Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-12-03

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Tatar: more than 20 thousand settlers from the Black Sea area live in the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] Thirty thousand settlers from Alexandretta live in the occupied area of Cyprus

[03] CHP's Vice President Tekin carried out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus; he met with Eroglu and Bozer

[04] Turkish main opposition party CTP is getting organized in the breakaway regime

[05] Angel Investors' Network is established in the occupied area of Cyprus

[06] The Cyprus problem in the 5th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum in Istanbul

[07] Putin to visit Turkey today; Turkey and Russia will reportedly set aside Syria and focus on boosting business; statements by Davutoglu

[08] Bagis appears optimistic that 2013 will revive Turkey's hopes for the EU, despites problems exist; others share the same view

[09] The occupation regime to have a new F-type prison

[10] After 38 years, they are reportedly still plundering the fenced city of Varosha

[11] Ayios Nicolaos Church in occupied Famagusta is falling into ruins

[12] Ozersay is introducing his political movement to occupied Cyprus

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Tatar: more than 20 thousand settlers from the Black Sea area live in the occupied area of Cyprus

Tatar referred also to the sector of education in the occupied area of Cyprus and alleged: "The TRNC is a very important state in Eastern Mediterranean. Important developments happened during the past few years in the education sector. That place is both our country and yours. I believe that many of your students will come to the TRNC for education".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Thirty thousand settlers from Alexandretta live in the occupied area of Cyprus

In statements during the meeting, the chairman of the association, Bertan Zaroglu said that thirty thousand persons from Alexandretta live in the occupied area of Cyprus and added that they were organized in 2002. He noted that as people from Alexandretta they act together, but they started seeing themselves as Turkish Cypriots.

In his statements, Tekin said that the number of people from Alexandretta who live on the occupied area of Cyprus is rather high. He added that he saw luxury in the occupied area of Cyprus, but on the other hand he saw poverty as well. "We see that poverty, destitution and injustice are on the rise in Cyprus", he noted.

(I/Ts.)

[03] CHP's Vice President Tekin carried out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus; he met with Eroglu and Bozer

Speaking during the meeting, Gursel Tekin said that Cyprus was extremely important for the CHP and that they were acting with the same sensitivity as the Turkish Cypriots, on the issue.

Tekin also underlined how unhappy they were with the "unjust" international embargoes imposed on the "TRNC".

For his part, Eroglu said that he was pleased to hear that one of Turkey's most rooted parties attached so much importance to Cyprus and the Turkish Cypriot "people". "The Cyprus Turkish people always look towards the support of Ankara in order to have a stronger hand at the negotiations table as well as a prosperous future for the TRNC" he added.

Meanwhile, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (03.12.12), the Vice President of CHP has also met with the "speaker" of the so-called assembly, Hasan Bozer.

In statements during the meeting, Bozer stressed the need for the Turkish Cypriot side to determine new strategies and directions toward its policy on the Cyprus problem.

Referring to the issue of Palestine which was given the "observer status" at the UN General-Assembly, Bozer expressed their pleasure over this.

Supporting that it is "south Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, the side which always rejects the solution plans prepared by the UN, Bozer said that the continuation of the "embargoes" imposed to the "TRNC" constitutes an "injustice" towards the Turkish Cypriots.

In his turn, Gursel Tekin referring to the Cyprus problem said that this is of a crucial importance for CHP. He further said that if the Cyprus problem's initiatives are left only to the UN, unfortunately there would not be any progress.

Finally Tekin accused the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) towards its policy on the Cyprus problem, supporting that Turkey, which is a strong power country, should undertake a a more active role towards the solution of its problems.

(?)

(AK)

[04] Turkish main opposition party CTP is getting organized in the breakaway regime

According to the paper, this is one of the reasons of CHP Vice president Gursel Tekin's visit to the breakaway regime. Tekin, who paid an illegal visit during the weekend mainly for attending a conference at the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University (DAU) is carrying out the project which will start with the establishment of a youth branch of CHP supporters in the breakaway regime. After this, CHP sympathizers will gather under a common political roof.

Speaking to the paper, Tekin said that CHP is organized in various countries and added that the party wants to become more active in (occupied) Cyprus. In addition he strongly criticized the policy of the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP) on Cyprus.

[05] Angel Investors' Network is established in the occupied area of Cyprus

In statements during the organization's founding meeting at Merit Hotel in the occupied part of Lefkosia, Ali Ozmen Safa stressed the importance of the investors for the occupied area of Cyprus and said that with the right initiatives the economy of the "country" and especially the constructions' sector will be revived.

Businessmen such as Ata Atun, Bulut Akacan, Murat Ortac, Okan Haciali, Mine Gurses, Serhat Akpinar, Yahya Kurt, Hasan Ince, Sukru Karakaya and Victor Imanov as well as self-styled minister of economy and energy, Sunat Atun attended the meeting. The president of Turkey's Investment Angel Network and member of the administrative council of European Business Angel Network (EBAN), Baybars Altutas, who also represented the World Business Angels Association (WBAA).

(I/Ts.)

[06] The Cyprus problem in the 5th Meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum in Istanbul

The announcement said the following: "The Ministers, believe to the necessity of a fair and a viable solution of the Cyprus and they share the view that the solution to be found should be a result of negotiations, based on the UN parameters and should be a solution on the basis of political equality of the two founding states".

(AK)

[07] Putin to visit Turkey today; Turkey and Russia will reportedly set aside Syria and focus on boosting business; statements by Davutoglu

Following Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's visit to Moscow in July, Putin's visit in December is expected to raise bilateral relations to a strategic level as this is the Russian President's first visit abroad after two months of postponing visits to other countries.

The main item on the agenda of the visit was expected to be the Syrian crisis, on which the two countries have different points of view, but experts as well as diplomats agree that the visit will focus on steps to be taken in concrete areas such as trade, economy, finance and energy, setting aside the topics that further strain relations.

"Great powers like Russia will always act according to their own interests. It has important expectations from Turkey in terms of economic and energy projects. Russia places great importance on Turkey as the visit will be paid on a presidential level," Nuzhet Kandemir, Turkey's former Ambassador to Washington and a prominent foreign policy commentator, told Today's Zaman.

Kandemir maintained that Putin's visit itself is an important indication of the willingness on the part of both countries to maintain their bilateral cooperation.

Experts also added that the two countries will not be able to find a common ground on the question of how to resolve the Syrian crisis; in other words, the two sides will agree to disagree on Syrian issue.

"Beside business issues, the Syrian crisis will also be discussed, but the sides will fail to reach a mutual understanding on the issue. I don't expect them to reach a conclusion on Syria as the main purpose of Putin's visit is to develop economic and energy projects with Turkey," said Kandemir.

"It is expected that emphasis will be placed on projects aimed at increasing the trade volume between Turkey and Russia from the current $30 billion expected by the end of this year to $100 billion.

Putin will visit Turkey for the third meeting of the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council established between Turkey and Russia. The Russian leader will be hosted in Istanbul, per Erdogan's request that the meeting take place there. As part of his one-day visit to Turkey, Putin will also be meeting with President Abdullah Gul.

According to Russian Ambassador to Turkey Vladimir Ivanovskiy, several agreements in areas including the economy, culture and trade are to be concluded between the two countries during the visit. "According to my accounts, six agreements are expected to be concluded, but this is not a definite number. Preparations are ongoing, and we hope that these agreements will be signed successfully," said Ivanovskiy on Friday.

According to Ivanovskiy, bilateral, economic and cultural relations between Turkey and Russia will be discussed, adding that regional and international issues will also be on the agenda.

In addition, he added that the Russian ministers of energy, finance, transportation, culture and agriculture are expected to accompany Putin.

Both Erdogan and Putin, will also give a joint press conference and meet with more than 70 businessmen and CEOs on Monday evening at a dinner given in honor of the purchase of Denizbank by the Russian Sberbank.

A senior Turkish diplomatic official, who spoke to Today's Zaman on condition of anonymity, stated that economic and energy issues would dominate Putin's meeting with Turkish officials. "This will be a one-day visit, and several agreements will be concluded. An agreement between the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEIK) and Denizbank is expected to be finalized. In addition, an agreement regarding the cooperation of the diplomacy academies of both foreign ministries will be signed," said the official, adding that prior to Putin's visit to Turkey, the foreign ministers of both countries will meet in Istanbul to discuss the Syrian crisis.

The same official also underlined that Turkey would reiterate its expectations from Russia regarding the Syrian crisis. "Our expectation is that Russia should use its weight in the UN to stop the bloodshed in Syria. Russia is also aware that some steps should be taken in the crisis and does not insist on President Bashar al-Assad staying in power," said the official.

(?)Ivanovskiy stated that the opposing stances of the two countries regarding the Syrian crisis are not an issue that would affect bilateral relations, adding that Putin as well as Erdogan have previously made statements to this effect. "In principle, Turkey and Russia do not have different standpoints in the Syrian crisis but they have different methods of approach regarding a solution to the issue. Syrians should find a solution by reaching an agreement amongst themselves," said Ivanovskiy, underlining that there should not be any foreign intervention.

(?)Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (03.12.12) reports on Putin's visit to Turkey under the title: "Turkey eyes Russia fuel to make up for Iran loss".

The paper adds the following: "Energy ties will be dominating Russian President Vladimir Putin's landmark visit to Turkey today, as the two countries bid to increase the $32 billion annual bilateral trade to an ambitious $100 billion.

Russian Energy Minister Alexander Novak's remarks on the eve of Putin's arrival today, indicated that Russia remains the largest alternative for energy-hungry Turkey as it seeks to replace the declining oil exports from Iran.

Russia would be willing to increase its gas supplies to Turkey this winter if Ankara requests it and an agreement is reached, Novak said before a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Taner Y?ld?z.

Speaking to reporters during a visit to the Turkish Black Sea town of Karasu near Istanbul, Novak said Russia had upped the winter gas flow to Turkey in the past and that 'if needed and a joint agreement was reached, it is possible to do this again.'

A total of nine deals are expected to be signed during the Russian mission's visit to Turkey.

Russia is Turkey's largest gas provider with two main pipelines: the Blue Stream that carries 16 billion cubic meters (bcm) of fuel from underneath the Black Sea and the 6 billion bcm capacity West Line that will be soon used by four private firms rather than by the Turkish state.

Russia is also building Turkey's very first nuclear plant in the southern province of Mersin. Novak said in a press meeting with Y?ld?z that 'Russia would like to be involved in the construction of other nuclear plants in Turkey.' Y?ld?z said Turkey's priority was the second plant, for which Canada, China, Japan and South Korea are racing.

(?)Russian exports to Turkey reached $21.8 billion in the first 10 months of this year, while Turkey sold a little more than $5.5 billion worth of goods to its neighbor. As energy items stand for more than 70 percent of Russian exports, Turkey mainly sells machinery, equipment and food products to Moscow. There are around 3,000 Turkish companies active in Russia, according to Moscow sources. Turkish companies have built more than 800 buildings in Russia, employing around 100,000 locals. Some 3.5 million Russian tourists have visited Turkey this year.

Commenting on Putin's visit, on a televised interview on December 1, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the two countries sometimes experienced splits in opinion, but that this should not define their relationship. 'Neither Russia nor Turkey has ever developed a Cold War strategy over these splits,' he said. 'No one should take serious a scenario that Turkey and Russia will experience tension over Syria.'

The two countries are working to overcome these differences, Davutoglu said. 'At the point where we cannot overcome [these splits], we shall come to a point where Turkish-Russian relations are more important than all these fluctuations'".

[08] Bagis appears optimistic that 2013 will revive Turkey's hopes for the EU, despites problems exist; others share the same view

(?)Speaking to Sunday's Zaman, Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis said he is hopeful for 2013 while putting the blame on the EU for "the unjust blockage of the negotiations process." According to Bagis: "the reason why we have been experiencing problems with the EU, is the populist policies of some European politicians who lack vision and are only concerned with today." In an effort to emphasize the significance of what the EU represents for Turkey, however, Bagis added: "What is more important for us is the process rather than the result, and Turkey's socio-economic transformation and democratization."

Defining the EU-Turkey negotiation process as a win-win relationship, Bagis said: "The opening of chapters such as energy and economic and monetary policy as well as any positive step are in the interest of both sides."

Commenting to Sunday's Zaman, Deputy Foreign Minister Naci Koru reiterated Turkey's commitment to EU membership and said: ''Turkey's expectation from the new French President, Francois Hollande, is to compensate for the harm France has done to our membership process under previous administrations." In line with the optimism of the Prime Minister, Koru also stated, "There might be progress during Ireland's EU presidency, regarding especially the chapters that France has blocked."

As Koru pointed out, EU countries are currently blocking 18 chapters, and five of those have been blocked only by the Greek Cypriots since 2009. According to him: "The chapters blocked by the Greek Cypriot administration, such as energy and foreign, security and defense policy, are not in the interest of anyone including the Greek Cypriots."

Despite hopes, Koru admitted there are challenges to reviving the process when half of the chapters are blocked by EU countries, and he pointed out the failure of the EU to respond positively to Turkey's efforts.

Bahad?r Kaleagas?, the International Coordinator of the Turkish Industrialists and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD), also cited the Cyprus issue as the biggest obstacle to further improvement in Turkey-EU relations. He said: "It is tragic that an issue like Cyprus causes a deadlock in relations with Europe, which is consumed with other challenges." His short-term remedy for the elephant in the room though is to ignore, it for the time being. Kaleagas? believes that the best tactic for Turkey is to "set the Cyprus question aside for a while and focus on achieving further democratization," referring to steps to be taken to institute the rule of law and the problems stated in the EU progress report such as the length of pre-trial detention, the independence of the judiciary and minority rights.

While criticizing the EU for "reading Turkey through the Cyprus or Kurdish question only," Dr. Mehmet Hasguler from the Center for Strategic Communication (STRATIM) argued that the Greek Cypriots were not able to use their term at the helm of the EU as leverage in order to force concessions from Turkey on the Cyprus issue, due to the grave financial crisis in Greece. Referring to the problem of "Eurocracy," Hasguler said, "This makes the EU myopic [towards Turkey]."

Stating that evaluating Turkey based on the Cyprus issue causes the negotiations to lose momentum, Hasguler hopes that the process can be accelerated in practice during the rotating term presidency of Ireland, which has a "more neutral view of Turkey." As supporting evidence of the positive atmosphere with the Irish, Bagis mentioned that he met with the Ambassadors of the EU members at a meeting hosted by the Irish ambassador to Turkey on November 29, and they had already started a dialogue with the Irish, in the summer of 2012.

There now seems to be "cautious optimism" given the past mixed track record of relations with the EU. The secretary-general of the Economic Development Foundation (IKV), a civil society organization which has an office in Brussels that contributes to Turkey's EU process, Cigdem Nas, does not see "the short-term prospects for EU-Turkey relations as very promising." Nas added: "The last chapter to be opened to negotiations has been that of food safety, veterinary and phytosanitary policy in June 2010. Since then, we have not seen any new chapters opened to negotiations. There are only three chapters that can possibly be opened to negotiations at the moment."

However, like the others, she added, "It may be expected that France will lift its veto over some of the chapters that it had blocked under the Sarkozy Presidency." According to her, "EU leaders may realize that Turkey is the country that will invigorate the integration process and provide dynamism to Europe not only as a partner but as a full member. " Similarly, Kaleagas? believes: "Europe also needs Turkey because it needs Turkey's sphere of influence for enlargement."

Kaleagas?, who resents the time lost for both sides in 2012, said: "Neither party benefitted from the loss of time." Stating that the EU is a very important driving force for Turkey," Kaleagas? argued that the standstill in the process had a negative impact on reforms in Turkey. In a more confident remark in Turkey, however, Nas said: "Turkish leaders and public opinion realize that Turkey cannot do away with the EU and still needs the EU anchor for its democratization and modernization."

Despite reviving optimism, a realistic awareness of the lingering problems, remains. As Nas said: "This new phase could provide a new optimism in the relations," while adding, "The basic problems still persist, such as the Cyprus issue, the reluctance of Germany for Turkey's EU membership and the growing rift between the current Turkish government and the European ideals."

(?)One point that is also worth attention seems to be the active back channels in Turkish-EU relations. Bagis, Deputy Foreign Minister Koru and Kaleagas? commonly refer to the multidimensional nature of relations with the EU and the ongoing activities among bureaucrats, diplomats, business communities and civil society. However, the EU's financial crisis should also be taken into consideration while projecting the foreseeable future of relations. As Nas reminds us: "The EU multiannual budgetary framework for 2012-20 will be settled in 2013. The very difficult negotiations over the budget so far have also shown us that the economic problems faced by the EU narrow their perspectives with regard to future enlargement."

Despite persistent problems such as the Cyprus issue, the domestic problems of both Turkey and the EU and the relative decline in the desire for EU membership in Turkey, mainly triggered by the reluctance of some European countries to welcome Turkey to the union, 2013 offers fertile ground for moving forward in the EU process. After all, the EU goal continues to be a matter of enlightened self-interest for Turkey, and the EU needs a long-lost dynamism and outreach to the world through an addition like Turkey.

[09] The occupation regime to have a new F-type prison

According to the paper, the main issue on the agenda of the meeting was the establishment of a new central prison campus in the breakaway regime, an issue which was discussed and planned for some time now in occupied Cyprus without result, despite the fact that money for the project have already been granted by Turkey.

Commenting on the issue, Cavusoglu said that the current "central prisons" no longer meet the needs of the breakaway regime and added that they are planning to establish F-type prisons in occupied Cyprus.

(Tr. Note: F-Type-Prisons, officially called F-type High Security Closed Institutions for the Execution of Sentences (F tipi cezaevi / F Tipi Yuksek Guvenlikli Kapal? Ceza Infaz Kurumu) are high-security prisons designated by Turkish Law 5275 on the Execution of Sentences.)

[10] After 38 years, they are reportedly still plundering the fenced city of Varosha

Many persons, who work as night guards in the occupied fenced city of Varosha, have been called to the "police" station of occupied Famagusta to be interrogated, but no one was arrested. According to the paper, no information has been acquired as to whether money exists in the above-mentioned bank.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (03.12.12) reports that according to some allegations, not only money but gold as well exist in the basements of the banks in the fenced city of Varosha. The paper writes that totally 17 banks, including three branches of Barclays' Bank are located there. Writing in his daily column, Afrika's editor-in-chief, Sener Levent reports that every Friday a delegation of three persons is checking the seals of the doors of the banks.

Levent writes, inter alia, the following: "Is it possible for the plunderers and the looters, who robbed Varosha from soup to nuts, not to have laid their hands on the gold and the money of the banks? If it is really so, it is wondered why no one has laid hand on them and they are there until today. Why the military command does not make a statement regarding the attempt of robbery in Varosha, where no civilians, including the president of the republic and the prime minister, are allowed to enter and not a single journalist is allowed to take a picture?"

(I/Ts.)

[11] Ayios Nicolaos Church in occupied Famagusta is falling into ruins

The paper publishes photos of the church which was built on the 14th century and writes that it is surrounded by crabgrass which makes it impossible for tourists to visit the church anymore. In addition some sections of the church have started to fall down.

[12] Ozersay is introducing his political movement to occupied Cyprus

The paper writes that in this framework, Ozersay visited during the weekend occupied Myrtou and Kormakitis village. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

/EI

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article