Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 05-11-10

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Foreign Minister met the Ambassadors of the EU in Ankara.

[02] PACE President addressed the Turkish Parliament.

[03] The Progress Report on Turkey was released. Statements by Olli Rehn.

[04] Soyer and Murat off to London for talks.

[05] Turkey -US joint defence committee meets in Ankara after two years.

[06] Talat and Soyer met with the new leadership of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

[07] Serdar Denktas: "Turkish troops will not leave Cyprus".

[08] Five more illegal immigrants of Syrian origin were arrested.

[09] European tourists will be carried to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkish Airways.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Foreign Minister met the Ambassadors of the EU in Ankara

Speaking at the meeting, Gul said: ''We will evaluate the documents carefully. It may be that we will not agree on every point set out in these documents. Furthermore, as before, there may be certain sensitive issues in them. We believe, however, that we will be able to address most of our concerns during the accession process.''

''Both the EU and Turkey should work closely to prepare for this new phase in the best possible manner and to fulfill their mutual responsibilities to this end to ensure the success of he negotiation process,'' he emphasized.

Gul noted: ''I am happy to inform you that as of today, we have completed the introductory screening of four chapters. The process is continuing smoothly as it should.''

''I would like to draw your attention to the very positive reaction of the Turkish public opinion to EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn's visit to Kayseri and recent expressions of EU's firm stand against terrorism and PKK. These have been good examples of communication,'' he said.

On Turkey´s occupation of the territories of Cyprus, Mr Gul said: ''We remain committed to the success of this process. We will spare no efforts on those areas where we can act. Yet, there are things Turkey cannot do by itself. Experience shows for example that on the issue of Cyprus, Turkey's efforts alone are not enough to achieve a comprehensive solution.

Turkey's accession negotiations and the Cyprus problem are two independent issues. On this occasion, I must express my concern that the Cyprus issue, as long as it remains unsettled, can hinder our cooperation in the future at a time when we shall need such cooperation on more important, urgent and strategic issues."

Peter Westmacott, Ambassador of the current EU president Britain, on his part speaking at the meeting, said: ''We salute Mr. Gul's personal role and political courage in contributing to that transformation, and setting Turkey on the path to its European destiny.

We believe that the prospect of full accession by Turkey shows the world, once and for all, that secular democracy, the rule of law, and market economics are as applicable to Western as to Islamic societies; and that they can thrive together as partners in the modern world.''

Stressing that they needed to sustain that momentum, Westmacott said: ''There is an expectation that the Ankara Protocol signed at the end of July will now be ratified by the Turkish and European Parliaments. We are conscious that, on your side, you would like to see rapid progress from the screening phase to the opening of chapters.

We also take your point that you cannot solve the Cyprus problem on your own; that the United Nations, supported by the EU, needs to resume the search for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem; and that, in the meantime, you look to the EU to give effect to the commitments it made last April to do something on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots.''

[02] PACE President addressed the Turkish Parliament

Stating that Turkey and the Council of Europe had relations which had roots deep in history, Linden noted that Turkey and the Council of Europe accomplished very important successes together.

Linden said that the Council had concerns over some developments in Turkey, indicating that on the other hand, Turkey was a modern and democratic country and also respectful to human rights.

Linden underlined that political and legal reforms that were fulfilled in Turkey were an outcome of dialogue between the Council and the Assembly.

Stating that the Copenhagen political criteria were in fact standards of the Council, Linden said that they appreciated the decision of the EU which opened accession talks with Turkey.

Linden noted that Turkey should preserve an effective border security system and protect its eastern borders because these borders would be the eastern borders of the EU, stating that European people also had some concerns regarding huge migration of Turkish workers to Europe.

Linden said that he believed that some of Turkish workers who could not be integrated to European countries would want to return to Turkey, adding that he was sure that this situation would be temporary and this issue would be solved.

Stating that a series of reforms that were fulfilled by Turkish parliament were actually for the interest of Turkey, Linden indicated that the EU accession process would not be easy. He stressed that Turkey and EU countries should work together during this process.

Mr Linden stressed that Turkey was also a very important country regarding the solution of Iraq, Middle East and Cyprus issues.

Finally Mr Linden said that the European Commission started to do its utmost for lifting of the so-called isolations imposed on Turkish Cypriots.

[03] The Progress Report on Turkey was released. Statements by Olli Rehn

Besides the Progress Report in which developments in the last one year are assessed, the Commission also released the Accession Partnership Accord, which includes short and medium-term targets in Turkey's negotiating process with the EU.

Holding a news conference after the European Commission made public its Progress Report on Turkey and the Accession Partnership Accord, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn said: ''Bold and significant reforms have been undertaken in Turkey in the last couple of years, however, the pace of the reforms has slowed down in 2005. Even though there is progress in implementation it still remains uneven, therefore, further and significant efforts are needed.''

Noting that the EU's short and medium-term expectations from Turkey were mentioned in the documents, Rehn said that some of those short-term priorities to be addressed quickly included Turkey's preserving its zero-tolerance against torture, political immunity, freedom of thought and press, rights of non-Muslim minorities, women's rights and labour union rights.

Stressing that they had made balanced and unbiased assessments in the Progress Report, Rehn said that Turkey made positive developments on several issues such as freedom of thought, fight against torture and women's rights, but there were problems in the pace of reforms in several areas.

Rehn underlined that they expected Turkey to become a real state of law in every aspect by fully abiding by EU values, especially about human rights.

"We have conveyed the message to the Turkish government and public opinion that we could not bargain values regarding human rights", he emphasized.

Referring to the Cyprus question, Rehn told reporters that the Cyprus question and Turkey's accession to the EU were two different issues.

''The EU kept its word by opening negotiations. Now it's up to Turkey to keep its word and stick to its commitment to ratify and implement a protocol, expanding customs union to EU member Cyprus,'' he said.

He stressed that the EU expected Turkey to open its frontiers to Greek Cypriot ships.

Upon a question, Rehn said that they had been working to overcome problems of the Turkish Cypriot community.

Noting that the EU's limited absorption capacity was taken into consideration in the documents, Rehn said that Turkey should be more persuasive and informatory to remove concerns of the EU public opinion.

Stressing that Turkey's population and dimensions required a special approach and effort by the EU, Rehn added that it was easier to accept Iceland as member, than Turkey.

Moreover, Istanbul NTV television (09.11.05) broadcast that Olli Rehn, EU's Enlargement Commissioner, said that Turkey has to abide by its obligation to open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels. Rehn declared that by starting the negotiations on 3 October, the EU fulfilled its promise to Turkey; it is now Turkey's turn. Rehn declared that Turkey has to ratify the additional protocol and implement it strictly. Stressing that this is an obligation, Rehn said that there is no link between the implementation of the additional protocol and the lifting of "embargoes" on the "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus." (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus).

Rehn also drew attention to the importance of showing respect to trade unions, public gatherings, and strikes.

[04] Soyer and Murat off to London for talks

Soyer will attend a conference at the London School of Economics and a panel discussion at the Chatham House on ''EU Development Process and Solution to the Cyprus Issue''.

The self-styled Interior Minister, Mr Ozkan Murat, will accompany Soyer during his stay in Britain.

[05] Turkey -US joint defense committee meets in Ankara after two years

Deputy Chief of the General Staff Gen Isik Kosaner and US Assistant Secretary of Defence for International Security Policy Peter Flory are chairing the meeting at the General Staff headquarters.

Important issues, like the use of Incirlik, NATO activities, and struggle against the PKK, are on the agenda of the joint defence group meeting, which convened after a long hiatus.

The Turkey-US high-level joint defence group, which traditionally meets twice a year, had last met on October 2003. It was said that the suspension of the meetings was due to the tension that arose after the authorization crisis.

The US diplomatic sources said that the convocation of the joint defence group in Ankara is an important indication that the close dialogue between the two countries in the defence sphere is continuing."

[06] Talat and Soyer met with the new leadership of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce

Mr Talat sated that the world and especially the Greek Cypriots must realize that the Greek Cypriots and the Turkish Cypriots are completely equal. Referring to statements made recently by Greek Cypriot politicians that the invitation addressed to him to visit the USA encouraged the division of the island, Mr Talat described as extraordinary the fact that a leader who allegedly supported the division accuses of being a supporter of the division another leader who supported the reunification of the island.

Mr Talat added: "One of the duties of the Chamber of Commerce is to explain to the world and the EU these realities. No European must remain to accept and believe this irrational allegation. ...I am trying to explain this as far as I can, but it would be a matter of great importance if this is explained by the Chamber of Commerce, which has a great role in the EU institutions."

Mr Nami said that during their campaign before the elections in the KTTO they had repeatedly stressed that the so-called isolations of the Turkish Cypriots should be lifted and that they will continue to stress this during the new period as well. Mr Nami argued that the partnership in Cyprus should be made in an environment where the Turkish Cypriots are equal with the Greek Cypriots. He reiterated that they oppose to Turkey opening its ports and airports to the Republic of Cyprus.

The KTTO delegation visited also the self-styled Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer who said that the Turkish Cypriots want to conduct trade freely and that this is their right. He noted that the right of the Turkish Cypriots to conduct trade with the world "could not be limited".

I/Ts.

[07] Serdar Denktas: "Turkish troops will not leave Cyprus"

Stressing the importance of the continued presence of the Turkish occupation troops in Cyprus, Serdar Denktas claimed that, "the last resort that will bring the Greek Cypriot side around the negotiation table is the Turkish troops´ presence in the island".

"If the Greek Cypriots are really concerned with the Turkish troops and see it as a threat, then they should sit around the negotiation table and conclude an equitable agreement", Denktas claimed and added: "If the Greek Cypriots get rid of the Turkish troops from the island, then you have to forget Cyprus and the Cyprus problem. The Cyprus problem is over and the island becomes Hellenic".

In his speech, attacking Britain, Serdar Denktas said: "Britain has interest in the non-solution of the Cyprus problem. Once a real solution is found to the Cyprus problem, the issue of the British bases will be on the agenda. As long as the Cyprus problem exists nobody remembers the bases".

Denktas stressed that the real architects of the non-solution in Cyprus are the USA and Britain. The whole of the island has been turned into a monitoring station of the Middle East, he said.

Denktas further said that they will wait until 2008 when presidential elections in the free areas will take place, from then on if they see that there is no change and the "present mentality" continues to be the ruling mentality, then we will engage in a new evaluation.

We cannot accept the future of the Turkish Cypriots being completely in the hands of the Greek-Greek Cypriots. We have waited for 40 years we cannot wait another 40 years", Denktas concluded.

(MHY)

[08] Five more illegal immigrants of Syrian origin were arrested

Meanwhile, four persons, who were suspected of being involved in human trafficking and being holders of the self-styled citizenship of the "TRNC" (occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus), were also arrested yesterday.

(DPs)

[09] European tourists will be carried to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkish Airways

For this reason, a delegation from the THY administrative council headed by Halil Tokel, which is in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus, had a meeting yesterday with the Chairman of KITSAB, Ismail Cetin. They agreed to sign a protocol.

According to the protocol, travellers from 12 European countries will be transferred to Turkish airports and from there - without a long wait - will be transferred to the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus.

Commenting on the issue, the self-styled Minister of Economic and Tourism, Mr Deniz said transportation is one of the most important issues for the development of tourism.

(DPs)

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