Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-12-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan describes as historical the decision of the ECHR on Arestis case.

[02] Abdullatif Sener says that the ECHR decision on the occupied Greek Cypriot properties is the most important development for Cyprus in recent days.

[03] Reactions continue regarding the EU decision on suspending eight chapters on Turkeys EU accession talks.

[04] Hasan Ercakica comments on the EU decision to suspend eight chapters of Turkey´s EU entry talks.

[05] Former General Director of EVKAF alleges that lawsuits should be filed against the Greek Cypriot occupiers of closed Varosha.

[06] Serdar Denktas complains of Turkey not informing the Turkish Cypriots regarding decision which concern them.

[07] Estonia has announced that the information that it will open an office in the occupied areas of Cyprus is not true.

[08] Ahmet Uzun says that the expected growth of the Turkish Cypriot economy for 2006 is 7.8 %.

[09] Talat and Soyer are visiting Istanbul.

[10] Bulent Arinc comments on his meeting with the General Yasar Buyukanit.

[11] A new political party is to be established in Turkey.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Erdogan describes as historical the decision of the ECHR on Arestis case

Mr Erdogan argued that this decision, which refers to domestic remedy, is a historical decision for the TRNC. He said: The Court says to the Greek Cypriot citizens who appeal individually to it to come, after having exhausted the domestic remedies in the TRNC.

According to Mr Erdogan, during the last four years the stability in the growth of the economy in the occupied areas of Cyprus is more than 50 % and next year this figure will reach 60 %. Do you know that the national income which was 4.500 US dollars has now reached ten thousands, asked Mr Erdogan.

Referring to the investments in the field of tourism in the occupied part of Cyprus, he said that the bed capacity had been 6.000 beds and that during the last three years 2.700 more beds were added to it. With the construction of new hotels, the bed capacity will be more than 16 thousands, he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Abdullatif Sener says that the ECHR decision on the occupied Greek Cypriot properties is the most important development for Cyprus in recent days

Responding to questions of journalists after the meeting of the joint Economic Committee between Turkey and New Zealand, Mr Sener argued that 1.500 Greek Cypriot lawsuits regarding the fact that the Greek Cypriots are deprived of being able to use their properties in the TRNC, have completely been rejected by the Court.

He alleged: The rejection of these lawsuits related to the TRNC which had been brought before the ECHR without a decision by the mechanism established in the TRNC is a very positive development. There are two dimensions here. The first is that the ECHR rejected the lawsuits for compensations. The second is that we support the lifting of the isolation on the TRNC. Furthermore, we see as a deficiency the fact that the TRNC is recognized by no other state except Turkey. This recent decision, however, says the following: The Greeks of South Cyprus are obliged to take the TRNC as their interlocutor. They do not have the possibility to appeal to the international law without reaching a final decision regarding their demands at the justice mechanisms or the commissions established there. The legitimacy which a mechanism in the TRNC has indirectly gained before the international law is extremely important from the point of view of its expressing an obligatory procedure. I think that this is the most important development regarding Cyprus during the last days. This must sufficiently be stressed.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Reactions continue regarding the EU decision on suspending eight chapters on Turkeys EU accession talks

Mr Rehn told to the press members then that the four accession talk titles ready to open up for work (economic and money policy, industry, goods control, education and culture) might in fact open up before the end of current EU term president Finland's leadership.

Mr Rehn said yesterday: "We have made some important decisions. The EU showed today with this meeting that it might be able to integrate with Turkey and the western Balkans." Meanwhile, Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja noted yesterday: "It was a successful meeting. I don't believe anyone is unhappy with the results."

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.12.06) reports inter alia the following:

The Turkish government considers the EU's decision on Turkey's EU accession process "an expected but undesired result". Ankara is eager to continue negotiations under the frame which has been adopted so far.

Sources said that chapters on "enterprise and industry policy", "economy and monetary policies" and "financial control" could be opened at this stage, stating that there is no guaranty whether the chapter on "education and culture" would be opened or not.

On the other hand, Ankara considers that one chapter is likely to be opened by the end of 2006.

Ankara thinks that the Direct Trade Regulation will be approved without further discussion as it was mentioned by the EU. If it happens, the issue of lifting isolations on Turkish Cypriots will be included in a formal document for the first time. Turkish government expects that the Direct Trade Regulation which will be approved in January will have satisfactory expressions on lifting of isolations.

In regard to the EU's decision to suspend 8 of 35 chapters of Turkey's entry talks, the Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul noted: "It shows that there is lack of vision in the EU. But we will keep walking on our path."

Replying to a question, Mr Gul noted: "What will Greek Cypriots benefit from opening of one of our ports? What will Turkish Cypriots benefit from opening of Ercan Airport (occupied Tymbou)? There are several discussions on this matter in the public opinion. The important thing is that Turkey's ongoing diplomacy should be sustained. What is important is to get concrete results."

Answering another question, Mr Gul noted: "All reforms have been fulfilled for Turkish people, not to satisfy the EU. The reform process will continue in Turkey."

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily HALKIN SESI (13.12.06) newspaper reports that the decision of the EU regarding the suspension of eight chapters in Turkeys accession negotiations has caused discomfort in Ankara. The paper refers also to Mr Erdogans statements at the parliamentary group of his party and adds that the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Gul commented on the issue and said: This shows the lack of vision of the EU, but the course is going on.

Furthermore, Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.12.06) reports that touching on EU's decision to suspend Turkey's entry talks in eight areas, Turkeys State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener, underlined that Turkey's negotiation process still continued. He said: "This negotiation process will last at least till the end of 2013. The important thing at this point is to make sure that the negotiations will go on smoothly.". On Mr Sener comments, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRIS newspaper (13.12.06) reports that Mr Sener described also as extremely important and positive development the fact that the EU has stated that it will make some steps regarding the lifting of the isolation of the TRNC as of January 2007.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot YENI DUZEN newspaper (13.12.06) reports that the decision of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the EU member states on the issue of the lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots and the statements supporting the negotiations under the UN roof and in the direction of the UN parameters for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem, caused satisfaction in the Turkish Cypriot side. The spokesman of the self-styled presidency, Hasan Ercakica stated that very important developments are taking place on the Cyprus problem. Commenting on the issue, the self-styled Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer asked everybody to support the UN procedure and said: While the Greek Cypriot people seemed to have obtained a profit, they lost. The result brought benefit to no one. Commenting on the same issue, Mustafa Akinci, leader of the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH), noted: There has not been a fatal train crash, but a train crash which was overcome with light wounds.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot OZGUR DUSUNCE newspaper (13.12.06) reports that the General Secretary of the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH), Mehmet Cakici has described as a lie the statement by the self-styled Prime Minister Soyer that the political parties in the occupied areas were informed about Turkeys conditional proposal on the ports. Mr Cakici made this statement yesterday during a meeting with a delegation of the Cultural Association of the Black Sea under its new chairman Halil Ibrahim Akbas.

Additionally, Turkish Cypriot daily CUMHURIYET newspaper (13.12.06) reports that Mrs Margaret Beckett, the British Foreign Secretary, has stated that they would demand the discussion of the Turkish conditional proposals on the issue of the ports during the EU 14-15 December Summit in case these proposals are submitted in writing.

(ITs.)

[04] Hasan Ercakica comments on the EU decision to suspend eight chapters of Turkey´s EU entry talks

`Presidential Spokesman´ Hasan Ercakica has criticized the European Union for raising the demands of the Greek Cypriot Side as preconditions for Turkey.

The `spokesman´ said that the EU Foreign Ministers decision to slow down Turkeys EU membership process and to punish it with sanctions is a saddening development as Ankara has no responsibility for the continuation of the Cyprus problem.

But, he said it is pleasing to see that the EU member states have understood the fact that the Cyprus issue can only be solved under the aegis of the United Nations.

Speaking at his weekly press conference today, Mr Ercakica made an evaluation of yesterdays agreement reached by the EU Foreign Ministers on Turkey which called for the freeze of 8 out of 35 chapters to be discussed between Ankara and Brussels.

The `Spokesman´ pointed to the importance of the decision for the Cyprus issue and said that the EU Foreign Ministers and the EU Finnish term presidency expressed their support for the resumption of the negotiations between the two sides in Cyprus with the aim of bringing about a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem in line with the parameters of the United Nations.

He said although sentences referring to the UN process were prevented from being included in the decision of the EU Foreign Minister, the EUs position in support of the UN process was voiced by the term presidency.

The Greek Cypriot Sides stance has revealed its approach towards the UN process and its determination to prevent any progress from being achieved in this process he added.

The `Spokesman´ expressed the view that it will not be so easy to force the Greek Cypriot Side - which declared the UN process as an `undesired method` - to contribute positively to this process.

He also pointed to the importance of discussions being made within the European Union on the lifting of the international `isolation´ of the Turkish Cypriot Side in spite of all attempts by the Greek Cypriot Side to prevent this.

Welcoming the determination expressed by the EU Foreign Ministers towards ending the isolation of the Turkish Cypriot `people´, he said work will be carried out to make sure that this promise will be kept no later than January, next year.

On Turkeys EU membership process, he accused the European Union of raising the demands of the Greek Cypriot Side as preconditions for Turkey.

He said the EU Foreign Ministers decision to slow down Turkeys EU membership process and to punish it with sanctions is a saddening development as Ankara has no responsibility for the continuation of the Cyprus problem.

Stressing that all the problems being faced were the result of the Greek Cypriot Sides EU membership under the name of `Cyprus`, the `spokesman´ said `the `Greek Cypriot Administration´ should realize the fact that it will not be able to get concessions from Turkey and bring about a pro-Greek Cypriot solution to the Cyprus problem.

Underlining the need for an urgent solution to the Cyprus problem under the aegis of the United Nations, he said Turkey can open its sea and airports to Greek Cypriot Side after the necessary precautions were taken for the lifting of the `isolation´ of the Turkish Cypriot `people´.

[05] Former General Director of EVKAF alleges that lawsuits should be filed against the Greek Cypriot occupiers of closed Varosha

He alleged that in case they accept the decision this will happen with their own approval and will. He also claimed that the administration of EVKAF must file lawsuits demanding compensations for right deriving from loss of use against Arestis and the other occupiers in closed Varosha within the framework of the lex situs principle.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Serdar Denktas complains of Turkey not informing the Turkish Cypriots regarding decision which concern them

The proposals are a great diplomatic mistake and it will cost us a lot, he alleged referring to Turkeys conditional proposal to open one port and one airport to the Republic of Cyprus on the condition that the illegal Tymbou airport and the occupied Famagusta ports open for direct flights and trade with the world.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily KIBRISLI newspaper (13.12.06) refers to Denktas statements noting that Mr Denktas said: No consultation is conducted with us on any issue which concerns us. Our president and government are not taken into consideration. Decisions are taken in our name on issues which concern us, but we learn what happens from the newspapers.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Estonia has announced that the information that it will open an office in the occupied areas of Cyprus is not true

(I/Ts.)

[08] Ahmet Uzun says that the expected growth of the Turkish Cypriot economy for 2006 is 7.8 %

(I/Ts.)

[09] Talat and Soyer are visiting Istanbul

Mr Talat was welcomed at the Ataturk Airport by Vice-Governor of Istanbul, Vedat Muftuoglu.

According to the paper, Mr Talat will attend the gala screening of the film entitled Cenneti Beklerken (waiting for the paradise), which was shot with the sponsoring of the TRNC Presidency and directed by the Turkish Cypriot director Dervis Zaim.

Mr Talat will also hold meetings with representatives of various non-governmental and media organizations.

Mr Talat will return to the occupied part of Cyprus on Thursday.

Turkish Cypriot daily YENI DUZEN newspaper (13.12.06) reports that the so-called Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer is also going to Istanbul this evening for participating to the TV program Pure words broadcasting by the Turkish TV Kanal 7 tonight.

Mr Soyer and his delegation will return to the occupied part of Cyprus tomorrow.

(ML)

[10] Bulent Arinc comments on his meeting with the General Yasar Buyukanit

(MHY)

[11] A new political party is to be established in Turkey

(MHY)

/SK

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