Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-02-07

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] Eroglu supported Erdogan's allegation and discussed the Cyprus problem with Gul in Cairo; he met with state officials of Burundi, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan

[02] Reactions to Erdogan's allegation: You have destroyed Cyprus

[03] The Keryneia Castle, St. Hilarion Castle and Bellapais Monastery in the occupied area of Cyprus will be reportedly privatized; The so-called ministry denies the allegations

[04] Bagis and Erdogan carried out contacts in Slovakia; Statements by Erdogan

[05] Contacts by Trade Union Platform in London

[06] Ankara to closely watch the spending of 3 billion TL allocated to the occupation regime within the framework of the "economic cooperation protocol"

[07] The occupation regime participated at the Fruit Logistica 2013 Fair in Germany

[08] Illegal Near East University organized a conference in Rome

[09] MUSIAD's chairman in the occupied area of Cyprus calls Turkish Cypriot businessmen to attend a fair in Turkey

[10] Sertoglu is being threatened because of his meetings with the CFA

[11] Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate opposes to the use of a church in Trabzon as a mosque

[12] The works for the reconstruction of Agia Thekla chapel have been launched

[13] "Elections" in occupied Lefkosia "municipality" to be held on 7 April

[14] AKP's Celik slams U.S Ambasador for his recent remarks

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Eroglu supported Erdogan's allegation and discussed the Cyprus problem with Gul in Cairo; he met with state officials of Burundi, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (07.02.13) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu referred yesterday to Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan's allegation that "there is no state called Cyprus" and argued that the Turkish Prime Minister "has once more expressed the realities". In statements in Cairo, Eroglu said that Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus and alleged that "actually if the world looked at the Cyprus problem in a fair manner, it would not keep the equal partners Turkish Cypriots under embargoes".

Noting that the non-solution of the Cyprus problem is put as an obstacle in front of Turkey's accession course to the EU, Eroglu claimed that this shows "EU's injustice".

Referring to his contacts during his first day in Cairo, Eroglu said that he met with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul and that they discussed current issues and their policy during "the new negotiating process" which will start on the Cyprus problem.

Eroglu expressed his satisfaction with the interest of Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, General Secretary of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC). He said that during lunch, which he attended upon Ihsanoglu's invitation, he was sitting between the President of Maldives and the Price of Saudi Arabia. He noted that he had a "fine dialogue" with both of them. Eroglu said that this is the first time he participates in a Summit of the OIC and added that he had the opportunity to meet or shake hands with many heads of states.

Meanwhile, according to illegal Bayrak television (07.02.13) Eroglu who carried out contacts with the Turkish President Abdullah Gul in the framework of the OIC's Summit in Cairo, met also with presidents and state officials of several member countries of the OIC as well as with state officials of Burundi, Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan. He is also expected to deliver a speech today at the summit.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Reactions to Erdogan's allegation: You have destroyed Cyprus

"If there is no state called Cyprus, then where the hell your troops had been sent in 1974", wonders Afrika's editor-in-chief, Sener Levent in his daily column today. He goes on and wonders, inter alia, the following: "[Had they been sent] to Singapore, to Korea? The land of which country they had invaded? Whom they have shot? Whom they have taken prisoners? Whom they have buried in mass graves? Onto the head of which country they had thrown bombs? ?"

Moreover, in its "Letter from Afrika" column, the paper writes that during the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) period in Turkey, the occupied Cyprus lands have been looted more than ever, more population than any other period has been transferred from Turkey, crimes have increased more than ever and more businesses than even have closed down.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan newspaper (07.02.13) reports that Oktay Vural, vice president of the Nationalist Action Party's (MHP) parliamentary group, criticized yesterday Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan for his statement that "there is no state called Cyprus". He recalled that in statements made by Erdogan on 2 October 2004 during a meeting of AKP's parliamentary group, the Prime Minister had said that Turkey had only one option, adding that they would definitely secure Turkey's accession into the EU. Vural read out the conditions which are included in the framework document for Turkey's accession negotiations and added, inter alia, the following referring to Erdogan:

"You are the one who signed all these in the framework document of the negotiations. You have drawn the framework. The negotiations in this framework are open-ended, and the membership is not guaranteed. You will cast anchor in EU ports, you will recognize Cyprus... You are the ones who have turned Cyprus into a part of the negotiations with the EU, who have related [the issues]? Yes there is no such state, but you have handed over to the Greek Cypriots a state named 'Cyprus'?"

(I/Ts.)

[03] The Keryneia Castle, St. Hilarion Castle and Bellapais Monastery in the occupied area of Cyprus will be reportedly privatized; The so-called ministry denies the allegations

On the other hand, the "undersecretary" of the so-called ministry of tourism, environment and culture, Sahap Asikoglu denied the allegations and said that no decision was taken by the "ministry" for something like this.

AK

[04] Bagis and Erdogan carried out contacts in Slovakia; Statements by Erdogan

Bagis and Lajcak discussed Turkey's EU process, visa liberalization, cooperation against terror and the problem of Cyprus, in a meeting which was closed to the press corps.

Meanwhile, according to Ankara Anatolia news agency, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan told at joint press conference with his Slovakian counterpart Robert Fico in capital Bratislava, the last stop of the Turkish Premier's three-nation Eastern European tour, that Turkey would move to lift visa requirement for Slovak nationals, adding that his country expected Slovakia to do same for Turkish nationals who would visit the eastern European country to provide services. "We will take the step for visa exemption as soon as I return home and I believe Slovakia's lifting visa requirement for our businesspeople, scholars, students, artists and sportspeople would move our relations to a higher level", Erdogan said.

Erdogan said that Turkey and Slovakia had a bilateral trade volume of over $1.5 billion. He added that energy could be a major field for cooperation between the two countries and that Turkey had recently passed a new incentive package for investors.

Erdogan also thanked for Slovakia's support for Turkey's European Union membership accession process. Responding to a question whether Turkey would ever consider withdrawing its EU membership bid, Erdogan said, "it has been 50 years and we are still at the door [...] But nevertheless we carry on with patience and we are committed to carry on but for how long is a topic of another discussion. And of course at some point we may put an end to it."

Also, according to Turkish daily Sabah (07.02.13) during the press conference with his Slovakian counterpart, Erdogan referred also to the situation in Cyprus and said: "South Cyprus' situation distance a lot from the obedience to the EU acquis communautaire. We will not be a weight for the EU. Actually, at the moment it started to become obvious which are considered as burdens in the EU".

[05] Contacts by Trade Union Platform in London

The Turkish Cypriot delegation met also with David Reed, Head of the Office for Cyprus, Greece and Turkey at the British Foreign Office. Yesterday the Turkish Cypriots met with Andy Love, Member of the Parliament and co-chairman of the Friends of Cyprus Group. After the meetings, the Platform handed over to its interlocutors a file with its views and proposals.

Expressing the views of the Platform during their meetings, Sener Elcil argued that the Turkish Cypriots are those who are harmed the most from the non-solution on the island. Elcil expressed the belief that the current policy followed by Turkey "does not provide for a solution in Cyprus". He pointed out that the population transferred from Turkey in violation of the Geneva Convention, "negatively influences the demographic structure" in the occupied area of the republic of Cyprus and creates difficulties in education and the health services. In parallel to this, he added, the construction of mosques and complexes of buildings adjacent to mosques by Turkey is intensified during the past few years in order to impose Sunni Islam. He argued that these policies "have brought the Turkish Cypriots to the point of being annihilated".

Elcil said that a United Cyprus should be created within the framework of the agreements of 23 May and 1 July in a manner that covers "the UN parameters and all the views of the sides". He noted that the Cypriots should jointly use a single sovereignty, a single citizenship and single international identity in this United Cyprus, which will be based on political equality. He asked from the British officials to be more active on this issue as representatives of a guarantor power.

Within the framework of its contacts, the Platform will met with Lord Dubs, vice president of Friends of Cyprus Association, and Nick De Bois, co-chairman of the same association and Member of the Parliament in Enfield.

(I/Ts.)

[06] Ankara to closely watch the spending of 3 billion TL allocated to the occupation regime within the framework of the "economic cooperation protocol"

The three year "economic cooperation program" scheduled to last until the end of 2015, foresees to cut the current budget gap of the "TRNC" to 315 million liras.

The grant will be handed over to the "TRNC" in three years, according to the agreement published on the Turkish Official Gazette yesterday. The document was signed by Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay, who is in charge of ties with Turkish Cypriots, and the so-called prime minister Irsen Kucuk.

The dues will be determined in Turkey's annual budget laws.

Turkey may also add 300 million liras in loans to support the budget and reshape public banks in "Turkish Cyprus".

Turkey has also promised to send technicians and public employees to lend physical support to the island.

A Turkish Cypriot mission will prepare monthly reports and detailed studies quarterly, which will be submitted to a Turkish mission. The grants will be given to the "TRNC" after approval is granted by the Turkish mission and Atalay.

Besides aiding the Turkish Cypriot economy, the implementation of the program will also aim to evaluate things in outlook meetings held every six months.

Turkey will also provide support to particular sectors on the island, mainly tourism, via its Development Bank and some other lenders, which were not named in the document.

"Turkish Cyprus' tourism revenues" make up a little less than 5 % of its economy. The "deal" shows that Turkey will closely watch its grant to the "TRNC", which started to grow moderately in 2010 after two years of recession.

(?)

[07] The occupation regime participated at the Fruit Logistica 2013 Fair in Germany

As the paper writes, the occupation regime participates at the fair with its own stand and is represented by a delegation headed by the so-called minister of economy and energy, Sunat Atun.

According to a statement issued by the "Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry", the occupation regime participated at the fair which opened yesterday and will close on February 8, with fruit and vegetable producers, under the name "North Cyprus".

Meanwhile, with the framework of his visit to Berlin, so-called minister Atun and his accompanied delegation, visited yesterday the Turkish-Germany Trade and Industry Chamber, where the held contacts with officials there. According to the paper, Atun proposed during his visit to the chamber, the establishment of a joint trade committee.

Also, as the paper writes, during the meeting it has been decided that in April, an exchange of views meeting will be held between the officials of the Turkish-Germany Trade and Industry Chamber and "representatives" of the so-called ministry.

AK

[08] Illegal Near East University organized a conference in Rome

The award was presented to Yucel as part of the Fifth Conference of World Educational Sciences organized by the "Near East University" and hosted by the La Sapienza University in Rome.

AK

[09] MUSIAD's chairman in the occupied area of Cyprus calls Turkish Cypriot businessmen to attend a fair in Turkey

The paper writes that the Turkish Cypriot businessmen, who would like to attend the conference, could conduct with the MUSIAD' chairman in the occupied area of Cyprus, Okyay Sadikoglu to convey their interest.

AK

[10] Sertoglu is being threatened because of his meetings with the CFA

Sertoglu noted that he has received threatening telephone calls on the issue of the negotiations process with the CFA, but added that he will not give any concessions from his "decisive stance". He argued that there are some persons who "wear themselves out" in order to destroy the process, but expressed his satisfaction because "the vast majority of the people" support his efforts. He said that in spite of the threats, he will not turn back.

Sertoglu alleged that the positive climate in the negotiations was spoiled after the incident that took place last week when football players from Turkey playing in occupied Akanthou village's team had not been allowed to enter into Pyla village to play with the local Turkish Cypriot team. Sertoglu noted that his "federation" will not remain silent on this issue. He said that they would visit Pyla today with the chairmen of all organized associations in the field of football: players, referees, managers and sport writers. He said that they will react to what he called "this inhumane practice which is contrary to sports ethics". He noted that they have held meetings with the competent authorities on the issue and expressed the belief that the problem will be solved soon.

(I/Ts.)

[11] Fener Greek-Orthodox Patriarchate opposes to the use of a church in Trabzon as a mosque

The Patriarchate's press officer, Dositheos Anagnostopulos, told the Hurriyet Daily News in a phone interview yesterday: "As is known, Trabzon is not urgently in need of a mosque, and it is also known that there is no Orthodox community there. The best way is to keep the church as a museum".

The Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate holds annual ceremonies in the Sumela Monastery in Trabzon province with a special permit issued by the Ministry of Culture.

Asked whether the Patriarchate would demand to hold ceremonies in Hagia Sophia as well, Anagnostopulos said that if the ministry permitted it and the Orthodox community desired it, this would be their duty, not only a desire.

The Foundations Directorate had announced on February 4 that the Hagia Sophia in Trabzon would soon be opened up for prayers.

Foundations Directorate Head Adnan Ertem said that five of the seven Hagia Sophias nationwide were currently functioning as mosques, but two were still inactive, adding that the culture minister was the "occupying force" in the decision to reopen Trabzon's Hagia Sophia.

"We have won the court case regarding the situation," Ertem said. "We are planning to open the place for prayers again after the necessary processes are completed."

The Hagia Sophia Museum was first dedicated as an Orthodox patriarchal basilica in 360 A.D. Until the year of 1453 it served as the Greek Patriarchal cathedral of Constantinople. Following the city's conquest by the Ottoman Empire, the building was converted into a mosque in 1453 and remained so until 1931, when it was closed to the public for four years. It was reopened by the republican authorities in 1935 as a museum.

[12] The works for the reconstruction of Agia Thekla chapel have been launched

Yeni Duzen paper wrote the other day that it was the Noah Ark Hotel which puts obstacles in the reconstruction of the chapel.

The 200-year-old Greek Orthodox Ayia Thekla Chapel at the occupied village of Vokolida, was demolished on May 2, 2011, by a bulldozer on the ground that the Noah Ark Hotel was to be built there.

(AK)

[13] "Elections" in occupied Lefkosia "municipality" to be held on 7 April

(I/Ts.)

[14] AKP's Celik slams U.S Ambasador for his recent remarks

Ricciardone, who briefed Ankara reporters yesterday on the suicide attack in the USA Embassy in Turkey, criticized the long detention of army officers, scholars and students. "You have your military leaders, who were entrusted with the protection of this country behind bars as if they were terrorists... When a legal system produces such results and confuses people like that for terrorists, it makes it hard for American and European courts to match up," Ricciardone had said.

Celik noted that the U.S. envoy had in the past also commented about internal questions in Turkey, emphasizing that it was inappropriate for a diplomat to make judgments about "topics that he does not know the details of."

"The Prime Minister had called him 'novice ambassador.' As it seems, Ricciardone has not yet learned his place in that period," said Celik.

The AKP deputy also asked the U.S. envoy to give explanations for the Guantanamo Camp, where al-Qaeda suspects are detained. http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EI/

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