TURKISH CYPRIOT AND
TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW
C O N T E N T S
No. 210/13 06.11.13
1. CFA and KTFF sign
an agreement to unify Cyprus football; KTFF wants changes in the agreement;
Reactions by Turkish Cypriot politicians
2. How the Turkish press covers the provisional CFA
and CTFA
3. Eroglu: if the
latest Turkish proposal is not accepted by the Greek Cypriots the “exercise for
a joint statement” must end
4. Eroglu: the
territory will be discussed only if agreement is reached on the other chapters;
Ban Ki-moon will not prepare a solution plan
6. Bagis called on Cyprus to listen carefully to Fule
7. Mayor of Prague is illegally visiting the
breakaway regime
8. European Court
fines Turkey for torture under police custody
9. Turkish foreign Ministry: Turkey welcomes opening of new Chapter in EU accession talks
9. Turkish foreign Ministry: Turkey welcomes opening of new Chapter in EU accession talks
10. Bagis: Germany and
France will kneel down and ask Turkey to
be a member state of the EU one day
11. CHP: Turkish PM
aims to end mixed sex education; Erdogan
stands behind remarks of male and female students cohabiting
12. Norway's King in
Turkey for first head of state visit; Turkey and Norway to step up efforts on
energy ties
1. CFA and KTFF
sign an agreement to unify Cyprus football; KTFF wants changes in the
agreement; Reactions by Turkish Cypriot politicians
Under the title “Difficult decision”, Turkish
Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (06.11.13)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot “football federation”, Cyprus Football
Association (CFA or KOP), FIFA and UEFA signed yesterday a “benchmark text”, as
the paper describes the provisional agreement signed in Zurich with the aim of
uniting the Cyprus football. The paper publishes the parameters and other
provisions of the agreement in the Turkish language [Translator’s note: more
information on the provisional agreement in English could be found at: http://www.cfa.com.cy/Gr/news/16243 and http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/organisation/news/newsid=2218369/index.html]
Havadis reports that according to
the text, KTFF will become a member of CFA and the CFA will respond to this by
recognizing KTFF’s authority in the occupied northern part of Cyprus. KTFF will
be the only authority in occupied northern Cyprus and the CFA will be an
observer, notes the paper adding that if the general assemblies of KTFF and the
CFA approve the text, KTFF will gain international representation.
The paper writes that the provision
for the KTFF becoming member of the CFA has caused “serious reactions” in the
occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. “The reactions make KTFF’s decision
difficult”, notes the paper adding that the text did not satisfy the KTFF. At
the beginning, KTFF’s chairman, Hasan Sertoglu did not want to enter into the
meeting in Zurich, but FIFA’s chairman promised him that before the meeting of
KTFF’s general assembly, changes will be made in the text and the status of the
KTFF will become clearer.
Under the title “There is a
signature, not an agreement”, Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (06.11.13) reports that the provision for
KTFF becoming member of the CFA caused problems. The paper writes that Sertoglu
stated the following: “I do not accept this text. This text is not an
agreement. This text cannot go to the general assembly in this form. I told
Blatter that we could not take it in this form and our objections were
accepted. In any case, if this text goes to the general assembly as it is, I
will do whatever I can in order for not being accepted”. Noting that the meetings will continue in the
process which will follow, Sertoglu said that they have to hold many meetings
not just one.
The paper writes that the Turkish Cypriot
side reacts especially because of article 1 and 4 of the agreement and says
that it will try to change them.
Referring to the issue, the
self-styled prime minister of the regime, Ozkan Yorgancioglu said he trusts the
delegation of the KTFF and does not think that they will do anything wrong.
“All their effort is to pave the way of our football. Therefore, I do not think
that this is a very bad situation”, he noted.
Commenting on the same issue,
self-styled deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas said that the approach of
applying for becoming a member of CFA could not be accepted and alleged that a
lot of work is needed on the text in order for being changed. He noted that he
was relaxed by Sertoglu’s statement that the text could not be accepted as it
is. “If the decisions that will be taken on the issue of football will
influence politics, we will interfere. If the issue is only football, there is
no problem”, he said.
Meanwhile, Huseyin Ozgurgun,
chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), said that if the text [of the
agreement] is the one which exists on UEFA’s website, it could not be accepted.
He noted that they sense that football could be put in front of the unsolved
political problem of Cyprus and become a “role model”.
Hasan Ercakica, former spokesman of
the “presidency” during Mehmet Ali Talat’s period, wondered what the Turkish
Cypriots are doing at the negotiating table if they approve joining the CFA in
this manner. He said: “I know that the Cyprus problem derives from the fact
that the Turkish Cypriots do not accept to be administrated by the Greek
Cypriot side and as a person who paid important prices for the solution and
forced his family to also pay prices, I cannot accept entering under such
administration”.
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.11.13) refers to
the issue under the title “A road map has been formed”. In its sports pages,
the paper writes that Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General’s special adviser
on Cyprus, and the US and French Ambassadors to Nicosia called the Turkish
Cypriot delegation to congratulate it after the signing of the document.
The rest of the Turkish Cypriot
newspapers cover the issue under the following titles:
Volkan:
Political Treason, KTFF entered under KOP, If you was not satisfied why you
have signed it?
Yeni Duzen:
Light of hope…
Afrika: We
joined KOP
Kibrisli:
Historic signature in Zurich!
Vatan: There
is no result in Zurich, there is a ‘draft-text’!
Bakis: KTFF
became a member of KOP!
Star Kibris:
The signatures were put, but…
Ortam: Let it be the beginning
Gunes (on page 7): KTFF became member of KOP
(I/Ts.)
2. How the Turkish press covers the provisional CFA
and CTFA
Almost all the
today’s Turkish newspapers (06.11.13) refer, in their sport section, to the
provisional agreement, which was signed between Cyprus Football Association
(CFA) and the Cyprus Turkish Football Association (CTFA) on Tuesday at FIFA
headquarters in Zurich to unite and facilitate the progress of football on the
island.
The headlines of
the newspapers on the football agreement are as follows:
SABAH: A historic
signature in Cyprus
HURRIYET: A historic
reunion! The CTFA accepted to be member of the CFA
HURRIYET DAILY NEWS: Cypriot
football unified with historic deal
MILLIYET: A “football”
agreement in Cyprus. The paper reports that the chairman of the CTFA, Hasan
Sertoglu, commenting on the provisional agreement, said the text of the
agreement has not satisfied them, adding that it wouldn’t be able to pass by
the general assembly. Sertoglu also said: “We told them that the text should go
under serious amendments. They also justified us.”
RADIKAL: A football
solution to the embargo in Cyprus. The paper reports that Sertoglu said that
they went to Zurich and signed the agreement, because they had given their word
to Blatter. However, he added, the text must be improved; otherwise it will not
pass from the general assembly.
TARAF: Cyprus is united
for the first time in football.
Today’s Zaman: Greek and
Turkish Cyprus agree on single football team
ZAMAN: An intermediary
solution for the Cyprus football
3. Eroglu: if the
latest Turkish proposal is not accepted by the Greek Cypriots the “exercise for
a joint statement” must end
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (06.11.13)
reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that the
Turkish Cypriot side had submitted its latest proposals to the Greek Cypriot
side the day before yesterday through the United Nations and added that in case
this proposal is not accepted, the “exercise for a joint statement”, which has
been continuing for almost two months, must end.
In a written statement issued yesterday, Eroglu
said that this is a critical week for the solution of the Cyprus problem and
added that today he will meet with Alexander Downer, UN Secretary-General’s
special adviser on Cyprus. Eroglu said he agrees with Ban Ki-moon’s message
that the negotiations must resume from the point they had been left.
Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side
had turned the issue of the joint statement into a precondition for the
commencement of the negotiations, Eroglu claimed that the Turkish side has
submitted “many constructive and reconciliatory proposals” in order for a joint
statementto be issued. He noted:
“We conveyed yesterday to the Greek Cypriot
side through the UN our latest proposal in this direction. In case this is not
accepted the exercise for a joint statement, which has been continuing for
almost two months, must end. At the point we have come, we do not want to waste
time. This is a test of sincerity. I want to once more make a call on the Greek
Cypriot leader. Let us come to the table and continue the negotiations from the
point they were left, making use of this opportunity in the days during which
Mr Downer is on the island. For this reason, I have postponed my planned visit
to London. The Turkish Cypriot side is ready to sit at the table immediately
and it is sincere on the issue of finding a solution the soonest, in the first
quarter of 2014”.
(I/Ts.)
4. Eroglu: the territory will be discussed
only if agreement is reached on the other chapters; Ban Ki-moon will not
prepare a solution plan
Under the
title “Solution now”, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (06.11.13) reports
that the Turkish Cypriot leader, Dervis Eroglu has said that the Cyprus problem
which continues for 50 years must end. In an interview with Kibris Media Group,
Eroglu reiterated his views on the issue of the joint statement and referred to
the negotiations for reaching a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Eroglu said that there are six
chapters in the negotiations and if anyone wants to add any other chapter, this
should be discussed at the negotiating table. “An extra chapter could open only
with our acceptance”, he noted adding: “We are ready to discuss at the negotiating
table all chapters which we believe that have not been discussed. That is, the
six chapters have the issues of security, territory and property. We have
negotiated on the property issue for a very long period of time and put forward
our criteria. We have put forward our criteria on the territory issue and we
said that ‘only if agreement is reached on the other issues we will discuss the
territory, because from the moment you open the territory issue for discussion,
there will be unrest in the country. Why? Because people that will be relocated
will come onto the agenda…”
Asked to comment on the issue of the
single sovereignty, single citizenship and single international representation
and the complains of the Greek Cypriot side that the Turkish stance changed on
issues on which agreement had been reached, Eroglu said that the “partnership
state” will of course, have a single international identity and a single
identity and that it will have one citizenship and one seat at the UN. He went on and claimed: “It will be sovereign
as well, but where it will be taking its sovereignty from? Now we are saying
this: what is the solution we are looking for? A bi-zonal, bi-communal federal
partnership state based on political equality, a federal republic. Now, if you say that these founding states
will have no characteristics and that they will not give any power to the
partnership state, then who is founding this partnership state we call federal
Republic of Cyprus?...”
Replying to a question as regards
the road map which the Turkish Cypriots will follow in case the negotiations
enter into a deadlock, Eroglu said that this is discussed from time to time and
added, inter alia, the following. “These issues are discussed at certain
places. When we say that ‘we cannot wait for another 50 years’, [this means]
that the Turkish Cypriot people have no patience and the belief of the Greek
Cypriots that the two sides will meet under a common roof is decreased day
after day”.
Commenting on the view that “if the
process fails the Turkish Cypriots should know what will happen with them”,
Eroglu noted, inter alia, the following: “Of course, saying that ‘this is our
alternative’, while the negotiations are still going on, it could mean that
‘Eroglu is trying to torpedo the process’. However, if we could not reach an
agreement, we will sit and evaluate the situation in the circumstances that
will exist then. However, now we are concentrated on sitting at the negotiating
table and on solving the Cyprus problem within 3-5 months. We have local
elections, but Turkey has local elections, presidential elections and
afterwards parliamentary elections. That is, both north Cyprus and Turkey will
be very busy with the elections. Therefore, if there is a will, we could finish
these six chapters within 3-5 months. And will go to referendum…Which
communities, which peoples will have the right for referendum? When you think
of this, you will at any case find the meaning. If I have no self-determination
right, I cannot take these people to referendum… We have stated let us take
this issue to referendum and finish it in March-April. Of course, if there is
no agreement, however, we will sit with our parliament and our motherland
Turkey and see where we will go…”
Asked to clarify the Turkish view as
regards the so-called “internal citizenship”, Eroglu said, inter alia, the
following: “Those who are now citizens of the partnership state will become
citizens of the Turkish or Greek founding states. The Greek side says that only
the partnership state should have citizenship, but what we say? Given that this
will be a federation based on political equality; these people will also be
citizens of our administration as we are a founding state. This is not only for
us, but for the Greek Cypriots as well. That is, the Greek Cypriots who are
citizens of the partnership state will be citizens of the Greek Cypriot
founding state as well. This is what we call internal citizenship…”
Asked to comment on self-styled Prime
Minister Yorgancioglu’s statement that the so-called foreign minister Ozdil
Nami should be attending the negotiating table, Eroglu said that he is the one
who should decide on this issue and added that these things should not be
discussed through the press. He noted that they inform the “foreign minister”
on all issues through Osman Ertug, Eroglu’s special representative. “He also
briefs me on the meetings he holds, he sends me the minutes”, he said referring
to Nami.
Asked to comment on the possibility
of a “Ban Ki-moon Plan”, as the Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator has
stated, Eroglu said he does not think that Ban Ki-moon will do such a thing.
(I/Ts.)
5. Ertug supports
Eroglu’s statements and saıd: Joint statement between the two sides not certain
Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper
(06.11.13) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu's special representative
Osman Ertug, held a meeting with UN SG`s Special Advisor on the Cyprus problem Alexander
Downer. The meeting lasted one hour.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Ertug
said that because this is a very critical and sensitive period he does not want
to make statements to the press so that his words are not understood wrongly.
He also said that he and Downer will continue
to carry on with the duty they were given and that the works for issuing a
joint statement between the two sides in Cyprus are continuing.
Asked to comment on Eroglu’s statement that if
the latest Turkish proposal is not accepted by the Greek Cypriots the “exercise
for a joint statement” must end, Ertug said that this statement reflects the
Turkish Cypriot side’s “national” policy. Asked if he talked on this issue with
Downer, Ertug did not reply.
6. Bagis called on Cyprus to listen carefully to
Fule
Turkish Cypriot
daily Havadis (06.11.13) reports that Turkey’s EU Minister and Chief Negotiator
Egemen Bagis, who is in Brussels for the start of talks on Chapter 22 which
pertains to regional policy and coordination of structural instruments, told to
the Ankara Anatolia news agency: “I hope everyone listens carefully to the call
of Fule, while he was explaining the Progress Report on the 16th of October.
The Greek Cypriot administration (transl. note: as Bagis refers to the Republic
of Cyprus), who prevents that opening of Chapter 23, ‘Judiciary and fundamental
rights’, and Chapter 24, ‘Justice, freedom and security’, should listen
carefully.”
Claiming that
the 95% of the coverage of these chapters are on issues that Turkey is being
criticized, Bagis said: “We stressed that we have clear will to open these
chapters. However, the Greek Cypriot administration, which prevents the opening
of the chapters, should come to its senses and not jeopardize and mortgage the
interests of Turkey, the EU and the 500 million of citizens of the EU member
countries. On this issue, I hope that they would do what it is correct.”
Noting that in
case of a Cyprus settlement positive developments will also occur regarding
Turkey’s EU accession process, Bagis said: “Especially, as a result of the
negotiations that Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s Special Adviser on Cyprus
Alexander Downer is holding with the sides, a new plan will materialize until
the end of the year which will be a correct version of the Annan plan, the
emergence of Ban Ki-moon plan, which
will be put to a simultaneous vote on both sides at the beginning of
2014 and envisages the foundation of a United States of Cyprus, a single
sovereignty in the world, but each side will themselves determine the domestic
affairs, based on a political equality on the island. This will also lift the
obstacles of Turkey on chapters 14 and 16, which are being blocked for
political reasons”.
7. Mayor of Prague is illegally visiting the
breakaway regime
Illegal Bayrak television (05.11.13) reports that
self-styled deputy Prime Minister Serdar Denktasmet with the Mayor of the Czech
capital Prague Pawel Caldr and his accompanying delegation who are illegally
visiting the breakaway regime as guest of the occupied Agios Amvrosios “municipality”.
Speaking during the visit, the Mayor of Prague said that they were very
impressed with their visit to the breakaway regime.
He said that they were working to become a
sister municipality with the Agios Amvrosios “municipality” said that this was
important for the two “countries” to learn about each others cultures.
Denktas said he was pleased to see Caldr and
members of his municipal council in the breakaway regime.
He said that his ministry will do all it can to
promote cooperation between the two municipalities.
8. European Court
fines Turkey for torture under police custody
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.11.13) Turkey has been fined 22,000 euros by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on charges of "torture" while in police custody in 1999.
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.11.13) Turkey has been fined 22,000 euros by the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on charges of "torture" while in police custody in 1999.
The ECHR fined Turkey 20,000 euros for
non-pecuniary damages and 2,000 euros for costs and expenses in the case of
Mesut Deniz over his ill-treatment during detention.
Deniz, 38, currently in Ankara's Sincan prison,
claimed that after his arrest on Oct. 5, 1999, the police subjected him to
ill-treatment.
Relying in particular on Article 3 (the
prohibition of inhuman or degrading treatment) and Article 13 (the right to an
effective remedy), the ECHR decided that Deniz had been subjected to
ill-treatment while in police custody, that the authorities had failed to carry
out an effective investigation into these allegations, and that he had
therefore been denied the opportunity to claim compensation.
Deniz claimed that during custody the police
tortured him, including giving him electric shocks, hanging him by his arms,
beating him severely, twisting and squeezing his penis and making him lie on an
icy surface, said the court in its explanation of the decision. Medical reports
undertaken on the same day of arrest and during the following days all record a
large number of injuries on Deniz's body.
An investigation was launched by a prosecutor
in 2000, and a police officer was charged, but he was eventually acquitted in
September 2007. Deniz attempted to appeal the decision, but the courts refused
to allow him to do so because he had not made himself a civil party to
proceedings. This refusal was upheld by Court of Cassation in May 2012.
Meanwhile, the European court also fined Turkey
7,000 euros in total for not properly investigating the allegations of torture
that allegedly took place during the arrest of a minor in southeastern Turkey.
Cuneyt Ertus claimed that he was ill-treated by
the police during his arrest in the province of Hakkari in 1993, at a time when
he was 15. He was charged with attending a demonstration in support of the
outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).
Ertus's parents filed a criminal complaint against the officers involved
in the arrest, but the Hakkari public prosecutor decided not to bring criminal
proceedings. An objection against this decision and a claim for compensation
were both dismissed.
In a third case, the ECHR ruled for Turkey to
pay 6,500 euros to Kamuran Tuzun for violation of Article 3 of the Convention
under its procedural limb. Tuzun complained that during his arrest in May 2006
in İzmir, officers had hit his head with a weapon, and that he had been beaten
with truncheons and guns. The public prosecutor decided not to issue proceedings
against the officers, and Tuzun's objection to this ruling was dismissed in
January 2007.
9. Turkish foreign
Ministry: Turkey welcomes opening of new Chapter in EU accession talks
Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.11.13) reports
that Turkey’s Foreign Ministry welcomes the opening of the negotiations on
Chapter 22, talks which will focus on regional policy and coordination of
structural Instruments, at the Intergovernmental Conference at Ministerial
level held in Brussels on Tuesday.
Stating the importance of Chapter 22 for
revitalization of the negotiation process after a 3 year interval, “the
blockages on chapters that have been introduced with political considerations
would also be lifted immediately and thereby all other chapters be opened to negotiations.”
Turkey emphasized its expectation.
It stated that “Turkey will decisively continue
its work the path towards EU membership.”
10. Bagis: Germany
and France will kneel down and ask Turkey to be a member state of the EU one
day
Ankara Anatolia news agency (05.11.13) reports
that Turkey's Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis stated
that German and French leaders will kneel down and ask Turkey to be a member
state of the EU one day.
Bagis told Germany's Zeit Online that Turkish
economic performance has grown 6% on average in the past ten years and it is
above average compared to the EU.
"The energy sources the EU needs are
either in the north or the south of Turkey," he said. " If the EU
does not want to cooperate with Turkey, it either needs to work with Russia or
do with renewable energy resources."
Stating that the biggest obstacle before
Turkey's EU membership was prejudice, Bagis stressed that the EU needs Turkey as much as Turkey needs
the EU. When asked about the prejudice for which he blames the EU, Bagis said
"They consider Turkey as a poor, unsettled Muslim country."
11. CHP: Turkish PM
aims to end mixed sex education; Erdogan
stands behind remarks of male and female students cohabiting
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (05.011.13)
reports that Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's latest remarks
opposing mixed-sex student accommodation actually hint towards his intention to
abolish mixed-sex education, according to main opposition Republican People's
Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu.
"Male and female students do not even live
in the same dormitories, they are already separated. But his [Erdogan's] main
concern over this issue is not mixed sex dormitories; his real intention is to
abolish mixed-sex education," Kilicdaroglu said on Nov. 5 in his address
to his party's parliamentary group meeting.
He was commenting on Erdogan's recent remarks
that triggered a strong public reaction, in which the Prime Minister condemned
the practice of female and male students living under one roof, describing it
as "against our conservative democratic character" and vowing to take
measures.
Kilicdaroglu accused Erdogan of
"misinforming" people about student dormitories, stressing that male
and female students were already not accommodated in the same buildings in any
state dormitories.
The CHP leader devoted almost his whole speech
to women's freedoms, stressing the various times that he said his party had
defended the equality of women and men, in contrast to Erdogan, who he once
again labeled as "dictator."
"Violence against women increased 1400
percent over the past 10 years. Who is responsible for this? If we ask the
dictator, it's the responsibility of the CHP. But the CHP wholeheartedly
believes in the equality of women and men," Kilicdaroglu said.
The ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP)
aims to "decrease women's participation in social life," according to
the CHP head. "They have revoked women's rights step by step. Women should
liberate themselves from a mentality that aims to lock them in the house,"
he said.
Kilicdaroglu added that women who previously
voted for the AKP should resist the government's interventions into their
lifestyles.
In addition, Turkish daily Today’s Zaman
newspaper (06.11.13) reports that Erdogan on Tuesday stood behind remarks
reported on Monday in which he spoke highly critically of male and female
students cohabiting, a day after a government spokesman firmly denied the
comments.
“I never deny anything I speak as I am a
characteristically different politician,” Erdogan said addressing his Justice
and Development Party (AK Party) deputies on Tuesday.
Stating that he is against the idea of both
sexes staying in the same dormitory on the grounds that it falls contradictory
to his “democratic and conservative” line, Erdogan said: “We never permitted
female and male students to stay in the same dormitory and never will. The
inefficiency of such system in which both sexes share same dormitory is also
accepted by global education psychology. The works to separate the dormitories
of both sexes is ongoing now, 70 percent of which has been completed. In some
regions students stay at houses, where there is a lack of room in dormitories.
We receive intelligence on what goes on in these houses. The governor's offices
are intervening in this. Why are you feeling uneasy about this?” he asked,
referring to criticisms in the media over his statements.
12. Norway's King
in Turkey for first head of state visit; Turkey and Norway to step up efforts
on energy ties
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (06.11.13)
reports that King Harald V of Norway has arrived in Ankara as part of an
official visit to Turkey at the invitation of President Abdullah Gul.
Interior Minister Muammer Guler welcomed the
Norwegian monarch at Ankara's Esenboga Airport on Nov. 4, the arrival marking
the first head-of-state-level visit between the two countries since 1926, when
bilateral diplomatic relations were first formed.
"In addition to being an oil and gas
producer, Norway also has significant technological know-how and experience in
the field of renewable energy," said a president's office spokesperson,
adding that in this regard, King Harald V will participate in the opening
ceremony of the "Turkish-Norwegian Partnership in the Field of Renewable
Energy Resources Forum" in Ankara on Nov. 6.
The King will meet with representatives of the
business community in Istanbul on Nov. 7, on the last day of his visit.
In addition, Today's Zaman (06.11.13) reports
that on the same day that Chapter 22, one of the chapters that Turkey needs to
fulfill for full membership in the European Union, was officially opened to
negotiation, President Abdullah Gul said the Turkish nation may want to take
the same path as the Norwegians, who in two referendums voted against becoming
a part of the EU.
Speaking at a joint press conference with
Norwegian King Harald V on Tuesday, Gul called on the EU countries not to block
the EU negotiations and said today's issue is to conclude the EU negotiations
successfully. But then, after the completion of negotiations, he said, the
Turkish nation may lose its will to enter the EU after fulfilling the required
conditions, like the Norwegians, as a public referendum is needed to become an
EU country.
Finally Hurriyet Daily News (06.11.13) reports Turkey
and Norway have stepped up efforts to boost bilateral ties especially in energy
and in cooperation on developments regarding the Middle East as King Harald V
of Norway made the first ever head of state visit to Ankara.
"We strongly pay attention to our
relations, particularly in the energy sector," President Abdullah Gul said
yesterday at a joint press conference with King Harald V.
President Gul stressed that there was potential
to cooperate in energy with Norway, citing that the country obtained 95 percent
of its electricity from hydroelectricity, and that it also possessed the richest
gas reserves of the world.
The President said that they also discussed
developments in the Middle East and Syria, and decided to increase cooperation.
"Norway has soft power. Despite having a
small population, it makes a significant contribution to solving global
problems. In this respect, it has a strong reputation among the international
community," Gul said.
"Turkey and Norway have the same values
and ideals since both have been NATO members for years," he added.
The energy ministers of both states signed a
memorandum of understanding on cooperation in energy.
The King, for his part, underlined that
partnerships in economy with Turkey would make rapprochement easier between the
two countries.
Norway aims to increase its cooperation and
investments in Turkey on the area of marine and his country seeks opportunities
in fishing, the King said. Investments of Norwegian companies in Turkey on
hydro-energy worth to $1 to 2 million, he added.
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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
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