Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-04-25

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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 to London on June 13 to participate in a conference on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem

[02] Eroglu wants to put his conditions in the negotiations; Reference to the Annan Plan

[03] Ozersay participated in a conference in LSE regarding the future of the Cyprus negotiations

[04] Bagis argued that Turkey has a Plan B on Cyprus, but now it is implementing its Plan A

[05] Statements by Turkish Cypriot politicians for the anniversary of the referendum on the Annan Plan

[06] An International University Search and Rescue Council established in the occupied area of Cyprus with the participation of universities from Turkey and Azerbaijan; Universities from foreign countries participate to a seminar in occupied Cyprus

[07] The breakaway regime to participate in the "7th International Grain Trade Summit" in Amman

[08] BES' trade union strike ended yesterday

[09] Obama avoids genocide-word in April 24 statement; Reaction statements by the Turkish Foreign Ministry

[10] Turks and Armenians silently commemorate 1915 events

[11] Yildiz on the construction of Sinop nuclear power plant

[12] Turkey to produce its own seismic ship to find fuel

[13] Turkey summons Iraqi charge d'affaires after tension with Iraq

[14] Foreign investments by Turks reach $25 billion in 10 years; The Netherland on top of Turkish businessmen's preferences

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu to London on June 13 to participate in a conference on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem

According to the paper, Eroglu is visiting London upon an invitation by the "Northern Cyprus Solidarity Association" which is organizing a conference in London on June 16 on the latest developments of the Cyprus problem. The paper also writes that it will be Eroglu's first visit to London after his was elected as "president" of the breakaway regime. He will be escorted by his wife Meral.

In the framework of Eroglu's contacts in London he will participate in a ball and will also hold meetings with representatives of various non-governmental organizations.

[02] Eroglu wants to put his conditions in the negotiations; Reference to the Annan Plan

Eroglu reiterated that last Saturday he had a telephone conversation with the UN Secretary-General to whom he expressed his views, but Ban Ki-moon heard him without making any comment.

Eroglu said that they will decide on the course of the negotiations after taking UN Secretary-General's view and argued that it would not be right to suspend the negotiations, because this would mean that the negotiations would be postponed after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus. He went on reiterating his known allegation by arguing the following:

"This means that the negotiations will continue again. I say it very often recently: if the negotiations will start again, our conditions should also be put onto the table. Otherwise, negotiations with this mentality might continue for a hundred years more. Because the Greek Cypriots are a state, [because they are] EU members, they do not want arbitration, mediation, time limit. That is, they have no problem if the negotiations continued for another hundred years. However, we feel discomfort by the continuation of the negotiations without an agreement. We are under embargoes, not being recognized results in some unjust treatments. Therefore we insist on sitting at a negotiating table where we could also put our conditions".

Eroglu said that they will determine their way of action after holding evaluations among them following his meeting with Downer on 27 April. He noted that there are some scenarios against every possibility in his mind.

Meanwhile, according to Gunes (25.04.12), in statements during another meeting Eroglu referred to the referendum on the Annan Plan held on 24 April 2004. He said that with their "no" vote, the Greek Cypriots showed that they are in favour of the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus and argued: "What is actually in the mind of the Greek Cypriots now is the continuation of the Republic of Cyprus and our becoming a part of this Republic".

Responding to a question, Eroglu claimed that "if the Greek Cypriots had accepted the Annan Plan, they would have acquired a great chance". He noted that he has said this to President Christofias at the negotiations. He argued: "I said to Christofias that if I were in their shoes, I would have seized the plan. With the plan we would leave very important part of land to the Greek Cypriots, we would have permitted the Greek Cypriots to return to the land we thought we would have stayed. A new formation, in which we could melt economically, would come to surface. Turkey's guarantees were watered down in the plan and its military existence would have ceased. The rejection even of such a plan by the Greek Cypriots should have given a message to the world".

Eroglu claimed that they should have used very well the "no" vote of the Greek Cypriots, but they could not secure the necessary benefits because negotiations resumed. He added: "We could not show to the world that the Greek Cypriots are intransigent. We have lost the opportunity, which had been given to us by the Greek Cypriots saying no. We have lost this opportunity with the change of president and the quick start of the negotiations right afterwards?Now the Greek Cypriot side is trying to present us again as the intransigent side?"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Ozersay participated in a conference in LSE regarding the future of the Cyprus negotiations

Ozersay made these statements speaking in a conference at the London School of Economics (LSE), under the title: "Cyprus Talks: Exhausted? Time for Change".

The self-styled "TRNC representative to the UK", Oya Tuncali and the Turkish ambassador to London, also participated in the conference.

Ozersay stated that the Cyprus negotiations are going on for 44 years and that six UN Secretary Generals, three Turkish Cypriot leaders and six Greek Cypriot leaders served during this period. He also referred to the cost of the negotiations and said that the cost for only last year reached the amount of four million dollars.

Ozersay said that if there is no consent between the two sides in Cyprus, an agreement cannot be reached and added that the UN cannot take a decision if there is no consent between the sides because they will not support a solution that will be imposed on them.

He also said that the Turkish Cypriots do not believe anymore that there will be a solution.

Reminding about the statements of the former Foreign Minister of the UK, Jack Straw, with whom he held a meeting in London, that if a solution cannot be reach the island should be divided, Ozersay stated that there are some principles that must taken into consideration regarding a comprehensive solution in Cyprus and added that it is not helpful for the process to put labels or to follow models. He said that what is important is for the needs of the two sides to be discussed.

Finally, asked if there is or not a plan B on the Cyprus problem, Ozersay stated that it is important to see what a common plan B means and said that it is important to work on a plan B.

"However, I cannot reply to this question alone, because this is a question that must be answered together with the Greek Cypriots", he stated.

[04] Bagis argued that Turkey has a Plan B on Cyprus, but now it is implementing its Plan A

Responding to a question yesterday during a meeting for promoting "Programs for Lifelong Learning and Youth", Bagis alleged the following as regards Turkey's Plan B on Cyprus: "Regarding every international project, Turkey has both Plan B and Plan C and Plan D, but right now, Turkey is at the stage of implementing its Plan A. And this is a comprehensive solution in Cyprus. Right now we are proceeding with determination on the issue of implementing Plan A. If this does not happen, we of course have a Plan B and a Plan C, but right now they have not been put into effect".

Asked to comment on the presidential elections in France, Bagis expressed the view that whatever the result in the second round is, there will be a change in the French policy because opposing to Turkey's EU accession course by using such a hard language is contrary to France's interests. He described as "efforts for political exploitation" President Sarkozy's visit to the monument of the Armenian genocide on the occasion of 24 April, and argued that all these will remain in the past after the elections. Asked to comment on the increase of the percentages of National Front Party under Marie Le Pen, Bagis said that such trends exist in countries where economic crisis exists. He argued that Turkey's trump card is its strong economy in a period when the European economy is in crisis.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Statements by Turkish Cypriot politicians for the anniversary of the referendum on the Annan Plan

In statements at a press conference yesterday, on the occasion of the anniversary of the referendum on the Annan Plan in 2004, Yorgancioglu argued that Eroglu should either lead the Turkish Cypriots outside the deadlock of the non-solution or resign from his post.

Yorgancioglu alleged that former Turkish Cypriot leader Talat achieved progress and came close to a solution by showing constructive, creative and decisive stance in the negotiations.

Yorgancioglu said that during his political life, Eroglu tried to secure political gains by using his enmity towards the Greek Cypriots and that absolutely no progress was achieved during the past two years when Eroglu is carrying out the negotiations on behalf of the Turkish Cypriots. He said that the main reason of the non-solution derives from Eroglu's "separatist stance which is at the core of his political existence".

"Today the negotiating process on the Cyprus problem has collapsed and even though it has not yet been declared openly, the Turkish Cypriot side is held responsible because of its separatist and intransigent stance", he pointed out. He added: "Dervis Eroglu and the UBP, who possess the administrative power in the north part of Cyprus, might feel themselves subject to Turkey and might consider that the identity, personality, culture and the concerns of the Turkish Cypriots regarding their future in their country are insignificant. However, Turkey has no right to ignore the self-esteem of the Turkish Cypriots, to behave to the TRNC as its province and constrain democracy in our country, only because its interlocutors in Cyprus are insensitive".

Furthermore, Yeni Duzen (25.04.12) reports also that Izzet Izcan, general secretary of the United Cyprus Party (BKP), issued a statement on the Cyprus problem calling on the AKP government in Turkey and Dervis Eroglu to stop promoting their separatist goals and continue the negotiations until finding a solution.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (25.4.12) reports that other politicians commented yesterday on the anniversary of the referendum on the Annan Plan. Former Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat alleged that President Christofias, who did exactly the opposite of what was expected from him, is the main responsible for wasting this chance for peace. He argued that the referendum changed the image of the Turkish Cypriots in the world and the "impression" that they do not want a solution.

Serdar Denktas, leader of the Democratic Party (DP), argued that this is an anniversary that shows how the most important countries in the world created hopes in vain, by giving "hollow promises". He noted that the Turkish Cypriots should understand that the others could give them nothing and that they could come to a better point if they do something about their own future.

Tahsin Ertugruloglu, chairman of the Democracy and Trust Party (DGP) noted that as a person who rejected the Annan Plan then, he would like to say that he would reject it again if it came today. He said that this is a plan which remained in the past. He expressed his disagreement with those who say that the Turkish Cypriots gained advantages by voting "yes" to the plan and alleged that by saying "yes" they left absolutely no trump card in their hands.

(I/Ts.)

[06] An International University Search and Rescue Council established in the occupied area of Cyprus with the participation of universities from Turkey and Azerbaijan; Universities from foreign countries participate to a seminar in occupied Cyprus

The "International Universities Search and Rescue Council" was established under the coordination of the "TRNC Civil Defense Organization" and joint initiatives by 6 universities in the "TRNC" as well as one university from Turkey and another from Azerbaijan.

66 academics and student members of the Search and Rescue Association in 30 universities from 20 counties are participating at the seminar ?workshop.

An establishment agreement was signed following a panel titled 'Disaster Management'.

As part of the seminar-workshop, members of the "TRNC Search and Rescue Association" will carry out a joint search and rescue exercise. Also, an exhibition of search and rescue vehicles and equipments will take place tomorrow.

[07] The breakaway regime to participate in the "7th International Grain Trade Summit" in Amman

According to the paper, 90 import and export companies from 22 countries will participate in the Summit. The occupation regime will participate in the Summit with the self-styled ministry of agriculture and natural resources. This is the first time the breakaway regime is participating in this Summit, writes the paper.

[08] BES' trade union strike ended yesterday

In statements on the issue, the chairman of BES, Savas Bozat, stated that "prime minister" Irsen Kucuk took the responsibility on the issue of the implementation of the agreement they have reached.

The agreement envisage the appointment by the "prime ministry's supervisory board" as of today, of Mehmet Soykurt to the so-called Municipality of occupied Lefkosia as a responsible for auditing financial issues, the implementation of the protocol signed on March by the so-called mayor of the "municipality" of occupied Lefkosia and BES, as well as for the workers of the occupied Lefkosia Municipality who went on a strike to be paid their salaries.

(AK)

[09] Obama avoids genocide-word in April 24 statement; Reaction statements by the Turkish Foreign Ministry

"Today, we commemorate the Meds Yeghern, one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. In doing so, we honour the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who were brutally massacred or marched to their deaths in the waning days of the Ottoman Empire," Obama said in his statement.

Obama was widely expected to avoid the word genocide in his annual message, the fourth since he came to the office in 2009. Turkey, a key US ally, has repeatedly warned in the past that referring to the World War I events during the Ottoman Empire as the Armenian genocide would cause irreparable damage to ties.

Turkey denies Armenian claims of genocide, saying there were deaths on both sides as Armenians revolted against the Ottoman Empire in collaboration with the Russian army, which was then invading eastern Anatolia, to establish an independent Armenian state.

Obama had promised Armenian voters to recognize the World War I events as genocide during his election campaign, but later backtracked; saying efforts aimed at Turkish-Armenian reconciliation should not be undermined.

In his message on Tuesday, Obama said: "I have consistently stated my own view of what occurred in 1915. My view of that history has not changed." He also called for "a full, frank, and just acknowledgement of the facts" about the history, saying that "moving forward with the future cannot be done without reckoning with the facts of the past." "Some individuals have already taken this courageous step forward. We applaud those Armenians and Turks who have taken this path, and we hope that many more will choose it, with the support of their governments, as well as mine," said Obama.

In Ankara, Turkish Foreign Ministry rejected Obama's remarks, which it said "distorted historical realities" and said that it is saddened over his statement marking the anniversary of the 1915 killings.

A Foreign Ministry statement said on Tuesday that Obama made a baseless approach that reflects only Armenian arguments while marking the 1915 tragedy, saying that Turkey considers Obama's statement "problematic" from every aspect, which it said "distorted historical realities."

The statement said remarks like this ? made based on domestic political considerations and with "selective justice" ? are both mismatched and complicates Turkish-Armenian reconciliation process.

Ankara urged Washington to avoid making similar remarks that damage Turkish-American relations and instead asked the US to encourage Armenian side, who are avoiding investigating shared historical facts in this matter, to be realistic and reconciliatory.

[10] Turks and Armenians silently commemorate 1915 events

A sit-down strike organized by the "Say No to Racism and Nationalism Initiative" in Taksim Square, was attended by a group of public figures including wife of the killed Turkish-Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, Rakel Dink, pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) 0
stanbul Deputy S1
rr1
Sureyya Onder, Sebahat Tuncel, Ufuk Uras, journalists Oral Cal1
slar, Huseyin Hatemi, Hilal Kaplan along with other intellectuals.

Protesters left carnations in front of a banner which said "this pain belongs to all of us".

(& )

[11] Yildiz on the construction of Sinop nuclear power plant

Y1
ld1
z said Japan, China and South Korea are neck to neck in the race, but that each country had its own strengths and weaknesses in terms of what it could contribute to the nuclear plant project.

"Japan's strength, for example, is its technological efficiency", said Y1
ld1
z, adding that Japan needs to speed up certain domestic regulations following the tsunami disaster last year.

He said an agreement had been signed with China that the nuclear energy would be used for peaceful purposes and would not be used for military means or transferred to third parties.

"Japan and China have almost reached the same status [regarding the building of the Sinop plant]," said Y1
ld1
z, who confirmed that the Government planned to make its final decision soon.

South Korea had appeared to be a front-runner, but negotiations hit a dead-lock in 2010 when the Turkish Government asked for a Government guarantee from South Korea., Turkey then turned to Japan's Tokyo Electric (TEPCO) and Toshiba for the construction of the plant, but following the earthquake, TEPCO pulled out of the consortium.

[12] Turkey to produce its own seismic ship to find fuel

"The ship will be built at the Tuzla shipyard in north-western Turkey with the support of local industry", said Y1
ld1
z. The ship will be equipped with the latest technology and will be used for two-dimensional and three-dimensional seismic exploration.

"A growing and developing Turkey cannot have a stagnant energy sector. All areas of Turkey are growing, therefore we will conduct our exploration activities with the latest technology," Y1
ld1
z added.

According to Y1
ld1
z, the ship will cost roughly 100 million Euro and will be delivered to the MTA in 2014. The ship will be financed by the Energy and Natural Resources Ministry with mediation from the Undersecretariat of the Defense Industries as it is expert in shipbuilding commissions.

When asked by reporters at the ceremony what the name of the ship would be, Y1
ld1
z said the ship currently does not have a name, but that Turkey's Prime Minister and President would provide their input at the ship's inauguration ceremony.

The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) had also already conducted research for a seismic ship to search for petroleum and natural gas, and Y1
ld1
z said that these efforts would also be taken into account.

[13] Turkey summons Iraqi charge d'affaires after tension with Iraq

Iraq locked in a public row with neighbouring Turkey, summoned Ankara's Ambassador in Baghdad on Sunday to protest at critical remarks by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The envoy, Yunus Demirer, heard the Iraqi complaint on Sunday after several days of charge and counter-charge.

Turkey, in turn, summoned the Iraqi charge d'affaires Sudat Khidir on Tuesday and told him that the latest statements by Iraqi officials condemning Turkey, are unacceptable.

Foreign Ministry officials told the Iraqi envoy that Iraq's peace and stability is a priority matter for Turkey as the situation in Iraq would have direct repercussions on Turkey.

(?)

Turkish diplomats also told the Iraqi envoy that Turkey strongly rejects summoning of Turkish Ambassador to Baghdad on Sunday.

(?)

[14] Foreign investments by Turks reach $25 billion in 10 years; The Netherland on top of Turkish businessmen's preferences

Investments in the Netherlands totalled about 20% of the more than $25 billion Turkish investments made abroad.

The Netherlands has been famous for its openness to foreign investments and standing as one of only four Euro-zone countries to still retain its AAA status among the three main credit rating agencies. Yet the country may not keep its position as the top foreign nation for Turkish investments much longer, considering the recent resignation of the Dutch Government on April 22 due to disputes over austerity measures with its far-right parliamentary partnership.

President Abdullah Gul paid a three-day state visit to the Netherlands last week with some 100 businessmen, which may offset any economic instability that may stem from future potential political uncertainty in the country.

A total of 3,641 business professionals have started businesses overseas, with some 165 Turkish business professionals have invested $5.3 billion between 2000 and 2010.

Turkish investments span 109 countries, also giving Turkish businessmen a foothold in some smaller national markets as well.

However, the appetite for foreign investment by businesses in Turkey is largely directed to nearby countries in the energy and banking industries. Some $4 billion of the capital transfer to foreign markets was made by energy investments, while more than $3 billion was spent on banking, followed by $2.5 billion on manufacturing industries. The foreign information technology industry has been a flourishing field for investments, drawing in nearly $2 billion.

According to TUSKON president R1
zanur Meral, two main factors are behind growing Turkish investments abroad. "The first [factor] is the capital and employment migration, the second is strategic move. Low labour and energy costs are two main reasons for the capital migration. Slowing capital migration will contribute to domestic employment. The new incentive scheme will prevent potential investments abroad by improving domestic conditions on labour and energy costs," Meral said.

Russia placed second among the countries which attracted the highest amounts of foreign investments from Turkey. Turkish firms invested a total of $3.8 billion in Azerbaijan and $2.5 billion in Kazakhstan. Egypt attracted some $1.5 billion, mostly due to its sprawling textile and automotive sectors.

More than 100 Turkish business professionals invested in 11 countries, namely "Northern Cyprus", Germany, Romania, Russia, Ukraine, the United States, the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan and Libya.

"Northern Cyprus" attracted the largest number of business professionals, hosting 377. Germany attracted 265, followed by Romania, which attracted 247 and Russia with 243. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

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