Burcu claimed that Tajani's actions were not fitting for the post he held.

"Mr. Tajani should not forget that the Turkish Cypriots are one of the two equal communities on the island who have as much as Greek Cypriots in this area", Burcu claimed.

Alleging that "Tajani had chosen to ignore the Turkish Cypriots", Burcu reiterated the allegation that two of the six seats allocated for Turkish Cypriots in the European Parliament were being occupied by Greek Cypriots.

"The President of the European Parliament must comprehend this fact and should work towards rectifying this situation" he argued.

Burcu also called on that the President of the European Parliament not to refrain or hold back from holding contacts with Turkish Cypriots.

He reminded that his predecessor Martin Schulz had met with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci in his office. "Mr. Schulz, during his term as President of the European Parliament had met with Akinci in his office. As this is the case, the fact that Mr. Tajani has refrained from holding contacts with Turkish Cypriots during his first visit to the island, is not appropriate behavior for the post he holds", Burcu further claimed.

[05] Ozyigit's interview to Kibris

Stating that everyone knows very well that the current "prime minister", the "deputy prime minister" and the "foreign minister", as well as the status quo after 1974 and the "republic" established after November 15, the "TRNC" will never be recognized as long as the UN Resolutions halt recognition, Ozyigit said that at this moment the only republic the international law recognizes is the "Republic of South Cyprus" (as he refers to the Republic of Cyprus).

Noting that the Cyprus problem should be solved in order for the Turkish Cypriots to become part of international law, Ozyigit said that Akinci's rise to power injected momentum in the peace talks, but the "ball bounced off the goal post".

Underlining that some circles in Turkey and in the "TRNC" say that the negotiations have ended and this job is over, Ozyigit argued that the Cyprus talks will resume in February, March or April, and everyone is getting ready for this.

Noting that the UN does not rule out anything, Ozyigit said: "In the article for the opening of the fenced off town of Varosha, it was said that if an agreement was reached, then it could be opened. We defend this. We oppose the system of looting, scorching and torture regarding Varosha. If it is part of a solution we will discuss this".

Claiming that the Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Turkey is closer to those who want a solution in Cyprus, Ozyigit further argued: "However, it is not possible to adopt or approve AKP policies. I always worry/wonder if the end of the secular state in 2023 will be the new phase of a new sultanate. The results of the April 16 referendum frightened and worried us. The extension of this situation here (the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus) is showing with the Theological College, Imam Hatip and the Koran courses. While they are taking our children to Canakkale camp and are twisting Ataturk's struggle, they are catechizing on them how the sharia order will come instead of the secular republic. Our thoughts on this issue are very different".

Noting that in case they come to power, Ozyigit said that they want the relation between Turkey and the "TRNC" to be on the level of equality and based on mutual respect. He added that they reject the literature of "motherland-daughter land". He further argued that the Turkish Cypriots cannot stand on their own, if they constantly open their hands to Turkey.

Meanwhile, Ozyigit also said that 1954 and1974 were very difficult years and that 6,000 Turkish Cypriots had migrated. However in1974, after they said "we are free and independent", a number of 60,000 Turkish Cypriots immigrated between 1974 and 1994. Then Ozyigit asked: "Well, where is democracy, where is freedom, where is peace, where is the prosperity of the community?"

(DPs)

[06] Reactions on Gezici's threats that he will clean FETO followers from "TAK"

Meanwhile, the director of TAK Neriman Saygili wondered from where Murat Gezici has taken this power allowing him to threaten the "state news agency" and what he means "cleansing". She further said that they have filed a criminal complaint to the "police" regarding the issue and added that no one has the right to threaten or accuse the institution or the employees of this institution whatever the issue is.

Under the title "Who is going to report this man?" Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (08.12.17), on its front page, writes: "Murat Gezici has come from Turkey many times and manoeuvred the elections with his secret financiers. He will try to shape the election results using the undecided vote. He does not pay taxes… He will insult the elected deputy prime minister as 'drunk'!". The paper further reports that in addition to this, he threatens "TAK" and its employees that he will cleanse them of FETO followers.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.12.17, http://www.kibrisgazetesi.com/kibris/gezici-bu-kez-istifa-istedi/32450), reports that Murat Gezici, in a written statement, argued that he was asked not to conduct the opinion poll in the occupied area of Cyprus, adding that he was under pressure and that he does not have to answer to anyone.

Referring to "TAK" director's statement, Gezici argued that Gezici Research Company was criticized in a very unjust and conflicting way. He wondered why "TAK" published Gezici's results in 2015 and not now.

On the same issue, columnist Ali Baturay, writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (08.12.17), under the title "You have scared us too; Gezici threatens, slams…", argues that Gezici first said that the "deputy prime minister" is "drunk" and now he threatens "TAK" because it did not broadcast the results of his opinion poll.

Baturay further argues that he will not comment on the fact that Gezici carries out his opinion polls in the occupied area of Cyprus and he does not pay taxes, because the "authorities" will deal with this, but he does not have the right to threaten, especially a "state" in which he earns money. Baturay made a comparison betweem him with other Turkish businessmen, who make investments in the occupied area of Cyprus, and they all see themselves as superiors. Unfortunately, Baturay writes that they think like this: "We are here for you, we have saved you, we are feeding you, why do you resist?".

Baturay concluded that if they do not stand on their own feet as a society and they are constantly in need of Turkey, they will continue to be treated like this.

(DPs)

[07] Palestinian origin "TRNC citizen" to run for the "parliamentary elections"

According to Kibris, Faig is of Palestinian origin and was born in Jordan. He also lived for many years in Istanbul.

(CS)

[08] CHP's Kilicdaroglu held contacts in the UK; The Cyprus problem among the topics included in his agenda

According to reliable sources from the CHP, the two leaders exchanged views on human rights, minorities and the Cyprus issue.

According to the same sources, Kilicdaroglu briefed Corbyn about "the intransigent attitude of the Greek Cypriot side at the negotiating table". He further claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side is the "side paying the price" after the Annan plan, while on the contrary, the Greek Cypriot side is the side being awarded.

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (07.12.17-http://aa.com.tr/en/turkey/us-jerusalem-move-dubbed-highly-destructive-bomb/995958) reported that Kilicdaroglu, referring to the U.S. President Donald Trump's recognition of Jerusalem as Israeli capital, described this move as a "highly destructive" bomb dropped in the Middle East.

"Why are you dropping a bomb in the middle of the problem instead of bringing a solution to stop bloodshed and tears in the Middle East?", Kilicdaroglu asked.

He said the solution to the Palestine issue is "crucially important" to bring peace in the Middle East, calling on the Islamic world and Israel to evaluate the situation "carefully" and "calmly".

"Palestine's independence and sovereignty must be accepted by all. Everyone should make necessary efforts on the issue of a two-state solution", he added.

[09] Erdogan and Putin exchanged views on the US Jerusalem decision

The phone conversation comes a day after Donald Trump announced that the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel's "undivided" capital and that it would relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem despite widespread international opposition.

Noting that Israel's decision to annex Jerusalem in 1980 was rejected by the international community and the UN, Erdogan stressed that the recent step taken by the U.S. administration would negatively affect peace and stability in the region, the sources said.

The sources added that Putin shared the same views and stated that both will be following these issues at the UN Security Council.

(…)

[10] "Trump's decision will isolate US"

"U.S. President Donald Trump has recognized Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and announced his decision to relocate the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, prompting negative reactions from around the world. The U.S. has become isolated because of its decision.

As President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reiterated, Turkey has a clear position that Jerusalem is the red line for Turkey. So, as a country that brings together Muslim countries and heads the Organization for Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Turkey will assume a leading role. Well, how did Trump make a decision that goes against the interests of the U.S. itself too?

Let me note that Trump cannot fix the difficult and weak state of his country by gathering the support of the Israeli lobby in the U.S. Quite the contrary, the isolation of the U.S. first in the Middle East and then in Europe and the entire world will stalemate Trump, who has further driven himself into a tight corner with respect to those aspiring to remove him from power. Those who are striving to drive him up against the wall with the Russia case must be certainly rubbing their hands in glee after this move. I think Trump's decision on Jerusalem has backfired and he has been isolated both in the U.S. and the world.

Well, what will happen next? Let me note that this decision is definetly not applicable, and nothing will actually change in Jerusalem. The U.S. and Israel will become isolated from the world. Trump has also jeopardized Israel's security with this decision. Also, it will become difficult for Israel to access Mediterranean natural gas resources and it will not be able to use Mediterranean natural gas resources unless they not join Turkey's Southern Gas Corridor.

On the other hand, Erdogan's visit to Greece has become even more important in this sense. Erdogan will speak on the issue both to the Orthodox and Catholic parts of the Christian world. Of course, there are other important topics of Erdogan's visit to Greece.

We can say that Greece is still in the grip of a great crisis today. The European Union's big countries like Germany have obviously exported the crisis to small countries like Greece.

How can Greece overcome this crisis? The old trade and energy routes will no longer work for the EU after this crisis. The new Silk Road and related trade route networks are highlighting railway transport instead of more costly ground and sea transportation. The middle and southern trade routes coming from the Pacific region will carry out fast railway transportation through Turkey.

On the other hand, Turkey is bringing the Azerbaijani Caspian Sea natural gas resources to Western Thrace via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) and this line will continue with the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP). In other words, Greece will have to carry energy and carry out trade through Turkey in the future. Turkey is carrying Russian natural gas to Europe through TurkStream in the north. Energy will reach Europe via the Southern Gas Corridor and TurkStream through Turkey both in the north and south. Greece is the key country for the south.

Meanwhile, the 'Greek Cypriot administration' is constantly creating political crises and also blocks the resolution of the Cyprus issue by taking advantage of the crisis in Greece. It is pushing Greece to a deadlock in the Mediterranean. A fair solution in Cyprus and the fair distribution of Mediterranean resources to the regional economies will serve the common interests of Turkey and Greece. The commercialization of these resources regardless of the Southern Gas Corridor is not possible both economically and politically.

Greece cannot overcome the crisis by implementing austerity policies imposed by Germany and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and by using the euro in the eurozone. If it insists on this, it will be a satellite of Germany in the EU and of Israel in the Mediterranean.

Within this framework, Turkish-Greek relations should be addressed on a different level. The projects of ferry services relating to passengers and freight transport from Izmir to Thessaloniki, the construction of a high-speed railway route from Istanbul to Thessaloniki and the construction of a bridge between Kipi and Ipsala customs gates, all of which will gain currency during Erdogan's visit, point to a good start.

However, Turkey and Greece should go beyond this and make new trade agreements taking into consideration the new situation in energy, transport and finance. In fact, all Greece's current problems are the problems of all southern and eastern European countries without any exception. And the first step to solve these problems is to cooperate with Turkey".

[11] Demirtas' first hearing begun in his absence

(…)Demirtas was absent from the case as he refused to be linked to the court room via an audiovisual system, after the court board cited security reasons for not bringing him to the court in person.

The court also refused to allow most international and local observers to attend the hearing, again citing "security concerns." Only a dozen of visitors and journalists were allowed into the court.

Demirtas's lawyer Yusuf Alatas told the Hurriyet Daily News that the case "is a collection of 31 different summaries of proceedings that have been compiled into a joint case."

"The main accusation is that he is the leader of an armed organization, which is a terror offence. All of the proceedings submitted to this case are about Demirtas's speeches that he delivered as a politician. None of them contain any call for violence or an act of violence," Alatas said.

Demirtas was arrested on November 4, 2016, along with 10 other HDP Deputies.

The indictment, prepared in February 2017, accused him of "leading a terrorist organization," "inciting hate and crime in public" and "campaigning for a terrorist organization," demanding between 42 years and 142 years in jail.

HDP Batman lawmaker Ayse Acar Basaran said that countless proceedings have been issued against HDP lawmakers over the past year, arguing that "the court cases are all politically motivated."

(…)

In the preliminary assessment at the hearing, before Demirtas's lawyers started delivering their first speeches, the prosecutor demanded a continuation of the HDP co-chair's imprisonment during the trial process.

The Prosecutor stated that there is a "strong suspicion that he committed the crime of leading a terrorist organization and the nature of this crime necessitates his imprisonment throughout the trial."

[12] AKP Deputy proposed the reconversion of Hagia Sophia into a mosque as retaliation against Trump's Jerusalem decision

"Let Hagia Sophia be opened to prayers. We should start holding Friday prayers at Hagia Sophia," Tayyar tweeted on December 6.

(…)Ankara had already stressed that the holy site was a "red line for Muslims" and signaled that it could even sever ties with Israel because of the relocation of the capital.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(AK / AM)

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