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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 13-03-05Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 45/13 5/3/13[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT / TURKISH PRESS[01] Eroglu conveyed a letter to Cyprus President and the UNSGAccording to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (05.03.13), Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu sent a letter on the 1st of March to newly elected President Nikos Anastasiades to congratulate him over the election results.According to a press release issued by Eroglu's office, Eroglu, in his letter, also asked from Anastasiades to meet the soonest possible in order to determine the road map for the Cyprus talks. A copy of the letter was also conveyed to the United Nations Secretary-General. [02] Erdogan's meeting with Samaras; statements on the Cyprus problem and the EEZUnder the front-page title: "Let's bury it in history", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (05.03.13) reports on statements by the Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the joint press conference organized yesterday with his Greek counterpart Antonis Samaras who is visiting Turkey for contacts.In statements during the joint press conference which took place after the meeting of the 2nd High Level Cooperation Council between Turkey-Greece and after the signing of several agreements between the two countries, Erdogan referred to the Cyprus problem expressing their willingness for overcoming the difficulties experienced on the Cyprus problem, as well as their willingness to bury it into history. "I believe that we, in our country and Samaras' administration, which has a strong will for a solution, will take steps, and I hope that we will achieve important results for the stability, peace and security of the region," Erdogan said. Samaras said in his part that the Cyprus problem should be solved in respect of the UN Security Council resolutions, adding that the solution would benefit the whole region. Samaras went on and said that a fair solution to the Cyprus problem would also open Turkey's EU path and improve cooperation and friendship. Also, in statements to Greece's state-run television channel ERT, prior to Samaras' visit to Turkey, Erdogan referred again to the Cyprus problem. Asked to reply to the question whether they have new expectations towards the solution of the Cyprus problem after the change in the "leadership" of the "Greek Cypriot administration", as the paper calls the Republic of Cyprus, Erdogan said that Turkey does not have any prejudgment on this issue. Stating that Turkey and Greece, as two guarantor countries, have the responsibility for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Erdogan stressed the need for the UN to launch a new and an "unprejudiced" process to the Cyprus problem adding that Turkey and "north Cyprus", are the sides which favoured a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus problem. Reminding of the promises given by the EU in the past, Erdogan said that the EU did not keep any of its promises. Erdogan recalled also that in spite of the fact that the Turkish Cypriot side accepted the Annan plan, the EU did not undertook any steps in favour of the Turkish Cypriots. Referring to the issue of the Exclusive Economic Zone, Erdogan alleged that Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots have equal rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding that some circles are exerting efforts to abolish this. Erdogan went on and said that the oil and natural gas reserves around Cyprus should be distributed equally between the "people" in Cyprus. Replying to a question regarding Turkey's EU perspective, Erdogan said that they experienced a very serious negative process because of the "Greek Cypriot administration's EU presidency", as he described the Republic of Cyprus' EU presidency. (AK) [03] Samaras' contacts in Turkey; statements by Erdogan, Davutoglu, GulTurkish daily Today's Zaman (04.03.13) reported on the joint press conference of Erdogan- Samaras in Istanbul as well as Samaras' other contacts in Turkey.(?.)Referring to Turkey's- Greece ties, Samaras stressed the need for mutual respect for international law and national sovereignty to advance relations, in an apparent reference to Aegean disputes with Turkey and added that his country and neighbouring Turkey share a deep-rooted history and that the ties have gone through numerous crises and tensions but he said Turkey and Greece now wants to "write a new history of peace and progress." Samaras hoped the agreements Turkey and Greece signed on Monday would develop ties and said that efforts are needed to strengthen cooperation for stability in the region. "The golden rule for these efforts to be successful is mutual respect for international law and the protection of national sovereignty," Samaras added. Turkey and Greece are at odds over the delimitation of the exclusive economic zones due to a dispute over to what extent the Greek islands off the Turkish coast should be taken into consideration while determining the borders. Turkey argues that distances should be measured from the continental mainland, while Greece claims that all islands must be taken into account on an equal basis. Samaras said it is important to have good neighbourly relations and that it is always a positive development if the two countries are trying to solve issues of contention. Samaras declined to comment on the exclusive economic zone Turkey and Greece are said to be preparing to establish, while Erdogan said this agenda item had been a topic in talks. The Prime Minister said they discussed ways to establish the economic zone in the eastern Mediterranean with the win-win principle. Samaras said Turkish-Greek relations are in a very important turning point and that Athens has always supported Turkey's vision to join the European Union, which he said will make Turkey a "better neighbour." Regarding a question about terrorism, Samaras stated that Greece wants to minimize this phenomenon. "Terrorist events do not only have negative consequences for Turkey and Greece, but also only have consequences that disturb the whole world. We must fight against it," said Samaras. Erdogan, who also responded to the same question, stated that Greece was also a country that had suffered from terrorism. "The relevant Ministries of both countries are in close contact with each other. We will take joint steps against terrorism," said Erdogan. Erdogan also stated that trade relations between Turkey and Greece were at record levels. "Although the trade balance is not in our favour, we don't regard it as a problem. Greece is the fifth-most-invested country in Turkey. We give importance to this," said Erdogan. Prior to the joint press conference, Erdogan and Samaras held a bilateral meeting, which was closed to press and lasted about an hour. Following the meeting, both leaders participated in a meeting of the Turkey-Greece High Level Cooperation Council and attended the signing ceremony for a series of agreements. Both leaders also participated in a Turkish-Greek Business Forum at 0stanbul's C1ragan Palace. Turkey and Greece signed also at least 25 deals to boost diplomatic and economic ties in a number of fields between the two countries. Speaking at the Turkish-Greek Business Forum Erdogan said trade volume between Greece and Turkey increased by more than 100% over the past 10 years. Erdogan underlined that he aims to increase the bilateral trade volume between Turkey and Greece to $10 billion in the shortest time possible. "We must display determination by the end of 2015 to reach a trade volume of $10 billion", Erdogan said, adding that Greece contributed to our determination to solve problems over the past 10 years. Speaking at the Business Forum, Samaras indicated that Greece is slowly reaching stability. While Greece is about to reach stability, Turkey is on a path of development, Samaras noted. "As such, it is high time for the entrepreneurs of the two countries to cooperate with each other. The time is right for such cooperation," Samaras underlined, adding that the future of Turkish-Greek cooperation is highly promising". "Relations between our two countries could be supported by a stable political framework," Samaras stated. Touching on the issue of visas, Samaras said they are working on a system whereby Turkish tourists could obtain visas at Greek entry ports. "We are all mortals. It is countries and nations that will continue this process [of improving relations between Turkey and Greece]," Erdogan said. "Those who will come after me should be able to continue this process based on the foundation stones we have laid," Erdogan stated, adding: "On the one hand we have relatives living in Western Thrace while on the other there are Turkish citizens of Greek origin in Turkey. Both of these communities should be bridges of friendship between Turkey and Greece. We must accomplish this," Erdogan also said. "There is no problem that cannot be solved. There is no obstacle we cannot overcome. The Erdogan government, along with the Samaras government, will display the necessary will in this regard," Erdogan stated. "If we can work in good will, sincerity and cooperation, we can carry both Turkey and Greece forward in stability and security," Erdogan underlined. Touching on Turkey's EU process, Prime Minister Erdogan emphasized that Turkey's EU membership would be of crucial benefit to Greece as well as the EU itself. In the meantime Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said in a televised program aired by the private broadcaster NTV that relations between Turkey and Greece have drastically changed over the past decade in a positive way. Recalling the Cold War era, Davutoglu said both countries were challenging each other in almost all diplomatic platforms. He described the current point as historical progress removing their long-held perceptions about one another. "Russia and Greece historically represented 'the other' for Turkey. But today we are having High-Level Cooperation Council meetings with both countries," Davutoglu said in response to critics of Turkey's much debated "zero problems with neighbours" policy. Davutoglu said Turkey and Greece have expanded their areas of cooperation despite the fact that some problems still remain unsolved, noting that they, however, do not pose any serious challenge to relations as diplomatic dialogue and cooperation has improved significantly over the past years. Samaras also visited the Fener Greek Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul on the sidelines of the second Turkey-Greece High-Level Cooperation Council meeting. Prime Minister Samaras was accompanied by Greek Foreign Minister Dimitrios
Avramopoulos, Greek Ambassador to Turkey Kyriakos Loukakis and Turkish
EU Affairs Minister and chief negotiator Egemen Bag1.
Samaras met with Patriarch Bartholomeos I, visited the church at the
patriarchate, lit a candle and prayed.
Samaras, who arrived in Istanbul on Monday morning for talks,
was accompanied by a delegation of his cabinet members and Greek
businesspeople.
Earlier in the day, Samaras met with Abdullah Gul at the presidential
palace in Istanbul. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and EU
Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis were also present at the meeting, which
lasted about half an hour and was closed to press.
Following the meeting between Gul and Samaras, a written statement was
released. According to the statement, Gul stated Greek investments in
Turkey reached $6.6 billion in 10 years.
In the statement, Gul stated that economic and trade relations between
Turkey and Greece were moving forward in a gratifying way and the trade
volume between the two countries reached almost $5 billion in 2012. Gul
also added that the number of Turkish companies investing in Greece also
increased significantly, especially in banking and maritime affairs,
and added that new cooperation opportunities on energy and tourism could
be considered.
Speaking to the state-run television channel ERT of Greece on Sunday,
Erdogan stated that Turkey would not want to adopt a policy based on
rumors regarding its relations with Greece.
"While we consider the partnership between the two countries as strategic,
we want to add a different dimension to this partnership. Differences
between Greece and Turkey can be resolved through an unbiased and friendly
approach. Both our countries need this," he said.
Stating that there have been mistakes and misunderstandings in relations
in the past, Erdogan added that both countries need to fix these mistakes
and misunderstandings mutually and through joint steps. "We can raise
our military, political, economic, commercial and cultural ties to a
whole new level," said Erdogan.
Erdogan attached great significance to the role of minorities in closer
relations and described Greeks in Istanbul as a "bridge" in this respect.
Erdogan said the establishment of the High Level Cooperation Council
offered "a historic opportunity" for the relations between the two
countries.
The Turkish Prime Minister said Turkey and Greece were continuing to
work on settling a territorial dispute in the Aegean Sea, adding, "I
see absolutely no reason not to achieve results in this issue as long
as we assume an unbiased attitude."
(?)
Davutoglu responded in questions about issues on the agenda on private
Turkish news channel NTV.
Davutoglu said that Turkey had never neglected Cyprus, and kept
well-informed of Cyprus issue. "That is the time that Greek Cypriots
should behave more ethically and realistically. Greek government has
a will to make significant progress in the Cyprus issue, and to work
together," said Davutoglu.
Davutoglu said that he had talked to the UN Secretary-General, telling
him that Turkey and the "TRNC" were always ready to start all over for
resolution of Cyprus problem.
"Anastasiades has manoeuvre skills to take steps on basis of public
opinion of Greek Cypriots, and Turkey will assess the process according
to further steps of Anastasiades," alleged Davutoglu.
Davutoglu also answered questions about his meeting with US Secretary
of State John Kerry and said that he had talked to Kerry about relations
between Turkey and Israel.
"Turkey has not shown any biased attitude towards any nation or
government throughout its history, and Turkey exerts the utmost effort
for a two-state solution for Palestine issue," said Davutoglu.
"We have not seen any concrete steps from Israel in last three
years. Israel wants to rectify relations with Turkey; however, Israel
knows what to do to normalize our relations," said Davutoglu.
Moreover, Turkish private channel NTV (04.03.13) broadcast that Davutoglu,
commenting on the election of Anastasiades, also said that the time has
come for realistic behaviours. He added that a condition for the new state
structure is the acceptance by the Greek Cypriots the Turkish Cypriots as
"partners" of Cyprus.
In an exclusive interview with Today's Zaman, Ribert stated that the
EU's relations with Turkey have picked up speed in almost every area,
from economy to diplomacy, despite the fact that no chapter in Turkey's
accession talks has been opened in the last two-and-a-half years.
Stressing that the EU's share of Turkey's trade volume is still slightly
over 40 percent, representing the largest market for Turkey, Ripert
said the share of the EU in foreign direct investment (FDI) flowing to
Turkey has even increased in this period of economic difficulties in
the EU. He also recalled that Turkey is the number one beneficiary of
the EU's community programs, with over 50,000 students, academics and
others from Turkey involved in EU-funded projects.
He dismissed suggestions that the EU is not doing enough in cooperating
in the fight against terrorism.
The EU envoy, himself French, hailed Paris' decision to lift its veto on
the opening of at least one chapter, saying that "France has come back
to a more traditional position on the accession." According to Ripert,
France is motivated by both a desire to improve bilateral ties and to
facilitate Turkey's accession talks with the union. "The EU ambassador
expects that Chapter 22 on Regional Policy and Coordination of Structural
Instruments would not be a difficult one to negotiate. He expects this
would be followed by possibly opening other chapters, including Chapter
17 on Economic and Monetary Policy, which he said should be reviewed
after the financial crisis.
He seemed encouraged by the signals coming from Cyprus' newly elected
President as well as the UN special envoy. "My feeling is that we are
in a time when things should move," he emphasized.
With the positive agenda, Ripert believes Turkey and the EU have covered
some ground on realigning Turkey and the EU on the standards required for
chapters that are frozen. He said the EU had certified that benchmarks
for the opening of three chapters that are currently frozen had been
met under the positive agenda and could be officially opened any day.
Commenting on the Turkish Prime Minister's remarks on the Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO), the EU diplomat said the SCO is not an
alternative to the EU. "
The EU ambassador acknowledged the progress Turkey has made in terms
of adopting reforms and said he hoped the fourth judicial package will
deliver even more.
As for the landmark trials in Turkey that have looked into past military
interventions, coup attempts and shadowy networks long nestled within
state structures, the EU ambassador said the position of the commission
is very straightforward on these.
Ripert also said the EU supports the new peace process launched by the
government for the disarmament of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
organization.
(TR. Note: The full text of the interview can be found in the following
link: http://www.todayszaman.com/news-308762-.html )
It was a farewell visit since Turenicova has completed her term in Cyprus
and is leaving for another post.
The meeting which lasted for half an hour was held behind closed doors
and the press was only given permission to tape some footage.
No statement was made before or after the meeting.
Turenicova also paid a farewell visit to the former Turkish Cypriot
leader Mehmet Ali Talat.
Noting that production had started following the establishment of the
factories at the first phase, Tatar said the second phase which is about
8 km, has started with a project worth 2 million Turkish Liras.
He also said that the road works started in the region with the
participation of Turkish Minister for Transportation Binali Y1ld1r1m.
Touching upon the importance of the completion of the infrastructure
works in the breakaway regime, Tatar said that they aim is to develop
the industry, production and employment opportunities.
The Syrian Chamber of Industry filed the case in an unspecified European
country, and accused Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan of
backing armed gangs against the national interest of Syria, pro-regime
daily Al-Watan reported.
"This is a case aimed at asserting our rights, regardless of our
political opinion," Al-Watan quoted the chamber's President Fares
Shehabi as saying. He said that several Syrian unions have signed on to
the complaint.
"We have the necessary documents... to prove Erdogan's obvious involvement
in sponsoring acts of banditry and terrorism." He said the chamber
accuses Erdogan of contributing to the "transfer of factory (machinery
from Aleppo province in northern Syria) to Turkey," and of "supporting
armed gangs who are committing crimes against the national economy."
In January, Syria accused Turkey of plundering factories in Aleppo,
once the country's commercial hub, and called on the U.N. to help put
a stop to what Damascus described as "an illegal act of aggression that
amounts to piracy."
The Turkish company has won four tenders for gold exploration in a
1,000-square-meter area in Afghanistan, outbidding 70 contestant firms,
Yildiz said yesterday during his visit to the country, adding that Turkish
state-run oil company TPAO would initially invest more than $100 million
in the country.
"We believe that Turkey and Afghanistan, which have deep ties, have a
big potential for joint work. The public and private sector will explore
Afghanistan's natural and underground resources together," Y1ld1z said.
TPAO had won the tender for oil exploration and production in the
provinces of Mazar-i Sharif and Sand1kl1 with its partners Kuwait
Energy, Dragon Oil and the Afghan Ghazanfer Group. The tender involved
exploration rights in the Tajik Basin in northern Afghanistan, where
oil reserves are estimated at more than 1 billion barrels.
According to the report, 2.709 persons were employed in the banking
sector of the occupied area of Cyprus in 2012 and the number of bank
branches reached 208. The balance of the banks increased to 11 billion
Turkish liras (TL) in the end of 2012.
According to the same data, the GDP increased by 2.4% in the last
quarter of 2012. The annual inflation rate was 3.6% in December, 6.59%
in September and 9.07% in June 2012.
The number of the foreign visitors of the occupied area of Cyprus in 2012
increased by 14.1% in comparison to last year and reached one million
166 thousand and 186 persons.
The total income of the "budget" of the regime for the last quarter of
2012 increased by 27.41% in comparison to the same period of 2011 and
reached 979 million TL from 768.4 million TL. The total budget expenses
decreased by 1.11% in the same period falling to 937,5 million TL. The
equity capital of the banking sector was 1.1 billion TL in the end of
2011 and increased to 1.2 billion TL in the end of 2012.
(I/Ts.)
According to the paper, the participants will have also the opportunity
to carry out contacts with other academic staff in the occupied area of
the Republic of Cyprus.
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio
/EI
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