Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-12-28

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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 on the Cyprus negotiation talks

[02] Eroglu's spokesman alleges that the Turkish side did not step back on the issue of cross-voting as there was no agreement

[03] Ozgurgun alleges that the Greek Cypriot side will lose its motivation for a solution after Cyprus's EU term presidency

[04] Turkish daily cites statements by Turkish officials denying reports over an Eastern Mediterranean zone conflict between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus

[05] CTP celebrates 41st anniversary

[06] Ustel comments on tourism

[07] "Municipalities" of the breakaway regime shocked with results of the population census

[08] "Money for the 13th salary exists"

[09] Erdogan urges restraint over Armenian allegations

[10] Davutoglu expressed hopes that the 21st century will be the century of Turkic-speaking countries

[11] Turkey, Russia to sign agreement on South Stream project

[12] Turkey's tourism over passed 30 million in 2011

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

Erdogan's new remarks on the adoption of the French resolution criminalizing the denial of the Armenian genocide, Syrian people's slogans regarding Erdogan, new strategies against the PKK and the discovery of an underground stronghold, an exclusive interview with the President of the Swiss Federation, President Abdullah Gul's remarks about his mandate, Yildiz's contacts in Russia and other internal issues are the main topics covered in today's Turkish press.

[01] Eroglu on the Cyprus negotiation talks

Eroglu stressed that the solution would be easy to reach if all that was required, was the Turkish Cypriot side's will.

Touching upon the Cyprus issue, Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is aiming to extend the Cyprus negotiations process until the Greek Cypriot Presidential elections in 2013. "We have been negotiating the Cyprus problem for the past 48 years. We are losing our patience. We've always said "yes" to resolution plans put forward at the talks and the Greek Cypriot side has always said "no". However the EU is still maintaining the embargoes imposed on the Turkish Cypriots. It is also calling on Turkey to resolve the Cyprus problem in order to pave the way for its accession. The EU needs to put an end to such double standards" Eroglu said.

Eroglu went on saying that, in the absence of a settlement, the Turkish Cypriot "people" will maintain their peaceful existence on the island with a strengthened state and economy, as well as the support of "motherland" Turkey.

Referring to the French Parliament's approval of the so-called Armenian genocide bill, he called the move a "shame of humanity" adding that such a move neither contributed to democracy nor did it serve the improvement of interstate relations.

[02] Eroglu's spokesman alleges that the Turkish side did not step back on the issue of cross-voting as there was no agreement

Ertug said that no chapter closed at the negotiations, but this does not mean that absolutely no progress was made. Ertug alleged that "with the flexibility and the statements made by the Turkish Cypriots side", some progress was achieved on the chapters of economy, the EU, the citizenship, and the governance and power sharing. "Some steps were taken on the property as well, but the Greek Cypriot side has not moved from its main approach on this issue in any way", he added.

Ertug argued that the Turkish side's and the special envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Alexander Downer's interpretation regarding the meaning of the "End Game" expression is the same. The statement of Ban [Ki-moon] that 'very limited time has left' is an indication of this, he added.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozgurgun alleges that the Greek Cypriot side will lose its motivation for a solution after Cyprus's EU term presidency

Ozgurgun claimed that international powers exert efforts to dominate over Cyprus because the island is located at a very important place in the Eastern Mediterranean. He alleged that instead of search for a solution in a sincere manner, the Greek Cypriot side raised tension and harmed the negotiations process by "unilaterally and illegally" starting to look for natural gas and oil.

Ozgurgun reiterated the Turkish allegation that the Turkish occupation army brought peace in Cyprus in 1974 and argued that due to the geopolitical position of Cyprus, foreign powers try to gain rights over the island.

Responding to a question regarding their efforts for the recognition of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, Ozgurgun argued that at the moment they are not concentrated on the recognition of the "TRNC", but on finding an agreement based on bi-zonality and two founding states in the direction of the UN parameters with the continuation of Turkey's active and effective guarantees.

Ozgrugun claimed that an agreement in the Cyprus problem is influenced by the interests of the foreign powers in the area, and this is one of the reasons of the long lasting non-solution on the island.

Ozgurgun alleged that hatred and enmity increase every day in the Greek Cypriot side and claimed that it does not seem possible to reach a solution "with a mentality which does not even tolerate" a volleyball team from Turkey to play a match in the government-controlled area of Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Turkish daily cites statements by Turkish officials denying reports over an Eastern Mediterranean zone conflict between Turkey and the Republic of Cyprus

Under the headline "Greek Cypriot, Turkish maps in Mediterranean now official, next year to bring natural gas tension in south,", Turkish daily Aksam published a map indicating several zones around the Cypriot island to show that licenses for several of them had been claimed by both Turkey and the Greek Cypriots, generating controversy over claims to the seabed.

However, Turkish officials approached by Today's Zaman on Tuesday, indicated that the report, although partially accurate, was also misleading since Turkey is not the country whose rights may conflict with Greek Cypriots' -- the "TRNC" is.

Officials also informed Today's Zaman that the map has been around since September and the "TRNC leadership" has made it publicly clear that they hold the rights to zones also claimed by the Republic of Cyprus, offering a solution to the problem to the UN chief -- a mutual halt in resource studies until a resolution is reached as to the future of the divided Cypriot island.

The role of Turkey in the controversy is it's, having signed its own continental shelf delineation agreement with the "TRNC", to enable the "TRNC" to perform its own research drills as well as its having provided technical support and tools to the "TRNC" in connection with a license TPAO was awarded by the "TRNC". The officials stressed that the research is being done by TPAO on behalf of the occupation regime not Turkey.

[05] CTP celebrates 41st anniversary

Speaking during the ceremony the chairman of CTP Ozkan Yorgancioglu said that they will continue fighting for the establishment of a federation in Cyprus based on political equality, despite the efforts of their opponents.

[06] Ustel comments on tourism

Ustel said that they plan to create a sustainable infrastructure in macro level and summarized the goals that they have laid out as following: raise the number of tourists to one million, increase their share in various markets, increase the average stay period of tourists and increase the percentages of hotel occupancy, especially during winter.

Ustel argued that "2012 will be better than 2011" and said that this target is to increase charter flights to 400 from 300, as well as to increase the income of the tourism fund by 30%. He also noted that within the first months of 2012, they plan to pass in the "assembly" a "bill" regarding the environment and a "law proposal" regarding the Cyprus Turkish Hoteliers Association.

[07] "Municipalities" of the breakaway regime shocked with results of the population census

[08] "Money for the 13th salary exists"

Atalay, who expressed his satisfaction for the "Social Insurance Amendment Law" that had been approved by the "assembly" of the breakaway regime, was reported to be positive towards the request for an advance. Subsequently, Irsen Kucuk announced that the salaries of "civil" servants and pensioners will be paid today, and on Friday the 30th of December they will deposit the 13th salary.

The paper also reports that the above mentioned "law" has passed yesterday after a 20-hour-long session, where the Social Democracy Party (TDP) tried to "occupy" the speaker's bench. The "bill" foresees, inter alia, the increase of the retirement age and social insurance premiums, and the decrease of the premiums for the reserve fund.

Additionally, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (28.12.11) reports that trade unions have described the new "bill" as a violation of their rights and announced that they will continue their struggle against it. Mehmet Seyis chairman of Dev-Is said that they will file a "lawsuit" against this "bill" at the "constitutional court." Also, Ozkan Yorgancioglu chairman of the Republican Turkish Party said that they will evaluate the "provisions" with legal experts and accordingly they will act.

[09] Erdogan urges restraint over Armenian allegations

Erdogan's remarks appeared to be aimed at cooling down tensions with France after the Lower House of its Parliament adopted a bill criminalizing the denial of Armenian "genocide" last week, prompting Ankara to recall its ambassador and suspend political and military cooperation with the EU heavyweight.

Speaking at a gathering of the Turkish Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (T?B0
TAK) yesterday, Erdogan said that those who are bothered by Turkey's continuously growing economic, political and diplomatic power and stability, are trying to pressure Turkey through various methods. "Momentary reactions and temporary solutions will not yield results. Instead of using a populist, bellicose rhetoric and displaying momentary reactions over the 1915 incidents, which some countries want to turn into a campaign against Turkey, we must make use of the guidance of history and science," Erdogan said.

The Prime Minister urged researchers to intensify studies of Turkey's recent history to help refute allegations that Armenians were the victims of genocide at the hands of the Ottoman Empire during World War I. "In the face of illegal, racist, separatist and malevolent campaigns we will only respond with documents, information, archives and the language and method of science," he said. "As we can see from recent events, the gap left by science is filled by populist politicians and racists exploiters", Erdogan added.

"We will take into consideration books, archives and scientific research, not parliamentary votes. The counter-theses that we will share with the world will be based on solid foundations. Therefore, I'm especially asking researchers and universities to please focus your studies on our recent history", Erdogan said.

Referring to Turkey's anti-terror struggle, Erdogan said it should not rely solely on security measures but also on sociology, psychology, economy and diplomacy.

[10] Davutoglu expressed hopes that the 21st century will be the century of Turkic-speaking countries

Davutoglu said the Council, which was formed in 2010, has aimed to boost economic and diplomatic cooperation between Turkic states and will be enlarged by the inclusion of other Turkic states. It currently has only four members: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkey, the largest member.

The Council's main objectives are to boost economic cooperation between member states, improve mutual cooperation in culture and tourism and preserve the cultural and historic assets of the Turkic world.

Davutoglu pointed out that the Turkic states [in Central Asia] are now self-reliant and have made remarkable progress in economic and political fields in the 20 years following their independence after the disintegration of the Soviet Union. "I hope the 21st century will be the century of Turkic-speaking countries," Davutoglu said.

The Council's secretary, General Halil Akinci, said the agreement [forming the council], which was signed in October 2009, envisaged that the Council's headquarters would be located in Istanbul, and the Council's secretariat general would begin operating in November 2010."With the agreement we signed today, the legal infrastructure is completed regarding the status and operations of the secretariat general," noted Akinci.

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[11] Turkey, Russia to sign agreement on South Stream project

Yildiz is set to meet with Igor Sechin, Russia's deputy prime minister, to discuss buying natural gas from the Western Line and other energy issues.

Yildiz is also expected to meet with Gazprom officials.

Turkey's energy minister is set to sign Wednesday a cooperation agreement with Russia's deputy premier regarding the construction of the South Stream, proposed gas pipeline to transport Russian natural gas to the Black Sea to Bulgaria and further to Greece, Italy and Austria.

Taner Yildiz and Igor Sechin are expected to sign in Moscow the agreement which opens a new chapter in the cooperation between the two countries in natural gas.

Analysts say the agreement is expected to help settle a number of issues between Turkey and Russia in energy including the cut in price, Turkey sought in the purchase of gas from Russia's western line.

[12] Turkey's tourism over passed 30 million in 2011

Ertugrul Gunay stated that Turkey lost many tourists this year because of the unrest sweeping across the Middle East but the number of tourists visiting Turkey relatively increased compared to the last year.

Referring to devastating financial crisis in the world the past three years, the Turkish Minister said that Turkey's tourism industry didn't get affected from the financial turbulence.

Gunay said Turkey hosted only 13 million tourists in 2003 and now the number reached to 30 million, referring to the progress his government has made. "For the first time, we are surpassing 30 million this year. This is an important edge in our tourism history. ...I received this information yesterday and I was very happy," Gunay said.

The minister said Turkey received 28.6 million tourists last year and many tourist reservations were cancelled this year because of the Arab Spring. Despite this fact, he said, Turkey had nearly 2 million increases in the number of tourists visiting Turkey.

Gunay also noted that Turkey's Statistics Institute announced tourism revenues as $20.8 billion last year but he said his ministry believes there are many fallacies in their count, implying that the actual revenues are higher. Tourism revenues are key in closing budget deficits and Gunay said tourism is Turkey's "the most important export sector." According to Gunay, Turkey has a target of making into top ten in many spheres by 2023. He said Turkey had already achieved its target in tourism sector as it is in the top ten in the world. The minister added that Turkey is competing with France, Italy and Spain in Europe in tourism sector and the US and China on a global stage. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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