TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 45/13 5/3/13
1. Eroglu conveyed a letter to Cyprus President and
the UNSG
2.
Erdogan’s meeting with Samaras; statements on the Cyprus problem and the EEZ
3. Samaras’ contacts in Turkey; statements by Erdogan,
Davutoglu, Gul
4. Davutoglu described President Anastasiades’
election as a psychological advantage in the solution process in Cyprus
5. Interview of the EU ambassador to Ankara Ripert on
Turkey- He evaluates as positive Anastasiades’ election
6. Slovakian Ambassador to Lefkosia paid a farewell
visit to the Turkish Cypriot leader
7. Infrastructure works in the industrial area of
occupied Gerolakos village
8. “Syrian industry sues Turkey for ‘looting’”
8. “Syrian industry sues Turkey for ‘looting’”
9. Turkish firms to explore gold in Afghan territory
10. Breakaway regime’s exports decreased, imports
increased in 2012
11. KIBRISLI TV and FM’s licenses for broadcasting
were cancelled
12. Illegal GAU launched a workshop on Global Science
family Higher Education
1.
Eroglu conveyed a letter to Cyprus President and the UNSG
According 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.
2.
Erdogan’s meeting with Samaras; statements on the Cyprus problem and the EEZ
Under 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)
3.
Samaras’ contacts in Turkey; statements by Erdogan, Davutoglu, Gul
Turkish 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 İstanbul's Cıragan 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
Bagış.
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."
(…)
4.
Davutoglu described President Anastasiades’ election as a psychological
advantage in the solution process in Cyprus
Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.03.13)
reports from Ankara that the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu defined
as a psychological advantage in the solution process in Cyprus, Nicos
Anastasiades’ election as the “leader” of “Greek Cypriot administration”, as
the President of the Republic of Cyprus is described, recalling that
Anastasiades had voted “yes” in Kofi
Annan's Cyprus plan referendum.
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.
5. Interview of the EU ambassador to Ankara Ripert
on Turkey- He evaluates as positive Anastasiades’ election
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman newspaper (05.03.13) reports publishes an interview of
Jean-Maurice Ripert, EU's ambassador to Ankara who stated that Turkey and the
27-nation bloc are closer than ever, stressing that the fundamentals between
the two are getting stronger despite the economic crisis in Europe.
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 )
6. Slovakian Ambassador to Lefkosia paid a farewell
visit to the Turkish Cypriot leader
Illegal Bayrak
television (05.03.13) broadcast that the Slovakian Ambassador to Lefkosia Anna
Turenicova met with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu.
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.
7. Infrastructure works in the industrial area of
occupied Gerolakos village
Illegal Bayrak television (04.03.13) reports that the self-styled minister of finance Ersin Tatar together with the President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry Ali Çıralı, visited the industrial area of the occupied Gerolakos village where they made inspections regarding the second phase of the ongoing infrastructure works and toured the businesses in the area.
Illegal Bayrak television (04.03.13) reports that the self-styled minister of finance Ersin Tatar together with the President of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry Ali Çıralı, visited the industrial area of the occupied Gerolakos village where they made inspections regarding the second phase of the ongoing infrastructure works and toured the businesses in the area.
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 Yıldırım.
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.
8. “Syrian industry sues Turkey for ‘looting’”
Under the above
title, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.03.13) reports that Syria’s
industry body has filed a case in a European court against Turkey for allegedly
sponsoring terrorism and looting factories in strife-torn Syria, a report said.
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.”
9. Turkish
firms to explore gold in Afghan territory
Ankara Anatolia News Agency (05.03.13) reports that a
Turkish company has won four tenders for gold exploration in Afghanistan, as
public oil firm TPAO will boost its investments in the country, Turkish Energy
Minister Taner Yıldız said.
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,” Yıldız
said.
TPAO had won the tender for oil exploration and
production in the provinces of Mazar-i Sharif and Sandıklı 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.
10. Breakaway regime’s exports decreased, imports
increased in 2012
Turkish Cypriot
daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (05.03.13) reports that the exports of the “TRNC”
breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, decreased by
3.3% in 2012 in comparison to 2011, as they fell from 115,1 million dollars to
111,3 million dollars. Referring to data for the last quarter of 2012 published
by the so-called central bank of the regime, the paper writes that imports
increased by 0.004% during the period January-November 2012 and reached 1.450,1
million dollars.
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.)
11.
KIBRISLI TV and FM’s licenses for broadcasting were cancelled
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (05.03.13), the so-called supreme
board of broadcasting (YYK) cancelled all the licenses and permissions of
broadcasting from the private Turkish Cypriot channels Kibrisli TV and FM.
12.
Illegal GAU launched a workshop on Global Science family Higher Education
Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (05.03.13)
reports that the illegal Kyrenia American University (GAU) hosts a 3-day
workshop on global science family higher education until on 6th of
March. More than 200 participants from
70 countries are taking part in the workshop.
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.
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TURKISH
AFFAIRS SECTION
/EI
