In a written statement, Ozersay alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to block cooperation between the "Eastern Mediterranean University", ("DAU) and Oxford University.

Claiming that the Greek Cypriot leadership had no tolerance towards the Turkish Cypriot side, Ozersay accused the Greek Cypriot side of targeting the "TRNC universities" as well as the ship companies using the "TRNC ports".

Claiming that such actions were hurting relations between the two sides, Ozersay alleged further the following: "It is understood that unfortunately, the Greek Cypriot leadership cannot stand letting the Turkish Cypriots catch a breath not only over politics, culture and sports, but also in the economic sector. We are faced with a mentality that tries to cut our every contact with the economic world", Ozersay alleged.

He further argued that such attempts carried out while the Turkish Cypriot side is trying to improve economic relations between the two sides and supporting the increase in people crossing across the two sides, is a real disappointment. He also added that "such attempts will not dissuade the Turkish Cypriot side's struggle to exist on this island".

Ozersay added further that when the Turkish Cypriot side maintains that a change of mind-set is necessary, it's this what it means.

He alleged also that while the "degrees of graduates" of the "Eastern Mediterranean University" ("DAU") are being accepted throughout the world, the Greek Cypriot officials are trying to create problems over its cooperation with Oxford University without any legal backing."This is totally unacceptable. It's obvious they are doing this because they know that higher education and tourism are the two main pillars of the Turkish Cypriot economy. While the degrees of graduates of the Eastern Mediterranean University are being accepted throughout the world, the Greek Cypriot Foreign Ministry is attempting to declare such institutions as illegal. The example with Oxford University is a good one", Ozersay said, alleging that these actions contradicts the calls by the Greek Cypriot side to improve relations between the two communities.

[05] Tore says that initiatives for giving a military base to the US are unacceptable

Tore claimed that the discovery of hydrocarbons in the area "increased the appetite of imperial states", and alleged that even if the region is in danger, the "TRNC people are safe and do not worry about their future because of the presence of the Turkish army (in the island)".

He also claimed that there is separation in Cyprus adding even if it is not a velvet one, this separation cannot be transformed into a United Cyprus.

(CS)

[06] Coskun Kaya undertook "duties" in the "39th division administration"

According to the paper, Akinci gave a honorary plaque to Erdal Sener for his "contribution".

(AK)

[07] A new mosque is under construction in occupied Lapythos village

According to the paper, the residents in the village criticized the so-called municipality of Lapythos for remaining silent over the issue and accused it of building another mosque in the village instead of a school. The residents also reacted with statements to the paper for the noise and the clouds of dust which are created because of the construction works and underlined that the mosque is built in a very big plot of land which is surrounded by several residences.

The paper writes that the mosque is constructed with the financial aid of the "Turkish embassy" in the occupied area of Cyprus.

(AK)

[08] More FETO suspects were detained in Turkey and the occupation regime

The suspects were detained after the Turkish police conducted investigation in their payphones, writes the paper.

(AK)

[09] The "Religious Affairs Department" issues a statement about tomorrow's visit to Hala Sultan Tekke in Larnaka

According to the statement, the persons who want to participate in the visit can do so only with the visit organized by the "department", following the "department's convoy".

(CS)

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Albayrak: "Turkey wants to take ties with EU to a new phase"

Speaking during a press conference with his French counterpart Bruno Le Maire in Paris on Aug. 27, during which both sides underlined the importance of Turkish-EU ties, Albayrak said that recent unilateral steps taken by the United States had shown relations between Turkey and the EU, namely France, were more important than ever.

"We want to take relations with the European Union to a new phase," Albayrak said, adding that Turkey wanted to increase trade with France—now at 14 billion euros—to 20 billion euros.

Le Maire encouraged Turkey to use all available economic policy tools to ensure sustainable growth. "It is in everyone's interest, in France, in Turkey, in Europe, that the situation stabilizes in Turkey," Le Maire told reporters in the wake of a significant hit to the Turkish Lira amid strained ties between Turkey and the U.S. over the trial of pastor Andrew Brunson.

Le Maire said further that Albayrak had stressed his country's commitment to structural reforms.

"France encourages Turkish authorities to give this absolute priority ... by using all the leverage available through economic policy," he noted.

"Recent steps taken by the United States against Turkey are politically motivated and could serve to ultimately bolster regional terrorism and the refugee crisis", Albayrak also said. "We talked about the recent trade sanctions by the United States … Such decisions of sanctions will negatively affect regional stability and bolster both regional terror and the refugee crisis," he said, adding that Turkey and France decided to move together over these issues.

Albayrak also noted that both Ministers talked about moving together regarding the trade decisions against Turkey and the EU in violation of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) rules.

"We are on the same page regarding Iran with France," Albayrak said, alleging that recent steps by the U.S. are isolating it from its allies. "In this period, the [U.S.] dollar is losing its status as a global trade tool," he added.

[02] Washington to Ankara: Give up S-400s and get the F-35s

A three-member delegation headed by Congressman Michael Turner, a member of NATO Parliamentarian Assembly, first visited Incirlik Airbase in southern Adana province. The delegation later met with Turkish parliamentarians and discussed the issues of Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 systems and delivery of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey.

The Congressmen urged Ankara to abandon procurement of S-400 systems to guarantee the delivery of the F-35s, while the Turkish side stressed further cooperation against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

The U.S. Congress recently passed legislation threatening to halt U.S. sales of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, despite signed contracts between the countries over the latter's planned acquisition of Russia's S-400 missile defence system and the ramifications for the U.S. industrial base if Turkey is dropped from the international F-35 program.

Criticizing the U.S. for trying to force Turkey not to purchase the S-400 air defence system from Russia, Ankara recalls that Turkey had been trying to purchase the Patriot air defence system from the U.S., but the missiles have never been sold to Ankara when they were needed the most.

Turkey has been in the F-35 program since 1999. The Turkish defence industry has taken an active role in the production of the aircraft. Alp Aviation, AYESAS, Kale Aviation, Kale Pratt & Whitney and Turkish Aerospace Industries have been producing parts for the first F-35fighter jet. Turkey plans to purchase 100 F-35 fighter jets in the coming years.

The row over the F-35s came at a time when the ties between the two countries were strained over the detention in Turkey of U.S. pastor Andrew Brunson.

[03] Erdogan due to Iran for the Astana summit

Erdogan will attend the third summit within the Astana process amid raising concerns for a possible regime attack at the rebel-hold Idlib province of Syria.

Turkey, Russia and Iran are the three countries that are the guarantors of a countrywide cease-fire in Syria and the leaders of the guarantors will meet in Iran. They have been mediating a peace process since January 2016 among Syria's warring sides in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has held two meetings with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the last two weeks. Cavusoglu also met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Aug. 24. Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and National Intelligence Organization Director Hakan Fidan also held meetings in Moscow, just a week after their first trip to the Russian capital.

Turkey's demarche comes over an impending Syrian military operation into Idlib where Ankara warns against a full scale military operation that will risk the lives of nearly three million civilians.

The Syrian army, backed by Russia, aims to eliminate jihadist terrorists, which have been controlling the province since early 2017.el to Tehran on Sept. 7, the presidency announced on Aug. 27.

[04] Erdogan discusses bilateral ties with Steinmeier and May over the phone

Erdogan and Steinmeier also exchanged views on economy, trade and investment, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said.

They also discussed the latest developments in Syria, particularly in Idlib, the source said.

They agreed to arrange a meeting between Turkish and German Foreign, Finance and Treasury Ministers.

The two leaders also exchanged views on Erdogan's visit to Germany in September.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Sabah (27.08.18 https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/08/27/erdogan-may-discuss-bilateral-relations-regional-issues-in-phone-call) reported that Erdogan and the British Prime Minister Theresa May discussed on Monday bilateral relations and regional issues over a phone call.

According to Turkish presidential sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, Erdogan and May also exchanged views on the areas of economy, trade and investment.

They agreed on a meeting between the Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and his British counterpart Philip Hammond.

Erdogan and May also discussed the latest developments in Syria, particularly in Idlib, the sources said.

Erdogan paid a three-day official visit to the U.K. in May, where he attended the seventh Turkish-British Tatlidil Forum in southern England and also met Queen Elizabeth II and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

In a press conference following his meeting with May, Erdogan said that the U.K. is the second biggest export market for Turkey, adding that the trade volume between Turkey and the U.K. was at a level of $16 billion in 2017 but their target for bilateral trade is $20 billion.

[05] Turkish and American Defense chiefs discuss Syria over the phone

Akar and Mattis exchanged views on the Turkey-U.S. defence relations, Syria and the fight against terrorism, the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media, said. Syria has been locked in a vicious civil war since early 2011, when the Bashar al-Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protests - which erupted as part of the "Arab Spring" uprisings - with unexpected ferocity.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/ AM)

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