Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-09-28

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Report on Turkey was approved by the EP.

[02] Camiel Eurlings said the Report on Turkey is fair.

[03] The Turkish Foreign Ministry assesses the Report on Turkey.

[04] Ali Babacan comments of the EU Report on Turkey.

[05] Deputies of the ruling Islamic party assess the Report on Turkey.

[06] Turkey grants the illegal regime 1,875 billions NTL.

[07] The Turkish OIC Secretary-General plans to visit the occupied areas soon.

[08] Turkeys envoy to occupied Cyprus calls on UBP to end boycotting the Assembly.

[09] News reports that Greek Cypriot has returned and settled in his occupied village of Davlos.

[10] Four organizations operating in the Famagusta port oppose the handing over the ports operations to the EU.

[11] Dutch political parties removed from their lists for the coming elections three candidates of Turkish origin.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Report on Turkey was approved by the EP

The European Parliament (EP) on Wednesday approved the Turkey report which was prepared by Dutch parliamentarian Camiel Eurlings.

During voting of the report, 429 parliamentarians voted in former, 71 parliamentarians against and 125 parliamentarians abstained.

The report, which is not binding but recommendatory, calls on Turkey to accelerate reforms on the path to EU membership.

The report wants Turkey to speed up reforms and implementations especially on freedom of expression, religious rights, minority rights, civilian-soldier relations, women´s rights, labor unions, cultural rights and independence of jurisdiction areas.

Expressing pleasure over the Turkish government's preparing the 9th reform package, the report recommended the new anti-terrorism law not to include restrictive elements against basic rights and freedoms.

The report called Turkey to amend articles 216, 277, 288, 301, 305 and 318 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) claiming that they are open to arbitrary interpretation.

Noting that discharge of Van Public Prosecutor Ferhat Sarikaya from his post was a cause for concern, the report claimed that developments after the Semdinli incidents showed that the role of the army continues in Turkish society.

The report asks Turkey to drop the 10 percent election threshold, and thus, a broader representation, including Kurdish parties, will be provided at the Turkish Parliament.

Noting that a new constitution may be needed to reflect the reforms on the path to EU membership, the report also condemned the attack on Council of State.

Expressing regret that Turkey could not record a progress in the religious freedom area since the last report of the EP, the report calls on Turkey to overcome problems in education of clerics of minorities as well as their owning properties.

Condemning the attacks of the PKK terrorist organization, the report stressed that the EP is in solidarity with Turkey in the fight against terrorism.

The report calls on Turkey to abolish the village guard system, to find a democratic solution to the Kurdish problem and to apply European standards in custody and arrests.

The report noted that modern, democratic and secular Turkey can undertake a constructive role in dialogue among civilizations. It also asked Turkey to take the necessary steps and swiftly open a border gate with Armenia to start diplomatic and good neighbourly relations with this country.

The report also wanted Turkey to open its ports to Greek Cypriot vessels, stating that Turkey's recognition of all EU countries including Greek Cypriot administration (the Republic of Cyprus) is a compulsory part of the EU negotiation process.

[02] Camiel Eurlings said the Report on Turkey is fair

The European Parliament (EP) Turkey rapporteur Camiel Eurlings said (regarding the Turkey report) that it has mainly returned to its first shape.

Speaking after the voting of the report, Eurlings said that the current shape of the report is fair.

Expressing pleasure on withdrawal of the call on recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide before Turkey's EU full membership, Eurlings said that it is not right to ask for new pre-conditions from Turkey.

The proposal of Greek parliamentarians for Turkey to recognize the so-called Pontus Greek and Syrian genocide was rejected during the voting of the report.

The expressions about Pontus Greeks and Syrians was included in the part about Armenians, and stated that Turkey should adopt the same attitude towards other minorities like Pontus Greeks and Syrians.

The report calls on Turkey to establish diplomatic relations with Armenia and lift economic obstacles with that country, stressing that studies of historians, academicians and researchers on historical archives should be supported and encouraged.

The report noted that Turkey should solve its border problems in a friendly way.

[03] The Turkish Foreign Ministry assesses the Report on Turkey

"Although we consider the EP [European Parliament] report unsatisfactory with regard to the positive contribution that we have expected it to make to our EU process, we find it important that the EP's efforts to prevent Turkish-EU relations from being inflicted further harm by removing a part of our uneasiness regarding the report," the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said.

Releasing a statement on Wednesday, MFA said: "We hope that the sensitivity shown by the EP would contribute positively to the continuation of the process. We appreciate the EP members exerting efforts in this direction."

Recalling that the European Parliament approved today the Turkey report --on the progress that Turkey has made regarding its accession process since October 3rd, 2005-- which was prepared by Dutch parliamentarian Camiel Eurlings, it stated that the Turkish authorities have exerted great efforts since September 4th, 2006 to remove factors which did not comply with the facts of Turkey and which might affect negatively Turkish-EU relations.

The statement said: "Some of the unfavourable components included in the report have been eliminated. On the other hand, it still has some elements which don't have a direct connection with Turkey's EU process and which will not contribute to this process. Refusal of the article which makes recognition of the so-called Armenian genocide a pre-condition of our membership, and support given to Turkey in its fight against terrorism by condemning the terrorist organization PKK, and underlining that the target of talks is full membership, are important. It is also important that the phrase Turkey has a functioning free market economy, has been included in the EP documents."

[04] Ali Babacan comments of the EU Report on Turkey

"It is too early to make a comment about the Turkey Report which was approved by the European Parliament today. Style and tone of such reports are quite important. If their style is inappropriate, it could affect the enthusiasm of Turkey towards the EU membership," said Turkish State Minister Ali Babacan on Wednesday.

Babacan left for Italy to hold talks on Turkey-EU relations.

Holding a news conference at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport prior to his departure, Babacan said: "It is too early to make a comment about the report. But I can say that several positive changes were made in the report."

Upon a question over criticisms against the government, Babacan told reporters: "Turkey has made a considerable progress in fundamental rights and freedoms, and also in democratization in the last 3-4 years. We are aware that Turkey has not reached a perfect point yet. But nobody can ignore our progress."

Replying to a question about Finland's proposal on the Cyprus issue, Babacan said: "We appreciated Finland's efforts as president of the EU. We have always supported such initiatives to find a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus issue."

Babacan is scheduled to meet Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Massimo D'Alema and Minister of EU Affairs Emma Bonino on Thursday.

During his stay in Rome, Babacan will also hold talks with parliamentarians and businessmen.

He is expected to attend an interview with the state-run TV channel RAI on Turkey-EU relations.

Babacan will proceed from Rome to the Finnish capital of Helsinki on Thursday night. He will be received by Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen after a meeting with Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja on Friday.

Babacan will meet Prime Ministry Secretary-General for EU Affairs Jori Luako over luncheon.

He is expected to return to Turkey later in the same day.

Meanwhile, Babacan will visit Belgium and Spain, it was reported. He is also expected to pay visits to Britain and Greece in October.

[05] Deputies of the ruling Islamic party assess the Report on Turkey

Turkish MPs from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) expressed their views on the Turkey report which was approved by the European Parliament today and said the evaluation report is better than the report prepared by the Foreign Affairs Commission.

AKP Deputy Chairman Saban Disli, Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Turkish delegation leader Murat Mercan and Turkish Parliament EU Adjustment Commission Chairman Yasar Yakis spoke at a joint press conference after the EP's decision, on Wednesday.

AKP Deputy Chairman Disli said that they met representatives of EP in Brussels and Strasbourg prior to EP's decision. "We relayed them the message that it wouldn't be beneficial to anyone to accept the report prepared by the Foreign Affairs Commission," Disli added.

Disli mentioned that they succeeded in their attempts and the lawmakers dropped their demand that Turkey must acknowledge the so-called Armenian genocide before it can join the European Union. He also expressed his satisfaction on the refusal of French lawmakers proposal for Turkey's privileged partnership to the EU.

Saban Disli said that the report is not worse than the prior reports and he added: "However, there are parts of the report that bother us. We expect them to act fairly especially on the Cyprus issue. We hope they will take a decision that rewards Turkish the Cypriots."

Disli stated that for the first time EP documents mentioned that Turkey's economy is going well.

Meanwhile, the Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly (PACE) Turkish delegation leader Murat Mercan said the claims that Turkey's reform period has slowed down are not true. "It is in our hands to change this misunderstanding", he added.

[06] Turkey grants the illegal regime 1,875 billions NTL

(MHY)

[07] The Turkish OIC Secretary-General plans to visit the occupied areas soon

The Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Conference Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu has stated that the Organization is still concerned about the Cyprus issue.

Answering reporters in New York where he is for the United Nations General Assembly, he said he will pay a visit to the `Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ soon.

Commenting on `President´ Mehmet Ali Talats official visit to Pakistan, the OIC Secretary-General said the event must be interpreted under the OIC decisions taken on the Cyprus issue.

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu reminded that the former `Foreign Minister´ Serdar Denktas attended the OIC meetings as a representative of the Cyprus Turkish State for the first time, adding that the OIC recognizes the `TRNC´ under the name of the Cyprus Turkish State.

(Tr. Note: Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus is the illegal regime the Turkish Republic has established since the Turkish invasion of 1974 and maintains through the force of arms of 40,000 Turkish troops in occupied northern Cyprus).

[08] Turkeys envoy to occupied Cyprus calls on UBP to end boycotting the Assembly

(MYH)

[09] News reports that Greek Cypriot has returned and settled in his occupied village of Davlos

In its 28.09.06 edition the paper reports the following:

The Greek Cypriot Mirianthis Kyriakos (68), saying that he does not believe that the politicians will bring solution to the Cyprus problem, has returned and began to live in his village Davlos of a population of 250 persons in the north where he used to live before the military operation of Turkey in 1974.

Kyriakos, who explained that he visited many times his village after the opening of the crossing-points between the north and south in April, 2003, noted that his dream was to live in his village and go fishing.

Subtitle: My days are numbered

While Kyriakos was explaining the reasons for settling down at Davlos, he said: An opportunity came and I took advantage of it. I am a retired man. I do not believe that the politicians in Cyprus will do anything. I came to the village where I lived my life.

Noting that he was not worried when he settled in the village, Kyriakos said: Here I live together with the Turks. There is no any problem between us. We get along like brothers. There was no reaction at the Greek Cypriot side as well. We are coming here with my family at the weekends; we are fishing with my grandchildren.

The paper publishes photos with Kyriakos and a Turkish settler in the occupied village of Davlos.

(DPs)

[10] Four organizations operating in the Famagusta port oppose the handing over the ports operations to the EU

The Association of Shipping Agents, the Port Workers Company, the Association of International Transport Agents and Ozkam Lorry Owners Union expressed their opposition to handing over the port to the EU. They also opposed the opening of Varosha. In order to avoid a train crash regarding Turkeys EU course, the Finnish term presidency is trying to find a formula to avoid the Train Crash.

In addition, as Turkish Cypriot daily VOLKAN newspaper (28.09.06) reports, Mr Taner Dervis, the former Director of the Evkaf Administration, sent a letter to Finland which is the term president of the European Union and which is taking some initiatives for the solution of the Cyprus problem. The letter refers to the status of Varosha and according to Mr Dervis, 99.99% of Varosha belongs to Evkaf.

(MY/CS)

[11] Dutch political parties removed from their lists for the coming elections three candidates of Turkish origin

(DPs)

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