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ANKARA: Changes To Take Place In Cyprus

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  • ANKARA: Changes To Take Place In Cyprus

    CHANGES TO TAKE PLACE IN CYPRUS

    Today's Zaman
    Oct 26 2009
    Turkey

    After attracting attention to itself with the consecutive initiatives
    launched by the government, Turkey is now preparing to take critical
    steps to solve the Cyprus problem.

    The statement that changes will take place in Cyprus came from an
    official from the Foreign Affairs Ministry who is closely acquainted
    with developments on the issue. Without providing any specific details,
    this credible source said the steps to be taken will undermine the
    status quo that has been blocking the way to peace.

    During his most recent visit to the island, Foreign Minister Ahmet
    Davutoglu hinted at the changes that would take place in Cyprus and
    underlined that the status quo would not continue forever. Turkey wants
    the negotiations that have been going on for more than a year between
    the island's two leaders to yield results. Pointing to the need to
    reach a resolution by the end of the year Turkey announced to the
    world that it has no tolerance for losses of time that "delay peace."

    Academics, politicians and bureaucrats who closely follow developments
    related to the Cyprus issue are all very hopeful and excited. Pointing
    to Turkey's determination to solve old problems, Associate Professor
    Mehmet Hasguler said: "A Turkey that has the will to solve problems
    with Armenia will take steps to solve the problem with the Greek
    Cypriots as well. If it can take the risk of facing a hot potato like
    the Armenian problem, I have no doubt it will [take these steps].

    The issue of opening ports will also come to the agenda."

    Davutoglu, who spent the weekend attending meetings on the Cyprus
    issue, underlined that reaching a lasting and fair peace on the
    island as soon as possible was in the interest of the international
    community. The steps that Turkey will take became clearer during the
    widely participated-in assessment meeting headed by Davutoglu, who
    emphasized that the transformation of the eastern Mediterranean into
    a peaceful, stable and cooperative sphere was dependent on finding
    a solution.

    The steps that will be taken will add momentum to ongoing negotiations
    in Cyprus so as to yield results. With its new moves, Turkey aims
    to find a comprehensive solution within the next few months. Prime
    Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been placing emphasis on
    finding a solution by the new year, delivered important and clear
    messages during the Parliamentary Assembly of the Mediterranean general
    assembly. Noting that the international community's attitude toward
    the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (KKTC) did not comply with
    international law, Erdogan said: "So many places have been accepted
    as a state in this world and so many countries have been accepted
    as a member of the EU. Is northern Cyprus the center of heroin or
    human trafficking?"

    Erdogan has indicated that the Greek Cypriot side can no longer run
    away from a solution, the parameters of which have been determined.

    Could one of the parameters be the opening of ports? Comparing the
    opening of the ports to the Annan plan, Hasguler said that just as
    saying "yes" to the Annan plan benefited Turkey, saying "yes" to the
    opening of ports will reinforce Turkey's upper hand in endeavors. I
    contend that when Turkey's position is reinforced, the roles will
    change and then it will be the Cypriots who don't want the ports
    opened. It won't take too long, perhaps just six months for Turkey
    to present its political and economic gains. The KKTC is becoming
    the island's water-rich side with the water pipeline.

    Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım, who participated in
    the Informatics Island Workshop, announced that an informatics
    infrastructure unforeseen in the south side of the island would
    be built in the KKTC. Noting that isolation would diminish with
    investments in informatics, KKTC President Mehmet Ali Talat said that
    in the event of a united state, they would not refrain from competing
    with the Greek side.

    The impression that talks between Talat and Dimitris Christofias are
    not going to yield any results is becoming increasingly stronger. It
    is known that there are people who are in favor of freezing the Cyprus
    problem. Turkey, which is preparing to make changes on the island,
    wants to complete the Cyprus peace initiative successfully as well.

    During his most recent visit to the KKTC, Foreign Minister Ahmet
    Davutoglu (L) hinted at changes that would take place in Cyprus and
    underlined that the status quo would not continue forever.

    KurtulmuÅ~_: Gov't made agreement with IMF

    Turkey has won the praise of local and foreign economic authorities
    for not taking any loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
    for a year and a half despite the global financial crisis. The
    same economic authorities, who underline the importance of Turkey's
    ability to move ahead without the IMF, emphasize that this process
    is necessary for Turkey to be able to create its own model. Political
    circles, however, are certain the government will eventually reach an
    agreement with the IMF. Assessing the developments, Felicity Party
    (SP) leader Numan KurtulmuÅ~_ said: "The government has reached an
    agreement with IMF. The agreement is all set, but they are waiting
    for the right time to sign it."

    Noting that he is familiar with the views and management style of
    his old friends, KurtulmuÅ~_ said their objections related to the
    IMF issue are just a act. He said the resistance to the IMF is just a
    public relation stunt and added: "Just like what they did to Israel
    at Davos: They are putting on a fearless act against the IMF. But
    then on the one side they are calculating how much money they will
    take from the IMF and how they will spend it. Have no doubt that an
    agreement has been reached with the IMF."

    Step for energy technology

    Energy investment is important and energy technology is a major task.

    Local energy technology research is equally as important and big a
    job. Entrepreneurs from Sakarya who believe that regardless of how
    large the endeavor is its necessary to start somewhere, took a bold
    step and have united under the roof of a new association.

    The association may be young, but its goal is significant: The Energy
    Technologies Research Association (YETA), which aims to increase the
    rate of domestic energy production and energy-related equipment to
    the highest level, plans on providing research and development support
    to the production sector. Noting that Turkey can forego dependency on
    foreign energy only if domestic technology is produced, YETA Chairman
    Hakan Soykan said they've made a modest but bold beginning.

    From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
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