Speaking during the visit, Bozkir claimed they will always stand beside the Turkish Cypriot "people" in its rightful case. "We are here to affirm that we will always stand beside Turkish Cypriot people in its rightful case. Cyprus for us is always a first priority. Before the UN General Assembly in New York we are discussing with delegations that will attend what joint strategy we would follow and what can be done to achieve progress on the Cyprus issue".

Alleging that the real intention of the Greek Cypriots was obvious, Bozkir claimed they tried to preserve the power they obtained unjustly and saw the Turkish Cypriot community as minority in their fake state adding that they would never accept this. "We think that open-ended negotiations are no more beneficial" Bozkir argued and claimed that it was pleasing to see that the UN Chief shared the same view. He further argued that they will no way accept the Greek Cypriots to claim right on natural resources through a fait accompli.

Ulucay, for his part, said that they have close relations with the Turkish Grand National Assembly. "We will have closer relations with the TBMM in the new term. We will take some steps especially in regard to the foreign relations and we will work closely while doing so" Ulucay noted.

He also added that "the parliaments of two countries are in close contact in the lobbying activities at the PACE and the European Parliament".

Claiming that the Cyprus issue continued to be the most important issue during a time when the economic problems are harder, he said they will continue to struggle for the solution of the problem. He also noted that this struggle will be carried out jointly with Turkey, and added that their expectation from the New York meeting was for a decision for the resumption of the negotiations process with a result oriented point of view.

Furthermore, "BRT" (18.09.18, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=bozkir-met-with-government-officials) broadcast that Bozkir had separate meetings yesterday with self-styled prime minister Tufan Erhurman and self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister Kudret Ozersay.

Speaking during his meeting with Bozkir, Erhurman who referred to the Cyprus issue expressed the view that the negotiations process should be carried out in solidarity with the Republic of Turkey. "We have revealed so many times that we will not be a part of a solution model whereby the political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people is not safeguarded. This is out of the question. We have been conducting the negotiations process with Turkey from the beginning and we shall continue to do so. There is no other way to reach a result that we desire and which will secure our rights" Erhurman argued.

During the meeting with Bozkir, Ozersay, speaking first, noted that Bozkir's visit was well-timed, significant, and fruitful. "The TRNC within the framework of its own potential and in cooperation with Turkey is trying to defend the interests of the Turkish Cypriot people at different international platforms. The Foreign Relations Commission of the TBMM is a unit which could widen these limited opportunities and be our voice at different platforms. Therefore, I believe this visit is very important and I know that our cooperation and solidarity will continue increasingly" Ozersay argued.

Bozkir, for his part, claimed that he had had the opportunity to discuss many issues during his meetings, adding that such meetings gave a strong message of unity between the two "countries" ahead of the UN General Assembly. He said that he had also discussed with Erhurman the effects of the economic situation in Turkey on the "TRNC".

"We do not want the TRNC to experience financial difficulties and give the Greek Cypriot Administration an opportunity to use this against the Turkish Cypriots. It is our top priority to maintain the Turkish Cypriot's welfare at the highest level and to prevent any economic problems in the TRNC. These issues and steps to be taken have already been discussed during the TRNC government official's visit to Turkey. I believe important developments will occur in the shortest period of time" Bozkir argued.

[03] Erhurman on the devaluation of TL, the transfer of electricity from Turkey and the deployment of Anadolujet's aircraft in the occupied area of Cyprus

Speaking in a programme at "BRT", Erhurman noted that the widespread of foreign exchange and the increase of the cost of living due to currency fluctuation has affected mostly the low-income people. He added: "Since I came to office, there has been a loss of 597 million TL in purchasing power.

Referring to his statement "they still haven't seen the light at the end of the tunnel", Erhurman said that he means that with the devaluation of the TL, they have entered with Turkey into a tunnel and that it is so narrow that it is not possible to see ahead of them.

Noting that the electricity prices have risen by 52%, Erhurman argued that the "government" is making an extraordinary effort not to make any new price increases. He added that electricity prices change with changes in the prices of fuel oil and currency. Claiming that they cannot make any interference on the fuel price, Erhurman argued that he tried to convey all these problems during his visit to Turkey.

Regarding the transfer of electricity from Turkey with a cable, Erhurman referred to the importance of the feasibility study in order to be able to bring electricity form Turkey. He added that he continues the discussions with the Turkish Deputy President Fuat Oktay on this issue.

Furthermore, referring to the expensive airline tickets, Erhurman argued that it is due to insufficient flights in the occupied area of Cyprus. He also noted that he discussed this issue too during his recent visit to Ankara. Erhurman added that he briefed Turkish President Erdogan on this issue and Erdogan gave orders to do whatever is needed to be solved.

Meanwhile, the paper reports that Fikri Ataoglu, "minister of tourism and environment", commenting on this issue, announced that with Erdogan's instructions an aircraft belonging to AnadoluJet will launch operation by being deployed in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Under the title "Tufan Erhurman: The cable from Turkey is a radical solution for the electricity", Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (18.09.18) reports that columnist Vahap Munyar, writing in Turkish daily Hurriyet (17.09.18, http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/yazarlar/vahap-munyar/bu-gidisle-bizim-enflasyon-yuzde-50ye-yaklasabilir-40958171) , carried a commentary in his yesterday column on his meeting with self-styled prime minister Tufan Erhurman regarding the issue of transferring electricity from Turkey with a cable.

Referring to the high price of electricity in the occupied area of Cyprus, Erhurman argued that transferring electricity from Turkey with cable is a radical solution. He further said that he conveyed this issue to President Erdogan during his last visit in the occupied area of Cyprus, adding that he also brought the issue into the agenda when he recently visited Turkey. Erhurman also noted that some of his friends and some units in Turkey are working on this issue.

(DPs)

[04] Turkish IYI Parti says that Cyprus consists a red line for Turkey

He made these statements speaking during the election campaign for the forthcoming local elections launched by his party during which he strongly criticized the foreign policy followed by the ruling in Turkey Justice and Development Party (AKP).

Pacasi said that the re-launching of the Cyprus negotiations and the issue of abandoning Turkey's guarantees in Cyprus are on the news again. "Not abandoning Cyprus consists a red line for Turkey. We cannot make any concessions. The IYI party follows the developments closely", he said adding that the mistakes that are made in Turkey's foreign policy hurts the country's credibility.

(CS)

[05] "Legal cases" in the breakaway regime increased up to 51% within a year

Writing that some of the statements made by Sefik during her speech were "impressive", the paper reports that Sefik said that arrivals in the "country" are not controlled, arrivals are allowed to persons who do not carry a lot of money, controls are not made regarding people who enter the "country" claiming that are students and efficient controls are not made for young persons who apply for driving license.

She also said that "legal cases" in the breakaway regime increased up to 51% within a year.

(CS)

[06] Illegal YDU "signed a contract" with IFMSA

According to the paper, within the framework of the meeting in Canada, the "MSANC", has signed a "contract" which envisages that it would send students all over the world within the framework of IFMSA's intership program for training courses while at the same time foreign students would be able to follow training courses in the "TRNC".

(AK)

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkey, Russia agree on demilitarized zone in Idlib to avoid humanitarian tragedy

Erdogan further underlined that Turkey and Russia have come a long way to overcome some of the disagreements and concerns over the recent developments in Idlib. (…)

Assad has been supported militarily by Russia and Iran. Turkey, on the other hand, supports the moderate opposition in the war-torn country.

According to experts and news reports, in the case of a full-scale military operation by Assad, Iran would be supporting the regime forces on the ground, while Russia would provide support from the air.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Behram Kas?mi, however, said yesterday that the country will not participate in any military operations in Idlib. "The presence of Iran in Syria is mainly for consultancy purposes, and the country will not participate in any upcoming operation," Kas?mi said during a press conference in Tehran. (…)

Erdogan was accompanied by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, Energy and Natural Sources Minister Fatih Donmez, Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Defence Minister Hulusi Akar, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, National Intelligence Service (MIT) head Hakan Fidan, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kal?n and Presidency Communications Director Fahrettin Altun. Accompanying Putin, the Russian delegation included Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Energy Minister Aleksandr Novak, Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu and Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. (…)

On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency (17.09.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/erdogans-aide-hails-ankara-moscow-deal-on-idlib/1257398), Erdogan's presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin argued that Erdogan made a "diplomatic attempt" to prevent a major humanitarian crisis in Syria's northwestern province of Idlib.

"According to the agreement: The opposition will remain in areas in which they are already present. Russia and Turkey will conduct joint patrols. Russia will take measures to prevent attack on Idlib," Kalin said on Twitter.

[02] A "retired senior naval officer" comments on Erdogan's statements on the "establishment of Turkey's naval base" in Cyprus

Commenting on the above statements by Erdogan, Gurdeniz stated that he was supporting the idea for the establishment of a naval base in the "TRNC", right from the start. He further alleged the following: "The increase of the number of Turkish army in Cyprus, rather than decreasing it, is a very important and strategic statement since it would be comforting not only for Turkey's future but also for the geopolitical point of view. The establishment of a naval base in the Eastern Mediterranean is extremely important in terms of the capacity for emergency intervention".

Claiming that the existence of a naval base is not only a psychological matter, he argued that Turkey should establish a naval base in order to be able to ensure the infrastructure of its "territorial existence" in the island and the reinforcement of its strategic security forces.

Gurdeniz alleged further that the establishment of a naval base in the "TRNC" would be very important also taking into account the energy policies experienced in the Eastern Mediterranean. "In a strategic geographical place where there are conflicts for energy and interests, the accomplishment of an emergency intervention is very important. The rapid intervention for defence, security, and environmental disasters should be thought", Gurdeniz said.

Pointing out that Tasucu port in Turkey's Mersin district is the closet port with the "TRNC", Gurdeniz argued that although Tasucu is close they do not have base there. He added that the closet naval base of Turkey which is connected with Cyprus is Aksaz naval base. He also added that the Eastern Mediterranean is connected with the Aksaz Base as well and claimed that the establishment of a naval base by Turkey would enable Turkey to reinforce not only its corps troops but also its naval forces.

(AK)

[03] 10 soldiers detained over FETO links in Turkey; 420 people detained last week over Gulen links

As part of a probe into FETO infiltration of the Turkish Naval Forces Command and Coast Guard Command, the 10 suspects were detained after prosecutors issued warrants for 22 soldiers, including six serving ones.

The soldiers include a lieutenant colonel, two squadron leaders, three lieutenants, and four sergeants.

The 12 other suspects are still being sought.

Meanwhile, news portal Turkish Minute (17.09.18, https://www.turkishminute.com/2018/09/17/402-people-detained-last-week-over-gulen-links/), under the title "402 people detained last week over Gulen links), reports that the Turkish Interior Ministry announced on Monday that 402 people were detained last week due to alleged links to the Gulen movement.

A total of 18,128 people had been detained over alleged links to the movement by the end of August 2018.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/ AM)

Cyprus Press and Information Office: Turkish Cypriot Press Review Directory - Previous Article - Next Article