Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-03-23

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A delegation of Syrian businessmen is visiting tomorrow occupied Cyprus

[02] Turkey abandoned the maypole of threats and is now trying to lure countries out of co-operating with the Republic of Cyprus

[03] Mr Talat explains why the meeting between Mr Tzionis and Mr Pertev was called off by the Turkish side

[04] PACE President to chair the Turkish Centre to be established in Maastricht

[05] OIC delegation is in the occupied areas

[06] The EU Turkey Association Committee met in Brussels

[07] NTV reports that 1000 Greek mercenaries arrived in the free areas of Cyprus to counter the huge Turkish occupation army

[08] Turkey to seek revision of its customs union agreement with the EU

[09] Investigation by public prosecutor against pro-Kurdish DTP leaders

[10] Olli Rehn stated that more chapters will be opened soon

[11] Journalist the first presidential candidate for the Çankaya

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[12] Birand: Turkish Cyprus will slowly slide toward recognition like Taiwans case

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] A delegation of Syrian businessmen is visiting tomorrow occupied Cyprus

As the paper writes Kursad Tuzmen, Turkeys State Minister, speaking about the visit of the Syrian delegation to the TRNC stated that it is a milestone regarding the integration of the TRNC economy to the international economic system. Kursad Tuzmen received to his office the delegation that is currently in Turkey and is visiting tomorrow the TRNC.

The delegations head is the co-president of the Turkey-Syria Working Council and deputy Bahattin Hasan who stated, inter alia, that in their delegation there are representatives of all fields and he noted that during their visit to the TRNC they will determine the fields where cooperation could be established in the future. Mr Hasan, noting that Syrian Businessmen support Turkeys policy in Cyprus, alleged that they support it because this policy is in favour of peace and aims to unify the island. Asked how he evaluates the status of the TRNC, he replied: We are representatives of the private sector. If we have trade relations with the south Cyprus administration why should we not have trade relations with our brothers in the north?.

(CS)

[02] Turkey abandoned the maypole of threats and is now trying to lure countries out of co-operating with the Republic of Cyprus

Mubarak, who arrived in Turkey, was received by Sezer with military honours. Sezer has asked Mubarak not to put into force the Exclusive Economic Zone agreement signed in 2003 between the Greek Cypriot Administration and Egypt, regarding delineation of the East Mediterranean sea for oil exploration rights.

Sezer further conveyed his demand of Egypts not assisting the Greek Cypriot Administration opening of the tender process for oil exploration with the following words: We expect that you will avoid from taking joint activities with the Greek Cypriot Administration at the disputed areas in the Mediterranean.

Mubarak, instead of giving concrete answer to Sezers warning he said: Let us solve our problems that exist between us through more consultations. Sezer also asked Mubaraks support as regards the removal of isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. Sezer said: There are the calls of the Organization of Islamic Conference please help for taking concrete steps.

In the statement issued after the meeting the two leaders had stressed maintaining the territorial integrity and the national unity of Iraq. MILLIYET stressed.

Moreover, TODAY´S ZAMAN newspaper (23.03.07) reports the following under the title: Sezer, Mubarak confirm strategic ties in Ankara:

The presidents of Egypt and Turkey agreed on Thursday at a meeting in Ankara to establish an official framework that would cover all aspects of strategic bilateral relations between the two countries.

The presidents of Egypt and Turkey agreed on Thursday at a meeting in the Turkish capital to establish an official framework that would cover all aspects of strategic bilateral relations between the two countries.

Both Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak and his Turkish counterpart President Ahmet Necdet Sezer gave strong messages regarding the future of bilateral relations between Egypt and Turkey in their remarks at a joint press conference at the Çankaya Palace where Mubarak was welcomed with an official ceremony on the first day of his official visit to Turkey. Describing Egypt as "an important friend and partner at both the bilateral and regional level," Sezer expressed Ankara's determination for strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation with the help of visits between Ankara and Cairo.

"We have come to an agreement on establishing an official framework that will cover all aspects of our strategic relations," Sezer said.

The two also exchanged views concerning regional issues such as the Iraq war and the Palestine-Israel dispute. As for his part, Mubarak said their meeting served as an occasion for revealing the strength of bilateral relations.

The two countries share similar concerns over the possible disintegration of Iraq and a mutual understanding exists between Ankara and Cairo on issues concerning Iraq.

Mubarak's visit comes only days before a planned summit of the Arab League that will be held March 28-29 in Riyadh.

Turkey and Egypt are part of a group made up of Iraq's neighbours that are working to resolve the crisis in Iraq. Turkey is likely to host a high-level international conference on Iraq in 0stanbul in April. Egypt and other Arab countries are pushing for a resumption of the Middle East peace process, trying to convince the West and Israel to deal with a new Palestinian unity government that unites the moderate Fatah faction with the militant Hamas group.

Turkey has also welcomed the new government and has urged all countries to support it, saying it would help re-establish dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians.

Subtitle: Greek Cyprus deal on agenda

Ankara's concerns over an Egyptian-Greek Cypriot deal that paves the way for oil and gas exploration by Greek Cyprus in the eastern Mediterranean was part of the agenda of talks between Egyptian and Turkish delegations at the Çankaya Palace, but not part of tête-à-tête talks between Mubarak and Sezer.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Abdul Gheit and Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Wealth Sameh Fahmi were among the Egyptian delegation while on Turkey's part Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül, State Minister responsible for Foreign Trade Kürad Tüzmen and Industry and Trade Minister Ali Cokun participated in talks between the delegations.

Late last month, when they met in Islamabad on the sidelines of a meeting of foreign ministers from seven Muslim countries to discuss the Middle East, Gül and Gheit had already agreed to put together delegations to discuss the Egyptian-Greek Cypriot deal.

Egyptian officials have promised that Egypt will not take a step that could be harmful to Turkey's interests in the East Mediterranean.

Egypt signed a deal with Greek Cyprus in 2005 to delineate their undersea borders in the Mediterranean and the limits of Greek Cyprus' continental shelf. Greek Cyprus signed a similar accord with Lebanon earlier this year. Turkey, which opposes the Greek Cypriot oil and gas exploration plans, warned the two countries to put an end to the agreements, saying Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots also had legitimate rights and interests in the region.

[03] Mr Talat explains why the meeting between Mr Tzionis and Mr Pertev was called off by the Turkish side

He also said that he will also take up the latest developments with the government tomorrow.

Responding to a question whether he contacted the United Nations following his press conference on Tuesday, Mr Talat said that the UN Secretary Generals Special Representative for Cyprus- UNFICYP Chief of Mission Michael Möller, has visited him and that he had found the opportunity to explain to Mr. Möller the Turkish Cypriot Sides need to evaluate the latest developments on the issue.

For this reason, todays meeting between Rasit Pertev and Tasos Tzionis has been postponed, Mr Talat added.

Mr Talat had called on the leader of the Greek Cypriots Mr Tasos Papadopoulos during a press conference on Tuesday to stop wasting time and to meet with him within the framework of the 8th of July process.

He had also accused the Greek Cypriot leader of hijacking the 8th of July Process in order to prevent EU attempts to implement the Direct Trade Regulation with occupied Cyprus.

A meeting scheduled to take place today between the self-styled Presidential Undersecretary Rasit Pertev and Tasos Tzionis- an aide to the Greek Cypriot Leader Tasos Papadopoulos was postponed to a futher date.

[04] PACE President to chair the Turkish Centre to be established in Maastricht

Florence: Turkish Parliament Speaker Bulent Arinc, currently in Italy to attend the ceremonies marking the 50th anniversary of the Rome Treaty, met the Parliamentary Assembly of Council of Europe (PACE) President, Rene van der Linden on Thursday.

Arinc, who attended a seminar at the European University Institute, thanked Linden for the support he expended to Turkey's membership process to the EU.

On the other hand, Linden said preparations were underway to establish a Turkish Centre in Maastricht. The Turkish Centre aims at boosting relations between Turkey and the EU.

Linden said he would assume the presidency of the Turkish Centre, indicating that a former Turkish ambassador, who represented Turkey in the EU, would be the deputy president.

Arinc later left for Rome to meet Italian Senate President Franco Marini and attend a dinner to be hosted in honour of parliament speakers by Marini.

[05] OIC delegation is in the occupied areas

Before a meeting with ´TRNC Foreign Minister´ Turgay Avci, Fathallah reminded that there were decisions made by OIC to collaborate with the ´TRNC´. "We are here to implement these decisions that have been approved unanimously by 57 OIC member countries," said Fathallah.

On the other hand, Avci said they will discuss political and technical matters with the OIC delegation.

[06] The EU Turkey Association Committee met in Brussels

During the meeting, the Turkish party demanded that negotiations aiming to ease the visa procedures for particularly businessmen, researchers and students should be implemented as soon as possible, sources said.

Moreover, the Turkish delegation wanted the quota applied for Turkish land transportation companies and the limitation of period regarding their stays in EU member countries, to be removed.

Meanwhile, the EU party expressed several demands such as the amendment of Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code, opening of ports and airports to Greek Cypriots and normalization of relations with member countries.

Civil society dialogue, as well as improvement of fiscal cooperation between Turkey and EU were also discussed during the meeting.

[07] NTV reports that 1000 Greek mercenaries arrived in the free areas of Cyprus to counter the huge Turkish occupation army

At a time when critical developments are taking place regarding Cyprus, the Greek Cypriot administration of south Cyprus is trying to strengthen its army. It has been revealed that, to this end, the Greek Cypriot administration has hired mercenaries from Greece.

According to information that reached Ankara yesterday, 1,000 Greek soldiers were transported to the island last January, and joined the Greek Cypriot national guard army. The mercenaries, who underwent military training, wore the uniform of the Greek Cypriot army and started their duty in Cyprus.

Approximately 6,000 Greek troops are currently deployed on the island. It is reported that the Greek Cypriot administration chose to hire mercenaries in great secrecy on the assumption that such an increase in the number of troops will trigger reaction.

Turkey and the KKTC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus], which are aware of the said development, have reacted against this. Turkish officials, who spoke to NTV, said: "This type of militia forces should definitely not be deployed in Cyprus."

The KKTC is planning to lodge a complaint with the United Nations against the Greek Cypriot administration.

[08] Turkey to seek revision of its customs union agreement with the EU

Delivering a speech at a meeting on "Turkish economy" organized by Caucasian Businessmens Association, Sener said Turkey's manufacturing structure is dependent on import of intermediate goods.

According to Sener, the increase in such imports and the foreign trade deficit caused by, stemmed from the Customs Union agreement.

Sener underscored that, following its accession to Customs Union, Turkey granted tax exemption to the most important countries of the world. "In such a situation, the industrial sectors tried to maintain their competitiveness through the import of intermediate goods, in order to survive," Sener noted.

"Consequently, Turkey became a country that can manufacture and export only through importing intermediate goods," he added.

Stressing that Customs Union agreement should be revised, Sener said the most important problem regarding this issue was caused by the "Common Custom Tariffs" covering some countries.

He explained that when EU signed a free trade agreement with a country, the said country's goods were brought into Turkey by paying low customs taxes; while, on the contrary, Turkish goods could be exported to that country with higher rates.

"Turkish economy is not like the German or British economy. Therefore, Turkey faces difficulties at competing with countries where Common Custom Tariffs are implemented," Sener stressed.

Moreover, ANKARA ANATOLIA news agency (22.03.07) reported the following from Brussels: Turkey-EU trade volume exceeded 90 billion euro in 2006 after accession of Romania and Bulgaria.

According to the official data obtained from the Statistical Office of the European Communities (Eurostat), Turkey's imports from the EU-member countries increased 12 percent to 49.8 billion euro.

Turkey has become the fifth biggest market for the EU behind the United States, Switzerland, Russia and the People's Republic of China. On the other hand, Turkey's exports to the EU climbed 15 percent to 41.6 billion euro. As a result, foreign trade deficit dropped from 8.6 billion euro to 8.2 billion euro.

Turkey was ranked seventh among countries exporting most goods to EU-member countries following the People's Republic of China, the United States, Russia, Norway, Japan and Switzerland.

On the other hand, trade volume between Turkey and the EU rose 13 percent from 80.7 billion euro in 2005 to 91.4 billion euro in 2006.

The Eurostat is the statistical organ of the European Commission, producing data for the EU and promoting harmonization of statistical methods across the member states.

[09] Investigation by public prosecutor against pro-Kurdish DTP leaders

In his speech yesterday, Turk addressed the head of the terrorist organization Ocalan as "Mr." and Zana said that the Kurds have three leaders -- one of them is Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, the second Mas'ud Barzani, and the third Ocalan.

The Prosecutor's Office, which launched an investigation into the speeches, will decide on whether to file a suit against Turk and Zana. If they are prosecuted, Turk and Zana will be tried in accordance with Article 215 that incorporates the crime of "praising a crime and a criminal."

[10] Olli Rehn stated that more chapters will be opened soon

[11] Journalist the first presidential candidate for the Çankaya

Turkish journalist and entertainer Metin Uca announced that he is going to run for the upcoming presidential elections, emphasizing that he was expecting support from nearly 110 MPs.

Giving a press conference in Istanbul, Uca emphasized that the next president should be elected with "common sense and compromise".

Stressing that his decision was neither an indication of courage nor an entertaining attempt, Uca said: "This is an effort to open a door for new searches against the deadlock and obstruction Turkey is running into. Therefore, I am serious and hopeful".

Uca also noted that he received positive reactions from liberal deputies within the parliament.

Underscoring that "the office of presidency could not be an issue of black humour", Uca noted, "Even if I fail, I am ready to bear the consequences. I do not have any political obstacles in front of me".

[B] Commentaries, Editorials and Analysis

[12] Birand: Turkish Cyprus will slowly slide toward recognition like Taiwans case

The disagreement between Turkish Cyprus Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer and Commander of the Turkish Peace Corps in Cyprus Lt. Gen. Hayri Kivrikoglu is the element that lies underneath a disease that has been spreading for a long time in Turkish Cyprus. Erdal Safak wrote about this in Sabah. I would like to take up from where he has left the issue.

The population in Turkish Cyprus is increasingly becoming "former residents of Turkey" and the Turks of the island are departing bit by bit. Some go to Turkey, some to other countries. The people who move from Turkey to the island see themselves as the conquerors of Turkish Cyprus. They even see the Cypriot locals as "owing" them. They act accordingly. Even the tourist from Turkey asks for a discount, saying, "We saved you."

This is a very offensive attitude. We can be sure that, if we lose Turkish Cyprus one day it will not be the result of Greek skilfulness but the result of our separatist attitude.

We claim Turkish Cyprus is an independent state. Then the commander of the military force appointed to protect this independent state refuses to shake the hand of this state's prime minister and even inquires from him:

"Why did you not sing the Turkish National Anthem during your assembly?"

Subtitle: So, where is the "independent" label?

This sort of an attitude inadvertently helps those who see the Turkish military as an occupying force. It puts the military in a role that enforces a model instead of a compassionate protector.

Anyway we look at it, Kivrikoglu surpassed his authority and his position. I do not think that the General Staff will ignore this. They will activate their internal mechanisms and convey to Kivrikoglu that his attitude is not appropriate.

The Cyprus issue has been approaching the crossroads. This issue will either be overcome before Turkey's full membership into the European Union by some amendments to the old Annan Plan or the division in Cyprus will carry on.

The continuation of the division in Cyprus means that Turkish Cyprus will slowly slide toward recognition like in Taiwan's case.

In such a crossroads, we cannot govern Turkish Cyprus in the name of the Turks in Cyprus. We cannot teach them what kind of people they should be either. We do not have such a right.

Whether it is a tourist from Turkey, or an emigrant from Turkey, or a member of our military, they should not forget that they are there as guests. One day, they will hand over the island to its rightful owners. If we would like for the Turks of Cyprus to really love us, for them to remember that we will be there for them during their hard times, then we should act accordingly. We should not presume the role of a teacher.

If we keep our crude behaviour, we will find ourselves in a hard position one day.

EG/

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