Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-02-08

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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] Reference to Cyprus in OIC's decision satisfies Eroglu

[02] Turkey to host upcoming OIC summit

[03] Erdogan reiterated again his known allegations that there is not a state under the name Cyprus

[04] BKP reacts to Erdogan's remarks

[05] Turkish newspapers refer to the explorations for oil and natural gas in Cyprus' EEZ

[06] CTP delegation met with Papandreou in the sidelines of Social International Council and invited him to occupied Cyprus

[07] Ozgurgun on the Pyla incident

[08] Turkey-US tension takes American envoy to the Turkish Foreign Ministry

[09] "Turkey-US at a Kurdish impasse"

[10] Turkey awaiting concrete sign of French support for EU bid

[11] Erdogan: Azeri-Turkish Trans Anatolia Pipeline gas project set to start in 2013

[12] "Iraqi Kurds signal 'Baghdad out' in Turkey pipeline bid"

[13] Illegal GAU signed a cooperation protocol with TURKSOY

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS

[01] Reference to Cyprus in OIC's decision satisfies Eroglu

According to illegal Bayrak television, in the part of the decision regarding Cyprus, regret is expressed because no result has been achieved in the negotiations launched in 2008 within the framework of UN Secretary-General's good offices mission. The same source reported that the decision expresses support to a just, comprehensive and lasting solution based on the "founding power" of the "two peoples" in Cyprus and the "joint ownership of the island".

In statements after the decision, the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu said that they saw the benefits of their contacts and expressed his satisfaction with the fact that positive expressions regarding the "TRNC", breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, are included in the decision of a summit during which big world issues such as Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Mali came into prominence. He said the Turkish Cypriot delegation had the opportunity to meet with the heads of states and government officials of Islamic countries and expressed the belief that this meeting will lead to the increase of solidarity among the Islamic countries.

Eroglu argued that in case the decision on Cyprus is implemented, the dialogue and the cooperation of the breakaway regime with the OIC and its member states will increase. He said: "The important thing is to increase dialogue. Here we established contact with officials of many countries. We invited some of them to our country. We do not say that we do not face problems deriving from being a non-recognized state, but meeting with heads of states and listening to their problems and views is very important. Expressions we wanted regarding Cyprus have been included in the final decision in a summit during which world problems such as Egypt, Syria, Palestine, Somalia and Mali came to prominence. This will be distributed to all Islamic countries and be evaluated by the competent authorities".

Meanwhile, Eroglu gave interviews to Al Ahram newspaper and Anatolia Agency's Arabic Bureau. According to Eroglu, the fact that in the decision the "TRNC" is considered as an equal side in the negotiating process for finding a solution in Cyprus is important.

Eroglu said that they expect more support from the Islamic countries and noted that they have given incentives for investments in occupied Cyprus in the field of tourism from Islamic countries. Eroglu added: "We expect from the Islamic countries not to comply with the embargo in transports implemented on us by the EU. There are no direct flights from the Islamic countries to the TRNC. We want this to happen".

Eroglu alleged that the relations of Egypt with the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus will be developed, because President Mursi closely cooperates with Turkey. He added that they were encouraged that this will be positively reflected on Egypt's relations with the breakaway regime.

Eroglu said that the religious men could contribute in the development of their relations with Islamic countries and added that their religious affairs "deportment" is holding the necessary contacts.

Finally, Eroglu met yesterday with Ikbal Riza, the representative of the UN Secretary-General in the summit and conveyed his regards to Ban Ki-moon. Last night the Turkish Cypriot leader hosted a dinner in Cairo for representatives of some think tanks, academicians, business circles and media.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Turkey to host upcoming OIC summit

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi announced on Thursday that Turkey would host the upcoming OIC Summit in 2016.

Speaking at the closing session of the 12th Summit meeting of the OIC in Cairo, Morsi said the member countries agreed on Turkey's hosting the upcoming summit.

Turkey's President Abdullah Gul, attending the Summit, thanked member states for choosing Turkey as the host country.

[03] Erdogan reiterated again his known allegations that there is not a state under the name Cyprus

Erdogan referred also to the situation in Cyprus and said: "(?) South Cyprus' situation distance a lot from the obedience to the EU acquis communautaire. The case is totally "ideological, totally ideological?".

Referring to the negotiations for the Annan Plan, Erdogan said that they did not accepted Greek Premier's demand for the postponement of the signing of the plan, explaining that they kept their promises and putted their signature.

AK

[04] BKP reacts to Erdogan's remarks

In the written statement, Abdullah Korkmazhan, organizational secretary of BKP has said that Erdogan is wrongly informed about the history and the geography of Cyprus.

Reminding that Turkey is a guarantor power of the Republic of Cyprus which was established in 1960, Korkmazhan said that AKP's goal is the permanent division of the island and the annexation of the "north" part of Cyprus to Turkey.

The statement of BKP said also the following: "There is a country which is called Cyprus, and there is also a state there. Mr. Erdogan should be aware of this, that the Republic of Cyprus is neither a Hellenistic state nor an extension of Anatolia. It is a partnership state where Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots have political equality. In a possible solution to the Cyprus problem, the Cyprus Republic state will be turn into a bi-zonal bi-communal federation".

[05] Turkish newspapers refer to the explorations for oil and natural gas in Cyprus' EEZ

Under the title "The plot is so-called, the signature is real", Omer Bilge, Hurriyet's correspondent in the occupied area of Cyprus, reported that two plots were given to French TOTAL company and three to Italian ENI company, while Israel was made a partner in parcel 12, where American Noble Energy had found natural gas last year and "caused crisis".

The paper published a map and a picture of the area as well as a picture from the signing ceremony with TOTAL.

The paper recalled that after Noble Energy had found natural gas in the area, Turkey and the breakaway regime gave a so-called license to Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to carry out seismic explorations in the same area. It also recalled that according to Turkey's plans, after the vessel named Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa, which was recently purchased by TPAO, finishes its seismic explorations in the Black Sea, it will hold explorations in the same area in the Mediterranean.

Revealing Turkey's plans to create tension in the area, the paper wrote: "it seems that the waters will heat up for good with Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel's coming down to the Mediterranean".

Meanwhile, writing in his column in Turkish daily Hurriyet newspaper (08.02.13), Ertugrul Ozkok refers, inter alia, to the same issue under the title "I have written one under the other things we found out during the last 48 hours and the following picture occurred". Under the subtitle "We said we will send the fleet, but South Cyprus did not listen", Ozkok reports that "south Cyprus", as he describes the Republic of Cyprus, has divided into plots the reserves of oil and natural gas in Eastern Mediterranean, in spite of Turkey's objections and "even its threats for war".

Ozkok goes on and writes the following on the issue: "Yesterday it announced that it gave five of its parcels, two to French TOTAL and three to Italian ENI Company. In the same area Israel has become a partner to parcel 12 given before to American Noble Energy. The meaning of this is the following: Not only south Cyprus, but also France, Italy, Israel and America now is against Turkey in Eastern Mediterranean for which Turkey strongly objects and considers that it has also rights".

Furthermore, writing in Turkish daily Milliyet newspaper (08.02.13), columnist Melih Asik argues that the "Mediterranean belongs now to the Greek Cypriot ?Israeli partnership". The article's title is "Mediterranean is theirs".

(I/Ts.)

[06] CTP delegation met with Papandreou in the sidelines of Social International Council and invited him to occupied Cyprus

CTP was represented in the Council by Lefkosia "MP" with CHP and Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Ozdil Nami and member of the party's Foreign Affairs bureau Armagan Candan.

In the sideline of the Council, CHP delegation met with PASOK Chairman George Papandreou with whom it discussed the Cyprus problem. Papandreou was invited to visit occupied Cyprus. The delegation also held a meeting with the chairman of the Republican People's Party of Turkey, Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

[07] Ozgurgun on the Pyla incident

Several players from the Akanthou Greenhouse Growers Football Club and a referee were prevented from crossing into the mixed village of Pile to play a match with the Pyla Sports Club on the grounds that they were settlers.

Ozgurgun said that the Deputy British High Commissioner who contacted him apologized over the incident, stating that the players had been prevented as a result of a misunderstanding. "He reassured us that the British government would never again allow the repetition of this incident. He said that both the match and other sports activities can continue", Ozgurgun alleged.

He added that the matter had been solved in a positive atmosphere.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.02.13) reports that various sport "officials" of the breakaway regime visited yesterday PYla in order to show their support towards the footballers.

Among the persons who visited the village, was the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Football Federation, Hasan Sertoglu, the general coordinator of the "ministry" of education and sport Suleyman Goktas and the chairman of the Turkiosh Cypriot sport journalists association, Ogun Genc Kacmaz. They all expressed the desire such incidents not to be repeated again, according to the paper.

[08] Turkey-US tension takes American envoy to the Turkish Foreign Ministry

The criticisms directed towards Ambassador Francis Ricciardone came in the wake of senior American officials' reactions to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an's statements on Israel, as well as their criticisms on the undemocratic nature of the Turkish judicial system.

Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlio
lu expressed Ankara's discomfort with the recent events in an unprecedentedly long meeting with Ricciardone that lasted for two hours and 15 minutes.

Although the meeting took place upon the request of the U.S. embassy to thank Turkish officials over their efforts in the aftermath of last week's suicide bombing at the embassy, Ricciardone's recent statements and other top issues regarding cooperation against terrorism were brought to the agenda, according to sources.

"We have conveyed our unease with his statements. This is unacceptable, we told him. And we also expressed that this should not happen again," a diplomatic source said after the meeting.

The two men discussed issues raised in Ricciardone's meeting with journalists on Feb. 6, a U.S. Embassy official told the H?rriyet Daily News. "The undersecretary made clear his government's disappointment at what he saw as interference in Turkey's domestic affairs. The ambassador respectfully pointed out the importance to Turkey's friends and allies of Turkey's steady progress in strengthening the rule of law and protections of human rights, and urged a careful reading of the full text of the Feb. 5 conversation, which is available on the U.S. Embassy website."

In the meantime, there were reports that Ricciardone sent a letter to H?seyin ?elik, number two of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), expressing an apology of what he said. But the U.S. embassy official denied this report, saying, "The ambassador did not provide an apology letter."

During a recent meeting with Ankara media bureau chiefs, Ricciardone had criticized the arrests of military officers, non-violent protesters and professors on unclear charges. "You have your military leaders, who were entrusted with the protection of this country, behind bars as if they were terrorists," he said, referring to hundreds of military officers behind bars as part of the ongoing "Balyoz" (Sledgehammer) and other court cases.

"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. We are working to reconcile our legal processes in both countries," he said.

Meanwhile, in her daily press briefing on Feb. 7, U.S. State Department Spokesperson Victoria Nuland argued that there was nothing new in Ricciardone's comments on Turkey.

"This is nothing new from our point of view. We have always been very clear on these issues before the public and during private meetings. Ambassador Ricciardone only repeated what [former] Secretary of State Clinton has already said, and I am sure that Secretary of State John Kerry will say the same things when he has the opportunity to speak in public on these issues," Nuland told reporters.

Nuland added that the friends and allies of Turkey would continue to insist, with due respect, on the importance of improving human rights in Turkey.

[09] "Turkey-US at a Kurdish impasse"

"In the morning hours of Feb. 7, Turkish news stations filed urgent stories saying that Francis Ricciardone, the U.S. Ambassador to Ankara, had been summoned to the Turkish Foreign Ministry. The night before, the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Parti) influential media spokesman H?seyin ?elik had harshly criticized Ricciardone for his criticism of the prolonged and not clearly justified arrests of journalists, academics, and lawyers - including opposition members of the Turkish Parliament - in a press briefing on Feb. 4. Many assumed that Ricciardone was going to face questions and perhaps a protest about his words on the Turkish legal system. Yet it was soon understood that Ricciardone had requested an appointment to talk to Foreign Ministry officials. Officially, he wanted to express his gratitude to the Turkish police for its efforts following the suicide bombing against the U.S. Embassy building in Ankara on Feb. 1.

Ricciardone held nearly two hours of talks with Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Feridun Sinirlio
lu.

It was obvious that both sides had something to say to each other. Prime Minister Tayyip Erdo
an is very sensitive about any criticism of the judicial process in Turkey, which puts the government in a difficult position not only in Turkey (Erdo
an himself being critical of prolonged arrests) but also in Western platforms. The first information following the meeting was that Sinirlio
lu had told Ricciardone not to get too involved in Turkish political affairs.

But there are other problems between the U.S. and Turkey nowadays too; Syria, for example. The second Barack Obama administration is not in favor of intervention to topple Bashar al-Assad, but is rather in cooperation with Russia's Vladimir Putin for a transition of power. Ankara is not happy with this, instead urging a combined push against al-Assad. There is the Israeli problem, too. Turkey has downgraded its diplomatic relations with Israel, under U.S. protection, over the failure to apologize for the killing of nine Turks by Israeli commandos in the Mavi Marmara tragedy in 2010. When Foreign Minister Ahmet Davuto
lu recently combined these two subjects by saying that al-Assad had never thrown even a pebble against Israel - let alone confront it - the U.S. reacted. State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said on Feb. 5 that Davuto
lu's words were "inflammatory" and harmed Turkish-U.S. relations.

But the real problem between the U.S. and Turkey nowadays is over relations with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraq. The U.S. and Turkey have swapped positions on the Iraqi stage radically over the last four years; the change is on the axis of the Kurdish and energy issues. Up until 2009, Turkey was against even establishing relations with the KRG, on the basis that this may lead to an independent Kurdish state and disintegrate Iraq. Now, holding its own dialogue with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) for a political solution to Kurdish problem, Ankara is taking the risk of being at odds with its major ally, the U.S., and is embracing the KRG.

Turkey is deeply interested in oil and gas projects in the KRG region, which infuriates the Nouri al-Maliki government in Baghdad. The KRG has been sending crude oil with tankers to Turkey in order to be refined into gas and diesel fuel, paying Turkey in the form of crude oil. What's more, Turkish oil companies are investing in KRG fields despite the opposition of Baghdad. Ricciardone said on Feb. 4 that Washington had told Ankara, Baghdad and Arbil (the KRG headquarters) that the tension might cause the disintegration of Iraq and lead to chaos. Iran's influence over the Shiite dominated Baghdad is a major worry for the U.S., Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other Gulf states.

It is not clear where the story is going to end up with, but it is clear that there is a Kurdish impasse between Turkey and the U.S. over Iraq."

[10] Turkey awaiting concrete sign of French support for EU bid

The paper writes that although Turkey was hoping to open at least one new chapter last June, a month after Hollande was elected president, it has yet to receive France's support despite 10 months of efforts since then.

In December France notified Turkish officials in Paris that it had removed the "political obstacle" on the chapters. However, such a message has not yet "arrived" in Brussels. The word "accession," which could not find a place in EU documents with reference to Turkey during Sarkozy's presidency, went back in circulation again in December when France removed its objection. However, Ankara still expects a rapid reflection of such a change in the attitude to the chapters.

Meanwhile, another debate is under way between the two countries on the chapter to be opened. While Ankara desires the opening of Chapter 17 on economic and monetary policy, France could be in favor of opening Chapter 22 on regional policy and coordination of structural instruments.

Although there are no opening criteria for Chapter 17, there are certain preconditions in Chapter 22, which could delay the opening of this chapter. Despite the EU's previously expressed reservations on Ankara's insistence on the opening of Chapter 17 due to the financial crisis in Europe, the same chapter was opened in December with Iceland, which is also a candidate country for membership.

In addition, Ria Oomen-Ruijten, the European Parliament rapporteur on Turkey, has said a renewed mutual agreement in the context of Turkey's EU accession process is needed to maintain a constructive relationship, commenting on a recent statement by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdo
an that the EU's stance on Turkey is "disrespectful."

In comments to Today's Zaman on Erdo
an's remarks, Oomen-Ruijten said Turkey needs to step up its efforts in the reform process, while the EU needs to make renewed efforts for the opening of negotiation chapters.

"There appears to be frustration in Turkey about the lack of progress in the accession negotiations. I believe that to maintain a constructive relationship, renewed mutual engagement in the context of the negotiation process is needed. Mutual engagement means efforts from both Turkey and the EU. Turkey needs to step up its efforts in the reform process, while the EU needs to make renewed efforts for the opening of negotiation chapters. The interdependence between Turkey and the EU can lead to positive results, but only in a context of mutual commitment," Oomen-Ruijten stated.

Finally, Tuday's Zaman also reports that reacting to the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) proposals to revamp the judiciary, the European Union has said constitutional provisions on the judiciary should guarantee its independence and impartiality based on European standards.

In a written statement to Today's Zaman, the EU Commission said it welcomed the Turks' desire for a new and democratic constitution and called on the political parties to "redouble" their efforts for the adoption of a new constitution with the broadest possible consensus.

[11] Erdogan: Azeri-Turkish Trans Anatolia Pipeline gas project set to start in 2013

"We took a new step with Azerbaijan. The agreement for TANAP has been approved in the parliaments of both sides," he said.

Erdogan criticized the European Union for not making any visible progress in the Nabucco pipeline project, which would transport gas to Europe via Turkey. "This is a problem of the European Union, which has to supply 30 billion cubic meters of gas per year," he said.

Turkey and Azerbaijan signed an agreement on June 26, 2012, for TANAP that would be actualized in six years with an investment of $7 billion. Turkey's BOTA^
and Azerbaijan's SOCAR will work together in the project, which is slated to carry large amounts of Azeri gas to western Turkey, from where it will be transported to Europe. SOCAR has a nearly 62 percent stake of former state petrochemical company Petkim.

[12] "Iraqi Kurds signal 'Baghdad out' in Turkey pipeline bid"

"'We want to have an oil pipeline to ourselves,' the KRG minister for natural resources, Ashti Hawrami, told a news conference in the regional capital of Arbil on Thursday, adding a new dimension to the ongoing tension between the oil-rich north and the central government in Baghdad over how to exploit Iraq's hydrocarbon riches and divide up the proceeds. Hawrami's statements add to speculations that the Kurdish region would commence building an oil pipeline for exports to Turkey without waiting for any settlement with Baghdad.

Baghdad says it alone has the authority to control the exports of the world's fourth-largest oil reserves, while the Kurds say their right to do so is enshrined in Iraq's federal constitution, drawn up following the US-led invasion of 2003. 'It is currently in the works and we will continue until it is completed,' Hawrami added.".

In addition, Hurriyet Daily News (08.02.13) writes that commenting on the same issue, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Erdo
an said that Turkey will continue its oil trade with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in northern Iraq, while confirming the trade as legitimate.

[13] Illegal GAU signed a cooperation protocol with TURKSOY

The protocol was signed at a special ceremony organized yesterday at illegal GAU by the "rector" of the illegal university Serhat Akpinar and the general secretary of TURKSOY, Dr. Dusen Kaseinov.

The protocol envisages the cooperation of illegal GAU with TURKSOY in the fields of science, culture and art and the exchanged of students and academic staff between the two.

In his statements, Akpinar stressed the importance of the signing of the "protocol", alleging that it is important from the point of view that a bridge in the fields of science and culture is to be established between the "TRNC" and the Turkic world.

AK

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