TURKISH
CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
No. 92/13 17/05/13
C O N T E N T S
1. Reference by Erdogan to Cyprus at Obama’s presence
2. Syria crisis dominated Erdogan-Obama meeting;
statements by Erdogan and Obama in a joint press conference
3. Turkey and the US agreed to create a high-level
committee to liberalize trade between them
4. US official: “No doubt about Turkey’s gold trade with
Iran”; He warned that US will impose sanctions
5. Turkey’s Energy Minister carried out contacts in the
USA; he met with his US counterpart
6. Cicek met with Schulz in Brussels; he demanded the
representation of the occupation regime in the EP and called the occupation
regime as an ajar prison
7. Swoboda proposed a package deal to revitalize
Turkey-EU accession talks; he proposed the opening up of Varoshia by Turkey and
in return the occupation regime to have direct trade with the EU
8. Kucuk alleges that “the rules of the game should
change” in Cyprus
9. Ozgurgun evaluates Kucuk’s contacts in the US; He
stated that the occupation regime has 22 “representation offices” abroad
10. Turkey’s Development Minister: “Turkey to be a member
of IMF's executive board”
11. “US support to Turkish positions”
12. US Ambassador Koenig gave a lecture on the “US policy
in the Eastern Mediterranean”
13. A cooperation protocol between the “municipality” of
occupied Keryneia with the municipality of the 4th district of Bucharest
14. Ozyigit accused of the occupation regime that needs
the approval of the AKP for any appointments
15. The so-called TRNC assembly will attend the Crans
Montana Forum in Azerbaijan
16. CTP’s congress postponed for 7 July; Two candidates
for the leadership
17. CTP, TDP, DP and AhmetKasif discuss submitting a
“motion of censure” against UBP “government”
18. Moody's raised Turkey's credit rating to investment
grade
1. Reference by
Erdogan to Cyprus at Obama’s presence
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(17.05.13) reports that Turkish Prime Minister, RecepTayyip Erdogan has said
that the ground for reaching an overall solution to the Cyprus problem is more
appropriate than ever. Under the title “This opportunity should not be wasted”,
the paper refers to statements made by Erdogan during his joint press
conference with President Obama at the White House after their meeting held
yesterday.
Responding to a question, Erdogan said: “We
believe that the most appropriate ground, than even before in the past, has
been created for reaching an overall solution in Cyprus and we wish for this
opportunity not to be wasted now”.
On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily
Haberdar newspaper (17.05.13) reports that Erdogan referred to the “TRNC” in
his statements at White House’s Rose Garden. This, argues Haberdar, caused
astonishment, satisfied the Turkish Cypriots and it is expected to seriously
annoy the Greek Cypriots. The paper publishes comments by the self-styled
foreign minister of the regime, HuseyinOzgurgun and two former “foreign
ministers”.
Ozgurgun said that Erdogan used the name of a
“state” which he recognizes and supports. He argued that Erdogan’s statements
include a “serious message” and added that he is certain that Erdogan had told
Obama that he would make this move. TurgayAvci said that Erdogan insistently
uses the name of the “TRNC” everywhere he goes in the world and never gives
concessions on this issue, even if he is at the White House. TahsinErtugruloglu
said that Erdogan once more showed how sincere and determined he is in his
policies of bringing the so-called existence of the “TRNC” to prominence.
Finally, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika
newspaper (17.05.13) reports that during his 2.5-hour meeting with the American
President, Erdogan did not find the support he expected on the issue of Syria.
The paper writes that Erdogan referred to the Cyprus problem and adds that the
main issue of Obama-Erdogan meeting was Syria. According to the paper,
responding to Erdogan’s demand for a more active interference against Assad,
the American President said that this was not something which the USA could do
alone.
(I/Ts.)
2.Syria crisis dominated Erdogan-Obama meeting;
statements by Erdogan and Obama in a joint press conference
Under
the title: “Obama, Erdogan reaffirm Assad must go”, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
(16.05.13) reported that the US President Barack Obama said that the Syrian
President Bashar al-Assad needs to leave power for a political solution in
Syria, after meeting with Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan at the
White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday.
Speaking
at a joint press conference, Obama made his administration's stance clear on
the position of Assad in a political settlement, underlining that he must
depart to pave the way for a solution. "We're going to keep increasing the
pressure on the Assad regime and working with the Syrian opposition,"
Obama said. "We both agree that Assad needs to go."
Erdogan
says the US and Turkey have overlapping goals when it comes to Syria. Neither
leader mentioned that the US and Turkey remain far apart on just how to handle
Syria's bloody civil war. Erdogan did not directly answer a question about what
he asked from Obama on Syria.
Obama
said the United States can't act alone to bring peace to Syria and needs the
cooperation of international partners. "There's no magic formula for
dealing with an extraordinarily violent and difficult situation like
Syria," Obama said.
(...)Offering
his condolences to victims of the Reyhanli bombings, Obama said both countries
are determined to jointly fight against terrorism in the face of enduring
threats.
Praising
Turkey's economic success over the past few years, Obama said he will renew
efforts to deepen trade ties between the two countries.
During
the press conference at rainy Rose Garden, Erdogan said he intends to go ahead
with a planned trip to the Gaza Strip next month despite pressure from the
United States to delay it. “I place a lot of significance on this visit in
terms of peace in the Middle East,” Erdoğan said, adding that he also plans to
visit the West Bank on that trip. He said he hopes his visit will contribute to
reconciliation efforts in Palestine.
When
asked about the use of chemical weapons in Syria and what an American response
would be, Obama said he reserves the right to resort to a range of both
diplomatic and military options if he receives conclusive proof that Assad’s
government has used chemical weapons in the country's civil war.
Obama
said there was evidence of chemical weapons use in Syria but that it is
important to get "more specific information" to confirm that before
deciding how to respond.
Asked
about Turkey's investigation of the use of chemical weapons in Syria, Erdogan
said the Turkish side is sharing any information with allies, not only the US
but also others, including the UK.
Obama,
who had insisted chemical weapons use would be a "game changer," made
clear, however, that Washington was keeping all options on the table, though he
did not provide specifics.
“There
are a whole range of options that the United States is already engaged in”, he
told reporters. 2And I preserve the options of taking additional steps, both
diplomatic and military, because those chemical weapons inside of Syria also
threaten our security over the long term as well as our allies and friends and neighbours."
Erdogan
said Turkey was in "full consensus" with the United States on the
need to end the bloodshed in Syria and for a political transition to a
government without Assad.
Also,
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (17.05.13) the U.S. President Barack Obama
praised the ongoing Kurdish peace process in Turkey during his joint press
conference with Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan.
Obama
said the United States was giving full support to the Turkish government's
talks with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK). “I want to take this opportunity
to commend you and the Turkish people for your courage in seeking a historic
and peaceful resolution of the PKK violence that has plagued Turkey for so
long”, Obama told reporters.
“And
just as the United States has stood with you in your long search for security,
we will support efforts in Turkey to uphold the rule of law and good governance
and human rights for all”, he added.
Today’s
Zaman reported that in addition to Obama, the Turkish Prime Minister met with
Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State John Kerry over lunch and held
talks with Speaker of the US House of Representatives John Boehner later on
Thursday. Erdogan and his delegation later met American businessmen at the US
Chamber of Commerce and attended a dinner at the White House.
Erdogan
started his seven-day trip in the US with a ground-breaking ceremony for the
Turkish-American Culture and Civilization Centre in Maryland on Wednesday.
Erdogan
became the first Turkish leader to be greeted by a US military ceremony at an
airport in Washington in a sign of strong ties with the United States.
Erdogan's
spouse, Emine Erdogan, and Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu also accompanied
him during his trip.
In
addition to Davutoglu, Deputy Prime Minister BulentArinc, Economy Minister
ZaferCaglayan, European Union Minister EgemenBagis, Defence Minister IsmetYilmaz,
Energy and Natural Resources Minister TanerYildiz, MIT’s intelligence chief
HakanFidan and a number of businesspeople also accompanied Erdogan during his
trip to the US.
3.Turkey and the US agreed to create a high-level
committee to liberalize trade between them
According
to Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (17.05.13), Turkey and the United States
will create a high-level committee that will focus on increasing trade and
investment between the two countries, the U.S. President Barack Obama announced
during his joint press conference with Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip
Erdogan in Washington on May 16.
Alongside
the Syria conflict and strategic issues such as Middle East peace, the economic
partnership was also at the top of the agenda for Erdogan's visit. "Over
the past four years, our trade has surged and U.S. exports to Turkey have more
than doubled. As the United States
pursues a new trade and investment partnership with the EU, I want to make sure
that we also keep deepening our economic ties with Turkey," Obama said,
praising the development of the Turkish economy in recent years.
"The
Prime Minister deserves much credit for some of the reforms that are already
taking place," he said.
Erdogan
said there was a need to strengthen the economic relationship with free trade
agreements and to increase the amount of trade. "Bilateral economic
relations between Turkey and the United States have to be improved, and we both
have this aim. Ten years ago, our trade
stood at $8 billion; at the moment, trade stands at $20 billion. But this amount
is still not sufficient," Erdogan said.
Close
to 90 businesspeople are accompanying Erdogan during his US trip that includes
a visit to the Silicon Valley in California.
Also,
Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.05.13) reported that speaking on the same
issue, Turkish Economy Minister ZaferCaglayan on Thursday said that Turkey and
the US agreed on establishing a High Level Working Commission to liberalize
trade between the two countries.
In a
written statement released on Thursday, ZaferCaglayan said that the decision to
establish the working commission came as part of talks between Turkish Prime
Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan and US President Barack Obama in Washington today.
“The
commission will evaluate the impact of a possible Transatlantic Trade and
Investment Cooperation Agreement between the US and the EU on Turkey and would
work to boost economic relations between Turkey and the US”, Caglayan said.
4.US official: “No doubt about Turkey’s gold trade
with Iran”; He warned that US will impose sanctions
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (17.05.13) reports that a top United States official
has said that there is no question that there was gold going from Turkey to
Iran, stressing that the U.S. would rigorously enforce “without fear or fail”
sanctions starting on July 1 that ban governments or private companies from
selling gold to Iran.
David
Cohen, the Treasury Department’s undersecretary for terrorism and financial
intelligence, told lawmakers in testimony that there had been an increase in
gold sales to Iran in response to the sharp depreciation in Iran’s currency,
the rial.
The
rial has lost two-thirds of its dollar value since late 2011 as a result of
Western sanctions targeting the banking system and oil exports over Tehran’s
disputed nuclear activities, putting many Iranians under financial pressure.
“I
can assure you we are looking very carefully at evidence that anyone outside of
Iran is selling gold to the government of Iran,” Cohen told the House of
Representatives’ Foreign Relations Committee in testimony on Iran on May 15.
From
July 1, the U.S. will ban the transfer of any precious metals or gold to
Iranian state and private institutions, as well as Iranian citizens, as part of
its effort to pressure Iran to curb its nuclear program.
Asked
whether he was aware of a rise in gold sales from Turkey to Iran, Cohen
acknowledged there was “no question that there is gold going from Turkey to
Iran.”
Turkey,
Iran’s biggest natural gas customer, has been paying Iran for its imports in
Turkish Liras, because U.S. sanctions over Tehran’s nuclear program prevent it
from paying in dollars or Euros. Iranians then use those liras, held in
Halkbank accounts, to buy gold in Turkey, and couriers carry bullion worth
millions of dollars in hand luggage to Dubai, where it can be sold for foreign
currency or shipped to Iran.
However,
after a one-month halt in January, Turkey exported almost $381 million worth of
gold to Iran in March, Turkish Statistics Institute (TUİK) data showed.
The
U.S. have blacklisted two Dubai-based trading companies, accusing them of
helping Iran evade financial sanctions and effectively cutting them off from
the U.S. financial system.
(…)
5. Turkey’s Energy Minister carried out contacts in
the USA; he met with his US counterpart
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (17.05.13) reports that the Turkish Minister of Energy and
Natural Resources TanerYildiz said that 19 countries and 39 companies cooperate
with the regional administration in northern Iraq and added: “how could it be
that the Iraqi constitution is not violated by those countries but by Turkey”.
Yildiz
accompanied Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan at his visit in
Washington and had talks with some interlocutors.
Yildiz
told journalists that he held a three-hour-long meeting with his American
counterpart Daniel Poneman yesterday and that he come together with Carlos
Pascual, the State Department's Special Envoy and Coordinator for International
Energy Affairs and a delegation.
Minister
Yildiz said the talks were extremely efficient and that they evaluated the
bilateral projects with the Russian Federation, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Iran,
Iraq and many other countries.
Upon
the question of "Are there any countries which have similar agreements
with the administration of northern Iraq?" Yildiz said: “There are 19
countries and 39 companies, so has the Constitution of Iraq been violated by
only Turkey's job but not the other's- This is not a right approach. These are
trade agreements. I'm repeating, it doesn't matter whether public or private
company, they see no harm if the trade contracts are signed. The oil is being
produced right now. The central Iraqi government transfers money, these are
experienced there. This is not a new issue”.
“We
have begun this oil project in north of Iraq because we believe it is true, and
we continue for the same reason. We don't have any hesitation and we haven't
come here with a blurred mind. We have discussed the decisions elaborately as a
state of law and then, evaluated the issues related to private companies
standing there. The Republic of Turkey is a state of law here and never stands
in an illegal process”, Yildiz also said.
6.Cicek met with Schulz in Brussels; he demanded the
representation of the occupation regime in the EP and called the occupation
regime as an ajar prison
Ankara
Anatolia news agency (16.05.13) reported from Brussels that the Turkish
Parliament Speaker CemilCicek said that the “TRNC” should be represented in the
European Parliament as it was represented in the Council of Europe.
Speaking
during a press conference on Thursday after meeting with the European
Parliament President Martin Schulz, Cicek said: "TRNC should be
represented in the parliament here. Because, it has been represented in the
Council of Europe. Two different attitudes from two European organizations are
not justifiable, and the situation is unpleasant. We also talked about this
with Schulz".
Turkish
Minister of Science, Industry and Technology Nihat Ergun also participated in
the meeting.
Regarding
Turkey's accession to EU, Cicek said: "50 years have passed after Ankara
Agreement was made. We said what we have to say during these 50 years. Our
demands are obvious and European Union's stance towards us is obvious".
Cicek
said further the following: "Turkey should progress in the EU issue from
now on. The nations applied the EU for membership many years after Turkey are
now members of EU, even though they did not fully complete all the required
criteria for the accession comparing with Turkey."
Also,
speaking during a press conference at Turkey's Permanent Representation in the
EU on Thursday, Cicek said that Turkey's EU accession process was the country's
strategic aim and government policy.
(…)
Touching
onto the Cyprus issue, Cicek stressed that Turkey and the “TRNC” were wronged,
and this was known by everybody, as he said. He underscored that Turkey was on
the side of peace and permanent solution.
Moreover,
referring to Cicek’s contacts in Brussels, Turkish Cypriot daily Volkan
(17.05.13) covers the issue under the title: “The embargoes have turned the
TRNC into an ajar prison”.
The
paper writes that Cicek defended the occupation regime during his contacts in
Brussels.
Speaking
about the so-called embargoes, Cicek said: “The TRNC has been turned into an
ajar prison because of these unfair implementations. A lot of difficulties are
experienced for the entries and exits, and there are also a lot of difficulties
on their representation. The removal of this unfairness and the representation
of the TRNC parliamentarians at the EP will constitute the first step”.
(AK)
7.Swoboda proposed a package deal to revitalize
Turkey-EU accession talks; he proposed the opening up of Varoshia by Turkey and
in return the occupation regime to have direct trade with the EU
Turkish
daily Today’s Zaman (16.05.13) reported that HannesSwoboda, the President of
the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European
Parliament, has proposed a comprehensive package of measures to re-energize
Turkey-EU relations that were practically halted with not a single chapter
opened in the negotiations in almost three years.
“A
new package would give a clear signal that we have a new relationship with
Turkey,” said Swoboda, one of the most well-known European politicians in
Turkey, putting the blame on both sides for the lacklustre performance in
Turkey-EU relations. He said the EU lacked a clear position on Turkey while the
Turkish government has been sending mixed signals on required reforms. “What we
need is courage on the EU side and the on Turkey side to come up with a package
[of reforms] to bring relations to a whole new level,” he added.
The
Socialist leader predicted that the recent change in the political landscape in
France and “Greek Cyprus”, as the Republic of Cyprus is called by Zaman, will
make this progress possible, saying that if the package is a good one, the
promotion of ties between Turkey and EU will be possible. The package in
Swoboda's opinion should aggregate a series of measures that have already came
up in different schemes in Turkey-EU talks including visa-free travel along
with the addition of fresh ideas to give a real incentive to both sides.
“There
are two things which could be done. Opening chapters and progress on Cyprus,”
he underlined, stressing that the EU cannot have any influence on Turkey,
unless it opens chapters in negotiations. He also said he believes the newly
Greek Cypriot leader, as President Anastasiades is called by the paper, is a
reasonable man who can be convinced on a deal if Turkey offers to open up the
town of Varosha to “Greek Cyprus”. He said in return the “Turkish part” of the
divided island would be able to have direct trade with the EU, while blocked
chapters for Turkey's accession process would be released.
Describing
the package deal as a “win-win” situation, Swoboda said neither Turkey nor the
EU can have everything in negotiations. Emphasizing that both the EU and Turkey
need each other, he asked: “Can Turkey be successful in the Middle East without
the EU? “If we are less successful, Turkey is less successful. This is an equal
partnership.”
Swoboda
stated that it was wrong to focus on membership while there are too many issues
that both Turkey and EU needs to tackle in what he described “in partnership”
sprit. “It helps to get together and to work together. That is the most
important thing,” he said, adding that having good cooperation is more
important than going for full membership and then failing in that.
Regarding
the settlement process in Turkey, the socialist leader asked for more openness
and transparency in the process, stressing that the government should make it
clear that there is indeed a new process to solve the decades-long Kurdish
problem in Turkey. “The more transparency, the more openness, and the better it
is. You have a lot of rumours that are not founded. But they are here and are
destroying the climate. An open climate is absolutely better,” he explained.
He
acknowledged that the process is a difficult one and needs time to be resolved.
Swoboda also pointed out the need for Turkey to opt for decentralization and
regionalization for better governance though he was not favoring the one along
ethnic lines. (…)
“Swoboda
did not hide his frustration with the current Justice and Development Party (AK
Party) government when it comes to wavering on commitments for democratic
reforms and attempts to roll back on reforms already achieved. He said he
understood the process of democratization is not easy, there may be mistakes
along the way and perhaps some drawbacks and admitted that Turkey needs strong
leadership.
(…)Swoboda
gave credit to Erdogan; however on curtailing the power of the military in
Turkish politics.” Perhaps one of the most successful reforms was pushing back
the military,” he underlined. Yet he said the military is still powerful on
national security issues like Kurdish and Cyprus problems. Swoboda declined to
pass judgment on the ongoingErgenekon trial, but highlighted problems of long
pre-trial detention and slow proceedings as problems in Turkish judicial
system.
(…).
Swoboda
said also that Erdogan lost the role of mediator in the Middle East in a wider
sense when he downgraded ties with Israel. Stressing that what Israel had done
to the aid flotilla in May 2010 as ‘totally unacceptable', he nevertheless said
Erdogan needed to have some political capital in the Jewish state to help
Palestine. “If Erdogan wants to help Palestine, he has to have some weight to
discuss the issue also with Israel,” he said. “Erdogan lost that chance,” he
lamented.
On
the Syria policy, he criticized the Turkish government for subscribing in what
he called an “illusion” whereby the isolated Bashar al-Assad would go away very
quickly. “I've felt Syria is a much more complicated case. It is not so easy a
thing,” he said, adding that Turkey as neighbour could have more possibility to
influence all these developments in Syria. “He [Erdogan] has overestimated
their role as regional power,” Swoboda added.
8. Kucuk alleges that
“the rules of the game should change” in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper
(17.05.13) reports that IrsenKucuk, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway
regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, said yesterday that the
United Nations should be more actively involved in the Cyprus problem. In
statements to Kibris during his visit to the USA, Kucuk claimed that the
Turkish Cypriots could not remain indifferent to the regional and global
developments and argued that “we will either give direction to the
developments, or the developments will lead us to points we do not know”.
Kucuk noted that during his contacts in
America he asked for the Greek Cypriots to allegedly be “encouraged” in the
direction of the solution of the Cyprus problem. “I have undertaken initiatives
on the issue of the Americans playing a more active role”, he argued.
Kucuk said also that during his meeting with
the UN Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, Jeffrey Feltman, he
underlined that they expect the more active participation of the UN in the
process within the forthcoming period. He claimed that the fact that the UN has
recently started to undertake a more active role on the Cyprus problem is
important from the point of view of UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon’s
interest and expectations as regards this issue.
Kucuk alleged that both he and the Turkish
Prime Minister Erdogan are holding “comprehensive contacts” on the issue of
achieving a solution to the Cyprus problem by the end of 2013. “Our target is
to make Cyprus and its area a basin of peace and cooperation”, he alleged
adding that in cooperation with Turkey they continue their efforts to solve
their own problem.
Kucuk noted that the presence of
representatives of the USA and Britain on the island on 29 May, the day on
which the dinner between the community leaders will take place, shows that the
Cyprus problem has come onto the agenda of the international community again.
He alleged that the efforts which his “government” has internationally been
exerting for so long, started giving results.
Meanwhile, Kibris (17.05.13) reports that
Kucuk’s contacts in Washington have been covered by American and Canadian
media. The paper writes that a report on Kucuk’s contacts by Associated Press’s
correspondent, Desmond Butler is published on the webpage of media such as
Vancouver Sun and Montreal Gazette. The title of the report is “Turkish Cypriot
leader in Washington seeking US help for the solution of the Cyprus problem”.
Finally, illegal Bayrak television (16.05.13)
broadcast that Kucuk has also given a video-conference interview to AB Haber
news website as part of his contacts in the US. Kucuk claimed that Turkish
Cypriot side expected President Anastasiades to allegedly show the same courage
and leadership he had shown during the Annan Plan period.
According to Illegal Bayrak, Kucuk alleged:
“It is at this point that we expect the US to take on an effective role in
motivating the Greek Cypriot side towards a solution. The rules of the game
must change. The US could take on active role in achieving this. Things cannot
continue the way they are forever. We are saying that we should solve this
problem and that the basis for this exists. All we need is political will”.
(I/Ts.)
9.Ozgurgun evaluates Kucuk’s contacts in the US; He
stated that the occupation regime has 22 “representation offices” abroad
According
to illegal Bayrak television (16.05.13), the so-called foreign minister
HuseyinOzgurgun has highlighted the importance of the Cyprus problem being
brought to the agenda during foreign contacts.
Ozgurgun
said that his “ministry” was well informed of all foreign contacts held abroad
by the “TRNC state”, as he described the occupation regime, and added that
“representatives” from the “foreign ministry” were accompanying the so-called
prime minister during his contacts in the US.
Answering
to reporters’ questions on Kucuk’s contacts in the US, Ozgurgun said that
contacts and meetings with foreign officials on the Cyprus issue have been
going on for years.
“Even
though the TRNC is not internationally recognized we have representatives on
various platforms and indirectly our presence is acknowledged. Today we have 22
representation offices around the world, a figure raised from only 3
representation offices 10 years ago”, Ozgurgun said.
“The
TRNC has representation offices from Pakistan to the US, in Jordan, Qatar,
Bahrain and Sweden. It is only natural that these offices hold contacts”, he
added.
Stating
that his “ministry” was well informed of all “TRNC” contacts held abroad,
Ozgurgun said that Kucuk was being accompanied and assisted during his US visit
by members of his staff.
Stating
that the “prime minister” had repeated calls made by the Turkish Cypriot leader
DervisEroglu for the resumption of talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive
solution in Cyprus, Ozgurgun said that it was important for the premier to
receive the support of US officials in this direction.
10.Turkey’s Development Minister: “Turkey to be a
member of IMF's executive board”
According
to Ankara Anatolia news agency (16.05.13) the Turkish Development Minister
CevdetYilmaz said on Thursday that Turkey would be a member of the executive
board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), being in the position of making
decisions about other countries.
"Turkey
will not be in the position of a country about which decisions are taken but it
will be in the position of making decisions about other countries," said
Yilmaz in a meeting in Turkey's eastern province of Ardahan.
Yilmaz
emphasized that they were aiming to develop Turkey in every area and have it
become one of the most powerful 10 economies by 2023.
“We
took over 25 billion USD IMF debt but we have not lent any loan to IMF; on the
contrary, we are able to give a loan of 5 billion USD to IMF now," said
Yilmaz.
11. “US support to
Turkish positions”
Under the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily
Star Kibris newspaper (17.05.13) reports that, for the first time, a letter
signed by 22 members of the US Congress and sent to the UN Secretary-General,
Ban Ki-moon supports the Turkish positions in Cyprus [Translator’s note: see
TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW, 15.05.2013, Item 1].
According to the paper, the letter describes
Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu as “TRNC President DervisEroglu” and President
Anastasiades as “new Greek Cypriot President”. The paper reports that the
signing of this letter by 22 members of the US Congress caused astonishment and
is assessed as a result of “Prime Minster Erdogan’s decisive stance”.
(I/Ts.)
12. US Ambassador Koenig gave a
lecture on the “US policy in the Eastern Mediterranean”
Turkish
Cypriot daily Yeniduzen (17.05.13) reports that US Ambassador to Cyprus John M.
Koenig participated in a conference titled “US policy in the Eastern
Mediterranean” on May 15, held at the illegal Eastern Mediterranean University
(DAU), as a speaker.
Speaking
to an audience of students and academicians, Ambassador Koening pointed out the
cooperation between US and Turkey, while he was giving them a brief on the US
policy in the eastern Mediterranean. He also stressed the joint working areas
of Turkey and USA like the problem of Syria and the embargoes imposed on Iran
due to the nuclear programme.
He
also commented on the Cyprus problem. Stressing the importance of finding an
urgent solution for the Cyprus problem, for the two communities, who live in
the island, for Turkey and the USA, Ambassador said that the US is ready to
give any kind of support that will bring a joint solution for both sides
playing an active role in the Cyprus settlement.
During
the meeting with the dean of “DAU” Prof. Dr Abdullah Y. Oztoprak, prior the conference,
US Ambassador said that the university should be proud for having students from
75 different countries and wished them to continue their success.
13. A cooperation protocol between
the “municipality” of occupied Keryneia with the municipality of the 4th
district of Bucharest
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily (17.04.13), the deputy mayor of the 4th
district of Bucharest municipality AlexandruLeontePopescu, who is currently
visiting the occupied town of Kyreneia, signed yesterday a cooperation protocol
with the so-called mayor of occupied town of Kyreneia Sumer Aygin.
The
protocol envisages the cooperation on the education and culture fields. The
“municipality” of the occupied Keryneia has also become a twin municipality
with the municipality of 4th district of Bucharest, Romania.
Popescu
said that they will exchange students next month as the first step of their
cooperation, adding that the students will have the opportunity to know closely
the culture of each other.
14. Ozyigit accused of the occupation
regime that needs the approval of the AKP for any appointments
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Yeniduzen (17.05.13), CemalOzyigit, general secretary
of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), criticized the ruling “government” of the
National Unity Party (UBP) that in order to make some appointments, they need
the approval of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). He explained
that the UBP “government” is trying to appoint someone from the outside at the
directorate of the religious foundation (Evkaf) with the approval of AKP,
adding that it’s like there is no person in this “country” to be appointed as
head of the Evkaf.
Ozyigit
furthermore said: “As in the past, some appointments were attached to the
civil-military bureaucracy of Turkey, now the appointments are attached to the
approval of AKP.”
15. The so-called TRNC assembly will
attend the Crans Montana Forum in Azerbaijan
According
to Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes (17.05.13), the so-called TRNC assembly approved
yesterday the decision that the “executive board” of the so-called TRNC
assembly will participate in the Crans Montana Forum, which will be held in
Azerbaijan between 26 June and 1 July.
The
delegation of the “assembly” that will participate in the meeting, will be
consist of one “deputy” of the National Unity Party (UBP) and one “deputy” of
the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) with the so-called TRNC assembly speaker HasanBozer.
(Trans.
Note: The Crans Montana Forum has been an International Organization, Swiss
owned and managedsince 1986.
The
yearly June Forum offers a one of its kind and world-renowned platform of
networking, gathering high-caliber personalities from around the world,
representing Governments, International Organizations and Businesses.)
16. CTP’s congress
postponed for 7 July; Two candidates for the leadership
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(17.05.13) reports that the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) decided last night
to change the date of its congress and carry out discussions in the direction
of submitting a “motion of censure” at the “assembly” for overthrowing the
National Unity Party (UBP) self-styled government and holding “early elections”
by the end of September.
The congress, which would have been held on 30
June 2013, is postponed for 7 July 2013.
According to Havadis, CTP “deputy”, Omer
Kalyoncu is expected to run for the post of the president of the party against
its current leader, OzkanYorgancioglu.
(I/Ts.)
17. CTP, TDP, DP and
AhmetKasif discuss submitting a “motion of censure” against UBP
“government”
Turkish Cypriot daily YeniDuzen newspaper
(17.05.13) reports that the chairmen of the three “opposition” parties, the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP), the Social Democracy Party (TDP) and the
Democratic Party (DP) met yesterday at the “assembly” with AhmetKasif, leader
of the National Unity Party’s (UBP) “deputies”, who oppose to self-styled prime
minister IrsenKucuk.
According to the paper, during the meeting
they discussed the issue of submitting a “motion of censure” against the UBP
“government” signed by all the “deputies” of the opposition parties and the
opponents of Kucuk within the UBP.
The signature of 26 “deputies” is needed for
overthrowing the “government”. The plan is for overthrowing the “government”
with the 19 votes of the “deputies” of the “opposition” parties and seven votes
of “deputies” from the UBP. The group that opposes to Kucuk within the UBP
consists of 10 “deputies”, writes YeniDuzen, but not all of them are positive
on the issue of overthrowing the “government”.
(I/Ts.)
18.Moody's raised Turkey's credit rating to investment
grade
Turkish
daily Hurriyet Daily News (16.05.13) reported that the Turkish Deputy Prime
Minister Ali Babacan announced on Wednesday that Moody's raised Turkey's
long-term credit rating by one notch to "Baa3," the bottom of
investment grade ratings, noting that Moody's decision came less than two
months after Standard & Poor's credit rating increase. Babacan said the
move was accurate but belated.
"Thanks
to the steps in the right direction undertaken in the economy, the market
indicators were at the same level as the countries that had investment grade
ratings. The decision brought our credit rating closer to the market
indicators," he said.
Praising
Turkey's improved "economic and fiscal metrics", the Moody's noted:
"Since the beginning of 2009, Turkey's debt burden has fallen by 10 percentage
points to a manageable 36 percent of GDP, and Moody's expects this decline to
continue in the coming years." Secondly, the agency cited
"progress... on a wide-ranging institutional reform program that Moody's
believes will gradually erode the country's external vulnerabilities."
These include increasing investment in personal pensions, a new commercial code
and moves to reduce energy dependence.
Moody's
said it expects Turkey's ability to finance its debt to strengthen as the
proportion that is denominated in foreign currency drops, noting a decline in
the measure from 46.3% in 2003 to 27.4% in 2012.
Meanwhile,
Economy Minister ZaferCaglayan, who is currently in the United States
accompanying Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan, also said that Turkey
deserved much better ratings. "Now two of the three big credit agencies
put us in investment grade ratings; we expect big direct and portfolio
investments," he said in a statement, adding that interest rates on loans
would be lower. "This is an opportunity for our companies. They should use
it wisely", he added.
Moody's
had stated last month that the ongoing Kurdish peace process in Turkey would be
beneficial for its credit rating. "The conflict in the country's southeast
has been a longstanding source of political uncertainty constraining Turkey's
creditworthiness," the rating agency had said in its Credit Outlook
publication.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
