TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 88/13 11-13/05/13
C O N T E N T S
1. Twin car bomb in the Turkish Reyhanli town killed at
least 43 people; Erdogan and other Turkish officials blamed 'pro-Assad groups,
intelligence organizations
2. Gul and Yildiz stated that “a solution model” is
searched for solving the political problems experienced in the Eastern
Mediterranean; Gul signalled a “new economic collaboration”
3. Kucuk departs for the USA saying his aim is to
undertake more active role in foreign policy
4. Turkish Cypriot politicians commented on the latest proposal of Cyprus
MFA regarding the fenced of town off Varosha
5. Yorgancioglu says the UBP aims at granting
“citizenship” to ten thousand persons by the end of the year
6. Expectations by political parties regarding the dinner
between Anastasiades- Eroglu
7. Necdet Numan is UBP’s new general secretary; New
crisis begins
8. Cavusoglu asks Atalay’s
support for Cukurova University establishing campus in occupied Trikomo area
9. Atun calls for the creation of
a joint trade commission between Turkey, Iraq and the breakaway regime
10. Tourists from Poland and Czech
Republic to visit the breakaway regime
11. The “Toparlaniyoruz
Movement” in the occupied area of Cyprus celebrated the 1st year of
its establishment
12. The breakaway regime was represented at “Arabian
Travel Market 2013 Tourism Fair”
13. Turkey and Germany agree on strategic dialogue
14. Turkish-Egyptian Business Council meeting took place
in Turkey; Egyptian MP called Turkish investor to invest in Egypt and stated
that Egypt’s doors to Gaza are wide open to Erdogan
1. Twin car bomb in the Turkish Reyhanli town killed
at least 43 people; Erdogan and other Turkish officials blamed 'pro-Assad
groups, intelligence organizations
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (12.05.13) reported from Reyhanli/Hatay that the two
powerful car bomb explosions just minutes apart in Reyhanli, a Turkish town
near the Syrian border on Saturday, killed at least 43 people and wounded more
than 100 others.
Turkish
officials pointed at 'groups and intelligence services loyal to the Assad
regime' for the deadly blasts as fears mounted that Syria's more than
two-year-old conflict increasingly risked spill over to neighbouring countries.
The
devastation from blasts, which took place 15 minutes apart at a crowded
shopping district and outside a post office in the Reyhanli town just across
Syria's Idlib province, was huge that it ripped through entire buildings and
left hulks of twisted metal and charred skeletons from cars scattered over the
streets.
"We
have confirmed that the organization and individuals responsible for the deadly
blasts were associated with pro-Syrian groups and the intelligence
organizations in Syria," Turkish Interior Minister Muammer Guler told
reporters in Ankara, the Turkish capital.
Turkish
Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay said the assailants were from inside Turkey
but they had links with Syria's al-Mukhabarat intelligence service.
Bulent
Arinc, another Turkish Deputy Prime Minister said that the "usual
suspect" in the blasts was the Assad administration, and al-Mukhabarat and
armed groups associated with the Damascus regime.
"Those
responsible for the attacks, both domestic and foreign, will be apprehended.
And if any link to the Syrian regime is established, there will be things we
will need to talk openly and clearly with countries which encourage Syria in
this fashion," Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu told reporters in
Berlin. He said the timing of the attacks was no coincidence given a recent
momentum in diplomatic efforts to find a solution to the Syria crisis.
The
United States strongly condemned the twin bombings with Secretary of State John
F. Kerry expressing solidarity as NATO chief, UN secretary general, France and
Britain all condemned the attacks.
Turkey
is a staunch opponent of the Assad regime and it shelters more than 300,000
Syrians.
Also,
according to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.05.13) Turkish Prime
Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan commenting on the deadly blast in Reyhanli town
while he addressed his supporters in a Mother's Day event yesterday, said: “The
deadly blasts in the southern town of Reyhanlı near the Syrian border, which
killed 46 people, reflect an intention to drag Turkey into a "bloody
swamp" in Syria, adding that the attack aimed to "disrupt Turkey's
peace".
"The
purpose of these attacks is to give opportunities to those who collaborate with
the Baath regime. These are attacks intending to provoke those who leave in
peace, especially in the Hatay [province]," Erdogan said.
The
Hatay enclave is home to many minorities living together, including Alawites,
Nusayris and Kurds who have family links with Syria.
"Turkey's
patience and composure is being tested. They want to drag Turkey into a filthy
scenario. But we will not fall into this trap," Erdogan said.
The Prime
Minister warned against any retaliation attacks against Syrian refugees, saying
that this would only serve the interests of those who perpetrated the attack.
"If there is a single attack against a Syrian guest, even only verbal, the
attackers will win," he said.
The
Turkish Prime Minister also slammed the opposition parties that called on the
government to review it’s internal and foreign policies following the Reyhanlı
attack. Describing as "opportunism" any attempt to criticize the
government on the matter, Erdogan said such accusations could only "play
into the hands" of Turkey's enemies. "It is not time to find those
responsible inside the country. Trying to seek political gain from this
[attack] is unscrupulous," he added.
Erdogan
insisted that he would rather drop his Prime Minister office than shut his eyes
to the babies being killed in Syria, adding that he could not give account to
God if he did so. "We saw with my wife the photographs in the newspapers,
images from Banias in Syria that afflict one's spirit. We cried when we saw
those babies martyred in their mother's arms. Those who defend the actors of
the regime that perpetrated this massacre cannot explain this to the Turkish
people or to humanity," he said.
Erdogan
also dismissed criticism that the government's policies on Syria were based on
the Justice and Development Party's (AKP) or his own personal position.
"The issue in Syria is not the AKP's or Recep Tayyip Erdogan's, but
Turkey's issue. The plane that was shot down [on June 2012] was not the AKP's,
but Turkey's plane," he said.
2. Gul and Yildiz stated that “a solution model” is
searched for solving the political problems experienced in the Eastern
Mediterranean; Gul signalled a “new economic collaboration”
Under
the title: “Ankara ‘closer' to joint energy projects with Israel, Greek
Cyprus”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman (10.05.13) reported the following: “Amid
growing speculation over scenarios that include the participation of Turkey as
a transfer hub for the recently discovered natural gas resources in the east
Mediterranean, top Turkish officials signalled on Thursday that Ankara is
warming to ‘extensive cooperation’ with Israel and Greek Cyprus.
The
issue was discussed by both President Abdullah Gul and Energy Minister Taner
Yıldız on Friday at an energy conference in Istanbul. Addressing participants
at the 4th Annual Energy Forum, organized by Sabancı University, Gul said that
Turkey would welcome a new cooperation model that envisages the transfer of
resources from the Mediterranean to world markets via Turkey. ‘I would like to
once again underline here that it will benefit all parties to agree on a joint
deal on the transportation of gas reserves off the island of Cyprus,’ Gul said,
adding that the cooperation would ‘surely facilitate the solution of political
problems we face in this region’. The President asserted that Ankara is ‘ready
to contribute to any constructive project,’ adding that all parties should
start considering a new models to reach a solution.
The
east Mediterranean basin is estimated to hold as much as 3 trillion cubic
meters of natural gas reserves. Turkey stands firmly against any unilateral
moves by the Greek Cypriot administration to extract natural gas and oil
reserves off of the coast of Cyprus, saying that Turkish Cypriots, running
their own state in the north of the island, also have a say on these reserves.
In transporting gas drilled from Cyprus to Europe, a pipeline through Turkey
seems the lowest-cost opportunity for Greek Cyprus, which will most likely
remain cash-strapped for the near future due to its major economic crisis.
The
Israeli and Greek Cypriot administrations began cooperating on energy soon
after the American oil company Noble Energy discovered gas around the island of
Cyprus. Ankara expects improving ties with Tel Aviv -- which follow the
latter's apology over the earlier Mavi Marmara raid -- will see Turkey find its
place at the negotiation table for even larger-scale energy projects soon.
Speaking
to reporters during Friday's conference, Minister Yıldız did not deny that
preparations are going on behind closed doors in Ankara for the possible
“solution model” to which Gul has referred. Underlining that the Turkish
government is ready for possible cooperation with Nicosia and Tel Aviv to
transfer Cyprus gas reserves to world markets, Yıldız said his Ministry has
already begun research to draw up the anticipated projects. Reiterating
Ankara's stance that Cyprus energy reserves must be shared with the Turkish
side, the Minister argued that Nicosia would have difficulty in initiating
energy projects in the Mediterranean if the country ‘continues ignoring our
[Ankara's] calls to abide by international law’. Yıldız added, however, that
Turkey ‘will that take advantage of its geographic position to pressure the
newly emerging energy suppliers, nor will it use this as a tool for political
gain’.
The
Minister's statement signal softening of tone in Ankara, particularly following
recent remarks from different Cabinet members. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu
said in March that if Greek Cyprus insists on using hydrocarbon reserves off
the island to overcome its debt crisis without the consent of the Turkish
Cypriots, Turkey is ready to discuss a two-state solution on the island in
order to claim the rights of Turkish Cypriots to the reserves. One critical
detail between the lines of Yıldız's speech on Friday was that the government
expected the state-owned Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) play a leading
role in the possible Mediterranean projects and that the company could partner
with local or foreign private energy firms. Observers have speculated that the
TPAO would cooperate with a local energy firm in the case of an energy transfer
project in the Mediterranean. The firm currently explores for oil and natural
gas in Turkish-controlled Cyprus. The Minister also announced: “We are in the
process of finalizing our efforts to offer TPAO shares to the public to be
traded on the stock market. He added that details on this issue ‘will be made
public shortly’”.
Meanwhile,
according to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.05.13), Turkish President
Abdullah Gul said on May 10 at a conference in Istanbul the following:
“I
believe any projects regarding energy resources in the Eastern Mediterranean
should involve all the countries in the region, including Egypt, Lebanon,
Israel, all parts of the island of Cyprus and Turkey… to resolve political
problems”.
(…)
“Turkish
Cypriots also have a right to the discovered energy resources off the Cyprus
coastline. Economics could be the main instrument to resolve the existing
political problems in the region and a new economic cooperation mission could
be established in the Eastern Mediterranean, which could be under the framework
of the European Union,” Gul said.
Gul
also said some of the energy resources of Iraq could be distributed to Turkey
and to Europe – through Turkey – via new oil and gas pipelines that could be
built in parallel to the existing northern and southern energy routes of Iraq.
(…)
3. Kucuk departs for the USA
saying his aim is to undertake more active role in foreign policy
Turkish Cypriot daily
Vatan newspaper (13.05.13) reports that Irsen Kucuk, self-styled prime minister
of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus,
departed yesterday for the United States of America with a chartered flight of
the Turkish Airlines (THY).
In statements at the
illegal Tymvou airport, Kucuk said that he would have a series of contacts
abroad in the forthcoming period in order for becoming more active in the
foreign policy. He noted that he would meet with members of the American
Congress and representatives of think tanks, federations of Turkish business
circles and big international companies.
Kucuk said that the
target of his “government” from now on is to “undertake a more active role both
in the internal and the external policy and especially to exert more efforts in
the foreign policy in the direction of contributing to the UN negotiation
process”.
Kucuk argued that the
international representation of the Turkish Cypriot “people”, who have
allegedly been continuing their liberation struggle for 50 years, was very
important this period, like it had been in the past. He added that they were
ready to exert every effort in order for the “people” to acquire the quality of
life they deserve and strengthen their position internationally.
Kucuk noted that 2013
was a year during which they would exert initiatives that might give results in
the future.
His spouse, Gulin
Kucuk, his “advisor”, Omer Koseoglu, the “undersecretary” at the “ministry of
public works and transport”, Suat Yeltener, the “coordinator” of the “EU
Coordination Centre”, Erhan Ercin, the “public relations’ director” of the
“prime minister’s office”, Leman Aslim, the “director” of illegal Bayrak
television, Mete Tumerkan and cardiologist Dr. Erkut Asicioglu are among the
members of the delegation that accompanies Kucuk.
(I/Ts.)
4. Turkish
Cypriot politicians commented on the latest proposal of Cyprus MFA regarding
the fenced of town off Varosha
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeniduzen
(11.05.13), Cemal Ozyigit, General secretary of the Social Democracy Party
(TDP), in a written statement, said that although there is a favourable
environment for resumption of the negotiations for Cyprus settlement, there is
a lack of a political will in both sides.
Commenting on the latest proposal of Cyprus
Minister of Foreign Affairs Kasoulides regarding the return of the fenced of
town off Varosha to its legal owners and the opening of the occupied Famagusta
port for direct trade, Ozyigit said that the proposal should be taken under consideration.
He also said that while the comprehensive talks will be continued then a second
step can be the simultaneously opening of direct flights at the occupied
airport of Tymbou and the opening of Turkey’s ports to all the vessels of the
Republic of Cyprus.
Ozyigit noted that the natural gas, the oil
and the water may play a catalyst role on the negotiation process of the Cyprus
problem.
Also, the general secretary of the United
Cyprus Party (BKP) Izzet Izcan, in a written statement, commenting on the
latest proposal of Minister Kasoulides, said that the confidence building
measures, like the return of the fenced of
town of Varosha, the opening of the occupied port of Famagusta and the launch
of direct flights, have a meaning in case they are being implemented with the
solution process.
The leader of the Republican Turkish Party –
United Forces (CTP-BG), Ozkan Yorganciolgu, in a written statement, inter alia,
said that they, as CTP, see the proposal of the return of the fenced of town
off Varosha to its legal owners, as out of place and in improper time. He went
on calling on the Greek Cypriot leadership to focus on finding a comprehensive
solution and to avoid this kind of approach.
5. Yorgancioglu says the UBP aims at granting
“citizenship” to ten thousand persons by the end of the year
Under the title “Citizenship
is the dirty game of the National Unity Party (UBP) for forty years”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (12.05.13) reports that the general secretary
of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Ozkan Yorgancioglu criticized strongly UBP
policy of “citizenship” granting.
Yorgancioglu accused
the “council of ministers” of granting the “TRNC citizenship” every week that
it conveys, without respecting at all the will of the Turkish Cypriots. He also
said that UBP aims at granting “citizenship” to ten thousand persons by the end
of the year.
6. Expectations
by political parties regarding the dinner between Anastasiades- Eroglu
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (11.05.13), in
the eve of the dinner between Greek Cypriot leader Anastasiades and Turkish
Cypriot leader Eroglu on the 29th of May under the auspice of UN,
reports on what the Turkish Cypriot political parties expect from this dinner.
Eroglu hopes that from this meeting they will
draw the roadmap regarding the Cyprus talks.
However, the National Unity Party (UBP), the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and the
Democratic Party (DP) have different expectations from that social gathering.
The ruling party UBP hopes that the day of
May 29 may be the beginning of the process and stressing that the negotiations
should resume without any delay.
The main opposition party CTP expects that
this bilateral meeting will be an exercise on which ground the new era of the
negotiations will be based.
TDP has the opinion that the Cyprus talk will
resume on September or October.
DP believes that in case the two leaders take
a step to prepare a new map then they can reach a very beneficial result for
both sides.
Furthermore, the so-called deputy of UBP
Hasan Tacoy wished that the meeting of the leaders on the 29 of May will
accelerate the negotiation process.
The leader of CTP Ozkan Yorgancioglu said
that he expects that in the meeting some preparatory work should be done on which
date and on which ground the negotiations will start, as well as who the
special representatives will be.
Mehmet Cakici, leader of TDP, said that he
doesn’t have many expectations from the dinner. He added that the Cyprus
problem is not first item in their agenda due to the problems in both sides.
Cakici believes that the oil and the natural gas will give acceleration to the
negotiation process.
The leader of DP, Serdar Denktas said that
they, as DP, don’t see any cheering approach regarding the roadmap. He also
said that they don’t see positive a process that will continue with approaches
of the past and not with a new approach.
7. Necdet Numan is UBP’s new general secretary; New
crisis begins
Under the title “New
crisis in the UBP”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (12.05.13)
reports that the council of the National Unity Party (UBP) convened on Saturday
and elected Necdet Numan as the new general secretary of the party. Numan is reportedly
known for his closeness to the chairman of the UBP and self-styled prime
minister of the breakaway regime, Irsen Kucuk. Numan defeated his opponent,
Guner Goktug, by securing 58 votes in a secret voting.
According to the
paper, the opponents of Irsen Kucuk in the party, who are headed by Ahmet
Kasif, left the room before the end of the meeting and reacted to the fact that
the election of the general secretary took place without achieving consensus.
They stated they have been excluded in spite of their “good will”. They added:
“No one won. The UBP is losing. And as long as this understanding continues, it
will continue losing every day”.
Citing information
obtained by its correspondent, Halkin Sesi reports that the 10 “deputies”, who
oppose to Kucuk, will determine their stance in the “assembly” this week. They
are expected to resume their action that had prevented securing quorum in the
“assembly” and to implement “new kinds of reaction”. The paper writes that the
opponents of Kucuk wanted Hasan Tacoy to become general secretary of the party.
In their statements,
Kucuk and Numan gave the message of “unity and cooperation” in the party.
Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (12.05.13) points out that UBP’s newly elected general
secretary comes from the occupied Keryneia area, like the party’s former
general secretary, Fuat Namsoy. The paper reports that Ahmet Kasif, who is a
“deputy” from occupied Famagusta, and some other “deputies” left the room
without voting. In a statement on behalf of these “deputies”, Kasif said that
they have suggested ten names in order for consensus to be reached within the
UBP, but no one of these names was considered to be appropriate for the post
and thus the desired consensus was not reached.
Referring to the same
issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (12.05.13) argues that the
achievement of consensus within the UBP was prevented with an instruction that
came from Ankara. According to the paper, the Justice and Development Party
(AKP) thinks that this consensus would benefit the Turkish Cypriot leader
Eroglu, and has completely closed the door of consensus for Kucuk, who had been
close to reaching a consensus. Under the title “There is no permission for
consensus by the AKP”, the paper reports that the attention now is turned to
the Kasif’s group and their future actions. “It has become definite that the
doors in the UBP, which were shut on them, will not open again”, writes that
paper, noting that discussions are being held as to whether the stance of this
group at the “assembly” will lead to “early elections” or to the establishment
of a new formation.
(I/Ts.)
8. Cavusoglu asks Atalay’s support for Cukurova
University establishing campus in occupied Trikomo area
Turkish Cypriot daily
Kibris newspaper (12.05.13) reports that Nazim Cavusoglu, self-styled minister
of internal affairs and local administrations of the breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has met with the Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister and responsible for Cyprus, Besir Atalay in Ankara.
It is reported that
the issue of building a new prison in the occupied area of Cyprus was the main
issue of their agenda. Investments and some projects in the occupied area of
Cyprus were also discussed during the meeting.
Referring to his
visit to Turkey, Cavusoglu said: “We have come to ask support from Mr Besir
Atalay in order for Cukurova University coming to Trikomo the soonest. We have
come to ask help in the direction of speeding up the process of building a
campus in the area allotted to Cukurova University in the past”.
Atalay said that they
are closely cooperating with the breakaway regime and that Turkey wants the
“TRNC” to go well in every aspect of the economy. Atalay referred to the
projects of transferring water and electricity from Turkey to the occupied area
of Cyprus, to the construction of roads, to the increase in the number of
students in the “universities” and to incentives in the field of tourism. He
said that the “decree” of giving incentives for projects in the field of
tourism in occupied Vokolida and Trikomo area is in force and that they had
made assessments regarding this issue during his recent visit to the occupied
area of Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
9. Atun calls for the creation of a joint trade
commission between Turkey, Iraq and the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis
newspaper (12.05.13) reports that the self-styled minister of economy and
energy Sunat Atun stated that the creation of a joint trade commission between
Turkey, Iraq and the breakaway regime will create great potentials.
Atun made these statements during
a meeting he had with the chairman of Turkey-Iraq International Investors
Association (TURIYAD), Feridun Gunduz who is visiting occupied Cyprus heading a
delegation.
Atun said that because of the
increased political role in Middle East, trade between Turkey and the countries
of this region has increased and added the breakaway regime sees potentials in
the region. On his part Gunduz said that there are areas for joint action with
the breakaway regime and added that this is the reason they are visiting
occupied Cyprus.
10. Tourists from Poland and Czech Republic to
visit the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (12.05.13) reports that the Onur Air Airways arranged charter flights from Poland and the Czech Republic to occupied Cyprus and writes that tourists from these countries will illegally visit the breakaway regime soon.
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (12.05.13) reports that the Onur Air Airways arranged charter flights from Poland and the Czech Republic to occupied Cyprus and writes that tourists from these countries will illegally visit the breakaway regime soon.
The paper writes that
around 3000 tourists from Poland and the Czech Republic are expected to visit
occupied Cyprus this season and that the flight will take place on Tuesdays and
Fridays from illegal Ercan to Katowice, Poland and vice-versa.
According to the
paper, a special event was organized in Katowice, Poland for promoting tourism
in the breakaway regime by Onur Air, Eximtour Tour Operator, its Turkish
partner Akdem Tourism, its partner in the breakaway regime Tourplus and 200
other travel agencies. The paper writes that hotels of the occupied regime were
included in Eximtour Tour Operator’s main catalog.
11. The “Toparlaniyoruz
Movement” in the occupied area of Cyprus celebrated the 1st year of
its establishment
Turkish
Cypriot daily Haberdar newspaper (13.05.13) reports that the “Toparlaniyoruz
Movement” (We are coming together) in the occupied area of Cyprus has organized
an event in occupied Lefkosia celebrating the 1st anniversary of its
establishment.
In
statements during the event, the leader of the Movement, Dr. Kudret Ozersay
recalled that the movement had been established with the slogan “This status
does not suit us”. He said also that their country’s future is their only
worry.
Ozersay
spoke also of the possibility for the movement to be turned into political
party and said that that if their supporters wish this, they would then
establish a party.
Among
the participants at the event were the UN’s Secretary-General Special
Representative in Cyprus, Lisa Buttenheim, the German Ambassador in Cyprus
Gabriela Guellil, the Ambassador of Finland Ani Saarel, the “undersecretary” of
the “Turkish embassy” in the occupied area of Cyprus, Murat Basceri and a great
number of trade union representatives and representatives of other
“organizations”.
AK
12. The breakaway regime was
represented at “Arabian Travel Market 2013 Tourism Fair”
According to Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (11.05.13),
a delegation from the so-called ministry of tourism, environment and culture,
with the title of “North Cyprus”, participated in the tourism fair “Arabian
Travel Market 20013”, which was held in Dubai between 6-9 May.
During the tourism fair, brochures promoting the
breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus were distributed
in English and in Arabic.
13. Turkey and Germany agree on
strategic dialogue
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (12.05.13) reported that the Turkish and German Foreign
Ministers signed on Sunday a joint declaration to build a mechanism for
strategic dialogue between their governments, a move set to strengthen
bilateral cooperation amid a stalemate in Turkey's process of accession to the
European Union.
Foreign
Minister Ahmet Davutoglu signed the strategic dialogue mechanism agreement with
his German counterpart Guido Westerwelle in Berlin. The mechanism aims to help
bilateral relations flourish, solve current problems and come to a consensus on
conflicting opinions between the two countries. It also aims to build a better
cooperation in regional and global issues.
According
to the strategic dialogue agreement, the two Foreign Ministers will meet at
least once a year to discuss the course of the dialogue, while Deputy Ministers
from Turkey and Germany, as well as undersecretaries will hold a series of
talks during the year.
As
part of Davutoglu's Germany visit, the Turkish Foreign Minister reiterated
Turkey's determination in following the neo-Nazi killings. Davutoglu said on
Saturday that Turkey was determined to keep a close eye on the case of neo-Nazi
killings of 9 Turks, stressing the need to discover the realities behind the
racist murders. “It is a must to discover what is under this iceberg [referring
to killings]. It is such a significant issue that it cannot be evaded by seeing
[these killings] as acts of 3-4 impertinent people,” Davutoglu said in Berlin
during a meeting with Turkey's consuls general serving in Western European
countries.
(…)
14. Turkish-Egyptian Business Council meeting took
place in Turkey; Egyptian MP called Turkish investor to invest in Egypt and
stated that Egypt’s doors to Gaza are wide open to Erdogan
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (11.05.13) reported from Istanbul that the Egyptian Prime
Minister Hisham Kandil attended on Friday the 14th Joint Meeting of
Turkish-Egyptian Business Council in Istanbul.
Speaking
at the meeting, Hisham Kandil underlined that "Egypt was open to all
Turks." “Turkey and Egypt can work together in giant projects based on
neighborliness, brotherhood and win-win principle”, Kandil stressed.
Kandil
invited Turkish investors to Egypt and reminded that the projects planned for
both sides of the Suez Canal would be worth 100 billion USD.
Meanwhile,
also speaking at the Istanbul meeting, Egyptian Minister of Investments Yahya
Hameed underlined that his Ministry's doors were open to Turkish
businesspeople. “We have come to Turkey to do business”, Hameed also said.
Meanwhile,
in an interview in Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (13.05.13) the Egyptian
Prime Minister, has, inter alia, said that the doors of Egypt to Gaza are wide
open to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, noting that Erdogan had
repeated his intention to visit the enclave at the end of this month.
“He
[Erdoğan] said he wants to come to Egypt and to go to Gaza. Of course, he’s
going to have a very good experience because seeing things live is much
different from watching or reading news pieces,” Egyptian Prime Minister Hesham
Kandil told the Hurriyet Daily News on May 11.
Kandil
held meetings with President Abdullah Gul and Erdogan on May 10, when he also
attended Turkish-Egyptian Business Forum meeting. Kandil said both countries’
Foreign Ministries were talking about the dates of Erdogan’s visit, which is
supposed to take place after the Prime Minister’s appointment with U.S.
President Barack Obama on May 16.
“Here
is an excerpt from the interview with Kandil:
The Syria turmoil is continuing and has impacts on the
region. There are also concerns that the crisis in Syria has caused an end to
the Arab Spring. Do you share this concern?
I am
not sure that what’s going on in Syria does prevent countries from doing their
own change.
Because
‘one model fits all’ is not possible. What happened in Egypt was different from
Tunisia, and the models of Morocco and Jordan are different. So this is up to
each country to decide what to do and it does not necessarily mean that the
Arab Spring has stopped. But the nature of Syria is harder than the others. And
interventions from outside have impacted this. Unfortunately it will be very
difficult to bring this country back to normal even if this fight stops today.
Are Arab countries passive as suggested by some leaders?
Arab
countries gave the seat of Syria to the opposition. It was already a bold step
toward that. But if you ask me whether the Syrian leaders have crossed the
border, yes they crossed the border long ago.
There is a fresh hope for the revival of
Israeli-Palestinian talks. Are you also hopeful?
To
start talks and to have a chance for success, Palestinian factions first should
unite. This is ground zero. Otherwise, it will not work. So, this is the first
effort we have done, we are committed to doing more but I have to admit that
this has to be the decision of the Palestinian people that they want to
reconcile.
This is also related with the Turkish Prime Minister’s
plans to visit Gaza. Have you discussed this issue, because he will need to
pass there through Egypt?
Yes,
he said [during his meeting on May 10] he wants to come to Egypt and to go to
Gaza. Of course, he’s going to have a very good experience because seeing
things live is much different from watching it on the news or reading the news.
Doors are going to be wide open for him of course.
Have you discussed dates of this visit?
Our
foreign ministries are discussing dates, but no certain date has been fixed so
far.
Another regional development was Israel’s apology to
Turkey. How do you evaluate the development?
This
issue has three parts: apology, compensation and lifting the embargo. Turkey
should be praised for sticking to its position and everybody will be delighted
to see the embargo on our brothers and sisters in Gaza lifted.
How would normalization of ties between Turkey and Israel
affect the region?
Turkey
and Egypt are working together very well. The region needs all the efforts to
resolve issues. Issues are everywhere. There are a lot of hot points in the
region. So, having Turkey on our side in terms of supporting peace and bringing
stability for the region, I think we can achieve a lot.
What would be Turkey’s contribution to the regional
issues?
Turkey
can contribute a lot to all issues in the region. Both countries [Turkey and
Egypt] are presenting modern Islam to the world. Turkey and Egypt cooperating,
we can bring a lot of added value to the region and to the rest of the world.
You referred both Turkey and Egypt as modern Islam. But
everyone’s concept of modern is different. Do you still see Turkey as the
model?
As I
said, no one model fits all. That’s obvious. Let me bring the women in Egypt
and the new Constitution to your attention. There is in the preamble that we
mention that women, as sisters, wives and daughters, have to be respected and
they have equal rights. After that the Constitution talks only about Egyptian
people. It does not talk about man-woman, Muslim or Copt but only Egyptian
people.
So
adopting this on the ground will take time. It’s not easy. But this is how we
want to go about Egypt in the future; regardless of gender, color or religion.
Making this model operational will take time but this is how the Egyptian
people have decided to go about it. Turkey is a model, but it’s not 100 percent
definitely comparable to Egypt back and forth. But we both consider ourselves
modern Islam and definitely denounce extremism.
I do
not how familiar you are with the government’s efforts to solve the country’s
biggest issue, the Kurdish one.
I
have an idea but not a detailed one. But this is one of the things I have to
praise this government for as it has managed to do something that previous
governments could not do for decades. This government’s achievement is not only
economic but also political. Everybody who has similar challenges can learn now
from Turkey”.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
