Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-10-31

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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 of Hasan Ercakica on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem

[02] YAGA in the Service of Investment

[03] Directory to boost UK-Turkish trade relations. Reference to Cyprus

[04] The New Cyprus Party stated that it wants the change of the demographic structure and the transfer of new population to stop

[05] Oya Talat continued her contacts in Italy

[06] EP deputy Ozdemir sends letter to Poettering on the EP forthcoming visit to Cyprus and on the EP the status of the two Turkish Cypriot in the EP

[07] Babacan stated that the Cyprus problem is among the priorities in Turkey's foreign policy

[08] Talat to open the 400 years of heritage: Envkaf records in Cyprus exhibition at the Istanbul modern arts gallery

[09] 'Eastern Mediterranean 2007' Military Exercise To Be Held on 1-10 Nov

[10] Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to visit US on 3-6 November

[11] Turkey and Iran to sign energy agreement on November 7

[12] Queen Elizabeth sent an official congratulation card to a British woman who lives in occupied Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Statements of Hasan Ercakica on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem

Mr Ercakica rejected the claims that the 8th of July Agreement envisages the solution of the Cyprus problem, not on the basis of the Annan Plan but on a new basis to be created, and stated that these statements aim at deceiving the Greek Cypriot people. He also said that the proposals of the Turkish Cypriot side are within the 8th of July Agreement and added that this is a fact also voiced by the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and many other leaders.

In addition, Illegal Bayrak television (30.10.07) broadcast that Mr Ercakica also said that the Turkish Cypriot side has completed all the necessary preparations for the opening of Lokmaci crossing point. Responding to a question on the opening of Lokmaci Gate, he pointed out that the Turkish Cypriot side, which as he said completed all the necessary preparations on the issue, has been waiting a response from the Greek Cypriot side.

[02] YAGA in the Service of Investment,

The agency aims at paving the way for investments and put an end to speculations. The self-styled Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer stated that if there is no strategy in investments, economy may show temporary growth, but in the end the stability in the country will disappear. He noted that therefore, the establishment of YAGA was a necessity.

He stated that YAGA will have three main targets:

Creating strategy.

Helping the investors for overcoming the bureaucratic obstacles.

Establishing a ground clear of all speculations.

On the same issue, illegal Bayrak (30/10/07) broadcast that YAGA which aims at encouraging local and foreign investors in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was launched yesterday with a press conference at the self styled Prime Ministry.

Speaking at the news conference, Mr Soyer said that various strategies were needed for the economic, social and political development in the country. He also highlighted the importance of maintaining the positive economic and political trend achieved after the 2004 referendum.

We must be transparent and clear in order not to create a negative affect on foreign investments said Mr Soyer, adding that the establishment of the new agency which will work in coordination with other government departments was a step forward in that direction.

[03] Directory to boost UK-Turkish trade relations. Reference to Cyprus

London Business Guide consultancy firm has published the 2007-2008 issue of the Turkish Business Directory, which focuses on Turkish businesses operating in the United Kingdom.

The directory, which will be available from early November, also includes several interviews with business people and leading politicians commenting on Turkish-British trade relations and Turkey's potential membership in the European Union. Among the interviewees are Mehmet Ali Talat, the president of northern Cyprus, Murat Yap1c1, chief commercial counselor at the Turkish Embassy in London, Dilek Yavuz Yan1k, the London representative of northern Cyprus and Taclan Topal, inward investment manager at the British Consulate General in Istanbul.

Abdullah Pehlivan, publishing director of the directory, told the Turkish Daily News that the purpose of the publication is to boost trade relations between the United Kingdom and Turkey and provide a networking tool between Turkish businesses in the European Union. We decided to publish the guide as we noticed there was a shortage of networking tools between Turkish businesses in the U.K., he said.

Trade relations expected to grow:

In 2006 the annual trade volume between Turkey and the U.K. totaled $11.5 billion. Exports from Turkey to the U.K. increased to $6.81 billion in 2006 compared to $ 5.91 billion in 2005. Murat Yap1c1, chief counselor at the Turkish Embassy in London, said the U.K. is one of the key countries for Turkey in terms of trade and economic relations. Currently, the monthly value of goods traded between the [two] countries is around 550 million British pounds each month, which is increasing steadily. There exists a trade surplus in favor of Turkey since 2001. In 2006, U.K. exports to Turkey were 2.5 billion British pounds, whereas Turkish exports to the U.K. were 4 billion British pounds, creating a 1.5 billion pound trade surplus for Turkey, he said. Taclan Topal, Inward Investment Manager at the British Consulate General in Istanbul, said the number of enquiries from Turkish companies to set up business in the U.K. is increasing steadily. "Turkish companies are thinking more globally than ever. They are fully aware of the benefits of having a physical presence abroad. This helps them to minimize their trade risks by putting their eggs in different baskets, she said.

Focus on Cyprus:

The directory also includes several interviews with senior players in Turkish Cypriot and British affairs. Northern Cyprus President Mehmet Ali Talat said in his interview that the embargo on the northern part of the island hampers its efforts for economic growth. Our expectation is foreign direct investment []. What we want are foreign investors. Foreign investments coming from sources outside of the Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus and Turkey will make this island more attractive. This is my call: If you want to encourage lifting of the sanctions, invest in the northern part of Cyprus, he said.

Dilek Yavuz Yan1k, London representative for northern Cyprus, said Turkish Cypriots have been left to struggle with an unbearable embargo not only in terms of politics but also in terms of the most basic human rights and freedoms.

"It is unfortunate however that we are dealing with a Greek Cypriot administration that is backed by the EU. It is confusing to see that on one side, the EU backs up the intransigent Greek Cypriot administration, and on the other side, the EU Council of Ministers, right after the referenda [on the U.N. peace plan], in April 2004, took a decision to put an end to the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, encouraging their economic development. Furthermore, the [EU] Commission adopted two regulations for direct trade and financial aid. [But] all of them were objected to by the Greek Cypriot side," she said. The Turkish Republic of northern Cyprus deserves not isolation but a more respectable stand.

[04] The New Cyprus Party stated that it wants the change of the demographic structure and the transfer of new population to stop

Speaking at the press conference, Murat Kanatli, YKPs Secretary of the Executive Committee, stated, inter alia, that the YKP will continue its struggle. Noting that they want the change of the demographic structure and the transfer of new population to the Turkish occupied part of Republic to the Turkish occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus to stop, Mr Kanatli stated the following: The Cypriots must decide for the future of Cyprus. The conditions must be created for this and the struggle must continue.

(CS)

[05] Oya Talat continued her contacts in Italy

At the end of the conference, Mrs Talat paid a courtesy call to the Turkish Ambassador to Rome, Ugur Ziyal. In addition Mrs Talat also met with the officials of the Italian Radical Party, the party official Marco Perduca, the MP Mairizio Turco, the financial accountant Elizabeth Zamparutti and the General Secretary Rita Bernardini. Mrs Talat received information regarding the party and the work of Marco Perduca, the MP Mairizio Turco who recently received the TRNC citizenship. She thanked the two men for their efforts towards the lifting of the isolation of the Turkish Cypriots. She also stated that the EU help is needed so that an end to be put to the intransigent stance of the Greek Cypriots which prolongs the solution of the Cyprus problem.

Mrs Oya Talat also met with the editor-in-chief of the Oggi Turchia newspaper Pierro Incagliati and answered his questions.

(CS)

[06] EP deputy Ozdemir sends letter to Poettering on the EP forthcoming visit to Cyprus and on the EP the status of the two Turkish Cypriot in the EP

In a letter sent to Poettering, Ozdemir recalled that EP contact group would pay its 5th visit to Cyprus next month, indicating that he himself would not participate in the scheduled visit.

Explaining the reasons why he withdrew from the group, Ozdemir said: "High-Level Contact Group visited Cyprus for 4 times earlier without any result. Every time the same things were discussed almost with the same people. The principles set forth during the establishment of the group do not allow taking political decisions. Under the circumstances, High-Level Contact Group is not a suitable body in taking up Cyprus question influentially."

"Worse still, no tangible step could be made related with the proposals included in the report of the contact group. First of all, exerting efforts to remove the blockade on Turkish Cypriots is of vital importance. Turkish should be included among the official languages of the EP as a gesture to Turkish Cypriot community. Turkish Cypriots should also be represented in the EP, as a second step," he added.

Ozdemir underscored that it was unfair that all the 6 seats in the EP allocated to Cyprus were filled by Greek Cypriot members. Ozdemir also claimed that EP administration considered TRNC parliamentarians Ozdil Nami and Hasan Tacoy "personae non grata" and put logistic obstacles against them. Ozdemir urged EP to allocate office to Nami and Tacoy and give permanent entrance passes to them

[07] Babacan stated that the Cyprus problem is among the priorities in Turkey's foreign policy

Mr Babacan who was speaking at a seminar organised at the Headquarters of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), noted that the Turkish President Abdullah Gul, the sposkeman of the Turkish Assembly Koksal Toptan and himself paid their first visits before they start their duties to occupied Cyprus. Until now we did not give back a square centimetre of soil, and we did not withdrew a single soldier in Cyprus, he said and added that the per capita income has increased in occupied Cyprus from 4 thousand dollars to 10 thousand dollars.

He also noted that in the past the TRNC president had not international activity, but now he receives official invitations from many countries and the TRNC has the status of the observer at the Organisation of the Islamic Conference. He added that Turkey will continue to support and to strengthen the TRNC.

(CS)

[08] Talat to open the 400 years of heritage: Envkaf records in Cyprus exhibition at the Istanbul modern arts gallery

President Talat will be leaving for Istanbul tomorrow to attend the opening of the exhibition `400 Years of Heritage: Evkaf Records in Cyprus` at the Istanbul Modern Arts Gallery.

The exhibition is comprised of 100 items, including records, imperial edicts and warrants and there are photographs, films and voice records that support the 400 year old records in a three dimensional atmosphere.

Four clocks, one barometer, four carpets and clothes of local Cypriots are also on display at the exhibition. The exhibition will be open to visitors until the 30th of November. President Talat is expected to return to the Republic on Thursday.

[09] 'Eastern Mediterranean 2007' Military Exercise To Be Held on 1-10 Nov

The exercise aims at improving cooperation between naval forces of friend and ally countries, Turkish Naval Forces said on Tuesday.

Turkish frigates, assault boats, submarines, corvettes, landing boats, sea patrol aircraft, warplanes and helicopters, as well as vessels of American, German, Spanish, Canadian, Dutch and Danish naval forces --that compose Standing Nato Maritime Group 1 (SNMG-1) vessels-- will participate in the exercise. A Romanian corvette, a British destroyer and NATO's early warning aircraft will also take part in the exercise.

[10] Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to visit US on 3-6 November

[11] Turkey and Iran to sign energy agreement on November 7

"We are ready to further help Turkey meet part of its energy supply," Fatah told the Anatolia Agency prior to his visit to Turkey scheduled to take place on November 7th.

In June, Turkey and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding on energy cooperation. Following this MoU, Turkish Energy Minister Hilmi Guler visited Tehran in August to discuss details of the memo which foresees the operation of three phases in Southern Persia basin by Turkey and transportation of Iranian natural gas to Europe via Turkey. Turkey and Iran also signed two agreements on power supply.

[12] Queen Elizabeth sent an official congratulation card to a British woman who lives in occupied Cyprus

(CS)

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