Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-06-23

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

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] A technical committee from Turkey visits the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] DP worries and wants to be briefed on the Cyprus problem

[03] Atun says the target is to raise "TRNC" exports to 1 billion dollars by 2023

[04] Self-styled minister Ustel's contacts in the UK

[05] The "3rd International Conference on Educational Sciences" at occupied Famagusta

[06] Doga College has allegedly paid the compensation for the occupied Greek Cypriot property on which illegal DAU is built

[07] Seven Kalashinikovs have reportedly been stolen from the Turkish occupation army

[08] The President of the World Billiard Union visits the occupied area of Cyprus

[09] Bulutoglulari allegedly wants to be next "prime minister" and chairman of UBP

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] Filori: "Turkey's EU negotiation process has been blocked"

[11] "Veto on elected MP sparks new standoff"

[12] CHP's post election internal crisis

[13] EU data rules out 'too poor to join' theory for Turkey

[14] Compromise among Palestinians discussed in Turkey

[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS

[01] A technical committee from Turkey visits the occupied area of Cyprus

In statements during the meeting, Tatar said that Bas and his team worked intensively on the island for two days. He noted that by evaluating the course of the economy, the incomes and the expenses, they see what kind of road map they will follow. He said that with the measures they take and the efforts they exert, they pass through a very important test. Tatar added that their work is very important for the course of the economy of the breakaway regime and for creating a healthy balance in "public" finances.

In his statements, Bas said that the program for increasing the effectiveness of the "public" sector and the competitiveness of the private sector has been implemented since 2010 and added that it is a more systematic and better work than the previous ones. He noted that it is good that the implementation of the program begins in the early stages of the crisis. He argued that a stronger Turkey is needed in order for the breakaway regime to be able to stand on its own feet. In the same way, he alleged, Greece influences the government-controlled area of Cyprus. Bas said that if Turkey experienced a crisis similar to the one in Greece, it could not provide so much help to the breakaway regime.

(I/Ts.)

[02] DP worries and wants to be briefed on the Cyprus problem

In statements yesterday during a television program, Sonya said that the DP worries about the possibility of Turkey "sacrificing" the Turkish Cypriots upon pressures exerted by the European Union on the issue of the opening of the Turkish ports to Greek Cypriot vessels.

Sonya noted that their worries still exist in spite of the fact that they have been relieved to an extent due to statements made by Turkish officials that they should not be forced by the EU to make a choice between the Union and Cyprus, because their preference is known.

Sonya called on the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu to brief the political parties on the latest developments regarding the Cyprus problem.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Atun says the target is to raise "TRNC" exports to 1 billion dollars by 2023

Atun, who met yesterday with the President of the Turkish-Arab Countries Businessmen's' Association Dogan Narin and the Association's Vice-President, underlined the importance of trade ties with the Middle East and Arab countries, particularly at a time when the world was trying to emerge from a global economic crisis. Pointing out that the "TRNC" had successfully raised its foreign trade capacity from 26% to 34% in the past two years, Atun said that the increase was the result of the "government's" export oriented industrial incentive policies.

Speaking during the visit, Narin pointed out that the Association, which was made up of 22 Arab countries and Turkic Republics, strives towards enhancing economic, cultural and business ties between its members. He explained that they plan to speedily enhance commercial and business ties between the Arab countries and the Turkic Republics and said that the Association will speed up its collaboration with the "TRNC" and Turkey.

[04] Self-styled minister Ustel's contacts in the UK

"Minister" Ustel is accompanied to the UK by the "director" of the "department of promotion of tourism and marketing".

In his statements, Ustel said that they will continue exerting efforts for increasing the promotion of the "TRNC" in the UK adding that with alternative markets they will strengthen their tourism.

Referring to his contacts there, Ustel said that he had a meeting with officials of professional promotion companies adding that he has been informed about the activities being done and the activities that will be done for the promotion of the "TRNC".

Ustel also paid a visit to some media organizations such as London Turkish Radio, Londra Gazette, and Olay Gazette with which there is cooperation for promoting the "TRNC".

Ustel further said that by making openings in various new markets like the Netherlands, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Iran and Poland, some negative developments that might exist in one market about the "TRNC" tourism will be minimized.

Saying that the "TRNC" tourism depends for years now on two markets, the market of Turkey and the UK, he added that some alternative markets will strengthen the tourism of the "TRNC".

Referring to the economic crisis in Europe, Ustel said that this had as a result the decrease on the number of British citizens who visited the occupied area for the period of 2009.

Ustel further said that he went to London in order to have a meeting with some tourist operators with the aim the number of tourists who buy travel packages from the UK market to be increased. He then added that during his meeting with tourist operators, they exchanged views on the strategies to be followed for the growth of the UK market and what kind of promotion methods will be followed.

(AK)

[05] The "3rd International Conference on Educational Sciences" at occupied Famagusta

The paper reports that around 200 researchers and professors from USA, Russia, Germany, Britain, the Netherlands, Hungary, Taiwan, Turkey and the breakaway regime will participate in the conference.

The keynote speakers in the conference are Prof. Dr Christopher Day - Emeritus Professor of Education and Senior Fellow at the School of Education, University of Nottingham ? and Assoc. Prof. Dr Piet Kommers - associate professor at the University of Twente, in the Netherlands.

[06] Doga College has allegedly paid the compensation for the occupied Greek Cypriot property on which illegal DAU is built

The paper notes that the land on which "DAU" was built belongs to a Greek Cypriot named Saveriades, who had filed an application to the European Court of Human Rights and won the case. The compensation for the land on which "DAU" was built has been paid by the "Property Compensation Commission" established in the occupied area of Cyprus, but it is alleged that this payment has actually been done by Doga College. Recalling the interest of Turkish Cypriot businesspeople for "DAU's" institutions, the paper notes that according to some sources, the real reason for the transfer of these institutions to Doga College without going out to tenders is this.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Seven Kalashnikovs have reportedly been stolen from the Turkish occupation army

(I/Ts.)

[08] The President of the World Billiard Union visits the occupied area of Cyprus

Erboy expressed his satisfaction from seeing both of them in the occupied area of Cyprus. The guests also said that they are happy to be in the occupied area of the island.

Federation chairmen and administrators from eleven countries such as Belgium, Luxembourg, Egypt, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Turkey and the breakaway regime are participating in the congress.

Meanwhile, a delegation headed by Askin Burcu, chairman of the so-called "North Cyprus billiard federation", visited yesterday the self-styled minister of education, youth and sports Kemal Durust and briefed him on the "federation's" activities both in Cyprus and abroad. Burcu briefed Durust on the Congress of the European Billiard Federation. He also said that the "billiard federation" is one of the federations which pierced the so-called embargoes implemented on the breakaway regime and asked for Durust's support for participating in the European Championship in the Senior Category.

In his statements Durust agreed that the "billiard federation" is one of the federations which pierced the "embargoes" in the field of sports and promised to support them in their contacts abroad.

Moreover, in a message issued on the occasion of the 23 June, World Olympic Day, Durust expressed the belief that the "positive developments", which the breakaway regime achieved in the fields of billiard and wrestling, will be experienced in all other sports.

Finally, according to illegal Bayrak television (22.06.11, online), Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu has described as inhumane the sporting "embargoes" and claimed that therefore it is very important to branch out step by step to overcome these so-called embargoes.

Eroglu met yesterday with members of the "TRNC marksmanship federation". The chairman of the "federation" Atilla Mahmutoglu informed Eroglu that they had branched out to the international arena and told him on their success.

Eroglu for his part noted that the "federation" was cooperating with other federations abroad and were succeeding in competitions. Eroglu said that the activities carried out by the "federation" were important in overcoming the so-called embargoes.

"If desire and encouragement come together, then we will find the opportunity to open new doors", claimed Eroglu.

(I/Ts.)

[09] Bulutoglulari allegedly wants to be next "prime minister" and chairman of UBP

As the paper writes, the above allegations were published and broadcasted by several websites in the occupied area. As it is allegedly said, Bulutoglulari has taken a serious step in order to clarify his goals; that he is ready for the "prime ministry" and to become chairman of the "National Unity Party" (UBP).

The paper adds that Bulutoglulari, who participated yesterday at a program broadcasted by SIM TV, rejected the above allegations.

(AK)

[B] TURKISH PRESS

[10] Filori: "Turkey's EU negotiation process has been blocked"

According to AB Haber, Filori referred to Turkey's EU negotiation talks saying that these have been blocked. Filori added that this situation derives from the fact that the reform process slowed down, due to the Cyprus problem and the uncommitted stance followed by several EU countries on Turkey's EU bid.

Filori said also the following: "The reform process was decelerated. Moreover, it seems that there is a lack of conciliation on the issue of the reforms. There is a lack of compromise among the political parties in Turkey. Some EU member countries are uncommitted towards Turkey's EU membership. The leaders of some EU member countries do not look positively on Turkey's EU membership due to some political reasons. And this reflects negatively to Turkey's motivation for EU reforms. The leaders of these countries are of the opinion that Turkey's EU membership will bring financial difficulties to the citizens of their countries. There is also the Cyprus problem. Turkey has not yet implemented the Ankara Protocol. Also, some chapters are prevented from opening".

(AK)

[11] "Veto on elected MP sparks new standoff"

"We will either enter Parliament with 36 deputies or not enter at all. The election board's decision is unacceptable for both the people of Diyarbakir and others in the region," said Filiz Kocali of BDP. "It is now the election board and Prime Minister Erdogan's job to find a solution. This ruling ignores the people's will, and is provocative as well as unjust and unlawful."

The decision prompted the BDP to convene Thursday morning in the south-eastern province of Diyarbakir to sketch out their next move. The party is considering avoiding the parliamentary oath-taking ceremony as well as initial parliamentary sessions; in so doing, they would eventually be barred from participating in Parliament's legislative and supervision activities.

The BDP had already said, before the YSK's decision, that they would likely boycott the Parliament if six BDP-backed independent deputies, including Dicle, were not released from prison, where they are being held pending the ongoing investigation into the Kurdish Communities Union (KCK) which is alleged to be the urban wing of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

"Why was this decision not taken in the past?" asked independent Batman deputy Bengi Yildiz, pointing out that such a decision would stir up the region and that the YSK was aware that the decision would precipitate a reaction. "This decision will result in irreversible damage."

The Democratic Society Congress (DTK) an umbrella organization of pro-Kurdish groups, called on 35 newly elected BDP deputies, to boycott the Parliament following the Supreme Election Board's (YSK) decision.

Ahead of Wednesday's meeting, DTK's Ahmet Turk said that the decision regarding Dicle was neither legal nor ethic. "Our people will show their democratic response to this unlawful decision. They will not stand by idly, they will show their democratic opposition strongly," Turk said.

The YSK's decision drew a variety of reactions from political parties Wednesday, with the Justice and Development Party (AKP) remaining distant to the decision as the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) criticized the move.

"Common sense should [rule]; the country's spirits should not be spoiled," AKP deputy leader Huseyin Celik said. Celik urged the BDP officials not to ruin the country's stable atmosphere and remain cool-headed. Cemil Cicek, Deputy Prime Minister, said it was a legal decision and that the Government had nothing to do with it.

CHP spokesperson Bihlun Tamayligil said the decision was not true in legal or political sense and that new arrangements should be made. She also called for the AKP to take responsibility for the decision. Tamayligil also recalled that two CHP deputies, Mustafa Balbay and Mehmet Haberal, were also in prison and were expecting their releases. "They have been elected with the votes of the people. Now they should be allowed to take their oaths to represent their voters at Parliament."

Meanwhile, according to reports Oya Eronat of the ruling AKP is expected to enter the Parliament after YSK quashed Dicle's right to assume his place in the legislature. Eronat, the mother of a 17-year-old son who was killed by a bomb of the PKK three years ago, told the Hurriyet Daily News that she would bring a message of peace regarding the Kurdish issue to Ankara. "You cannot separate Turks and Kurds. Let there be friendship and peace. No one should die," Eronat said, who also challenged the idea that Turks and Kurds even needed to "make peace." "Why should we make peace when we are not enemies?" she asked. "We are not fighting."

The AKP's number of seats in Parliament will rise to 327 if Eronat's deputyship is confirmed, while the BDP's total will be lowered from 36 to 35.

[12] CHP's post election internal crisis

Meanwhile, the CHP held its central executive board meeting Wednesday under the leadership of Kilicdaroglu to identify a roadmap after the internal opposition pushed the button to collect signatures for the extraordinary convention needed to change the party assembly.

Speaking after the meeting, the party's spokesperson Bihlun Tamayligil said that the remarks made by the internal opposition were further examined and the disciplinary mechanism would be activated if required as a result of these evaluations. She said the election results and the reports sent by the provinces were also discussed at the meeting.

[13] EU data rules out 'too poor to join' theory for Turkey

The Eurostat figures cover the 27 member states, three European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, four candidate countries and three Western Balkan countries. GDP per capita expressed in purchasing power standards (PPS) in the member countries varied from 43 % of the EU 27 average in the poorest member country Bulgaria to 283% of the average in the richest Luxembourg.

According to Wednesday's data, GDP per capita in Turkey increased to 48% of the EU average (100) in 2010, up from 44% in 2008 -- leaving two of the members, Bulgaria and Romania, who had 43% and 45%, respectively, behind. Turkey's economy grew by 8.9% in 2010 over the preceding year, faster than the EU average, marking a strong comeback from the 2009 global credit crunch.

If Turkey is accepted into the EU today, it would have a higher GDP per capita than Bulgaria, Romania, Latvia, Poland and Lithuania when these countries first entered the Union. Bulgaria and Romania's GDP per capita remained at 37% and 38% of the EU average when they entered the bloc in 2007. Latvia, Poland and Lithuania had 41% and 47%, respectively, when they became EU members in 2004.

Observers argue these figures are proof that Turkey's economic growth cannot be an excuse for entry into the EU. Another critical fact is that countries like Latvia and Lithuania, which are currently only slightly above Turkey -- with 52% and 58% of the EU's average GDP per capita -- are expected to see a relatively slower economic growth in the following five years.

Moreover, Ankara Anatolia News Agency reports from Ankara that according to the estimations by an official with the World Bank, Turkey will become one of the global players with a power to influence other countries within the next 25 years.

"In 2025, Turkey will be one of the 15 global poles and it will assume a role to influence other countries," Mansoor Dailami, manager of the Emerging Global Trends Team of the Development Prospects Group at the World Bank, told Wednesday a meeting in Ankara on the release of a World Bank report "Global Development Perspectives 2011."

Dailami said Turkey could also become one of the richest countries in the world within 20 years with its relatively balanced development coupled with both a vibrant foreign and domestic demand. "Turkey's economy bodes well for the future with a young population which needs sizable investment in education," Dailami said.

[14] Compromise among Palestinians discussed in Turkey

Moreover, A.A reports from Konya on statements by the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, who has said that Turkey is ready to make any contribution to make sure reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah lasts. "We attach great importance to reconciliation between the Palestinians. Turkey will do anything in its power for this reconciliation," Davutoglu told reporters yesterday and added that Turkey is actively involved in securing an agreement between rival Palestinian factions, adding that he participated in a Cairo ceremony in May that saw the sealing of that agreement.

Davutoglu also recalled that he met on Tuesday with Hamas leader Mashaal in Istanbul and that he was also set to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio

EG/

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