Ozersay alleged that the "general vision of the ministry was to protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriot people at every platform".

Alleging that to achieve this they will be using diplomacy as well as political, economic and "legal" arguments as tools to begin with, Ozersay claimed they were in favour of a diplomatic solution for conflicts but added that they would also resort to deterrence as a method when dealing with certain situations such as the hydrocarbon issue.

Pointing out that the policy they will be carrying out will not be limited or restricted to the Cyprus issue and the negotiations, Ozersay said that "in addition to be the interlocutor of the UN, the foreign ministry will also aim to carry out an active policy on other issues, such as the natural gas issue".

Stating that they will also be active in areas like culture, art and economy, Ozersay added: "While carrying out consulate work via the foreign representation offices we will also take steps to introduce the e-state system at all our offices abroad".

Explaining that "different ministries will provide the necessary support to the foreign representation offices", he alleged that they will be working towards becoming more visible abroad.

Stating that "the promotion and information departments under the ministry of foreign affairs should be more productive and that new personnel could be recruited there", Ozersay also added that "they aim to provide minimum health insurance to staff assigned at representation offices abroad".

[07] Turkish Cypriot Chambers of Industry and Trade warned that they do not want the hydrocarbon potentials to be the reason for new tension

The "chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Industry (KTSO)" Canan Avunduk and the chairman of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Trade (KTTO) Turgay Deniz made a joint statement regarding the Greek Cypriot side's "unilateral" natural gas exploration activities.

In the joint statement, it was stressed that a sustainable solution for the Cyprus problem should be found the soonest possible in order a cooperation to be safeguarded or if this cannot be achieved, the representatives of the two "peoples" for the Cyprus problem should reach a consensus on the issue of the hydrocarbon potentials.

It was also noted that the attentions and the efforts of all the international actors, especially the European Union, should be concentrated on this goal and its impact should be used in this direction.

The statement also read: "We will once share with the public that we are committed to the aim of finding a mutually acceptable solution to the Cyprus problem, as the organizations of the Turkish Cypriot business community, however, we will continue to struggle against this stance, which ignores the Turkish Cypriot people".

The two chambers in their joint statement claimed that the efforts of the Greek Cypriot side, which have been continued for years now, on "unilaterally" natural gas searches around Cyprus have carried the tension in the Eastern Mediterranean to an undesirable dimension.

Finally, in the joint statement, the chambers accused the Greek Cypriot side that does not want a Cyprus settlement and that it exploits its title as the Republic of Cyprus against Turkey.

(DPs)

[08] A project to promote the Ottoman monuments in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, a new step was taken for the cultural diversity of the "TRNC tourism" with the cooperation of Turkey's General Directorate of Foundations Administration (Vakif) and the "Cyprus foundation administration" (EVKAF). The project "Vakif town" will be realized with an event to be held on April 15th in the "TRNC".

The General Directorate of Foundations have completed the majority of the Ottoman monuments, which are the 70%. Within the framework of the civilization training seminars, which have started since 2014 by the General Directorate of Foundations with the cooperation of the Association of Turkey's Tourism Guides (TUREB), a thousand licensed professional tour guides, who are working in Turkey and "TRNC", were trained.

As a result of the work carried out in cooperation with Turkey's General Directorate of Foundations Administration (Vakif) and the "Cyprus foundation administration" (EVKAF), the tour project "Vakif town" was prepared. The tour is formed on 26 monuments which are historic.

On the April 15th, "the tourism week" and the "vakif week" in "north Cyprus" will be launched with a walking tour with the participation of Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister Hakan Cavusoglu. In the project, the tour of "Vakif town: Lefkosia" was described as follows: The tour will start near the Centikaya club, they will walk to the Armenian Church, and later to the Arabahmet mosque. They will visit the Dervis Pasa mansion museum. There will be also a tour at the checkpoint in Ledra str, a visit at the Dr Fazil Kucuk museum and the Mevlivihane musem and finally the tour will be ended a the Keryneia gate in the occupied part of Nicosia.

Within the scope of the project aiming to diversify the tourism in the occupied area of Cyprus, it was an interesting coincidence that one of the historical monuments to be visited carried the name of "gambling inn/ gamblers' house" (Kumarcilar hani). Meanwhile, Hakan Cavusoglu, Turkey's Deputy Prime Minister asked the administrators of the "Cyprus foundation administration" (EVKAF) whether they could change or not the name of the Kumarcilar Hani.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (01.03.18) reports that Hakan Cavusoglu, speaking in the meeting where the Director of Turkey's General Directorate of Foundations Administration (Vakif) Adnan Ertem, the director of the "Cyprus foundation administration" (EVKAF) Ibrahim Benter and a delegation from the "Turkish Cypriot tourism agencies union" also participated, stated that with the prepared project a promotion of the vakif monuments that exist in the occupied area of Cyprus will be done and will be also supported

Cavusoglu argued that the island of Cyprus has always been known as a "foundation (vakif) island" since the conquest of Cyprus in 1571, this was also the most important reason that the feudal state of the Venetians after this saw Cyprus only as a military base.

Cavusoglu also said that the "vakif monuments" general in Cyprus were 202 mosques, 15 tekke (Islamic monastery), 8 medrese (Muslim theological schools) many inns and hamam (Turkish baths), adding that an important part of these monuments are in the "TRNC".

(DPs)

[09] Turkey wants to erase Nicosia's 5-6 thousand year long history

Noting that he asked persons who work in the field of tourism whether they think that this project will yield benefits, Ozuslu says no one replied positively and wonders where the so-called ministry of tourism had been and why it was not present at the presentation. According to the columnist, it is said that a similar project had been carried out successfully in Anatolia and this is why they attempt to implement it in the occupied area of Cyprus.

He notes the following: "The actual question I want to ask is the following: Who dares to consider that a history of a city, which has a past of five thousand even six thousand years and many civilizations have passed from it, started in 1571? What does it mean to present the only cultural heritage of […] Ledra, Lefkothea […], that is of today's Nicosia, in which people have been living since 3000 and 4000 BC and was submitted to many changes including its name, as fitting in the last 600 years? I asked questions, but actually the answer is known. They want to erase the history of 5-6 thousand years. It is really not believable! The issue is far from being 'a contribution to tourism', 'an alternative kind' [of tourism]".

(I/Ts.)

[10] The "KTFF" is reportedly "holding secret talks abroad for make openings for the Turkish Cypriot football"

The paper adds that the "secret talks" are taking place after the talks between the "Turkish Cypriot football federation" and the Cyprus Football Association (CFA or KOP) were collapsed.

Sertoglu explained that "the responsible for foreign relations" of the "KTFF", Orcun Kamali is holding very frequently contacts abroad. "Within the next months the picture will become clear and we will share with everyone the roadmap to be followed on the issue of making openings. No one should consider that we are taking it with ease. We will continue our efforts and our vision to bring together our football with the world", Sertoglu alleged.

(AK)

[11] Akpinar met with the Presidents of Gagauzia and Moldavia

According to the paper, Akpinar who is the "president of the Cyprus universities association" and also having the title of "travelling ambassador of the TRNC" met with the President of Moldavia, Igor Dodon and the "President of the Republic of Gagauzia", Irena Vlah.

In statements after his meeting, Akpinar stated that during his "contacts" he had the opportunity to give details not only about the "TRNC" but also about the "higher education" provided by the illegal GAU.

Referring to his meeting with the "President of Gagauzia", Akpinar claimed that he held a constructive meeting with Vlah. He added that both Vlah and Dodon "supported as states the opening and expansion of GAU to both Moldavia and Gagauzia".

(AK)

[12] Religious sect from Turkey started operating in the occupied area of Cyprus

According to the paper, 35 hodja, (Translator's note: teacher, devout Muslim man who is respected for his knowledge of Islam and who may perform a specific duty within an Islamic community) which belong to the Ahmet Hoca cult, settled in the occupied area of Cyprus on February and started reading the "khutba" at several mosques in the occupied area of Cyprus, while at the same time they started making religious propaganda to the community.

According to the paper, reactions were expressed by some religious men in the occupied area of Cyprus, while at the same time there are allegations that Vehbi Agan has been "appointed" on behalf of the "ILKEM-science, culture and education center" as "the representative" of the religious sect in the occupied area of Cyprus.

(AK)

[13] Turkish and US committees to meet in Washington this month

During U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson's visit to Turkey on February 15-16, it was agreed that "three mechanisms" would be established between Ankara and Washington with a view to normalizing bilateral relations.

For Turkey, the primary agenda of the committee on issues related to Syria is its demand to remove the Democratic Union Party (PYD), which Ankara sees as the Syrian branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), from Manbij, which lies to the west of the Euphrates River in northern Syria. Foreign Ministry Deputy Undersecretary Sedat Onal will reportedly head the Turkish delegation in the committee.

A second committee will discuss issues related to Pennsylvania-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gulen, whose network Turkey believes was behind the July 2016 coup attempt. It will also address Turkey's procurement of S-400 missile systems from Russia, migration and visa issues. Deputy Undersecretary Cihad Erginay will head the Turkish delegation in this committee.

The third committee will focus on the situation in Iraq and will be led on the Turkish side by Fazl? Corman, director general for South Asia at the Turkish Foreign Ministry. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK / AM)

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