Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-05-27

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot delegation will visit Ankara and meet with the Turkish Premier and the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[02] Turkish State Minister had meetings with Talat and Soyer.

[03] Kazakh Prime Minister said ready to set up cultural relations with "TRNC".

[04] Angela Merkel wants Turkey to solve Cyprus problem.

[05] US Ambassador Edelman paid a farewell visit to Gul; the US firmly showed its support to the Turkish Cypriots.

[06] RPP Deputy Yigit resigned from his party.

[07] Gurcafer: Contractors will continue their activities.

[08] Soyer: "Investments is the best answer to the Greek Cypriots".

[09] The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on the sales of goods produced by the Turkish Cypriots to the free areas of Cyprus.

[10] The new minimum wage has been announced.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Turkish Cypriot delegation will visit Ankara and meet with the Turkish Premier and the Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Turkish Cypriot delegation is expected to arrive in Ankara on 2 June. On 3 June the delegation will meet with Mr Erdogan and Mr Gul in order to discuss the latest developments on the island. Talat, Denktas and Soyer will also meet with President Sezer.

According to the paper, after their meeting with the Turkish Cypriot delegation, Prime Minister Erdogan and Foreign Minister Gul, who will also meet with the UN Secretary-General during their visit to the US, are expected to "give the final shape to the expectations" of the Turkish side regarding the new negotiating process in Cyprus.

[02] Turkish State Minister had meetings with Talat and Soyer

Speaking in the meeting, Mr Talat said that there was a good development in the economy of the pseudostate because of Turkey's support and other reasons.

Mr Sener, on his behalf, said that his visit was just a preliminary visit to the one he would pay to the island on June 3rd for signing a "protocol" for economic and financial cooperation between Turkey and the pseudostate. Alleging that an unfair "embargo" was imposed on the Turkish Cypriots, Mr Sener said that it was everybody's wish to improve prosperity of Turkish Cypriots.

Mr Sener also added that Turkey would continue to support the "TRNC" in its efforts to improve its economic and financial potential.

The so-called Prime Minister Soyer, who also met with Mr Sener, said: "Turkish Cypriots want to reach a solution on the basis of equality with the Greek Cypriots. Therefore, we target to develop a policy with the Turkish government based on our common interests to enable both Turkish and Turkish Cypriots to progress in their EU process."

[03] Kazakh Prime Minister said ready to set up cultural relations with "TRNC"

Mr Akhmetov said in the meeting that Kazakhstan thought of increasing its oil production to 170 million tons until 2015 and Kazakhstan was warm to the idea of joining Baku-Tbilisi Ceyhan Oil Pipeline (BTC) project. Mr Akhmetov also stated that Kazakhstan was ready to set up cultural relations with the "TRNC".

After the meetings between Mr Erdogan and Mr Akhmetov, the two countries signed protocols and agreements on cooperation in international terrorism, fight with organized crime and drug smuggling, statistics and archives.

Replying to a question about the "isolation" of the "TRNC", Mr Akhmetov said that Kazakhstan wanted foundation of peace in Cyprus. Noting that the Kazakh state sent a letter to the Turkish Cypriots to set up cultural relations with the "TRNC", Mr Akhmetov said: "We have Turkish brothers there and we are always ready to have cultural relations with them."

[04] Angela Merkel wants Turkey to solve Cyprus problem

Speaking at a panel in Hannover in Germany on "Protestant Church Days", Mrs. Merkel said: "At this moment Turkey´s EU membership issue is a major source of concern for the EU. Turkey should be given "Privileged Partnership Status", but we will abide by agreements signed by the EU".

Mrs Merkel further went on and said: "Turkey, prior to starting accession talks with the EU on 3rd of October, should take steps as regards solution of the Cyprus problem and Armenia."

[05] US Ambassador Edelman paid a farewell visit to Gul; the US firmly showed its support to the Turkish Cypriots.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Gul said that Edelman made valuable contributions to efforts for improving the bilateral relations and strengthening cooperation between Turkey and the United States during his tenure in Ankara.

"Turkey-United States relations have rooted traditions. We hope that those relations will further improve in the course of time since our countries share many common values such as human rights, free market economy and democracy. Also, we appreciate the United States' support to Turkey's EU membership process," Mr Gul said. Meanwhile, Mr Edelman highlighted the importance of the bilateral relations between Turkey and the United States.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Mr Edelman said that they reviewed the work undertaken by both countries during his tenure like Iraq's future, the efforts of settling Cyprus dispute, and Turkey's EU bid.

"Turkey's EU membership is an important strategic target for Turkey, this is also an important target for the US," Mr Edelman said.

Noting that a group of American Congress members would visit the occupied areas of Cyprus, Mr Edelman said that the US firmly showed its support to Turkish Cypriots.

[06] RPP Deputy Yigit resigned from his party

After Yigit's resignation, the number of seats of RPP at the parliament fell to 160, while the number of independent parliamentarians climbed to 12.

Below is the list the current distribution of the seats at the parliament:

Justice and Development Party  : 356
Republican People's Party      : 160
Motherland Party               :  10
Social Democrat People's Party :   5
True Path Party                :   3
People's Ascendance Party      :   1
Independent                    :  12
Vacant                         :   3

[07] Gurcafer: Contractors will continue their activities

While the illegal constructions and selling of these properties is going on, Cafer Gurcafer said that they have recourse to the Turkish Cypriot Human Rights Foundation in order to assist them to face the lawsuits. Mr Gurcafer said that international arrest warrants were issued by Cyprus Republic's courts.

He noted that arrest warrants were issued for four people and that despite the arrest warrants as contractors they will continue their activities. He demanded occupation regime's assistance in their struggle against the lawsuits.

[08] Soyer: "Investments is the best answer to the Greek Cypriots"

[09] The Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce on the sales of goods produced by the Turkish Cypriots to the free areas of Cyprus

According to TCCC, the products sold in the first five months of 2005 reached 381.979 pounds.

[10] The new minimum wage has been announced

The minimum wage was decided to be 720 New Turkish Liras and it will be implemented as of 1st June.

The minimum wage during the second half of 2004 had been 627 million liras (627 New Turkish Liras).

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