"The 5.815 billion TL 2018 state budget was passed with 28 votes in favour and 13 votes against."

Speaking before the vote, the self-styled finance minister Serdar Denktas said that a hard and difficult year awaited everyone. He added that "the new government program will be implemented as much as the budget prepared by the former government will permit".

Following the approval of the "budget", self-styled prime minister Tufan Erhurman via social media, said that "the government, now that the budget had passed, will focus its attention and energy on taking action". "The budget has passed. We made use of this period to plan and prepare for our projects. Now is the time, without entering fruitless discussion, to work, to take action and to bring to life the projects we need for social and economic development. We shall continue to work hard", he argued.

[08] Commentary: "Has Turkey bought the drillship just to show off around Cyprus?"

"(?) In addition to introducing the 'local and national', Albayrak will go down in history as the Minister who bought Turkey's first drillship in 2017. Was it the urge to make the extraction of energy resources national, or was it the necessity of challenging the Greek Cypriots' gas exploration activities, which sped up the purchase of the ship? At any rate, the purchase of Deepsea Metro II might have made the Foreign Ministry officials just as happy as those in the Energy Ministry, like the purchase of the two seismic ships some time ago.

Indeed, the Turkish public is familiar with the country's first seismic vessel Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa; not so much about its findings, but more about its presence in the Mediterranean. Each time it leaves the port it's docked at, there is tension with the Greek Cypriots in the Mediterranean.

While these ships fulfill an important function as a 'deterrent', it is equally imperative they do what they were intended to do; seismic surveying and drilling. When the Greek Cypriots start to take action south of the island, what will Turkey and Turkish Cyprus do? Challenge it militarily, just as they had done when the Italian energy giant ENI tried to send a drilling platform? In that case, it had been easier to object since it was in Turkish Cyprus' exclusive economic zone.

Even if this delimitation lacks de jure recognition, there is de facto recognition, since forcing ENI's drilling rig out of the area by Turkish warships have not created a diplomatic crisis between Turkey and the rest of the world.

That would not be the same if drilling activities were to increase in other parts. As military tension would be unnecessarily costly in terms of international diplomacy, Turkey and Turkish Cyprus might then opt to retaliate by starting drilling in the northern shores. That however, would not only require the presence of the ship, but also human capital with necessary experience. You cannot send a ship and ask it to drill haphazardly. With meritocracy having been a long forgotten practice in Turkish bureaucracy, one hopes the necessary steps will be taken in that direction, too."

[09] Cavusoglu: "The EU does not know what it wants"

"We have told the EU it should oversee its policies," the Minister said.

Turkey and the EU have issues to work on, such as the visa liberalization. The issue might be on the agenda of the EU-Turkey leaders' meeting on March 26 in Varna, Bulgaria.

Another topic is upgrading the Customs Union, "which will benefit both sides," he said. "They should not use it as a trump card on us", Cavusoglu said, adding that relations between Turkey and the EU should move on realistic prospects.

An EU-Turkey summit will be held on March 26 in the Bulgarian port city of Varna with the attendance of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, EU Council President Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker and Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, whose country currently holds the bloc's presidency.

[10] Turkey slams Germany's remarks on Afrin operation

The statement called on Turkey's allies to make effort for the establishment of permanent peace, security and stability in Syria, underlining the importance of close coordination and consultation. The Ministry also warned its allies against giving credit to anti-Turkey disinformation and supporting terror groups.

Merkel condemned earlier on Wednesday Turkey's counter-terror operation in Syria's northwestern Afrin and criticized Russia for "just watching" the continuing attacks by the Assad regime forces on eastern Ghouta.

Meanwhile, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier discussed the counter-terror operation in Syria late Wednesday over a phone call. During the call, both officials also reiterated their willingness to improve bilateral relations.

[11] Dogan Holding announces official talks on sale of media group

"We initiated the talks regarding the sale of all of our components which operate in print and visual media on an operating value of $1.1 billion and a share value of $890 million in case of a discount related to debts," it said in its statement.

"These components include YAYSAT, the company performing distribution of media and non-media products, Dogan Gazetecilik , Dogan News Agency, Dogan TV Holding, DTV News and Visual Broadcasting, Doruk TV and Radio Broadcasting [CNN Turk], Hurriyet Gazetecilik ve Matbaac?l?k and Mozaik Communication Services [Dsmart]," it added.

Dogan Holding also added that when there are developments regarding the sale, it will notify the public within the scope of the relevant legislation. TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/ AM)

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