Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 12-12-20

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

[01] Statements by Davutoglu from Finland: "Turkey will never beg for the EU membership"

[02] Merkel met with Turkish journalists; she stated that Germany will support Turkey's opening of new chapters

[03] Ozgurgun briefed the TGNA on the Cyprus problem

[04] Cerkez meets with the USA Ambassador to Lefkosia

[05] KTOS sends a letter to the EU complaining against Turkey

[06] Baraka is protesting today against Turkey's policies in Cyprus

[07] The EU is reportedly concerned about the AK party's proposal for presidential system

[08] Gul invited Iraqi President Talabani to Turkey for treatment

[09] Turkish satellite set to send images

[10] MFA rejects news reports on illegal arms shipment from Turkey to Yemen

[11] Reporters Without Borders declared Turkey 'the world's biggest prison for reporters

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Statements by Davutoglu from Finland: "Turkey will never beg for the EU membership"

Davutoglu, who is visiting Finland, held a conference titled: "Turkey's current role in peace building in the context of recent developments, and its reflections in Europe" in the Paasikivi Society, which is one of the prominent Finnish think thanks in the field of foreign policy.

Replying to a question issued by the ambassador of the Republic of Cyprus to Helsinki, Filippos Kritiotis, Davutoglu said that Greek Cypriots rejected the Annan plan on which a referendum was held on April 24, 2004, saying that Greek Cypriots became a member of the EU on May 1, 2004. "Despite all commitments by the EU and 'no' vote by Greek Cypriots, they joined the EU. They continue to isolate Turkish Cypriots," he alleged.

"Greek Cypriots prevent Turkey's EU membership. They think that Turkey would be weaker and beg for membership. We will never beg. If there is integration, it must be fair," he claimed.

Davutoglu also claimed that if the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, had approved the Annan plan, there would have been a united Cyprus and there would have been a full economic integration between Turkey and Cyprus and also Greek Cypriot economy would not have faced bankruptcy.

He recalled that according to the EU acquis, the whole island was the member of the EU.

[02] Merkel met with Turkish journalists; she stated that Germany will support Turkey's opening of new chapters

Merkel touched on Turkey-EU relations and said that the concept of privileged partnership was not on the agenda anymore.

Merkel said that Germany would support the opening of new chapters during Turkey's EU membership process.

She underlined that she had never held such meetings with journalists before, yet she would like to continue with these meetings.

[03] Ozgurgun briefed the TGNA on the Cyprus problem

Addressing the commission, Ozgurgun said that the key to moving forward in future negotiations was the introduction of a time table to be followed by a multilateral conference and a simultaneous referendum.

Ozgurgun said that the only realistic development which would open the way for a comprehensive solution to the Cyprus problem, was for the international community to persuade the Greek Cypriot side that a settlement is only possible on the basis of the realities which the Turkish Cypriot side have been voicing for years.

He also said that the introduction of a timetable followed by a multi-party conference and simultaneous referendum on both sides of the island was the only way future negotiations could yield any positive results.

Pointing out that they will continue to work towards earning a deserved plan on the international platform, Ozgurgun said: "we believe that the determined steps we will take with the support of motherland Turkey will also encourage the Greek Cypriot side towards a political solution".

Meanwhile as part of his other contacts in the Turkish capital, Ozgurgun met in the afternoon with the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Cemil Cicek

Yesterday, Ozgurgun also met with the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. The latest developments in the Cyprus negotiations process as well as other bi-lateral issues were taken up at the meeting.

Also, according to Turkish Cypriot daily Hurriyet Daily News (19.12.12) Ozgurgun said yesterday while addressing the Foreign Relations Committee of the Turkish Parliament, that the Turkish Cypriots are worried that a possible victory of the Democratic Rally Party (DISI) in the upcoming elections in the "Greek Cyprus", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, would take the island further from a solution.

"DISI, who many Turkish Cypriots see as the 'creator of the Cyprus dispute' could delay a solution to the problem", Ozgurgun alleged, adding that waiting for a solution from the leader of DISI, Nikos Anastasiadis, was ironic.

Ozgurgun called on the United Nations to detail the reasons behind the Cyprus deadlock in an objective manner, and urged the international community to act more strongly to counter Greek Cypriot policies and move in the direction of a resolution on the island.

[04] Cerkez meets with the USA Ambassador to Lefkosia

Cerkez said that taking into consideration the natural resources and the balances in the area, the influence of the Cyprus problem in the region increased comparing to the past. He argued that the economic crisis in both the occupied and the government-control area of the island shows how urgent the solution is.

Cerkez noted that the chamber played a significant role in the "yes" vote of the Turkish Cypriots in the referendum for the Annan Plan and reiterated the Turkish allegation that the EU did not keep the promises it had allegedly given to the Turkish Cypriots. He argued that in case direct trade and direct flights started, the difference between the economy of the occupied and the government-controlled area of the island will be closed before the solution and this would decrease the cost of a possible solution.

Cerkez said that they observe a fair stance by the USA in its behavior towards the two sides on the island and argued that this stance is beneficial in reaching a solution in Cyprus.

(I/Ts.)

[05] KTOS sends a letter to the EU complaining against Turkey

The letter, which bears the signature of Sener Elcil, general secretary of KTOS, says that "Turkey, by keeping the northern part of Cyprus under its de facto control since 1974, transfers population to the island from Turkey in relation to its integration and assimilation policy, and on the other hand it continues changing the economic and cultural structure of the Turkish Cypriots".

According to the letter, oppression continuously increases against the teachers, who resist to these policies. "Especially AKP government in Turkey exerts efforts to change the secular character of the Turkish Cypriots with the pressure of Sunni Islam", notes the letter adding that 162 schools and 192 mosques exist in the occupied northern part of Cyprus and pointing out that the construction of mosques increases. It also says that efforts are exerted to settle Islamic dervish orders in the occupied area of Cyprus.

The letter notes that recently "lawsuits" were filed against eight administrators of KTOS demanding their two-month imprisonment or a fine of 50 thousand euros, because they had participated in an activity in front of the so-called embassy of Turkey in the occupied part of Lefkosia, in order to protest against the initiative launched to control the way the teachers are dressed and to prevent them from using the social media.

The letter points out to Turkey's responsibilities as guarantor power in Cyprus and asks for international solidarity and support from the EU, which is urged not to remain a spectator to the violation of the international law and the oppression implemented against EU citizens.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Baraka is protesting today against Turkey's policies in Cyprus

(I/Ts.)

[07] The EU is reportedly concerned about the AK party's proposal for presidential system

Brussels' latest concern has been the Justice and Development Party's (AK party) proposal regarding a presidential system which was put forward during the negotiations for a new constitution.

EU sources say they are becoming concerned not only by the dimming prospects of a new constitution conforming to EU standards, which was promised by the AK party on the eve of the general elections in June 2011, but also by the proposals put forward by the AK party which they believe will hamper the democratization process in the country.

The proposals are being seen as a strong signal that the AK party, which has done so much to close the democratic deficiencies in its two consecutive terms in government, is now radically slowing down the pace of reforms. The EU believes the proposals for a presidential system aim to create a post, which will hardly be compatible with the democratic standards of a European country. The Venice Commission (the Council of Europe's advisory body on constitutional matters) is strongly opposed to a presidential system in Turkey and it has made its position clear on many occasions.

One of the proposals that have alarmed Brussels is that of the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK),that was altered just two years ago. If accepted, the AK party proposes that the President should have the authority to appoint half of the members of the HSYK. The HSYK was overhauled in a bitterly contested constitutional referendum in September 2010 and the new article stipulates that the President can only appoint four members. The constitutional amendment of 2010 was hailed both by the European Commission and the Venice Commission as "a step forward" for Turkish democracy. Sources closely following Turkey's situation argue that it is the same AK party that fought for the constitutional reform of 2010 that now proposes to dismantle what it has achieved.

According to the AK party's proposals, the President's powers will include calling for new parliamentary elections, acting as commander-in-chief, deciding on the deployment of the armed forces when Parliament is in recess, appointing half of the members of the Higher Education Board (YOK), Constitutional Court, Council of State and the HSYK, and appointing university rectors and the chief public prosecutor (in the current system, the President selects 14 out of 17 members of the Constitutional Court, a quarter of the members of the Council of State and four out of 22 members of the HSYK).

[08] Gul invited Iraqi President Talabani to Turkey for treatment

In a written statement released on Wednesday, the Iraqi Presidency stated that President Gul sent a message to Talabani wishing him speedy recovery and to invite Talabani to Turkey for treatment.

Gul's message said: "My dear brother, Mr. President. I have learned yesterday with sadness about your urgent rush to a hospital for treatment. I do hope that you are well. I wish you speedy recovery. If you wish, you can continue receiving medical treatment in Turkey. I want to reiterate that we are ready to make all preparations in case you decide to come to Turkey for medical treatment."

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Presidential Press Spokesman, Barzan Sheikh Othman told AA that Talabani's doctors decided to transfer the President to Germany for further treatment.

Othman said: "Doctors said that the President is improving however they decided to continue with his treatment in Germany. Talabani will be taken to Germany's capital Berlin tomorrow."

(?)

[09] Turkish satellite set to send images

The satellite passed over the Turkish capital of Ankara five times in its first 16 hours and will circle the globe 15 times a day, according to Tamer Beler, an official from the Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey's (TUBITAK) Space Technologies Research Institution.

The satellite reportedly works efficiently and has not experienced any problems so far, Beler said.

Connection is being held with the satellite through land stations located in Ankara and Norway's Tromso, Svalbard islands.

A Chinese Long March 2D, launched from Jiuquan in north-central China, has orbited the Turkish government payload.

Gokturk-2 contains a South Korean imaging system capable of 2.5m resolution aboard a Turkish-built satellite bus.

The satellite, a joint development by TUBITAK and Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc, will mainly be used for environmental protection, mineral resource exploration, urban planning and disaster monitoring and management.

All computer software and the satellite computer were fully manufactured in Turkey.

[10] MFA rejects news reports on illegal arms shipment from Turkey to Yemen

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Selcuk Unal said on Wednesday that Turkey did not give any permission for such a shipment.

Unal stated that an arm export, which might cause death of more people in a high-risk region, could not be allowed.

The news claimed that 7,000 guns had been found in a vehicle in Yemeni city of Hais and that the illegal weapons were of Turkish origin. "All related institutions and offices are carrying out an investigation on the issue", said Unal.

[11] Reporters Without Borders declared Turkey 'the world's biggest prison for reporters

"With a total of 72 media personnel currently detained, of whom at least 42 journalists and four media assistants are being held in connection with their media work, Turkey is now the world's biggest prison for journalists ? a sad paradox for a country that portrays itself as a regional democratic model," Reporters Without Borders said in its annual roundup. A recent amendment package approved last July, has led to the conditional release of 15 journalists, but their cases have only been suspended.

"These legislative reforms will have to be accompanied by changes in judicial practices in line with the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights ? meaning much less use of preventive detention, respect for the right to information on subjects of public interest, protection for journalists' sources and a more independent and transparent judicial system," the RSF said.

The RSF urged the Turkish judicial system "to respect international conventions ratified by Turkey that stipulate that freedom of expression may be limited in such circumstances only when it explicitly incites hatred or violence" and urged Turkey's courts to immediately release all journalists who have been imprisoned in connection with their work. EI/

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