Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 06-12-22

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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 the British High Commissioner to KIBRIS newspaper.

[02] Statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister that Turkey made no concessions in Cyprus.

[03] UN Secretary General Kofi Annan sent a letter to Talat and Soyer on the occasion of the completion of his duties.

[04] Meeting regarding the public order after the armed fight which took place between persons of the underworld at a Casino in occupied Cyprus.

[05] Statements by Uzun on the illumination of the flag of the breakaway regime on Pentadaktylos.

[06] Avci met with Erdogan.

[07] The occupation regime adopted the self-styled State Budget for the fiscal year 2007.

[08] Turkish Air Traffic Control is modernized.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements by the British High Commissioner to KIBRIS newspaper

Replying to a relevant question Mr Millet said:

I think that the statement of Mr Blair is very clear. We support the principle for direct flights in case it is legally possible. At the moment there is an application by the Turkish Cypriot Airlines and this is considered by technical experts at the transport department. Of course, all the political issues are being examined with great care. It is not possible for me to say what the result will be, because the legal proposals are being checked over again.

When asked to comment on the decision of the EU on Turkeys EU accession course and on the views which say that with the decision the Cyprus problem is a condition on Turkeys EU accession course, Mr Millet replied:

I think that the EU, through Finland, its term presidency, has made an important statement regarding the fact that the Cyprus problem must be solved. No condition could be put between the developments in Cyprus and the process of Turkey in the EU. It is very clear that now, just like it has been in the past, there is a need for exerting a new effort through the UN. The important message which came from the Finnish Presidency is that this issue is important for the EU, but this could not be solved through the EU. This problem could be solved only with a procedure where the two communities will come together on the basis of political equality and with negotiating an agreement which will be committing them. This will be done with a procedure where the UN will offer its godd offices and the other EU states, the members of the UN, the permanent members, will offer all their help so that this happens. I hope that we will soon be able to see substantial progress in this new procedure.

Asked whether or not he is hopeful for a substantial progress in the Cyprus problem, Mr Millet said:

I think the important message is in the points on which the two leaders agreed with Mr Gambari on 8 July, the closing of the difference between the actions and the words, the showing of political will for reconciliation, the need of political equality and refraining from political games. If both sides take the message in a serious manner, we will follow the development with great attention and we will offer all the support. If these conditions are met, I could not see a reason why progress is not made.

When reminded that the Direct Trade Regulation with the Turkish Cypriots is expected to come onto the agenda of the EU within the German term presidency and asked about Britains stance and to say whether or not a concrete development should be expected on the issue, Mr Millet said:

Firstly I want to note an element regarding the commitment of the EU towards the Turkish Cypriots, because there is an important element on the financial aid regulation which was accepted during the Austrian term presidency and which is applied at the moment at the big office of the Commission here. The financial aid is 259 million euros and this is one of the biggest aid programs given by the EU in the world. I think that soon we will see a difference in life of the ordinary Turkish Cypriots. The political relation of the EU with the Turkish Cypriots, with the environmental policies and other things which should be done, will be obvious and the support of the EU will be visible. But we do not think that this is sufficient. There is the need of progress with further development of the commercial ties, for the economic development of the northern part of Cyprus and the economic unification of the island in a more continuous manner. At this moment there is one more commitment on the issue and this issue will be examined during the German term presidency. I could not know what the German term presidency is planning to do, we have to wait and see what they intend to do. Furthermore, we must see what the Commission will say. The starting point of this discussion must be the original proposal of the Commission. There are technical issues which must be discussed. I hope, however, that in the end we will see progress to be made on this important issue.

Asked bout the constructions in the occupied areas and their influence on the environment and tourism, Mr Millet said that he follows closely the issues regarding the environment in the occupied areas and added that the reason for the decrease in the tourism this year is the rapid development of the constructions. He expressed his satisfaction about the moratorium in the constructions in some fields and added that the existence of a new ministry of environment is an important step.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister that Turkey made no concessions in Cyprus

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul stated yesterday Turkey won't backpedal on its European Union membership path, stressing that if necessary, Turkey will open and close the negotiating chapters on its own.

Gul criticized the EU decision to freeze the opening of eight out of 35 chapters of talks with Turkey, saying, "Freezing of the chapters is an indicator of a lack of vision in the EU." In his speech delivered to the budget 2007 session of Parliament, Gul briefly outlined developments under the Justice and Development (AK) Party government, accusing the EU of being "punch drunk" and stressing that the latest move of the EU has shown that the Union has become unreliable.

Recalling his previous remarks in which he stated that the EU is a "Christian club," Gul stated that these remarks aren't incorrect. However he added that the EU is not completely supporting this view. "Some EU member states are defending the rights of Turkey," he added.

"The aim of the negotiations is full membership," he said. "Turkey won't backpedal in the process, even if they force Turkey to retreat. If we freeze our talks with the EU, then we will be deceived. All political parties in Turkey have some contributions to Turkey's EU bid. We cannot lay down Turkey's interests. We will continue with the negotiations process. We stand up for Turkey's interests forever and we won't give up the struggle."

Stressing that Turkey doesn't carry out reforms to satisfy the Union, Gul said that these reforms are implementation of delayed rights. "If necessary, Turkey will open and close the chapters on its own," he underlined.

He pointed out that with the AK Party government, Turkey firstly made a written statement indicating that it won't recognize the Greek Cypriot administration (together with the supplementary declaration issued when Turkey signed the Ankara Protocol), accusing former governments of showing their reactions to the Cyprus issue orally.

In response to opposition criticisms that the government has made concessions on the Cyprus issue, Gul said, "We didn't make concessions. If you accuse us of making concessions, you should say that we withdrew forces, lost territory or made the country economically underdeveloped. But we did none of that. What we did was to follow a policy in Cyprus for the goodness and future of some 73 million people."

Subtitle: EU to give Turkey 2 billion euros for 2007-2010

The European Union will donate 2 billion 99 million euros of financial aid for the 2007-2010 period for Turkey's negotiations process, Turkey's EU Secretariat General told yesterday Parliament's EU Harmonization Commission.

Turkey got EU's financial assistance in line with MEDA programs in 1996-2001 and got support as a candidate country for the years 2002-2006. For the years 2007-2013 the Union has allocated some 11.5 billion euros to be donated to the candidate and potential member states.

The Union also announced that 10 percent of its total assistance to Turkey will be donated to environment projects, while the agriculture sector in Turkey could only get money from the funds after 2009 in exchange for grant projects.

Besides the determined assistance, the 25-nation bloc gave additional 8 million euros for urgently assisting the efforts to fight against bird flu in Turkey last year.

[03] UN Secretary General Kofi Annan sent a letter to Talat and Soyer on the occasion of the completion of his duties

The paper publishes a photocopy of the letter sent by Mr Annan to Mr Talat whom he addresses as Leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community.

(ITs)

[04] Meeting regarding the public order after the armed fight which took place between persons of the underworld at a Casino in occupied Cyprus

HALKIN SESI (22.12.06) reports that in statements on the issue, Mr Soyer told the paper that they would recall the licence of the casinos administrators who do not have a good record. We have launched a wide research said Soyer and added that they are not scared by threats. The paper notes that according to data given by the ministry of tourism, there are 21 casinos in the occupied areas: Two in Nicosia, 14 in Kyrenia and five in Famagusta. It is not completely clear to whom the casinos belong, it adds. Meanwhile, commenting on the same issue the chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), Tahsin Ertugruloglu said that as long as the casinos are not taken under the control of the state and their administrators are not combed, such problems will exist. He argued that the issue of the casinos must be discussed seriously.

Furthermore, in statements to YENI DUZEN (22.12.06) newspaper Mr Soyer said that they will not allow the gangs to enter into the occupied areas and added that the necessary legal measures will be taken. Mr Soyer noted that they are exerting efforts to develop the technological infrastructure in order to be able to ensure the safety of the northern coast of the island and the gulf of Famagusta from the trafficking of people and drugs as well as from the organized crimes. Mr Soyer said that they are trying to build a radar station in the area of Kantara and that the work there is being continued speedily.

(ITs)

[05] Statements by Uzun on the illumination of the flag of the breakaway regime on Pentadaktylos

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Peace and Democracy Movement (BDH), Mustafa Akinci referred also to the issue and drew attention to the increase of the number of the casinos in the occupied areas. He said that they would not believe that such incidents like the armed fight which took place two days ago at occupied Karavas village could happen even if they saw them in their dreams. He argued that such events deal a blow to the tourism of the occupied areas.

(ITs)

[06] Avci met with Erdogan

The one and half hour long meeting took place at the Dolmabahce Palace overlooking the Bosphorous.

Following his meeting with the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Avci moved on to Ankara where he is to have an unscheduled meeting with the Turkish Minister of State in charge of Cyprus Affairs Abdullatif Sener later this evening.

A meeting scheduled to take place between the two men on the 18th of October was postponed because of Mr Erdogans sudden illness.

A statement released by the self-styled Deputy Prime Ministers office said that Mr. Avcis meeting with Mr Erdogan focused on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

According to the statement, the Turkish Prime Minister also reiterated during todays meeting Turkeys continued support towards helping remove the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriots.

Prospects for new economic investments in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus are expected to dominate the agenda of Mr Avci´s meeting with Mr Abdullatif Sener.

Mr Avci will return to the occupied areas on Friday afternoon.

[07] The occupation regime adopted the self-styled State Budget for the fiscal year 2007

The bill was approved by 28 votes to 1 in the 50-seat self-styled Parliament.

The vote came after days of intense parliamentary deliberations held in the absence of the main opposition National Unity Party and the Democrat Party, both of which are boycotting parliament in protest of the current CTP-FRP coalition government.

The State Budget for the new fiscal year envisages public spending of 2.384 billion New Turkish Liras.

[08] Turkish Air Traffic Control is modernized

From now on, nation-wide airline navigation units and air traffic controllers will monitor and direct Turkish air space from a single center equipped with state-of-the-art technology. The project called Systematic Modernization of Air Traffic Management Resources in Turkey (SMART) will enhance Turkeys air traffic and monitoring services in its jurisdiction.

Reports put the cost of the project at $87 million dollars. However, it will be reimbursed by Eurocontrol, the institution responsible for monitoring the European air zone. After its launch, the project will be able to control Turkish air space stretching from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. The SMART project will ensure the replacement of outdated systems, the provision of a safer and swifter service and increase the capacity of Turkish air space.

The provisional modernization phase of the project will be completed in September 2007, and the second phase in 2009. The project, which foresees the renewal of all air traffic control resources across the country, is referred to as the largest in Europe. The SMART system will also make it possible to monitor the entire air zone simultaneously for the next 20 years from a headquarters in Ankara.

/SK

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