Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-04-23

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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: There will be no multilateral conference; The efforts for lifting the "embargoes" implemented on the Turkish Cypriots will be intensified

[02] Statements by Eroglu in Sanliurfa; "No other country in the world can replace Turkey's guarantorship"

[03] Kucuk called on the Arab countries to invest in the occupied area of Cyprus

[04] Kucuk inaugurated illegal GAU's campus in Istanbul; He moved on to Bursa for contacts

[05] Turkey's Yildiz stated that Turkey will not draw back on "KKTC" oil and natural gas drilling

[06] Turkey's Babacan reiterated that Turkey will not join political meetings to be hosted by the Republic of Cyprus during its EU term presidency

[07] Cyprus on the agenda of the National Security Council's meeting which will be held on April 30

[08] Cerkez: It has become more difficult to preserve the EU vision among the Turkish Cypriots

[09] Turkish Cypriot lawyers assassinated by TMT will be remembered on Wednesday

[10] Azerbaijan does not recognize the breakaway regime because of the Karabag issue

[11] After being used as a mosque, the church in occupied Limnia village has now become a cultural center

[12] Saint George Festival took place in occupied Kormakitis after 38 years

[13] The Republic of Cyprus is included to the countries that Turkey export different goods

[14] Turkey blocks Israel from NATO summit

[15] Turkey's Babacan stated that IMF and WB suggest Turkey to share experiences with countries which face economic problems

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu: There will be no multilateral conference; The efforts for lifting the "embargoes" implemented on the Turkish Cypriots will be intensified

Eroglu argued that the decision of the UN Secretary-General not to invite a multilateral conference was influenced by the unwillingness of the Greek Cypriot side to participate in such a conference. Eroglu recalled that after his last meeting with President Christofias within the framework of the Cyprus talks he had stated that this would be their "last bilateral meeting". He reiterated that Downer asked to meet him on 27 April and added: "After the meeting which I will have with Downer and his delegation, we will reach a decision on the issue of how the course of the negotiations will be".

Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side has no will to reach a lasting agreement and argued that it is impossible for the UN Secretary-General not to have seen this, because the Greek Cypriots have allegedly rejected all the agreements that had emerged.

Eroglu reiterated the allegation that the status quo in Cyprus is in favour of the Greek Cypriots and that when the Turkish Cypriots ask for the lifting of their so-called embargoes, they always receive the response that "the embargoes will be lifted anyway when the Cyprus problem is solved". Eroglu claimed that the "embargoes" will never be lifted if "we take into consideration that the Greek Cypriots do not want an agreement". He added that the Turkish side will intensify its efforts towards the lifting of the "embargoes".

Eroglu alleged that the whole world should see that "South Cyprus", as he described the Republic of Cyprus, which is a member of the UN and will overtake the EU term presidency on 1 July, has no will for a solution on the island. He reiterated that President Christofias could not show flexibility after 1 July and during the campaign for the presidential elections of February 2013. He argued that for this reason it would be meaningless to continue the negotiations after 1 July and that this was noted to them by the UN Secretary-General as well.

Eroglu claimed that the EU, which tells the Turkish Cypriots that the "embargoes" will be lifted after a solution to the Cyprus problem is found, should behave more realistically. He recalled the decisions taken by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in favour of the Turkish Cypriots and claimed that no one of these decisions has been implemented. He said that the Turkish Cypriot side expect the implementation of these decisions by the OIC members. Noting that there is no direct flights from these countries towards the occupied area of Cyprus, Eroglu added: "I had said that our expectation is the beginning of direct flights by the Islamic countries and the further development of trade relations". He said that the efforts of Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, general secretary of OIC, continue on this issue.

Referring to the information as regards the change of the name of the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, Eroglu said that personally he does not feel uncomfortable with this name. "We are not thinking of changing the name for the moment", he added.

Gunes (23.0412) refers also to an announcement by the United Nations, which said that the reason for not inviting an international conference on the Cyprus problem is the fact that adequate progress was not achieved on the core issues in the negotiations.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Statements by Eroglu in Sanliurfa; "No other country in the world can replace Turkey's guarantorship"

Delivering a speech at the ground-breaking ceremony for an 800 meters long subway, Eroglu drew attention to "motherland" Turkey's endless support towards strengthening the "TRNC". "There is no difference between the motherland and the TRNC. What unites the two countries is the Turkish identity", Eroglu said.

"Witnessing Turkey's further economic growth has been a source of honour for us. Because a strong Turkey is the biggest guaranty for the Turkish Cypriots. There is no other country in the world which can replace motherland's guarantorship for us" Eroglu added.

Another speech was delivered by the Turkish Minister of Transport Binali Y1
ld1
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m who reiterated Turkey's support to the "TRNC" in all fields.

Eroglu also held an inspection tour at the site of the Ataturk Dam- which is being perceived as an indicator for gains to emerge in the "TRNC" with the realization of the water transfer project.

[03] Kucuk called on the Arab countries to invest in the occupied area of Cyprus

Kucuk thanked the governor of Bursa, Sahabettin Harput for inviting them to the meeting as "TRNC", and expressed the belief that the meeting would secure benefits for Turkey, the Arab countries and Bursa. He wished the meeting to have positive effects to the breakaway regime as well, and added that that they also want to take their share from the development of economic and cultural ties between the Arab countries and Turkey.

Kucuk said that the "locomotive" of the breakaway regime are the sectors of tourism and education and added that the "TRNC" has a population of 300 thousands, seven "universities" and 50 thousand students. He noted that their target in tourism is to reach one million tourists.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Kucuk inaugurated illegal GAU's campus in Istanbul; He moved on to Bursa for contacts

The campus is located in the Besiktas district of Istanbul.

Among the high level officials attending the inauguration ceremony organized for the first building of the campus, were the Istanbul Governor Huseyin Avni Mutlu as well as representatives from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the "Girne American University".

In his inaugural address, Kucuk made a strong reference to "GAU's" huge and rapid development.

In another speech, Istanbul Governor Mutlu said that such a beneficial investment will help Istanbul's further development in terms of higher education and cultural affairs.

Meanwhile, Kucuk moved on to Bursa today (Saturday) for a series of contacts as a guest of the Bursa Governor Sahabettin Harput.

Kucuk will attend the "1st Turkish-Arabic Tourism Gathering" event tomorrow, which will take place under the auspices of the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Kucuk is expected to return to the "TRNC" tomorrow.

[05] Turkey's Yildiz stated that Turkey will not draw back on "KKTC" oil and natural gas drilling

Speaking at a press meeting at the World Energy Leaders Summit in Istanbul, where Ministers from 9 countries, 35 international firms and two international banks were present, Y1
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z said: "We have been using energy as a mean for a resolution of the conflict and the drillings will begin no matter what. We have provided the Greek Cypriot administration with electricity in the past when they had a power problem and we will continue to do so."

Noting that Turkey conducts projects in the "TRNC" within the framework of international legal procedures, he said: "The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has received a license to operate in the TRNC which will certainly be used and drilling will begin soon. We also had prepared a master plan to distribute electricity to the whole island and have introduced the plan to the Greek Cypriot administration as well."

(?)

[06] Turkey's Babacan reiterated that Turkey will not join political meetings to be hosted by the Republic of Cyprus during its EU term presidency

Speaking during a meeting at the U.S. think-tank Atlantic Council in Washington, Babacan said Turkey would maintain its relations with the EU in technical level during the Greek Cypriot presidency of the EU. "However, we will not join political meetings to be hosted by the Greek Cypriots" Babacan said.

On Euro zone financial crisis, Babacan said European countries should keep their commitments to overcome the financial crisis. "2012 will be a test year for the Euro zone," he said.

Babacan said the inflation in Turkey was slightly over country's expectations, and the current accounts deficit was also high. "We decided to maintain firm financial policies in order to have a sustainable economic growth," Babacan also said.

[07] Cyprus on the agenda of the National Security Council's meeting which will be held on April 30

According to the paper, Syria, Iraq, Iran, European Union and Cyprus will be at the agenda of the meeting. In addition, an evaluation will take place regarding the contacts of the Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

[08] Cerkez: It has become more difficult to preserve the EU vision among the Turkish Cypriots

Cerkez alleged that the reason is the Greek Cypriot's attitude and the fact that the EU did not keep its promises. He went on and added that in the past 90% of the Turkish Cypriots trusted the EU but now only 35% trust the EU.

[09] Turkish Cypriot lawyers assassinated by TMT will be remembered on Wednesday

The paper writes that the perpetrators of these murders, who have been registered as "unsolved", are actually known in the Turkish Cypriot community. Afrika notes that this is the first time that a meeting with broad participation is held for the Ayhan Hikmet and Ahmet Muzzafer Gurkan, who have been murdered by the so-called "Turkish Resistance Organization" (TMT).

Under the title "It has been half a century", Turkish Cypriot Kibrisli newspaper (23.04.12) recalls that the two lawyers have published many articles on a bomb attack organized against Omerge Mosque in Lefkosia between 24 and 25 March 1962. The paper writes that the attack was an attempt to deteriorate the relations between the two communities of the island. The paper reports that on 23 April 1962, before the assassination of the two lawyers, Cumhuriyet newspaper had published an article saying that it would soon reveal the names of those who attacked the mosque. According to Kibrisli, the then Turkish Ambassador to Lefkosia, Emin Dirvana was supporting the lawyers and sent flowers to their funeral.

Meanwhile, writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan (23.04.12), columnist Aydin Akkurt describes the two lawyers as "spies of the Greek Cypriots" and not "victims for democracy".

(I/Ts.)

[10] Azerbaijan does not recognize the breakaway regime because of the Karabag issue

Hasanov, who made these statements in an interview with journalist Leyla Tavsanoglu, was in Turkey to participate in the 15th Eurasia Economic Summit.

Asked why Azerbaijan does not recognize the breakaway regime, despite his country having a brother like and strategic alliance with Turkey, Hasanov stated that the reason is Karabag.

"The recognition of northern Cyprus is not related with our friendship with Turkey. Look, there is the Karabag issue. Karabag is not recognized by anyone in the world. But if we stand up and recognize northern Cyprus, the allies of Armenia will start recognizing Karabag".

He went on and stated that when the Karabag issue is solved, Azerbaijan has "plans" for northern Cyprus and added that Azerbaijan sends the second biggest student group after Turkey to the breakaway regime, and that the occupied area of Cyprus is the second most popular tourist destination, for people of Azerbaijan after Turkey.

[11] After being used as a mosque, the church in occupied Limnia village has now become a cultural center

According to the paper, the church was used as a mosque. However, after a new mosque was built at the village, it was decided that the church to be used as a cultural center. The paper writes that the church was restored and 22 million Turkish lira were used for its restoration.

[12] Saint George Festival took place in occupied Kormakitis after 38 years

According to the paper, the self-styled speaker of the "assembly", Hasan Bozer, the occupied Keryneia" governor", Gurkan Kara, the "mayor" of occupied Lapithos, Fuat Namsoy and the mayor of occupied Kormakitis Antonis Skoullos were among the persons who participated in the celebrations. In addition, many Maronites also attended the celebrations.

The paper writes that speaking at the celebrations, Namsoy stated that the culture and the heritage of Maronites must be safeguarded. On his part, Skoullos thanked the self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk, Namsoy and Kara for the interest they show regarding the problems faced by Maronites.

[13] The Republic of Cyprus is included to the countries that Turkey export different goods

The "Greek Cypriot administration", as the paper calls the Republic of Cyprus, appears to be among the countries in which Turkey exports different goods. According to Havadis, Turkey intensively sends health materials, furniture, household and various items and construction products to the Republic of Cyprus via Greece's ports.

According to the paper, during 2011, a total of 666 thousand dollars of goods send from Turkey, were sold to the Republic of Cyprus. This figure has been increased to 2 million 681 thousand dollars during the first three months of 2012. The paper writes that the containers with the orders of goods are going first to Greece and afterwards to the Limassol port.

Turkey has made exports to 246 countries in 2011, with the Republic of Cyprus ranking in the 205 place in Turkey's list.

Also, among the countries that Turkey exports more, is the occupation regime which ranks on top. The "TRNC" which has been placed in the 29th position with a trade volume of 995 million 290 thousand dollars during 2011, in the first three months of 2012, it has been placed in the 33th position with imports from Turkey that reached to 229 million 406 thousand dollars.

The monthly figures of Turkey's exports were published at the official website of Turkish Exporters Association (TIM) in the address http://www.tim.org.tr and the paper underlines that the list does not refer to "South Cyprus" but to "Cyprus", while for the occupation regime is called "TRNC".

Germany is also on top of the list on Turkey's exporting countries, writes the paper.

(AK)

[14] Turkey blocks Israel from NATO summit

"There will be no Israeli presence at the NATO meeting unless they issue a formal apology and pay compensation for the Turkish citizens their commandos killed in international waters" a senior Turkish official told the Daily News.

"There are demands from us for the removal of our veto, but this is out of question. Those countries who wish to see normalization in ties between Turkey and Israel should advise Israel to apologize and to compensate the killing of Turks in international waters," the official said.

Turkey has vetoed a number of Israeli attempts to deepen its partnership with the alliance - such as opening an office at the NATO headquarters and participating in the activities of the Mediterranean Dialogue group - on the grounds that it should first bear the consequences of its unlawful action against Turkish citizens. This reflects the two-year old strife between Turkey and Israel, which is a result of the Mavi Marmara incident that claimed the lives of eight Turkish and one Turkish-American citizen. The level of diplomatic relations between the two has been reduced to the level of "second secretary" since then.

According to Hurriyet Daily News' sources, Turkey's blockage against Israel was brought to the table during the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels on April 18. Some Ministers of the allied countries including the United States, France and Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen indirectly criticized Turkey for bringing its bilateral problems with Israel to the NATO platform. Some ministers went so far as to vow to veto the participation of Egypt, Mauritania, Algeria, Morocco and other partner countries in the activities of the Mediterranean Dialogue if Turkey continues to do so against Israel, something they called "a violation of NATO's values."

In response to such statements, Davutoglu harshly criticized his counterparts sitting around the same large table. "You are talking about being partners and partnership values. But partners, first of everything, should act like partners, so that we'll treat them accordingly," was the main message Davutoglu delivered to his NATO colleagues.

(?)

[15] Turkey's Babacan stated that IMF and WB suggest Turkey to share experiences with countries which face economic problems

Babacan was speaking at a G-20 working meeting late on Friday in Washington, D.C. He said the IMF and the WB expect Turkey to share its experiences of implementing economic measures "because a good model can be a more effective way to teach economies how to cope with crises than written prescriptions and reports released by international organizations."

Turkey's economy expanded by 8.5 % last year, becoming one of the fastest growing economies in Europe and within the larger, in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Babacan said the world expected the US to take more radical measures in 2013, including cutting its budget deficit and focusing on structural reforms. "If these expectations are not met, we could face a serious challenge, but I do not think the US will make that mistake," he added.

Speaking to reporters in Washington on Sunday, Babacan said the Government expected that some measures the Government had already taken to keep possible problems in the markets at bay, will start to pay off in 2013. "This year, we will see a relatively slower gross domestic product [GDP] growth, but we have faith that Turkey will maintain stability in its economy. ? We have a number of diversified instruments with which to intervene in markets in the event of a problem," he argued.

Babacan pointed out that the Government expects GDP to grow by an average of 4 percent this year and doesn't rule out the possibility of risks lingering in the markets.

"High inflation and the current account deficit [CAD] remain serious risks. Some foreign observers may be downplaying Turkish growth this year due to these two problems, but I guess, we know how to put our home in order, better than international institutions," he asserted.

Turkey's annualized consumer price index (CPI) stood at 10.43 % in March. Turkish Central Bank's latest twice-monthly Survey of Expectations, published last week, raised Turkey's annual CAD expectation to as high as $65 billion. In recent years, the Turkish Government has taken bold steps to minimize the role of international institutions in management of Turkey's economy. Turkey ended its standby agreement with the IMF in early 2010 and is expected to pay back all of its debt to the IMF by 2015.

Babacan met with World Bank President Robert Zoellick on Friday and had a separate meeting with US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Saturday. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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