Speaking on a program on the Turkish state television news channel TRT Haber, Akdag claimed that as a guarantor country, Ankara's efforts and contributions for a settlement in Cyprus will continue. "What we mean when we talk about a solution is a settlement where the existence of two politically equal communities is recognized under the roof of a partnership state. That is if the other side agrees to this. At the moment it doesn't look like it will", he added.

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot side is acting like a 'spoilt child', Akdag accused the "Greek Cypriot Administration" (as he refers to the Cyprus government) of acting as the sole proprietor of the island rather than working for a comprehensive settlement. "We shall continue to contribute to the development of the TRNC. On the one hand we shall be working together with the TRNC to draw up a new roadmap for a settlement. However I believe that is more important that we develop the TRNC and raise the prosperity of the people living there", he alleged.

[05] Reactions to Gezici's public opinion poll – Denktas argues that Gezici asked money to present DP as second party

Under the title "Mehmet Cakici: This public opinion poll is fake", Afrika reports also that the reactions are coming like an avalanche, after the announcement of the results of Gezici's recent survey. Mehmet Cakici, chairman of the Communal Liberation Party – New Forces (TKP-YG), said that the fact that foreign companies come to Cyprus and carry our surveys is thought provoking and constitutes interference in Turkish Cypriot politics. He noted that the financers of these surveys are some rich businessmen who are "candidates" for becoming "deputies" and some "organizations". Cakici argued that the Turkish Cypriots should not take such fake surveys into consideration. He recalled that the United Cyprus Party (BKP), which is TKP's ally in these "elections", had received 3,8% alone in the previous "parliamentary elections" and added that on 7 January the Turkish Cypriot "people" will give the necessary reply to "charlatans like Gezici".

Meanwhile, Kudret Ozersay, chairman of the People's Party (HP), stated that public opinion polls which are conducted with intentional or unintentional distortions cannot be trustworthy and added that the results of the "elections" cannot be predicted. He showed as an example for this the "presidential elections" prior to which the same company had been presenting Ozersay's percentages between 11% and 13% and in the end he received 21%.

Moreover, Erhan Arikli, chairman of the settlers' Revival Party (YDP), argued that the "parties of the system" want to become "government" in this system and to establish the "governmental model which they have in their mind". For this reason they have "intentional public opinion polls" made and organize an "operation of creating perceptions".

(I/Ts.)

[06] Gezici responds to criticism: "Foreign powers are not satisfied with the results"!

Gezici claimed that in 2015 the same persons were saying that Mustafa Akinci would receive a percentage between 2% and 6% in the "elections" and that only his company had said the truth then. "I repeat, foreign powers which are afraid that the political results in the TRNC will come out in this manner are not satisfied with the results", he alleged.

(I/Ts.)

[07] Erhurman: "UBP and DP are trying to spread terror to the people regarding the citizenships issue"

Erhurman stated that the party's position regarding "citizenships" is very clear; however, he said the National Unity Party (UBP) and the Democratic Party (DP) "are trying to spread terror to the people on the citizenships issue". "The perception that CTP is against all kind of citizenships is wrong. We re against the granting of citizenships to those who have not lived here or visited the country on a tourist visa", he stated.

Erhurman also stated that CTP's relations with Turkey are improving with the passing of time.

(CS)

[08] Egemen Bagis has entered the education field

The paper further reports that Bagis, who has entered the field of education, has joined the board of trustees of the "International Aydin university" in the occupied area of Cyprus. He also became the partner of Abacus Overseas Education Consultancy Limited Company last April. The headquarters of the company is in Istanbul, while there is a branch also in New York. The company is the representative of many exchange programs, language schools, high schools and universities in Turkey, especially the "Work and Travel program". On the other hand, the company has the authority to run schools in Turkey.

(DPs)

[09] Erdogan warns Trump: "Jerusalem is Muslims' red line"

"This could go as far as cutting our diplomatic relations with Israel. You cannot take such a step," Erdogan told a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

"Mr. Trump! Jerusalem is a red line for Muslims," he said, adding that Ankara would take necessary measures in the event of a possible U.S. move, including convening the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul.

"Such a move would not only be a violation of international law, but also a big blow to the conscience of humanity," Erdogan said.

"Has the U.S. completed everything and only this is left?" he added.

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Emmanuel Nahshon hit back at the Turkish President, saying that Jerusalem has been Israel's capital for 70 years, "whether Erdogan recognizes it or not."

Israeli Minister of Intelligence and Transport Israel Katz via his Twitter account reiterated Israel's position on the ancient city, which is one of a long list of stumbling blocks in years of failed peace talks with the Palestinians. "We don't take orders or accept threats from the President of Turkey," Katz tweeted.

(…)

[10] Yildirim: "Trump's plan for Jerusalem is unlawful'

President Donald Trump will formally recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital and begin preparations to move the U.S. Embassy to the contested city, three U.S senior administration officials confirmed late Tuesday.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Seoul with his South Korean counterpart Lee Nak-Yeon, Yildirim said: "One way or another, both situations will be unlawful decisions and will make the existing problems in the region even more unsolvable".

"The U.S. President not making a statement in this direction is vital for the future of the region and global peace", Yildirim said.

[11] Hamas' Spokesman praised Turkey's position on Jerusalem

"This unique position of the Turkish authorities and noble Turkish people is a reflection of the leadership and its support to the cause of the Palestinian people," Abu Zuhri told Anadolu Agency.

The step that America is taking is "very serious" and targets Muslims' beliefs and sacred sites", he said.

[12] Kilicdaroglu and Bahceli calls for the re-opening of Reza Zarrab case in Turkey

"I am making an open call: Let's re-open the file and set up an investigation commission at Parliament. Let's not leave the case to the U.S. judiciary and instead clean up our own mess," Kilicdaroglu said on December 5.

"The fact that a Turkish case is being conducted in the United States is disturbing my conscience. It is not right that the case is being tried in the U.S.," he added.

Zarrab has become a key witness in a key case in New York, in which a former executive of Turkish state lender Halkbank, Hakan Atilla, is accused of violating sanctions on Iran.

Zarrab was a suspect in this case before he pleaded guilty of violating U.S. sanctions on Iran, bribing Turkish officials, executing a scheme or artifice to defraud a financial institution, and committing bank fraud. He testified in court, admitting that he bribed former Economy Minister Zafer Caglayan and was involved in the multi-billion-dollar gold-for-oil scheme.

Zarrab was the prime suspect in a case in Turkey in December 2013, when AKP officials' names were also embroiled in corruption and bribery accusations.

The AKP accused members of the network linked to U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen of plotting against the government in that case. The charges were dismissed while investigating prosecutors and judges in the case were removed from their posts and a huge crackdown on the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) was launched.

(….)

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli also echoed the AKP's stance, urging the Zarrab case to be brought in Turkey and saying that "if there is a crime committed in Turkey, the Turkish authorities should be the address."

(…)

[13] Seventeen suspects detained in Turkey for links to Reza Zarrab

Detentions came after the Prosecutor's office on December 1 ordered the seizure of assets belonging to Zarrab and his acquaintances.

One of the reasons for the seizure was that "the procurement of information should stay secret for the security, internal and foreign political interests of the Republic of Turkey, and to protect the country from the political and military espionage practices of foreign countries."

The Prosecutor's office then expanded its investigation and people with links to Zarrab were detained.

Seven of Zarrab's aides who are crucial for the investigation - including Sinem Arslan, Regaip Akol, Mustafa Hac?salihoglu, Nuray Y. and Sara M. - were taken in for questioning.

Zarrab's collection of secret texts, dubbed the "black box," is reportedly known to Arslan and his assistant, while Akol is accused of managing Zarrab's financial transactions.

Akol, Arslan and Hac?salihoglu are accused of trying to send documents to the court in the U.S., in addition to "partially or completely destroying, damaging or stealing documents and records regarding the state's security or its domestic and foreign political benefits, as well as using them outside their purpose and committing forgery over them."

Documents were burned in an attempt to destroy evidence in a building that allegedly belongs to one of Zarrab's relatives, daily Haberturk reported yesterday.

A part of the documents were saved by police, and security guards in the building said the building belongs to Zarrab.

(…)

[14] Yildirim holds contacts in South Korea; He called Korean businessmen to invest in Turkey

"I hope, from now on, relations between Turkey and [South] Korea will turn into a strategic partnership," he said, during an address to businesspeople in the South Korean capital, Seoul, where he is carrying a series of contacts.

Stating that the Republic of Korea held the eastern end of Asia and Turkey held its western end, Yildirim said that there were many countries in-between which required their attention.

"Korean and Turkish firms can sign serious projects together, not only in [South] Korea and Turkey but also elsewhere."

Yildirim praised South Korea's development and said the country had a per capita income of $30,000 as a result of their growth success.

He said that Turkey had made serious progress and currently was the 17th biggest economy and listed 13th in purchasing power parity among G20 countries.

"This year, Turkey has the highest growth rate among OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) countries," Yildirim said.

Calling Turkey an ideal place to do business, he said that countries around Turkey, with a total population of 1.6 billion, also offered business opportunities.

Yildirim stated further that Turkey had achieved "an average 5.6% growth rate from 2002 to 2012".

He added that South Korea and Turkey could achieve much more when it came to cooperation in the fields of trade and commerce.

Yildirim's visit to the country comes on the 60th anniversary of the start of Turkey's diplomatic relations with South Korea in the wake of the 1950-1953 Korean War.

[15] Romanian envoy stated that Romania fully supports Turkey's EU membership

Delivering a speech at a ceremony held in Ankara on the occasion of the 99th anniversary of the foundation of the Romanian state, Sopanda said that Romania backs Turkey's full membership bid to the EU.

Commenting on the bilateral relations between the two countries, he said that mutual ties are being expanded in many areas. "In addition to excellent cooperation in political dialogue and commercial relations, cooperation between Romania and Turkey is being carried out in a wide range of cultural, scientific, medical and educational fields," Sopanda further said. .

"Our economic and trade relations constitute the most dynamic part of our cooperation. For the time being, among our most important trading partners, Turkey ranks fifth," he said, adding that Turkey ranks first among Romania's non-EU trading partners.

The Ambassador also endorsed the security cooperation between the two countries within the framework of the NATO alliance. "We welcome Turkey's cooperation in the field of defense, security and support within the scope of NATO. We trust the future of this relationship," he said.

(…)"Romania, together with Turkey and other states, is a reliable ally in the fight against terrorism to prevent any kind of extremism," he said. He also underscored that he is proud to be representing his country in Turkey, a country located in a region tackling many different threats.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

https://www.pio.gov.cy/moi/pio/pio2013.nsf/All/EDB254ABD6F3EAE1C225816F00425E83?OpenDocument

(AK / AM)

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