed from the agenda. It is sad but it is the reality for today. .

While Leopold Maurer was replying our questions EU's rapporteur on Cyprus, Jacques Poos entered into the room. .I asked Poos the following: 'At the Helsinki Summit some homework was given to Turkey. In your opinion, has Turkey began doing this homework?'

After smiling for a while, Poos gave me a very clear and understandable answer:

'The solution of the Cyprus problem is not a precondition for Turkey's EU accession. However, Cyprus is discussed in all our meetings with Turkey. We discuss what Turkey has or has not done'. Afterwards Poos added the following important thing: 'Could a country, which does not recognize an EU member country, become a member of the EU?' Poos gave no answer, because in fact the question was the answer. .".

/SK

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