Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 08-11-03

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The illegal Turkish Airlines of Cyprus to start flights to Scandinavian countries next February

[02] Turgay Avci to visit Sweden

[03] Turkish Cypriot officials are visiting Turkey for economic support

[04] Statements by Soyer at occupied Knodara

[05] Serdar Denktas supports the idea for the establishment of a body similar to the national council which exists in South Cyprus

[06] Statements by Cafer Gurcafer, chairman of the Contractors Union regarding the economic situation in the occupied areas: The economic crisis affected the constructions sector

[07] Land in Cyprus is sold to Germans of Turkish origin

[08] The leader of UBP on the property issue

[09] Turkish Cypriot newspaper sees conflict between Mehmet Ali Talat and the ministry of foreign affairs for the appointments in the representations of the breakaway regime abroad

[10] A Greek Cypriot corpse was found in the occupied village of Mia Millia

[11] The self-styled police arrested two men with fake Bulgarian passports

[12] Ilter Turkmen: If I was a minister I would have opened the Turkish ports to the Greek Cypriot vessels, but this does not mean recognition of the Republic of Cyprus

[13] Lipponen: Ten years later you can be a member

[14] EDAM Director: As long as northern Cyprus develops nicely, which it seems to be doing now, over time it will become a de facto state and this reality will be recognized

[15] Babacan to visit France, Italy, Czech Republic, Britain for contacts

[16] Turkish-Palestinian Business Council was established

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITIORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[17] From the Turkish Press of 31 October 2008

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The illegal Turkish Airlines of Cyprus to start flights to Scandinavian countries next February

The Cyprus Turkish Airlines (KTHY) prepares to open flights to Scandinavian countries.

In line with the protocol signed between KTHY and Turkeys tourism company DETUR, KTHY will be holding flights from the TRNCs Ercan [occupied Tymvou] Airport and Turkeys Antalya Airport to Sweden, Norway and Finland as from 7th February 2009.

The first flight will be a direct flight to Helsinki from the Ercan Airport, but the flights will mainly be carried out from the Antalya Airport.

In his statement on the development, the Minister of Public Works and Communications Salih Usar said the TRNC will have big gains with KTHY flights to Scandinavian countries.

Mr Usar also informed that work is underway to establish flights to Israil as well, which he said is expected to be completed in a near future.

[02] Turgay Avci to visit Sweden

North Cyprus's Foreign Minister Turgay Avci will visit Swedish Parliament and brief MPs on the Cyprus issue.

Avci who will be travelling to Sweden to attend the activities organised by Sweden's Turkish Labour Associations Federation, will get together with Swedish Parliamentarians on November 12.

Avci will be accompanied by Moderat Party MP Goran Lindblad and Green Party MP of Turkish origin Mehmet Kaplan during the visit where he will tell Swedish MPs about problems faced due to sanctions imposed on Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

On the same issue illegal Baryrak television (02.11.08) broadcast the following:

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs Turgay Avci is set to visit Sweden later this month for high level contacts.

The Foreign Minister who will be attending events organized by the Swedish-Turkish Workers Associations Federation is expected to exchange views with Swedish Deputies on the Cyprus Problem.

Avci who will be visiting the Swedish parliament will be meeting Goran Lindblad from the coalition partner Moderate Party as well as Environmentalist Party Deputy Mehmet Kaplan.

He is expected to discuss with them the difficulties associated with the embargoes imposed on the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

As part of his other contacts, Foreign Minister Avci will deliver a speech at a conference on the Cyprus Problem and will also visit the Fittja Mosque in Stockholm.

[03] Turkish Cypriot officials are visiting Turkey for economic support

(A.K.)

[04] Statements by Soyer at occupied Knodara

Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer has said that important developments were taking place on the Cyprus Problem. He said that a path forward had emerged, one that the Turkish Cypriot Side is determined to continue walking.

The Prime Minister was speaking at a party meeting in the village of Gonendere [occupied Knodara] where he evaluated the latest foreign and domestic developments.

The Minister of Labor and Social Welfare Sonay Adem, the Minister of Agriculture Onder Sennaroglu, several deputies and high ranking party members were present at the gathering organized by the Republican Turkish Party.

Underlining the importance of solving the Cyprus Problem, Prime Minister Ferdi Sabit Soyer said that finding a just and lasting solution to the Cyprus Problem had become more important than ever, especially now that the world was being rocked by a financial crisis.

Reminding that the Greek Cypriot Administration had become a member the European Union on behalf of the whole island due to wrong policies pursued by previous governments, the Premier touched upon the ongoing negotiations process. A new path has emerged before us, a path towards a solution in Cyprus. We are determined to continue walking that path he said.

Criticizing calls made by various nationalist circles for President Mehmet Ali Talat to abandon the negotiations process, Soyer said that similar calls were being made by the Greek Cypriot Archbishop. The Greek Cypriot Archbishop is calling on Christofias to leave the negotiations table and to close the crossing points. His views are shared by various circles within the Greek Cypriot community said.

He said that a bi-zonal, bi-communal solution based on the political equality of the two sides could emerge from the talks and that the circles in question could not come to terms with this possibility.

Also touching upon the economic developments in the country, the Prime Minister reminded that the current government had inherited a heavy debt but nevertheless succeeded in making important investments in improving the countrys infrastructure.

[05] Serdar Denktas supports the idea for the establishment of a body similar to the national council which exists in South Cyprus

Mr. Serdar Denktas sent also positive messages to the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) for cooperation, to work together in order to avoid any influences of the global financial crisis.

(A.K.)

[06] Statements by Cafer Gurcafer, chairman of the Contractors Union regarding the economic situation in the occupied areas: The economic crisis affected the constructions sector

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper in its front page under the title Chamber of Commerce: The crisis should be taken into consideration very seriously reports that the administrative council of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce discussed the global financial crisis during the meeting they had the previous days and called on the government to take immediately measures in order to confront the crisis. The administrative council of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce proposes also to the government to make a rescheduling of its debts.

(A.K.)

[07] Land in Cyprus is sold to Germans of Turkish origin

You will learn the foreign news of the country from Ozan Ceyhun, honorary member of the CTP. You will especially find out from Ceyhun the extraordinary relations we have established with Germany, the successes of the Tourism Minister Sanlidag and the superb contacts established by the Mayor of Gonyeli with Germany. His job is bringing rose-colored news from Germany. Look especially at this beautiful news: He says that the interest of the German of Turkish origin for the TRNC is increasing every day. They want to invest in the TRNC and they are looking for land, he says. Furthermore, there is an urgent need, he says, for a Northern Cyprus Trade Centre in Germany. Call it real estate office. Say that if there is some Greek Cypriot land to be sold, we shall sell it to the Germans of Turkish origin.

(I/Ts.)

[08] The leader of UBP on the property issue

The main opposition National Unity Party has reacted to reports that the Greek Cypriot Administration is planning to bring the Lebanese Hariri Model as a settlement of the property dispute to the negotiations table.

The leader of the UBP Tahsin Ertugruloglu said that the model was not suitable for the case of Cyprus.

According to reports in the Greek Cypriot press, Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias and his team of negotiators are preparing to bring to the negotiations table, the Hariri model as a suggested model for settling the property dispute.

The model which is named after the late Lebanese leader Rafik Hariri envisages renting the property to the person using it, with its true owner retaining all rights over the property.

Commenting on the reports, the UBP leader said that the model could not be implemented in Cyprus because it was in direct contradiction with the principle of bi-zonality. Such an approach carries the uncertainty of solving the problem permanently he said presenting his own proposal.

The solution of the property dispute is clear and simple. The method of exchange or compensation is the most effective formula said Ertugruloglu adding that the Greek Cypriot Side had deliberately brought the Hariri Model to the agenda in order to manipulate the process or create confusion.

The main opposition leader also called on President Mehmet Ali Talat to confirm or deny these reports and if true, to announce what kind of a stance he will adopt on the issue.

[09] Turkish Cypriot newspaper sees conflict between Mehmet Ali Talat and the ministry of foreign affairs for the appointments in the representations of the breakaway regime abroad

According to information acquired by the newspaper, Mr Talat wants to have the final say on the appointments after the persons to be appointed are determined by the ministry.

The paper argues also that some of the representatives of the breakaway regime often visit the occupied areas of Cyprus and stay there for a long period of time. As a result of this, they return late to the countries they have been appointed.

(I/Ts.)

[10] A Greek Cypriot corpse was found in the occupied village of Mia Millia

[11] The self-styled police arrested two men with fake Bulgarian passports

Two males aged 40 and 29 were arrested having put fake passports into circulation in the Lokmaci [Ledra Street] crossing in Nicosia. Police stated that they had confiscated the two fake Bulgarian passports of the two men. The documents had come from abroad. Police also arrested a Syrian for the same crime on 28th October when the 37-year-old male was crossing the Ledra Palace crossing to the South with the fake Bulgarian passport arranged in the name of another person.

[12] Ilter Turkmen: If I was minister I would have opened the Turkish ports to the Greek Cypriot vessels, but this does not mean recognition of the Republic of Cyprus

Evaluating Turkeys EU process and the obstacles the country faces in its course, Ilter Turkmen referred to Cyprus as follows:

One of this is the application of the Customs Union Protocol also over Cyprus, in other words the problem that exists over opening our ports and airports to the ships and aircraft of South Cyprus. Only because of this eight of the 35 chapters are blocked. We have given our word that we would have done this, yet we could not fulfill our promise.

Upon a question what he would have done if he was a foreign minister today, Mr. Turkmen replied that in relation to Cyprus, he would open the ports without this to mean recognition of the Republic of Cyprus, adding that the Greek Cypriot vessels could reach the Turkish ports until 1995. Referring to the issue of the flag on the ships, Ilter Turkmen said that these ships are under the flag of the Republic of Cyprus, yet these ships do not belong to Greek Cypriots. They mostly carry a convenience flag, said Mr. Turkmen with the majority of them to belong to Germans and Russians.

(ML)

[13] Lipponen: Ten years later you can be a member

Excerpt:

Batur: How many years would Turkeys membership to the EU take ?

Lipponen: We could think within ten years. I do not believe in the preferential partnership solution. We have invited Turkey and we can not play games any more. Turkeys reform are not enough. Social and economic developments are also important. Eastern Anatolia should be in the same ship.

Batur: On that evening what did Simitis ask from you in order to remove the veto?

Lipponen: First I met with Simitis in Athens. He was expecting development as regards the relations with Turkey; however, he was concerned with the Greek public opinion and Cyprus. He was under heavy burden. At the end he made the right decision that did not harm him from the political point of view. He shouldered a major responsibility. I admired him. Thus prior to the summit there was only the question of Turkey. We were working day and night. The summit was on its way to start. Simitis arrived in Helsinki. We met. He had a difficult task to do.

Batur: Did you take risks in the letter you have sent to Ecevit?

Lipponen: Yes, it was a historic decision. Without any doubts it will be necessary to overcome several obstacles until Turkey becomes a member. However, there will be no going back from this historic decision.

Batur: Did Simitis threaten to stop enlargement if Cyprus is not included?

Lipponen: At one stage such a thing happened but during the course of the whole negotiation I did not think that he took a threatening stance. For him the paragraph on Cyprus was important. We had to find a way out.

Batur: Did they relate Turkeys accession to Cyprus and the Aegean?

Lipponen: These problems should be solved. However, this does not mean a direct precondition. We have assumed that with the Ankara Protocol Turkey undertook responsibilities. We expect from Turkey to open its ports. There should be nothing to prevent the implementation of the Ankara Protocol. Of course there is the question of reforms; you have to continue with the reforms.

Batur: In the letter did you guarantee that Cyprus was not a precondition?

Lipponen: It was not a direct guarantee. Solution was EUs expectation.

..

Batur: Nine years passed, the reforms slowed down. Cyprus cast a shadow. Is there any disillusionment?

Lipponen: I am sorry that it did not develop as I was expecting.

Batur: Despite the fact that the Greek Cypriots said no to the Annan Plan, they were admitted in the EU. Was there any mistake?

Lipponen: Referendum was a domestic issue for Cyprus and some politicians exploited it. Pressure should have been exerted on the Greek Cypriots but the situation is better now.

Batur: Verheugen said that the Greek Cypriots cheated us. Are you of the same opinion?

Lipponen: We can criticize the leaders, but we cannot try the peoples stance. I have difficulty to understand, a large country like Turkey, to close its ports to a small people like the Greek Cypriots. What is the question? What will happen if a few goods are arrived at the ports? Cant we be more flexible?

[14] EDAM Director: As long as northern Cyprus develops nicely, which it seems to be doing now, over time it will become a de facto state and this reality will be recognized

As Turkey's European Union journey continues down a seemingly never-ending road, now is the time for it to pick up the pace in its reform process, according to a European policy expert, before it is too late.

Speaking to the Turkish Daily News during a gathering by the Center for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies, or EDAM, in Bodrum last weekend, Daniel Gros, director of the Brussels-based Center for European Policy Studies, warned Turkey it would need to get things moving.

Turkey is losing time, said Gros, adding that he has seen no progress in Turkey's reform process for EU membership. The two big stumbling blocks, Cyprus and Armenia, sooner or later have to be resolved.

The later Turkey takes steps on the Cyprus issue, the more difficult it will become as each year passes, Gros told the TDN. If there is no solution to the Cyprus and Armenian issues, we will not be able to speak about Turkey's EU prospects.

The Armenian issue is, a secondary question, because it is not a member of the EU, Gros added, placing the emphasis on Cyprus. He said he remained optimistic over the future of northern Cyprus. As long as northern Cyprus develops nicely, which it seems to be doing now, over time it will become a de facto state and this reality will be recognized.

Turkey or Ukraine?

As the EU asks itself what kind of a union it should be, Turkey stands as a crucial part of this question.

Speaking on the further enlargement of the EU, Gros said the crucial question was Where is Ukraine?

That is really a key question for the EU, he continued. Has Ukraine advanced? Has it become credible at least to the point of standing as a candidate or not? Because then the question would be; Ukraine and Turkey or Ukraine or Turkey? Depending on the answer, the entire debate about enlargement will be completely different.

These questions are unavoidable now, Gros said. All the rational arguments one makes against Turkey, also apply to Ukraine. My prediction is that it will be politically impossible to say yes to Ukraine, but no to Turkey.

When it comes to the future and definition of the EU, the case gets more complicated. As the structure of the EU is being defined, the issue of Britain comes into play. Britain is also a question for the EU, Gros noted. If it does not join the euro and the Schengen zone, we will have an EU which is not a complete union. However, if Britain is in there, we have a union union and that will make it harder to admit others.

Speaking on the Christianity factor relating to Turkey's accession, Gros was straightforward, If the EU accepts Ukraine and not Turkey and Turkey has completed its reforms, yes, that would prove that the EU is a Christian club.

Doing its homework

I think the best approach for Turkey would have been not to press too much for improving negotiations (with the EU) but to just do their homework and wait for the right time, said Gros.

But now it is too late for that. If you start undertaking reforms, it will take one or two years before effects are seen and the rest of the negotiations can be dealt with.

Turkey's economy seems the least problematic issue for the EU. But when the global financial crisis is considered, Turkey should be cautious of its current account deficit and foreign debt, said Gros. The long-term prospect of Turkey's economy is quite good, he noted. But the short-term is very dangerous, he said.

Turkey currently has a large account deficit and its companies have large foreign debts. In this particular situation, there are dangers in the short term. The long term prospects are pretty good because the customs union with the EU keeps trade open. Turkey's independent banking system is quite safe. So, as long as Turkey remains committed to fiscal policy, the long-term prospect of Turkey's economy seems quite bright. Recessions come and go.

[15] Babacan to visit France, Italy, Czech Republic, Britain for contacts

Turkey's Foreign Minister Ali Babacan will go on a EU trip covering Marseilles, Rome, Prague and London.

Babacan will start his tour on Monday with Marseilles where he will be attending the Barcelona Process --Union for the Mediterranean-- foreign ministers meeting.

Babacan will then proceed to Rome, Italy to attend the Turkish-Italian business forum and hold bilateral meetings on Tuesday. He will later go to Czech Republic's capital Prague for bi-lateral meetings with Czech officials on Wednesday.

Finally Babacan will go to London Thursday to meet his British Counterpart David Miliband, and hold bilateral and tete a tete meetings.

Babacan will discuss Turkey's EU bid, as well as, bilateral, and global issues, at his meetings with officials.

[16] Turkish-Palestinian Business Council was established

The Turkish-Palestinian Business Council was established under the leadership of Kenan Malatyali, chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of central Anatolian province of Corum.

According to a written press release issued by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK), the new council has been established as an entity under the DEIK roof.The Turkish-Palestinian Business Council was formerly a part of the Turkish-Jordanian Business Council.Bottom of Form

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITIORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[17] From the Turkish Press of 31 October 2008

a) EU Progress Report on Turkey:

Commenting on reports that the EU Progress Report [to be finalized on 5 November] sees no progress in Turkey as regards socio-political reforms, Hasan Cemal says in his column in Milliyet (31.10.08) that despite his control of the parliament and salvation of his party from closure thanks to EU support, PM Erdogan has stalled on all reforms because he has realized that EU reforms are not vote winners. For that reason, Cemal believes Erdogan will introduce no reforms until local elections in March 2009. In this approach, Cemal adds, Erdogan is no different from the previous politicians who mistakenly thought winning elections would be sufficient in itself to solve Turkey's problems.

A report in Cumhuriyet (31.10.08) says the EU Progress Report mentions no membership date for Turkey because of AKP government's failures to introduce reforms, combat corruption, and solve the Cyprus problem.

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In Milliyet (01.11.08) Sami Kohen refers in his column to the EU Progress Report on Turkey that is to be published next week, stating that the report underlines the "strategic importance" of Turkey. This "change" of attitude on the part of the EU, Kohen asserts, shows that the EU has begun to comprehend Turkey's geostrategic importance. Notwithstanding, Kohen wonders to what extent this can eliminate the obstacles on the road to the EU, given the criticism leveled against Turkey in the field of reforms and democratic rights and freedoms.

In Hurriyet (02.11.08) editor Oktay Eksi writes about the Progress Report that will be issued by the EU. Citing examples from the draft, Eksi criticizes the EU for interfering in the judiciary by disputing its decisions as in the case of the expulsion of a prosecutor from Semdinli. He also accuses the EU of trying to "create new minorities" by extending financial support to minority groups in a way encouraging them to take action, or by requesting that Alevis be considered a minority even though they do not want a change in their status.

Zaman (02.11.08) carries an interview entitled "Kurdish Identity Should be Recognized and Assimilation Policy can no Longer be Pursued" with former Foreign Minister and Hurriyet columnist Ilter Turkmen who expounds his views on Turkey's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, accession talks with the EU, Cyprus question, recent rulings of the Constitutional Court and the Kurdish question. Predicting that accession negotiations with the EU will not gather momentum, Turkmen says: "The EU will issue a progress report with negative conclusions because we have not carried out reforms. I do not think that they will be carried out in the future. It seems that accession to the EU is not the government's number one priority."

/ES

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