Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-10-11

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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] Turkey forced a Syrian passenger plane to land; suspicious of carrying military equipment; the plane took off yesterday after being investigated

[02] Turkey's government put the army into the 'high state of readiness'

[03] Turkey's FM stated that EU Progress Report on Turkey is unbalanced, discriminatory and biased

[04] Bagis expressed disappointment over the EU report; he called the Republic of Cyprus a "so-called peninsula stated that Turkey does not recognize"

[05] Bureaucracy and not the Syria crisis delays Putin's visit to Turkey

[06] Eroglu wants agreement on extradition of criminals as two "neighboring states" in Cyprus; He continues to criticize Kucuk

[07] The "No to the Petrol Storage Facility Initiative" asked Eroglu's support

[08] Foundation ceremony for new roads in occupied Cyprus

[09] The breakaway regime is participating in the 64th Frankfurt Book Fair

[10] Nine thousand six hundred packets of cigarettes were seized by the self-styled police

[11] AKP will open an office in Brussels

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Turkey forced a Syrian passenger plane to land; suspicious of carrying military equipment; the plane took off yesterday after being investigated

The search on the plane's cargo revealed no arms or munitions, but some parcels carried by the plane held communications devices used for military purposes, said the report, without giving any further detail.

The plane was escorted by two Turkish F-16 jets to Ankara's Esenboga Airport for security checks on its cargo by Turkish officials.

Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said there was solid intelligence suggesting that the plane carried illegal cargo in violation of the international civilian aviation rules.

Turkey had already declared that it will not allow any military plane or cargo plane carrying arms to Syria to use the Turkish airspace, Davutoglu said.

Daily Hurriyet reported on its website that the A-320 plane, traveling from Moscow to Damascus when it was intercepted by Turkish authorities at around 6:30 p.m., was carrying 37 people including the staff.

There were 12 big parcels on the plane that held military communication devices, the report also said.

Meanwhile, under the title: "First statement from Russia regarding the Syrian plane", Turkish daily Milliyet (11.10.12-online version) reports in its website page that the chairwoman of the Department of Information of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakhavorva stated that the Syrian passenger plane which was forced to land by the Turkey, was conducting the flight Moscow-Damascus and added that 17 out of the 35 passengers of the plane were Russians and some of them children.

According to the paper, the Russian diplomat has demanded to be informed by the Turkish Foreign Ministry.

(AK)

[02] Turkey's government put the army into the 'high state of readiness'

"We want to give a strong message to the Syrian regime that Turkey is determined to protect its borders and people and is ready to do whatever necessary ? that is the meaning of high-level readiness," a high-ranking official said.

The new level, which was ordered by the government after a Syrian shell killed five Turks in Akcakale last week, is one degree higher than when Ankara changed its rules of engagement after Damascus shot down a Turkish jet in June. (Turkish government upgrades military readiness)

Meanwhile, the Chief of General Staff General Necdet Ozel, targeted Syria as he continued his inspection of troops on the border. "We are here, and we are standing tall," he said in Akcakale yesterday. "We have retaliated [for Akcakale], and if it continues, we'll respond more strongly."

Also, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said yesterday that Turkey had no intention of intervening in Syria's domestic politics while blaming President Bashar al-Assad for leading his nation into civil war.

In Homs, the government launched a new operation to dislodge militants ahead of a plan to send government troops to fight in Aleppo.

[03] Turkey's FM stated that EU Progress Report on Turkey is unbalanced, discriminatory and biased

The statement said also the following: "the Progress Reports, prepared by the EU Commission, are one of the important instruments in the follow up of our accession process to the EU. Therefore, as in previous years, we carefully examine the conclusions in the Report and share our views with the Commission in detail. Undoubtedly, the Progress Report will contribute to Turkey-EU relations; including our accession process to the extent it is fair and balanced."

"The on-going political reforms including steps such as the work on a new constitution, the 3rd Judicial Reform Package, establishment of the Ombudsman-s office, the reference to Turkey as a key country for the EU with its dynamic economy, strategic location and important regional role, the significant intensification in political dialogue with the EU on foreign and security policy, continued strong economic growth, Turkey-s functioning market economy, the progress in its ability to take on the obligations of membership in terms of harmonization with the EU acquis, are the main positive aspects expressed by the Commission in the said documents. Furthermore, reminding that PKK is in the EU-s list of terrorist organizations, it is also underlined that all terrorist attacks are condemned by the EU," the MFA said.

"However, we note that, as in previous years, in both documents, focus and stress are on negative elements rather than the positive ones. As it stands, the Report is unbalanced," the MFA underlined.

"The Commission also draws attention to improving dialogue and cooperation in the fields of justice and home affairs, and emphasizes the importance of the signature of the Readmission Agreement that was initialled by Turkey and the EU in the context of combating illegal immigration. Our understanding is that this issue should be carried forward simultaneous to steps to be taken by the EU on providing visa liberalization for our citizens. Indeed, our position has been communicated to the EU side at all levels," the MFA stated.

"On the other hand, Turkey-s constructive approach to the Cyprus issue is well-known. Turkey exerted every effort for a comprehensive settlement in the Island. We are pleased that Turkey-s continuous and clear support to the negotiation process is highlighted in the Report. However, while stating that the negotiations reached a deadlock, it is a serious deficiency that the EU Commission does not mention the responsibility of the Greek Cypriot side on this negative outcome. We expect the EU to contribute to a solution rather than being a party to the Cyprus problem imported into its midst as a result of its own mistake. This can only be possible if it revises its discriminatory and biased attitude," the MFA stressed.

"The reiteration of the expectation for -the normalization of our bilateral relations- with the Greek Cypriot Administration reflects nothing but disregard of our position and of the political realities. In this vein, the repetition of the approach of presenting some of our statements as -threat- is unacceptable," the MFA said.

"Turkey continues its efforts aimed at EU membership with determination. Our reforms will continue on the basis of the needs and expectations of the Turkish people. The Turkish Grand National Assembly started its new legislative year on 1 October 2012," the MFA noted.

"Our relations with the EU, that have a history of almost 50 years, are multi-faceted and deep-rooted. Maintaining and further developing these relations is our main goal. It is also important that the EU, based on its commitments, and with common sense and far-sightedness, take the necessary steps to successfully finalize our accession process in line with our common interests," the MFA also said.

[04] Bagis expressed disappointment over the EU report; he called the Republic of Cyprus a "so-called peninsula stated that Turkey does not recognize"

Bagis could not hide his disappointment and said: "I have to admit that despite all our efforts, the section of political criteria in this year's report is an especially huge disappointment for us. The EU's broken mirror is far away from reflecting the truth. The EU's report is only a reflection of efforts to delay Turkey's EU membership since the EU is in an economical and political crisis"

Bagis placed blame on "Greek Cyprus' EU presidency", as he called the Republic of Cyprus' EU presidency, calling the country "a so-called peninsula state that Turkey does not recognize."

Bagis also said he had once likened the EU to a dietician whose health was getting worse day by day, but said he now saw that EU also was experiencing "mental problems" as well.

(?)

[05] Bureaucracy and not the Syria crisis delays Putin's visit to Turkey

"The reason for postponing the visit is a delay in the finalization of some preparations for the High Level Cooperation Council due to bureaucracy," a senior Turkish diplomat told the Hurriyet Daily News yesterday.

The diplomat rejected claims in the Turkish media, that the Syrian crisis had played a role in the delay of the trip, saying it was merely due to preparations for the council meeting.

Turkey and Russia "mutually agreed to push back Putin's visit" in a phone conversation between Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and the Russian President on October 9, according to the diplomat. Putin now expects to make the visit in mid-November or the third week of November, the official said.

Russia Today reported yesterday, citing Kremlin press office officials, that Putin postponed his visit because of his busy schedule.

The High Level Cooperation Council must hold a meeting once a year, and the third meeting was slated to convene in Turkey in March, the diplomat said, adding that the meeting had been postponed due to elections in Russia.

"In principle, we agreed to hold it after September, and particularly in mid-October," the diplomat said, adding that no official announcement had been made on the exact schedule for Putin's visit, implying that October 14-15 was a rough date for the visit. "What is important for us is to hold the High Level Cooperation Council in 2012," he said. The diplomat said media reports that Putin was planning to propose that Turkey become a member in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization were mere speculation. Energy issues including South Stream, Russia's planned pipeline to feed Europe, will especially be discussed during Putin's visit. Russia's Rosatom is also developing Turkey's first nuclear plant in the southern province of Mersin. The Syrian crisis is also expected on the agenda.

[06] Eroglu wants agreement on extradition of criminals as two "neighboring states" in Cyprus; He continues to criticize Kucuk

Pointing out that "interferences are made from everywhere" before the UBP congress, Eroglu noted that for the first time "propaganda teams" have been established before a congress of the party and it is as if an "election campaign" is being held.

Referring to the technical committees established within the framework of the Cyprus talks, Eroglu said that one of them was established to have on its agenda issues such as the "extradition of criminals and cooperation in incidents that happen at the "borders", as he described the division line drawn after the 1974 Turkish occupation of Cyprus. Eroglu alleged that the Greek Cypriot side does not want to cooperate with the Turkish Cypriots and at the same time "it enters into the territory of a separate state".

He alleged: "After all, a sovereign state exists here and a sovereign people exist within the orders of this state. It is not possible for them to pass over our borders without us to know it. And secondly, they do not have the right to pass over; because the proposal to cooperate on this issue comes from our side and the side which rejects this is the Greek Cypriot side. Therefore, they must understand that they enter into the lands which belong to another state?"

Eroglu made a call on the Greek Cypriot side and alleged that an agreement on the extradition of criminals could be made "as two neighboring states".

(I/Ts.)

[07] The "No to the Petrol Storage Facility Initiative" asked Eroglu's support

During the meeting, the delegation also invited Eroglu to the protest action they have organized for this Sunday in Iskele [occupied Trikomo area].

Commenting on the issue, Eroglu called on the "government" to reconsider its decision about the petrol storage facility.

Stating that the facility would not contribute to the "country's economy", Eroglu said economic development cannot be achieved with 20-30 more employment.

Noting that the "TRNC" is a tourism "country", he warned that such an investment could harm the environment.

[08] Foundation ceremony for new roads in occupied Cyprus

The foundation laying ceremony for the 4 and a half kilometer Metehan Sehit Cocuklar?-Guzelyurt road [Agios Dometios-occupied Morfou road], was held at the Metehan roundabout which is partially closed.

So-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk and the "minister of public works and communications" Ersan Saner attended the ceremony.

Making a statement during the ceremony, Saner said they aim to complete the road by 2013 and the road will be modernized in accordance with today's standards.

Kucuk for his part said that the "government" gave great importance to infrastructure work and thanked "motherland" Turkey, as he called Turkey and the so-called Turkish embassy for their unwavering support to the Turkish Cypriot "people".

[09] The breakaway regime is participating in the 64th Frankfurt Book Fair

According to a statement by the self-styled ministry of tourism and culture, the breakaway regime is participating in the Fair with its own stand in which books and researches of various Turkish Cypriot writers that are published by the "national library" of the breakaway regime are displayed.

The Frankfurt Book Fair which started yesterday and will continue until Sunday is the biggest and the most famous book fair in the world and has started in 1949.

[10] Nine thousand six hundred packets of cigarettes were seized by the self-styled police

The cigarettes were seized in operations held in occupied Famagusta.

[11] AKP will open an office in Brussels

According to the paper, the party will open an office "in the heart of Europe" aiming to continue and strengthen Turkey's relations with the EU. The issue was mentioned at the AKP congress held last week by Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan who stated that the works for the AKP Brussels office have already started. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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