Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-07-20

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Highlights of the addresses by Erdogan and Talat before the military parade on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus.

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister insists on recognition of the self-styled regime in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus for a settlement of the Cyprus problem.

[03] Erdogans statements on the Cyprus problem prior to his departure from Esenboga Airport.

[04] The 32nd anniversary celebrations of the 20th July Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus; Statements by Talat.

[05] Statements by the Turkish Prime Minister and Ferdi Sabit Soyer after the formers arrival in occupied Cyprus.

[06] Statements by Talat Erdogan on the Cyprus problem at a joint press conference in occupied Lefkosia.

[07] Representatives from eight countries are to attend the 20th July celebration in occupied Cyprus.

[08] Four more ships are ready to help Lebanon evacuation.

[09] Erdogan discusses the Middle East crisis with his Finnish and Spanish counterparts.

[10] Turkish firm first to extract petrol from Northern Iraq.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Highlights of the addresses by Erdogan and Talat before the military parade on the occasion of the 32nd anniversary of the Turkish invasion of Cyprus

In his address Mr Erdogan said that the 20th of July is a turning point in the history of Cyprus. He alleged that today a state, a republic exists in the occupied part of Cyprus where the will of the people is reflected into the administration.

The 1974 peace operation was a result of a difficult and courageous decision he argued and added that the diplomatic opening they are making during the last four years is a political decision which demands the same courage. Mr Erdogan went on and said: Because the change wants courage. If the status quo became so bad that it cannot continue any more, this means that now the time for change has come. .

Mr Erdogan alleged that the Turkish Cypriots are in a much better situation today in comparison to the past, as the international community understood that the Turkish side is right. I wish it will become much better with the lifting of the isolations, he said and added that thanks to this policy the economic activity has been accelerated and the investments increased in the occupied part of the Island.

During the last four years the Turkish Cypriot economy is continuously growing. I want to remind with satisfaction that during this period a growth bigger than 50 % is realized. With this growth the annual per capita income reached 10 thousand dollars, he said noting that their aim is to reach the annual per capita income of 15 thousand dollars within the next years.

Mr Erdogan noted that they are contributing to the infrastructure of the occupied areas of Cyprus, they are building roads, electricity power plants and in 2005 they launched a project for carrying water from Turkey to the occupied part of the Island. He said that their aim is to turn the occupied areas into one of the most important tourist centers of the region.

A Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which would have completed its economic development, will be the guarantee for peace and the solution, he argued and added: The three-year Economic and Financial Cooperation Protocol which we will sign today, is a clear sign of our contribution to the economic and social life of the TRNC.

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Mr Erdogan said that the parameters of the solution have been put forward during the past forty years. Bi-zonality, political equality, equal status, the establishment of a new partnership state and the protection of our guarantee rights are principles which we will not and cannot abandon, he reiterated and described as positive step the meeting and the agreement between President Papadopoulos and Mr Talat. The solution must be based on the realities on the island, he said adding that the partnership relation will be created between two equal peoples and two founding states. He reiterated that the place of the solution of the Cyprus problem is the UN and not the EU and the framework is the comprehensive plan of the UN Secretary General.

Mr Erdogan said that they think that relating the Cyprus problem with Turkeys EU accession process is not right.

Furthermore, in his address Mr Talat said that the way by which the international community sees the Turkish Cypriots has changed after the referendum on the Annan Plan and that with the policy they apply the Turkish Cypriots and Turkey speak the language which the world understands. He claimed that the allegations of the Greek Cypriot side that the Turkish Cypriot want partition have now collapsed.

While trying for a solution, added Mr Talat, we have to secure that the TRNC stands on its own feet.

Referring to his recent agreement with President Papadopoulos, Mr Talat said that he is ready to work for a solution based on the political equality and the Annan Plan and added: However, it should be known that the security, prosperity and the right of our people to govern itself is sacred for us and no one should ever expect that we will make a step backwards on this.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The Turkish Prime Minister insists on recognition of the self-styled regime in the occupied territories of the Republic of Cyprus for a settlement of the Cyprus problem

When asked to comment on the new initiative following President Papadopoulos meeting with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat in the presence of the UN Undersecretary- General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari, Mr. Erdogan said: This is a distance, an interval. This is a step. It is not everything. Here we have to underline one thing, which is: As you know the Annan plan legally and lawfully is out of the process because of the fact that one of the sides had rejected the Plan and there is a provision that if one of the sides rejects it, it should drop from the process. And now there is a new era, a new process on the basis of the UN. This new process has nothing to do with the EU. There should be political equality. If this is not secured then nothing will happen.

Regarding the new process the Turkish Prime Minister said that in order for this new process to succeed, President Papadopoulos approach to it should be in such a way that it should be geared to bring about not only a technical settlement but both a solution at political and technical levels, then something could come out of it. Also it is a must the acceptance of the TRNCs existence here otherwise continuation of the process is not possible.

When asked to comment on the Turkey EU negotiation process and the opening of the Turkish ports and airports to the Cyprus registered ships and planes Erdogan repeated his known view and said that unless the so-called isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots are lifted Turkey will not open its ports and airports to Cyprus.

As long as, we, as Justice and Development Party are in the administration this decision will continue exactly as it is, Erdogan stressed.

When asked to comment on President Papadopoulos alleged attempt to by- pass the Turkish Cypriot leadership and settle the Cyprus problem with Turkey, Mr Erdogan said: During different international conferences when we met each other Mr Papadopoulos always used to tell me: let us sit down and have a coffee together and let us discuss this issue. And I used to tell him: Esteemed Mr Papadopoulos your proper respondent is Mr Talat. You have to talk to him and you have to have the coffee with him. If you, by any means, want our presence then we have to invite Mr Karamanlis as well and we will sit the four of us. In fact recently the Austrian Chancellor Mr Wolfgang Schussel as EU term president in Vienna had proposed this. I told him that I cannot come together with Mr Papadopoulos. If he wants he could meet with Mr Talat. If this meeting is preferred to be done on an enlarged level then as guarantor states, Greece, that is Mr Karamanlis and I could be involved in it. If you want we could do this here in Vienna under your term presidency. He said that this was a good suggestion and he would see to it. It seems that he could not succeed and Mr Annan could.

(MHY)

[03] Erdogan´s statements on the Cyprus problem prior to his departure from Esenboga Airport

Mr Erdogan noted that he would have meetings with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat, Ferdi Sabit Soyer, Fatma Ekenoglu, Serdar Denktas and leaders of political parties during his visit to the TRNC, stating that he would discuss the Cyprus problem and the steps that would be taken from now on.

Stressing that the Turkish Cypriots did their utmost for a lasting, fair and comprehensive solution on the Cyprus problem, he said that Turkish Cypriots were in favour of democracy and peace.

''We will continue to assume a constructive attitude for a solution based on political equality between the two parties. We support UN Secretary General Kofi Annan's efforts. We are determined to exert efforts for ending 'isolations' on the 'TRNC' (Tr. Note: breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus). No one should expect us to make any concession on this matter,'' he underlined.

Mr Erdogan also stated that: "The Turkish side has fulfilled all commitments in attempts to reach a fair, permanent and comprehensive solution. Turkish Cypriots always pursue peace, democracy and integration with the world.

[04] The 32nd anniversary celebrations of the 20th July Turkish invasion and occupation of Cyprus; Statements by Talat

Various events and ceremonies are being held as from today, in Lefkosia and other towns around the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (Tr. Note: breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus) to mark the anniversary.

Tomorrows first official ceremony will be a commemorative event at the Bogaz Martyrs cemetery.

Two warships from the Turkish Navy have docked in Girne Port and will be open to publics visits during their three day stay.

The Turkish Stars the Turkish Air Forces supersonic acro-team will be performing in the skies of the TRNC as part of the celebrations.

The TRNC Peace and Freedom Day will also be marked with ceremonies in Turkey.

In his address broadcast on Radio and Television Bayrak, President Mehmet Ali Talat said the Turkish Armed Forces had intervened in Cyprus to bring peace, freedom and security both to Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

He said that the landing of the Turkish troops in Cyprus was more, a duty, rather than a legal right and obligation stemming from standing international agreements.

The President underpinned the fact that the Cyprus problem did not start in 1974 - as presented by the Greek Cypriot side (Tr. Note: Republic of Cyprus) - but was a direct result of the Greek - Greek Cypriot onslaught on Turkish Cypriot villages and towns across the island.

A lasting and just peace in Cyprus can only be achieved if the historic realities are seen by all he stressed, making it clear that the Turkish Cypriot sides main objective is to heal the wounds of not only Turkish Cypriots, but of the whole of Cyprus, respecting the historic realities about the island and keeping in mind the bitter experiences of the past.

The President said it was important not to forget the fact that a fascist military coup detat, engineered by the-then Greek Junta in Athens, had preceded the Turkish Peace Operation in Cyprus.

The coups objective was the annihilate Turkish Cypriots and subject them to ethnic cleansing from the surface of the island he said.

Mr Talat said the prior objective of the Turkish Peace Operation in Cyprus had been to bring peace, freedom and security both to Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots alike, and to restore the constitutional order, disrupted by the Greek engineered coup detat.

In time, the Greek Cypriot leadership has begun presenting the 20th of July Turkish Peace Operation as something that has come out of the blue, without any reason, and totally unjustified he said,

They appear to have forgotten all the atrocities EOKA, the Greek Cypriot National Guard and Greek units in Cyprus had carried out until then; they also seem to have forgotten the burnt down Turkish Cypriot villages and neighbourhoods, dozens of Turkish Cypriots who went missing, the massacres in many Turkish Cypriot villages, Turkish Cypriot lands and properties left behind in South Cyprus, the hardships thousands of Turkish Cypriot refugees had been made to suffer, and the terror that aimed and erasing Turkish Cypriot identity from the social, cultural and economic map of Cyprus he said.

Referring to the drastic political changes that took place after the Turkish Cypriots approval of the Annan Plan in 2004 and the complete political overhaul that followed in domestic politics in the TRNC, Mr Talat said it was a fact that the Turkish Cypriot People is now talking the worlds language, and receiving acceptance at international level.

We are now out of the dark days of the past, and, as one of the two equal partners of Cyprus, are adhering to our rights with honour he said.

Mr Talat said it is the TRNCs mission to help resolve the Cyprus problem for good, and said Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots destiny is not for war, hostility and discrimination; but for peace and brotherhood.

As Turkish Cypriots we believe that Turkeys peace initiative that began 32 years ago, will be crowned with success the day when we will leave behind a country in peace, part of Europe, and in which Turkish Cypriots will be entitled to live an honourable life in dignity he said.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime set by the Turkish Republic in the properties of the evicted Greek Cypriots in the territories of Cyprus occupied by 40.000 Turkish troops).

[05] Statements by the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan and Ferdi Sabit Soyer after the formers arrival in occupied Cyprus

The Turkish Minister of State also in Charge of Coordinating Cyprus Affairs Abdullatif Sener, the Ministers of State Ali Babacan and Kursat Tuzmen, the Minister of Justice Cemil Cicek, the Minister of Energy Hilmi Guler, the Minister of Transport Binali Yildirim, 14 Members of parliament and the Foreign Ministrys deputy-Undersecretary Ertugrul Apakan are in the delegation accompanying the Turkish Premier.

Immediately after his arrival, Mr Erdogan met with the self styled Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and the Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu.

Later, he chaired the Turkish delegation at inter-delegation talks between the two countries, the TRNC delegation being led by Mr Mehmet Ali Talat.

Mr Erdogan later paid a courtesy visit to the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktash.

Earlier, on his arrival in the TRNC, Mr Erdogan and Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer held a joint press conference at the Ercan Airport.

He said that the economic development and improved prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots will help to create the basis for peace, stability and a settlement in Cyprus.

He noted that during his stay in the TRNC, he will exchange views with political leaders regarding the latest developments on the Cyprus problem and on possible future steps to be taken on the issue.

Explaining that the Turkish Cypriot Side had proven its willingness to work for a solution to the Cyprus problem with the 2004 Referendum, he called for the lifting of the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

Stressing Turkeys devotion to its responsibilities stemming from the past, he said Ankara has been continuing its efforts to help end the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot while at the same time continuing to support the TRNCs political, economic and social development.

For his part, Mr Ferdi Sabit Soyer pointed to Turkeys ever ready support to the Turkish Cypriots political equality and existence in Cyprus through cultural, economic and military backing.

Explaining that the Turkish Side had proven its cooperative and constructive approach in support of a solution to the Cyprus Problem, Mr. Soyer reiterated the Turkish sides determination to continue with the same policy, expressing the wish, also, that negotiations will restart as soon as possible.

He also said that the Action Plan proposed by Ankara was the best possible way to overcome the artificial obstacles raised before Turkey in its EU membership process.

During his three day stay in the occupied areas, the Turkish Prime Minister will attend four different opening ceremonies and receive honorary doctorates bestowed on him by two universities.

[06] Statements by Talat Erdogan on the Cyprus problems at a joint press conference in occupied Lefkosia

Erdogan and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat held a joint press conference after their meeting in Lefkosia.

''We came to the 'TRNC' to 'celebrate' July 20th 'Peace and Freedom Day' with our brothers and sisters,'' said Erdogan.

''Turkey will be on the side of the 'TRNC' as a guarantor nation. We will continue to seek a solution in Cyprus under the roof of the United Nations,'' noted Erdogan.

Erdogan stressed that the world community must end all isolation of the TRNC.

''We have done all we could for peace until now. We are ready to do whatever is necessary '' underlined Erdogan.

''TRNC' will continue to stand strong. I am happy to join in the 'celebrations' of July 20th,'' expressed Erdogan.

Thanking Erdogan and his delegation for being in the 'TRNC' on the occasion of July 20th, Mr Talat indicated that Turkish Cypriots wish for equal political representation in a bi-communal setting in Cyprus.

''We favor a solution under the Annan Plan,'' stressed Talat.

Talat underlined that TRNC expects Greek Cypriots to display sincerity in finding a solution in Cyprus. ''We wish the Greek Cypriots to hold our hand of peace,'' reiterated Talat.

Mr Talat added that the Turkish Republic's participation in the celebrations of July 20th with a high level delegation is a reason to be confident about the future.

''On behalf of the 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus', I thank for the visit of Erdogan and his delegation,'' commented Talat.

[07] Representatives from eight countries are to attend the 20th July celebration in occupied Cyprus

The guests were received by the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and the self styled Speaker of the Republics Assembly Fatma Ekenoglu this morning.

The official guests were briefed on the history of the Cyprus problem and the latest developments concerning the issue, with a view of the Turkish Cypriot sides stance.

Welcoming the guests, Mr Talat reiterated the Turkish Cypriot Sides readiness to participate in a new negotiations process in line with the recent decisions reached between him and President Tassos Papadopulos at the presence of the UN Undersecretary General for Political Affairs Ibrahim Gambari.

[08] Four more ships are ready to help Lebanon evacuation

According to the paper, the Turkish passenger ship Su made its second trip yesterday afternoon to Lebanon in order to help in the evacuation. The ship reached the occupied port of Famagusta at 0100 Thursday with approximately 500 Europeans, refuelled and then took them to the Turkish Mediterranean port of Mersin.

It is reported that four more ships - the Akgunler I, Akgunler III, Girne ferryboat of the Fergun shipping company and Pirce of Girne - are ready to depart from the occupied port of Famagusta to further assist in the evacuation.

(DPs)

[09] Erdogan discusses the Middle East crisis with his Finnish and Spanish counterparts

"Efforts should be exerted to declare a cease-fire," said Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, while speaking to Matti Vanhanen, Prime Minister of Finland, the Rotating President of the EU on the phone on Wednesday.

Within the framework of the diplomacy Erdogan has been carrying out to end the tension escalating between Israel and Palestine and to declare a cease-fire, he spoke to Vanhanen and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero on the phone.

Erdogan informed Vanhanen about his phone talks with Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora and Syrian President Bashar al-Asad.

Erdogan stated that the situation worsened and that cease-fire should be declared soon. "Steps to be taken by the EU on this issue will be decisive," he indicated.

Vanhanen thanked to Erdogan for his endeavors.

Erdogan later spoke to Zapatero on the phone. The two prime ministers agreed that the situation worsened and decided to hold joint actions and steps for settlement of peace and cease-fire.

Zapatero said he shared the views and concerns of Erdogan.

"Alliance of Civilizations faces a serious examination," Erdogan stated.

[10] Turkish firm first to extract petrol from Northern Iraq

Koksal, who believes that Turkey has to in some way assert its voice in terms of Northern Iraq's petrol situation, had begun his work in the region before the current US invasion of Iraq. He signed his first agreement with Jalel Talabani, who was the then-leader of the Iraqi Kurdish Patriotic Union, as is now the President of Iraq. At that time, he opened his first office in Suleymaniye.

If Guntekin Koksal's aims in terms of production stay on course, and if Turkey approaches the import of petrol from Northern Iraq positively, the first stop for the unrefined petrol from Koksal's oil wells will be the TurOrk refineries in Turkey. Which will mean the entrance of very cheap unrefined petroleum into Turkey.

/ES

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