Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-10-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] So-called government tendered its resignation. Statements by Talat to the effect that the EU does not share the logic of a solution within the framework of the EU.

[02] Replies on Cyprus by the EU Commission Representative in Ankara from an interview with Turkish Daily News.

[03] The amendment on the so-called law for civilians not to be tried by the military courts is valid only for the journalists.

[04] A "Federation of Weight Lifting" was established in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] So-called government tendered its resignation. Statements by Talat to the effect that the EU does not share the logic of a solution within the framework of the EU

In statements during a joint press conference with his coalition partner, leader of the Democratic Party, Serdar Denktas, Mr Talat said that his "government", which was a minority government since 26 April 2004, handled very important developments regarding the destiny of the Turkish Cypriots. He noted that they were able to lead the Turkish Cypriots to the 24 April referendum without any incidents, something which has been decisive for all the actions of their "government".

Mr Talat said that they exerted a lot of efforts in order to establish a majority "government", but due to the synthesis of the pseudo-parliament they were not able to do it.

"We have stressed many times that establishing a stable government is not possible with the current synthesis of the parliament", said Mr Talat and added: "We said we need stability because the conditions in which we are living, especially the needs created after the referendum, that is our struggle to be saved from the isolations, needs a stable government. However, we were not given the opportunity to establish a stable government. .The days to come is a period when the government must be on duty. The government is on duty, even if it has resigned, because important days are ahead of us. .The statement of the Dutch Presidency of the EU, the statement directly addressed to me, noted that the EU is bound on its commitments to make steps for lifting the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. It has stressed that the financial aid regulation and the direct trade regulation constitute a package and a whole and that even if the financial aid regulation is approved they continue to consider the direct trade regulation connected to this. And the most important is that the EU has no intention to interfere in the duties of the United Nations, that is (the statement) has clearly said that the EU does not have the logic of the target of the Greek Cypriots which is a solution within the framework of the EU. These things are important. In the next days important battles will be given. Our government is on duty."

[02] Replies on Cyprus by the EU Commission Representative in Ankara from an interview with Turkish Daily News

Question: The report notes that the European Council of June 2004 "invited Turkey to conclude negotiations with the Commission on behalf of the Community and its 25 member states on the adaptation of the Ankara Agreement to take account of the accession of the new member states" and says that the Commission subsequently transmitted to the Turkish side a draft protocol required for the adaptation of that agreement and now expects a positive reply from Ankara to that. Can you elaborate on what that means practically?

Answer: The Ankara Agreement needs to be adapted to the fact that now the EU has ten more members. Traditionally, this is done by way of a protocol. This was the case in relation to the Europe agreements of Bulgaria and Romania, where both parties signed a protocol which took note of the enlarged membership of the EU, and we are suggesting the same to Turkey in relation to the Association Agreement.

Question: But the problematic part lies in implications, as this inevitably comes down to the question of Turkish recognition of the Republic of Cyprus.

Answer: That is something I don't want to comment on at present, but simply I would underline that we are taking exactly the same approach as for other agreements, and that's just the normal way of handling it.

Question: Does that mean practically that Turkey will have to recognize the "Greek Cypriot administration" so that it will be able to open accession negotiations with the EU?

Answer: Again, this is something I wouldn't like to speculate about because this is in the end the decision of the European Council, if and what additional conditions would be put for Turkey at the December summit. So, therefore, this is really a matter for the member states to look at. On the other hand, it must be very clear that accession negotiations are not between the European Commission and Turkey but between Turkey and the 25 member states, and not even only the Council. It is an intergovernmental process, and Turkey will sit together with 25 countries around the table, all participating in the negotiations.

[03] The amendment on the so-called law for civilians not to be tried by the military courts is valid only for the journalists

[04] A "Federation of Weight Lifting" was established in the occupied areas of Cyprus

The Chairman of the Turkish Federation Kenan Nuhut said that they will support the newly founded federation.

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