Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-08-02

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Cavusoglu due to Ankara

[02] YKP said that the implementation of green and white "identity card" will not solve the problem with the illegal workers

[03] Galatasaray plans to build sports complex in occupied Karpassia

[04] British lawmakers express concern about the security risks posed by Turkey's accession to the EU

[05] Davutoglu attends funeral in Norway

[06] "Cards report reflects big rise in tourists from Arab nations"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Main issue in today's Turkish newspapers is the meeting of Turkey's Supreme Military Council (YAS) under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Also, the visit of Davutoglu to Norway in order to attend the funeral of the Turkish girl killed in the recent massacre, the return of Kemal Burkay to Turkey, a Kurdish politician and poet living in exile and his meeting with Bagis. In addition, reports that the Turkish Parliament will start debating the new Constitution in October, and other domestic issues are covered in today's Turkish press.

[01] Cavusoglu due to Ankara

The paper reports that after completing his contacts, Cavusoglu will fly back to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus tonight.

On the same issue, columnist Cenk Mutluyakali, writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (02.08.11), comments on Cavusoglu's visit to Ankara as follows: "minister of internal affairs Cavusoglu goes to Ankara!... Would he ask you [Tr. Nt.: Turkish Cypriots] on the issue of green and white identity card."

[02] YKP said that the implementation of green and white "identity card" will not solve the problem with the illegal workers

Referring to the ongoing Cyprus talks, Kanatli also said that this "regulation" will influence negatively the efforts for a Cyprus settlement.

[03] Galatasaray plans to build sports complex in occupied Karpassia

Sarigul announced that the breakaway regime has "allocated" land of 100 donum in occupied Karpassia and wanted to thank Eroglu, Kucuk, Durust and the whole "council of ministers" for their support. He also said that this big complex would include everything they might wish for and that football teams from the whole world will be able to conduct training camps in the most modern way. "This exemplary sports complex, which will include a resort hotel, will be suitable year round due to the climate of Cyprus and will contribute to the development of the daughterland and make Cyprus a centre of attraction," said Sarigul.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (02.07.11) publishes a news report that self-styled minister of foreign affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun, participating in a ceremony in Galatasaray Lyceum said that they have "allocated" 150 donums upon the football club's request months before. However, the protocol has not been signed and said that they will invite the chairman of the club to the "TRNC" in order to sign the protocol.

[04] British lawmakers express concern about the security risks posed by Turkey's accession to the EU

U.K. Parliament's Home Affairs Committee warned that if Turkey joined the EU, the Union's borders would extend to Syria, Iran and Iraq, "which pose a considerable security risk, including as a source of large numbers of irregular migrants". It also said that Turkish organized crime groups involved in drug trafficking or illegal immigration posed a "substantial threat" to the EU's internal security.

The report said that Brussels must apply "a very stringent set of conditions relating to border security, all of which must be clearly and objectively demonstrate that these must be met by Turkey prior to accession".

Committee chairman Keith Vaz said that cooperation between enforcement agencies from the EU, Turkey and Greece -- the border between Greece and Turkey is the main entry point for illegal immigrants to the EU -- must improve. "I am concerned that, if action is not taken now, it will become even easier for migrants from countries such as Afghanistan and Iran to enter the EU once Turkey is a member," he said.

The report also urged caution in allowing Turkish citizens full freedom of movement on membership, saying it may be better to impose limits such as those placed on Bulgaria and Romanian nationals following their accession. But it stressed that in the long-term, the security risks will be "considerably outweighed by the potential benefits" of Turkish membership, which would allow for increased cooperation within EU law enforcement agencies.

It also warned that the willingness of the Turkish authorities to tackle illegal immigration and drug trafficking may disappear if it thinks EU membership is not achievable. "The Turkish authorities may lose their incentive to prioritize tackling criminality which affects EU member states to a far greater extent than their own population," the report said.

[05] Davutoglu attends funeral in Norway

Speaking during the funeral, Davutoglu appealed to Norwegians and underscored that Norway is a precious friend of Turkey as the two countries have been cooperating on many humanitarian issues such as the Palestinians' case. "With the memory of Gizem, there will be a stronger brotherhood between the peoples of Norway and Turkey and this will last forever," he said. He also advised Turks living in Norway to boost ties with their Norwegian neighbours after this incident.

In Oslo, in a joint news conference late on Monday with his Norwegian counterpart Jonas Gahr Store, Davutoglu said he came to Norway to display solidarity, noting that terrorism has no religion or race. He had talks with Store and both Foreign Ministers discussed recent developments in the Middle East, Afghanistan and Libya along with bilateral relations.

[06] "Cards report reflects big rise in tourists from Arab nations"

The rise in the total volume of foreign credit card transactions reached $2.3 billion in the first half of the year, a 35% rise in volume compared to the same period last year, according to a BKM report.

"A few years ago, the total volume of transactions through foreign credit cards was really small in Turkey," Canko, told a press meeting in Istanbul regarding the report. "It has risen thanks to Arab tourists who have chosen Turkey as a holiday and shopping destination in the region." The total volume of the transactions reached $1 billion in May and June.

"This shows a trend in foreigners spending in Turkey," Canko said. He also said that the radical political changes currently occurring in the Middle East and North Africa played an important role in the recent rise in the number of Arab tourists visiting Turkey.

The total number of tourists visiting Turkey increased 14.6% in the first five months of the year compared with January-May last year, according to official data from the Tourism Ministry. In May, tourists from Yemen were up 87% from last year, while the rise in tourists from Saudi Arabia and Iraq was 79.3% and 45.84%, respectively. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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