Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-04-22

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat briefed representatives of non-governmental organizations on the Cyprus problem

[02] The UBP called on Talat to be transparent on the issue of the members of the technical committees and the working groups

[03] The breakaway regime is reportedly continuing the distribution of title-deeds for the occupied Greek Cypriot properties

[04] Ertugruloglu alleged that Cyprus needs an agreement not a solution

[05] European of Turkish origin MP said that it is not possible for the Annan Plan to be brought to life again

[06] TDP: The confidence building measures should be carried out together with the efforts for a solution

[07] A lawsuit has been filed against Afrika with the accusation of publishing articles which offended General Yasar Buyukanit

[08] Avci argued that that the negotiations process should not cause the slowing down of the effort exerted in the direction of the lifting of the isolations

[09] Statements by Babacan after his meeting with his Austrian counterpart

[10] The so-called ombudsman of the breakaway regime has participated in an international conference organized in Belgium

[11] The self-styled Turkish Cypriot football federation will meet with FIFA and UEFA

[12] Turkish-Syrian Economic Forum to be held in Damascus

[13] Turkey targets India and Brazil to increase its exports

[14] Turkish foreign Minister to attend meeting of neighboring countries of Iraq

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Talat briefed representatives of non-governmental organizations on the Cyprus problem

Mr Talat noted that on 21 March, after the election of President Christofias, they agreed to form the working groups and the technical committees and to start negotiations after three months. He said that during the period of President Papadopoulos they could not agree even on the names of the working groups and the technical committees and added that this time they established very quickly and easily the names and the agenda of these committees.

Mr Talat pointed out that one of the most fundamental principles on which they agreed with the Greek Cypriot side is that the working groups and the technical committees will not be carrying out negotiations and that the negotiations will be carried out by the leaders.

Mr Talat said that while he was choosing the persons who would be participating in these committees he focused on persons who worked for the state and could put forward and discuss the policies which they determine and follow. He said that they decided that the number of the participants in each committee should not exceed five persons and that these members could vary so that experts could participate in these groups and express their views.

Mr Talat rejected the accusations that the names of the participants in the committees and the technical groups are kept secret and noted that the names of the people who work for the state are not announced in the press, but they are not a secret.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (22.04.08) reports that Mr Talat said at the same meeting that they are preparing a real negotiations process.

It seems that the negotiations will start. Our impression is that, in contrary to the situation in the past, we will enter into a serious negotiating process, noted Mr Talat adding that the Turkish side will have some indispensable conditions during this process.

Finally, Halkin Sesi reports also that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat will visit Ankara on Thursday after an invitation from the Eurasia Strategic Researches Centre (ASAM) in order to deliver a speech on the issue of searching a solution in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[02] The UBP called on Talat to be transparent on the issue of the members of the technical committees and the working groups

(I/Ts.)

[03] The breakaway regime is reportedly continuing the distribution of title-deeds for the occupied Greek Cypriot properties

The paper notes, inter alia the following:

In spite of the statements made by president Talat and prime minister Soyer that we intent to solve the Cyprus problem until the end of 2008, they close their eyes to the carrying out of procedures which will make the property issue, which is known as one of the most problematic issues in an agreement, more difficult. In spite of the warnings made before by Ortam newspaper on this issue, it has been found out that the procedures of giving title deeds to those who hold Greek Cypriot property continue. It is claimed that Talat and Soyer are implementing the orders they take during their one-to one meetings they hold behind the doors in Ankara. ....

The paper notes that the Turkish officials have demanded from Mr Talat and Mr Soyer to give title deeds especially to people from Turkey who rent occupied Greek Cypriot property and pointed out that this should be done very quickly. The paper writes that the Turkish officials threatened Mr Talat and Mr Soyer that they could re-evaluate the aid they send to the occupied areas in case this is not done quickly.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Ertugruloglu alleged that Cyprus needs an agreement not a solution

In statements during the meetings, Mr Ertugruloglu said that Cyprus needs an agreement not a solution. He alleged that in this agreement the sovereignty of the TRNC and the guarantees of Turkey cannot be watered down. He claimed that they are not against a new partnership in Cyprus, but this partnership should be established on the basis of bi-zonality, two peoples and two partner states.

(I/Ts.)

[05] European of Turkish origin MP said that it is not possible for the Annan Plan to be brought to life again

There are hopes for a lasting peace in Cyprus. It is not possible for the Annan Plan to be brought to life again. The work for finding new ways for a solution remains now to the politicians, he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[06] TDP: The confidence building measures should be carried out together with the efforts for a solution

The member of the administrative council of the TDP, Mehmet Harmanci criticized the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) and the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat for their statements that they are dealing with the solution of the Cyprus problem and not the opening of crossing points.

The confidence building measures should be carried out together with the efforts for a solution. The understanding that they could not be carried out together is wrong and lacks of good will, pointed out Mr Harmanci.

(I/Ts.)

[07] A lawsuit has been filed against Afrika with the accusation of publishing articles which offended General Yasar Buyukanit

The paper writes, inter alia, the following:

The police investigation regarding our newspaper is giving signals on the issue of the reactivating of the oppression and intimidation operations, which seemed to have been frozen for a period. The developments on our island are influenced by two new procedures. The procedure for closing up the AKP in Turkey and the new solution process in Cyprus are related together. Those who are making calculations for closing up the AKP are also planning to silence the forces of peace and solution in Northern Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[08] Avci argued that that the negotiations process should not cause the slowing down of the effort exerted in the direction of the lifting of the isolations

Sozcu reports also that the self-styled minister of foreign affairs, Turgay Avci met yesterday with Ilkay Yusuf, honorary representative of the TRNC to Sydney, and promised that they will provide the necessary support for the better organization of the Turkish Cypriots in Australia and for making their voice heard. Mr Avci responded to the criticism that he had spent a lot of money during his visit to Australia in February and said that there is no price for having contacts with 50 thousand Turkish Cypriots living in Australia.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Statements by Babacan after his meeting with his Austrian counterpart

Invoking the Anatolia news agency, Kibris notes that in statements yesterday with the Austrian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs Ursula Plassnik, who was visiting Ankara, Mr Babacan said that he shared with Mrs Plassnik his views regarding the current stage of the Cyprus problem and referred to the importance of reaching a comprehensive solution under the UN umbrella.

In her statements, Mrs Plassnik said that they discussed issues such as the harmonization of Turkey with the EU, the alliance between civilizations and the intercultural dialogue. She noted that the reforms in Turkey have been developed in an effective and positive manner and added that both Austria and the EU will continue to support and encourage these reforms. She said that she informed Mr Babacan that the Austrian position regarding Turkeys EU accession course has not changed.

(I/Ts.)

[10] The so-called ombudsman of the breakaway regime has participated in an international conference organized in Belgium

(I/Ts.)

[11] The self-styled Turkish Cypriot football federation will meet with FIFA and UEFA

(I/Ts.)

[12] Turkish-Syrian Economic Forum to be held in Damascus

Turkish and Syrian businessmen will come together in Syria in April.

Turkey's Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) will bring the businessmen of the two countries together in Damascus on April 26th-27th, a statement of the board said on Monday. Turkish-Syrian Economic Forum will also be held there under the auspices of Prime Minister Naji Otri.

Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan, State Minister Kursad Tuzmen, Syrian Deputy PM Abdallah al-Dardari, Syrian Minister of Economy & Trade Amir Husni Lutfi and Syrian Minister of Industry Fuad Isa Juni are expected to participate in the forum.

Syrian President Bashar al-Asad paid a visit to Ankara in the last quarter of 2007 and pledged to cooperate with Turkey in many areas, whereas Deputy Prime Minister al-Dardari visited Turkey after al-Asad and discussed economic topics.

During the forum in Damascus, Turkish and Syrian businessmen will discuss problems encountered in areas such as border crossings, banking, public tenders, investments, trade and highways.

Syria is ranked 63rd in national income per capita rating in the world and 10th among Arab countries.

In January 2007 Syria put into force a number of facilities to simplify transactions and to draw more foreign investments.

Turkey and Syria enacted a free trade agreement in January 1st, 2007-- which speeded up bilateral relations. The two countries signed the said agreement during Turkish Premier Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Syria on December 22nd-23rd, 2004.

[13] Turkey targets India and Brazil to increase its exports

Turkey will turn its face to India and Brazil to increase its exports, a bureaucrat said on Monday.

A Turkish bureaucrat said Turkey would implement a special plan to open to India, Turkey's Foreign Trade Undersecretary Tuncer Kayalar told AA correspondent. We will organize a joint economic committee meeting with Brazil in May, Kayalar said.

He added that Turkey and Brazil had not held the committee meeting for some time, and Turkey was planning to send a trade delegation to Brazil at the end of 2008.

On other foreign trade strategies of Turkey, Kayalar said neighbouring countries, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the United States would continue to have priority for Turkey.

Kayalar also said a U.S. trade delegation, consisting of more than 50 firms, was expected to be in Turkey in April, whereas Turkish businessmen would visit Miami, the United States for the first time at the end of April.

We have launched negotiations with Chile to sign a free trade agreement, and are holding talks to set up a joint chamber of commerce with this country, he said.

Kayalar said Turkey would send businessmen's delegations to South Africa, Algeria, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia and Ghana.

Also, we will organize a Turkish export products fair for the first time in Mozambique, Kayalar said.

Kayalar defined fairs as an important opportunity to promote a country, and said Turkey plans to participate in 219 fairs till the end of 2008.

Turkey's foreign trade volume was more than 277 billion USD in 2007. Turkey earned 107 billion USD from exports and imported goods worth 170 billion USD last year.

[14] Turkish foreign Minister to attend meeting of neighbouring countries of Iraq

Turkey's FM Ali Babacan left for Kuwait on Monday to attend an expanded meeting of countries neighbouring Iraq.

Babacan held a press conference at the Esenboga International Airport prior to his departure.

He referred to the previous meeting held in Istanbul and said Turkey pioneered the conception of this platform in 2003 with a core group. He said the initiative turned into an international platform when the G8 countries joined the platform.

Babacan said they value this process because Iraq's territorial and national integrity was important for Turkey.

Babacan said these meetings provided a good platform for Iraqi government to brief participants on the latest developments in its country.

Babacan said it was important for Iraq's neighbours to open missions in Iraq and seek ways to further contribute to Iraq's development.

Babacan said Turkey opened a consulate in Mousul aside from its Embassy in Baghdad, which it had been struggling to keep open under harsh circumstances. He said Turkey was getting ready to open another consulate in Basra.

Turkish FM said he would also hold bilateral meetings with foreign officials and said all their efforts were aiming to support efforts to stabilise Iraq.

Babacan said 2008 was a critical year for Iraq as certain basic legislations would be adopted and bilateral agreements with the U.S. be shaped in this year.

EG/

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