In statements after the meeting, Huseyin Ozgurgun, self-styled prime minister and leader of the National Unity Party (UBP), alleged that in Eide's document there are some comments, some proposals on the 1960 Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee, but they "have been submitted only for being submitted". He claimed that the document includes "ambiguous" expressions and it satisfies neither the Turkish Cypriot side nor the Greek Cypriot side, but at the same time it satisfies both sides. He argued: "In the document submitted by Eide there is a road map regarding the internal and external security. There is no road map regarding the other chapters. These will be discussed when [the sides] sit at the table".

He further claimed that the climate which exists currently in the Greek Cypriot side does not give them any hope and said that he will not go to Switzerland unless "a serious development" happens, adding that self-styled deputy prime minister and leader of the Democratic Party (DP) Serdar Denktas and the so-called foreign minister Tahsin Ertugruloglu will participate in the Conference on behalf of the "government".

Serdar Denktas, self-styled deputy prime minister and leader of the Democratic Party (DP), said that he is not satisfied with the course of the process. He noted that the meetings which Akinci and his negotiating team will hold in Ankara will be decisive and added that they will go to Switzerland and if there are developments "in a good direction", they will stay there until the end.

Denktas expressed his "concern" that a stance which will be watering down the Treaty of Alliance and Guarantee will be exhibited during the Conference and alleged: "We are in favor of the continuation of the 1959 Treaties of Alliance and Guarantees unchanged. We are against the watering down of the Treaties. The Greek Cypriot side does not wish the power sharing but wants the discussion of the guarantees at the table. This is not a correct approach".

Turfan Erhurman, leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), said that decisiveness, creativity, courage and focusing on the result are needed at Crans Montana. Erhurman described the document prepared by Eide as "useful from the point of view of the methodology" to be followed at Crans Montana and added that the document determines the ground and the method of the negotiations but submits no proposal regarding the substance. Pointing out to the importance of Akinci's contacts in Turkey, Erhurman said that Akinci will brief them again after these meetings but the way by which this briefing will take place is not known. He noted that the CTP will definitely be represented in the Conference.

Cemal Ozyigit, leader of the Social Democracy Party (TDP), said that his party will go to Switzerland and added: "There is a serious preparation. The Turkish Cypriot side goes to Switzerland with the will and determination for a solution. If the Greek Cypriot side and the guarantor powers show the same determination, a positive result will be taken". He alleged that the "sensitivity" of the Turkish Cypriot side on the issue of the guarantees should not be ignored because of the past experiences and alleged that the "zero guarantees zero troops" expression is not correct. However, he noted, the Greek Cypriot side feeling secure is equally important with the security of the Turkish Cypriot side.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Akinci had a phone conversation with US Vice President Pence

According to a press release by Akinci's office, during the phone conversation where Pence called him, Akinci argued that the Turkish Cypriot side has been trying all along for a solution, that the efforts for a solution, which have been intensified the last two years have reached the final stage. He also stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side will be at the negotiating table at Crans-Montana with determination to find a federal solution based on the political equality of the two constituent (founding) states. Akinci pointed also the importance of discussing all the 6 chapters interdependently and all the sides should abide by the agreement of June 4th in New York.

Pence, for his part, during the 20 minute phone conversation, underlined U.S. support for the resumption of the Cyprus Conference in Switzerland.

(DPs)

[03] Ertugruloglu to AA: "The army will stay in the island and Turkey will remain a guarantor country even after a solution"

Speaking to Anadolu Agency (AA) in Ankara where he held several "official talks", Ertugruloglu underlined the fact that the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots are old partners in the foundation of the Cyprus Republic.

"Yet, the main problem lies in the fact that the Greek Cypriots see the Turks not as a partner, but as a minority. It does not seem possible technically or diplomatically to have an agreement that is based on equality following a negotiations process that is based on inequality", Ertugruloglu alleged.

"If no agreement is going to be reached, the U.N. should officially declare this," Ertugruloglu said, claiming that the Turkish Cypriots are the ones most eager of an agreement.

(…)

Alleging that the Greek Cypriot side does not have the policy to put an end to the 50-year-long negotiation process, Ertugruloglu claimed that because of this, the Greek Cypriots are not aiming for a sincere negotiation process nor a mutually accepted agreement. "In terms of the territory and the guarantees, there is a play that is designed to put the Turkish side, Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots into a difficult position. They create an atmosphere as if every issue has been agreed except the territory and guarantees. The Greek side also tries to do that. U.N. Cyprus Special Consultant Eide's preparation of two separate documents on these issues shows that the Greek Cypriots are also fooled by this play," claimed Ertugruloglu, alleging that in "this way, the aim is to make Turkey abandon its guarantor position".

"They should know that the Turkish Cypriots will not accept any formula except the guarantee of the motherland," Ertugruloglu further claimed.

[04] Columnist alleges that the UN wants the dissolution of the Cyprus negotiations with a "velvet separation"

"[…] In my past articles, I had said that the problem should not be turned into a fait accompli in such a speedy manner. What happened? Which view has opened again the way of the sides for a conference?

If in this process Greece's stance and approach is not to go to Crans Montana because there will be no result in the direction of the solution of the problem within the forthcoming days, if Britain's Ambassador to Ankara says that they could leave land from their military bases in the way for the solution, [and] if the US Ambassador to Cyprus has joined those who make statements with words urging on Turkey, it is obviously thought that many calculations different than the solution are struggling over the Cyprus problem. The inconsistent approach of UN's employee Eide is clearly putting forward that he has a personal agenda.

It is obvious that nothing will come out from the process of the conference intensified by the UN over its employee Eide thinking of its hidden agenda. Upon a demand by the global capital and superior minds, the UN wants the commencement of the negotiations before the hydrocarbon explorations which will start in July and the dissolution of the table with a velvet separation. The policy makers in the Turkish Cypriot side should read the big picture well and complete this process with a national policy in the direction of this reading".

(I/Ts.)

[05] Turkes carries out contacts in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkes first met with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. No statement was issued before or after the meeting.

He later met with the self-styled assembly speaker of the breakaway regime Sibel Siber and self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun.

Speaking during his visit to the "assembly speaker", Turkes claimed that Turkey wants to see the Turkish Cypriots free themselves of the reportedly unjust isolations imposed on them. He also said that they find the UN's efforts to be positive, adding that it is time everyone truly acknowledged which party does not want a solution in the island.

For her part, Siber underlined the importance of the common document handed to both sides by the UN Special Adviser. She argued that the outcome of the negotiations should be evaluated objectively if the ongoing talks fail to reach a settlement.

Siber also argued that the Turkish Cypriot side should not be made to pay the price of a non-solution and that removing the "isolations" and "embargoes" should become a priority if the negotiations fail.

She further reiterated that the Turkish Cypriot side desires a bi-zonal, bi-communal model of settlement on the basis of political equality. "We believe that sufficient discussions have been made on this model of settlement for the past 50 years. Should the process fail, its reasons should be clearly stated and perhaps the ground for an alternative model can be discussed", she alleged.

Turkes, who later met with Ozgurgun, argued that it is high time the Cyprus problem needs to reach a point of clarity and that the international community acknowledges which of the two sides is intransigent.

Ozgurgun for his part said that he is pleased to see Deputy Prime Minister Turkes in the "TRNC" and added that the "TRNC" and Turkey always working in close cooperation and consultation, particularly on the Cyprus issue.

[06] Kibris argues that Turkes' visit has to do with the implementation of the "economic protocols"

The paper further reports: "Turkey wants and expects that the TRNC government to adapt its commitments and the economic protocols. (…) it is reported that Turkes during his yesterday and today's contacts warns on the issues that lacks progress (…)".

(DPs)

[07] Self-styled foreign ministry denied Afrika's reports that Citim was "granted a diplomatic passport"

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika reported on the issue yesterday.

The "foreign ministry" denied the reports alleging that are groundless and based on lies.

(CS)

[08] Turkish daily argues about a "military plot" in occupied Keryneia that was rented to the children of a "minister"

"Otherwise, if Denktas does not reveal them, we will name the persons as a paper", Yeni Bakis writes.

The news about "renting" a plot including a storehouse that "belong" to the military, came to light on May, but Yeni Bakis argues now that has the document with revealing details on the issue.

(CS)

[09] First "arrests" connected to FETO in the breakaway regime

FETO is said by the Turkish Government to be behind the July 15 coup in Turkey.

The two persons "arrested" are Osman Adsiz and Selcuk Genc.

Citing information, the paper writes that a high ranking FETO bureaucrat is on the list held by "police" and will be "arrested" soon; it also writes that the procedure regard?ng the "arrests" on FETO will be speeded up.

(CS)

[10] Cavusoglu due to Japan; Statements on the Cyprus problem

Referring to the Cyprus problem, Cavusoglu stated that "Turkey is in favor of a fair and lasting solution on the Cyprus problem based on the political equality". He further expressed hopes that the 28th June Cyprus conference in Geneva will yield a result.

Meanwhile, Ankara Anatolia news agency (21.06.17) reported that Cavusoglu has begun his official visit to Japan by meeting representatives of the business and tourism sectors in the country's capital on Wednesday.

Cavusoglu met with a delegation of business representatives under the chairmanship of the chief executive officer of Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Kenichiro Yamanishi, in Tokyo.

Cavusoglu later participated in a roundtable meeting with representatives of travel agencies to develop tourism opportunities between Turkey and Japan.

He also visited the Yunus Emre Institute, Turkey's nonprofit organization, which promotes the country's language and culture abroad.

He also visited the Tokyo Mosque and met with representatives of the Turkish and Muslim communities.

Cavusoglu's two-day visit is the first trip from the Turkish Foreign Ministry to Japan in 14 years.

Cavusoglu is scheduled to meet later with the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. He is also expected to meet his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko.

[11] "Turkey–EU relations: Like watching paint dry"

"It is apparent now that the drop in tourists visiting Turkey, especially from Europe, is not only due to fear of terror attacks. Several countries have been hit by terrorism, but none have suffered such a big loss as Turkey.

As I was recently told by one foreign official: 'As long as that man is there, no tourist from Europe will come'. The man in question is Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. This is something Turkish tourism industry players have been hearing for some time.

As a result, supplying incentives like providing $6,000 in financial backing to charter flights will not solve the problem. The European tourists do not want to come to a country where intellectuals, journalists and academics are languishing in jail.

Turkish Economy Nihat Zeybekci is well aware of the importance of the Customs Union deal with the European Union and will be heading to Europe in the coming days to try to update it.

Speaking at the iftar fast-breaking meal hosted by the Foreign Economic Relations Council (DEIK) on June 20, Zeybekci mentioned the shortcomings of the treaty but stressed that Turkey still benefited. 'In the current state we are a net winner', he argued.

It has now been two years since Turkey and the EU decided to upgrade the Customs Union. It was planned to be modernized by including trade in services, agricultural products and public procurement.

The European Commission believes such an update will be a win-win for both sides. It believes European economies will greatly benefit from an upgrading of the Customs Union with Turkey. According to Zeybekci, Turkey can by itself contribute to the EU's growth level.

He will be heading to Brussels on June 23 to conduct talks on the issue, but he is going to the wrong address. The European Commission does not need convincing. Commission officials are waiting for a mandate from EU member states, and the go-ahead is not coming. Greek Cyprus and Austria are among the usual suspects blocking progress, but if it were not for them other usual suspects would have lined up to abstain from giving the green light.

The Greek Cypriots could not care less about Turkish journalists in jail, but other member countries say they have political reservations about taking the step. Turkish officials object, saying the Customs Union should not be hijacked by political issues.

It seems that some European capitals think they can use the start of Custom Union update talks as leverage. After all, Turkey's President needs a better economic performance to get the required 50% of the votes plus one to get reelected in 2019. An upgraded Customs Union would indeed boost the Turkish economy, but it is expected to take two years to negotiate. What's more, approval from the European Parliament is required for it to enter into force, as well as approval from the national parliaments of all member countries.

President Erdogan seems unwilling to improve Turkey's image, despite serious losses being suffered in the country's tourism industry, which has for years made an important contribution to Turkey's economic growth. So the Customs Union update - approval of which remains uncertain in Europe and the effect of which will be felt much later than the 2019 presidential election – cannot really serve as leverage.

Visa-free travel to Europe, however, could be a better scheme to use to leverage some kind of improvement. While most of Erdogan's supporters do not have passports and probably do not even intend to travel to Europe, the psychological effect such a deal would have among his voter base may be tempting for the President.

EU Enlargement Commissioner Johannes Hahn is expected to come to Turkey soon to talk about the refugee deal, which included visa-free travel to Europe provided Turkey fulfilled 72 criteria. An amendment to Turkey's anti-terror law remains a key obstacle in the talks, and the two sides are expected to start negotiating again to find a compromise.

Turkey–EU relations are still not dead, but seeing any improvement will be like watching paint dry".

[12] Governors of 41 provinces reshuffled in Turkey

According to the decree published in the Official Gazette, 20 Governors were relocated to the Central Office as part of decisions taken in a Cabinet meeting and approved by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Deputy Interior Minister Sebahattin Ozturk was among those relocated to the Central Office, while the Governors of 12 districts were also appointed to become provincial Governors.

Deputy Family and Social Policies Minister Mehmet Ersoy has been appointed to replace Ozturk.

Huseyin Avni Cos, the Governor of the northwestern province of Sakarya, was also relocated to the Central Office.

(…)

Nine of the Governors relocated to the Central Office were from metropolitan areas, including the western provinces of Ayd?n and Denizli, the Central Anatolian provinces of Malatya and Eskisehir, the southwestern province of Mugla, the Black Sea province of Samsun, the southeastern province of Sanl?urfa, the eastern province of Van and the province of Sakarya.

[13] A new Kurdish political party in Turkey is reportedly to be formed soon

The Kurdistan Democrat Party (KDP), which will be found with the participation of three groups engaged in politics in support of Barzani, aims to present an alternative to the Kurdish issue-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), daily Haberturk reported on June 21.

One of the leaders of the groups, Sertac Bucak, said that the party bylaw had been completed and an application will be filed to the Interior Ministry after Eid al-Fitr.

The Participatory Democracy Party (KADEP), Turkey's Kurdistan Democrat Party (T-KDP) and the KDP have merged together to found this alternative party, with representatives of the three parties holding a dozen separate meetings in northern Iraq to this end.

Bucak, a member of the KDP, former KADEP head Mehmet Emin Kardas, and other representatives worked on the party bylaw for nine months and held a press conference in the southeastern province of Diyarbak?r.

During the press conference, the KDP members criticized the HDP for the statements of its lawmakers and the "politics of trenches," referring to the trenches dug in urban areas by young militants against the Turkish security forces in summer 2015.

They said that they would pursue policies answering those demanding an alternative Kurdish-issue focused party, adding that they aimed to "fill the gap" rather than compete with or criticize the HDP.

Members of the KDP are now reportedly planning to hold a meeting in Diyarbak?r after the foundation work is completed.

[14] MHP dissident Aksener to form new Nationalist Turkey Party

In June 2016, MHP intra-party dissidents Meral Aksener, Sinan Ogan, Koray Ayd?n and Umit Ozdag organized an extraordinary congress amid aims to change a party by-law that restricts emergency, party leadership caucuses.

However, earlier this week an Ankara court ruled in favor of the annulment of last year's congress held by the dissident group, declaring all decisions made in the scope of the congress as null and void.

(…)

Sources close to the MHP indicated that in the wake of the court decision, party dissidents who had been weighing their options decided to form a new political party called "Nationalist Turkey."

Aksener has been accused of having close ties with the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO), with MHP Chairman Devlet Bahceli claiming in December 2015 that FETO used one of the party's candidates as a "political tool." (…) Aksener was quick to dismiss claims that she was the "tool," adding that she would have "proudly acknowledged it if that were the case."

The legal battle and the subsequent fight for leadership within the MHP began after the November 1, 2015 national elections, in which the party barely crossed the 10% threshold, losing half of its deputies compared to the June 7 elections.

Since then, Meral Aksener, Sinan Ogan and Koray Ayd?n have raised their voices against current MHP Chairman Bahceli, who has ruled the party since 1997. The group was later joined by Vice-Chairman Umit Ozdag, along with a number of other deputies.

MHP party administrators backed the "yes" campaign in the April 16 referendum, along with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party). On the other hand, the MHP dissident camp backed the "no" campaign alongside the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) during the April 16, 2017 referendum on constitutional reform and the switch to a presidential system.

[15] Booking.com is expected to return to Turkey

Temurci noted that the judicial power asked from Booking.com to fulfil some obligations and added: "I think that after the consultations, certain arrangements will be made on technical, financial issues and the taxation. After the Booking.com fulfils these, it will continue its activities".

Zeybekci is expected to meet with the Booking.com officials today. He also expressed the estimation that no result will be announced today, as this will be his first meeting with the company and he will listen and evaluate their demands. "We want to have a quick result", he added.

(I/Ts.)

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