Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-05-23

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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] Rumours that Gul will be candidate for the post of NATO Secretary General after Rasmussen term to be expired

[02] Gul: Turkey might seek alternatives if the Cyprus negotiations fail

[03] Belgium is ready to take initiative and host a summit meeting in a bid to resolve the Cyprus problem-Turkey favours the initiative

[04] Davutoglu to participate in a UN meeting on mediation-He will also hold a separate meeting with UN Secretary General

[05] Turkey reportedly pleased with NATO Summit Declaration

[06] Erdogan stated that Turkey will be the last to leave Afghanistan

[07] Turkey and Pakistan sign nine agreements

[08] Eroglu to visit Trabzon upon an invitation of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry

[09] Wages were paid but the problem did not end in occupied Lefkosia "municipality"

[10] TRT to prepare a film in eight languages in order to promote the occupation regime abroad

[11] Durust reiterates that they attach great importance to Morfou

[12] Legalization of casinos in Bursa and Adana causes concerns in the occupied area of Cyprus; "Sex tourism boomed"

[13] The "13th International Econometry Conference" starts tomorrow at illegal DAU

[14] "Kosovo moves a step closer to FIFA membership"

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Rumours that Gul will be candidate for the post of NATO Secretary General after Rasmussen term to be expired

According to the paper, the Atlantic Council, which is the principal political decision-making body within NATO, has proposed the appointment of a Turk to the post of the NATO Secretary General for ten year. Turkey, which has become a member of NATO in February 1952, is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year and it wants to take on a task important duties at the alliance.

The paper continues and writes that Rasmussen, whose duty will be expired in 2012, wants to remain to his post until 2014. Gul's term is expired also in 2014. Backstages who are discussing the issue of Gul undertaking an international duty, determine Gul to be candidate for NATO Secretary-General post, writes the paper.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (22.05.12) reports that when Gul was asked on the issue, during a press news conference in Chicago after attending a NATO summit, replied as follows: "Of course it [a Turkish secretary-general for NATO] is possible. Why not? Turkey could undertake more important responsibilities within NATO, including assuming the post of Secretary-General."

(...)

[02] Gul: Turkey might seek alternatives if the Cyprus negotiations fail

Gul made these statements after the talks he held with US President Barack Obama.

The Turkish President said that he had told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that Turkey might seek alternatives as regards Cyprus if the current stalemate in negotiations persists.

Gul said he has asked the UN secretary-general to assume a more active role. "I said this openly as well: 'If this policy is bound not to work, you should be prepared [for the possibility] that we, through negotiations, put into action other alternatives'," Gul said, without elaborating.

[03] Belgium is ready to take initiative and host a summit meeting in a bid to resolve the Cyprus problem-Turkey favours the initiative

The issue was discussed during a meeting between Turkey's European Union Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis with Belgian Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister Didier Reynders in Brussels.

The meeting took up issues such as a new initiative to speed up accession talks between Turkey and EU, visa requirements on Turkish citizens, as well as bilateral relations.

Speaking in a joint press conference, Bagis said Belgium had always extended firm support to Turkey in the international arena as well as in Ankara's EU membership bid.

Reynders said on his part that the meeting discussed ways to add a fresh momentum to Turkey's membership process and make progress in easing visa requirements for Turkish citizens, adding that Belgium was ready to make any contribution in those issues.

Turkish diplomatic sources quoted Ryenders as telling Bagis that the Cyprus problem had negative effects on many areas from Turkey's EU bid to cooperation between NATO and the EU, and that Belgium was ready to take initiative and host a summit meeting in a bid to resolve the Cyprus problem.

Bagis said in response that Turkey would consider such a Belgian initiative favourable if the two Cypriot communities and Greece and Britain were invited as well.

Bagis also urged Reynders to support Turkey's efforts to secure visa-free travel for Turkish citizens in the Union.

The Turkish minister also met separately with the President of the Belgian Senate Sabine de Bethune and the President of the Belgian Chamber of Representatives Andre Flahaut.

[04] Davutoglu to participate in a UN meeting on mediation-He will also hold a separate meeting with UN Secretary General

The meeting will bring together foreign ministers and deputy foreign ministers from 10 countries on an invitation by UN General Assembly President Nassir Abdulaziz.

Davutoglu will address the General Assembly and he will also participate in a discussion panel with his Finnish, Brazilian and Qatari counterparts.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon will also address the meeting and Davutoglu will separately meet with Ban.

[05] Turkey reportedly pleased with NATO Summit Declaration

"Turkey's priorities were reflected on the decisions of the NATO heads of state and government summit which ended in Chicago on Monday.

While some members did not favour, a special paragraph was devoted to Syria in the NATO declaration after Turkey's insistence.

On Syria, NATO leaders said that they were following the Syrian crisis with growing concern and that they supported the complete implementation of the 6 point Annan Plan as well as the efforts of the United Nations and the Arab League.

Turkey's stressing the importance of the continuation of an open door policy in NATO was also reflected in the NATO declaration in Chicago.

The NATO declaration said that the alliance would be open to all European democracies which share the values of NATO and that a perspective of enlargement would strengthen stability in Europe.

The NATO declaration stated that, as soon as the name crisis between Macedonia and Greece was solved, Macedonia would be admitted as a member of NATO.

Thanks to Turkey's efforts, Bosnia-Herzegovina's progress towards becoming a NATO member received praise at the NATO summit in Chicago.

Leaders at the summit approved a new action plan of NATO in counter-terrorism."

[06] Erdogan stated that Turkey will be the last to leave Afghanistan

Prime Minister Erdogan and his Pakistani counterpart Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani held a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday.

Answering a question on the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan, Erdogan said that NATO planned to complete its mission in Afghanistan by the end of 2014, but it was not definite. "It may happen after 2014. As Turkey, we think of leaving Afghanistan after all countries leave," he said.

Erdogan said they would not leave their brothers alone there unless Afghanistan wanted Turkey to.

Afghanistan was expected to take steps for its own needs with 2 billion USD of assistance by the United States to Afghanistan after they withdrew from there, he said.

Turkey had some commitments for Afghanistan, he said and added that Turkey has been contributing to infrastructure and superstructure in Wardak region.

Erdogan said that he hoped that Afghan people would overcome their problems and prosperity and peace would be secured there.

Replying to a question on his meeting with Pakistani main opposition leader Nawaz Sharif, Erdogan said that he wanted to understand Sharif's perspective. Erdogan said he wished to see cooperation between Sharif and Gilani for Pakistan's interest.

"We should put the people first. The state is secondary. The purpose of the state is only to serve the people, and not anything else," he said.

[07] Turkey and Pakistan sign nine agreements

Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim, Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz and Environment and Urbanization Minister Erdogan Bayraktar signed the agreements.

The two countries put signatures on joint economic committee protocol, agreement on cooperation on renewable energy, framework agreement on cooperation on highway transportation, agreement on incentives of mutual investments, protocol on cooperation on archives, memorandum of understanding on establishment of techno park between ODTU and Quaid-i Azam University, memorandum of understanding on urbanization, and an agreement between Karachi Municipality and Albayrak Holding.

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is currently in Pakistan, was formally welcomed by his Pakistani counterpart earlier in the day.

Erdogan and Pakistani Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani held a joint press conference. Acting President and Chairman of the Pakistani Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari will decorate Erdogan with an honorary doctorate degree at the Quaid-i Azam University in Islamabad.

Erdogan will separately receive the leader of the main opposition Nawaz Sharif and Chairperson of Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan.

[08] Eroglu to visit Trabzon upon an invitation of the local Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Eroglu will be accompanied by his "undersecretary" Hasan Gungor and "executive assistant" Gokturk Otuken during his contacts in the Turkish city.

[09] Wages were paid but the problem did not end in occupied Lefkosia "municipality"

Self-styled prime minister Irsen Kucuk said yesterday that they do not have the luxury to help again the "municipality" and added that this duty falls onto the shoulders of the employees and the members of the "municipal council". According to the paper, he implied that the "government" will not carry out "rescue operations" anymore by saying that the "municipality" has the power to pay its debts and keep its promises, if it takes the necessary measures.

Meanwhile, Savas Bozat, chairman of BES, the trade union of the "municipal" employees, called on the workers to return to their jobs and said that things would become normal again. Bozat noted also that they will go on strike again if their salaries are not paid on the same day with the other "civil servants".

(I/Ts.)

[10] TRT to prepare a film in eight languages in order to promote the occupation regime abroad

Turkey, which has prepared this program (film) with the aim to establish a bridge of friendship between the "TRNC" and the Turkic Republics in Central Asia, will promote also the occupation regime's historical places, the Turkish and Ottoman monuments, etc.

The paper writes that with this important project, the year 2012, will be for the TRT, the year for the promotion of the "TRNC".

The paper writes that the group which undertook the responsibility to prepare the film, met with the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk and the so-called minister of tourism, environment and culture Unal Ustel and explained to them the TRT promotion project.

AK

[11] Durust reiterates that they attach great importance to Morfou

According to a statement issued by the "municipality", they established the priorities of occupied Morfou and discussed the contribution to the area by the campus of Middle East Technical University.

Durust said that as "ministry" they continue their investments in Morfou in the field of sports and education and argued that the area comes to a better point every day. He reminded of the statement made on 20 July 2011 by the Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, who during a visit to the area stressed its importance. Durust added that they have never discarded Morfou.

(I/Ts.)

[12] Legalization of casinos in Bursa and Adana causes concerns in the occupied area of Cyprus; "Sex tourism boomed"

Meanwhile, under the title "Sex tourism boomed", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (23.05.12) reports that according to results of a research conducted by the "Centre of Migration, Identity and Rights Studies" regarding the trade of women, the main clients of the nights clubs in the occupied area of Cyprus are married male "citizens" of the regime, as well as people from Turkey and rich men from the free area of the Republic of Cyprus. The paper writes that the clients of the night clubs, the number of which is rapidly increasing, are males between 35 and 40 years old. According to the report, the majority of the marriages in the occupied area of Cyprus collapse because of this habit of the married men.

[13] The "13th International Econometry Conference" starts tomorrow at illegal DAU

According to the paper, 506 scientists from countries such as Germany, Australia, Canada, Belgium, France, India, Indonesia, Iran, Nigeria, Turkey, Libya, Norway, Britain and the USA have been registered to participate in the conference.

(I/Ts.)

[14] "Kosovo moves a step closer to FIFA membership"

"Kosovo took a huge step towards FIFA membership on Tuesday when world soccer's governing body said its 208 member countries could start playing friendly internationals against teams from Kosovo.

FIFA and UEFA, European soccer's governing body, had previously blocked Kosovo's attempts to play internationals because it was not recognized by the United Nations.

However, FIFA President Sepp Blatter urged his executive committee to approve the change at its meeting on Monday and told Reuters when the announcement was made on Tuesday, that he hoped this accelerated Kosovo's drive to full membership of the organization.

Other sporting federations could follow suit, giving Kosovo another step towards wider international recognition.

"All the other countries that were in the Balkan organization, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, Montenegro and Macedonia, all became independent and play within FIFA and UEFA, and the last one left is Kosovo," Blatter said.

"Kosovo has organized football, so I think it is a logical gesture and solidarity and this decision by the FIFA executive committee will accelerate the movement towards membership."

Fadil Vokri, the head of the Kosovo Football Federation, told Reuters: "We have been waiting for this day for many years and the right to organize friendly games will give a new push for our federation and our football.

"This is the last step before we will be a full member."

Not everyone was happy with the decision and the Serbian Football Association (FSS) lodged a sharp protest with FIFA.

"We strongly protest the decision by FIFA's executive committee to allow the world soccer governing body's members to play friendly matches with the so-called national team of the so-called Republic of Kosovo," the FSS said on its website (www.fss.rs).

The ruling means that the 90 members of the UN who recognize Kosovo as an independent state can now play them and told Beta news agency by phone: "That means we are still ineligible to play in competitive qualifiers for major events but at least we can play friendly matches with countries which have recognized Kosovo." [?]".

In addition, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.05.12) after this decision taken by FIFA, the so-called Turkish Cypriot football federation, is expected to undertake an initiative.

The paper reminds of statements made yesterday by Hasan Serdoglu, chairman of the so-called federation, who had said that they have long discussions for playing matches with Kosovo's champion and cup holders. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

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