Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-04-09

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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] The "TRNC" wants to open a "permanent mission" at OIC's headquarters; Eroglu promotes its recognition during his contacts in Saudi Arabia; After many failures, Eroglu plays the religion card

[02] Eroglu: Morfou will never be sacrificed

[03] Eroglu stated that the Cyprus negotiation talks have failed; He asked for the basis of the negotiation talks to change; Once more ignorant of UNSC Resolution 550

[04] Haberdar: UN officials visited the occupied closed city of Varosha

[05] The Russian Federation calls its citizens not to buy immovable property in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] Turkey's TOBB to bring Islamic businessmen to the occupied area of Cyprus for a forum; OIC's Ihsanoglu to attend the forum

[07] Yildiz said that they will launch oil exploration in the occupied area of Cyprus after their visit to China

[08] Ozersay: "The Cyprus negotiations have reached the decision threshold"

[09] Fish from Turkey is illegally sell in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[10] Kucuk compared the incidents in Pyla with the incidents experienced in 1963

[11] The occupation regime continues the distribution of plots of land

[12] Erdogan in China for talks; Turkey's Enegry Minister stated that nuclear power plant talks with China to be finalized

[13] The 15th Eurasian Economic Summit to take place in Turkey

[14] Figures indicate gender gap in Turkey's scientific workforce; Only 27.4% of women are included in Turkey's general workforce

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The "TRNC" wants to open a "permanent mission" at OIC's headquarters; Eroglu promotes its recognition during his contacts in Saudi Arabia; After many failures, Eroglu plays the religion card

Ihsanoglu said that the "TRNC" has submitted a proposal for opening a "permanent mission" with the status of observer at the OIC and added that he sees positively the proposal that will help in the development of the relations between the OIC and the "TRNC". He noted that efforts will be launched towards the Kingdom of the Saudi Arabia.

He noted that during their meeting with Eroglu they examined the decisions taken as regards the breakaway regime in the fields of political, economic and educational activities at the OIC summits and the meetings of OIC member states at ministerial level.

Ihsanoglu argued that the OIC supports a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal solution in Cyprus based on the political equality of the two founding states. He claimed that the negotiations should not be open-ended because the non-solution victimizes the Turkish Cypriots.

Ihsanoglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriots showed that they are in favour of a peaceful solution on the island and in this sense the "unjust isolations" which are allegedly imposed on the Turkish Cypriots should be lifted. "The Turkish Cypriots cannot be kept forever outside the international community. The lifting of the unjust isolations of the Turkish Cypriots continues to be a priority (for the OIC)", he claimed.

Ihsanoglu said they discussed how the relations of the regime with the OIC could be developed and reiterated the call on the OIC member states to cooperate with the "TRNC" in the political, economic and social fields.

Noting that this week the regime in the occupied area of Cyprus will host a symposium in the field of investments in cooperation with the OIC and the Islamic Development Bank, Ihsanoglu added: "This meeting will open new horizons for the OIC states and for our Muslim brothers". He noted that this week he will pay his third (illegal) visit to the occupied area of Cyprus within six months and this shows their interest for the "country".

In his statements, Eroglu thanked Ihsanoglu for his invitation and referring to the Cyprus problem, he reiterated that he expects from the UN Secretary-General to invite a multilateral conference. He said that the Greek Cypriot side wants a Cypriot-led solution, but they were not able to find such a solution during the talks which have been held for four years within the framework of the UN Secretary-General's good offices mission. Eroglu noted that in the letter he recently sent to the UN Secretary-General, he tells him that because a Cyprus-led solution could not be found, the Turkish side could allegedly show flexibility for the settlement of the "problematic chapters" at a multilateral meeting with the participation of the guarantor powers.

Noting that the Turkish side will evaluate the situation after the decision which will be announced by the UN Secretary-General, Eroglu argued: "We are expecting support by the OIC which always supports us and in which we are observers. The support it will give at this stage will be useful for motivating the Greek Cypriots in the negotiations not us".

Eroglu alleged that as long as the so-called embargoes on the Turkish Cypriots continue, the Greek Cypriots will not sign an agreement. He argued that the support of the OIC will become example for other states and will help in the ongoing negotiations under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General. He further called on the Islamic countries to make investments in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Replying to a question regarding the recognition of the "TRNC", Eroglu said: "If the negotiations end unsuccessfully and the UN Secretary-General announces this, it is obvious that we will have no other chance than being recognized. On this point we expect support by the OIC".

Reiterating his allegations regarding the events in the recent history of Cyprus, Eroglu claimed: "The time has come for the world to see the realities experienced in Cyprus and the United Nations to examine its decision in the direction of the non-recognition of the TRNC?I do not see the point for punishing 300 thousand Muslims in a world where many changes are happening".

According to Gunes, many newspapers from Saudi Arabia showed interest in the joint press conference held by Eroglu and Ihsanoglu. After the press conference, Eroglu participated in a briefing at OIC's headquarters regarding political, economic, scientific and cultural activities within the framework of the OIC. Afterwards he attended a lunch hosted in his honor by Ambassador Hamid Opelayeru, Deputy General Secretary of the OIC Responsible for Economic Affairs.

Meanwhile, Gunes reports also that Eroglu visited the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB Group), where the chairman of this group, Ahmad Mohamed Ali hosted a lunch in Eroglu's honor. In his statements, Ali said they want to see the development of the relations between IDB group and the "TRNC". He noted that he will participate in the investment forum which will start on 12 April in the occupied area of Cyprus and called on all the businessmen who were attending the lunch to participate in the forum and consider of making investments in the occupied area of Cyprus.

In his statements Eroglu argued that the investments in the occupied area of Cyprus are important for motivating the Greek Cypriots to sign an agreement and to give morale to the "TRNC people". Noting that the breakaway regime is currently an observer at the OIC, Eroglu said that their wish is to become a permanent member in case the so-called intransigence of the Greek Cypriots continues.

Eroglu said that if the UN Secretary-General does not invite a multilateral conference on the Cyprus problem thinking that the Greek Cypriots do not accept it now, "new negotiations" could start after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus in February 2013, but the Turkish Cypriot side will have some conditions in these negotiations.

Furthermore, Gunes reports that a reception was given in Eroglu's honor at Turkey's Consulate in Jeddah. The cochairman of the Business Council between Turkey and Saudi Arabia, Ghassan Suleiman was among the participants in the reception, during which Eroglu briefed on the Cyprus problem representatives of well-known media such as Alarm Arrajol monthly magazine, as well as Okaz and Arab News newspapers.

According to Gunes, Arab News covered the joint press conference given by Eroglu and Ihsanoglu on its front page, while other important newspapers such as El Hayat and Sharkur Asvat in their second page. The papers reported that lifting of the "isolations" of the Turkish Cypriots would be a priority for the OIC. In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Eroglu wished for Saudi Arabia to play a leading role in the recognition of the "TRNC". He argued that 300 thousand Muslims in Cyprus struggle for their existence and that the Greek Cypriots try to make them migrate like it had happened to the Palestinians. "We want the UN to change its decision to open the way for the recognition of the TRNC", he said alleging that a multilateral conference would be the last chance for finding a solution on the island.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Eroglu: Morfou will never be sacrificed

"The state cannot sacrifice Morfou", he alleged recalling that he is carrying out the negotiations on behalf of the "people", that his views of the territory are known and that the inhabitants should not be worried.

Eroglu said they want an agreement by which as few people as possible will be removed and the people will not become refugees for the second or third time. He argued that his duty is not to please President Christofias, but to achieve an agreement by which his "people" will live in peace and security. Eroglu said that even if the leaders reach an agreement, this agreement will be submitted for the approval of the people.

Referring to the water transfer from Turkey, Eroglu said that it will start coming to the occupied area of Cyprus on 7 March 2014.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Eroglu stated that the Cyprus negotiation talks have failed; He asked for the basis of the negotiation talks to change; Once more ignorant of UNSC Resolution 550

Eroglu said that the nearly 2-year long negotiations he held with the "Greek Cypriot leader", as he called President Demetris Christofias have failed. "Talks didn't bring a successful outcome. A multilateral conference is the only way we can push for a settlement under current conditions. If the Greek Cypriot side shares our willingness, then we may achieve an agreement", he said.

Eroglu stated that a new basis for the negotiations must be established inlight of changing circumstances, in case a decision is taken on the continuation of direct talks after the Greek Cypriot side assumes the unilateral EU term-presidency on the 1st of July. "We've negotiated the establishment of a bi-zonal and bi-communal federal state on the basis of political equality for 2 years. We couldn't make it. Therefore, we need to change the way of settlement" Eroglu added.

Answering a question on the issue of fenced off city of Varoshia, Eroglu alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side has the authority to take on unilateral initiatives regarding the closed city.

[04] Haberdar: UN officials visited the occupied closed city of Varosha

(I/Ts.)

[05] The Russian Federation calls its citizens not to buy immovable property in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has indicated to its citizens not to buy immovable property in the occupied area of Cyprus providing as an excuse that the "TRNC" is not a "legitimate state".

In statements on the issue, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mariya Zaharova stated the following: "We insistently recommend the citizens of the Russian Federation to stay away and not conduct real estate's transaction agreements on land which is not under the administration control of the legitimate Republic of Cyprus".

The paper continues and writes that the Russian diplomat recalled the UN's Resolutions 541, 550 for the illegal establishment of the occupation regime and warned also the Russian citizens that the Penal Code of the Republic of Cyprus envisages up to seven years imprisonment for the purchase of immovable property which does not belong to its legal owner.

The Russian diplomat has also recommended the Russian citizens to visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in order to be informed in detail.

(AK)

[06] Turkey's TOBB to bring Islamic businessmen to the occupied area of Cyprus for a forum; OIC's Ihsanoglu to attend the forum

"We want to put northern Cyprus on the world investment map," claimed Rifat Hisarc1
kl1
oglu, chairman of TOBB and the ICCI's Vice-Chairman. Hisarc1
kl1
oglu said he will bring businesspeople from Islamic countries to the occupied area of Cyprus to attend the northern Cyprus investment forum, which is supported by the TOBB.

The event will take place right after the ICCI's general assembly in Istanbul ends on April 11. ICCI, an organization tied to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), brings together chambers of trade, industry, unions and federations from 57 countries.

In statements to Ankara Anatolia news agency Hisarc1
kl1
oglu said: "The goal is to help Turkish Cyprus stand on its own feet economically".

The event will be held in occupied Kerynia, under the auspices of the Islamic Development Bank and the "foreign ministry" of the "TRNC".

OIC's Turkish President Ekmeleddin 0
hsanoglu is also expected to attend the meetings.

[07] Yildiz said that they will launch oil exploration in the occupied area of Cyprus after their visit to China

Speaking to Ankara Anatolia news agency, Minister Yildiz said that the new incentive package announced in Turkey would make important contributions to energy investments. "We especially wanted local and renewable sources to be part of the incentive package", Yildiz stressed.

Yildiz is in China accompanying Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a three-day official trip.

[08] Ozersay: "The Cyprus negotiations have reached the decision threshold"

Speaking to a program broadcast by illegal BRT, Ozersay said that the talks neither entered a deadlock, nor they collapsed. "We are just at the threshold of a decision which will determine the fate of the solution of the Cyprus problem" Ozersay said.

Ozersay reminded that the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will make an effective decision on the course of the Cyprus talks, after evaluating the latest developments in the light of his Special Advisor Alexander Downer's progress report, during a special meeting on the 19th of April. "We don't want the negotiations to serve the non-solution and uncertainty. Just as the Greek Cypriot side doesn't allow the negotiations to produce a solution, we as the Turkish Cypriot side won't tolerate such inconclusive and fruitless stances", he concluded.

[09] Fish from Turkey is illegally distributed in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus

According to the paper, a correspondent of the paper who visited occupied Omorfita after information he received, he monitored the illegal dispatching of the fish which is transferred from Mersin to a storage in occupied Omorfita, every week, and particularly every Thursday. According to the paper, the fish is transferred to the occupied area of Cyprus with a TIR which carries the numbers 33 SH 079 and afterwards, a car which numbers are KYX 956 is illegally dispatching the fish to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus.

Meanwhile, a source commenting on the issue, stated that the illegal dispatching of the fish is an organized haul and it is completely contrary to the Green Line Regulation. The paper adds that the above mentioned car, as soon as it completed the loading of the fish, transferred the fish to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus through the Agios Dometios crossing point and with the competition certificated of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

(AK)

[10] Kucuk compared the incidents in Pyla with the incidents experienced in 1963

Speaking during his visit to Pyla where he was accompanied by the so-called cabinet, Kucuk reacted strongly to the incidents, saying that such unacceptable acts, as he described them only serve to increase tensions on the island.

Kucuk accused also the Republic of Cyprus for trying to increase tension especially in this critical period of the negotiation talks, and underlined that tension is unnecessary if we want for a solution to be found to the Cyprus problem.

Kucuk recalled that the Turkish Cypriot side will continue to exert efforts for a solution in Cyprus and assured the Turkish Cypriots who live in Pyla that the occupation regime will be always by their side.

(AK)

[11] The occupation regime continues the distribution of plots of land

Young people living in the occupied villages of Sipahi [occupied Agia Trias],Tasl1
ca [occupied Neta], Kumyal1
[Koma tou Gialou] and Cay1
rova [occupied Agios Theodoros] were given their plot "documents" during the ceremonies held at the villages yesterday.

Speaking during one of the ceremonies, so-called prime minister 0
rsen Kucuk stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side is ready for the solution of the Cyprus problem. "However we're not going to give up on our land which we gained at the cost of martyrs' blood" he said.

Kucuk also highlighted "motherland" Turkey's endless support to the Turkish Cypriot "people" in all fields.

He said the water transfer project and joint exploratory and drilling activities for oil have been the recent concrete examples of Turkey's support.

Also speaking, the so-called minister of interior and local administrations Naz1
m Cavusoglu pointed out that over 1,000 plots have been distributed among the youth so far.

Referring to the "government's" successful achievements in the economic field, he said that the "TRNC" economy will see a much higher growth in the near future.

[12] Erdogan in China for talks; Turkey's Enegry Minister stated that nuclear power plant talks with China to be finalized

The two countries are expected to sign several agreements, including those on nuclear energy and coal. The nuclear energy agreements are anticipated to be about cooperation in the field of nuclear energy and its use for peaceful purposes.

Erdogan is accompanied by a large delegation of businessmen, Ministers, bureaucrats, academics and journalists.

During his visit, Erdogan is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Premier Wen Jiabao and Vice President Xi Jinping, who is expected to be the next President.

Erdogan started his visit to China in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region and he is the first Turkish Prime Minister to visit its capital, Urumqi. He is expected to visit the Turkish industrial zone, a particular area devoted by Urumqi to improve trade relations between Turkey and Xinjiang province. While still in the city, Erdogan will also meet with Nur Bekri, the Chairman of the Autonomous Region.

After visiting Xinjiang, Erdogan will proceed to Beijing, where he will take part in high-level meetings with China's leadership. Shanghai, regarded as China's economic capital, will be Erdogan's last stop in the country, where he is expected to call on Chinese businessmen to invest in Turkey.

It is believed that the talks between Erdogan and his counterparts will include all aspects of bilateral relations, opportunities for cooperation in many areas and the regional and international issues that concern both countries.

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (09.03.12) reported that. Taner Y1
ld1
z, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources stated to Anatolia news agency that the Turkish Government will decide on a tender for the second nuclear power plant in two months.

"Turkey is set to finalize nuclear power plant building talks with China during Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to the Asian country", Y1
ld1
z added.

Speaking to reporters in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region in the northwest of China, where he is accompanying Erdogan on a three-day official visit to the country, Y1
ld1
z said that South Korea, Japan, Russia and China were at the forefront of Turkey's plans for the second nuclear power plant.

"We will decide if China can build Turkey's second nuclear power plant during our current trip," Y1
ld1
z said.

Russian nuclear energy giant Rosatom will build Turkey's first nuclear power plant with four reactors in Akkuyu, near the Mediterranean coast in the southern province of Mersin. The plant, which will cost about $20 billion, will be active for 60 years. The first unit of the power plant is expected to start production in 2018. Russian interest in the plan will be no less than 51%, according to the deal.

The second nuclear plant is slated for the northern province of Sinop.

Talks with South Korea for the second nuclear power plant are also still underway.

Y1
ld1
z said South Korea had expressed an interest in constructing a 5,000-6,000 megawatt nuclear power plant in Turkey during a visit late March.

(& )

[13] The 15th Eurasian Economic Summit to take place in Turkey

The Marmara Group Foundation will organize the summit in Istanbul and Izmir between April 10 and 12.

Politicians, diplomats, economy bureaucrats and representatives of the business world from 50 countries will attend the summit.

Among the participants will be Albania's President Bamir Topi, Gagauz Autonomous Republic's President Mihail Formuzal, Montenegro's President Filip Vujanovic and "Macedonia's" President Gjorge Ivanov.

The theme of this year's summit is "Three Continents and One Sea."

Turkish Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek, European Union (EU) Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, and Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay will participate in the first day session of the conference.

[14] Figures indicate gender gap in Turkey's scientific workforce; Only 27.4% of women are included in Turkey's general workforce

In the context of this violence, the position of women in science is rarely given attention.

The oppression of women has devastating results for societies, and Turkey, despite its recent economic growth, is suffering greatly from this. Turkey's rate of female participation in the general workforce is 27.4%, according to data released by the Turkish Statistics Institute (TurkStat) in 2011. Even against this grim backdrop, it is a widely held view that women in academia or scientific jobs have more opportunities and that these fields are more liberal in comparison to others. Research and data available on the topic, however, do not entirely support this view.

Studies show that the "glass ceiling" effect in fact increased in academia between 2001 and 2010. The most detailed study on the participation of women in science was conducted in 2011 by Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) researchers Damla Ozdemir and Zeynep Esra Tany1
ld1
z. They point to many obstacles that stand in the way of women climbing the career ladder in science, but one they emphasize is the lack of government policies that aim to increase the participation of women in science. Turkey does not have any official policies to increase female participation in the scientific workforce. And according to figures provided by TEPAV, the country is paying for it. In a 2008 meeting, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (T?B0
TAK) announced plans to increase the number of people in its research and development wing to 150,000. It now appears that there are not nearly enough researchers to meet that goal. In 2013, the number of full-time R&D personnel at T?B0
TAK is expected to be below 40,000. To put it in another way, it is impossible to meet such targets without the participation of women.

Women are a minority in the scientific workforce in Turkey, as is the case in many other countries. Female academics in Turkey are higher in number among lower academic ranks. There are more women employed on a part-time basis in science jobs than men. Women earn less than men in the scientific community. At universities, they have to teach more classes and work longer office hours than men. They also have less access to grants and financial resources for research. Academia is a man's world, and these are common problems also seen in nations of advanced development.

The TEPAV study blames systematic and cultural obstacles for standing in the way of Turkish women in science. Unfortunately, cultural patriarchal patterns remain persistent in universities. (?)

The generational shift invariably helps, studies show. There has been undeniable improvement in some of the trends regarding female participation in the scientific workforce over the past decade in Turkey. For example, according to figures from the Student Selection and Placement Center (OSYM), the number of doctoral students has increased significantly. This includes more fields such as medicine -- that call for less demanding personal lives and highly flexible hours -- as well as fields traditionally dominated by men, such as engineering. These figures indicate that participation mechanisms in scientific education are more egalitarian than in the past.

Although the number of women getting doctoral degrees is higher, that's where the good news ends. The number of females in senior academic ranks remains low: a highly discouraging hint for women thinking of staying in academia. Increasing the numbers of women holding senior academic titles is important.

In 2010, according to OSYM figures, 47 % of all Turkish research assistants were women, compared to 53 % being males. Compare this to 72 % of all professors being men as of the same year, versus only 28 % of professors being female. In the Turkish case, the area above the assistant position seems to be where women hit a glass ceiling, as the gap between female and male academic title holders gets significantly larger from that point onward.

Although encouraging young women to choose science and technology seems like a good solution to tackle the problem of female participation in the scientific workforce, this does not seem to be entirely true given the fact that the gender gap actually appears after the completion of one's education, during the later stages of workforce participation and moving up in one's career. Particularly in private universities, where salaries are higher, the percentage of male researchers is much higher than in state universities. Experts believe that the recent increase in the public sector in the number of women in universities can be attributed to the increasing R&D operations in private companies, which has attracted men to the private sector.

How can the situation be improved? TEPAV's research suggests implementing official policies to alleviate the discouraging effect of the glass ceiling. They also advise a system of mentoring -- where older and more experienced female scientists give guidance to newcomers -- which has been proven to work in some countries. One policy to adopt could be grant schemes aimed at female researchers abroad to attract them back home.

Increasing female participation in the scientific workforce will not only help Turkey's democratization process but might ultimately encourage other disadvantaged groups -- such as people with disabilities or other minorities -- to come on board and start pursuing careers in science. Official policies at this time seem to be direly needed, but are desperately lacking. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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