Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-09-06

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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] Eroglu says that the Greek Cypriots should forget Keryneia and returning to the pre-1974 period; Threats on the issue of oil and natural gas

[02] Threats by Ozgurgun on the oil and natural gas explorations

[03] Former Turkish Cypriot leader undergone a successful surgery

[04] Data on the number of passengers visited the illegal Tymbou airport in the first seven months of 2011

[05] Turkey's wavering over ties with Israel and Palestine

[06] Turkey to open Trade Attache's Offices in the UK

[07] Turkey forecasts over 30 million tourists by end of 2011

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

The escalated tension between Turkey and Israel, the meeting of Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu with Palestinian officials, the forthcoming visit of Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan to Egypt, the third Turkey-Spain summit to be held in Ankara, starting on September 6, and other internal issues are some of the main stories covered by today's Turkish dailies.

[01] Eroglu says that the Greek Cypriots should forget Keryneia and returning to the pre-1974 period; Threats on the issue of oil and natural gas

Referring to the issue of the explorations for oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean Sea by the Republic of Cyprus, Eroglu warned the Greek Cypriots and said: "On the one hand we will negotiate to determine together the future of the island and on the other, the Greek Cypriot side will attempt to unilaterally determine from now this future which is accepted that is common. This is neither legal or just or legitimate. What we say on this issue is very clear. The Turkish Cypriot side will not sit and watch before these developments. It will not refrain from taking equivalent steps. There could be nothing more natural than this".

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (06.09.11) refers to the same statements and reports that Eroglu described as "concerning" the stance of the Greek Cypriot side on the issue of oil and natural gas. He added that Turkey and the breakaway regime will closely follow this issue and exhibit a decisive stance. He argued that those who "hope for help" from a crisis and the escalation of the problems should know that they will be disappointed.

Eroglu said that Turkey is the country that has the longest coastline and the biggest shore in the northern Mediterranean and argued that Ankara has rights in the area which are based on the international law. He noted that the Turkish Cypriots have also rights and interests in this area.

Referring to the Cyprus negotiations, Eroglu said that he could not enter into details because of the principle of secrecy and added: "Let me say only the following: The Greek Cypriot side should understand now that it should show the necessary flexibility. Otherwise, this process will go nowhere".

Alleging that the Turkish side will continue to work in the direction of the promises given to the UN Secretary-General and make "reasonable openings", Eroglu said that they will not give concessions from bi-zonality, from having the clear majority in their area as regards both the population and the properties, and from the continuation of Turkey's guarantees. He claimed that nothing of these consist an attack against the Greek Cypriot people's rights.

Arguing that Limnitis was "liberated" after a "beautiful struggle", Eroglu addressed the inhabitants of the village and said: "You should have absolutely no fear. This brightness, this freedom will continue forever as long as we do not spoil our unity and we proceed in our way together with motherland Turkey with brotherly feelings".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Threats by Ozgurgun on the oil and natural gas explorations

"You must seriously take into consideration the warnings of the Turkish side before is too late. Otherwise, we will not be abstained from taking together with Turkey the necessary steps in order to safeguard our legitimate rights and benefits", Ozgurgun claimed in a written statement.

He went on and alleged that if the Greek Cypriot side wants the escalation of tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and a climate where undesirable incidents might happen, it can continue in the same path. However, if it wants peace and tranquillity to continue, it must take into consideration the Turkish warnings before is too late the pseudo minister said.

[03] Former Turkish Cypriot leader undergone a successful surgery

He also said that he is currently under intensive care unit and opened his eyes and that once his body responds and other problems associated with his lungs solved, he might get well soon.

[04] Data on the number of passengers visited the illegal Tymbou airport in the first seven months of 2011

According to the report, in the first seven months of 2011, a 10% increase was recorded in the number of passengers, compared to the same period of 2010. Particularly, between 1st January 2010 and 31st July 2010, a total of 1,135,247 passengers arrived and departed from the illegal airport, while in the same period of 2011, the number reached 1,357,998, rising 128,582.

Moreover, in July of 2011, 954 aircrafts landed at the illegal airport and 958 aircrafts departed from it. Specifically, 126,849 passengers arrived at the illegal airport and 129,649 passengers departed with a total of 1,912 aircrafts. As the data indicates, on July 24 the maximum number of passengers was observed (9,789), while on July 20 the maximum number of flights was observed (71).

[05] Turkey's wavering over ties with Israel and Palestine

"We will continue the legal fight in the international arena in order to end the illegal occupation in Gaza and the West Bank? During our meeting with Shaath today, we focused on two issues: the recognition of Palestine in the United Nations (UN) and the recent stage Turkish-Israeli relations are in," Davutoglu said. He also added that they

shared with Shaath thoughts on obtaining a decision from the UN General Assembly on Israel before going to the International Court of Justice.

Additionally, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.09.11, online) reported that Ankara is considering a possible visit by Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the Gaza Strip as part of his trip to Egypt next week, but the idea is facing tall political and security hurdles. The paper writes that a final decision is likely today, following talks between Turkish officials and the Palestinian official Nabil Shaath in Ankara.

Erdogan's visit to Gaza is unlikely due to two concerns, another diplomatic source told the Daily News. "Erdogan's entry to Gaza through the Rafah border crossing would put Egypt in a delicate position, since that would mean violating existing agreements between Israel and Egypt," the source said. Another pitfall, the source added, is ensuring the Prime Minister's security in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas.

Israel warned on Monday that a visit by Erdogan to Gaza would be a diplomatic mistake. The Jerusalem Post newspaper quoted Israeli officials as saying that such a visit would affect Turkey's relations with the U.S.

The move would also weaken the Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, presumably because a trip to Hamas-controlled Gaza would challenge him as the legitimate representative of the Palestinians, the paper said.

[06] Turkey to open Trade Attache's Offices in the UK

Turkey's Trade Counsellor in London Yuksel Akca told AA correspondent that this was in line with Turkey's decision to raise its trade representations to 250 from 115. "Thus, we will have the opportunity to serve better not only Turks and Brits but also British companies who want to invest in Turkey in the south, centre and north of the country (Britain)," said Akca.

The Counsellor said that Britain had an important place in Turkey's foreign trade, and Turkey made almost 15% of its overall exports in 2010 to Britain. Akca defined Britain as Turkey's second biggest market, and underlined that Turkey's exports to Britain were up 20% in the first seven months of 2011.

The diplomat said that Britain was the only country among other developed countries with which Turkey recorded a trade surplus. "Last year, our trade surplus was 2.5 billion USD, and we are selling more than we buy. We sold goods worth 7.2 billion USD, and bought goods worth only 4.5 billion USD," Akca said.

Akca also said that Britain was Turkey's first market in commercial vehicles, washing machines, cables, refrigerators and TVs and second giant market in women's clothing.

Moreover, Akca said almost 300 businessmen will gather during a Turkish-British forum in Istanbul on September 9, adding that Vince Cable, the British Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, would visit Turkey between September 26 and 29.

[07] Turkey forecasts over 30 million tourists by end of 2011

Gunay also said that the Ministry was working on a new tourism income calculation method with the Turkish statistics authority, TurkStat, and was planning to base the calculation on more scientific grounds.

According to Ministry's recent reports, the number of tourists visiting Turkey went up 10.64% in the first seven months of 2011 when compared to the same period last year and reached 17,624,969.

Number of tourists visiting Turkey in July went up 5.49% when compared to the same month last year and reached 4,597,475.

Most of the tourists that came to Turkey in July were Germans, followed by Russians and British. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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