TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 222/13 23-25.11.13
1. A drilling platform has reportedly arrived in the
open sea of occupied Keryneia
2. Yildiz: TPAO will carry out seismic explorations in
the sea south of Cyprus
3. Davutoglu: the participation of the “TRNC” in
Economic Cooperation Organization’s meeting in Tehran is “very important”
4. Eroglu wants a fast solution based on Cyprus
“realities”
5. Eroglu reiterates that the negotiations could
resume without a joint statement and that a “new state” should be established
in Cyprus
6. Yorgancioglu: Eroglu-Anastasiades meeting can be a
key for negotiations launching
7. Ozyigit said that developments on Cyprus problem
are taking place by international forces and are hidden by the people
8. Cakici: Turkish Cypriots should not afraid the
Republic of Cyprus
9.
OIC conference was held in occupied Keryneia
10.
A cooperation protocol between OIC and the breakaway regime
11.
VeyselEroglu carried out contacts in the occupied area of the Republic of
Cyprus
12. The breakaway regime will construct a building for
the “TRNC representative” at Islamabad
13. Blatter: We are expecting approval from the
Turkish Cypriot side by the end of this month; Eroglu: it is not possible to
accept the agreement
14.
Egypt downgrades diplomatic relations with Turkey, expels ambassador
15.
Cyprus problem was also taken up during the Arinc-Biden meeting
16.
Erdogan to Putin: Take us to Shanghai
17.
Turkey seeks $100 billion trade volume with Russia by 2020
1. A drilling platform has reportedly arrived in
the open sea of occupied Keryneia
Under the title
“Jupiter against Aphrodite”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli newspaper
(25.11.13) reports that Turkey “has pressed the button” for carrying out
researches for hydrocarbon resources in the open sea of occupied Keryneia. The
paper writes that after taking positive results in the explorations which had
been conducted secretly and meticulously by a Turkish seismic exploration
vessel, a drilling platform named “GSP Jupiter”, belonging to Rumanian “Sonnat
offshore” company, arrived yesterday in the open sea of occupied Keryneia.
According to
information obtained by the paper, the Romanian company cooperates with the
Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO). “GSP Jupiter” platform is expected to
start working within the next few days. TPAO leased the above-mentioned
platform last April with the aim of conducting drilling in the Black Sea.
Citing
“information from reliable sources”, the paper reports that “GSP Jupiter” has
been sent to Eastern Mediterranean simultaneously with Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa
vessel for carrying out explorations for hydrocarbon resources.
The paper
recalls that the Turkish Minister of Energy, TanerYildiz had stated in
September that they aimed to extend their explorations for hydrocarbon
resources up to the area around Cyprus, in case Prime Minister Erdogan agreed.
The paper writes that Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa and GSP Jupiter, which concluded
their explorations in the Black Sea after the approval of Prime Minister
Erdogan, were given a directive to come to Cyprus.
(I/Ts.)
2. Yildiz: TPAO will carry out seismic explorations
in the sea south of Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily KibrisPostasi newspaper (25.11.13) reports that the Turkish Minister of
Energy, TanerYildiz has said that the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel, which had
been purchased by Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) for 130 million dollars,
is carrying out seismic explorations in Mersin and Alexandretta and that “the
vessel will carry out seismic explorations in the area south of Cyprus as
well”.
Yildiz, who had
held some contacts in Paris after the meeting of the International Energy
Agency, said that the French GDF company wants to make an investment of around
7-8 billion euros (in Turkey) and added that they will have two investors from
Paris. He noted that the one investment will be related with explorations for
oil in the Black Sea and the other for coal on shore.
Yildizalso said
that TPAO will start producing oil in Siberia together with the Hungarian MOL
company.
(I/Ts.)
3. Davutoglu: the participation of the “TRNC” in
Economic Cooperation Organization’s meeting in Tehran is “very important”
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (25.11.13) reports that the Turkish Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Ahmet Davutoglu has said that the “TRNC”, breakaway regime in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, will participate for the first time in
a meeting of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). In statements at
Esenboga airport before departing for Qatar, Davutoglu noted that the regime
will participate in ECO’s meeting in Tehran as an observer. He argued that this
is “a very important stage in the sense of the international visibility and
recognition of the TRNC”.
Davutoglu said
that today he would meet with the Emir, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of
Qatar and in the afternoon he would depart for Bahrain. He added that after
meeting with officials from Bahrain, he would participate in the meeting of
Asia Cooperation Dialogue and then he would go to Tehran for ECO’s meeting.
Noting that he will hold bilateral meetings in Tehran on Wednesday, Davutoglu
pointed out that an increase is observed recently intheir high level contacts
with Iran.
(I/Ts.)
4. Eroglu wants a fast solution based on Cyprus
“realities”
Turkish
daily Milliyet newspaper (24.11.13) published an interview with Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu who commented on the meeting he will have today with
President NicosAnastasiades and on the developments of the Cyprus negotiations.
Eroglu said that
he is sending to President Anastasiades the following message via the paper:
“Come on, let us solve this job and become a world example […] Let’s make
Cyprus an island of peace. Let’s complete the procedure in the first quarter of
2014 and go to referendum”, he stated.
He went on and
said that the Turkish Cypriot side wants a solution based on the “realities” of
Cyprus. He also said that they want a solution, but in case the problem is not
solve, obstacles must not be put on the place of the Turkish Cypriot side in
the world and the Turkish Cypriots must stopped being subjects of “isolation” and “embargoes”.
He also accused
President Anastasiades for the delay regarding the negotiations’ launching. He
claimed that the Greek Cypriot side firstly demanded a gesture on Varosha in
order to return to the negotiation table and then put the issue of a common
declaration as a prerequisite. “We said we can meet without the common
declaration and discuss everything”,
Eroglu said and added that the Turkish Cypriot side believes that the
Greek Cypriot side have no intention to
reach an agreement with them on equal basis.
He went on and
claimed that primarily the Greek Cypriot side must abandon its dream for return
to the 1974 situation.
5. Eroglu reiterates that the negotiations could
resume without a joint statement and that a “new state” should be established
in Cyprus
Turkish Cypriot
daily Kibris newspaper (24.11.13) reported the Turkish Cypriot leader
DervisEroglu has alleged that they were exerting efforts with Turkey in order for
a referendum to take place in Cyprus within three months and added: “If there
is an agreement within three months, there will be an agreement, if there is no
agreement, a new evaluation will be made”.
In statements to
Turkish journalists in Gaziantep, Eroglu replied to questions as regards the
meeting he is expected to hold today with President Anastasiades. He claimed
that the Turkish Cypriot side will work with good will for having a joint
statement, “but the parameters are there”. “However, if we cannot agree, we can
continue the negotiations without a joint statement”, he argued.
Eroglu alleged
that in spite of the so-called isolations, the “TRNC” has slowly developed
within the years with “motherland Turkey’s support” and its own possibilities.
He claimed that
the Cyprus problem should be at its last stage and added: “We are in continuous
consultations with Turkey. With Turkey’s President, Prime Minister and Foreign
Minister we think of concluding the negotiations in Cyprus within the first
quarter of next year and go to referendum”.
Eroglu argued
that the Turkish Cypriot “people” were tired of asking the question of “what
will be their future” and that there could be nothing more painful than this
for the community. He went on and alleged: “If the world has justice,
negotiations will begin and if there is an agreement, there will be an
agreement, if not, a new evaluation will be made… Mr Anastasiades is thinking
of taking and force us accepting some things before sitting at the negotiating
table”.
Meanwhile, in
statements during a meeting with army officers, Eroglu argued: “In my view, no
joint statement was needed for starting the negotiations, because in the end
the UN parameters exist on the negotiating table and it is known what we want
to materialize by continuing the negotiations. When Mr Anastasiades put forward
such a proposal, we saw in the text of this joint statement he prepared that he
thinks of taking some things before sitting at the negotiating table and of
forcing us to accept some things. In spite of this, we have accepted the first
text for a joint statement prepared in the name of the UN Secretary-General’s
office. The Greek Cypriot side did not accept it and because it did not accept
it, papers started coming and going. Greek Cypriot proposals, Turkish
proposals, we could reach nowhere”.
Noting that
tonight he will meet with President Anastasiades without the presence of the
UN, Eroglu said: “Of course, the main issue is to determine the strategy, to
try lifting the obstacles in the text of this joint statement, if we can lift
them”.
Eroglu argued
that the Turkish side has been wanting for many years a bi-communal common
state based on political equality. According to Kibris, Eroglu said: “One of
the founding states is the Turkish side, we are, and the other founding side is
the Greek Cypriot side. These two founding states will leave a part of their
sovereignty, their actions to the central government in order for a new state
to be established, in order for a new state to be able to be built”.
Moreover, Kibris
writes that on 21 November, Eroglu sent a letter to President Anastasiades
replying to the latter’s proposal for tonight’s meeting. According to the
paper, Eroglu conveyed his wish to meet with President Anastasiades the soonest
and determine the date for the commencement of the comprehensive
negotiations.
(I/Ts.)
6. Yorgancioglu: Eroglu-Anastasiades meeting can be
a key for negotiations launching
Turkish
Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (25.11.13) reports that the chairman of the
Republican Turkish Party (CTP) OzkanYorgancioglu commented on today’s visit
between Turkish Cypriot leader DervisEroglu and President NicosAnastasiades and
stated that the meeting can be a key for the launching of Cyprus negotiations.
He went on and
added that the position of CTO as regards the Cyprus problem is clear and is
referred at the “government program”. He also said that they will do anything
possible this solution opportunity to have a positive outcome.
As regards the
agreement signed between the “Turkish Cypriot Football federation” with Cyprus
Football Association (KOP), Yorgancioglu said that he does not agree with
Eroglu on the issue, but as he said they cannot agree on everything.
7.Ozyigit said that developments on Cyprus problem
are taking place by international forces and are hidden by the people
Under
the title “Cypriots must rise”, Turkish Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper
(24.11.13) reports that CemakOzyigit, the chairman of the Social Democracy Party
(TDP), stated that there is mobilization in the Cyprus problem recently and
added that international forces are trying to make their plan on Cyprus.
He stated that
Cypriots must be the main actors on this procedure and added that they must
enter into activity for the situation. Ozyigit also said that backstage
developments are taking place and are kept hidden by the people.
8. Cakici: Turkish Cypriots should not afraid the
Republic of Cyprus
Turkish
Cypriot daily Ortam newspaper (23.11.13) reports that Mehmet Cakici “MP” with
the Social Democracy Party (TDP), commented on the agreement signed between the
“Turkish Cypriot Football federation” with Cyprus Football Association (KOP)
and stated that the Turkish Cypriot should not afraid the Republic of Cyprus.
Cakici
stated that the Turkish Cypriots can make use of the rights rising from the
Republic of Cyprus and must try to make this agreement work.
As
regards the negotiation for the solution of the Cyprus problem, Cakici said
that he is not pleased with the procedure and with President NicosAnastasiadesbehaviour.
He also stated that an agreement for a just and equal agreement must be signed
and added that Varosha must come into the agenda.
9. OIC conference was held in occupied Keryneia
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 22.11.13), the 3 day Conference on Water and
Food Security in the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Member
Countries, which had been organized jointly by the so-called foreign ministry
and the OIC, took place at the occupied Keryneia.
The OIC
Secretary General Professor Doctor EkmeleddinIhsanoglu and the Turkish Minister
for Forestry and Waterworks VeyselEroglu, took also part in the conference.
Delivering the
opening speech at the conference, self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami said
the conference is further strengthening the relations between the “TRNC”
[editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of
Cyprus] and OIC member countries.
Evaluating the
project of the century which foresees water being transferred between Turkey
and the “TRNC” via underwater pipelines, Nami said that the project will not
only aid the Turkish Cypriots overcome their water shortages but will allow for
more cooperation to take place with the Cyprus government as well.
Touching upon
the Cyprus problem, Nami claimed despite the Turkish side’s positive stance the
Greek Cypriot side is continuing its negative stance in order to reinforce its
international status and strengthen its EU membership. He also argued: “Turkish
Cypriots cannot be forced to live under unjust embargoes and isolations forever
and the talks cannot continue open ended”.
The self-styled
minister for environment and natural resources HamitBakirci, for his part,
pointed to the importance of water in sustaining life and added that
precautionary measures must be taken to protect clean water resources and
prevent food wastage. He also expressed his belief that the support given by
the OIC will allow the Turkish Cypriots gain their rightful place around the
world.
10. A cooperation protocol between OIC and the
breakaway regime
According to
illegal Bayrak television (online, 22.11.13), the Organization for Islamic
Cooperation (OIC) Secretary General Professor Doctor EkmeleddinIhsanoglu met
with the Turkish Cypriot leader
DervisEroglu on Friday morning. Eroglu decorated Ihsanoglu with the self-style
state medal in recognition of his long standing support to “TRNC” [editor’s
note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] and
services to the just cause of the Turkish Cypriots.
Making a
statement after receiving such a prestigious “medal”, Ihsanoglu said he was
honoured to be receiving such a “medal” and added that serving Cyprus was a
very important duty.
Eroglu, for his
part, pointed to the important services given by the OIC Secretary General
towards the development of relations between the “TRNC” and the Islamic world.
“We are very
pleased to take part in the OIC with an observer status hopefully we will open
up to the world as a full OIC member”, said Eroglu.
Furthermore,
Ihsanoglu had separately meetings with self-styled prime
ministerOzkanYorgancioglu and self-styled foreign minister OzdilNami.
Speaking during
the meeting, Yorgancioglu stressed that the cooperation will continue with the
OIC and he also praised Ihsanoglu’s services to the “TRNC”.
For his part,
Ihsanoglu noted that positive developments will occur on the “TRNC” economy
once the project of transferring water from Turkey to the “TRNC” will be
realized.
During his
meeting with Nami, the two men signed a cooperation protocol a first of its
kind.
The protocol
includes cooperation on education, science and technology, health, tourism and
trade among other things.
Meanwhile the
OIC Secretary General received an “Honorary Doctorate” from the illegal
European University of Lefke.
On the same
issue, Turkish state channel TRT (online, 22.11.13) broadcast that Ihsanoglu
reiterated the enduring support of the OIC to the “TRNC” in political, economic,
social and cultural fields. He also signed Cooperation Framework Agreement
between the OIC General Secretariat and the breakaway regime to
institutionalize and further develop “TRNC’s” relations-as one of the OIC
observer member state - and cooperation with the OIC and its member states.
The Secretary
General also indicated the OIC’s support to the breakaway regime and its people
through various projects, including in the fields of education and tourism,
highlighting the significance of holding the Conference on Water and Food
Security in the OIC Member States in occupied Keryneia.
11. VeyselEroglu carried out contacts in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus
According to illegal Bayrak (online,
22.11.13), the Turkish Minister for Forestry and Waterworks VeyselEroglu, who
was at the occupied area of the Republic of cyprus, met with Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu at his office.
Speaking during
the meeting Mr.VeyselEroglu informed the Turkish Cypriot leader that the water
project was on track and added that the project may even be completed before
its finishing date.
Explaining that
they had also begun a forestation campaign for the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish Minister said hopefully a wonderful outcome
will be achieved.
The Turkish
Cypriot leader, for his part, thanked the visiting Turkish Minister and Turkish
Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan for realizing such important projects.
Meanwhile the
Turkish Minister attended a sapling planting event at the illegal Near East
University (“YDU”) and then paid a visit to the so-called Turkish Ambassador to
occupied LefkosiaHalil Ibrahim Akca.
Later, the
Turkish Minister had separately meetings with the so-called speaker of
parliament SibelSiber and so-called prime ministerOzkanYorgancioglu.
12. The breakaway regime will construct a building
for the “TRNC representative” at Islamabad
Turkish
Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (24.11.13) reports that the breakaway regime
will construct a building for the “TRNC representation office” at Islamabad,
Pakistan. The decision was taken during a meeting of the “ministers council” on
November 12, 2013.
Afrika
strongly criticizes the decision which is taken while occupation Cyprus faces
many financials issues and writes that there is not enough money for teachers
at schools and doctors for hospitals but there always money for building
mosques and for the construction of a building in Islamabad.
The
paper also writes that tenders for the building’s construction will be taken
for at least three construction firms. It also notes that technical
consultant will be asked from Turkey on
the issue.
13. Blatter: We are expecting approval from the
Turkish Cypriot side by the end of this month; Eroglu: it is not possible to
accept the agreement
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (22.11.13), FIFA President SeppBlatter expects
serious steps to be taken in near future for Turkish Cypriot football teams to
be represented under the flag of Cyprus Football Association (CFA).
This process is
expected to lead Turkish Cypriot football clubs to be recognized officially by
Union of European Football Associations (UEFA), AA reported.
Blatter, who
spoke to press after visiting Pope Francis in Vatican, said, “We have the
solution. We are working on it for six years. CFA has approved it. We are
expecting approval from the Turkish Cypriot side, hopefully to be received by
the end of this month.”
Blatter said the
agreement will not lead to a united Cypriot national team, while Turkish and
Greek football teams may be playing in a combined league in Cyprus.
Meanwhile,
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (23.11.13) reported the Turkish Cypriot
leader DervisEroglu has said that he does not accept as unification with the
Cyprus Football Association (CFA) the signing of an agreement by the Turkish
Cypriot so-called football federation [in Zurich on 5 November]. “It is not
possible to accept such unification”, he noted in statements in the Turkish
city of Gaziantep. He argued that the chairman of their so-called football
federation had said that the text discussed in Cyprus was different than the
text signed in Zurich.
He went on and
claimed: “I do not know whether these mistakes can be corrected in new
meetings. However, if these mistakes are not corrected the chairman of the
football federation could not take this to the clubs and discuss it, because
entering under the CFA, will need first to register at official offices in the
Greek Cypriot side and afterwards in cooperation with the CFA you will
establish a four-party committee under the roof of the CFA”.
14. Egypt downgrades diplomatic relations with
Turkey, expels ambassador
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 23.11.13) reported that Egypt has expelled
Turkey’s Ambassador to Cairo on Nov. 23, declaring him “persona non grata,” in
a new peak of tension between the two countries, which has escalated since the military
takeover that toppled Mohamed Morsi.
“We are
downgrading our diplomatic relations with Turkey,” a spokesperson of the
Egyptian Foreign Ministry said, adding that the decision had been taken after
Turkish Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan expressed his sympathy with Morsi in
remarks made on Nov. 21. “We have asked the Turkish ambassador to leave the
country.”
Egypt’s envoy to
Turkey, who has been recalled for consultations in August, will not be sent
back to Ankara, BadrAbdelatty said.
Meanwhile, the
Egyptian chargé d'affaires in Ankara, who is the senior diplomat at the embassy
because the ambassador has not been reinstated following being recalled to
Cairo for consultations in August, has been summoned to the Turkish Foreign
Ministry.
Turkish officials
informed to having undertaken reciprocal measures by declaring the Ambassador
Abdurrahman Selahaddin “persona non grata,” mirroring Cairo by downgrading
diplomatic ties.
“The
responsibility of this sad situation falls on the interim government, which
came into power during the exceptional context of the July 3 coup,” the Foreign
Ministry said in a statement.
“We hope our
ties will normalize after Egypt regains stability and democracy,” it added
Earlier, Foreign
Ministry spokesperson LeventGumrukcu said that Ankara would take steps in
reciprocity "after comprehensive consultations with the Turkish
ambassador."
Before his
departure to Russia on Nov. 21, Erdogan criticized once again the interim rule
for putting Morsi in trial. “I applaud Morsi’s conduct at the court. I respect
him, but I have no respect for those who put him on trial,” Erdogan said.
His remarks were
described by BadrAbdelatty as "provocative and interfering in Egypt's
internal affairs."
Abdelatty also
accused Ankara of attempting "to influence public opinion against Egyptian
interests" as well as supporting meetings of organizations that "seek
to create instability in the country."
Turkish Prime
Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan spoke on the subject on Nov. 24, adding that his
government stood with the “Egyptian people.” Erdogan said those who “act based
on emotion” were the ones who lose.
“We never
respected coup plotters, and we never will. We will be sensitive about that. It
is our duty to enhance freedoms, to raise the standards of democracy,” Erdogan
said.
For his part,
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said such crises were temporary. “The
friendship between Turkey and Egypt is eternal. A rule which respects humanity
may come to power in Egypt and relations between both countries will improve to
a level way more advanced than the one now,” Davutoglu said before his
departure to Qatar.
“However, the
interim rule in Egypt has informed us of their decision. We have responded with
the same steps, according to the reciprocity principle,” Davutoglu said.
He also
explained Ankara’s stance aims to defend the will of the Egyptian people. “Our
stance against the military coup of July 3 is the result of respect for the
Egyptian people, not because we prefer one part of the society to the other,”
he said, emphasizing Egypt’s importance for the region.
“If democracy
establishes itself in Egypt, this will give hope to other people, too. But if
the democratic process in Egypt is interrupted, this will have a negative
impact for the demands in the region.”
Ambassador
HuseyinAvniBotsalı will be returning to Turkey as soon as possible, Davutoglu
also said
Botsalı was
summoned two weeks ago by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry over Ankara’s repeated
calls for Morsi’s release. The Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated politician had
recently appeared in court after being held incommunicado for months.
“Turkish and
Egyptian people are brothers. I will continue to pray for the good of Egypt,”
Botsali told Anadolu Agency in his first remarks after the announcement of the
Egyptian Foreign Ministry’s decision.
“Egypt is a very
important country. It is very important for the region and the World that Egypt
remains on the path of democracy,” Botsali said.
The first
Turkish official to react was President Abdullah Gul, who expressed his wish
that both countries could get their ties back on track. “Turkey and Egypt are
like two peas in a pod. We have been very saddened by what has happened there,”
Gul told reporters in the Black Sea province of Ordu. “We hope that Egypt can
regain democracy,” Gul added.
15. Cyprus problem was also taken up during the
Arinc-Biden meeting
According to
Ankara Anatolia news agency (23.11.13), Turkish Deputy Prime Minister
BulentArinc, who is carrying out contacts in the USA, had also a meeting with US Vice President Joe
Biden.
Arinc stated to
TRT News that Turkey and the USA are not in a clash but in almost full
agreement in issues such as Syria, Iraq or other matters.
He said they
took up the issue that the US could not fully meet Turkey’s expectations on the
Syria issue and added the Vice President will make a statement on this, without
elaborating on the issue.
Iraq and Cyprus
issues were also taken up during the Arinc-Biden meeting.
16. Erdogan to Putin: Take us to Shanghai
Turkish daily
Hurriyet Daily News (online, 22.11.13) reported that Prime Minister RecepTayyip
Erdogan has again opened up the debate on Turkey’s membership in the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO), this time demanding a seat from Russian
President Vladimir Putin to save Ankara from “the troubles” of the EU accession
process.
Responding to a
question over Ukraine’s recent decision to halt a trade pact with the European
Union, Putin said the issue had no political dimension and that they would
learn from Turkey’s EU experiences.
“We will ask
Turkey what we can do. Turkey has great experience in EU talks,” Putin said at
a joint conference with Prime Minister RecepTayyip Erdogan in St. Petersburg.
Erdogan replied: “You are right. Fifty years of experience is not easy. Allow us
into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and save us from this trouble.”
Ukraine abruptly
abandoned a historic new alliance with the EU on Nov. 21, halting plans for an
imminent trade pact with the bloc and saying it would instead revive talks with
Russia.
The prime
minister said he had conveyed Turkey’s membership request to Putin before. “We
care about this.”
Turkey became
the first NATO member state to become a “dialogue partner” with the regional
body – which is colloquially known as the Shanghai Five – in April. Turkey said
the cooperation would strengthen Turkey’s ties with the organization, primarily
in the domains of economy and transportation.
The SCO’s
members include Russia, China, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and
Kazakhstan.
The issue of SCO
membership had come to the political agenda of Turkey earlier this year after
Erdogan said Turkey might opt to join the SCO. Erdogan raised the issue in
January at a time when hopes regarding the EU process were diminishing due to
the adamant opposition of a number of members states toward Turkey’s
membership.
“I said to
Russian President Vladimir Putin, ‘You tease us, saying, ‘what [is Turkey]
doing in the EU?’ Now I tease you: Include us in the Shanghai Five, and we will
forget about the EU,’” Erdogan said at the time. The Prime Minister’s remarks
fuelled debates on whether Turkey was moving away from its policy target of EU
membership. President Abdullah Gul also reiterated that the SCO and the EU were
not alternatives to each other at the time.
Accompanied by
Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and Energy Minister TanerYildiz, Erdogan met
Putin and co-chaired the fourth session of the High-Level Russian-Turkish
Cooperation Council, where the two sides signed several agreements.
Under the title
“Tired of Brussels, Erdogan asks for Shanghai”, columnist Murat Yetkin, writing
in HDN (online, 23.11.13), wonders why Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan
raised the issue of his country’s entry into the Shanghai cooperation
organization and said, inter alia, the following: “It may seem contradicting
for Europeans (and Americans, too) looking at Turkish leadership, which renewed
vows only a week ago that Turkey was still committed to European democratic and
economic principles and did not deviate from its target to become a member of
the Union. It is not a contradiction for Erdogan. He thinks those are not
alternatives to each other and that’s why he asked Putin to allow Turkey to be
a part of the trade zone among the Shanghai Group, despite Turkey’s Customs
Union agreement with the EU. Moreover, Erdogan thinks the Shanghai card is a
trump in Turkey’s hand and could force Europeans to think twice in order not to
miss out on Turkey forever. In fact, the situation is not similar to play the
Chinese missile card against the U.S. and EU companies in competition. It is
not timely either, as the Turkish government is trying to explain itself once
again to its American and European friends that it belongs to the Western
system following the Syrian and Egyptian hick-ups in Erdogan’s policy.”
Yetkin also
compared the attitude of Erdogan and Gul as follows: “There is a discrepancy
between the attitudes of Erdogan and President Abdullah Gul. Gul was also
complaining about the EU attitude in his address to the Atlantic Council Energy
Summit in Istanbul a day before when he said the EU should not block the energy
chapter’s opening with Turkey, which is ready to play a bigger role in Europe’s
energy security with more pipelines to carry Iraqi and Azeri oil and gas, and perhaps
from Israel and Cyprus in future, depending on the political atmosphere. Gul is
pointing at a positive alternative, whereas Erdogan, in a sarcastic way
implying a break-up, which practically no one believes in its possibility,
politically and economically speaking.
The more Turkish
leaders talk about the Shanghai option (or non-option), the less the thesis be
taken seriously.”
17. Turkey seeks $100 billion trade volume with
Russia by 2020
Turkish daily
Today’s Zaman (online, 22.11.13) reported that Turkish Prime Minister
RecepTayyip Erdogan has said Turkey is planning to increase its trade volume
with Russia to $100 billion by 2020, an ambitious goal, part that is part of
Ankara's bid to be ranked among the world's 10 largest economies.
Erdogan said
ahead of a Turkey-Russia High-Level Cooperation Council (UDIK) meeting in the
Russian city of St. Petersburg on Friday that relations between the two nations
are at an excellent level and that officials from both have sought ways to
further advance economic and political ties.
Noting that
military, commercial and economic relations with Russia are improving, Erdogan
said they plan to reach a trade volume of $100 billion by 2020 from the current
$35 billion. He added that thanks to efforts by politicians and the
contributions of entrepreneurs, Turkey can achieve this goal.
Trade volume
between Russia and Turkey was slightly more than $5 billion a decade ago, and
it has seen exponential growth every year. In a joint news conference with
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, Erdogan confirmed his earlier
remarks on the 2020 trade volume goal and said there is no barrier to
accomplishing that target despite a slight drop in trade volume in the first
nine months of this year. During the news conference, Putin said the number of
Russian tourists who visited Turkey last year was 3.6 million and that he
discussed ways to increase this number to 4 million. Erdogan said that the
number of Russian tourists to visit Turkey annually will reach 4 million and that
he thinks the number of Turkish tourists to visit Russia may also increase as a
result of Russian cultural events in Turkey. He added that Ankara is ready to
lend any type of support to Moscow's plan to build a cultural centre in Ankara.
He said Turkey also has plans to open a cultural centre, to be called the
YunusEmre Institute, in Moscow.
According to
Erdogan, bilateral relations are advancing better than the year before, and the
two leaders discussed ways to improve ties. He praised Turkish investors in
Russia, which he said are currently undertaking work worth $50 billion,
particularly in the construction sector. Erdogan attached particular importance
on the energy cooperation and hailed Russia for constructing Turkey's first
nuclear plant. He said the commercial ties in the field of finance with mutual
investments are also noteworthy. The sub-committees of UDIK -- the Joint
Strategic Planning Group, co-chaired by Davutoglu and his Russian counterpart,
Sergey Lavrov, and the Russia-Turkey Intergovernmental Joint Economic
Commission, co-chaired by Yildiz and Russian Minister of Energy Alexander Novak
-- held preparation meetings before the summit.
Putin and
Erdogan also had a bilateral meeting before one they attended with their
delegations. Putin said that Turkish-Russian relations are moving forward at a
“nice pace” despite a lack of direct engagement. He noted that Friday's meeting
will not halt this progress and added that their goal is to contribute to the
already fast-moving progress in relations.
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