Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 10-01-15

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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 self styled assembly approved a motion submitted by four Turkish Cypriot parties on the holding of a discussion on the Cyprus problem

[02] Durduran stated that the acceptance of cross-voting system by Talat is not a concession

[03] Turkish Cypriot delegation in the UAE to attract Arab investors to the occupied areas of Cyprus

[04] The British Court of Appeals to deliver its verdict on the Orams case on January 19

[05] Eroglu to travel to Istanbul today

[06] Egemen Bagis to hold contacts on Turkeys EU membership in Spain

[07] Davutoglu stated from Zagreb that the diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel was overcome

[08] Bosnia and Herzegovinas political unity and Nato membership among the matters of discussion in a trilateral meeting in Zagreb

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Columnist in Turkish daily points out that the Turkish proposals submitted in the Cyprus talks are providing for confederation

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] The self styled assembly approved a motion submitted by four Turkish Cypriot parties on the holding of a discussion on the Cyprus problem

(ML)

[02] Durduran stated that the acceptance of a cross-voting system by Talat is not a concession

Referring to the proposals submitted, Mr Durduran said that the acceptance of a cross-voting system by the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, is not a concession. He also pointed out that the cross-voting principle benefits the minority and added that it has been proposed by those who support the peace.

(AK)

[03] Turkish Cypriot delegation in the UAE to attract Arab investors to the occupied areas of Cyprus

During his speech, Mr Atun referred to the announcement made by the Abu Dhabi Investment Department for the implementation of a multi-dimensional investment strategy and stated that the occupied areas of Cyprus are now a proper area for investments. He further added that the illegal regime follows a determine policy towards attracting foreign investments. Referring to the fact that the annual exports from the occupied areas to Abu Dhabi have reached one million dollars and the imports reached six million dollars, he, inter alia, said that this is a sign that the trade between the illegal regime and Abu Dhabi can be further improved. He also expressed the belief that the occupied areas will have an important role to play in the Blue Stream project, one of Turkeys most important energy projects.

On his part, Mr Cirali stated that despite the fact that occupied Cyprus is a small economy, it offers opportunities in a plethora of areas due to its geographical location and its potentials.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (15.01.10) reports that after the opening speeches, short video clips promoting tourism in the occupied areas of Cyprus were displayed. Mrs Donmezer also made a presentation on the investment opportunities in the occupied areas of Cyprus and stated that the main sector of the occupation regime is services. He added that both the number of tourists visiting occupied Cyprus and the income of Turkish Cypriots are on a continuous rise.

Meanwhile, in a separate news item, Kibris reports that the delegation, which holds contacts in the UAE, paid a visit to the UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan. Main issue of their discussion was the improvement of the good relations between UAE and the occupied areas of Cyprus, as well as the investment opportunities presented at the conference in Abu Dhabi.

(EA)

[04] The British Court of Appeals to deliver its verdict on the Orams case on January 19

(ML)

[05] Eroglu to travel to Istanbul today

(EA)

[06] Egemen Bagis to hold contacts on Turkeys EU membership in Spain

Turkey's Chief Negotiator for EU Talks, Egemen Bagis and Energy Minister, Taner Yildiz departed from Istanbul for Spain on Thursday.

As part of the visit, Bagis will hold a series of talks on Turkey's EU membership process, while Yildiz will participate in an unofficial meeting of EU's energy ministers in Sevilla, officials said.

The meeting, which will be attended by energy and environment ministers from all over Europe, will focus on issues such as energy, climate change and technological developments, officials added.

Minister Yildiz is expected to return to Turkey on January 16.

[07] Davutoglu stated from Zagreb that the diplomatic crisis between Turkey and Israel was overcome

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that the recent problem between Turkey and Israel was overcome.

Davutoglu, who is currently in Croatian capital Zagreb to attend the tripartite consultation meetings of Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia, said at a news conference that the Israeli party sent us a letter we had been waiting for, and apologized. Accordingly, the problem was overcome.

He refused to make further comments saying that he did not want to talk about the Middle East in Zagreb instead of developments in the Balkans.

Israel apologized yesterday over a crisis which erupted after Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Danny Ayalon summoned Turkish Ambassador in Tel Aviv, Oguz Celikkol, on Monday to criticize a Turkish television drama. During the meeting, Ayalon refused to shake the Ambassador's hand and ignored the diplomatic courtesy. Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling on Israel to abide by diplomatic courtesy and respect. Turkey is expecting steps to repair the treatment of our Ambassador in Tel Aviv. Davutoglu also made a statement and said that no one could dare to disrespect the Turkish Ambassador.

[08] Bosnia and Herzegovinas political unity and Nato membership among the matters of discussion in a trilateral meeting in Zagreb

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu met on Thursday in Zagreb with his counterparts from Croatia and from Bosnia and Herzegovina in an effort to overcome the latters political stalemate.

Davutoglu said stability in Bosnia means stability in the region.

The three countries foreign ministers came together for the first time in the framework of a new trilateral consultation mechanism. Trilateral cooperation will increase stability, security and welfare in the Balkans, Davutoglu said, adding that they have decided to continue with the meetings.

He said that they decided to follow common positions on how Bosnias political unity could be maintained and how reforms in the country could be strengthened, adding that this support would be made on an international level.

The minister also said that the countries viewed Bosnias bid for NATO membership favorably, adding that there would be a close cooperation on the military reforms necessary for accession to the alliance.

The talks in Zagreb came following the establishment of a similar mechanism between Turkey, Bosnia and Serbia, whose foreign ministers have met three times since last October. Davutoglu will travel to Belgrade on Friday to participate in the fourth meeting.

Bosnian Foreign Minister, Sven Alkalaj, said they also talked about economic issues, while his Croatian counterpart, Gordan Jandromovic, said Turkey helped in the 1990s to establish peace in the region.

In 1993 Turkey launched an initiative with Croatia to reconcile Bosnian Croats and Bosnian Muslims, who were then engaged in a deadly conflict.

The Turkish government has been extremely concerned by developments in Bosnia. The Dayton Accords, which ended the four-year Bosnian War in 1995, produced a hastily written constitution that ended the war but did not produce a functioning country.

The Bosnian constitution must be changed if the country is to attain true sovereignty and be released from the protection of the international community.

The year 2010 is also critical for the crucial elections that will be held.

[B] COMMENTARIES, EDITORIALS AND ANALYSIS

[09] Columnist in Turkish daily points out that the Turkish proposals submitted in the Cyprus talks are providing for confederation

As soon as I read the package of proposals submitted by the TRNC President Talat and rejected by the Greek Cypriot leader Christofias, I realized that the Cyprus problem cannot be solved with these brains. Pardon me. I should have said that I have realized it once more. In any case, I knew that it would not be possible for the Cyprus problem to be solved. Now I am sure. As soon as Christofias received the package, he gathered the representatives of the political parties which have sits in the Greek Cypriot House of Representatives and shared the proposals with them. Afterwards, he declared that these could not constitute a ground for negotiations. It is not difficult to understand why Christofias behaved in this manner and even acknowledge that he is right. Firstly, the proposals are providing for a confederation structure, which is not on the agenda, not for a federation. Federation is a sovereign state, composed of miniature states which are self-governed to a certain extent. Confederation is a state composed of two or more sovereign states. We have not said it, but we have made it clearly obvious that what we wish is confederation. Here are two proves: The Turkish administration will be able to sign agreements with foreign states. And it will have sovereign rights over the airspace which is above the TRNC territory. Another fundamental point is our demand for representation in the administration which is not well-proportioned with our population. While the Turks constitute 25% of the population of the Island, we demanded 40% of the sits in the cabinet: We want seven Greek and five Turk ministers. Additionally, we want the Turkish community to have the power of veto for all the laws and cabinet decisions. Four Greek and three Turks will participate in important institutions such as the Competition Committee.

Subtitle: The thing which is more important than the proposals

The thing, which is more important than the proposals, is the mentality which inspired them. Those who prepared these proposals do not trust at all the Greek Cypriots and they have not the slightest hope that any agreement which will be achieved is going to function. They believe that it will not function just like the first republic which was established in 1960 and collapsed in a period less than three years. For this reason, the Turkish community is trying to secure as much as possible and tie with an agreement as many things as possible.

Those who prepared these proposals do not have self-confidence. They take for granted that the Turks will fall prey to the Greeks and they are trying to prevent this by establishing a mechanism of administration which is not possible to work in practice. Then one should ask the following: Since you have zero confidence in these people, then are you looking for trouble? Why are you trying to establish partnership with them?

These proposals revealed one more thing: The Turks and the Greeks are far from a partnership. There are things to be done prior to this. Forgiveness and reconciliation. To bury the hatchet and forget the past. To cultivate love and understanding in the fields of hatred. However, is this possible? It is true that Cyprus is a member of the European Union, but geographically it is in the continent of Asia. It is a part of the Middle East. Hatred, blood and foolishness rule here. What will happen now? Talat and Christofias will continue walking together and smiling, because no one wants to be the side which disrupted the negotiations. However, everybody knows now that they are walking behind a funeral car, not a wedding procession.

(I/Ts.)

EG/

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