"We are working for a settlement and we shall continue to do so. But we shall work with all our strength so that the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus develops in every field" he said.

Ak?nc? argued that the "TRNC will take its place as an equal partner in an honourable settlement should the Greek Cypriots adopt a reasonable and realistic stance".

"However, should the Greek Cypriot side fail to rein its maximalist positions and distance itself from a reasonable settlement, we shall continue on our way as the TRNC" he claimed.

Claiming that that the Turkish Cypriot side's fears had come true in 2017 as all efforts to reach a settlement in Crans Montana failed despite the Turkish side's good will and constructive stance, Ak?nc? accused the Greek Cypriot side for being responsible for the collapse of the talks.

"The unreasonable and unrealistic stance in the talks unfortunately played a leading role in the failure of the conference. Not only did the Greek Cypriot side ignored the important elements of the framework set by the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres but they also tried to create the perception that the Conference on Cyprus was only a conference dealing with the issue of security and guarantees" he alleged.

Ak?nc? continued: "On the issue of Security and Guarantees, the Greek Cypriot side chose to stick to its position and slogan of 'zero troops zero guarantees' rather than reciprocating to the flexibility shown by the Turkish Cypriot and Turkish sides."

Claiming that the notion of security cannot be ignored in Cyprus, Ak?nc? claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side has always strived to find a settlement that will safeguard the security of both sides.

"It is us who has put forward the principle that one side's security should not be perceived as a security threat by the other" he said.

Akinci repeated his view that as confidence and trust increases between the two sides then there will be less need for troops.

"However the discourse of 'zero troops and zero guarantees' does not contribute to building that feeling of trust" he said.

Ak?nc? also claimed that there is a need for the Greek Cypriot side to stop looking down, underestimating and undermining Turkish Cypriots and their institutions.

"It is also high time that the Greek Cypriot side stops trying to see Turkey as its interlocutor as it is the Turkish Cypriot community with which they will share this island with. Moreover it is not possible to achieve a settlement that is not approved by the Turkish Cypriot people, their equal political equals and the owners of one of the two equal constituent states which will form the new partnership state" he added.

Stating that there were things the international community, primarily the UN and the EU needed to do, Ak?nc? alleged that the UN Secretary General's attempt in his report to adopt a balanced position when placing responsibility for the failure of the talks had created an unjust situation.

"This approach has done a great injustice to the Turkish Cypriots because it has been the Turkish Cypriot side which had been exerting a political will for a settlement from the very beginning, paving the way for the 5 party conference. This fact, accepted and acknowledged by all behind closed doors should have been included in the UN report" he said. Also touching upon the period ahead in his address, he said that efforts to reach a settlement on the island will continue as long as the Cyprus problem, which has international dimension, continues.

"It is without doubt that the Cyprus Problem will continue to occupy our agenda in 2018. We shall continue to act in accordance with this reality" he said.

Ak?nc? further claimed that it was not possible for the Turkish Cypriot side to approve or endorse the continuation of the Cyprus negotiations in the same unproductive and inconclusive manner for another 50 years.

"To continue talks within the same framework without deadlines that has led us to where we are today, to repeat the same process will only lead to the same deadlocks" he said.

Akinci said that there was a need for a fresh approach and understanding in the talks, one that was focused on obtaining results, perhaps creating a comprehensive package and introducing timetables or deadlines.

"The possibility of the UN Secretary General or a high ranking UN official approved by the two sides creating a strategic settlement framework could be explored. A negotiation program subjected to a timetable to fill in this framework could then be planned" he said.

In the final part of his address, Ak?nc? stated that no matter which developments took place on the Cyprus problem, there were responsibilities and things the TRNC could not postpone.

[02] CHP's Yilmaz called the Turkish government to undertake steps for the "political recognition of the TRNC"

Speaking to journalists in Parliament on November 12 Yilmaz suggested the appointment of a "special envoy" to work "exclusively" towards this end.

Y?lmaz recalled that "general elections" will be held in the "TRNC" on January 7, followed by elections in the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he called the Republic of Cyprus, three weeks later.

"If the [unification] negotiations are not yielding a result, then the international recognition of the TRNC must be put on the [government] agenda," Yilmaz alleged, referring to the on-again, off-again Cyprus peace process in recent years.

(…)

Y?lmaz further claimed that the government must take "strong" steps to bring the "recognition issue to the attention of the international community, and "get results".

[03] The so-called assembly "approved the 7th of January as the date of early elections"

The "motion" was "passed" with 38 votes in favour and 2 against.

"Election bans" will be set into force once the "decision is published in the official gazette".

In line with the "decision", "voters will head to the polls on the 7th of January 2018 to elect a new parliament".

Addressing the "plenary session" of the so-called assembly before the "vote" was held, the leader of the Democratic Party (DP) and so-called deputy prime minister Serdar Denktas warned that there would be problems "approving the 2018 budget because of the early elections".

He further alleged that "possible failure to pass the budget would result in price hikes in various areas and election bans would prevent the public service commission from appointing principles and vice principals at schools".

Denktas's proposal to hold the "elections" on the 4th of February was turned down with a majority vote.

The leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhurman who also spoke, said that his party was ready to do what was necessary for "the budget to be debated and passed swiftly".

Also speaking, so-called prime minister Huseyin Ogurgun claimed that the "budget will only be debated and passed after the 7th of January elections".

[04] Solo Turk aerobatics team in the occupied area of Cyprus for the anniversary of the breakaway regime's establishment- Duran will represent the Turkish government at the "celebrations"

As the paper writes, the celebrations will reach a climax with the main ceremony of the day at the Dr. Faz?l Kucuk Boulevard tomorrow morning while the Solo Turk aerobatics team will be performing in the skies over the occupied Keryneia port in the afternoon.

In addition, armaments of the Turkish naval Forces will cast anchor in the occupied ports; Gokceade armament and Burakreis submarine will cast anchor in occupied Keryneia port while Imbat Hucumbotu armament in occupied Famagusta port.

In addition, Illegal Bayrak television (14.11.17) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc?, the "speaker of the parliament" Sibel Siber and "prime minister" Huseyin Ozgurgun will meet today with the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Turkish Armed Forces General Umit Dundar and Acting Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Ayd?n Duran who is representing the Turkish government in this year's "celebrations".

(CS)

[05] Foreign journalists are illegally visiting the occupation regime for the "UDI celebrations"

The so-called presidential spokesman Bar?s Burcu and Akinci's "special adviser on diplomacy and EU Affairs" Erhan Ercin were present during the briefing.

The journalists are coming from Italy, Spain, Poland, Kosovo, Hungary, India, Albania, Pakistan, Bahrain and Tunisia.

Meanwhile, according to the same paper, members of the Turkish Journalists Federation headed by the chairman of the administration board Yilmaz Karaca met also yesterday with Akinci.

As part of their "contacts" in the "TRNC", the Turkish Journalists Federation will realize the 55th Chairmen's Council and carry out a variety of occupational and cultural activities with their Turkish Cypriot counterparts.

The Turkish Journalists' Federation met further with the "speaker" of the "assembly" Sibel Siber and so-called prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun.

[06] The "coalition government" UBP-DP will also "distribute industrial plots"

According to the paper, it is believed in many occupied villages that the distribution of plots by the so-called coalition government put ails injustice and persons who did not have the right to obtain plot, got one.

Meanwhile, the paper also reports that "the coalition government of UBP –DP (National Unity Party – Democratic Party) after the distribution agricultural plots took the step for distributing also industrial plots". It is reported that approximately a land of 6 donums (1000m2) in the occupied village of Neo Chorio Kythreas was declared "industrial zone" despite the fact that there is no infrastructure in the area, not even roads.

(DPs)

[07] 231 more "TRNC citizenships" were "granted" by the "coalition government" UBP-DP

The paper also reports that there was tension yesterday at the "immigration office".

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (14.11.17) publishes "the names of some of those who obtained the TRNC citizenship".

(DPs)

[08] Sixty tourist operators from twenty countries are visiting the breakaway regime

According to a statement issued by KITSAB, the tourist agents will stay in the occupied area until November 16, aiming to get to know the breakaway regime and have contacts.

(CS)

[09] Erdogan met with Putin in Sochi; Turkey and Russia agree to deepen relations

"We have agreed to deepen our relations," Erdogan said during a press conference with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin at the presidential residence in the Black Sea coastal city of Sochi, following a meeting between the two leaders.

Erdogan added that he was "pleased" that relations between Ankara and Moscow have reached a "very advanced level." "Of course, we do not find this level satisfactory. Both sides agree that our countries and people should be closer and have stronger cooperation in every area," he added.

Erdogan further said that he had visited Russia three times this year and met Putin for the sixth time, adding that "intense" diplomacy continues.

He reiterated Turkey's desire to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion, but added that in order to achieve this aim, "all restrictions [against Turkey], including the visa ban on businessmen must be lifted".

"At this point it is important to restore the visa exemption regime," Erdogan said.

Erdogan also said that consultations between the countries for lifting all trade obstacles are continuing.

Erdogan stated also that places "high" importance on joint defense industry efforts with Russia.

Putin for his part stated that Russia and Turkey had reached "pre-crisis levels" "The increase in the trade volume between our countries also indicates this," he added.

Putin said that the trade volume rose 36 % in the first nine months of this year. "We believe that we can totally compensate for the drop last year by the end of this year," he added.

He said they discussed "in detail" lifting the remaining restrictions on Turkey.

Also, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and regional and international developments, particularly Syria.

"We have especially found an opportunity to evaluate the latest developments in the Syrian dispute," Erdogan said, adding that Turkey and Russia agreed that grounds have emerged for political resolution in Syria.

Putin said that joint work with Russia, Turkey, and Iran on Syria continues "successfully" and the level of violence there has decreased.

Meanwhile, according to the same paper, Russia and Turkey plan to launch the first reactor at Turkey's Akkuyu nuclear power plant in 2023, the Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Noveber 13.

Speaking alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Putin said that the Russian state nuclear agency Rosatom would begin work at the Akkuyu site in the near future.

[10] Erdogan slams US-Russia deal on Syria

"I'm having difficulty understanding these comments. If a military solution is out of the question, then those who say this should pull their troops out," Erdogan told reporters on November 13 before departing for the Black Sea resort city of Sochi for a meeting with Putin.

"If a military method is not a solution, one should apply to the political method and find ways to go to elections as soon as possible. Has such a method been applied in the last seven or eight years? We will talk with Putin as well about this. We are the ones who best know this region. We are the one who best know what has happened for the past 15 years," he said.

"The number of people killed by the Syrian central government's military has now reached one million," Erdogan said, making an unusual reference to the Syrian regime, which Ankara has long argued is illegitimate.

After more than four hours of talks with Putin in Sochi, Erdogan said the two leaders had agreed to focus on a political solution to the conflict.

"We agreed that the grounds to focus on a political solution [in Syria] have been formed," he said.

Putin said that Russia would continue to work on Syria with Turkey and their efforts were yielding results: "The level of violence has definitely been reduced, favorable conditions are being created for the progression of an inter-Syrian dialogue."

Earlier in the day, Erdogan said Ankara never wanted the U.S. to intervene in Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein and urged Washington to find settlement through democratic means.

"But they didn't listen. The Obama [administration] also said they wouldn't stay in Iraq, but did they withdraw? They didn't. The world is not stupid. They talk in one way and act the other way," Erdogan said.

He also complained that the U.S. has established five military bases in the north of Syria and is about to establish another base in Raqqa, in addition to eight others in the region. Russia, meanwhile, has five military bases in Syria, he noted.

"What are these if not military methods?" Erdogan wondered.

(…)

[11] Turkey's TAI signs civil aviation deal with Russia's Irkut

"According to the agreement which was signed, the two companies will implement joint design and production in the field of civil aviation," it said in a statement.

The MoU was signed on the sidelines of the Dubai Air Show, which is being held on November 12-16.

Pursuing a diversification strategy, Irkut Corporation develops and manufactures the ??-21 short/mid-range airliner family for the needs of civil aviation, according to data from the company's website.

Meanwhile, for the first time in Dubai, TAI's T129 ATAK Advanced Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter will be showing its performance on the first three days of the exhibition, according to a previous TAI statement.

Until now, the T129 ATAK has been successfully deployed for several tests and demonstrations in various locations in the world including Turkey, Poland, Pakistan, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Bahrain and the United Kingdom, according to the statement.

[12] AKP nominates Kahraman for second term as Parliament Speaker

Kahraman is an Istanbul Deputy from the ranks of the AKP, who has been serving as the 27th Parliament Speaker since November 2015. Elections for the position of the Parliament Speaker will take place on November 20. Once elected, a Parliament Speaker serves a term of two years.

President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been conducting intense consultations with his party's lawmakers since last week in order to decide whether to continue with Kahraman or to appoint a new figure for the position. Deputy Prime Minister Bekir Bozdag and Deputy AKP leader Hayati Yaz?c? were among prominent AKP officials who were potential candidates.

Erdogan held a meeting with Prime Minister Binali Y?ld?r?m earlier in the day before news broke out that Kahraman would be the AKP's candidate for the post.

The main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) nominee for Parliament Speaker is Izmir Deputy Zekeriya Temizel, who served as Finance Minister in the mid-1990s.

The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has announced that Hakkari MP Selma Irmak, who is currently in prison, will apply to run in the elections next week. The running candidate from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) is Istanbul MP Celal Adan.

A candidate needs to receive support from two thirds of lawmakers in the first two rounds of elections. In the third and fourth round, the absolute majority will suffice. The AKP, which has 316 seats in parliament, will be able to elect Kahraman as Parliament Speaker in the third round.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK / AM)

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