Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 04-10-07

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Reference to Cyprus by Erdogan during his address of the PACE.

[02] Reference to Cyprus by Erdogan during a press conference after the release of the EU Commission report on Turkey.

[03] Turkish business circles assess the EU report.

[04] Eroglu expresses his concern regarding Turkey's progress report announced by the EU; Serdar Denktas' party mouthpiece says all roads have completely been closed for Cyprus.

[05] COREPER has reportedly decided to discuss as a package the Financial Aid and the Direct Trade Regulations on 23 November.

[06] The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce to visit the pseudostate in order to strengthen its relation with the TC Chamber of Commerce.

[07] Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby blocks draft bill in US Congress.

[08] Turkey to train foreign diplomats.

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Reference to Cyprus by Erdogan during his address of the PACE

"As a result of ongoing changes, the Turkish society has adopted Europe's culture of compromise. It is also reflected in Turkish government's recent constructive attitude and efforts to find a solution to the long-standing Cyprus problem.

The international community appreciated Turkey's determination to find a fair and lasting solution to the Cyprus controversy and its positive contributions to United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan's efforts. Unfortunately, the twin referenda held in Cyprus on April 24th, 2004 did not yield the desired. The results of the referenda gave rise to a new situation on the island. In his report about his good offices mission, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan stressed clearly that the results of the referenda removed all valid reasons to put pressure on Turkish Cypriot people and to pursue an isolation policy against them. Mr Annan called on all states to cooperate in removing unnecessary restrictions and obstacles isolating Turkish Cypriot people both on bilateral and international levels and to put an end to practices preventing their economic development."

Upon a question from MP about the Cyprus issue, Prime Minister Erdogan said: ''I proposed to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan in Davos, prior to the referenda in Cyprus, to initiate the fourth negotiation process. I also told him that Turkey would always be one step ahead of the Greek Cypriot side. In the referendum on April 24th, 2005, Turkish Cypriots told the whole world, 'our nation wants globalization of peace. Therefore, we are ready to live together with Greek Cypriots in Cyprus.' However, the Greek Cypriot side rejected it. But they were honoured while Turkish Cypriots still live in isolation. The PACE has taken the first step to lift such a unfair situation.''

''The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) will maintain this process with the same sincerity. We want a world in which friendly relations are consolidated. We will do everything in our power to this end,'' Prime Minister Erdogan added.

[02] Reference to Cyprus by Erdogan during a press conference after the release of the EU Commission report on Turkey

Mr Erdogan said that the EU lit the first green light for opening of negotiations with Turkey.

He recalled that Turkey was granted EU candidacy at Helsinki Summit in 1999, and also EU leaders decided at the Copenhagen Summit in 2004 that entry talks should start without any delay if they believe Turkey fulfilled the Copenhagen political criteria.

''We will continue exerting efforts for adoption of the European Commission's recommendation by EU countries on December 17th,'' said Erdogan.

Asked if the Turkish government would launch an initiative to reunify Cyprus after its EU membership negotiations began, Erdogan said that Turkey's priority was to totally meet the Copenhagen political criteria and the Maastrich economic criteria, but it would launch any initiative in international platform when necessary, as it had done during negotiations aiming at settlement of the Cyprus problem.

Erdogan said that Turkey had extended great support to the April 24th simultaneous referenda held in Cyprus on the Annan plan.

Recalling that the `TRNC� voted ''yes'' to the plan upon the desire of EU member countries and the UN, while the Greek Cypriots voted ''no'', Erdogan said: ''That is, the north of the island said it was ready to co-exist in the island with the Greek Cypriot people. Because, they said, 'we are in favour of globalization of peace, democracy, human rights and rule of law.' But, `TRNC� is still subject to economic, commercial, cultural and international isolation.''

Erdogan stated that the "Greek Cypriot administration", which voted against the Annan plan in the simultaneous referenda despite the demand of EU member countries, was admitted to the EU as a problematic full member.

Noting that EU acquis foresaw accession of countries to the EU after they had ended all their problems, Erdogan said: ''The most serious problem is the border problem. But, it (the Republic of Cyprus) was admitted despite this. I hardly understand this situation and standards.''

[03] Turkish business circles assess the EU report

Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (TUSIAD) released a statement and said, ''a historical progress was recorded in relations between Turkey and the European Union (EU) with the report.''

''Turkey, which advances on negotiation process with the EU, will have important political, economic and social contributions to the future of Europe,'' said the statement.

TUSIAD said, ''the decision is a test for the EU in the aspects of political maturity and democratic ethic.''

Meanwhile, the Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association (MUSIAD) Chairman Omer Bolat said regarding the report that according to the expressions in the report, full membership seemed to take a long way for Turkey.

''Turkey enters a new process but full membership is not close,'' added Bolat.

Bolat said: ''The EU pursued its unwillingness and double standards about Turkey.'' He added: ''Foreign policy of Turkish government should not be indexed only to the EU.''

Meanwhile, Ankara Chamber of Commerce (ATO) Chairman Sinan Aygun said regarding the report that details in the report were not known.

''They say 'we make you EU member but we will not permit you to move within the EU'. It is like an invitation of someone to a meal but not allowing him to eat. I think this attitude is wrong. They present special status as if it were a normal condition. Which of the EU members do not have free movement permit?'' said Aygun.

Aygun said: ''They say there are many missions to accomplish. What will happen about Cyprus, Aegean, southeast, minority and human rights issues? Will they ask us to accept so-called Armenian genocide? Will they ask us to open a seminary? We cannot see them clearly.''

[04] Eroglu expresses his concern regarding Turkey's progress report announced by the EU; Serdar Denktas' party mouthpiece says all roads have completely been closed for Cyprus

In a written statement issued yesterday, Mr Eroglu said that they really wanted Turkey to get the result it wished during the EU Summit in December and that they were pleased with the fact that the Commission suggests that Turkey should begin accession negotiations with the Union.

He noted, however, that at the same time he was concerned about the statements of the "Greece - Greek Cypriot duo" and the "wrong stance of the EU on the Cyprus problem until today". Explaining the reason why he is worried, Mr Eroglu said: "It is obvious that the Greece - Greek Cypriot duo is determined to use this process in order to get concessions from Turkey on the Cyprus issue and take the Turkish Cypriots back to the period before 1974. At this very stage we, together with Motherland Turkey, need to as soon as possible establish where we are going to".

Meanwhile, referring to the same report, Turkish Cypriot daily CUMHURIYET newspaper (07.10.04), mouthpiece of Serdar Denktas' Democratic Party, expresses the opinion that "Turkey got a positive result for its Progress Report from the EU Commission, but for Cyprus all roads have completely been closed".

[05] COREPER has reportedly decided to discuss as a package the Financial Aid and the Direct Trade Regulations on 23 November

Invoking diplomatic sources, the paper writes that the members of COREPER have achieved an agreement on the issue of the Financial Aid Regulation. The discussions on the Direct Trade Regulation still continue, notes KIBRIS adding though that the members of the Committee have agreed that both regulations are discussed together as a package and not separately.

The discussion of the two regulations as a package and taking a decision on both of them was one of the demands of the Turkish side, concludes KIBRIS.

[06] The Istanbul Chamber of Commerce to visit the pseudostate in order to strengthen its relation with the TC Chamber of Commerce

According to a statement made by the ICC, during its visit, the economic situation of the pseudostate will be examined and the ICC delegation will evaluate with the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce the possibilities of cooperation between them and the strengthening of their relations.

In the framework of its schedule, the delegation will have meetings with various politicians in the pseudostate, among them the Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktas, the so-called Prime Minister Mr Mehmet Ali Talat and the Commander of the Turkish Armed forces in Cyprus Hasan Memisoglu.

[07] Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby blocks draft bill in US Congress

"A draft bill praising the Turkish government's efforts for a solution in Cyprus and backing pledged efforts by the U.S. administration and the European Union to end international isolation of Turkish Cypriots was blocked at the very initial stage of legislation in the Congress, due to efforts of the powerful Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby.

The draft bill failed in the Europe Subcommittee of the International Relations Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives in the absence of a majority vote in its support, Anatolia news agency said. Three members of the committee voted for the bill, while three votes were against.

The result was a result of efforts by the powerful Greek-Greek Cypriot lobby in the Congress, Anatolia said, quoting diplomatic sources in Washington.

The draft bill was presented by Democrat Congressman Robert Wexler, head of the Turkey caucus in the U.S. Congress.

Turkish Cypriots overwhelmingly voted for a U.N. plan aimed at reunification of the island in an April 24 referendum. But the plan failed as it was rejected by Greek Cypriots. United States and the EU have pledged to take measures to end international isolation of Turkish Cypriots after the referendum in reward to their "yes" vote for reunification.

The failed bill praised Turkish Cypriots for their supporting stance. It also commended Erdogan for his "courageous leadership" and noted that the U.N. plan had been supported by Greek Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis.

It applauded the U.S. administration and the EU for their decisions to support ending isolation of Turkish Cypriots. The EU Commission proposed in July a set of measures to enable direct trade with Turkish Cypriots and grant them financial aid but those proposals still await ministers' approval.

Anatolia said the bill, if it had been enacted, would have given the U.S. administration a stronger position to pursue pledged efforts to end isolation of Turkish Cypriots, although it contained some clauses that were not likely to be welcomed in Ankara.

The bill was not expected to reach the Foreign Relations Committee or the House floor."

[08] Turkey to train foreign diplomats

The Turkish Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Ali Tuygan made an opening speech for the program and said there would also be courses concerning Turkish foreign policy beside diplomacy and international relations within the program, Anatolia news agency said. The participants will have the chance to get to know Turkish culture, heritage and the natural riches via journeys during the program.

The Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul was expected to attend the reception at Ankara Palace which would be given for the opening of the program last night.

/SK

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