Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-10-26

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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] The two leaders in Cyprus announced the opening of Deryneia and Apliki crossing points on November 12

[02] Columnist assesses Cavusoglu's statement: "Is it enmity to oppose the 'mentality of a conqueror'?"

[03] Commentary: "A period of 'new ideas' in Cyprus"

[04] KTOEOS and KTOS received 5,700 applications for passports of the Republic of Cyprus

[05] The "trial" of Afrika newspaper continued yesterday

[06] 13 million TL were granted for the support of "several sectors" in the occupation regime

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Cavusoglu: "We are taking some good steps regarding Cyprus. However, the Greek Cypriot side opposes these"

[02] Second drill ship in the Mediterranean for the TPAO

[03] Turkey and Germany signed a joint economic and trade committee deal; Both countries agree to boost ties

[04] Cavusoglu: "Saudi Arabia still has questions to answer over Khashoggi"

[05] Turkey's Central Bank keeps interest rates unchanged, vows to maintain tight monetary policy

[06] 36 military officers sentenced to life over FETO's 2016 coup attempt

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] The two leaders in Cyprus announced the opening of Deryneia and Apliki crossing points on November 12

According to illegal Bayrak television (26.10.18- http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=new-crossing-points-to-open-nov-12) the Deryneia and Apliki crossing points will be opening on the 12th of November, the two leaders announced in a written joint statement issued after their meeting today.

Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades met today at an informal meeting at the Chief of the UN Mission residence in the United Nations Protected Area (UNPA) under the auspices of Special Representative/Deputy Special Adviser to the Secretary-General of the UN on Cyprus, Ms. Elizabeth Spehar.

The meeting lasted for two hours. "The leaders are pleased to announce that on 12 November 2018, THE crossing points at Lefka/Apliki and Deryneia/Derinya will be open. The Greek Cypriot leader, Mr. Nicos Anastasiades, and the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr. Mustafa Ak?nc?, also had a frank exchange of views on the way forward. They confirmed their readiness to engage constructively with Ms. Jane Holl Lute, who will be visiting the island on 31 October 2018", the joint statement read.

[02] Columnist assesses Cavusoglu's statement: "Is it enmity to oppose the 'mentality of a conqueror'?"

Columnist Cenk Mutluyakali, general director of in Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (26.10.18), assesses today the recent statement by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu that enmity against Turkey exists in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus. Under the title "Is it enmity to long for your own smell in your own country", Mutluyakali writes the following [without mentioning Cavusoglu's name]:

"They say that there are people who maintain enmity for Turkey. They often make this accusation. What painful it is that the elected leaders of this country say nothing. They do not say that 'What you are doing is injustice to our community'.

It is a very heavy expression: Enmity. Enmity is to want 'something bad' to happen to someone. Who wanted something bad for Turkey, what was wanted?

This is at best a heart-searching. You know, our elders were saying that 'whatever exists in his heart, it reflects to his face'.

Absolutely no Cypriot overturned any government in Turkey. [No Cypriot] made any bargaining for 'coalition'. No Cypriot bombed a 'mosque' in Turkey, [and] put a gun on any political candidate's head. Cypriots did not play with Turkey's population, did not plunder its coasts, did not put wires around one of its cities and made it decay. They did not establish a 'citizenship' market. They did not say 'what will happen my dear, those who come are Cypriots and those who go are also Cypriots' and did not carry out a plunder of identity, culture and memory. They did not call you 'servants', they did not have someone throwing stones at a newspaper, they did not watch from the other side when a flag was put on your Parliament.

Since when the people of one country exhibit enmity when they say 'leave me determine my own future'? Is it enmity to oppose the 'mentality of a conqueror'? Or to want a 'demilitarized' country? Is it enmity to long for your own smell in your own country? Is it enmity to say 'you have turned the country into an inn'? Is it enmity to say 'you have made Cyprus stop being Cyprus, you have turned this place into a province of Turkey'? Is it enmity to grieve saying 'we have become strangers on the lands we have been born'? To feel the pain of the root which has been uprooted? If the people have for a long time been shouting 'this country is ours', is the reason for this enmity in your view?"

(I/Ts.)

[03] Commentary: "A period of 'new ideas' in Cyprus"

Under the title "A period of 'new ideas' in Cyprus", Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.10.18) publishes an opinion article by Turkish journalist Sefa Karahasan, who refers to the Cyprus problem and notes that the ongoing process regarding the Cyprus settlement at this period is important.

Karahasan, who is correspondent of the Demiroren news agency (DHA) in the occupied area of Cyprus, write, inter alias, the following:

"(?) At this period, the 'new ideas', which are discussed and will be discussed, have entered a new period. The ongoing on search for more almost 50 years for a 'federal solution' may become history. The international actors and particularly Ankara have been mobilizing towards 'new ideas'. Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu noted these words: 'Before a new round of talks is resumed, we should decide which type of solution is being sought. A federal solution? A confederation? Or a two-state solution? We cannot accept one more failure.'

After Cavusoglu said these words, the sentence he added was crucial; 'We said that it is the last negotiation for a federal solution?'

There is point to note! This, it is not only said by Ankara! The head of the United Nations Guterres, also makes constantly references to solution and says 'new ideas should be discussed'!... Guterres does not stay only with this. While in his previous reports, the 'federal solution' was emphasized, in his latest report he does not impose a 'solution formula'. In a sense, as Cavusoglu said, 'federal', 'confederal', 'two-state', they are 'solution formulas' ready to be discussed. At this point, the meeting, which will be held on Friday (today), between president Mustafa Akinci and Greek Cyrpito leader Nicos Anastasiades is very important.

It may expected at this Friday meeting, that Akinci, who noted after Crans-Montana that the efforts of federal solution are unsuccessful, to ask the Greek Cypriot leader Nico Anastasiades, who within the discussions for 'two-state' has referred to 'loose federation', 'Niko, what do you really want?' In addition, it is imperative, as the Turkish Cypriot side to 'make clear what we also want'. The unity, which was safeguarded in Crans-Montana, should not yield to internal political debates and political future expectations.

The insistence of the Greek Cypriots on the 'negotiations'

On the one hand, the conclusion of AKEL general secretary Andros Kyprianou's statement on Cyprus issue is that 'South Cyprus is in an effort to start negotiations no matter what'. The leadership of DISI is also carrying out serious contacts towards this direction. The reason behind all this backstage is explained: 'If the talks resume, then Turkey's radius of action in the Mediterranean may be limited'. Then Akinci and the Turkish Cypriot side may submit a demand with the concept 'the talks are continuing, let's stop work'. How consistent notion is this, it will come to light when the negotiations begin.

If there is someone that will think that Ankara will take a step back in this process, the possibility to be mistaken is very high.

The Greek Cypriots did not stop the drilling activities while the negotiation process was continuing. It is not realistic to expect from Ankara to take a step towards this.

(?)

Turkey will never turn away by giving up the Turkish Cypriots. The news reports and commentaries that president Akinci was by-passed do not reflect the truth. In Ankara, there is a Foreign Minister, who defends the rights for Turkish Cypriots in every platform and spends his time in this direction. Cavusoglu informed the Turkish Cypriot side of all the steps taken on the Cyprus issue. All relevant information was conveyed at the highest level. Negotiations with the Greek Cypriot leadership were neither the first nor the last. In the meeting attended by Cavusoglu in the TRNC, the meetings with the Greek Cypriot leadership were discussed. All parties emphasized that 'the meetings are necessary to be held'. In such a case, it is unfair to perceive that 'Ankara has by-passed the Turkish Cypriot side'. (?)"

(DPs)

[04] KTOEOS and KTOS received 5,700 applications for passports of the Republic of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Haberator (26.10.18) reports that KTOS and KTOEOS Turkish Cypriot Trade Unions gave information during a press conference about their campaign to help persons who were not able to be granted the Republic of Cyprus' citizenship, despite the fact that one of their parents is Turkish Cypriot.

Sener Elcil, KTOS general secretary stated that the two trade unions received 5,700 applications in the framework of the campaign they undertook since February for offering assistance to these persons.

Elcil also said that last August they held a meeting with the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus and it was decided that a unit would be opened in the Ministry in order to deal with this issue. As he said the following numbers of files were conveyed to this unit until now: 345 files of persons who got married after they met abroad, 45 files of persons who got married and had children abroad and 30 files of persons who were not able to be granted the citizenship of the Republic of Cyprus despite the fact that one of their parents is Cypriot.

(CS)

[05] The "trial" of Afrika newspaper continued yesterday

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (26.10.18) reports that the "trial" of its publisher Sener Levent and director Ali Osman regarding a "lawsuit" for publishing Turkish President Erdogan's caricature continued yesterday at the "district court" in the occupied part of Nicosia. The trial will continue on 8 November.

(I/Ts.)

[06] 13 million TL were granted for the support of "several sectors" in the occupation regime

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis newspaper (26.10.18) reports that so-called prime minister Tufan Erhurman attended yesterday a ceremony for the "promotion of the granting programs for the financial support of agriculture, tourism and industry in the TRNC for 2018".

According to the paper, an amount of 13 million TL will be granted for the support of several "sectors" in the "TRNC", within the framework of the "agriculture and rural development financial aid support program", the "financial aid program for the development of tourism potentials" and the "financial aid program for the increase of competitiveness".

So-called minister of economy and energy, Ozdil Nami, the so-called minister of agriculture and natural resources Erkut Sahalli, the "minister of tourism and environment", Fikri Ataoglu , the "coordinador of the Turkish Development Bank and the Economic Cooperation Office", Bilal Kendirci and other "officials" were present at the ceremony.

Speaking during the event, so-called prime minister Erhurman described as very important the support to the "businessmen" in order as he said for "investments" to continue especially in this very difficult period they go through, underlining further the need to make new openings. Erhurman pointed out further to the importance of supporting "production" and "employment".

(AK)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Cavusoglu: "We are taking some good steps regarding Cyprus. However, the Greek Cypriot side opposes these"

Turkish daily Kibris Aksam newspaper (26.10.1, https://www.aksam.com.tr/guncel/disisleri-bakani-cavusoglu-turkiyede-darbe-yapan-bir-kisinin-amerikada-bulunmasi-bizi-uzuyor/haber-786878) reports that Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, participating in the conference "Turkey's Foreign Policy Vision", which was held in Sakarya, said: "We are taking good steps regarding Cyprus, but the Greek Cypriot side objects to these. Cyprus is not helpless. The people, who live there, have rights in the natural resources around Cyprus.

Claiming that the US withdrawal from the agreement with Iran was wrong, Cavusoglu argued: "We could only extinguish the fire in Syria, we are the only country without secret agenda. (?) It was wrong for America to withdraw and make everyone to deal with Iran. Other countries like us, are against these demands. We will always oppose these demands, we always say this. There are frozen agreements around us. Especially, we are taking some good steps regarding Cyprus. However, the Greek Cypriot side opposes these. Believe Cyprus is not desperate. We said that the people, who are living there, have also rights to the natural resources around Cyprus. When the Greek Cypriot side took unilateral steps, we initiated our own investments doing the necessary works."

Cavusoglu further claimed that an economic war is waged against Turkey, arguing however that the country will survive this process. He added: "We will be again the centre of this region with the energy projects. We will strengthen our ties with these geographies".

(DPs)

[02] Second drill ship in the Mediterranean for the TPAO

Turkish daily Yeni Safak (26.10.18https://www.yenisafak.com/gundem/akdenize-2-sondajgemisi-3404607 )reports that the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) bought another ship in order to speed up its drilling activities in Eastern Mediterranean. The Deepsea Metro I ship which was bought for 262,5 million dollars will be included, together with the first drilling ship Fatih, in the research fleet.

The Fatih Ship is getting ready for drilling while the Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa , which was "harassed by a Greek vessel" is continuing its seismic researchers, writes the paper adding that experts noted that Turkey may increase further the number of its drilling ships and the staff that will occupy the positions in them will be among the most famous and talented international names in the field. It will be a benefit for Turkey to have more drilling ships writes the paper.

While it was announced that the Fatih Ship will start drilling activities in Eastern Mediterranean in autumn, with the coming of Deepsea Metro I ship, a bigger area of drillings will be covered. Deepsea Metro I will be able to drill up to 10 thousand feet. With the extra equipment, the depth can go down to 12,000 feet.

While it is expected soon the drilling ships especially from the Exxon Mobil to arrive in the coming period for the parcels that the Republic of Cyprus let out, it is said that both vessels might be assigned with the duty of carrying out explorations in "licensed areas" of Turkey and Cyprus (Tr note: The breakaway regime).

In addition the paper writes that while Turkey is getting ready for energy fight in Eastern Mediterranean, these two ships are strengthening its hands.

(CS)

[03] Turkey and Germany signed a joint economic and trade committee deal; Both countries agree to boost ties

Ankara Anatolia news agency (25.10.18-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/ankara-berlin-ink-joint-economic-trade-committee-deal/1293388) reported that Turkey and Germany are determined to improve bilateral relations, the Ministers from the two countries said on Oct. 25.

Turkish Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak and German Economy and Energy Minister Peter Altmaier were speaking at a joint press conference in the capital Ankara ahead of the meeting of the Turkey-Germany Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETCO).

The Ministers of the two countries signed on Thursday a Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) agreement in the capital Ankara.

The deal aims to improve bilateral trade, investments, and cooperation in the field of industry, energy and tourism.

The bilateral trade and economic cooperation will gain momentum in upcoming period "for sure", Turkey's Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said at the meeting.

"We had a chance to discuss concrete suggestions with the German Minister. I am glad to see that German and Turkish business circles also share similar views," Pekcan added.

Pekcan said further that together with Altmaier they exchanged views on investment opportunities in other countries.

"A possible cooperation between Turk Eximbank and Germany's Euler Hermes was also discussed", Pekcan said, adding: "We will continue to contribute to bilateral relations between the two countries by launching more projects". She recalled that more than 7,000 German companies operate in Turkey.

Noting that the amount of German firms' investments in Turkey is $9.3 billion, Pekcan said: "I believe that German investments in Turkey will increasingly continue, considering Germany's total amount of foreign direct investments [in the world] of $1.2 trillion in the last decade."

Also speaking, Altmaier said that the meeting aimed to establish bilateral ties on a "new ground".

Altmaier underlined that the meetings should not also be held at ministerial level but also be held with the participation of sectoral representatives and parliament members on regular basis.

He also added that the EU can learn from Turkey's digitalization in customs.

Praising Turkish economic growth potential, Altmaier said that the economic ties can be improved without customs walls.

Altmaier is accompanied by a group of businesspeople, including chief executives from German business giants Siemens, SAP and EON, as well as representatives of small and medium-sized enterprises (SME's).

An energy forum to be hosted by Turkish and German Energy Ministers will take place on Friday under the scope of the JETCO.

[04] Cavusoglu: "Saudi Arabia still has questions to answer over Khashoggi"

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (25.10.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/saudi-arabia-still-has-questions-to-answer-over-khashoggi-turkish-fm-138273) reported that Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has stated on October 25 that the suspects in the murder of Khashoggi should be held trial in Turkey according to the Vienna Convention.

"Turkey has no intention of taking the case regarding the killing of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi to an international court but would share information if an international investigation was launched" Cavusoglu said during a press conference with the Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki.

Cavusoglu also said that Turkey had shared information with some parties who sought additional information. "There are still questions that need answers," he said, demanding the Saudis to explain why the 18 were arrested.

Cavusoglu further urged Saudi Arabia to provide answers, as to who had ordered the killing of Khashoggi and what happened to his body. "Who gave them the orders? Where is the body? You admit they did it, but why are they not saying where? His family also wants to know and pay their final tribute," Cavusoglu said.

"We have shared some of the information and findings the prosecutor has allowed us to share, which are legal to share with those who have sought additional information," he said, when asked whether Turkey is sharing evidence with other countries.

Asked if the director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has reached audio recording of killing of Khashoggi, Cavusoglu said that he "will not be able to answer this specific question."

"You should ask our intelligence chief," he said, adding that Turkey would "share documents and evidence in our hands with countries and institutions who want it" in line with permission from the Istanbul prosecutor.

[05] Turkey's Central Bank keeps interest rates unchanged, vows to maintain tight monetary policy

Turkish daily Sabah (25.10.18-https://www.dailysabah.com/finance/2018/10/25/turkeys-central-bank-keeps-interest-rates-unchanged-vows-to-maintain-tight-monetary-policy) reported that the Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (CBRT) on Thursday announced its decision to keep its key interest rate unchanged at 24%.

"The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) has decided to keep the policy rate (one week repo auction rate) constant at 24%," the CBRT said in a statement.

"Recently released data show that the rebalancing trend in the economy has become more noticeable. External demand maintains its strength while the slowdown in economic activity continues, partly due to tighter financial conditions", added the statement.

According to the statement, the latest developments regarding the consumer inflation outlook point to significant risks to price stability. "Price increases have shown a generalized pattern across subsectors, reflecting the movements in exchange rates. Although weaker domestic demand conditions will partially mitigate the deterioration in the inflation outlook, upside risks on the pricing behavior continue to prevail," the bank said, adding that the MPC has decided to maintain its tight monetary policy.

The CBRT vowed to continue to use all available instruments in pursuit of its price stability objective and will maintain a tight stance in monetary policy until the inflation outlook displays significant improvement.

As most of the investors anticipated the CBRT's decision, the Turkish lira slightly rose against the U.S. dollar from the day-high of 5.7363 liras per dollar to 5.6287.

Over the last couple of months, Turkey has seen high volatility in its currency and running inflation, and since July the country has started to take measures against these problems and laid out a comprehensive new economic program to fight problems and bring about a transformation in the country's economy.

In order to curb inflation and depreciation in its currency, the CBRT raised its benchmark rate by 625 basis points from 17.75% to 24% on Sept. 13, boosting the lira.

[06] 36 military officers sentenced to life over FETO's 2016 coup attempt

Turkish daily Sabah (25.10.18-https://www.dailysabah.com/investigations/2018/10/26/36-military-officers-sentenced-to-life-over-fetos-2016-coup-attempt) reported that a court in the north-western city of Kocaeli handed down life sentences to 36 people, including two admirals, for their roles in the July 15, 2016 coup attempt blamed on military infiltrators of the FETO terrorist group.

A trial over the July 15, 2016 coup attempt that killed 251 people concluded in the north-western city of Kocaeli yesterday with 36 defendants given life sentences. The convicted defendants, including two admirals, were members of the Turkish Naval Forces whose command is located in Kocaeli, when soldiers linked to the Gulenist Terror Group (FETO) launched a bid to topple the government. Adm. Hayrettin Imren and Adm. Nazmi Ekici were the highest-ranking officers sentenced in yesterday's hearing. Both were sentenced to aggravated life sentences along with 21 others. The court also handed down life sentences to 13 defendants.

(?)

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/AM)

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