Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-10-25

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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 Talat during a visit to Karpass region villages. Reference to the Finnish proposals

[02] Gunter Verheugen: Turkey's membership depends on its fulfilment of Customs Union obligations

[03] Olli Rehn: The Finnish proposals can be the last chance

[04] The Financial aid and the direct trade regulation among the EU Commission priorities

[05] Asim Vehbi: 'A new, extensive project for the CMC will be prepared'

[06] Emine Erk: People who enter the occupied areas illegally are being brought in by rings based inside Turkey

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by Talat during a visit to Karpass region villages. Reference to the Finnish proposals

Today's program included the occupied villages of Trikomo, Rizokarpasso, Yialousa, Ayios Andronikos and Leonarisso located in the Karpass Peninsula.

Speaking to the illegal BRT during his visits, Mr Talat reassured the public that there was nothing to be concerned about the Cyprus Problem as all measures aimed at protecting the interests of the Turkish Cypriots were in place.

Reiterating the Turkish Cypriots' readiness towards finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus Problem, Mr Talat said that the outcome of the April 2004 referendum was proof of this.

Touching upon the proposals on Cyprus being drafted by Finland, he said that the Turkish Cypriot Side was cautiously following developments.

He said that the Turkish Cypriot Side had not accepted the proposals but was currently working hard improving and changing provisions that could be harmful to the interests of the Turkish Cypriots.

[02] Gunter Verheugen: Turkey's membership depends on its fulfilment of Customs Union obligations

Speaking in Brussels, Mr. Verheugen said that Turkey could not become a member of a European Union that excluded the Republic of Cyprus.

He said it was not possible for Turkey to join a block of 24 members as the EU is compromised of 25 member countries.

[03] Olli Rehn: The Finnish proposals can be the last chance

The European Union Commissioner for Enlargement, Mr Olli Rehn, has repeated that the Finnish proposals could be the last chance of progress towards solving the Cyprus problem, for years to come.

Mr Rehn also expressed his view that the Finnish proposals are the only alternative in ending the current stalemate on the Cyprus Problem.

The EU Commissioner for Enlargement called on the EU member states to support the bid that envisages the opening of 'TRNC' ports to free trade with the EU under the supervision of the United Nations.

He warned that this could be the last chance to take a step forward towards finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.

The proposals being drafted by the current EU term President Finland, and which are yet to be presented on paper, envisages the opening of the Gazimagusa Port (occupied Famagusta) to free trade and the return of Maras (occupied fenced area of Varoshia) under the UN control.

The series of proposals are aimed at breaking the current deadlock on the Cyprus Problem and avert a crisis in Turkey's EU accession talks over Cyprus, ahead of the EU summits later this year.'

[04] The Financial aid and the direct trade regulation among the EU Commission priorities

[05] Asim Vehbi: 'A new, extensive project for the CMC will be prepared'

He also added that they will try to comply with EU and global environmental norms in less than a year, and that for the time being there is nothing more to be said regarding the project before this is done.

During his interview, Mr Vehbi said that the actual proportion of the Turkish Cypriots who want the EU membership is 90-95%, adding that the Turkish Cypriot side must do what is needed if the EU membership is what the Turkish Cypriots want.

He also said that a new building is prepared for housing the so-called Ministry.

(DPs /ML)

[06] Emine Erk: People who enter the occupied areas illegally are being brought in by rings based inside Turkey

Mrs Erk said that the same problem is faced by many European countries, like Malta, Italy and Spain and she added that the aim of these illegal immigrants is to seek for political asylum from an EU member country. She noted that the majority of the illegal immigrants come from Syria.

She also stated that a unit must be formed to combat the human trafficking and that this unit must include academicians, lawyers, 'police' representatives, politicians, journalists, members of the 'custom office' and others. She also stated that the 'police' must co-operate with the army in order for this problem to be faced.

Noting that most of the illegal immigrants come to occupied Cyprus through Turkey, Mrs Erk said that the self-styled police must co-operate with the Turkish authorities. She added that she does not think that the aim of the illegal immigrants is to work in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus but to go to an EU country and seek for asylum there.

(DPs/CS)

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