Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-08-13

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Precautions by the Turkish side for a positive reply to President Papadopoulos´call for a meeting with Talat

[02] Avci on his visit to Syria

[03] The works of transferring energy lines to the occupied Cape Apostolos Andreas have started

[04] Plans for a football village are being prepared by the Turkish Football Federation in the buffer zone

[05] Centikaya delegation met with the responsible of foreign affairs of the English Football Federation

[06] TPAO to start prospecting for oil in Mediterranean in November

[07] Ankara says Greek Cypriot veto threat on energy trivial

[08] Technical team to Iran for MoU on energy

[09] Deputy resigns from CHP. New distribution of seats

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Precautions by the Turkish side for a positive reply to President Papadopoulos´call for a meeting with Talat

Turkish and Greek Cypriot leaders are expected to meet late August or early September if Papadopoulos guarantees that the talks will continue after the presidential elections, Turkish Daily News newspaper (11.08.07) reported the following by Duygu Guvenc:

As the latest polls indicate that Tassos Papadopoulos continues to lead in the Greek Cypriot presidential elections, Turkish Cypriot Leader Mehmet Ali Talat is preparing to meet with his Greek counterpart Papadopoulos late August or early September, the Turkish Daily News learned from diplomatic sources. However, the Turkish side does not want the opportunity to be used as a propaganda tool by Papadopoulos on the eve of presidential elections and has requested a time schedule before determining the date. This is a manoeuvre by Papadopoulos to win the presidential elections. If he were sincere, he would not have prevented a friendship football match between Luton Town and Cetinkaya Clubs in July. Talat will meet with him but we don't want to be used for interior matters, said Turgay Avc1, foreign minister of Turkish Cypriots, to the TDN in a phone interview yesterday. Commenting that Papadopoulos escaped from direct talks on the substantial matters according to the July 8 Gambari process, sources from the Turkish foreign ministry also questioned the sincerity of Papadopoulos. This meeting should not be for taking photos or showboating, but a time schedule has to be arranged for the technical and substantial talks, said ministry sources, drawing attention as well to the timing of a letter sent by Papadopoulos to the United Nations. Papadopoulos sent a letter to the UN on July 5 to meet with Talat by the end of July, soon after AKEL announced Dimitris Christofias as their presidential nominee against Papadopoulos. First Talat sent a positive reply to the call, but since Papadopoulos didn't take any initiative on the friendship football match, the meeting of the two leaders was postponed. Since the July 8 process started in 2006, 13 months passed without any meeting because of Papadopoulos. There is no need to hurry for bilateral meetings if the talks would not start according to a time schedule and if it would come to an end by the end of presidential elections, said the Turkish sources.

Subtitle: Möller keeps his seat

The talks between the two Cypriot leaders are expected to start before the UN Secretary General's Special Representative in Cyprus Michael Moller returns from vacation in September and expected to continue under UN auspices later. On the other hand, the Turkish Daily News learned that Moller seems to want to retain his seat for another term despite the Turkish initiatives for the appointment of a new representative. Ankara refused to give an appointment to Moller when he was appointed as a special representative, rejecting him on the basis of his partial statements on behalf of Greek Cypriots in 2006.

Subtitle: Papadopoulos leads according to Ankara

According to the information gathered in Ankara, Papadopoulos is expected to be elected once more in the elections set for February 16, 2008, since the Democratic Party (DIKO) and the Movement of Social Democrats (EDEK) have decided to back Papadopoulos. A moderate name, Dimitris Christofias is a nominee of the left-wing Progressive Party of the Working People (AKEL), but Ankara does not expect him to win the race. AKEL is only a kingmaker in the presidential elections, said a Turkish source. Former Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides backed by the opposition Democratic Rally (DISY) and former Agriculture Minister Costas Themistocleous are the other candidates. According to the latest telephone opinion pool by Symmetron Market Research carried out July 30-August 3 with 800 individuals, Papadopoulos continues to lead in the race.

For the first round, Papadopoulos received 32.1 percent of the survey vote, followed by Kasoulides with 28.7 percentage and Christofias with 28.3 percent. According to polls on the second round, Papadopoulos would defeat Kasoulides 51.6 percent to 35.2 percent with 13.2 percent of voters undecided; Papadopoulos would defeat Christofias 42.8 percent to 39.7 percent with 17.5 percentage undecided; and Christofias would defeat Kasoulides 41.8 percent to 37.9 percent, with 20.3 percent undecided.

[02] Avci on his visit to Syria

Foreign Minister Turgay Avci of Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) called on Greek Cypriot administration to renounce policy of armament and intransigency.Avci said in written statement on Saturday that Turkish Cypriots continue to exert efforts to start comprehensive negotiations for a fair and permanent settlement in Cyprus.

Avci reminded that Greek Cypriot side will procure 41 new tanks for 110 million USD, noting that it is the proof that shows the need for Turkish Armed Forces as a peacekeeper in the island.

On his statements after returning from Syria, Ankara Anatolia (12.08.07) reported the following from occupied Lefkosia:

"I had very fruitful talks as regards to the openings my country plans to make," Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) Foreign Minister & Deputy Prime Minister Turgay Avci said on Sunday.

Avci released a written statement following his 2-day visit to Syria. Avci said he met high ranking Syrian executives during his visit to Syria within the scope of the tours to OIC member countries aiming to ensure TRNC's opening to foreign countries.

Stating that Syria and Turkey were the key points of economic development in East Mediterranean basin, peace and stability, Avci said TRNC was resolved to boost ties with Syria.

Avci said Syria was one of the most important countries of the East Mediterranean, and defined Syria "friendly country".

On the same issue illegal Bayrak television (11.08.07) broadcast the following:Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci has called on the Greek Cypriot Administration to give up its intransigence and armament policies.

Meanwhile, Mr Avci returned to the Republic today after completing his contacts in the Syrian capital Damascus.

In a written statement, Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister Turgay Avci pointed to the Greek Cypriot Administrations latest initiative to buy 41 new tanks for the military and said this has once again proved the need for the presence of the Turkish Armed Forces in Cyprus.

Mr Avci also stated that this initiative by the Greek Cypriot Side shows the real aim of the Greek Cypriot Leader Tasos Papapdopulos at a time when constructive efforts by the Turkish Cypriot Side is continuing towards finding a just and comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem.

In his statement, Mr Avci said it is understood that Mr Papadopoulos who was one of the pioneers of the Akritas plan which caused bloodshed in Cyprus between 1963 and 1974 does not hesitate to lead his people into a disaster for the sake of his own interests.

Noting that Greek Cypriot Sides fake attitude on the solution of the Cyprus problem only serves to mislead the international community, Turgay Avci called on the Greek Cypriot Administration to give up its armament and intransigence policy.

Meanwhile, Mr Avci and his accompanying delegation who had series of contacts in the Syrian capital Damascus returned to the republic.

Evaluating his contacts in Syria, Mr. Avci said his contacts had been very useful in terms of taking new initiatives for common projects.

He described Syria as a key figure in the Eastern Mediterranean which represents economic development, peace and stability, together with motherland Turkey.

We are committed to improving our relations with Syria further, he added.

Stating that his visit to Syria was part of visits paid to member countries of the Organization of the Islamic Conference with the aim of promoting the TRNC, Mr. Avci said the TRNC delegation was warmly welcomed by all Syrian officials.

[03] The works of transferring energy lines to the occupied Cape Apostolos Andreas have started

The paper further reports that work has started to draw energy lines to the area. Workers started erecting poles that will support the energy lines. The paper writes that it is planned that each day 25 poles will be erected and the work will take 20 days to be completed. The distance between two poles is 80 meters.

The environmentalist organizations through their representatives condemned the action and declared that their protests will continue. On the other hand people living in the area welcomed the action taken by the so-called government for drawing energy lines to the area. They said that bringing electricity to the area is one thing and environment is another.

(MHY)

[04] Plans for a football village are being prepared by the Turkish Football Federation in the buffer zone

The project envisages establishment of a peace village near the Taksim stadium in the buffer zone where the Turkish and Greek Cypriot youth will come together. The paper reports that application will be made to the FIFA regarding the project. The so-called chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation has extended his support for the project.

(MHY)

[05] Centikaya delegation met with the responsible of foreign affairs of the English Football Federation

The Chairman of Centikaya, Mr Zeki Ziya, discussed with Ms Bateman the cancellation of the football match between Centikaya and the English football team Luton Town. Ms Bateman asked from the Centikaya delegation to prepare a dossier with all the details of the matter and added that the English Football Federation will evaluate this dossier in its next meeting that will be held this month.

[06] TPAO to start prospecting for oil in Mediterranean in November

Turkish Petroleum Corp. (TPAO) plans to start seismic activities to prospect oil and natural gas off Antalya Gulf in November.

Focusing on Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea as it was not hopeful for prospecting on land, TPAO will expand its prospection field --offshore Antalya, Mersin and Iskenderun in the Mediterranean coast-- in Turkey's exclusive economic zone.

TPAO applied to Directorate General for Oil Affairs (PIGM) for oil and natural gas drilling permission and PIGM will affirm this application if there are no other applications for Eastern Mediterranean.

TPAO executives told the A.A that they have rented a research vessel for seismic activities and that the vessel will start activities in November. Pointing out foreign interest in Turkey's oil prospection activities, TPAO executives said 7 foreign companies came to TPAO to get information to participate in oil and natural gas prospection in Turkey's exclusive economic zone. TPAO will assess foreign offers in September.

[07] Ankara says Greek Cypriot veto threat on energy trivial

The Greek Cypriot administration's recent threats against Turkey's objection to offshore oil and gas exploration licensing in the waters around divided Cyprus has sparked a harsh reaction from Ankara.

The Turkish government stated that it was impossible to link the issue to Turkey's bid for European Union membership as the Greek Cypriot foreign minister, Erato Kozakou Marcoullis, has done. The Greek Cypriot administration plans to issue exploration permits for a 70,000-square-kilometer sea area to the south of the island later this year (the deadline for submission of expressions of interest is on Aug. 16), while the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) opened tenders for oil and gas exploration in a 4,000-square-kilometer area in the eastern Mediterranean in May. Bids will be accepted until the end of August.

Over the weekend Marcoullis threatened Turkey over its objection to the tender by raising the EU card. Nicosia claims to represent the whole island in the union, and she said Ankara's behaviour was being monitored by Brussels and that its attitude towards Cyprus' oil exploration could not go unchecked, warning that "there will certainly be repercussions." "There is already one serious consequence arising from the energy chapter of the EU accession negotiations,' Marcoullis added. She said Turkish behaviour would make opening the chapter "inconceivable."

"This situation once more displays the validity of our view that the Greek Cypriot side should not have been let into the EU without a resolution to the Cyprus issue. There is no relationship between Turkey's entry talks with the EU and the EU's acquis in the field of energy and oil exploration in the Mediterranean," a senior Turkish diplomat told Today's Zaman on Sunday.

Greek Cyprus signed accords with Egypt in 2005 and Lebanon earlier this year, to delineate the sea boundaries between them along with the limits of the continental shelf. Ankara opposes those agreements on the basis that international law states that sea boundaries between countries and the limit of the continental shelf for each country need to be delineated in a consensus amongst all the coastal and neighbouring states when the issue is in a semi-closed sea like the east Mediterranean.

Meanwhile, the Greek Cypriot government's efforts to persuade public opinion of the benefits of the tendering process have not satisfied the local media. The Greek Cypriot daily Politis reported a lack of interest by international companies in the bid, saying only seven medium-sized companies have so far submitted the required research file.

[08] Technical team to Iran for MoU on energy

Turkey has formed a technical delegation in order to iron out the details of the "Memorandum of Understanding on Energy" signed between Turkey and Iran, on July 13th, in Turkish capital of Ankara.

Members of the technical delegation will pay a visit to Iran in the upcoming days, where they will hold meetings with their Iranian counterparts.

During the visit, executives of Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) will hold talks regarding the development and opening to production of the 22nd, 23rd and 24th phases of the South Pars Gas-Condensate field, located in Iran.

The South Pars Gas-Condensate field is the biggest gas field in the world, officials underscored.

Nearly 3-4 billion USD will have to be invested if TPAO starts natural gas production in the mentioned field, officials said. TPAO would start to seek partners in such case.

"We are planning to pump approximately 20 billion cbm of gas from this field. This is equal to nearly two-thirds of Turkey's annual requirement. The natural gas to be taken from the area will be pumped to Turkey through the pipeline to be built by BOTAS and the related Iranian company. While part of this gas will be used in Turkey, part of it will be carried to Europe," officials said.

"If Iran is a bit later, it will miss the opportunity to enter the European market. Therefore, it should cooperate with Turkey as soon as possible," sources affirmed.

[09] Deputy resigns from CHP. New distribution of seats

Erdogan Yetenc, Republican People's Party (CHP) MP from the western city of Manisa, resigned from his party on Friday.

Number of CHP seats in the parliament dropped to 98.

Below is the list of political parties and distribution of seats in Turkish parliament:

BOT

AK Party: 341

CHP: 98

MHP: 70

DTP: 20

DSP: 13

ODP: 1

Independent: 5

Vacant: 1

EOT

Justice and Development (AK) Party, Republican People's Party (CHP), Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), Democratic Society Party (DTP) and Democratic Left Party (DSP) and Freedom & Solidarity Party (ODP).

EG/

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