Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-09-21

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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] Bagis tours to Europe for the acceleration of Turkey's EU negotiation process, ahead of the ending of the Republic of Cyprus' EU presidency; he stated that the EU is still a top priority for Turkey

[02] Today Zaman: 2012 progress report of the European Commission on Turkey, is to be the toughest report in recent years; reference to Cyprus

[03] Swoboda stated that Iran seeks to destabilize Turkey through Kurdish issue; he expressed hopes for Turkey's EU negotiation process to be accelerated after the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency

[04] Downer's contacts in occupied Cyprus; he met with Eroglu and Ertug

[05] Eroglu met with the new US ambassador to Lefkosia John Koenig

[06] Putin to visit Turley in the framework of the High Level Cooperation Council

[07] Bozer was granted the honorable award of the Association of European Journalists Media Association

[08] The content of the economic program prepared by Turkey for the occupation regime remains a secret for the Turkish Cypriots

[09] The occupation regime participated together with 20 other countries to the "Turkish Speaking Businessmen Project"

[10] Illegal YDU to conduct organ transplants

[11] Turkey's Yildiz stated that Turkey is to decide on second nuke tender in Sinop by the end of the year

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Bagis tours to Europe for the acceleration of Turkey's EU negotiation process, ahead of the ending of the Republic of Cyprus' EU presidency; he stated that the EU is still a top priority for Turkey

As the paper writes, Turkey has launched a new initiative, in order for its negotiation process to be revived after the forthcoming January, when the Republic of Cyprus will turn over the EU term Presidency. According to the paper, Bagis have launched a tour to Europe choosing to do the first stop to Portugal, which is the strongest supporter of Turkey's EU bid.

In statements en route to Lisbon, Bagis said that Turkey did not had any loss during the "Greek Cypriot's EU term Presidency", and pointed out that it is the first time in history that the EU Commission prepares a "positive agenda" with a candidate state and this, in order to keep its relations with Turkey alive, as he said.

Recalling that three months later, the Republic of Cyprus will turn over the EU term Presidency to Ireland, Bagis said: "We want our EU negotiation process to be revived as of January".

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (20.09.12) reported from Lisbon that Bagis, in statements to Ankara Anatolia in Lisbon has said that joining the European club was still a top priority for his country as a source of stability both regionally and globally. "Just because our EU process is less visible doesn't mean it is less important. No need to discover America all over again. EU is the address for advanced democratic standards in Turkey," Bagis said.

Bagis stated also that Turks were not opposed to "the idea of the European Union but to its double standards" adding that it was the credibility of the EU the Turkish people were sceptical of, "not the EU reform process itself."

(AK)

[02] Today Zaman: 2012 progress report of the European Commission on Turkey, is to be the toughest report in recent years; reference to Cyprus

Referring to Cyprus, Today's Zaman writes that the draft report will mention the following:

"On Cyprus, the draft will repeat the commission's conventional position, reiterating that Ankara has not fully implemented the Additional Protocol to the Association Agreement and has not removed all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including restrictions on direct transport links with Cyprus.

However, this year the draft also refers to Turkey's decision to freeze relations with the EU during the presidency of Greek Cyprus, and to boycott meetings chaired by the Greek Cypriot presidency. Nicosia's presidency will end on December 31, 2012."

[03] Swoboda stated that Iran seeks to destabilize Turkey through Kurdish issue; he expressed hopes for Turkey's EU negotiation process to be accelerated after the Republic of Cyprus' EU term Presidency

Delivering a speech in Vienna at the opening of the "Time in Turkey" photo exhibition, held as part of activities in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Zaman, Today's Zaman's Turkish-language sister newspaper, Swoboda said: "I condemn every act of terror and strongly believe that terror cannot be used as a means to attain your goals in today's world. There is now a Kurdish region in Northern Iraq and we could see similar developments in Syria. What we are also witnessing are attempts by the Iranian regime to destabilize Turkey through the Kurdish issue".

(?) Swoboda also called for continuation of reforms to address the Kurdish issue, although he emphasized that nothing justifies terrorism. "We should all act together to eradicate the environment that breeds terror, a process that Turkey has already started but which also needs to be continued," he said. "There are also steps that Turkey should take to further reinforce the rights of Kurds in a bid to end discrimination once and for all. Having said this, I want to strongly underline that nothing could justify terror. We, as the European Union, have a very clear position to contribute to peace. The Kurdish problem cannot be resolved by terror", he added.

Socialist leader lamented the stalemate in Turkey's bid to join the European Union but praised Turkey for the role it has played in the Arab Spring, saying Ankara could be a significant actor in its neighbourhood, which includes the Middle East and the Black Sea. "[Prime Minister Recep Tayyip] Erdogan's speech in Cairo last year was an important confirmation of the coexistence of democracy, respect and tolerance. We very much wish that we hear these sorts of words, not only from Turkey, but from other Islamic countries as well," said Swoboda.

The Austrian politician also said he hoped for normalization of relations between Turkey and Israel, in crisis since Israeli commandos killed eight Turks and one Turkish American during a raid on an aid ship trying to breach an Israeli blockade of Gaza on May 31, 2010. "This could bring about a new period in which Turkey could reassume the mediator role between Palestine and Israel, which I believe both the Austrians and all Europeans would welcome," he said.

(?)

Meanwhile, reporting to Swoboda' statements, Turkish daily Zaman (21.09.12) writes that Swoboda expressed also hopes that there will be a new beginning on Turkey's EU ties after the Republic of Cyprus will turn over the EU term Presidency to Ireland.

(AK)

[04] Downer's contacts in occupied Cyprus; he met with Eroglu and Ertug

Speaking to the BRT following his meeting with Downer, the "special representative", of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu, Osman Ertug said that they had discussed and evaluated confidence building measures as well as the work carried out by the technical committees.

Meanwhile, the UN Special Adviser met also with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu today. No statement was issued before or after the meeting also attended by Ertug.

The UN Special Envoy is expected to attend a meeting of the two representatives tomorrow in the UN Controlled Buffer zone.

[05] Eroglu met with the new US ambassador to Lefkosia John Koenig

No statements were made after the meeting.

[06] Putin to visit Turley in the framework of the High Level Cooperation Council

Issues like the Syria crisis, the solution of the Cyprus problem, the European Union and other current political developments will be undertaken during Putin's contacts in Turkey, according to the paper.

[07] Bozer was granted the honorable award of the Association of European Journalists Media Association

Bozer shared the award with Huseyin Tanriverdi, deputy chairman of the Justice and Development party (AKP).

Speaking during the ceremony, Bozer stated that they will do their best in order to maintain the "Turkish existence in Cyprus" as north Cyprus, as he called the breakaway regime, "was entrusted to the Cyprus Turks".

He went on and alleged that the "attacks" against the Turkish existence have been intensified in recent years and also claimed that it was their duty "to protect the flag and Turkish existence on the island".

[08] The content of the economic program prepared by Turkey for the occupation regime remains a secret for the Turkish Cypriots

The program, which was prepared for the period 2013-1015, and was described by Atun as "a project of the Turkish Cypriot people", is kept a secret from the public, writes the paper and notes than no one is informed about it.

Yeni Duzen publishes statements by various organizations and unions on the issue. The chairman of Chamber of craftsmen Hurrem Tulga stated that they have no idea what is on the table regarding the program while the director of the Hotel Owners Union, Ayse Donmez said that they ask in vain to see the latest version of the program. The chairman of the "Public Servants Union" (KAMU-SEN) Mehmet Ozkardas stated that they want to see the contest of the new program. "We have no idea want is inside this program", he stated.

[09] The occupation regime participated together with 20 other countries to the "Turkish Speaking Businessmen Project"

Hasan Huseyin Erkoc, chairman of Malatya Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TSO), greeted those 31 businessmen from 21 countries in his opening remarks and said that 500 Turkish speaking businessmen have come to Turkey under the project so far.

He said those meetings were offering opportunity for building of friendship among businessmen which would improve business relations. Erkoc said Turkish language was being learned and used more and more in the world and in the future it might be possible for Turkish to be the language of commerce. He said that the economic progress in Turkey should be reflected onto other countries for achievement of more success and they have been feeling the responsibility of establishing the "Turkish Businessmen Diaspora".

He said they aimed to increase the volume of Turkish exports from 140 billion to 500 billion USD by 2023. He also gave information about Malatya's development in recent years.

Businessmen from Afghanistan, Germany, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Iraq, Iran, Montenegro, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, the "TRNC" Moldova, Uzbekistan, Romania, Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Greece and Autonomous Republic of Crimea had the opportunity to make bilateral meetings with Turkish businessmen of Malatya.

[10] Illegal YDU to conduct organ transplants

Speaking to the paper, the founder chairman of the YDU organ transplants section, Nerin Bahceciler, stated that the new section aims to give answers to the medical problems faced by many persons in Cyprus, "motherland Turkey", UK and other places of the world and added that the section has all the medical structure, personnel and proficiency to fulfill its purposes.

[11] Turkey's Yildiz stated that Turkey is to decide on second nuke tender in Sinop by the end of the year

Speaking to reporters in the central city of Kayseri on Thursday, Yildiz said: "For the second nuclear plant, China, South Korea, Japan and Canada are preparing their bids. One of these four will be eliminated by the end of this month, and by the end of the year the tender will be decided upon".

Turkey had already sealed an agreement with Russia for the construction of the country's first nuke plant in the Akkuyu region of the Mediterranean port city of Mersin. The second plant is planned to be built in the Black Sea port city of Sinop.

For the Akkuyu plant, Russia's state nuclear company Atomstroiexport is expected to begin in 2013 the construction of four nuclear reactors with a total capacity of 4,800 megawatts. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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