Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-12-13

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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] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the Conclusions of the EU General Affairs Council

[02] Britain extends support to Ireland for Turkish-EU relations

[03] "French MPs call on Hollande to reopen chapters with Turkey"

[04] Talat: The Cyprus problem has been shelved

[05] Chamber of Industry: "The economic program does not meet the needs of the country"

[06] Kamu-Sen: We have never been in such a bad situation

[07] CTP youth organization's target is to become a member of IUSY

[08] Turkish Cypriot organization sends a letter to UNSG

[09] Journalist and teacher Arif Hasan Tahsin died

[10] Turkish sergeant of the Turkish occupation army attempted to rob a bank in Keryneia

[11] Electronic "passport" project for the breakaway regime

[12] Turkish PM launches 112 projects on 12.12.12

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] The Turkish Foreign Ministry on the Conclusions of the EU General Affairs Council

"The conclusions of the EU General Affairs Council on enlargement and in this regard on Turkey-EU relations including our accession process to the EU have been issued yesterday (11 December 2012).

The conclusions emphasize the importance attached to EU's relations with Turkey and state that Turkey is a candidate country and a key partner for the EU considering its dynamic economy and strategic location. It is also expressed that active and credible accession negotiations will enable the Turkey-EU relationship to achieve its full potential. In this respect, we share the view that it is in the interest of both parties that accession negotiations regain momentum. We also attach importance to intensified regular political dialogue between Turkey and the EU which is welcomed in the conclusions.

The acknowledgement of Turkey's commitment to the political reform agenda as well as the main steps taken in this context, including the work on a new constitution are also important. There should be no doubt that our reforms will continue in a determined manner to further improving the standards of living of our citizens.

Combating terrorism is another item on our agenda with the EU. As stated in the conclusions of the General Affairs Council, it is important that the EU and its member states act in full solidarity with Turkey. Furthering our cooperation in confronting this common threat is essential.

Visa exemption to our citizens entering the EU countries is a principal expectation. The only candidate country whose citizens do not enjoy visa free travel to the EU is Turkey. We hope that the EU takes the necessary steps to remedy this unfair situation without further delay. In this context, the "road map" which will be delivered to us by the EU will be studied. On the other hand, it is not understandable that the EU links this issue with the signing of the Readmission Agreement between Turkey and the EU in relation to illegal migrants and requires its implementation in advance. Presenting Turkey as a country of origin with regard to illegal migration is also in contradiction with reality. Turkey is a country situated on the route of illegal migration and one that fights against it. We will continue our dialogue with the EU in these areas.

The part of the conclusions concerning Cyprus is yet another demonstration that the EU has become a party in this issue. Our views on this matter were repeatedly shared with the EU on various occasions, including in our statement on the Commission's Turkey 2012 Progress Report. The Greek Cypriot illegitimate membership to the EU also constitutes a serious shortcoming for efforts towards a comprehensive settlement on the Island. We expect that, in the future, the EU acts with common sense and foresight on this problem. The current situation is not in the interest of anyone, the Greek Cypriot Administration included.

We aim at preserving and carrying forward our relations with the EU which are multidimensional and deep-rooted, and have approximately 50 years of history. With a view to achieving this fundamental strategic choice, we expect the EU, in line with its existing commitments, to take steps that would serve our common interests and create renewed momentum in our accession process."

[02] Britain extends support to Ireland for Turkish-EU relations

Speaking at a meeting at the British Foreign Office, Lidington stressed that Britain was a strong supporter of EU's expansion to cover Turkey, western Balkans and Iceland.

"We support Ireland's wish to open a new chapter in Turkey's EU talks during the upcoming Irish term presidency," Lidington also said.

Ireland will assume the EU term presidency on January 1, 2013.

[03] "French MPs call on Hollande to reopen chapters with Turkey"

A large number of members of the National Assembly gathered on Tuesday evening to join the French-Turkish Friendship dinner held in the French parliament, organized by the France Entrepreneurs and Managers Association (FEDIF) and the Parisian Intercultural Dialogue platform.

Thirty-seven members of parliament as well as many senators and local administrators were in attendance, with most of the guests saying the term of Sarkozy in power will remain as a "bad memory" in Turkish-French relations and emphasized the need for France to push for reopening the chapters it unilaterally vetoed.

Member of the National Assembly from the Socialist Party Christophe Bouillon, who was recently elected as the head of the French-Turkey Friendship Group in the French Parliament, said it was a positive development that the word "join" with reference to Turkey, which has been absent for five years, has reentered the EU's vocabulary. He noted that Turkey has high expectations from Hollande's presidency, adding: "Turkey is happy about the opening of a new page in bilateral relations. But everyone in Turkey wants to see solid evidence to prove the commitment of France. France should remove its objections to four chapters it had vetoed talks on."

French Parliament Deputy Speaker Laurence Dumont, also a member of the Socialist Party, echoed Bouillon, saying concrete steps were needed for the two countries to start working together one more time.

Senator Bariza Khiari said Turks residing in France and French politicians who are friends of Turkey are now working hand in hand. "I invite Turks to close the Sarkozy page. That era will remain as a bad memory in Turkey-France relations. Sarkozy had anti-Islam views. Not only Turkey, but we, the Muslims of France, also suffered during Sarkozy's term. We are opening a new page now, she said."

Influential socialist politician Catherine Lalumiere, who in the past served as the minister of consumption, also attended the friendship diner. She said: "It was a big mistake for France to turn its back on Turkey. It is impossible to imagine a Europe without Turkey."

Turkish Ambassador to Paris Tahsin Burcuoglu said that all EU countries were now looking to unblock the chapters suspended due to France's veto. "We are seeing that the number of politicians who are friends of Turkey, sincere and principled people is increasing," Burcuoglu said.

Representatives of French civil society organizations founded by individuals of Turkish origin also joined the event. Secretary-General of FEDIF Nevzat Ceylan said: "We love France. But to love doesn't mean looking at each other's face but facing the same direction together. Turkish civil society organizations in France are working for the future of this country.

French parliamentarians from all political parties attended the event. Nihat Sar1
er, speaking about the success of the dinner said, "When we organized this event for the first time in 2009 there were only six deputies. We are very happy to see the numbers of pro-Turkey politicians growing."

[04] Talat: The Cyprus problem has been shelved

Talat referred to the process regarding the Annan Plan and said that if the problem had been solved then, a boom would have been experienced in the economy and mainly in the constructions sector. He alleged that they could reach nowhere with late President Papadopoulos and added that they could achieve some progress with President Christofias, but no solution was found, because the will of the Greek Cypriots in this direction was allegedly less than the will of the Turkish Cypriots.

Asked on the future negotiating process, Talat said that negotiations will resume after the presidential elections in the Republic of Cyprus, but the Turkish side is the one which should lead the process. However, he added, this could not be done with Eroglu, because he does not accept such a mission.

Referring to a statement made recently by self-styled foreign minister Huseyin Ozgurgun, who had said that the Turkish Cypriots could help economically the Greek Cypriots if the latter recognized the breakaway regime, Talat argued that this could have been said as a joke, but a "foreign minister does not make jokes". Talat described as "childish" this kind of call on the Greek Cypriots.

Replying to a question on the internal politics in the occupied area of Cyprus and the National Unity Party's (UBP) congress, Talat said that the "court" procedure did not end yet and that holding an early "election" could come onto the agenda. Talat argued that the UBP could face the danger of being divided.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Chamber of Industry: "The economic program does not meet the needs of the country"

The chamber notes that the unemployment rate in 2011 was 9.7% and expresses disappointment because of the program's target as regards achieving 9.5% unemployment rate by the end of 2015. According to the statement, the fact that the target is for the unemployment rate to remain at the same levels for 4-5 years, shows that the program has been prepared only for the "public" sector and the "public" reform.

The statement notes that the exports were 120 million dollars in 2011 and the target of the program is achieving exports of 127 million dollars by the end of 2015. This shows that the target is not to increase the exports, the statement argues.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Kamu-Sen: We have never been in such a bad situation

In his statements, CTP's general secretary, Asim Akansoy said that the three-year economic cooperation "protocol" signed between Turkey and the breakaway regime will not bring prosperity and happiness to the "people". He noted that it is the duty of the political parties to come out with alternative proposals in front of the community. He noted that as CTP they are aware of the fact that they could not continue living in the existing system and that they must create a new system in the political, "legal" and public sectors.

(I/Ts.)

[07] CTP youth organization's target is to become a member of IUSY

She said that they are slowly developing their relations with Greek Cypriot EDEK socialist party and added that their next target is to become a member of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY).

(I/Ts.)

[08] Turkish Cypriot organization sends a letter to UNSG

(I/Ts.)

[09] Journalist and teacher Arif Hasan Tahsin died

The paper notes that we lost a Cypriot who fought not only for the Turkish speaking persons of the island but for all the people of Cyprus and who was one of the greatest peace supporters of the island.

The funeral of Tahsin, who ask that neither an official nor a religious ceremony to be held on his account and also not to be covered by any flag, will be held today at noon.

[10] Turkish sergeant of the Turkish occupation army attempted to rob a bank in Keryneia

The paper writes that Taskan who was armed and wore a mask during the robbery, was arrested by the self-styled policy and later was submitted to the occupation army's police.

[11] Electronic "passport" project for the breakaway regime

Delivering a speech at the "e-passport promotion event", the self-styled minister of interior Naz1
m ?avu
oglu alleged the following: "Although we are still being subjected to unjust embargoes, [& ] we are implementing projects in accordance with international norms and standards, thus giving the international community the message of contemporariness".

Self-styled prime minister 0
rsen Ku?uk alleged that "such contemporary and international projects help the TRNC state to further strengthen its status in the international arena and added that initiatives aimed at the international promotion of the TRNC state are being conducted with the support of motherland Turkey".

Referring to the new economic program, Ku?uk said that funds, worth 90 million Turkish Liras in total, are being provided by Turkey "with the aim of finalizing the TRNC's e-state project within a period of 3 years".

"The TRNC e-passport, which will be in use as from January 2013 with chip functions, is designed with the cultural and natural aspects of Cyprus", Bayrak broadcast.

[12] Turkish PM launches 112 projects on 12.12.12

"We are bringing service to every corner of Turkey. We are not pursuing a policy based on identity. We are pursuing politics of service. We do not polarize people, we do not alienate or marginalize anyone as some people do," Erdogan said at a ceremony held at the Ankara Volleyball Arena.

The 112 projects include 49 hydroelectric plants in 29 cities, dams, irrigation systems, potable water refinement systems and flood prevention facilities, Erdogan said, adding that the cost of the projects has been 16 billion Turkish Liras ($8.9 billion). TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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