Changes to take place in Cyprus

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 Davutoğlu 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 Hasgüler 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.”

Davutoğlu, 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 Davutoğlu, 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 Erdoğan, 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, Erdoğan 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?”

Erdoğan 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, Hasgüler 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 Davutoğlu (L) hinted at changes that would take place in Cyprus and underlined that the status quo would not continue forever. Kurtulmuş: 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 Kurtulmuş 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, Kurtulmuş 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.