Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 09-07-07

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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 regime to open a representation office in Oman

[02] Do not wait in vain

[03] Eroglu refers to a Dubai Model for the development of the breakaway regime

[04] The illegal regime participates for the first time under the status of the observer in the 10th General Assembly of Islamic Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization of the OIC

[05] The self-styled ambassador of Turkey stated that they will do everything possible for the recognition of the occupation regime

[06] Statements by the so called rector of the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University on the countries with which it has established cooperation

[07] Huseyin Ozgurgun accused the Greek Cypriot side of pursuing immoral policies and called on the EU to say stop to Christofias leadership

[08] Another permission for casino

[09] Data on the 2008 imports and exports of the breakaway regime

[10] The cost of living in the occupied areas of Cyprus increased by 0.7 % in June

[11] Armenia and Karabakh issues among the matters of discussion on Obama and Guls telephone conversation

[12] Statements by Erdogan: Putin to visit Ankara on August

[13] The Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to visit Turkey next week

[14] Turkish Foreign Ministry: Nabucco Intergovernmental agreement to be signed on July 13

[15] A statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the incidents in the Uighur Autonomous region in China

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[16] From the Turkish Press of 06 July 2009

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The illegal regime to open a representation office in Oman

Ms. Askin Asans statements were made during a meeting she held with a delegation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Oman which is holding contacts with Turkish deputies in Ankara.

Expressing her satisfaction over the event, Ms. Asan has stated: In every platform, we are exerting efforts for voicing the just cause of the Turks of Cyprus. They are suffering a lot, they are being blamed. We are saying to ourselves Why our Arab brothers do not defend this just cause. However, the Omanis are totally different. I thank them over the permission they have given for the opening of a TRNC representation office.

Furthermore, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan newspaper (07.07.09) writes that the self-styled council of ministers of the breakaway regime has appointed Mr Oktay Ozturk as the representative of the occupation regime in Kuwait.

(ML)

[02] Do not wait in vain

Mr Turkmen argued that after the referendum on 24 April 2004, there were more opportunities for the Turkish Cypriots to open to the world and their legitimacy increased, but they are not recognized as a state. And there is no possibility for them to be recognized, he said. He pointed out that the EU or the USA will not recognize the breakaway regime and added that recognition by some states from Africa will have no benefit.

Noting that he had supported the Annan Plan, he added: There were some elements in the Annan Plan and it was difficult for it to function. If it was established that it did not function, the two states which was our essential goal could be formed more easily, because a formula should be found in the EU. Cyprus would have been divided like Czechoslovakia was divided into two states.

Mr Turkmen described as extremely successful the foreign policy followed recently by Turkey regarding the Cyprus problem and said that at a meeting he participated in the USA after 1974, American Senators of Greek origin have suggested to the Turks the return of the occupied closed city of Famagusta in return of the recognition of an independent state in the northern part of the Island.

Mr Turkmen said that the main reason for the establishment of the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) was the continuation of the term of duty of the former Turkish Cypriot leader, Rauf Denktas. He noted he has also supported the UDI, but afterwards he wondered whether he had committed a mistake by doing that.

(I/Ts)

[03] Eroglu refers to a Dubai Model for the development of the breakaway regime

The interview was given during Mr Eroglus recent visit to Turkey. The magazine notes that one of the issues on the agenda of this visit was the need of the TRNC [Tr. Note: The breakaway regime in the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus] for an additional resource of 250-300 million Turkish liras for the year 2009.

When asked to comment on the information that his self-styled government has is having a project for turning the occupied areas of Cyprus into a free trade zone Mr Eroglu said:

We established the Famagusta Free Port and Area in 1978. Even Turkey had not had free trade zone then. After we established this, the free areas of Mersin, Izmir and Antalya were established. However, this zone has not developed in the way we wanted. What we are thinking now is to extent this further. We are thinking whether we could create a Dubai model. Shortly we will communicate with an expert professor in Turkey on the issue of the free zones. Of course this will take some time. First we are planning to prepare the law...

Mr Eroglu noted that they will use the idea put forward by the late Turkish Prime Minister Turgut Ozal in 1986 on the issue of the free trade zone.

Mr Eroglu argued that the fact that the Turkish Cypriots spend 20 million dollars per month in the free areas of Cyprus is a great loss for them and added that they have abolished the taxes on the electronic commerce and reduced the VAT rate from 16% to 8% in order to prevent this great loss.

Asked to comment on the future of the Cyprus negotiations, Mr Eroglu said he is not optimistic that a solution will be reached by the end of 2009.

Replying to a question regarding their red lines, Mr Eroglu said that the first red line is that the guarantees of Turkey could not be changed and the second is that no one could decide for their citizens, as he described the settlers from Turkey. You know, the Greek side says that the TRNC citizens who came from Turkey are settlers and that the demographic structure in Cyprus has been changed and they want them to go, he added alleging that it would be a great injustice to make the Turks refugees after 34 years.

Mr Eroglu went on and said: From this point of view I think that we should pass over this matter with the slightest border adjustments as possible and minor territorial adjustments and to include the exchange of property and the compensations in the territorial issue. I have been saying for many years now that Morfou will not be given away. In the end, the land will be ours to the extent we can defend this land and develop it.

Replying to another question, Mr Eroglu said that in Ankara he did not discuss the issue of the opening of the Turkish sea and air ports to the Republic of Cyprus within the framework of the fulfillment of Turkeys obligations towards the EU.

Referring to the issue of the agreement between Cyprus and an American company for oil explorations in the Mediterranean Sea, Mr Eroglu argued that in case the American company starts the explorations, Turkey will also take such a step in the sea of the occupied northern part of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The illegal regime participates for the first time under the status of the observer in the 10th General Assembly of Islamic Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization of the OIC

This is the first time for the illegal regime participating in an ISESCO meeting under the status of the observer, the paper writes, and adds that this year, the Russian Federation and Thailand have also participated in the meeting under the same status.

The illegal regime has been represented in the ISESCO assembly by representatives of the so called ministries of foreign affairs and of national education, youth and sport.

(ML)

[05] The self-styled ambassador of Turkey stated that they will do everything possible for the recognition of the occupation regime

(CS)

[06] Statements by the so called rector of the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University on the countries with which it has established cooperation

On the deficit, Ms. Taneri has stated that DAU is currently experiencing a 40 trillion Turkish Lira (TL) budget deficit and added that DAU is experiencing a shortage in its budget since 2002 and that this problem can be overcome with cooperation between the government of the breakaway regime and Turkey.

Referring to the activities of DAU in the international field, Ms. Taneri said that apart from Turkey, DAU diplomas have been accredited until now by Britain, Palestine, the Lebanon, Jordan, India, Iran, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan and Syria and added that currently, they are exerting efforts for DAU diplomas to receive accreditation by Kuwait and the Peoples Republic of China. Ms. Taneri further stated that DAU has established cooperation with universities of Turkey, the United States, Germany, Austria, Britain, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Italy, Canada, Philippines, the Russian Federation and Nigeria.

Ms. Taneri also said that DAU is implementing programs which are receiving recognition by international accreditation institutions, such as the Accreditation Board of Engineers and Technology (ABET), EDEXCEL International, TEDQUAL, International Design Association, AACSB, EAAE, ENHR, UK NARIC and IMHE.

Referring to her recent address at the Crans Montana Forum in Brussels, Ms. Taneri argued that it was very natural for the DAU to participate in this activity, since it is an institution that follows international standards and has received accreditations. Ms. Taneri concluded by saying that during this month and in September, businessmen from Italy, France and Germany who have previously participated in the discussions held on energy issues during the Crans Montana Forum, are expected to visit the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

(ML)

[07] Huseyin Ozgurgun accused the Greek Cypriot side of pursuing immoral policies and called on the EU to say stop to Christofias leadership

The foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun has criticized the Greek Cypriot Leader Demetris Christofias for his recent remarks about Turkeys EU membership process.In a written statement today, the foreign minister pointed out that the Christofias Leadership is trying to raise preconditions for Turkeys EU membership by ignoring the interests of the Union and accused the Greek Cypriot side of pursuing immoral policies.

`We want to remind the Greek Cypriot Leadership that this is a wrong way. The right path to be followed is to sit at the table`, he said, stressing that the collocutor of the Greek Cypriot Administration is the TRNC people.

The minister said that the latest statement issued by the Greek Cypriot Leader has proved that the Greek Cypriot Administration is using its unilateral EU membership as an instrument to put pressure on Turkey on the Cyprus issue.He added that it is time for the European Union to say STOP to these policies which are far from being moral.

Mr Ozgurgun stated that the Greek Cypriot Leadership which is mistaken by thinking that it could gain political advantages by obtaining decisions at the EU against Turkey and the TRNC definitely will not be allowed to secure gains through blackmail and a devious route.

He called on the member countries of the European Union and EU institutions not to become tool of the Greek Cypriot Leadership and to encourage it to engage in serious negotiations with the Turkish Cypriot side in order to bring a lasting agreement where the Turkish Cypriot side will be one of the two politically equal partners.

[08] Another permission for casino

In addition the self-styled council of ministers renewed the permission of the Net Tourism Trade and Industry A.S Firm for operating a casino until the end of the year.

(CS)

[09] Data on the 2008 imports and exports of the breakaway regime

According to data given in the book, in 2008 the imports reached one billion 680 million 657 thousand 180 US dollars, while the exports reached 83 million 664 thousand 123 dollars. In this way, a trade deficit of one billion 596 million 993 thousand 42 dollars was realized. In particular, imports from Turkey reached 1,172,502,792 dollars and from the third countries 508,154,388 dollars. In the previous year, exports to Turkey reached 41,770,636 dollars and to the third countries 41,893,502 dollars.

The goods that imported the most were: fuel, transporting vehicles, constructing iron, barley, ready-made clothing, medicines, animal feed, furniture, cement, industrial machines, cigarettes, wheat, maize and dairy products. Among the most exported goods were: dairy products, citrus fruits, scrap metal, raki liquid, ready-made clothing and gypsum.

(EA)

[10] The cost of living in the occupied areas of Cyprus increased by 0.7 % in June

The cost of living in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus increased by 0.7 per cent in June.

According to the figures released by the State Planning Organization, living costs were 3.2 per cent up in comparison with the same month last year.

The highest increase was recorded in the prices of food and alcohol-free drinks.

[11] Armenia and Karabakh issues among the matters of discussion on Obama and Guls telephone conversation

The normalization talks between Turkey and Armenia and efforts to solve the Karabakh conflict are the focus of a telephone conversation between the presidents of Turkey and the US. Ankara and Washington will continue to work together on common problems, the White House says.

U.S. President Barack Obama and President Abdullah Gul discussed Turkey-Armenia relations and efforts to resolve the Nagorno-Karabakh problem between Armenia and Azerbaijan during a telephone conversation late Sunday, hours before Obama left here for Moscow for his first summit with Russian leaders.The two presidents ... discussed the situation in the Caucasus, said a White House statement released after the conversation. President Gul updated President Obama on the status of Turkish-Armenian relations. They also discussed the Minsk Groups ongoing efforts to address the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, it said. The Minsk Group is a group of international diplomats, led by the United States, Russia and France, that aims to resolve the 16-year-old Karabakh problem.

In a joint declaration in April, Turkey and Armenia said they intend to normalize their relations. The process would include opening the two neighbors land border. Turkey recognized Armenia's independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 but never established diplomatic ties. It closed the land border in 1993 in protest of the Armenian invasion and occupation of the enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh. More importantly, Armenians claim that the killings of their kinsmen in the Ottoman Empire at the end of the World War I amount to a genocide. Turkey denies the label and says that people from both sides were killed during the ethnic strife. But despite those major differences the two countries said in April that they needed to reconcile. Technically the Turkish-Armenian normalization process and the Karabakh issue are separate matters. But concerned over a backlash by Azerbaijanis, Turkey's close allies, PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan has pledged not open the border with Armenia without progress toward the Karabakh problem's solution. Washington strongly backs both the normalization and Karabakh processes, but says one should not be a precondition for the other.Obama's Moscow agenda is expected to include the Karabakh problem. Moscow still has major influence on both Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The White House said the U.S. and Turkey would continue to work together to face common problems. Both presidents emphasized that U.S.-Turkish ties are strong and that our two nations will continue to partner together to address common challenges to our security and prosperity, it said. President Gul thanked President Obama for his Cairo speech on Americas relationship with Muslim world it added. In his speech last month, Obama called for a major improvement of ties between the United States and the Muslim world.

[12] Statements by Erdogan: Putin to visit Ankara on August

Russian Premier Vladimir Putin was expected to visit Turkey in August, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in his meeting with Patriarch Kirill of the Moscow Orthodox Church in Ankara on Monday.

Officials quoted Kirill as saying that the current relations between Turkey and Russia were at a very good level.

Kirill said in the meeting that they had close relations with the religious authorities in Turkey.

Russia welcomed and fully supported the initiative, Alliance of Civilizations, co-sponsored by Turkey and Spain, Patriarch Kirill said.

Premier Erdogan told Patriarch Kirill in the meeting that the two countries had deep-rooted relations, which have been advancing every day. Russia is the first partner of Turkey now. It plays a leading role in the sectors of energy, tourism and construction, Erdogan said.

Patriarch Kirill of Moscow arrived in Turkey on Saturday and visited the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul, and had a meeting with Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew.

Patriarchs Bartholomew and Kirill attended a Sunday prayer service at the Church of St. George in Istanbul. Patriarchs Kirill and Bartholomew inaugurated the church of the Russian Consulate General in Istanbul on Monday.

[13] The Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas to visit Turkey next week

Amid concerns over whether rival Palestinian groups will eventually reach reconciliation, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas will pay an official visit to the Turkish capital later this month at the invitation of President Abdullah Gul.

During Abbas' July 16 visit, talks will focus on the acceleration of the Middle East peace process, with Ankara reiterating the importance it attaches to maintaining unity among rival Palestinian groups. Abbas informed Ankara of his willingness to visit Ankara as of last month, yet an earlier meeting could not be arranged because of Gul's busy schedule. Abbas and Gul will attend a ceremony to inaugurate the new Palestinian Embassy in Ankara. Over the weekend, news reports said rival Fatah and Hamas leaders voiced doubts that a reconciliation deal would be signed in Cairo on July 28, as Palestinian security officials in the West Bank accused Hamas of planning to carry out violent acts aimed at creating a state of instability in the territory.

[14] Turkish Foreign Ministry: Nabucco Intergovernmental agreement to be signed on July 13

The Nabucco Intergovernmental Agreement, a substantial milestone in the realization of the Nabucco Natural Gas Pipeline Project which bears significance for the energy security of Turkey and Europe, will be signed during a ceremony to be held in Ankara on 13 July 2009.

The Intergovernmental Agreement negotiations were initiated in January this year with the participation of the State Parties, namely, Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary and Austria, including Germany as well as the European Commission as a facilitator. The negotiations on the agreement were successfully finalized at the seventh round of talks last month.

Contributing to Europe's energy security and, in this regard, becoming Europe's fourth main artery in natural gas constitute some of the substantial elements of our energy strategy. The initial concrete step in this direction was taken by the launching of the Turkey-Greece Natural Gas Interconnector in 2007. The Nabucco Natural Gas Pipeline will help us in reaching these goals as it will vastly contribute to the strengthening of, particularly, Eastern Europe's energy security through route and source diversification. Furthermore, the Nabucco project is expected to bring a new dimension to our relations, based on mutual trust and cooperation, with the European Union.

On the occasion of the signing ceremony of the Intergovernmental Agreement, a Summit Meeting will be organized in Ankara on 13 July 2009 with the participation of natural gas producer, consumer and transit countries. During the Summit, there will be an exchange of views on the provision of natural gas to the Nabucco project by the source countries and on the potential related projects.

[15] A statement by the Turkish Foreign Ministry on the incidents in the Uighur Autonomous region in China

Turkey wanted the responsible people to be found as soon as possible and justice to be served regarding the incidents in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in China.

Turkish Foreign Ministry stated on Monday that Turkey felt sorry that over 140 people were killed and 800 others were injured in the riots which erupted in Urumchi --the capital of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in the northwestern China yesterday.

The ministry said that Turkey was expecting the people --who were responsible from the incidents to occur-- to be found as soon as possible and justice was served. The ministry also expressed belief that necessary measures would be taken to prevent such incidents to happen in the future in China which was becoming a stable and prosperous country. Turkey offered condolence to the relatives of the victims.

Over 140 people were killed and 800 others were injured in the riots which followed Sunday's peaceful demonstrations protesting a fight between Uighur and Han Chinese workers at a toy factory late June. Two Uighur workers had been killed in the strife.

Urumchi is in the Uighur Autonomous Region that has a population of over 21 million. Nearly 11 million Uighurs, Mongols and Huis live in the region.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[16] From the Turkish Press of 06 July 2009

On Turkeys stance on Iran:

Despite international community's growing unity against the mullahs in Iran, the AKP government is avoiding any major initiative on Iran and Foreign Minister Davutoglu is expected to pursue a "low profile policy" on Iran to avoid tension with that country, says Semih Idiz in his column in Milliyet. Commenting on AKP officials' attempt to defend their policy by pointing out that Turkey is supporting the Iranian reformists silently and cautiously, Idiz says it seems Turkey will maintain an apparent indifference towards Iran to prevent Iranian developments from having negative impact on Turkey.

An editorial in Hurriyet Daily News also touches on Turkey's cautious approach to Iranian developments. It says "It is a well-known fact that democracy has never been a priority for Turkey's foreign policy. But as a candidate country for European Union membership, Turkey is required to align its foreign-policy stance with that of the 27-nation bloc." And after noting EU disappointment with Turkey over the Iranian developments, the editorial adds: "It was a mistake to have hastily called Ahmadinejad to congratulate him on his controversial victory. President Abdullah Gul and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan both called the Iranian leader right after he declared victory, without paying attention to the opposition's claims of vote rigging. That must have been a major disappointment to those seeking greater democracy in Iran. And proximity does not always provide an alibi for Turkey's stances on democratic principles. Take the case of the president of Sudan. Turkey did not refrain from hosting the leader of a country accused of war crimes. If Turkey wants to be a regional, or especially a global, player, it is high time it starts giving priority to democracy and human rights in its foreign policy."

E/G

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