Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-08-12

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Trade unionists say no embargo is implemented on the Turkish Cypriots

[02] Occupied Morfou expected to become the centre of investments

[03] Ustel claims that the regime expects an income of 460 million dollars from tourism in 2011

[04] Tatar announced reduction in food import tariffs

[05] Yeni Duzen refers to problems of "minorities" living in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] An international folk-dancing festival to take place in the occupied area

[07] A song concert including a song named: "Ayse go home" was censored in occupied Famagusta

[08] A new think-tank has been established in the occupied area

[09] The World Billiard Championship to take place in the occupied area if the necessary money is found

[10] Kilicdaroglu criticized the AKP Government; columnist considers it as sign of democracy

[11] The Egyptian Foreign Minister met with Turkey's leaders

[12] Turkey to attract South Korean investments

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Reports that US President Obama spoke with Turkish Premier Erdogan on Syria development by phone, the visit of the Pakistani FM Hina Rabbani Khar in Turkey for talks, the visit today of the Greek Foreign Minister to Turkey to meet with the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Vartholomeos and inaugurate a fair, statements by Deputy Prime Minister Bulent Arinc after his talks in Kosovo that Turkey is exerting efforts to recognize Kosovo, reports that two more people were taken into custody for Deniz Feneri case and other internal issues are the some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Trade unionists say no embargo is implemented on the Turkish Cypriots

In statements yesterday at a joint press conference, general secretary of KTOS Sener Elcil, chairman of KTOEOS Tahir Gokcebel and general secretary of DAU-SEN Ulas Gokce recalled that the proposal submitted by the Greek Cypriot teachers' organizations in the direction of the annulment of DAU-SEN's membership in Education International was rejected by the majority of the members of the general assembly. The paper covers the issue under the title: "The target is the TRNC" and above the title notes that "according to KTOS, KTOEOS and DAU-SEN, there is no embargo towards the Turkish Cypriots".

The trade unionists said that the general assembly of Education International adopted a proposal regarding the "police" violence used against the members of the trade unions during Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus on 19 and 20 July. The proposal passed with the support of Egitim-Sen trade union from Turkey, they noted.

Elcil pointed out that the proposal of the Greek Cypriot trade unionists regarding DAU-SEN's membership was rejected by everybody except six delegates. After the press conference, Elcil stated: "No embargo is implemented on the Turkish Cypriots, embargo exists on the TRNC. There is absolutely no problem regarding the Turkish Cypriot community or its institutions becoming member of international institutions. We saw this in DAU-SEN's example as well during the sixth general assembly of Education International".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Occupied Morfou expected to become the centre of investments

On the other hand, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (12.08.11) reports the so-called mayor of occupied Morfou Mahmut Ozcinar met with a delegation from the "Morfou Tradesmen and Craftsmen Association," and called the "government" to undertake its responsibilities in order to overcome the problems of the region. Ozcinar said that Erdogan's statement "We will not return Morfou" gave hope to the region, however investments in the area must be supported through radical decisions. He said that their "municipality" established transportation from the campus of the "Middle East Technical University" in occupied Kapouti to Morfou, because as he said in order to keep the people in the area depends upon solving road and transportation problems.

[03] Ustel claims that the regime expects an income of 460 million dollars from tourism in 2011

He argued that they have broken all records by working systematically and multi-directionally and added that they achieved a significant increase in the number of tourists who visit the occupied area of Cyprus as a result of the charter flights that they organized from 13 countries. He noted that the tourism of the breakaway regime depended on the markets of Turkey and Britain for many years and added that they have broken all records in tourism by gaining new markets. He said that with the help of Turkey, they overcome the obstacles set by the Greek Cypriots on the issue of the charter flights and added that they have charter flights from the Netherlands, Poland, Azerbaijan and Iran. He pointed out that the tourists from Iran revived the market. Saying that they will increase their efforts and their campaign in Britain, he noted that they will participate at the tourism fair in London next November and 100 black taxis of the city will be carrying pictures from the occupied area of Cyprus during the next few days.

According to Ustel, 112,949 foreign passengers entered into the occupied area of Cyprus during the period January-July 2011. He noted that 76,714 foreign tourists accommodated in the hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus during the same period and 319,900 tourists spent the night while the overnight stays number was 1,165,970.

Ustel said that the occupancy rate of the hotels in July 2011 was 62% and that 26,645 foreigners entered into the occupied area of Cyprus through its "air and sea ports" this period. Ustel recalled that the number of foreign passengers that visited the occupied area through its "sea and air ports" in July was 20,237 in 2008, 22,192 in 2009, and 18,090 in 2010. He pointed out that an increase of 47% is observed in comparison with the same period last year.

Referring to the number of foreigners who entered into the occupied area through its illegal air and sea ports in the period January-July, Ustel said that this number reached its highest point ever in 2011. He noted that this number increased by 30% during the last four years as it was 87,119 in 2008, 89,611 in 2009, and 86,608 in 2010.

Ustel said that the number of foreign tourists who accommodated in the hotels in the occupied area of Cyprus during the first seven months of 2011 increased by 40% in comparison with 2008 and it reached 77 thousands. He said that the overnight stays in the hotels increased by 70% during this period, as 261,381 persons stayed overnight in the hotels of occupied Cyprus in January-July 2008 and this number increased to around 444,000 this year.

He said that the number of Turkish citizens who accommodated in the hotels of occupied Cyprus increased by 21% in the same period as it was 181,704 persons in 2008 and reached around 220,000 this year. He noted that the stays overnight (of people from Turkey) reached 680 thousands in the period January-July 2011.

Ustel said that they will give credits and incentives to the hotels that are under construction and they expect to gain 20 hotels and a 2-3 thousand bed capacity with the program they will implement.

Ustel referred also to the construction of oil storage facilities in occupied Lefka area and said that the studies for preparing a report on the influence of these facilities on the environment continue. He noted that next week a team of experts from Turkey will come to the occupied area of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Tatar announced reduction in food import tariffs

He explained that the rise in exchange rates will have a positive effect on the tourism sector, since Turkish tourists may choose the "TRNC" as their holiday destination because of the use of the Turkish Lira.

"Despite all negative developments, there has been an 11 % increase in state incomes in the first 7 months of the year and this is a big achievement of the government" Tatar said.

[05] Yeni Duzen refers to problems of "minorities" living in the occupied area of Cyprus

Referring to the Maronites from occupied Aya Marina, Kormakitis and Karpashia villages, Gunalp notes that the "state in the north", as he describes the breakaway regime, has seized their properties. He recalls that the foundation of a treatment plant was laid by the "government" last year in a property in Myrtou that belongs to a Maronite woman named Yannoulla Orfanou, who lives in Karpashia. Gulalp writes also that the inhabitants of Kormakitis complain for the fact that their village has been renamed to "Korucam" by the breakaway regime and say they face problems such as the "Turkification" of their village.

Moreover, Gunalp reports that the Alevites complain for the compulsory Koran lessons implemented by the regime and the absence of a Cemevi, as they call their places of worship, in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Furthermore, according to Gunalp, the number of Romanies decreased in the occupied part of Cyprus because of discriminations implemented against them. Many of these people abandon the area of occupied Morfou and Lefkosia, in which they mainly live, and settle in the free area of Cyprus, mainly in Limassol, reports the Turkish Cypriot journalist.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot academician Ali Dayioglu told the paper that no representative of the Armenians, the Alevites or any other religion exists in the "Religious Affairs Department" of the breakaway regime. He said that while Koran lessons for Sunni Moslems are organized and hundreds of mosques are built in a small place such as the occupied area of Cyprus, no money is spent for the needs of the Armenians, and the Alevites who live there or for people belonging to other religions.

(I/Ts.)

[06] An international folk-dancing festival to take place in the occupied area

According to the paper, the festival is organized by the "municipality" of occupied Lefkosia together with the cooperation of some NGO's. The paper writes that folk-dancing groups from different countries that is Turkey, Italy, Poland, Spain, Estonia and the "TRNC" are to participate at the festival.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (12.08.11) reports that the occupied Nicosia's "Folklore and Youth Centre Association" (FOGEM) will represent the occupied area of Cyprus in a festival entitled: "Summer Feast International Folklore Festival and Folk Art Fair" which will take place in Szazhalombatta, Hungary between 13 and 23 August.

(AK)

[07] A song concert including a song named: "Ayse go home" was censored in occupied Famagusta

As the paper writes, after the so-called ministry of interior checked out the list of the songs at the concert, it gave no permission for the concert to take place since it included a song entitled: "Ayse go home". [Tr. Note: 'Ayse' is the code name used by the Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1974 for the Turkish occupation army, so that the second phase of the Turkish invasion in Cyprus could start]".

(AK)

[08] A new think-tank has been established in the occupied area

As the paper writes, the new think-tank is an NGO being established with the aim to provide services in the fields of education and information, to organize conferences and seminars and carry out several academic works on Cyprus in view of the economic, social and political developments.

Meanwhile, as the paper writes, the "Mediterranean Policy Centre" has been invited to participate at the World Communication Network.

(AK)

[09] The World Billiard Championship to take place in the occupied area if the necessary money is found

According to the paper, it was made know that the initiative was undertaken by Jan Claude Dupont, chairman of the World Billiard Federation who carried out talks during the general assembly of the Federation which took place in the occupied area at Salamis Bay Conti Resort on May. According to the paper, after Dupont's contacts, he views positively the organization of the Championships in the occupied area.

The paper continues and writes that if the necessary amount of 70 thousand Euro is secured for the organization of the Championships, then this will take place in the occupied area of Cyprus.

(AK)

[10] Kilicdaroglu criticized the AKP Government; columnist considers it as sign of democracy

"The AKP's foreign policy pillars were zero problems with neighbours and the European Union ? today we have problems with all of our neighbours and relations with the European Union have frozen," K1
l1
cdaroglu told the Hurriyet Daily News in an interview.

The leader of CHP fired broadside at the Government's policy on Syria, charging that Turkey has become "over-engaged" and a "tool" of Western powers while seeking to improve ties with the United States over concerns that Ankara is sliding away from the West.

Recalling that the Government threatened the EU that it would freeze ties if Greek Cyprus takes over the bloc's term presidency in the second half of 2012, K1
l1
cdaroglu said:"What's left to freeze? Relations were already frozen. The Government's statement worked only for the advantage of some anti-Turkey EU countries. It strengthened their hands."

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus were a "very wrong" move, K1
l1
cdaroglu said, accusing the AKP of using foreign policy issues for domestic consumption.

Additionally, columnist Murat Yetkin in his article entitled: "Opposition as a democratic asset" views Erdogan's reactions over Kilicdaroglu's remarks on AKP's policy on Syria. He writes that the war of words is ongoing with accusations exchanged between the two parties ranging from being ignorant to being a traitor.

However, Yetkin specifies that the reason behind "Erdogan's real anger" is the fact that K1
l1
cdaroglu was criticizing him on a foreign policy issue and writes inter alia:

"The logic behind this reaction springs from an assumption in Turkish politics that opposition parties should behave in parallel to the Government when it comes to foreign policy, because it is a matter of the state and country.

This is rather a nationalistic and traditionalist way of looking at state affairs and it was the main reason why no improvement was possible regarding the Turkish position on the issue of Cyprus for decades. The paradigm on Cyprus started to change after AKP started to change the viewpoint on Cyprus and started to follow a line not parallel with the establishment.

It is a contradiction for AKP to criticize the opposition for criticizing its foreign policy, because having a free opposition who can criticize a Government on every issue is something that many countries in Turkey's neighbourhood, for example in Syria, don't have. Having free opposing voices is the difference that Turkey has, as a democratic asset like free elections, in the country."

[11] The Egyptian Foreign Minister met with Turkey's leaders

The Egyptian Foreign Minister had separate talks on Wednesday with both Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu in Ankara. Speaking at a joint press conference following the talks with Davutoglu, Amr emphasized the importance his country attaches to its bilateral relations with Turkey.

The events that took place in Egypt have affected several countries in the region and Egypt appreciates Turkey's efforts in maintaining regional peace, Amr said. Referring to Turkish companies' large investments in Egypt's free zones, Amr said that the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council to be established between Turkey and Egypt will boost the bilateral cooperation.

[12] Turkey to attract South Korean investments

Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and a delegation of businessmen are in Seoul to finalize talks for an FTA with South Korea. The Minister said there were some disagreements concerning the signing of the deal, adding that the Turkish Government expected to "sort out the differences" no later than the year's end.

Turkey and South Korea are now close to signing an FTA in a move to bring down trade barriers between the two G-20 members, Caglayan told reporters and added: "The Asian country is expected to shortly send three of its largest companies to invest in Turkey." According to the Minister, a South Korean company is planning to invest $1.5 billion in Turkey.

Turkey's Kibar Holding and POSCO signed a $350 million deal in June for the construction of a stainless cold-rolling plant in the northwestern province of Kocaeli in January 2012. Hyundai, the world's fifth-largest vehicle producer, is also expected to commence a $400 million investment that will increase the yearly auto production of Hyundai's factory in 0
zmit from 100,000 to 200,000 vehicles by 2015, while adding 2,000 new jobs. Caglayan said he would meet with Hyundai executives to ask them to establish a car engine manufacturing factory in Turkey. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article