Speaking on BRT, Nami also drew attention to the need for interdependence between the two sides on the island.

Touching on the informal meeting held between the two leaders last night, Nami claimed: "I was not expecting anything to come out of this meeting. As long as we don't hear the words "lets finish this" from Mr. Anastasiades's mouth there is no meaning of holding such meetings".

Alleging that such initiatives were only part of deliberate delaying tactics deployed by the Greek Cypriot side, Nami claimed that the time had come for the UN to exert pressure on the Greek Cypriot Administration to accept time frames in the talks.

"Both Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side have demonstrated to the international community their strong desire to reach a settlement on the island. It's very clear that it is the Greek Cypriot side which is running away from a solution. The UN must play its part and exert pressure on Anastasiades. They need to accept a timetable. We only want what is reasonable. The non-solution of the Cyprus problem will not be good for the region too" he alleged.

Nami also underlined the need "to establish a structure that would allow normalization of relations with South Cyprus and increase mutual economic interdependency between the two sides".

In addition, Bayrak also broadcast that Nami will be going to Ankara on Friday to hold a series of contacts.

Nami will meet with the Turkish Minister of Customs and Trade Bulent Tufenkci and the Minister for Science, Industry and Technology Faruk Ozlu.

[04] A call to both leaders for resumption of the Cyprus talks

A delegation of the Bi-communal Peace Initiative had a meeting yesterday with Elizabeth Spehar, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and the Head of the UNFICYP Mission and handed over a Message addressed to the leaders of the two communities in Cyprus, with the request to be conveyed to them during the informal dinner which was held last night. In their message to the leaders, they noted that there is an urgent need to return to the negotiating table.

On the same issue, the paper reports that Salih Sonustun, general secretary of the United Cyprus Party, in a written statement, made a call to the leaders to resume the Cyprus talks within the framework of Guterres' documents.

Moreover, Turkish Cypriot daily Detay newspaper (17.04.18) reports that the "Turkish Cypriot public servants union" (KTAMS) called on the leaders prior their meeting last night to "act with consciousness of their historical responsibilities and to exhibit a strong will for solution".

Guven Bengihan, "chairman of KTAMS", in a written statement, said that after the failure of the talks in Crans-Montana despite achieving great progress, the meeting of the leaders carries a great importance for the resumption of the Cyprus tlaks.

(DPs)

[05] Kibris Postasi: "The Turkish Armed Forces took action: dispatched two submarines and 12 warships in the eastern Mediterranean"

Turkey has been following step by step the activities carried out at its borders and has dispatched two submarines and at least 12 warships in response to Athens' increasing provocations and to USA, Britain and French fleets in the eastern Mediterranean. The 14 warships are monitoring 24 hours a day the region, according to the paper.

(DPs)

[06] A "military officer" with his family was arrested with FETO links accusations

The so-called police seized the car belonging to the military officer and some other evidences. According to information acquired by the paper, the four-person family will either appear in "court" today or they will be "extradited from the TRNC".

(AK)

[07] Data on the number of registered cars in the occupied area of Cyprus

Also, according to Atakan, the numbers of junkyard vehicles is 17, 872.

(AK)

[08] Cavusoglu: Turkey wants NATO to 'meet expectations'

"NATO should meet Turkey's expectations as well. We expect [NATO] to meet our expectations regarding the issue of air defence," Cavusoglu said on April 16 at a joint press conference in Ankara with visiting NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

A Turkish diplomat familiar with the meeting earlier in the day told the Hurriyet Daily News that Cavusoglu was referring to the ongoing NATO protection mission on Turkey's southern border with Syria. The official recalled that Spain and Italy have deployed air defense systems on the border and the mission is extended every year. Ankara expects the "regular" presence of these systems on the border, the diplomat added.

Cavusoglu, also vowed that Turkey would continue in NATO's missions abroad, in an apparent reference to NATO's demand for contribution to the alliance's planned training mission in Iraq. "We expect important decisions to be taken at the upcoming NATO summit," he said.

Stoltenberg was visiting Ankara ahead of a NATO leader's summit in Brussels in July, and he said the Iraqi mission will be part of the upcoming summit.

"At the summit in July we plan to launch a NATO training mission in Iraq, helping local forces to stabilize their own country and prevent international terrorist threats like [ISIL] from coming back. I count on Turkey's support in launching the mission and Turkey's future contribution to the mission," he said at the press conference.

He also stressed the "essential contributions" that Turkey has been making to NATO operations in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), saying Ankara is "a highly valued and key ally for many reasons."

"Turkey does a lot for alliance, despite facing serious security challenges. No other NATO ally has suffered as many terrorist attacks as Turkey. You are the ally most exposed to instability in this region," Stoltenberg said.

"Minister Cavusoglu briefed me on 'Operation Olive Branch' and I am grateful for Turkey's continued transparency on this," he added, referring to the Turkish military's recent operation into the northern Syrian district of Afrin.

Meanwhile, Cavusoglu also criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's recent comments in which he said Ankara's support of recent missile strikes on Syria showed it had "separated" from Russia.

"Ankara and Moscow may think differently but Turkey's ties with Russia are too strong to be broken by France's President. We have strong ties with Russia," he said.

Cavusoglu claimed Macron wanted to be part of the trilateral summit between Turkey, Russia and Iran held in Ankara in early April over Syria.

Ankara asked other participant countries, while Russia welcomed Iran preferred to host France in a separate meeting and Macron did not attend the trilateral summit, Cavusoglu said.

He stressed that Turkey's relations with Russia were "not an alternative" to its ties with NATO, France and the United States.

He added that Turkey was cooperating with Russia and Iran to try and deescalate the ongoing conflict in Syria despite a long-standing disagreement with them over their support to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

[09] NATO Chief Stoltenberg: S-400 anti-ballistic missile systems, "a national decision" for Ankara to take

Speaking to Turkish broadcaster NTV, Stoltenberg accused Russia of preventing the United Nations' efforts to carry out an independent investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in the country.

"This operation has given a clear message to the al-Assad regime and his supporters Russia and Iran. It has shown them that the international public did not watch what happened there silently," Stoltenberg said, adding that he also welcomes Turkey's support for the operation.

He stressed that the operation aimed to "reduce the capacity of the use of chemical weapons."

"There were efforts for an independent investigation into the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria but Russia prevented it," Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg arrived in the Turkish capital Ankara on April 16 for official talks in the wake of the U.S.-led airstrikes in Syria.

As for Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 anti-ballistic missile systems, Stoltenberg said this was a "national decision" for Ankara to take.

"That's a national decision for a NATO country. What matters for the NATO is whether it will be integrated into the NATO air defense system," Stoltenberg said.

After he was welcomed by a military ceremony at the Defense Ministry, Stoltenberg met with Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli. No further details were given about the meeting.

The NATO chief is also set to meet on April 16 with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu during his visit, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The U.S., the U.K. and France early on April 14 launched airstrikes on reported al-Assad regime chemical weapons facilities in Syria.

The strikes followed the regime's alleged chemical attack in Douma, which killed 78 civilians and injured hundreds of others.

[10] Erdogan, Merkel discuss Syria strikes, chemical attack in Douma

According to presidential sources, the two leaders emphasized the importance of protecting the territorial integrity of Syria and taking concrete steps toward a political solution for the seven-year crisis.

Neither Turkey nor Germany joined Saturday's strikes on Syria by their allies U.S., France and Britain but welcomed the move as "appropriate."

Erdogan also held separate phone conversations with British Prime Minister Theresa May, France's Emmanuel Macron and Russia's Vladimir Putin and cautioned against further escalating tensions in the region.

[11] Turkey warns Greece over 'provocation' in Aegean

"There was an attempt to plant a Greek flag on an uninhabited rocky islet across from [the Turkish resort of] Didim. Our coast guard teams did what was necessary and removed the flag," he told reporters in Istanbul on April 16.

"Our advice to Greece is to stay within the boundaries of good neighborly relations and to avoid provocations that would escalate tension. No one should think that we would give any concessions over our sovereign rights. We are determined to give necessary responses against de facto interventions," said Yildirim.

The Turkish Prime Minister also said the event of the Greek citizen trying to plant the flag was similar to events in February over the Kardak islets, in which a Turkish patrol boat rammed into a patrol boat belonging to the Greek coast guard in the Aegean Sea.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu also warned Greece, calling the Greek minister "wayward" in a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Ankara on April 16.

"The other side should refrain from such moves. They should not take steps that will strain the relations and lead to a crisis in the Aegean for no reason. When they do so, they get a response. Populism brings no benefits to Greece. As two NATO allies, we should focus on a positive agenda," he said.

"He loves populism. He is from the far right party. He is the leader of the party. His waywardness should not disturb the relations of the two countries," Cavusoglu said, referring to the Greek Minister.

Turkey and Greece have long been at odds over multiple sources of tension stemming from the Aegean Sea. There is not a border agreement between the two countries and they often come face to face over a score of disputes islets. The gravest tension occurred in 1996 over the uninhabited Kardak islets, where the two countries came to the brink of hot conflict.

Meanwhile, Greek government had no knowledge of the incident, according to spokesman Dimitris Tzanakopoulos.

"Based on the latest briefings from the Defense Ministry and the Hellenic Navy General Staff, there is no confirmation of any incident of violation of Greek territory," Tzanakopoulos told reporters on April 16.

"Nonetheless, we will continue to investigate the matter in a calm and very serious fashion," he added, describing Yildirim's remarks as "provocative and reprehensible."

[12] Imprisoned American pastor Andrew Brunson rejects terror charges in Turkey trial

Andrew Brunson, a Christian pastor from North Carolina who has lived in Turkey for more than two decades, was indicted on charges of helping the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO), who is widely believed to have orchestrated the failed coup attempt that left more than 250 people killed.

"I have never done anything against Turkey. I love Turkey. I have been praying for Turkey for 25 years. I want the truth to come out," Brunson told the court in the Aliaga town of the Aegean province of Izmir.

Brunson has been the pastor of the Izmir Resurrection Church, serving a small Protestant congregation in Turkey's third largest city.

"I do not accept the charges mentioned in the indictment. I have never been involved in any illegal activities," said Brunson, wearing a white shirt and black suit, giving his defense in Turkish. Brunson's wife, North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis, and the U.S. envoy for religious freedom, Sam Brownback, were present in the courtroom.

Brunson's trial is one of several legal cases roiling U.S.-Turkey relations. The two countries are also at odds over U.S. support for the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) in northern Syria, which Turkey considers terrorist organizations.

Meanwhile, the relationship between the United States and Turkey is likely to come under pressure as long as the U.S. pastor remains in jail, a U.S. official responsible for international religious freedom said on April 16.

"The United States cares deeply about our relationship with Turkey," Sam Brownback, the U.S. Ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom, told reporters during a recess at the trial.

"That relationship is going to have difficulty moving forward as long as Andrew Brunson is incarcerated," he added.

Brunson's lawyer said the pastor, detained 18 months ago, was in custody because of his religious beliefs. Turkey is a majority Muslim country though constitutionally secular.

"There is evidence that shows Brunson was detained due to his faith," Ismail Cem Halavurt said on the eve of the trial. Halavurt said Brunson's religious role had been "classified as aiding terror organizations."

The Izmir prosecutor's office said sufficient evidence had been obtained to charge Brunson with aiding armed terrorist organizations and obtaining confidential government information for political and military espionage.

A copy of Brunson's indictment accuses him of working both with Gulen's network and the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

Brunson also denied aiding any PKK suspects and dismissed suggestions he had preached in favor of Kurdish independence as "lies."

On April 15, Halavurt said he believed Brunson would ultimately be acquitted and there was no reason for his continued detention during trial. "Our prior expectation from the hearing is ending the arrest," he said. "We want Brunson to be freed immediately," said Halavurt.

[13] Erdogan blasts West over Islamophobia

"There are efforts to degrade and defame Islam, which is the only religion that offers genuine solutions to the modern world's problems. The West tries to put certain labels on Islam through certain 'project' terrorist groups. Those are terrorist groups that have emerged lately," Erdogan said in a speech on April 16 at the World Muslim Minorities' Summit in Istanbul.

Muslims have faced "multi-sided, multi-layered attacks since the 9/11 terror attacks," he stated.

"Terrorist acts by herds of killers such as DAESH, Boko Haram, al-Shabbab, and the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization [FETO] have hurt Muslims and also give opportunities to anti-Islamic circles," Erdogan said.

"The innocence of Muslims slaughtered by those organizations is overlooked and our religion and the believers of Islam are held responsible for those atrocities," he added.

Members of the Turkish Parliament's subcommittee to investigate "Islamophobia" in Western countries had met with representatives of Turkish non-governmental organizations in Berlin earlier this month.

Omer Serdar, the head of Parliament's Human Rights Committee, expressed his disturbance over the association of Muslims with terror.

"Recent developments, especially the rise in terror groups that define themselves with Islam, have contributed to this association," Serdar said, adding that many people in Europe have a fear of refugees coming from the Middle East.

"We are not looking for a scapegoat. Let's reveal the aftermath of these [Islamophobic] events together … There are 25 million Muslims living in Europe," he also said.

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(CS / AM)

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