The crew members, all Egyptian nationals were found 7 miles off the coast of occupied Kormakitis village.

According to Bayrak, self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister Kudret Ozersay visited the 5 "arrested crew members" at the "police department" in occupied Keryneia yesterday.

In a statement posted on social media, Ozersay alleged that "a large number of false or distorted reports had emerged in the Greek Cypriot press regarding the incident".

He said that the names of the 5 arrested crew members were Ahmed Farag Taha Elzahed, Sameh Sobheye Ali Moharam, Abdelraouf El Dayed Abdelrahman, Abdou Ibrahim Eid Ibrahim Elgendy and Amr Mahmoud Abdou Mohamed.

[08] Ataoglu argues that they will try to attract tourists from Scandinavian countries

Ataoglu claimed that they intend to close this gap after their promotion tour that they will do in the Scandinaviam countries next month with the Turkish airlines (THY). He further noted that they are working with agencies to bring tourists from different places, adding that they estimate that the occupancy rate will be above 80% as a result of these efforts.

Referring to the difficulties that the tourists face in the occupied area of Cyprus, Ataoglu said that some hotels are located in remote areas in the occupied area of Cyprus, so for this reason they will start fast ferry services between occupied Vokolida and Famagusta. He also claimed that they aim to make occupied Vokolida into an amusement centre. He announced that they also aim to create an underwater museum in the occupied area of Famagusta.

(DPs)

[09] Running water to be provided to the occupied Morfou area as of tomorrow

According to a statement issued by the so-called ministry of agriculture, from the first day of the implementation of the project, running water will be provided via the occupied city network for the irrigation of 8 donums of plot of agriculture land.

In statements on the issue, so-called minister of agriculture and natural resources, Erkut Sahalli stated, inter alia: "Finally life water will be sent to the region of Morfou and agriculture areas will be revived again".

(AK)

Â. Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan claims that the arms embargo imposed on them in 1974 has enabled them to understand that Turkey will ensure its security only if it produces its own technologies

Drawing attention to the difficulties experienced in the past regarding the defence industry, President Erdogan claimed that "the embargo in Turkey due to the Cyprus peace operation (as he refers to the Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974) in every sector from spare parts to all parts, even in radio communications, to communication systems, has enabled us to begin to understand the severity of the situation". However, he added, the necessary steps had not been taken for many years.

He further said: "I followed all stages, from planning to financing, of the projects in person. We cancelled the direct procurement of many ready-made products like tanks, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, etc., and initiated works to develop ourselves national and unique models. Consequently, Turkey has become a country that is capable of fulfilling 65% of its defence industry needs by its own production. We have not only met our own needs, but also reached an important level in exports. Over 600 defence industry projects are currently being carried out in our country. We have a wide range of products from tanks to armoured vehicles, from warships to submarines, from planes to helicopters, from armed and unarmed unmanned aerial vehicles to national infantry rifles, from satellites to air defence systems, and from missiles to laser weapons. Frankly speaking, we might have faced with great difficulties in the operations we have been carrying out insi de and outside our borders if we didn't reach this level."

(DPs)

[02] Turkey's Erdogan in New York for the UN General Assembly

In his address to the session on Tuesday, Erdogan is due to highlight the longstanding Syrian crisis, among other issues. During his four-day visit, he will meet with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and other foreign leaders as well as attend events on the sidelines of the summit.

Included in his delegation are Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, Industry and Technology Minister Mustafa Varank, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin, and Fahrettin Altun, the presidential communications director.

In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (24.09.18 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/turkey-to-create-safe-zone-east-of-euphrates-river-syria/1262839) reports that Turkish President Erdogan said Sunday that Turkey would continue to increase the number of safe zones within Syria to include the east of the Euphrates River.

In his address to Turkish and Muslim communities in New York, organized by the Turkish American National Steering Committee, Erdogan said Turkey's struggle will continue until the terror threat against it ends and it would eradicate terror gangs that aim at Syria's future.

In a speech later at the TURKEN foundation, Erdogan said the Turkish military cleared a 2,500 square mile (4,000 square kilometer) area from Daesh and YPG-PKK terrorists as part of Euphrates Shield and Olive Branch operations in Syria.

Stating that Ankara turned the areas into safe ones for the Syrian people, Erdogan said: "We will take similar steps east of the Euphrates." Turning to Jerusalem, Erdogan vowed to safeguard the city against invaders.

Turkey will continue its struggle against the U.S. and Israeli governments' breaches of the holy city at the "highest-level" in diplomacy, he said.

In addition, reporting on the same issue, Yeni Safak (24.09.18 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/terror-swamp-east-of-euphrates-biggest-issue-for-syria-erdogan-says-3441753) reports that the "terror swamp" east of the Euphrates river remains the "biggest problem" for Syria in the future, said Turkish President Erdogan on Sunday.

Regarding a possible meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Erdogan said it was currently not on the table but that he would consider it if it was requested by Washington.

[03] EU Ambassador Christian Berger: Turkey's bilateral engagements with member states positive, tensions left behind

Improving relations with prominent member states, including Germany and the Netherlands, will bring momentum to Ankara's relations with the EU, the bloc's Envoy to Turkey told Daily Sabah, adding that it is time for the two sides to work together on new reforms and accession talks

The EU Ambassador said some steps have been taken recently and they will to work together with Turkey on taking relations to the next level. Berger highlighted that Tukey's tensions with some individual EU states in recent years were left behind.

He underlined that the developments such as the appointment of Ambassadors to the Netherlands and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's upcoming visit to Germany will have positive impact on overall EU ties.

As Turkey's EU Reform Action Group (RAG) recently conveyed a strong message that Ankara is ready to revive its relations with the EU and implement some new reforms, Berger highlighted that now the sides need to work together over various issues.

With an aim of engaging in discussions with Ankara, a series of meetings and visits are planned at the ministerial and commissioners' level, Berger said, adding that Violeta Bulc, the European Commissioner for transport, will come for the opening of the third airport in Istanbul.

Moving forward, Berger stressed that considering the risk of a humanitarian catastrophe in relation to the recent developments in Syria's Idlib, the EU holds the same position as Turkey and is in favor of a political solution.

He added that Ankara's diplomatic efforts to contribute to the resolution of the crisis are also supported.

Berger also underlined that the EU will continue its support to Turkey in terms of meeting the needs of Syrian refugees that take shelter in the country.

Reminding readers that the European Commission will provide a renewed 3 billion euros, the EU Envoy said that officials are working on projects to deliver this money.

Berger underlined that there were tensions with both the EU and individual member states but that is over with now.

Highlighting that the priorities of Turkey and the EU on Idlib are the same, Berger said, "Let me say that there are a number of issues we fully agree with Turkey, on Syria in general but also on Idlib in particular. The most important one is that we want a political solution, not a military solution to the conflict in Syria; I think this is the same position that Turkey holds."

"In addition to the political activities and diplomatic efforts in support of Turkey we are closely monitoring the situation and are also evaluating what type of humanitarian assistance may be needed in dealing with the crisis," Berger said, adding that the issue of Idlib will be also a top agenda this week in U.N. meetings in New York.

[04] Turkey to open its first Embassy in Paraguay

"Turkey has completed necessary legal procedures to open its embassy in Asuncion and designated Armagan Inci Ersoy as our first Ambassador," the Ministry said in a statement.

"Paraguay is also expected to finalize necessary procedures soon," the statement added.

According to the statement, Turkey aims "to increase our contacts and cooperation with Paraguay in the framework of our outreach policy towards Latin America and the Caribbean region."

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and his Paraguayan counterpart Luis Alberto Castiglioni met in New York this weekend on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly.

"The mutual political will for promoting relations was confirmed during the meeting," the statement added.

[05] Over 20 FETO suspects arrested in Istanbul

The police arrested the suspects after they conducted anti-terror raids at 54 locations in 24 districts of the city, said the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

The suspects are accused of using the organization's encrypted messaging application ByLock and being involved in training activities of the organization.

The police also seized a number of organizational documents and digital tools.

According to the Turkish government, FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Reporting on the same issue, Milliyet (23.09.18 http://www.milliyet.com.tr/20-askere-gozalti-karari-gundem-2747356/) reports that 20 soldiers were arrested in relation with FETO in 6 provinces of Turkey, "including the TRNC", as the paper wrote.

[06] Keep away from Greek territorial waters, Turkish ministry warns fishers

A warning letter was sent to the provincial directorates of the ministry in the provinces of Edirne, Canakkale, Bal?kesir, Ayd?n, Mugla and Izmir on Sept. 3.

"In order to prevent unwanted incidents and accidents, and to abstain from activities that would harm our country's legal and political theses and ones which we would be unable to explain or defend," the directorates were requested to inform and warn fishers.

Several complaints were handed to Turkey's Foreign Ministry saying Turkish fisher boats had entered Greece's territorial waters.

On Aug. 22, a Turkish fisher boat was intercepted by Greek coast guards in an area around the Samos island of Greece off the Didim district of the Turkish province of Ayd?n.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(CS/ AM)

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