Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-09-25

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Avci met with Gul and Babacan in New York; He will meet with Lynn Pascoe and Alain Le Roy

[02] Soyer said that the priority on their agenda is the preliminary draft of the Harmonization Program with the European Union

[03] The President of the European Parliament said that Turkey should fulfil its commitment for opening its sea and airports to Cyprus

[04] Reference by Babacan to Cyprus in statements to an American TV channel

[05] Pertev said that the illegal KTHY closed 2006 with a loss of 26 trillion Turkish liras and added that no statement is made regarding the losses of 2007 and 2008

[06] Sanlidag has briefed eight German journalists regarding the tourism of the occupied part of Cyprus

[07] YAGA became member of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies

[08] More than 400 athletes from 22 countries will compete in the 10th International Dr. Fazil Kucuk Games

[09] Turkish Cypriot athletes have been invited by the Bulgarian Golf Federation to participate in a tournament in Varna

[10] Russian firm the sole bidder in Turkeys nuclear plant tender

[11] Turkey ranks 23rd among countries drawing highest foreign direct investment

[12] Survey reveals half of women in Turkey believe womens economic independence is unnecessary

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Avci met with Gul and Babacan in New York; He will meet with Lynn Pascoe and Alain Le Roy

Mr Avci claimed that the Greek Cypriots are not sincere on the issue of the solution. According to a statement issued yesterday by the self-styled ministry of foreign affairs of the breakaway regime, Mr Avci exchanged views with Mr Gul and Mr Babacan on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

During his contacts in New York, Mr Avci met also with journalists and replied to their questions regarding the Cyprus problem. Mr Avci reiterated the Turkish view that the Cyprus problem exists for 40 years and added that everybody expresses the wish for this problem to reach somewhere at last. He claimed that the UN and the EU should work for a result to come out from the negotiations and for the necessity of the Turkish Cypriots having equal status on the island.

He alleged: The Turkish Cypriot side is equal partner of the island. The solution which will be found will not be any solution. It is a bi-zonal solution based on the political equality of the two peoples, two partner founding states and the guarantees of Turkey.

Mr Avci said he would meet with Lynn Pascoe and Alain Le Roy, deputy UN Secretary-Generals. He noted that he would demand the necessary message to be given to the Greek Cypriot side in the direction of the comprehensive solution.

He alleged that if the Greek Cypriot side is ready for a solution, it should make steps towards the lifting of the embargoes and the isolations of the Turkish Cypriots. Responding to a question he claimed that the Turkish army is on the island within the framework of international agreements and reiterated the Turkish allegation that no blood was shed on the island for 34 years. He argued that the existence of the Turkish army is indispensable and most necessary for the security of the Turkish Cypriots and the continuation of peace.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Soyer said that the priority on their agenda is the preliminary draft of the Harmonization Program with the European Union

Mr Soyer explained that 270 public servants and experts have been working intensively for the preparation of this program and noted that the draft is the product of a 6-9 month-work. Mr Soyer said that they would discuss the issue with European officials. Our basic principle is to prepare the Turkish Cypriot people both for the solution and the EU, noted Mr Soyer adding that they should focus their common communal wisdom on this point and not on wasting time with unproductive debates.

(I/Ts.)

[03] The President of the European Parliament said that Turkey should fulfil its commitment for opening its sea and airports to Cyprus

In his statements Mr Pottering said he is hopeful that a federal solution will be found in Cyprus and added that Turkey should fulfil its commitment for opening its sea and airports to Cyprus. He noted: We have friendly relations with Turkey. Turkey wants to join the EU. It is not the EU that will join Turkey. Those who want to become a member of the EU should adopt the values of the Union.

Mr Pottering said that there are many mosques in Germany and a very big mosque will be built in Koln. He pointed out that Turkey should offer Christians the same rights which Europe offers to Moslems. The opening of the Theological School of Halki is necessary for its EU membership, but it is not enough, he added noting that the religious freedoms and the immunity of the private property are among the fundamental human rights. Without these, Turkey cannot become a member of the EU. We shall demand these from Turkey, even if it does not become member, he concluded.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Reference by Babacan to Cyprus in statements to an American TV channel

(I/Ts.)

[05] Pertev said that the illegal KTHY closed 2006 with a loss of 26 trillion Turkish liras and added that no statement is made regarding the losses of 2007 and 2008

Criticizing this situation, Mr Pertev said that the debt of the KTHY to the providence fund is $ 6.5 million and added that the illegal airlines could be considered as bankrupted company from this point of view. He noted that the company was handed over to its present administration with $ 35 million in its cash register and no debts. However, he added, the KTHY closed 2006 with a loss of 26 trillion Turkish liras and no statement is made regarding the losses of 2007 and 2008.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Sanlidag has briefed eight German journalists regarding the tourism of the occupied part of Cyprus

Mr Sanlidag asked from the journalists to explain to the German people the historic and natural beauties of the occupied part of Cyprus and alleged that the Turkish Cypriots, who voted yes to the solution at the referendum, deserve to be promoted to the world.

(I/Ts.)

[07] YAGA became member of the World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies

Developing the cooperation and the coordination between its members, strengthening the information gathering systems and information exchange amongst its members, sharing country and regional experiences in attracting investment, safeguarding technical assistance and training for its members, assisting its members on the formulation of appropriate investment promotion policies and strategies are among WAIPAs aims, reports Sozcu.

(C/S)

[08] More than 400 athletes from 22 countries will compete in the 10th International Dr. Fazil Kucuk Games

(I/Ts.)

[09] Turkish Cypriot athletes have been invited by the Bulgarian Golf Federation to participate in a tournament in Varna

(I/Ts.)

[10] Russian firm the sole bidder in Turkeys nuclear plant tender

Turkey received six envelopes in the tender for the construction of the first nuclear power plant but only one of them was a bid, the general manager of Turkey's Electricity Trade Corp (TETAS) said Wednesday.

Haci Duran Gokkaya said Russian Atomstroyexport is the sole bidder of the tender, adding the rest of the submitted envelopes were expressions of thanks.

The competition process continues since we have a bid, and the final decision would be made by the tender commission, Gokkaya told reporters when asked about whether the tender would be renewed or not.

He did not disclose the details of the bid and the proposal of the Russian company would be assessed by the commission for approval.

Suez-Tractebel, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Unit Investment N.V., Sabanci Holding's Ak Enerji and Hattat Holding-Hema were the other companies which submitted envelopes.

The company submitted three envelopes including letters for their bid. The first envelope, which was opened on Wednesday, includes the application form, temporary assurances and other related documents mentioned in the tender file.

The second envelope consists of the documents showing that the company meets the standards of the Turkish Atomic Energy Agency (TAEK) and the third envelope includes the production levels and the sale prices for the electricity that would be produced at the power plant.

The bid submitted by the Russian Atomstroyexport would be sent to TAEK for the assessment. TAEK would make its evaluation on the second envelope submitted by the company and deliver its decision in two weeks.

In the third stage, the envelope that includes the price bid would be opened and the lowest bid would be submitted to the government for approval.

The Turkish government had expressed its commitment to nuclear energy despite opposition to the power plants over environmental and security concerns. Turkeys previous three attempts for nuclear power plants had failed.

TETAS held its fourth tender for the construction of a nuclear power plant, which is expected to meet a minimum 8 percent of Turkeys electricity generation by 2020, and 20 percent by 2030.

The Akkuyu power plant on the Mediterranean coast in the southern province of Mersin has a planned capacity of 4,000 megawatts, plus or minus 25 percent. The firm promising to sell the cheapest electricity to the state for 15 years would win the tender.

Foreign companies interested in the tender had previously demanded extra time and a suspension of the tender due to worsening global financial conditions. Experts had speculated that TETAS may suspend the tender if no company submits a bid.

On Monday Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan ruled out the possibility of any suspension. Still experts had said it would not be surprising if no company bids for the tender and the process is suspended.

Companies such as Sabanci, General Electric, Hitachi Nuclear Energy and Spanish utility Iberdrola SA had expressed interest in the tender.

Firms taking tender documents had included Korean Electric Power Corp, Atomic Energy of Canada Limited, Japan's Itochu Corporation, France's Vinci Construction Grands Projets, Suez-Tractebel and Russian state firm Atomstroyexport.

Around 500 nuclear protestors on Wednesday gathered in the Black Sea port city of Sinop to demonstrate the planned construction of Turkeys second nuclear power plant in the region, Dogan News Agency reported.

We do not want any nuclear power plants, the protestors said, criticizing the government and demanding an end to the process.

The entire world knows that there is no safe way to store nuclear wastes. These plants create massive problems for the next generations and accidents can happen at these plants. Even if no accidents occur, those living in the vicinity of these plants have a more likely to develop cancer... This deadly tender should be ended, Dogan News Agency quoted one protestor as saying.

Turkish police had detained 34 activists in the capital Ankara during a peaceful nuclear protest against the bid process on Tuesday.

Police broke up the unauthorized protest in front of Turkey's energy ministry and detained the protesters, who had dressed in black and posed as dead bodies to highlight the dangers of nuclear power plants.

Turkey, which is a net importer of gas and oil, imports nearly 67 percent of its supply, a figure that is expected to reach 75 percent by 2020. In the next few years, the country's energy demand is set to rise by 8 percent annually.

[11] Turkey ranks 23rd among countries drawing highest foreign direct investment

Turkey was placed 17th in the world investment report in 2006.

According to 2007's report, Turkey's share in global foreign direct investments was 1.2 percent, while its share was 4.4 percent when calculated among the 180 developing countries.

In the context of outward foreign direct investment, Turkey is listed as in 50th place with $2.1 billion of foreign investments.

Turkey's international direct investment stock reached $146 billion in 2007, positioning Turkey in 21st place among countries with the highest stock.

[12] Survey reveals half of women in Turkey believe womens economic independence is unnecessary

Almost half of urban Turkish women believe economic independence for women is unnecessary, and younger generations seem to share this view more than the older generations, according to newly published research.

Under the framework of a series of research into women and entrepreneurship in Turkey, this first poll by the Women Entrepreneurs Association of Turkey, or KAGIDER, measures the attitude of women in Turkey toward entrepreneurship and their perceptions. To measure women's social perceptions about themselves, the poll asked whether they would agree with the statement that women should have economic independence. Forty-five percent of women said they did not agree, while 45 percent said they agreed with the statement.

Psychologist Leyla Navaro, who is an expert on social gender roles, explained the findings of the research and said there was a whole patriarchal social system behind women's perceptions of that kind.

Subtitle: More conservative young girls

Another significant finding from the research was that almost 50 percent of women between ages 15 and 19 believed a woman's place was at home, near her children. This ratio was higher than those women aged between 40 and 49 and university graduates who believed women belong in the home.

The new generation is scared as they see the costs that were paid by those women who said business is first, family does not matter that much, Navaro said. They might not want to experience the same difficulties.

Subtitle: Not thinking of entrepreneurship

The profile of an entrepreneur in Turkey is of a male aged 25 to 34 with a primary or high school degree coming from a mid-level income, KAGIDER said in its press release about the research. In an environment like that, only slightly more than 13 percent of urban women ever seriously contemplate starting a business and nearly half of those who started a business quit later. The tendency to undertake such an enterprise is much higher for those women who are university graduates and divorced.

The most preferable sector for women to undertake an enterprise in is textiles, the research shows, while the food sector is second and education comes as the third choice. Five percent of women open skincare centres, which makes this business fourth among the most preferred sectors.

The poll, which was completed in July, represents an urban women population of 13.8 million. Conducted by IPSOS KGM Research Company, women aged between 15 and 59 from 11 provinces participated in the survey via phone conversations.

EG/

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