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Thursday, 15 August 2024
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Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 11-04-20Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next ArticleFrom: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>TURKISH CYPRIOT AND TURKISH MEDIA REVIEW No. 74/11 20.04.11 C O N T E N T S[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESS
[B] TURKISH PRESS
[A] TURKISH CYPRIOT PRESSThe council of the National Unity Party (UBP) and the "suspension of the internal crisis", CTP-TDP's contacts regarding the march organized for the 7th anniversary of the referendum on the Annan Plan, Akca's visit to political parties, YKP's Alpay Durduran stating that there are no two states on the island, an international financial conference, preparations for the celebrations of the \o "National Sovereignty and Children's Day"National Sovereignty and Children's Day on the 23rd of April with the participation of children from various countries, Eroglu's statement that the civilized Europe imposes "embargo" and other domestic issues are also highlighted in today's Turkish Cypriot press.[01] Eroglu's efforts to hide the Turkish side's intransigenceAccording to illegal Bayrak television (19.04.11), in the Cyprus negotiations process another obstacle emerged, this time, the Easter holiday. Greek Cypriot leader Demetris Christofias, using the Easter holiday as an excuse, postponed this week's meeting. In response, Turkish leader Dervis Eroglu reminded the Greek Cypriot leader that the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team had resumed the meetings during its own religious holidays.Commenting on the issue during a visit paid to him, Eroglu said that the Cyprus negotiations process would continue at the technical level this week. "The Greek Cypriots have an official holiday this week. We had attended the scheduled meetings during our holiday break. The Greek Cypriots definitely do not want to negotiate during their religious holidays," he said. Stating that the Turkish Cypriot side was working for an agreement that would be for the benefit of the Cyprus Turkish people, Eroglu complained that the Greek Cypriot side was after advancing its gains and at the same time was playing for time. "The Greek Cypriot side may have all the time in the world, but we want the introduction of timetables and a deadline. We are fully aware that we are acting to defend our rights," he added. [02] Durduran says that a two-state solution in Cyprus could not be acceptedTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris (20.04.11) reports that Alpay Durduran, member of the executive council of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), has said that a two-state solution could not be accepted in Cyprus, because there are no two states on the island.In a written statement issued yesterday, Durduran assessed the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. He pointed out that the international community continuously declares that it will not accept a separate state on the island and added, inter alia, the following: "In spite of this, the press wants a time limit to be put for a solution and a two state solution to be materialized, in case this time limit ends. The Eroglu administration as well reiterates this continuously and we see that the parties in the assembly are united around him and he bounds them by stating that this happens for the first time? No one remembers that the acceptance of this is impossible and it is tantamount to the annihilation of the Turkish Cypriots." (I/Ts.) [03] The crisis in the UBP has reportedly endedTurkish Cypriot daily Kibris (20.04.11) reports that the council of the National Unity Party (UBP) convened yesterday and discussed the problems created in the party with the reaction of some "MPs" against the newly appointed "cabinet". Under the title "Kucuk relaxed", the paper writes that the resentful "MPs" were calmed down and the party decided "unity and cooperation" among its members.After the almost 4-hour meeting, Kucuk stated that the UBP is a party with a 35-year long history and added that there is no problem which the party could not overcome. He said there is no resentment and anger in the UBP and added that the "MPs" who had not participated in some meetings of the "assembly" begin participating in these meetings as of Monday and they will continue to do so as of tomorrow. Kucuk noted that holding "early elections" in the occupied area of Cyprus or an extraordinary congress in the UBP is out of the question and they have no such issues on their agenda. He said the "motion of non-confidence" tabled by the opposition against his "government" in the "assembly" will have no results. Asked to comment on a previous statement he made that "early elections" might be held in the occupied area, Kucuk noted that he did not make a call for "early elections". He recalled that he had said efforts for a "coalition government" could be exerted, if the "assembly' could function because some "MPs" do not participate in its sessions, and if there was no result from these efforts, early "elections" could come onto the agenda. Replying to another question, Kucuk said that they reached no agreement with any party for establishing a "coalition government". He noted that he met once with the opposition parties, except the Social Democracy Party (TDP), with which he met several times, either alone or accompanied by some colleagues from his party. In his response to another question, Kucuk said the party regularly meets with the Turkish Cypriot leader Eroglu and every Tuesday they have lunch together. He noted that they discuss issues regarding the "country" and the party. (I/Ts.) [04] Akca: "We wish for a strong TRNC"Turkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (20.04.11) reports that the "ambassador" of Turkey in the "TRNC" continues his customary visits. Yesterday he paid a visit to the major political parties in the occupied area of Cyprus. He met with UBP's general secretary Ertugrul Hasipoglu, the CTP-BG's general chairman Ferdi Sabit Soyer, ORP's general chairman Turgay Avci and also with Serdar Denktas, DP's general chairman.During his meeting with Avci, Akca said that their wish is to see a "TRNC," standing stronger on its own feet and the Turkish Cypriots to become owners of their "state." Akca also expressed his hope that in the future further strengthening steps towards this direction will be taken. [05] Turkey continues its efforts to increase the population in the occupied area of CyprusTurkish Cypriot daily Havadis (20.04.11) reports that upon an initiative by the so-called embassy of Turkey to the occupied part of Lefkosia, the proceedings for sending away from the occupied area of the island illegal workers from Turkey and Turks involved in forensic incidents and traffic accidents have been stopped. According to the paper, only persons who committed murder or rape will be send back to Turkey, after they serve their sentence.Havadis writes that this decision taken by the "embassy" of Turkey and the self-styled ministry of interior has dealt a blow to the struggle of the "ministry of labour" and the tradesmen organizations against illegal workforce. The Subcontractors Union and the Chamber of Tradesmen and Craftsmen have reportedly reacted against this decision. (I/Ts.) [06] CTP and TDP continue their contacts for the rallyUnder the title "No desire for the 25 April rally", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (20.04.11) reports that the Republican Turkish Party-United Forces (CTP-BG) and the Social Democracy Party (TDP) delegations continued yesterday their visits to the trade unions aiming to increase the participation at the rally on 25th of April, due to the 7th anniversary of the referendum of the Annan plan.The Union Platform said "no" to CTP and TDP's invitation to participate at the rally, however, the Platform added that their members are free to join it. The Turkish Cypriot Medical Association (KTTB) also turned down the invitation, adding, however, that they will not interfere if some of their members are eager to participate. On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (20.04.11) reports that the CTP and the TDP visited and invited yesterday the Turkish Cypriot Platform of Producers, which consists of 37 organizations. The Producers Platform said that the administrative board will evaluate the invitation and will reply in a few days. [07] Ozgurgun aims to one million tourists from TurkeyAccording to Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris (20.04.11), self-styled minister of foreign affairs Huseyin Ozgurgun, who is in Izmir as guest of the Izmir Chamber of Commerce, met yesterday with Izmir Governor Cahit Kirac.During the meeting, Kirac said that "Turkey with TRNC is one nation, two states", adding that flights from Izmir to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus are increasing every day. Ozgurgun, for his part, said that at the moment there are 40,000 students from Turkey in the occupied area. He also said that their aim this year is one million tourists from Turkey to visit the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. According to illegal Bayrak television (online, 19.04.11), Ozgurgun will first deliver a speech at the Izmir Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday titled "the latest developments in Cyprus and TRNC-Turkey relations" and later, he will speak at a conference organized by the Izmir Economy University, on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem. [08] ADFIAP's annual meeting to take place in occupied CyprusTurkish Cypriot daily Haberdar (20.04.11) reports that tomorrow, the opening of the 34th Annual Meeting of the Association of Development Financing Institutions in Asia and the Pacific (ADFIAP) will take place in occupied Lefkosia. Seventy-seven leading financial executives from Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, China, the Fiji Islands, Germany, India, Iran, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, the Philippines, Samoa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey and Vietnam travelled to "TRNC."During the various seminars and meetings, subjects concerning development-financing institutions will be discussed. Also according to the newspaper, the participants in their spare time will participate in tours, in order to familiarize themselves with the touristic and historic locations of occupied Cyprus. The tour will also include the illegal Near East University in order to present the level of education in "TRNC." [09] Turkish Cypriot handicrafts have been exhibited in QatarUnder the above title, Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (20.04.11) reports that a "Turkish Cypriot handicrafts exhibition" took place in, Doha Qatar, between April 14 and 16. As the paper writes, the exhibition was organized with the cooperation of the "TRNC representation in Qatar" and the Ministry of Culture of Qatar under the auspices of the "ministry of foreign affairs".According to a statement made by the so-called "ministry", among the visitors in the exhibition were the "representative of the TRNC" in Qatar Arif Altay, the Ambassador of Turkey in Qatar Emre Yunt, the director of the National Theatre of Qatar Mubarek Falah Al-Dorsari and others. (AK) [10] Children groups from 10 countries to participate at the "13th International Children's Festival"Turkish Cypriot daily Vatan (20.04.11), under the title "Children from ten countries came to the TRNC", reports that the "13th International Children's Festival "which is to be celebrated in the occupied area within the framework of the "23rd April national sovereignty and children's day" has began yesterday with a press conference given by the so-called minister of national education, youth and sport Kemal Durust. The festival will be held until 25th of April.As the paper writes, groups of children from ten countries, that is Turkey, Ukraine, Puerto Rico, Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Russia, Romania, Georgia, "TRNC" and children from the London Turkish school will attend the festival. (AK) [B] TURKISH PRESSReactions from the EU, the USA, and several politicians in Turkey as well as the incidents that took place yesterday in Taksim Square in Istanbul against the YSK's decision to cancel candidacies of 12 applicants who wished to compete for the general elections independently, are dominated in today's Turkish press. Reports that two parties in Turkey, the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) and the Homeland Party (YP) will not participate in the joint elections due to deficient documents, statements by Davutoglu and Bagis after the 49th meeting of Turkey-EU meeting of the Association Council in Brussels, an YSK explanatory announcement on its decision and the message it gave for stepping back, statements by the Turkish State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ali Babacan on Turkey's economy and other internal issues are also highlighted by today's press in Turkey.[11] EU-Turkey Association Council convened; Turkish officials censure EU's visa policyAnkara Anatolia news agency (19.04.11) reported on statements by Turkey's Chief Negotiator for European Union accession talks Egemen Bagis who shunned the Union's refusal to allow Turkish nationals to travel in the EU without visas. "The moment Turkish citizens feel themselves European, the least is when they wait in line for visas. We will exert any effort to end this unfair, senseless and unlawful practice," Bagis told a press conference after a Turkey-EU meeting of the Association Council in Brussels.Bagis said the meetings between Turkey and the Association Council had been continuing for almost half a century, which he said showed the depth of the relations as well as the fact that Turkey was kept waiting at the EU's doors. "Latest surveys show that 62% of the Turkish people support Turkey's EU membership while 67% of them believe that the Union will not let Turkey in. This is a clear indicator that the European Union has a credibility issue," Bagis said. On his part, speaking during a press conference, Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu criticized the EU's strict visa requirements on Turkish nationals as "legally baseless and unfair". "EU's visa policy on Turks is truly unfair and it lacks solid grounds in terms of legal commitments made to Turkey," he said. Davutoglu complained that the Union has yet to authorize the launching of negotiations over a visa-free travel regime for Turkish citizens despite Turkey had proved successful in making progress in what EU demanded in return for starting the visa exemption talks. "EU had put forward three conditions, which were the introduction of biometric passports, the fulfilment of the readmission agreement and an integrated border management system. We have introduced biometric passports, and the readmission agreement is ready to be signed. We have also made significant progress on the issue of integrated border management," Davutoglu said. Meanwhile, as Turkish daily Zaman (20.04.11) reports, during the 49th meeting of the EU-Turkey Association Council, the additional protocol related with Cyprus was among the main issues discussed. [12] "Turkey eases visa requirements for African businessmen"Under the above title, Turkish daily Today's Zaman (20.04.11) reports that Turkey has said it will grant visas at border gates for businessmen from African countries for stays up to 30 days if certain conditions are met as part of its ongoing effort to facilitate visa requirements for African businessmen.The Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Tuesday that Turkey has decided to issue visas at the entry point in Istanbul's Ataturk International Airport starting today for businessmen and citizens from 46 African countries who travel with the Turkish Airlines (THY) and for businessmen who hold a valid 6-month Schengen, British or American visa. This will be applicable to the citizens of 46 sub-Saharan African countries, including Angola, Chad, Somalia, Sudan, Uganda, Kenya and Nigeria. The statement also said that the Turkish authorities will consider those who enter Turkey for tourism purposes or on business to be eligible to obtain a visa at Ataturk International Airport if they also have the necessary documents in line with their travel purpose such as a hotel reservation, sufficient financial funds for the duration of their stay ($50 per day) and a roundtrip ticket with THY. They will also be required to pay 15 euros, or $20, as a visa fee. The statement also added that citizens of the African nations included in the list should have entered the US, the UK or a Schengen-area country at least once prior to their arrival in Turkey and that they should not have been denied entry or deportation from these countries in order for their visa, of at least six months, for these three areas to be applicable for entry into Turkey. [13] Turkey's Foreign Trade Minister urges a free trade agreement with IndiaTurkish Hurriyet Daily News (19.04.11) reported that the Turkish State Minister responsible for foreign trade Zafer Caglayan has urged a free trade agreement between Turkey and India to boost mutual trade. Caglayan, who visited the South Asian nation with an accompanying group of 150 business people, addressed the Turkey-India Business Forum in New Delhi on Tuesday. Saying that Turkey could offer great opportunities for India's companies who are interested in investments in the region, Caglayan noted: "If you want to expand in Europe, Africa and the Middle East, Turkey would be your best partner, and the best jumping-off point for your business."On Turkish investments in India, Caglayan said India has plans for an infrastructure and superstructure investment of around $500 billion within the coming years, adding that Turkish construction companies could undertake an important part of those jobs. "Nearly 75% of India lacks infrastructure and I believe Turkish companies can fill this gap," he said. Reportedly, trade between Turkey and India grew eightfold over the past decade to reach $4 billion. [14] The Romanian Foreign Minister in Turkey for contactsAnkara Anatolia news agency (19.04.11) reported that the Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Baconschi will visit Turkey on April 19 and 20 at an invitation by the Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.Issuing a statement, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said that Davutoglu and Baconschi would discuss bilateral relations as well as exchange views on regional and international matters. Baconschi will also be received by the Turkish President Abdullah Gul. His visit to Turkey will contribute to the development of the Turkish-Romanian relations that are already strong and multi-dimensional, the MFA statement also said. [15] Turkey to sign a treaty on violence against women; The ECHR future to be discussed in IzmirAccording to Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (19.04.11), the Turkish Foreign Ministry will sign an international treaty designed to prevent and combat violence against women during a meeting of the Council of Europe Ministers on May 11 in Istanbul.The Council of Europe's convention will set out standards for states to act with integrated policies to tackle gender-based violent crimes and promote international cooperation. Governments ratifying the treaty will have to take necessary legislative or other measures to ensure criminalizing acts such as domestic violence, violence in public places, sexual harassment, forced marriage, "honour" crimes, rape and genital mutilation. The convention proposes the establishment of state-wide telephone help lines that would operate around the clock to provide confidential advice to anonymous callers. The treaty defines "domestic violence" as all acts of physical, sexual, psychological or economic violence that occur within the family or a domestic unit or between former or current spouses or partners, whether or not the perpetrator shares or has shared the same residence with the victim. The draft text also calls for specific monitoring mechanisms to check implementation of the convention. Furthermore, Turkey will also host a conference on the reform process of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) between April 26 and 27 in Izmir. The conference will include a preliminary assessment of the impact of Protocol No. 14 and will study the achievements made by the reform process launched by the Interlaken conference in February 2010 and reflect upon further ideas for improvement prior to May 11. Turkey, which held the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of Europe, will hand over the presidency to Ukraine on May 11. [16] Reactions after the YSK decision to cancel the candidacy of 12 independent candidates; Two parties not to join elections due to belated documentsAnkara Anatolia news agency (19.04.11) reported that Turkey's main Kurdish party threatened to withdraw from June's parliamentary election after the decision of Turkey's Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) to cancel the candidacy of 12 independents. The board annulled applications by the candidates, seven of whom were backed by the Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP), due to convictions which it said prevented them from running.As it was reported, BDP co-leader Selahattin Demirtas called on candidates of other parties to withdraw in protest. "We will decide whether or not to enter the election after making an assessment. But I want to call on the candidates of other parties in the region to resign and not stand if they really have an honourable, pro-democratic stance," he said. "This decision will go down in both legal and political history as a disaster," he said earlier. The BDP was planning to enter all its 61 candidates in the election as independents as a way of overcoming a 10% threshold which parties need to exceed to enter Parliament. The only real challenge to the BDP's popularity in the southeast comes from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). In the meantime, YSK's decision was criticised by various political parties, including the Speaker of the Parliament, who comes from the ruling AKP and the largest opposition Republican People's Party (CHP). "The place for the solution of even the most complex issues is the Parliament. Vetoing these candidates is not a decision that can be accepted by the democratic conscience. My wish is that the Elections Board revises its decision," Parliament Speaker Mehmet Ali Sahin told broadcaster NTV. One of those barred was BDP co-leader and MP Gultan Kisanak, who said that the Board's decision was an "attack" on democracy. "Turkey has a serious democracy problem. The Elections Board decision is a major blow to the democratic struggle," she said. Furthermore, according to a report by Turkish daily Today's Zaman (20.04.11), the European Union has voiced concerns about the YSK decision to bar some BDP candidates in the general elections. "The Commission is very concerned about this decision and will be closely studying its reasoning and monitor any further developments," said Natasha Butler, spokesperson for Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy Commissioner Stefan Fule. Butler complained that after some initial actions, the democratic initiative launched by the government in late 2009, has come to a de facto standstill, adding that it is of utmost importance that the new government injects new life into the process after the elections. "The southeast of Turkey needs peace, democracy and stability as well as economic, social and cultural development. The Commission continues to insist that the Kurdish issue needs to be addressed through dialogue and within the framework of Turkey's democratic institutions after decades of violence. The success of this initiative requires the participation and support of all political parties and all segments of society," she noted. Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (19.04.11) reported that YSK announced that two political parties could not join the June 12th general elections as they could not hand out their necessary documents on time. The Freedom and Solidarity Party (ODP) and the Homeland Party (YP) will not join the upcoming general elections. Thus, the number of political parties that will join the elections has dropped to 15. The YSK had asked political parties to complete their deficient documents until April 16. On Monday, HAK-PAR (Rights and Freedoms Party) said it would not run for general elections. Below is the list of political parties that will join the elections according to their places on ballot papers: 1- Justice and Development Party (AKP) 2- Democrat Party (DP) 3- Republican People's Party (CHP) 4- Labour Party (EP) 5- Nation Party (MP) 6- Liberal Democrat Party (LDP) 7- Felicity Party (SP) 8- Rights and Equality Party (HEK) 9- People's Voice Party (HSP) 10- Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) 11- True Path Party (DYP) 12- Turkish Communist Party (TKP) 13- Nationalist Conservative Party (MMP) 14- Grand Unity Party (BBP) 15- Democratic Left Party (DSP) TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION http://www.moi.gov.cy/pio MP/ Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article |
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