Cyprus PIO: Turkish Press and Other Media, 07-03-29

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article

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

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Avci addresses the Turkish-American Business Council; Thanks the USA for its assistance provided

[02] Ras1t Pertev flies to Brussels for talks on the EU Direct Trade Regulation

[03] Washington supports the implementation fo the EU Direct Trade Regulation to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

[04] The remains of 30 Greek Cypriot persons were found in excavations taking place in occupied Kyrenia

[05] Babacan: Turkey´s EU accession process is on th right track

[06] Turkey rejects US requests regarding Incirlik Airbase

[07] The Turkish PM has invited the President of the Palestinian administration Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister, Ismail Haniye to visit

[08] FIA reduced the fine to $2,5 million on Turkeys Automobile Sports Federation for allowing Talat to present the Cup to the winner of the

[A] NEWS ITEMS

[01] Avci addresses the Turkish-American Business Council; Thanks the USA for its assistance provided

´Deputy Prime Minister-Foreign Minister´ Turgay Avci has said that concrete steps to be taken by the United States towards establishing trade and cultural ties with ´North Cyprus´ will encourage other states to follow suit and will motivate the Greek Cypriot Side to work towards a solution.

The ´Foreign Ministers´ words came during his address to the 26th Turkish American Business Council - the American Turkish Council joint annual conference on Turkish-US relations.

Speaking at the conference, the ´Foreign Minister´ reminded that over the past 3 years, the United States had taken some positive steps towards helping ease the international ´isolation´ of the Turkish Cypriot people.

He cited the visit of US Congressmen to ´North Cyprus´ through Ercan Airport (occupied Tymbou airport), ´President´ Mehmet Ali Talats official visit to Washington under the title of President, President Talats meeting with the US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and the 30.5 million dollars worth of US financial assistance provided for the ´Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus´ as good examples of Washingtons efforts towards lifting the ´isolation´.

Expressing the belief that concrete steps to be taken by the worlds leading actor, the United States towards removing the international ´isolation of North Cyprus´ will encourage other countries to follow in its footsteps, Mr. Avci said that it was essential to start direct flights to-and-from Ercan airport (occupied Tymbou airport) to improve trade links between ´North Cyprus´ and foreign countries.

He also noted that such a move will also encourage the Greek Cypriot Side to work towards a solution in Cyprus.

Drawing attention to the ´unjust discrimination´ faced by the Turkish Cypriot ´People´, the Foreign Minister called on the international community to remove the isolation.

Reminding that the Turkish Cypriot ´people´ had voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Annan Plan during the 2004 referenda and has been in support of all efforts towards a solution since 1968, Mr. Avci accused the Greek Cypriot Administration of always adopting an intransigent stance on the Cyprus Issue.

Explaining that the ´Greek Cypriot Administration´ has been refusing to cooperate with the Turkish Cypriot Side even on humanitarian issues - such as Bird Flu, he said that it has still not been possible to establish any of the working groups with the Greek Cypriot Side within the framework of the 8-July process.

[02] Ras1t Pertev flies to Brussels for talks on the EU Direct Trade Regulation

´Presidential Undersecretary´ Rasit Pertev is in Brussels for talks with EU officials on the Direct Trade Regulation.

Mr. Pertev who is accompanied by the ´Presidential EU Advisor´ Armagan Candan and the ´head of EU Coordination Center´ Erhan Ercin will be explaining the Turkish Cypriot Sides stance on the Direct Trade Regulation to EU officials.

The ´Presidential Undersecretary´ is expected to return to the ´Republic´ tomorrow night.

[03] Washington supports the implementation fo the EU Direct Trade Regulation to the occupied areas of the Republic of Cyprus

Washington has reiterated its support for the implementation of the EU Direct Trade Regulation to ´North Cyprus´.

The US Undersecretary for political Affairs Nicholas Burns conveyed his countrys request for the implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation to North Cyprus during his meeting with the EU Commissioner for Enlargement Olli Rehn in Brussels.

Mr. Burns expressed Washingtons support to the regulation prepared by the EU Commission and added that there was no change in the US policy over Cyprus.

The US Undersecretary is also said to have expressed the desire to see the resumption of the Cyprus Negotiations Process this year under the UN Umbrella.

[04] The remains of 30 Greek Cypriot persons were found in excavations taking place in occupied Kyrenia

(CS)

[05] Babacan: Turkey´s EU accession process is on th right track

"Restart of negotiations on the enterprise and industrial policy chapter will show that Turkey's EU accession process is on the right track," State Minister & chief negotiator for EU talks Ali Babacan said on Wednesday. After returning from the United States to Turkey, Babacan told reporters that the decisions on the enterprise and industrial policy chapter, which were made in the meeting of the Working Group on Expansion in Brussels, were approved at the EU Committee of the Permanent Representatives (COREPER) meeting today.

Babacan noted that they would probably leave for Brussels this evening to formally open enterprise and industrial policy chapter tomorrow, stressing that resumption of the chapter was very important.

"On the other hand, we are also preparing our program of adjustment to the EU acquis. We sent its draft to NGOs a week ago. They have positive views on the draft," he added.

[06] Turkey rejects US requests regarding Incirlik Airbase

Turkey has rejected two new US requests regarding Incirlik Airbase. A negative response has been provided to the American Air Force, which wanted a new airspace in the Mediterranean for training, as well as permission for night flights over Turkish territory.

The two new requests of the United States, which has once again deployed at Incirlik the aircraft that it had withdrawn following the Iraq operation, were turned down by Turkey.

A negative response was given to the American Air Force, which wanted to utilize airspace in the Mediterranean for training for the aircraft deployed to Incirlik.

Turkey, evaluating the request to utilize for training purposes a new airspace in the Mediterranean to be used by aircraft taking off from Incirlik, rejected this request on the grounds that it was not included in the existing agreements.

The American Air Force, in addition to this request, also proposed the provision of permission for night flights over Turkish territory for the aircraft at Incirlik. This request as well was rejected by stating that no provisions in this regard were included in the agreements.

These requests of the United States, which go beyond the Defense and Training [as published] Cooperation Agreement, as well as efforts at renewing the agreement, are not looked upon warmly by Turkey.

The agreement gives the American military permission to keep 48 military aircraft, as well as logistical support aircraft, at Incirlik Airbase.

The American Air Force brings military aircraft from bases in Europe to the base on a rotating basis and utilizes the Konya range.

[07] The Turkish PM has invited the President of the Palestinian administration Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister, Ismail Haniye to visit Turkey

The Turkish PM has invited Abbas and Haniye to visit Turkey. Both men have accepted the invitation.

(MHY)

[08] FIA reduced the fine to $2,5 million on Turkeys Automobile Sports Federation for allowing Talat to present the Cup to the winner of the Formula 1 race

(MHY)

EG/

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article