Turkish Press Scan
Danish press stated that Turkey’s Ambassador in Copenhagen Fugen Ok met Danish Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Arne Pedersen.
GUL: GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CAN NOT OVERSHADOW OUR BIG EU PROJECT
Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said the Greek Cypriot side, which signed the agreement for European Union (EU) membership in Athens on behalf of Cyprus could not overshadow Turkey’s big EU project.
Pointing out that Turkey had some oppositions against full membership of Greek Cypriot side to the EU, Gul said, ”it is not right to include a troublesome country to the EU. On the other hand there are international agreements which are valid. However Turkey will continue to progress on the way to EU.”
MILLIYET (LIBERAL)
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ERDOGAN KNOWS
Mehmet Ali Talat, one of the opposition leaders in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), said that he would meet with Prime Minister Costas Simitis of current European Union (EU) Term President Greece. Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not object to his decision. Other opposition leaders are also expected to attend the meeting.
”ACCESSION OF GREEK CYPRIOT SIDE CONTRADICTS WITH PRINCIPLES”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Accession Agreement, which was signed between the European Union (EU) and the Greek Cypriot side, contradicted with the principles of supremacy of law and democratic legitimacy and with the basic approaches of the EU. Recalling that the Greek Cypriot side had become a full member of the EU, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stressed that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus had been ruling the northern part of the island.
SABAH (LIBERAL)
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BITTER PHOTOGRAPHY
Turkey, which has been a candidate country to the European Union (EU) since 1999’s Helsinki Summit, did not take place in the family photograph of the EU during yesterday’s summit in Greek capital Athens. During the summit, the EU achieved its greatest enlargement in its history. Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Malta and the Greek Cypriot side have become full members of the EU as of May 1, 2003.
GUL: ”THEY HAVE PLAYED A SUCCESSFUL GAME”
Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul, who attended the dinner hosted in Greek capital Athens during the summit of the European Union (EU), said, ”the EU should have not accepted membership of such a problematic country.”
CUMHURIYET (LEFT)
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”YOU WILL BE DAMAGED”
Representatives of the Iraqi Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Iraqi Kurdistan (PUK) were summoned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During the meeting, the Turkish side expressed its uneasiness over statements and policies of PUK leader Jalal Talabani. Accusing Talabani of displaying opportunist approaches, the Turkish side said, ”Talabani should be aware of the fact that Kurds are minority in Iraq and he is a minority among Kurds. He will be damaged due to his policies.”
SECOND BORDER GATE TO BE OPENED WITH IRAQ
Turkey is getting ready to undertake an active role in rebuilding and improvement process of Iraq. Important decisions were taken during Tuesday’s meeting, which was held in Ankara under the coordination of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and with the participation of representatives of public institutions and private sector, about Turkey’s position and contributions in rebuilding and improvement process of Iraq. A consensus was reached at the meeting that contributions and opportunities of the international community especially the United States, were expected to be mobilized and that Turkey should take part in this process actively. Also, an agreement was reached to further improve economic and commercial relations with Iraq in the coming period. As a result, the Turkish Airlines (THY) will carry out works to start direct flights to Baghdad, and a second border gate with Iraq besides Habur Border Gate will be opened.
RADIKAL (LEFT)
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STEP FOR IRAQ’S REBUILDING PROCESS
Turkey’s Ambassador in Kuwait Cetiner Karahan met with Retired Lieutenant General Jay Garner, who will head the U.S.-led interim administration in Iraq, where Karahan was informed on rebuilding process of Iraq at the meeting.
Foreign Ministry plans Turkish companies to install communication system and take share from transportation. Opening of border gates except Habur, and being a shareholder to the energy structuring are the other plans.
SENER DUE TO TRNC
State Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Abdullatif Sener will go to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) today on an official visit.
Sener will lead the Turkish delegation during the meetings between technical delegations of the two countries.
Sener is expected to arrive in the TRNC at 15.00 local time on Thursday.
He will start holding contacts on Friday.
TURKIYE (RIGHT)
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WE SHOULD NOW CONVINCE 25 COUNTRIES INCLUDING GREEK CYPRIOTS
European Union increased number of members from 15 to 25 by including Eastern Block countries. The only development concerning Turkey here which was interpreted as ”historic day” is that Greek Cypriot side which Ankara has not recognized so far, put its signature to become a full EU member.
Thus Turkey’s membership turned into a thorny path. How will Turkey which could not convince 15 member countries, be able to convince 25 countries in 2004 in Dublin.
CULTURE AND TOURISM MINISTRIES ARE UNDER THE SAME ROOF
Parliament approved draft law regarded with uniting Culture and Tourism ministries. A total of 279 parliamentarians participated in the voting. There were 225 votes in favor of the draft law, and 55 against votes.
ZAMAN (CONSERVATIVE)
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ANKARA WARNS KURDISH LEADERS: ”DON’T TRY TO FORCE OUR PATIENCE”
Ankara reacted harshly against the Kurdish leader Massoud Barzani and Jalal Talabani who interpreted Turkey’s not entering northern Iraq unilaterally as ”victory”.
Ankara representatives of KDP and PUK, who were summoned to Foreign Ministry, were conveyed the concerns felt over the developments.
DENKTAS: ”TWO CYPRUS CAN UNITE WITHIN EU”
President Rauf Denktas of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) said full membership of the Greek Cypriot side to the EU contradicted with 1960 agreements, stating that, ”despite all our oppositions, the EU insisted on its attitude. This means there are decisions which they had taken in the past, and they would appropriate Cyprus to Greece.”
Denktas said Turkish Cypriot side will protect its sovereignty and state, and noted that Turkey should also show determination in this respect.
Denktas said the EU should take Northern Cyprus when it would take Turkey as member, proposing that thus the two Cyprus could unite within the EU.
(UK-AY) 17.04.2003