Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-10-24

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Akinci reportedly says that he will resign if any solution other than federation is adopted

[02] Burcu: "The unilateral efforts of the Greek Cypriots will not yield a result"

[03] Ozersay argues that no one was bypassed in New York

[04] The "Development Finance Organizations and Green Economy" forum is taking place in the breakaway regime

[05] Burcu states it is still too early whether Akinci will compete or not in the upcoming "presidential elections 2020"

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Akar: We will not allow a second harassment in the Mediterranean

[02] Turkey sends frigate to East Med to protect seismic vessel Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa

[03] Turkish Foreign Ministry summons the Greek Ambassador over territorial waters; written statement by Turkey's MFA

[04] Erdogan says suspects should be tried in Istanbul over 'premeditated' murder of Khashoggi

[05] CHP leader slams Turkish government for letting Khashoggi murder suspects leave Turkey

[06] Erdogan due to meet with Trump on November 11

[07] MHP says it will not ally with Erdogan's AKP for Turkey's local polls

[08] German Ambassador to Turkey: "Economic relations with Turkey vital for Germany"

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Akinci reportedly says that he will resign if any solution other than federation is adopted

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (24.10.18 http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRISHABERLERI/n266400-federasyon-gevserse-akinci-sarayda-durmaz-24102018) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has never seen positively any solution other than federation and conveyed the message that in case the loose federation or any other solution model comes to the table, he will resign.

The paper writes that this information comes from the leader of the Revival Party (the party of the settlers) Erhan Arikli who witnessed the meeting held at the "presidential palace" during the visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on April 20, where, according to Arikli, Akinci insisted on federation and referred to resignation in case any other alternatives for solution come to the table. "That night he said that he could resign. If all the sides decide that they will negotiate on loose federation, Akinci will resign, he will become the leader of a party and will act as opposition (party)", Arikli stated.

Arikli also stated that during that meeting held at the night of April 20, 2018, the issue of loose federation and other alternative suggestions for solution were put into the agenda at official level at the meeting held at the "presidential palace". Arikli reminded that at that night the parties that are represented at the "parliament" participated in the meeting in which Cavusoglu was present.

Arikli said that at that night the relations between Akinci and Turkey took a turning point when at the meeting in which Cavusoglu participated in, it was said that "we must discuss the two states solution and co-federation" . Akinci said then that he was elected in order to have talks for federation. "I cannot tell to the people that elected me that there will be no federation; I will have to resign", Akinci appeared to have said, according to Arikli.

The leader of the settler's party underlined an important detail, writes the paper, by saying the following: "Cavusoglu felt offended by the fact that the conversation on that night appeared in the press, prior to his departure from the TRNC and he shared his disappointment in a following visit to the TRNC".

He went on and said that developments will take place after the forthcoming meeting between the two Cypriot leaders on Friday.

(CS)

[02] Burcu: "The unilateral efforts of the Greek Cypriots will not yield a result"

Illegal Bayrak (24.10.18, http://www.brtk.net/burcurumlarin-tek-yanli-calismalari-bir-sonuc-vermez/) broadcast that Baris Burcu, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci's spokesman, participating in the Vizyon Medya program broadcast on "BRT", argued that the activities of the Greek Cypriot side on the natural gas, which are continuing unilaterally, will not give any result, because whether it is related to the natural gas activities, whether it is related to the negotiations, it is a sine qua non of all matters, it is a mutual compromise.

Evaluating the UNSG's report, Burcu said: "The conclusion of the report is particularly important. In the conclusion of the Report, Secretary General Guterres says that the search for natural gas should be handled in a way that encourages a complete solution and in this way new tensions should be avoided. This is an issue that our president (Akinci) constantly emphasizes. In addition, the Secretary General noted in this section that the support given to an inconclusive, open-ended process has dropped behind. Guterres further says that if the talks resume, they should be result-oriented and that the United Nations can only aid in case the sides reach a preliminary agreement on terms of reference. All of these are in line with the evaluations made by our president".

Referring to the opening of the Derynia and Apliki crossing points, Burcu argued that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has worked great both in making political decision and in the process of making the crossing points to be ready. He also said: "it is a good thing that we have a president who is so insistent on his political decisions. Or, I say this openly as a person, who follows the process closely, the opening of these crossing points could have been decisive".

Burcu further reminded that the concept, which was the ground for the negotiations, is that it will not be imposed on the communities. He claimed that a bi-communal, bi-zonal federation based on the political equality was envisaged with the Makarios-Denktas High-Level Agreement in 1977 and it has been confirmed by different leaders in different periods until today. He continued: "The most extensive shape of this basis (ground) defined in the joint declaration of February 11, 2014, signed by Eroglu and Anastasiades and the past negotiations continued in this framework".

Burcu also said: "If there are new proposals that will improve these points or are better than these, they will be evaluated, but if all these discussions are done only as a tactical manoeuvre that does not put forward a new consensus, we should be cautious, because whatever will be done, it should be done by consensus. With fait accompli cannot be reached in any place. This is for the negotiating solution as well as for the natural gas works. The constant and indispensable order is the mutual consensus".

(DPs)

[03] Ozersay argues that no one was bypassed in New York

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (24.10.18), under the title "No one has been bypassed", reports that self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister Kudret Ozersay, in statements during the "plenary session of the parliament" yesterday, replied to criticisms against Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci and his visit to New York and that there is a tension between Turkey and the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus.

Ozersay claimed that the process of unofficial dialogues, beside the dialogue process that the United Nations is trying to shape, is continuing. He added that the "president" (Akinci) and the "prime minister" (Erhurman) were informed of all the meetings as well as the context of the meetings and that there was an information flow regarding all the meetings that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held. He added that "no one was bypassed".

Ozersay further noted that the decision to carry out unofficial meetings with all sides, including the Greek Cypriot side, was taken during Cavusoglu's visit in the occupied area of Cyprus. He also said that these and other similar unofficial contacts that will be held should not create any discomfort to anyone since this decision has been taken.

Claiming that there was not any meeting that Akinci demanded from Turkish officials in New York and did not take place, Ozersay argued that Akinci did not take part in any meeting that had not been planned. "Therefore, all meetings that had been planned had taken place and no meeting was rejected", Ozersay said.

Noting that there was not a situation in which Akinci needed to ask for a meeting, Ozersay reminded that not a long time ago Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu visited the "TRNC". For this reason, Ozersay argued that there was no need for re-consultation in NY, since the talks were held recently at the highest level. He noted that it is not appropriate to question the relations between Turkey and the "TRNC" on the press by creating artificial discussions.

Noting that in the UN report new ideas were mentioned and he, as leader of the People's Party (HP) shared his views on the issue of the "loose federation", Ozersay argued that the current situation of the 50 - years Cyprus talks is not at all pleasant. He further said: "If we continue the negotiations in the same way, then we are concerned that the vicious circle will continue. We say this on every platform".

Claiming that some of his statements in the press of the Greek Cypriot side were distorted, Ozersay argued that they do not intend to create a conflict in the region, they are just trying to "cool the waters down and not to heat them up".

(DPs)

[04] The "Development Finance Organizations and Green Economy" forum is taking place in the breakaway regime

Illegal Bayrak (24.10.18 http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=the-ceo-forum-2018 ) broadcast that the "TRNC Development Bank" is hosting an international event on the 25th anniversary of its establishment.

The CEO Forum 2018 which is being attended by 110 high level representatives of development and financing organizations from 40 countries kicked off in occupied Keryneia yesterday.

The forum which is being held under the theme "Development Finance Organizations and Green Economy" will end today.

Delivering the opening speeches at the event, the President of the Board of Director of the Asia Pacific Region Development Financing Union and the Deputy-Director of the Vietnam Development Bank Nguyen Chi Trang, the President of the Board of Directors of the Africa Finance Organizations Union and the CEO of the South Africa Development BankPatrick Dlamini and the "president of the board of directors of the TRNC development bankI Prof. Dr. Mustafa Besim stressed the importance of green economy.

Also addressing the event, the "minister of economy and energy" Ozdil Nami made statements about the so-called isolations "imposed" on the Turkish Cypriots and drew attention to the development on the energy issue.

Stating that the strengthening of economy was closely associated with the cost of energy, he said that as "ministry" their main target for br?ng?ng down these costs was to produce clean and renewable energy resources.

Nami also said that the energy production in the "country" was met by fossil fuel adding that this caused serious environmental pollution.

"The TRNC within the next three years will carry out an energy policy that will focus on using natural gas resources instead of fuel oil in its home production. On the other hand, we should move into the interconnected system with a stronger network and or the feasibility work towards storage technologies should be taken up and completed rapidly by the local electricity authority. As a result of these works we aim to reach a model which the energy supply security and energy cost in the country will be reduced, will be beneficial for the country's economy and the environmental pollution will be prevented", Nami argued.

On his part, Tyrkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? delivered the last speech at the event.

Stating that the current economic model in the world created systems which promoted wastefulness and caused serious environmental and health risks, ecocide and resource scarcity and systems which there was no social justice and deepened the social inequality and permanent poverty, he stressed the need for a collective global action in overcoming these common global problems.

Ak?nc? also referred to the "isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people".

Stating that the "economic isolations imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people with an understanding conflicting with the values of the century were unacceptable", he expressed the hope that the forum will contribute to the maturing of a vision which will pave the way for the Turkish Cypriots who desire to further develop their relations with the world.

[05] Burcu states it is still too early whether Akinci will compete or not in the upcoming "presidential elections 2020"

According to illegal Bayrak (24.10.18, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=2020-presidential-elections), Baris Burcu, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci's spokesman, participating in the Vizyon Medya program broadcast on "BRT", made statements regarding whether or not Turksih Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? will be competing in the upcoming "presidential elections" in 2020.

Burcu said that once the "election season" approaches Akinci will make up his mind regarding whether or not he wants to run for re-election. He added: "The president will evaluate the situation and look at what's needed. If he feels as though the people need him then of course he will re-run for presidency. But if he doesn't feel the need then he won't compete. This is totally up to him".

Burcu further argued that it is still too early to make any evaluations regarding the issue or who will be putting forward his candidacy at the time.

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Akar: We will not allow a second harassment in the Mediterranean

Turkish news portal T24 (24.10.18 http://t24.com.tr/haber/milli-savunma-bakani-akar-akdenizde-ikinci-tacize-musaade-etmeyecegiz,730786 ) reports that the Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar stated that "Turkey will not allow the harassment against Turkish ships that took place in the Mediterranean to be repeated" and issued the following warning: "Do not test our strength".

"We will never allow a second harassment. Our preparations on this issue are done. We will preserve the rights and the benefits of Turkey and the TRNC until the end. We expect from our neighbors to refrain from any provocations", he said.

He went on adding that in case Greece takes a decision which is contrary to the agreements, contrary to the international law, contrary to good neighborly relations, Turkey's reaction will be open and clear. "We have every measure. I want everyone to know that we will not allow any ill-treatment on this subject. If the decision is taken contrary to Turkey's rights and interests, we will take the necessary measures against it", he said. He also said that it would be beneficial for Greece to leave its relations with Turkey out of its internal politics. "We call on for common sense. We are in favor of settling the issues peacefully", he said.

(CS)

[02] Turkey sends frigate to East Med to protect seismic vessel Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa

According to Turkish daily Sabah newpaper (24.10.18, https://www.dailysabah.com/energy/2018/10/24/turkey-sends-frigate-to-east-med-to-protect-seismic-vessel-barbaros-hayreddin-pasa), after a Greek frigate reportedly harassed a Turkish research ship in the Eastern Mediterranean on Thursday, Turkish Naval Forces Command units have started patrols in the region while seismic exploration is conducted.

The seismic research vessel Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa will continue to carry out further exploration within the protective circle of the Naval Forces, according to information received from diplomatic sources.

"Within the framework of agreements signed between the TRNC and Turkey, the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa began to work in the already declared research field of Morphou in the Eastern Mediterranean," the paper reports.

(?)

According to information received from diplomatic sources, Greece's harassment of Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa led to a stir in the Mediterranean. The sources said that Ankara produced a policy to show a decisive stance about not allowing the Greek Cypriots' "unilateral fait accompli" in the Mediterranean. Within the framework of the measures taken, Naval Forces Command units started patrolling the region and will do so for as long as the seismic exploration is being conducted there.

The Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa has been conducting exploration under the protection of frigates, corvettes, assault boats and submarines under the Naval Forces Command. The radius of action of the frigate belonging to Greece that harassed the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa was restricted by the elements of the Naval Forces.

Currently, there are nearly 40 warships in the region belonging to Turkey, Russia, the U.S., Italy, France and Greece.

[03] Turkish Foreign Ministry summons the Greek Ambassador over territorial waters; written statement by Turkey's MFA

Turkish daily Sabah (23.10.18-https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2018/10/23/turkish-foreign-ministry-summons-greek-ambassador-over-territorial-waters) reported that the Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned the Greek Ambassador in Ankara Petros Mavroidis on Tuesday, according to diplomatic sources.

The Ambassador was summoned to the Ministry over recent remarks by Nikos Kotzias, who recently resigned as Greek Foreign Minister.

Kotzias has said that Greece was ready to extend its territorial waters from six miles to 12 miles in the Aegean Sea.

Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy said later in the day that "views and warnings" were conveyed to Mavroidis over Greece's one-sided moves in the Aegean.

"We have followed the statements of Greece's former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Kotzias and its Prime Minister and new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. (Alexis) Tsipras regarding the plans for the gradual extension of Greek territorial waters, as well as the related news," Aksoy said in a statement.

"We cannot tolerate any step that is not based on mutual consent in the Aegean Sea where two countries have opposite coasts," the statement said.

"The declaration of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, dated June 8, 1995, contains a necessary political warning and is still in force today," it added.

The declaration warns that if Greece increases its territorial waters in the Aegean Sea beyond six miles, the Turkish Parliament will give "all powers," including the military powers, to the government to defend Turkey's interests.

On Thursday, the Turkish navy stopped a Greek frigate from harassing a Turkish research ship on the Turkish continental shelf off the coast of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Ankara warned Athens after the incident to "abstain from acts that would cause an escalation in the region."

[04] Erdogan says suspects should be tried in Istanbul over 'premeditated' murder of Khashoggi

Turkish daily Sabah (23.10.18-https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2018/10/24/president-erdogan-says-suspects-should-be-tried-in-istanbul-over-premeditated-murder-of-khashoggi) reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, addressing the members of the AK Party in Ankara yesterday, stated that all those involved in journalist Jamal Khashoggi's murder plot should be brought to justice and called on Saudi officials to answer questions to help further the investigation.

The killing of 59-year-old journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia's Consulate in Istanbul on Oct. 2 was a murder plot planned by Saudi officials for days, Erdogan said.

He demanded answers from Saudi authorities to several questions regarding what he described as a "savage" murder and offered a proposal that those involved in the incident to be tried in Istanbul, as the location where Khashoggi's murder took place.

Erdogan began his speech by offering condolences to the Khashoggi family, his fiancee and media world in his speech that was closely followed by international media, and followed by a comprehensive timeline of "what happened" ahead of and after Khashoggi's disappearance on Oct. 2, when the Washington Post journalist entered the Saudi Consulate to obtain documents related to marriage.

"The murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi was premeditated",Erdogan said, adding that Turkey has strong evidence that it was planned. He further said that all the information and evidence that has been revealed until now, as well as the reconnaissance made by Saudi teams in Istanbul's Belgrad Forest and the northwestern province of Yalova ahead of the incident showed that Khashoggi was the victim of a "savage" murder. "To cover up such savagery would hurt the human conscience," Erdogan said. Saudi Arabia had denied the murder of Khashoggi on Oct. 4, claiming the journalist had left the consulate, while failing to provide proof that Khashoggi had left.

Erdogan said, however, the evidence showed that the camera was purposefully disabled and its recorder's hard disk was destroyed ahead of the incident.

On Saturday, Saudi officials backtracked and said Khashoggi had died following a fist fight during his visit.

Erdogan labelled the killing of Khashoggi as a "political murder," while urging Saudi authorities to bring all those involved "from the person who gave the order to those who carried it out" to account.

"To blame such an incident on a handful of security and intelligence members would not satisfy us or the international community," he added.

Erdogan added further that King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud told him in a recent phone conversation held on Oct. 14 that 18 individuals suspected of involvement in the incidents were detained in Saudi Arabia. "After accepting the murder, I was told [by King Salman] that 18 people have been detained. We also see that the names of those on the [Saudi] list also match the suspects identified by our police and intelligence units," Erdogan said.

Later in the day, Erdogan also spoke to Khashoggi's family over the phone to offer his condolences. Presidential sources said Erdogan said Turkey will follow up with the developments regarding Khashoggi's murder and take all necessary steps to shed light on the matter.

Erdogan also proposed that the 18 Saudis involved in the incident should be extradited to Istanbul to face trial. "In fact I'm making a call here today. My call is to the top administration of Saudi Arabia, starting with the king, the 'Custodian of the Two Holy Cities.' The location where the event happened is Istanbul. Therefore, I am proposing that the trial for the 18 arrested people - 15 plus three - should take place in Istanbul. The decision is theirs but this is my proposal, my demand, because this is where the event took place."

He said the investigation is being carried out within the rules of international law, including the Vienna convention, which gives immunity to consulate properties, however, he added, "This murder may have taken place inside a consulate building that is considered Saudi Arabian land but it cannot be forgotten that this is within the Turkish Republic's borders."

"According to the Vienna agreement - which was debated - they have diplomatic immunity. [EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica] Mogherini had some comments on this the other day as well, and I believe the Vienna agreement will most likely be put on the table," Erdogan also highlighted.

Erdogan put forward several questions that he said needed to be answered by Saudi Arabia to bring some clarity to the chain of events in Khashoggi's murder.

"Why did these 15 people, all with links to the event, gather in Istanbul on the day of the murder?" Erdogan asked.

He was talking about two groups of Saudi nationals who arrived in Istanbul shortly before Khashoggi's death and are suspected of being involved in the incident.

Erdogan's speech coincided with Saudi Arabia's Future Investment Initiative forum, which has been described as "Davos in the Desert."

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, also known widely as MBS, reportedly cancelled his talk at the forum. "Who did these people get their orders from to go there?" Erdogan further inquired.

"When it is evident that a murder took place, why were there so many inconsistent statements made? Why is the body of a person who was officially acknowledged as killed still not around?" he questioned. "[Regarding] the statement that the body was given to a 'local' collaborator, and that statement was made by an official, I am now asking, who is this local collaborator?"

"Since this is a political murder, if there are any partners in crime in other countries, they also need to be included in the investigation," he also asked.

(?)

[05] CHP leader slams Turkish government for letting Khashoggi murder suspects leave Turkey

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily news (23.10.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chp-leader-slams-govt-for-letting-khashoggi-murder-suspects-leave-turkey-138202) reported that the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu has criticized the Turkish government for conducting a belated search at the Saudi Consulate in Istanbul, while also accusing it of letting the suspects accused of killing Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi leave Turkey.

"The [Saudi] King made a statement that a search could be held at the Consulate. This is my first question to [President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan: Why did you wait five days?" Kilicdaroglu said during his weekly address to party lawmakers on Oct. 23.

His second question was about the return of a Saudi team of 13 to their country following Khashoggi's murder.

"The murderers left the country before the eyes of everyone," Kilicdaroglu said.

"Today [the President] says that the murder was committed in Turkey and these people should be tried in Turkey. But they left the country before your [Erdogan] eyes and under your auspices" he said.

"If they have classified information and sent these people despite this, then they are the abettors of this murder," he said.

Kilicdaroglu also claimed Turkey allowed the suspects to leave "in exchange for Saudi money."

"I want answers to my questions. Are all these because of money?" he said.

"This means playing with Turkey's honor, dignity and self-respect."

(?.)

[06] Erdogan due to meet with Trump on November 11

Turkish daily Hurriyet (23.10.18-http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/gundem/normallesmede-ilk-yuz-yuze-gorusme-erdogan-ile-trump-11-kasimda-bulusacak-40996440) reported that Turkish President Erdogan is scheduled to hold his first face to face meeting with the US President Donald Trump, the first one after the end of the crisis between the two countries over pastor Brunson release.

According to the paper, Erdogan will travel to France on November 11-12, in order to attend the Paris Peace Conference. Within the framework of his visit in France, Erdogan is expected to meet with Trump November 11 in order to discuss Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi murder and the pastor Brunson's release. The two leaders, who will be holding a face to face meeting in Paris, will further discuss the Syra issue, Turkey's bilateral ties with the USA, the latest developments over the road map set for Manbij and Idling, the fight against terrorism and their cooperation over FETO and YPG.

Erdogan will also hold meetings with other government and state officials. He is scheduled also to meet with the French President Emmanuel Macron and the Russian State President Vladimir Putin.

(?)

[07] MHP says it will not ally with Erdogan's AKP for Turkey's local polls

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily news (23.10.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/mhp-says-it-will-not-ally-with-erdogans-akp-for-turkeys-local-polls-138179) reported that the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has announced it will not ally with the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) for the March 2019 municipal elections amid a growing row between the two parties over a debate on "nationalism" and a proposed amnesty law, signalling an end to the "People's Alliance" they had formed earlier in 2018.

"We are going to draw up our own plan for the local elections. We are pulling back from our demand for an alliance [with the AKP]," MHP leader Devlet Bahceli told his parliamentary group on Oct. 23.

"No alliance can survive if one party is rejected and forced to step back," he added.

The MHP and the AKP had formed the People's Alliance for the June 24 presidential and parliamentary elections, which led to the latter's chair Recep Tayyip Erdogan's election as the first executive president of Turkey.

The ties between the two parties have strained recently after the MHP submitted a draft law to Parliament for a partial amnesty for some convicts. The AKP strongly reacted against the MHP's move.

Another source of tension appeared after Turkey's administrative court ordered the reinstatement of the national oath for schools across Turkey which had been removed in 2009.

While the AKP strongly slammed the court, the MHP defended it and accused the ruling party of undermining the "Turkishness" of the country.

[08] German Ambassador to Turkey: "Economic relations with Turkey vital for Germany"

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (23.10.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/economic-relations-with-turkey-vital-for-germany-says-envoy-ahead-of-key-delegation-visit-138185) reported that the German Ambassador to Turkey Martin Erdmann told state-run Anadolu Agency on Oct. 22 that Turkey holds great economic importance for Germany through bilateral trade and as a production base.

Erdmann's comments come prior to the upcoming two-day visit to Ankara on Oct. 25 of a 100-member delegation of German businesspeople, including 35 representatives from the country's leading companies, headed by Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier.

Two important meetings are planned as part of the visit, one of which is a Turkey-Germany Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO) meeting that will be held for the first time. The following day, an energy forum to be hosted by Turkish and German Energy Ministers will take place, according to Erdmann.

"This visit should be regarded as a step to solve the current economic issues between the two countries," Erdmann said, adding that the meetings in Turkey would also allow for discussions in bilateral relations as well as ensure that German firms can convene with Turkish government officials.

Relations between Ankara and Berlin suffered several setbacks over the past years, but both sides have taken steps in recent months towards improving ties.

Erdmann explained that he witnessed first-hand the "close and intense" bilateral relationship between the two countries during Erdogan's meetings in Berlin recently.

The German Ambassador described Turkish-German relations as "unique" given that such close relations are not seen with any other countries that are so geographically distant or that have such diverse cultural and geopolitical backgrounds.

"There are currently 3.5 million Turkish people living in Germany and some 90,000 Turkish businesses are located there. On the German side, 7,200 German businesses in Turkey, including Bosch, Siemens, and Mercedes, produce in Turkey and export worldwide", Erdmann noted.

"The trade volume has shown an upward trend in recent years and reached ?37 billion [approximately $42 billion] in 2017. But what makes 2017 special is that Turkey's exports to Germany showed increases to a considerable extent," he added.

The German Ambassador deems energy a critical part of German firms' growth strategy in Turkey.

He considers that Turkey and Germany, both coal-rich but poor in oil and gas resources, have parallel approaches to energy investments through renewables. "I believe Germany and Turkey's future is in renewables especially as a country that has a vast land area with coasts to two big seas," he said.

He also cited that Turkey's big potential in both onshore and offshore renewable sources ensures that both countries have framework conditions to develop cooperation in the energy field.

(?)

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/AM)

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