Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-04-30

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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 Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the verdict of the ECJ

[02] Talat evaluates the ECJs judgement on the Orams case with the Turkish Cypriot political parties; More reactions on the issue

[03] Turkish Cypriot delegation met with the British Prime Minister; Statements by Caroline Flint

[04] Turkish National Security Council expresses its support to Talat on the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem

[05] Turkish and Czech Presidents held a joint press conference in Prague

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Columnist in SABAH assesses the property issue in Cyprus

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement regarding the verdict of the ECJ

The Turkish Ministry alleged also that this judgment constitutes a clear example of how the Greek Cypriot administration, as it describes the Republic of Cyprus, misuses its EU membership, which it unfairly gained, against the efforts for a solution. The announcement noted that the measures, which could be taken regarding this decision, which harms the overall, just and lasting solution of the Cyprus problem, have been jointly evaluated with the authorities of the breakaway regime.

(DPs)

[02] Talat evaluates the ECJs judgement on the Orams case with the Turkish Cypriot political parties; More reactions on the issue

President Mehmet Ali Talat has said that the European Court of Justices judgment on the Orams case will have a negative impact on the Cyprus negotiations process.

The President held a three-hour long meeting with leaders of political parties to evaluate the Courts decision. A joint statement was made public at the end of the meeting.

Speaking on the issue, President Talat said that it would be a serious mistake to evaluate the Orams case as a legal case between two individuals and to ignore the existence two legal systems in Cyprus. 'This judgment which ignores the extraordinary situation on the island is totally unacceptable', he added.

The President also reassured the Turkish Cypriot people as well as EU residents in the TRNC that the TRNC Presidency and all the organs of the state will be following the developments closely, will continue to protect the law enforced in the TRNC and will take any necessary measures to ensure the people and prosperity of people living in the TRNC.

Moreover, todays Turkish Cypriot newspapers (30.04.09) report on the joint statement issued yesterday by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat and the Turkish Cypriot political parties on the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Communities on the Orams case as follows:

KIBRIS: Unacceptable, Subtitle: Joint reaction from the politicians in the TRNC to the judgment of the European Court of Justice.

HALKIN SESI: A pessimistic picture. The paper reports that after the announcement of the ECJ´s judgment, the sensation of fear appears especially in the building sector and the future of the economy in the occupied areas of Cyprus. The paper refers to the views of representatives of the constructions sector, economist and the former chairman of the so-called Supreme Court, Taner Erginel.

STAR KIBRIS: The process is in danger. The paper writes that the judgment of the British Court of Appeal may bring the negotiation process in Cyprus to an end.

YENI DUZEN: Remedy: Solution. The paper publishes in its front-page the statements made by foreigners who live in the occupied areas regarding the judgment.

HAVADIS: Red alarm. The paper writes that leaders and the representatives of the National Unity Party, the Republican Turkish Party, the Freedom and Reform Party, and the Communal Democracy Party who met yesterday with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, argued that the decision of the ECJ is wrong and decided to take common step. According to the paper, the Turkish Cypriot leader Talat and the five political parties represented in the assembly stated that the ECJ´s judgment is a serious mistake and that this judgment which ignores the extraordinary situation on the island cannot be accepted and harms seriously the negotiation process. Talat stated also that the negotiation process will be damaged in an irreparable manner in case the decision taken by the British Court of Appeal, which will take final decision on the legal process regarding the Orams Case, is similar to the ECJs judgment and does not take into consideration the realities in Cyprus.

VATAN: We will never accept it.

BAKIS: Historical consensus.

VOLKAN: It could never be accepted.

KIBRISLI: New policy!

AFRIKA: The national spirit revived.

GUNES: Common reaction.

CYPRUS TIMES: Dispute not between individuals.

Furthermore, Star Kibris newspaper (30.04.09) in its front page and under the title A call for struggle from Marion Stokes reports on the statements made by the chairperson and founder of the Home Buyers Pressure Group Mrs. Marion Stokes about the ECJ´s judgment. Referring to the problems of the British citizens who live in the occupied areas, Marion Stokes said, inter alia, the following: The whole community should meet and give the fight together for the TRNC and their properties. Marion Stokes said also that as soon as the new government is established, they will certainly want to meet with them. The Home Buyers Pressure Group has been established by British citizens who illegally possess property in the occupied areas of Cyprus.

The paper reports also in its front page on the statements made by the Orams couple, under the title The disappointment of Orams. The paper reports that David and Linda Orams spoke to the paper after the judgment of the ECJ and stated the following: We were disappointed. However, we are not intimidated, we will continue the struggle.

Moreover, Havadis newspaper (30.04.09) reports in its inside pages on the statements made by the Hasan Vahip, who is one of the lawyers of the Orams couple. Evaluating the ECJs judgment, Hasan Vahip stated that the case did not reach its final stage yet. He also said that the Orams case will bring an enormous advantage to the Greek Cypriot side in the solution of the Cyprus problem. In parallel with this reality, he said, it is not right to relate this problem, only to this case. Hasan Vahip continued and said also that the basic problem, which gave to the Greek Cypriot side the opportunity to be in advantageous position in this case, derives from the fact that the Republic of Cyprus jointed the EU.

Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (30.04.09) reports on the issue under the title We do not recognise the judgement on the Orams. The papers correspondent in occupied Lefkosia, Omer Bilge, refers to Mr Talats statements after the meeting with the political parties. According to the paper, the Turkish Cypriot political leaders meeting lasted for three hours and a written statement, which was prepared jointly by the political leaders, was issued. According to the statement, the ECJ did not take into consideration the existence of the two different judiciaries that exists in both sides of Cyprus. We cannot recognize the decision of the ECJ that ignored the abnormal situation that exists in Cyprus, the statement added.

Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (30.04.09) reports on the same issue and publishes an article by its correspondent in occupied Lefkosia, Sefa Karahasan, under the title, TRNC: The Orams verdict can never be accepted, and the subtitle, Five thousand Britons in danger.

Turkish daily Sabah newspaper (30.04.09) reports on the issue under the title This time the eyes, regarding the property case, have been turned to the ECHR. The paper carries a report by its correspondent in London noting that after the ECJs decision, the British Court of Appeal will take into consideration the opinion of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) before taking its final verdict on the Orams case. The paper adds that around 1300 Greek Cypriots are expected to file a lawsuit for their immovable properties in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

(AC/EA)

[03] Turkish Cypriot delegation met with the British Prime Minister; Statements by Caroline Flint

The delegation was also accompanied by Ms Caroline Flint, British Minister of State and Minister for Europe. The meeting lasted 40 minutes. Ms Flint, in a statement after the meeting, said that she is satisfied because she brought her Turkish Cypriot friends to meet with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Ms Flint explained that during the meeting Prime Minister Brown confirmed once more Britains support to the ongoing negotiations between the two leaders in Cyprus. Noting that Mr Brown gave his support from a cultural and economical point of view to the Turkish Cypriot community in Britain, Ms Flint said that the issue of the judgment by the ECJ regarding the houses which have been built by British citizens on land belonging to a Greek Cypriot in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus came also onto the agenda. Ms Flint said that she believes that a solution in the island is possible only as a result of the ongoing negotiations held between the leaders. Ms Flint also added that this negotiation includes not only the property but also a lot of matters within a wide framework outside this issue.

Noting that their belief is that a solution can only be found at the negotiation table, Ms Flint reminded that the property problem is an issue that contains a lot of difficulties and the same problem exists both in the north and in the south of the island. Noting that similar problem exists in many conflict areas of the world, Ms Flint said that as a British government they believe that a solution is possible with a lasting peace.

Replying to a question on the stance of Prime Minister Brown on the issue, Ms Flint said: He also supports what I have said. He also expressed these views. We do not want this problem to prevent the negotiation process in any way. There is a need now for supporting the ongoing negotiations more that ever.

Replying to a question whether the judgment of the ECJ on the Orams case was the reason for the meeting between the Turkish Cypriot delegation and the Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Ms Flint said that it was a coincidence that the meeting was held after the judgment.

Meanwhile, the members of the delegation said that Mr Brown listened to them with great interest and gave sincere responses. The delegation also stated that they asked from the Prime Minister Gordon Brown to officially invite to London the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and Mr Brown did not give to them a negative answer.

(DPs)

[04] Turkish National Security Council expresses its support to Talat on the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem

The Turkish National Security Council has reiterated its support to the ongoing negotiations process which is being carried out by President Mehmet Ali Talat with the aim of finding a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem on the basis of the United Nations parameters.

The Council met yesterday to discuss domestic and foreign developments concerning the country. The results of the 19 April Parliamentary elections in the TRNC were also taken up and the council expressed its satisfaction over the holding of the elections in a peaceful atmosphere in a statement issued at the end of the meeting.

[05] Turkish and Czech Presidents held a joint press conference in Prague

Czech President Vaclav Klaus said on Wednesday that his country supported Turkey's EU membership process.

Holding a joint press conference with Turkish President Abdullah Gul in Prague, Klaus said that they discussed the details of difficult EU membership process. Klaus said that he showed his political will for Turkey's participation in integration process with the EU. Prior to the press conference, Turkey and the Czech Republic signed a document, which revises the agreement on mutual protection and incitement of investments between the two countries.

Turkish President Abdullah Gul said on Wednesday that Turkey would have a close consultation with the Czech Republic in its EU membership process. Holding a joint press conference with the Czech Republic's President Vaclav Klaus in Prague, Gul said that they discussed commerce, investment and tourism issues and took up political consultations.

Recalling that the Czech Republic was the EU president, Gul said that they also assessed Turkey's EU membership process during their meeting. Gul thanked the Czech Republic for its support to Turkey's membership. Upon questions of the reporters, Gul said that Turkey was invited to the summit, which would be held about Nabucco Project in Prague on May 8.

Gul said that they also discussed energy issue with Klaus, adding that Turkey attached importance to energy issue, and was determined about Nabucco Project. Gul expressed hope that a memorandum of understanding would be signed between the governments soon. Gul said that the main resources of Nabucco Project were Caucasus, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, adding that they were working on whether those resources were sufficient or not.

Regarding relations with Armenia, Gul said that initiatives, which were launched to normalize relations with Armenia, were not against Azerbaijan. He added that the initiatives were also for the benefit of Turkey and Azerbaijan as well as for settlement of stability in Caucasus.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[06] Columnist in SABAH assesses the property issue in Cyprus

After we took Cyprus we sent many people there so that the balance of population is turned in our favour. Some of them have been given houses by the TRNC administration and some of them coined in their money and bought these houses.

The houses were the houses left by the Greek Cypriots who ran away to the south. You remember the houses left by the Armenians, who were exiled to Syria from various places of Anatolia during the events in 1915.

Now, one of the basic efforts in our Cyprus cause is established on not giving back these houses! The European Union says if you want to join me, either return [the houses] or pay money for them. This is the reason of the turmoil.

For example, the European Court of Justice took a decision the day before yesterday and convicted a British couple, who with our permission has built a construction on a plot of land belonging to a Greek Cypriot in the past, to pay compensation. The EU does not recognize the state and the law of the Turkish Cypriots. No one recognizes it. Neither Europe nor the world. The European high court said to the EU citizens: Do not buy houses in the Turkish area. I will cause trouble for you after that. They say there are ten thousand persons like this.

If we join the Union sometime, the citizens, who are passionately in love with Cyprus, will have a headache. They will either give their houses or their money. That is why there are many persons who oppose Turkeys accession to the EU. Some of them wanted even a coup for not loosing Cyprus! This is the essence of the issue. However, if you ask them, everybody will shout slogans of primary school such as Turkey is the motherland and Cyprus the daughter land.

(I/Ts.)

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