While 27 deputies voted in favour of the new government 22 deputies voted against the motion. 1 deputy did not attend the session. The CTP's 12 MPs, the HP's 9 MPs, TDP's 3 MP's and the DP's 3 MPs all voted in favour of the government reaching a majority yes vote which was all that was required for the vote of confidence to pass.

According to the constitution, no party or group of deputies can file a motion of no confidence for the first three months after a vote of confidence is secured.

Addressing the assembly after the voting was completed the CTP leader prime minister Tufan Erhurman thanked everybody for their votes and said that as the government they will work to serve the people in the best possible manner.

Pointing to the importance of passing the state budget as soon as possible, Erhurman said 'while we will be working as the government to fulfil our duties I'm sure that everyone will be working towards protecting the prestige of the parliament'."

[07] Denktas argued that "there is not any problem with his government partners regarding the protocol signed with Turkey"

Noting that ten days after the "election's results" Ozgurgun had not made any attempt for the "UBP-DP-YDP coalition", Serdar stressed that as they were reaching for an agreement for the "four-party coalition", UBP ruled out a red carpet for him, but he made a choice for the community and not for his personal interests. Denktas claimed that "at the last minute, UBP even made a proposal to nominate him as presidential candidate for the future elections".

Underlining that the reforms that will transform the community will start shortly, Denktas said that there is not any problem between the "government partners" and the protocol which was signed with Turkey. He reminded that the negotiations between the parties continued for many vital issues that were not included in the "government program". He added: "We will provide this transformation with compromise". He further argued that "he believes that progress will be obtained with harmony in many fields as water, energy, municipal reform and traffic".

Denktas noted that "with the completion of the works on confidence vote and the budget, a large number of laws, which need reform, will come into the agenda at the parliament".

Stressing that at the end of the day their relations with Turkey are important regardless how someone refers to Turkey as "motherland" of "fatherland", Denktas said: "Turkey is just 40 miles away from us and is a strong ally for us. Turkey is going through a difficult period at this moment. I would like to give clearly the following message. We should not be at a point that will cause trouble to Turkey. At this difficult period, we need to improve more the ways of solidarity".

(DPs)

[08] The "mayor" of the occupied Gialousa "municipality" resigned due to the economic problems experienced in the "municipality"

According to the paper, the "mayor" of occupied Gialousa and the other "municipal members" resigned due to the prolonged financial crisis experienced in the "municipalities", their inability to bring solutions to the problems and due to the fact that the "workers at the municipalities" did not received the salaries for a lot of months.

(AK)

[09] The "Cittaslow network in norther Cyprus" to attend the 2018 Cittaslow general assembly in France

The technical coordinator of the "Cittaslow network" in the occupied area of Cyprus Hasan Karlitas explained that today's meeting aims to determine their common strategy taking in mind the forthcoming meeting of Cittaslow International in France, while at the same time the "membership of new cities" will be discussed.

(Translator's note: Cittaslow is a worldwide network of more than 100 towns and cities that have adopted the same set of goals and principles to enhance their quality of life).

(AK)

[10] Tillerson says US 'wants more cooperation with Turkey on Syria'

"We hope to have talks about how we can work cooperatively to lessen those threats to Turkey but ultimately achieve the objective in Syria," Tillerson said at a joint press conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi in Amman, Jordan.

Ankara is "an important NATO ally and partner in the region," added Tillerson, who acknowledged that Turkey faces threats from within its border as well as from areas in Iraq and Syria. He also noted Washington and Ankara are committed to the "same outcomes" in Syria, including the defeat of ISIL, the de-escalation of violence there, and moving the Geneva peace talks forward.

Just a day earlier in Kuwait, Tillerson struck a different tone when he said Turkey's military operation to remove terror groups in Afrin is hampering the U.S.-led coalition's efforts to maintain the focus on the fight against ISIL in Syria.

Tillerson starts his two-day visit to Ankara on Feb. 15, as the two NATO allies seek ways to ease disagreements, particularly over Syria policies.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Feb. 14 said the U.S. should first stress the territorial integrity of Syria. "Those who want to cooperate with us should be sensitive about a political solution and what is more important, they should stop supporting terrorist organizations that aim to divide Syria," Cavusoglu said in Kuwait City at a donor's conference for the reconstruction of Syria, apparently referring to the U.S.

Tillerson, for his side, said in Amman on Feb. 14 that "with respect to my meetings in Ankara, Turkey is still an important NATO ally of the United States ... We need to find a way to continue to work in the same direction. We are committed to the same outcomes in Syria."

Tillerson's visit comes after a Feb. 11 meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump's national security advisor H.R. McMaster and Turkey's Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kal?n as part of efforts to mend fences between Ankara and Washington.

[11] Turkey pledges $5 billion as nations commit funds for Iraq reconstruction

Iraq secured nearly $25 billion in the first few hours of the final day of an international donors' conference in Kuwait City, which was still ongoing.

Baghdad says it needs nearly $90 billion to rebuild after a grisly war with Daesh terrorists which devastated homes, schools, hospitals and economic infrastructure, displacing millions of people.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said Turkey pledged $5 billion in loans and investment, making the country one of the top contributors.

Turkey will help redevelop the cities of Kirkuk, Mosul, Tal Afar, Baghdad, Irbil and Sulaymaniyah through the Turkish International Cooperation and Development Agency (TIKA) to help Iraqis return to their homes.

As a result of the implementation of projects Turkey will propose, many Iraqis will have jobs and be able to return home. According to the report, "Iraq: Reconstruction and Investment," released by Kuwait's Chamber of Commerce and Industry in January, more than 200 projects in 10 sectors, including education, health, transportation and agriculture, are ready to receive financing.

Meanwhile, rebuilding Iraq after three years of war with Daesh is estimated to cost $88.2 billion, with housing a particularly urgent priority, Iraqi officials say. Kuwait, which is hosting an international donors' conference to raise funds for Iraq, pledged $1 billion in loans and $1 billion in direct investments. Saudi Arabia said it would allocate $1 billion for investment projects in Iraq and $500 million to support Iraqi exports. Qatar said it would allocate $1 billion in loans and investments, while the United Arab Emirates pledged $500 million in investment.

Those sums — together with $495 million from the European Union and $100 million from Australia — bring the total pledged so far to over $10 billion on the third and final day of the donors' conference, still in progress. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs / AM)

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