Speaking during 2018 budget talks at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Cavusoglu touched upon the work carried out on the Cyprus issue.

Stating that the Cyprus problem remained unresolved despite all efforts, he argued that Turkey could not to be blamed for this and that a solution could not be reached because the Greek Cypriot side was reluctant to share governance, power and economy with the Turks.

"We have come to a conclusion that we cannot reach a solution within these parameters. Therefore, we agreed with the TRNC which steps we will be taking and what we will do from now on. Now, there are elections both in the North and the South. There is no meaning in discussing this issue before the elections. This issue cannot be exploited for election purposes as it our national cause. As a result we shall be assessing and deciding on the steps forward after the elections", he said.

The Turkish Foreign Minister also said that efforts in the period ahead will be concentrated on further promoting the "TRNC" (the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus).

"There is no need to pass a new resolution in Parliament calling for international recognition of the TRNC but we shall be focusing our efforts towards opening more representation offices abroad and increasing the number of countries in which the TRNC passport will be valid. The isolation on the TRNC must end. The EU failed to keep its promises", he concluded.

[02] Turkey rented a drill-ship from Norway to carry out drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean; The drill ship will arrive in the "TRNC" soon

According to the paper, Turkey which undertakes moves in order to be included in the "drilling war" taking place in Eastern Mediterranean, took this step in reciprocity to the "Greek Cypriot administration's drilling activities" in parcel 6 of Cyprus' Exclusive Economic Zone.

The paper adds that after the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa vessel, Turkey will launch drilling activities in the region with the new drill-ship, simultaneously with the Greek Cypriot side. The ship will launch drilling activities "under the authorities of the TRNC". The DeepSea Metro II vessel will probably be accompanied during its drilling activities by a Turkish military ship.

(…)

(AK)

[03] Albayrak announced that Turkey will make its first deep drilling in 2018 with its own drill ship

Albayrak went on claiming that the Turkish flag ship will get under way and will be supervising the region where the drilling activities will be taking place.

Albayrak announced also that Turkey would make its first deep drilling in 2018.

He added that Ankara would conduct drilling activities with a new seismic vessel, which is due to be placed on the country's inventory by the end of the year, as part of natural gas and oil exploration activities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea.

(AK)

[04] Soyer calls for the extension of "Immovable Property Commission's" term

In statements to the paper, Soyer said that prior to the January 7th "elections" the "assembly" must decide upon the extension of the "commission's term". He also stated that in co-operation with Turkey solutions must be found to the economic problems that the "commission" faces. "This issue could put both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots in trouble", Soyer stated.

In addition, Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (18.12.17) writes in its first page that the extension of the "commission's term", which ends on December 21st "and is going through a critical phase", is essential, since the Greek Cypriots started to apply to the European Court of Human Rights and they have commenced procedures that could lead to the arrest of Turkish Cypriots. Noting that the Greek Cypriots' action increases the international importance of the "commission" the paper writes that its term should be prolonged but this cannot take place because the "assembly" stopped its work due to the forthcoming "elections".

(CS)

[05] Ozgurgun: "We understand very well the people of Palestine"

He made these statements in an interview he gave to the paper where he also said that the recent events in the area are expected to have an impact on both Cyprus and the Middle East region.

Ozgurgun also referred to the co-operation between "TRNC" and Turkey and added that their aim now is the transfer of electricity, after the successful transfer of water.

He also stated that the aim of his party for the forthcoming January 7th "election" is to establish a one-party "government".

(CS)

[06] More reactions regarding the caricature published in Afrika paper

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (17.12.17) reports that Mehmet Cakici, leader of the Communal Liberation Party (TKP), speaking in an event for the 20th anniversary of the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Avrupa-Afrika, criticized the statement by the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag, who said that they will do whatever is necessary in order that the journalists of Afrika be punished due to the republication of the caricature, which was considered an insult to President Erdogan. Cakici stressed: "No one has the right to say anything regarding our citizens, especially if the person is from abroad. We will not allow it".

(DPs)

[07] Berberoglu said that a new grant programme for the Turkish Cypriots will be announced soon

(DPs)

[08] Erdogan: "Turkey will open an embassy in East Jerusalem"

"[U.S. President Donald] Trump has declared Jerusalem as Israel's capital, with an evangelist and Zionist understanding, with the logic of 'I have done it and it's over.' The U.S. is also moving its Embassy there. Those who have taken this step, despite U.N. decisions, have moved with the logic of 'We don't recognize you.' Well, we don't recognize you either," he added.

"Do not attempt to undertake a Zionist operation. If you do, the cost will be heavy," he said.

"I [as the current OIC term president] summoned the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for an extraordinary meeting [on Dec. 13]. In a week, they [the country representatives] all came. I also telephoned the Pope [Francis] and saw that he is of the same opinion as us," Erdogan said, referring to the OIC summit in Istanbul earlier this week.

[09] Turkey slams Austria's new government program seeking an end to EU negotiations with Ankara

The Austrian statement is an unfriendly and dishonest attempt to avoid obligations arising from agreements between the EU and Turkey, the Ministry added, also blasting Austria for saying it would seek allies to push towards ending Turkey's accession talks. This move "ignoring our country's legitimate rights" also "flouts political and diplomatic morals", the Ministry argued.

Austria's move "tests the boundaries of Turkey's friendship" and, if put into practice, will lead to a decisive response, the Ministry claimed.

Turkey's EU Minister Omer Celik also criticized Austria's stance. "The new Austrian Government formed by the central right and the far right without delay started attacking fundamental democratic values," he wrote in English on Twitter. (…)

[10] Turkey warns US that sanction case witness is a fugitive from Turkey

"We asked our U.S. addressee to end this unlawful practice immediately and to extradite the FETO terrorist organization member and former police officer, for whom a warrant has been issued by Turkey's judiciary," Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul told reporters in the Black Sea province of Samsun on Dec. 16, commenting on a letter he sent to his U.S. counterpart Jeff Sessions.

Huseyin Korkmaz, a police officer sought in Turkey over being a follower of the U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, testified in the Iran sanctions case against former Halkbank deputy general manager Mehmet Hakan Atilla, prompting criticism from Ankara.

Gul has penned a letter to Sessions on the issue in which he asked for "an end to this unlawful practice."

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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

(DPs / PH)

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