Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-02-03

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Gul after meeting the French Foreign Minister.

[02] Foreign Minister Gul meets with the Palestinian envoy.

[03] French Foreign Minister holds news conference after meeting Erdogan.

[04] Ankara terms publication of prophet Muhammad's caricatures unfortunate incident.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat argues that the policy pursued by the Turkish Cypriots is widely accepted and welcomed by the international community.

[06] Bulent Arinc: The Customs Union agreement will not be ratified by the Turkish Parliament until the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people is eased.

[07] Statement by Commissioner Olli Rehn on Cyprus.

[08] Babacan meets with the French Foreign Minister and discuss economic ties and investments.

[09] Column shows slump in exports, growing foreign trade deficit.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Gul after meeting the French Foreign Minister

Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday, `we will recognize Greek Cypriots after a lasting solution is found under the pioneership of the United Nations.

Gul met French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy, who is currently in Turkey on an official visit.

The two held a joint news conference following the meeting.

`We will recognize the Greek Cypriots after a lasting solution is found under the pioneership of the United Nations. But first of all we should work to find a solution to the Cyprus issue,´ he said. `There was the plan of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan last year. However, a solution could not be reached since Greek Cypriots rejected the plan. Now, the EU should warn Greek Cypriots that they have been damaging the Union by keeping the Cyprus issue high on the agenda all the time. The action plan announced by Turkey last week should be well-assessed to this end. I believe that the action plan is a great opportunity for the parties," he said.

Gul expressed his belief that Turkey, Greece and whole Cyprus could develop a good cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

`A solution can be reached on the island only through mutual respect of the parties to each other. We hope that the EU would contribute to the efforts for finding a solution to the Cyprus issue,´ he said.

Meanwhile, Douste-Blazy said that they want resumption of talks between the two parties on the island to find a satisfactory solution.

He noted that the United Nations was the best organization to this end.

Noting that the issue had an impact on Turkey's EU entry negotiations, Douste-Blazy said that recognition of all members of the EU by Turkey would be a milestone in its EU membership process.

Douste-Blazy said that they wanted the normalization of the relations between Turkey and the Greek Cypriot administration as soon as possible.

Referring to the Joint Press conference of the two Ministers Anatolia noted:

Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul met on Wednesday French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy.

The two held a joint news conference following the meeting.

Gul said: `I informed Mr. Douste-Blazy on Turkey's recent action plan about the Cyprus and asked him to support our initiative.´

`Mr Douste-Blazy's visit to Turkey will further strengthen bilateral relations between our countries,´ he said.

Referring to the economic and commercial relations, Gul said: `the trade volume between Turkey and France exceeded 10 billion USD. France is the sixth biggest country regarding foreign investments in Turkey. Many leading French firms operate in Turkey. Also, nearly 400 thousand Turkish people live in France.´

`Besides the bilateral relations, we also discussed Turkey's EU membership process during our meeting. I want to thank France for supporting Turkey's EU bid. French President Jacques Chirac's support to Turkey on December 17th, 2004 and October 3rd, 2005 is quite meaningful´, he said.

Gul noted: `I informed Mr Douste-Blazy on Turkey's recent action plan about Cyprus and asked him to support our initiative.´

Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy said that they appreciated all the reforms and the political courage of Turkey.

Douste-Blazy said that he wanted to encourage Turkey to go on in its EU membership process.

He called on Turkey to fulfil its commitments on the freedom of expression the, encouragement of women's rights, the protection of minorities, and the Customs Union. Noting that the EU had been carrying out its enlargement process by taking into consideration the views of the public opinion, Douste-Blazy said that this was valid not only for Turkey but for possible enlargements in the future.

Douste-Blazy added that investing in Turkey was an important opportunity and chance for France.

[02] Foreign Minister Gul meets with the Palestinian envoy

Palestine's new ambassador in Ankara Nabil Maaruf said that everyone in Palestine believed that Turkey could play an active role regarding the developments after the elections in his country.

Maaruf had a meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul in Ankara today, stating that he would exert great efforts to further improve the relations between Turkey and Palestine.

Diplomatic sources quoted Maaruf as saying that all Palestinian leaders had a full confidence in Turkey, noting that his country expected Turkey's assistance, because both Palestine and Israel trusted Turkey.

Foreign Minister Gul noted that immediately after the elections in Palestine, the Turkish authorities told Palestinian officials that it was very important to take accurate steps.

Sources quoted Gul as stating that Hamas should be given a chance and Turkish authorities told Palestinian authorities that Turkey believed a strong government which would start to serve after a democratic election, could secure peace more easily.

During his meeting with Maaruf, Gul said that Turkey also said to the Israeli authorities: `it is an opportunity. If the new (Palestinian) government is supported, an important step will be taken regarding peace.´

Stating that Turkey would continue exerting efforts regarding the matter, Gul told Maaruf that Turkish government would extend support to him during his tenure in Turkey.

[03] French Foreign Minister holds news conference after meeting Erdogan

French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy said that Iran should be conveyed some severe messages regarding its nuclear program, underlining importance of Turkey's conveying some messages to the Iranian administration.

Holding a press conference after meeting Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara today, Douste-Blazy indicated that channels of dialogue (with Iran) should never be closed.

Douste-Blazy said that he discussed Iran's nuclear program especially with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul, and underlined the importance of Turkey's participation in the voting of a report to be prepared by the International Atomic Energy Agency in order to reach an international consensus of opinion.

On publication of caricatures of Prophet Mohammad in some press organs in some European countries, Douste-Blazy said that France had always supported the freedom of the press.

`But when assuring the freedom of the press, we should do it within the framework of spirit of tolerance, and we should respect religions and beliefs,´ indicated Douste-Blazy.

Stating that Erdogan and he also discussed bird flu in their meeting, Douste-Blazy indicated that all countries felt concerned over this matter. He added that there was solidarity between France and Turkey to fight the avian influenza.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at his meeting with Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy of France in Ankara on Thursday, that the `caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad are desecration of our moral values.´

During the meeting between Prime Minister Erdogan and French Foreign Minister Douste-Blazy, the issue of caricatures of the Prophet Mohammad which were published by several European dailies and magazines was discussed.

Prime Minister Erdogan said: Those caricatures are desecration of our moral values. Freedom of press should have some restrictions. In a period when we work to ensure alliance among civilizations, such attempts serve the culture of clash. I consider it unacceptable.

The drawings published on September 30th, 2005 by the Danish paper Jyllands-Posten caused anger in the Islam world.

[04] Ankara terms publication of prophet Muhammad's caricatures unfortunate incident

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Namik Tan has indicated that publication of caricatures of Prophet Mohammad in European press was an unfortunate incident.

Holding a press conference today, Tan stated: `Publication of caricatures of Prophet Mohammad in some press organs in Denmark, Norway and some other European countries was an inappropriate incident.´

Tan underlined that parties from different religions, languages and cultures should assume a compromising attitude in this period when countries attach great importance to intercultural dialogue.

The drawings published on September 30th, 2005 by the Danish paper Jyllands-Posten included one showing Prophet Mohammad wearing a turban shaped as a bomb with a burning fuse. Another portrayed Him with a bushy gray beard and holding a sword, His eyes covered by a black rectangle. A third pictured a middle-aged prophet standing in the desert with a walking stick in front of a donkey and a sunset.

Islamic tradition bars any depiction of the prophet, even respectful ones, out of concern that such images could lead to idolatry.

[05] Mehmet Ali Talat argues that the policy pursued by the Turkish Cypriots is widely accepted and welcomed by the international community

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the policies pursued by the Turkish Cypriot side has seen wide acceptance and has been welcomed by the international community. The President also said that the Turkish Cypriot sides policy on Cyprus was being supported by the international community.

He added that the Turkish Cypriots are continuing to pursue the same pro-solution stance as put forward during the 2004 referendum, while the Greek Cypriot side was still displaying the same intransigent attitude.

Speaking during a visit paid to him today, President Mehmet Ali Talat said that the Greek Cypriot sides policies and position on the Cyprus problem will not receive the support of the international community because they were against the United Nations Security Council resolutions.

Complaining that the Greek Cypriot side aim was to gradually assimilate the North, Mr. Talat accused the Greek Cypriot administration of trying to overturn the parameters of the United Nations Security Council on the Cyprus issue.

Referring to a recent statement made by AKEL leader Demetris Christofias in which he said the Russian President Vladimir Putins words were mistranslated on the Cyprus issue, he said that it could be possible, but the important thing was the logic.

The Greek Cypriot administration has proficiency in manipulation, however, its wrong stance is damaging its image within the international community, he added.

[06] Bulent Arinc: The Customs Union agreement will not be ratified by the Turkish Parliament until the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people is eased

The speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Bulent Arinc has said that the additional protocol extending the Customs Union to the new EU members will not be brought before the Turkish Parliament for ratification until the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people is eased.

Speaking during a visit paid to him by a delegation from the Administrative and Social Affairs Committee of the Republics Assembly, Mr Arinc said that it was possible for Ankara to sign the additional protocol extending the customs union agreement but that this would not mean granting diplomatic recognition to the Greek Cypriot Administration as clearly stipulated in a declaration issued earlier.

The head of the delegation, Ertugrul Hasipoglu for his part said that the 2004 referendum had clearly demonstrated to the international community that there were two separate peoples on the island, living in two separate states.

Explaining that the international isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people was inhuman and unjust; Mr Hasipoglu underlined the importance of finding a mutually acceptable and comprehensive settlement to the Cyprus problem.

[07] Statement by Commissioner Olli Rehn on Cyprus

The EU Commissioner in charge of Enlargement Olli Rehn has expressed his embarrassment for the continuation of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people despite promises made by the European Union to end it.

Mr Rehn also expressed his view that the European Council will display a more positive stance towards the removal of the isolation on North Cyprus.

The EU Commissioner in charge of Enlargement Olli Rehn was speaking during his meeting with officials of the Turkish Society of Industrialists and Businessmen, who are having contacts in Brussels.

Noting that the European Commission did its best to contribute to the efforts aimed at easing the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot people, Mr Rehn said that the Commission expects the reciprocal act from the Council of the European Union.

Speaking also, the President of TUSIAD, Omer Sabanci said that the Society supports the latest action plan on the Cyprus issue, announced by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

He also called on the European Union to mount up its efforts on the Cyprus issue.

[08] Babacan meets with the French Foreign Minister and discuss economic ties and investments

`Turkey, with its economic growth, offers big opportunities to Europe, particularly to French companies," said Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan on Thursday.

Babacan met French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy in Ankara.

Following the meeting, Babacan told reporters that political, economic and cultural relations are very important for Turkey and France.

`The delegation that accompanies Mr Blazy is comprised of businessmen from aviation, communication, energy, transportation, water, medicine and iron-steel sectors. All of these sectors have a large investment opportunity in Turkey. Turkey presents big opportunities to Europe especially to French companies,´ added Babacan.

He said: `If commercial and investment relations between Turkey and France are enhanced, Turkey's integration to the EU will be strengthened.´

Blazy, in his part, said that they are impressed with economic success of Turkey, adding that France is ranked the 6th in foreign investments in Turkey, and Turkey's export amount to France grew 8 percent in 2005. He noted that there are 300 French companies operating in Turkey and these companies employed 40,000 people.

Blazy said: `They are working in automotive, telecommunications, insurance and banking sectors in Turkey, and want to work in transportation and nuclear energy areas in the future. He added that they also want to contribute to Turkey's privatization activities, especially in telecommunications area´.

Blazy noted that French companies are eager to invest in Turkey.

After this meeting, Blazy was received by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

[09] Column shows slump in exports, growing foreign trade deficit

The TIM (Assembly of Turkish Exporters) announced the export figures for January. According to these figures, exports in January fell 1.1 percent on last year to $4.944 billion. Thus, while exports over the last 12 months come to $73.3 billion, there has been a 14 percent increase.

The TUIK [Turkish Statistics Authority] announced data for foreign trade the other day. These data were somewhat gave way to concern. Firstly, the data showed a slow down in the increase in exports. Secondly, it showed that the foreign trade deficit was growing, going from record to record.

According to the TUIK's data, imports in 2005 grew by 19 percent while exports grew by only 16 percent. Furthermore, the increase in foreign trade last December appears to have slowed now. Exports increased by 6 percent, imports by 7 percent. This means that exports are gradually slowing down. The TIM figures confirm this. In addition to this there is also a clear slowing down in imports. The reasons for this development are clear. First of all, the increase in oil prices had a major impact earlier on the bill for imports. Secondly, the demand for imports, which stemmed from growth and investment in the economy, has begun to slump.

Subtitle: Exports increasing

There has been much talk recently that the balance of payments deficit is not a problem and that it can be financed. Yet, this is no different from saying, "The cancer patient is being given medicine, it will keep him from dying." Let us immediately state why: what is important is not an even balance of payments or an even balance of foreign trade; what it important is to be able to create a foreign trade surplus. Throughout the world countries that developed quickly like Japan, Germany and Korea grew in strength through being internationally competitive and selling their produce to the world. In other words, development without exporting cannot happen.

Turkey's exports are growing. But this is definitely not enough. If a country's imports grow faster than its exports that means there is a problem. The problem being that the structure of that country's economy does not have the strength to compete internationally.

Subtitle: Obvious deficit

In 2005 the Turkish economy yielded a foreign trade deficit of $43 billion. Yet, this figure was $34 billion in 2004. In other words, an increase of 25 percent. Naturally, part of this increase can be attributed to the rise in energy prices. However, what is really important is that despite the slowing down in imports this deficit is not getting smaller, it is growing.

Exports do not slow down solely because of a real increase in value in foreign currency, of course. A whole host of negative factors ranging from Chinese pressure to the cost of domestic production have an effect. Most important of all, the structure of exports has changed. It has become dependent on imports. In short, the figures have to be interpreted correctly. We should not be consoling ourselves. The goal should be a foreign trade surplus. Yet, there is an obvious deficit out there, and it is growing.

/SK

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