Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-11-15

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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: "We will never approve a mentality which would turn the Turkish Cypriots into minority"

[02] Oktay alleges that new ideas and proposals are needed in Cyprus

[03] Cavusoglu: "We will allow no one to absorb the rights of the Turkish Cypriots"

[04] Hudaoglu claimed that the economic crisis affected the implementation of their decision for "opening the Maronite villages"

[05] Foreign Parliamentarians briefed by Akinci and other Turkish Cypriot politicians on the Cyprus problem

[06] Hasan Tacoy, the new general secretary of the National Unity Party

[07] The "council of ministers" granted the "TRNC citizenship" to four more persons

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Offshore hydrocarbon test drills start in Turkey's Mersin

[02] Akinci: "The Turkish Cypriots have also rights on the hydrocarbons"

[03] The 9th Bosphorus Summit to be held in Turkey on Nov. 26-28; Akinci and Erhurman among the participants in the summit

[04] Turkey calls for international probe into Khashoggi murder

[05] Turkey and China signed MoU for enhancing their ties

[06] Turkish court sentences columnist of Zaman newspaper to over 19 years in prison

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Akinci: "We will never approve a mentality which would turn the Turkish Cypriots into minority"

Illegal Turkish Cypriot Bayrak (15.11.18) broadcast that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has alleged that they would never approve a mentality, which would turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority, with the rhetoric of the Greek Cypriot leadership that "the state must be functional".

Addressing the ceremony prior to the military parade within the framework of the celebrations for the 35th anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) in the occupied part of Nicosia, Akinci referred to the Cyprus problem and claimed:

"[?] As I have often said before, the open-ended negotiating processes which are not result-oriented remained in the past. The fact that this issue started to be included in the UN reports is satisfying. ?n parallel to this modality, remaining committed to the past agreements, we will be ready to create a new federal partnership based on the existence of two politically equal founding states where sovereignty on the island will be originating from two equal sides. The creation of the conditions for both sides to live in equality, freedom and security depends on both sides' will.

We want to see in the Greek Cypriot side as well an understanding by which the powers and the wealth will be fairly shared and turn our area into a center of possibilities of cooperation and not of new tensions.

Unfortunately, the approaches until now are not giving hope. Today there is still a mentality, which tries to hide the real reasons for the collapse of the 1960 partnership Republic and to burden the responsibility on the Turkish Cypriots. They think that they will put forward the tax laws as a justification of the fact that the partnership state could not continue and make the fact that the real reason was enosis to be forgotten. However, the reality that the real aim was enosis was shown once more in July 1974, in spite of the fact that the Turkish Cypriots had been excluded from the joint administration. We have all seen the pain which this caused. It would be for everyone's benefit to advance towards a new future by taking lessons from these events.

At the point we have come, we want to see the results of the visits to be made by Mrs Lute, who was appointed by the UNSG Mr Guterres, before the end of the year to the guarantor countries and to our island. We will be constructive as always, but we will act knowing to protect our rights until the end. We will never approve a mentality which will turn the Turkish Cypriot people into a minority with the Greek Cypriot leadership's rhetoric that 'the state should be functional'. We will continue the struggle for shaping a relation between the two sides in Cyprus as politically equal, just like it is provided for in the UN parameters, and not within the framework of a majority-minority [relationship]".

(I/Ts.)

[02] Oktay alleges that new ideas and proposals are needed in Cyprus

Illegal Turkish Cypriot Bayrak (15.11.18) broadcast that Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay has alleged that new ideas and proposals are needed in Cyprus and that approaches which ignore the existing "realities" on the island should be abandoned.

Addressing the ceremony prior to the military parade within the framework of the celebrations for the 35th anniversary of the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI) in the occupied part of Nicosia, Oktay reiterated the allegation that the Turkish Cypriots have been supporting a solution and exhibiting a constructive approach during the past 50 years.

He claimed that the reason for not finding a solution is what he called "the intransigent stance" of the Greek Cypriots, who have allegedly clearly shown that they do not intend to establish a partnership with the Turkish Cypriots on the basis of equality. "The Cyprus conference in July 2017 has, unfortunately, resulted in failure because of this stance of the Greek Cypriot side", he alleged and claimed that "since then the Greek Cypriots clearly showed that they do not want to establish a partnership with the Turkish Cypriots on the basis of political equality and share the political power".

"Mr president, my brother Cypriots, this state which you have established is one of the two founding and equal parts of the island", he claimed addressing Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci and the Turkish Cypriot community alleging that they did not and will not permit the Greek Cypriots to water down this reality. "Our target is to ensure the political equality of the Turkish Cypriots and to guarantee their legitimate rights on the island, their security and prosperity", he claimed.

Arguing that the hydrocarbon resources have turned Cyprus into a more attractive place, Oktay alleged that the Greek Cypriot side has clearly shown that it does not intend to share the natural resources. Reiterating the Turkish allegation that Turkey will always and under all conditions protect the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots in the Eastern Mediterranean, he claimed that all initiatives in the area which do not include Turkey are doomed to fail.

Oktay argued also that they would give the necessary struggle within the framework of the international law for the "TRNC's" future and that during the past 35 years the "TRNC" covered a big distance. He said that their primary aim was for the "TRNC" to develop and have a sustainable system.

He alleged that the "TRNC" is "the most meaningful product of the Turkish Cypriots' liberation struggle and the guarantee of their indispensable rights on the island".

(I/Ts.)

[03] Cavusoglu: "We will allow no one to absorb the rights of the Turkish Cypriots"

Turkish Cypriot Havadis newspaper (15.11.18) reports that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has reiterated the allegation that Turkey will allow no one to absorb what he called "the rights of the Turkish Cypriots". In statements yesterday at the budget and planning committee of the Turkish Grand National Assembly during the discussion of the budget of his ministry for 2019, Cavusoglu alleged that in spite of the Turkish side's "constructive stance" no result could be achieved during the negotiations for finding a solution to the Cyprus problem, because the Greek Cypriot side allegedly does not want to share administration, economy and power.

Referring to the international relations of the "TRNC", as he called the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, Cavusoglu said that they continue their efforts together with their "brothers" in the direction of opening more "TRNC offices" abroad and the "TRNC passport" to become valid in more countries.

Referring to the hydrocarbon issue, the Turkish Minister alleged: "On the other hand, you know that we are the country with the longest coastline in the Eastern Mediterranean. We have taken the necessary measures to protect our country's legitimate rights and interests west and north of the island of Cyprus. We want no one to enter into adventures on this issue. You see that we give our response on this kind of developments. The Turkish Cypriot people have also rights on the hydrocarbon wealth, which exists around the island. We very clearly say to everyone that we will allow no one to absorb the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Hudaoglu claimed that the economic crisis affected the implementation of their decision for "opening the Maronite villages"

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.11.18) reports that Gurdal Hudaoglu, "undersecretary" of the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, in statements yesterday while delivering a speech at the "economy, finance, budget and planning committee", thanked the "members of the committee" for the "approval of the budget of the presidency" which is 40 million, 844 thousand 600 TL.

Asked to reply to a question regarding the "opening made for Maronites", as the decision of the breakaway regime's for the return of Maronites to their villages is called, Hudaoglu replied that the "decision" has been taken during a high level meeting in the "presidency", during which they determined the works which were necessary to be done with the coordination of the "presidency" as regards the opening of Agia Marina and Karpassia villages for settlement, while at the same time, they determined as Hudaoglu said, the "budget" which is necessary to be allocated, explaining that this is 7,5 million TL.

Hudaoglu went on saying that the stagnation which is observed on the issue, derives from the fact that the "government" was not able to use some funds from the "budget" due to the economic crisis. He then said that in any case it would be necessary to utilize local resources.

(AK)

[05] Foreign Parliamentarians briefed by Akinci and other Turkish Cypriot politicians on the Cyprus problem

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.11.18) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci briefed yesterday foreign parliamentarians who are illegally visiting the occupation regime on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the "unilateral declaration of independence", on the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

The briefing took place at the so-called presidential palace. Deputies from Gana, Kosovo, India, Senegal, Madagascar, Bosnia Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Chad, Hungary and Azerbaijan attended the meeting, writes the paper.

The foreign parliamentarians were also briefed on the Cyprus problem by the "speaker" of the so-called assembly Teberruken Ulucay and the so-called prime minister Tufan Erhurman.

According to a written statement issued by the so-called assembly, Ulucay alleged that together with Turkey, they are exerting efforts for years now in order to reach a solution on the Cyprus problem on the basis of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation. He, added, however that they do not want the resumption of negotiation talks which will be open-ended and not result-oriented.

On the hydrocarbon issue, Uluday claimed that they wanted the hydrocarbon resources around the island to become a common value for both the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots, since they consider as he said that this would bring stability in the region.

For his part, Erhurman expressed pleasure over the visit of the foreign parliamentarians in the "TRNC", supporting that the Turkish Cypriots continue their struggle for existence for half a century, in order to become a part of the international community. He, supported, however that the Turkish Cypriots were "isolated" by the international community and the international system due to the continuation of the non-solution of the Cyprus problem. He further alleged that due to the fact that the Turkish Cypriots were "isolated", they were obliged to "establish" the "TRNC" and thus to pay attention to the "reinforcement of TRNC's institutions and economy" and their "self-administration". "The restrictions imposed by the international community on cultural and trade activities, cause damage to the Turkish Cypriots' struggle and extinguish their hopes for equal treatment", Erhurman said, c laiming that by developing their self-administration, the Turkish Cypriots consider that they will increase the possibilities of reaching a mutually accepted viable solution, based on political equality.

Meanwhile, Turkish Cypriot daily Diyalog newspaper (15.11.18) reports that among the foreign parliamentarians who attended the briefing by Erhurman was also the Speaker of the Assembly of Somalia, Mohamed Mursal Abdirahman.

(AK)

[06] Hasan Tacoy, the new general secretary of the National Unity Party

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (15.11.18) reports that Hasan Tacoy has been elected in the position of the general secretary of the National Unity Party (UBP).

According to the paper, Tacoy won 64 votes against his rival and former general secretary of the party, Dursun Oguz, who received 45 votes.

(AK)

[07] The "council of ministers" granted the "TRNC citizenship" to four more persons

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (15.11.18) reports that the self-styled council of ministers of the breakaway regime distributed the "TRNC citizenship" to 4 persons. The persons are the following: Halil Firlar, Azize Jabbarova, Tahsin Sahin and Tulay Tip.

The "decision" of the so-called council of minister was published in the "official gazette" of the occupation regime. The above mentioned persons were "granted the TRNC's citizenship" since they were considered to meet the "provision of the article 9 of the citizenship law".

(AK)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Offshore hydrocarbon test drills start in Turkey's Mersin

Ankara Anatolia news agency (14.11.18-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/offshore-hydrocarbon-test-drills-start-in-southern-turkey/1311179) reported that the U.S.-based Rowan Companies' drillship, Rowan Norway, arrived in Turkey's Mediterranean coast near Mersin to conduct test drilling for hydrocarbon reserves around the region, according to the Turkish Naval Forces Office of Navigation, Hydrography and Oceanography (SHOD) on Monday.

SHOD confirmed that drilling operations would be held off Mersin's coast from November 14 and up to approximately January 19 next year.

Turkish Petroleum signed a contract on September 24, which is scheduled to commence in late 2018, with Rowan Companies to drill two hydrocarbon wells in the Mediterranean Sea for an estimated period of 100-140 days.

The Rowan Norway is classed as an N-Class ultra-harsh environment jack-up rig and part of Rowan's drilling fleet. The company is a global provider of contract drilling services with a fleet of 27 mobile offshore drilling units, composed of 23 self-elevating jack-up rigs and four ultra-deepwater drillships.

"The company's fleet operates worldwide, including the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, the U.K. and Norwegian sectors of the North Sea, the Middle East, the Mediterranean Sea, and Trinidad. Additionally, the company is a 50/50 partner in a joint venture with Saudi Aramco, ARO Drilling, that owns a fleet of five self-elevating jack-up rigs that operate in the Arabian Gulf," the company explained.

Turkey's Energy and Natural Resources Minister Fatih Donmez had confirmed last week that drilling would start in mid-November about 19-20 miles off the coast of Mersin.

[02] Akinci: "The Turkish Cypriots have also rights on the hydrocarbons"

Turkish daily Ayd?nl?k (14.11.18, https://www.aydinlik.com.tr/akinci-baris-elimizi-35-inci-yilimizda-da-uzatmaya-haziriz-turkiye-kasim-2018) reports that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has argued that the Turkish Cypriots also have rights and a say on the lands of Cyprus and the island's hydrocarbon resources. In statements to Turkish Demiroren news agency (DHA) on the occasion of the 35th anniversary from the unilateral declaration of independence (UDI), Akinci claimed that the island does not belong only to the Greek Cypriots and Greece and alleged: "If they digest that the Turkish Cypriot people have also at least as much rights as they do on this island, if they wish to live in eq uality, security and freedom on this island, as TRNC we are ready to prolong our hand of peace to them during our 35th anniversary".

Reiterating the allegation that the Greek Cypriot efforts towards enosis, i.e. unification of Cyprus with Greece, had caused the collapse of the "partnership state" in the 1960's, Akinci claimed that after the 1963 events, the right of the Turkish Cypriots to create their own state organization emerged and Turkey's financial aid played a very important role in that period. He alleged that the "TRNC" was born as a result of this historic process, as a sign of the "Turkish Cypriot people's right and will for self-administration".

Noting that during the past 35 years, they have been trying to improve their lives with the economic aid granted by Turkey within the framework of economic "protocols" signed with the breakaway regime's administrators, Akinci argued: "In parallel to this, as it is said in the TRNC declaration of establishment, we are leaving open the possibility of coming together with the Greek Cypriot community living in the south under a federative structure, under two equal wings. Because we believe that this would be the healthiest and most correct result for Turkey and Greece".

He went on and alleged:

"They should digest the existence of a second community which is at least as equal as they are and has a say at least as must as they do. They should digest that these lands and the wealth in the seas do not belong only to them, [they should digest] the existence of the Turkish Cypriot people who have at least as much rights and a say as they do on the hydrocarbon resources. [?] If they continue to see themselves as the only ones who have a say and the Turkish Cypriots as a community, a minority which is obliged to implement the decisions which they will be taking, then the TRNC will continue walking its own way and trying with all its power for reaching a stronger structure with its development, growth, economy and democracy".

(I/Ts.)

[03] The 9th Bosphorus Summit to be held in Turkey on Nov. 26-28; Akinci and Erhurman among the participants in the summit

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.11.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/9th-bosphorus-summit-to-be-held-on-nov-26-28-138871) reported that Istanbul would host international decision makers at the end of November.

The 9th Bosphorus Summit will see the attendance of state administrators, businesspeople and influential people under the theme of "Sustaining Peace and Development for All" between Nov. 26-28.

"With the Bosphorus Summits, political, economic and cultural accumulations will provide global gains in the direction of national interests and common ideals," according to the summit's official website.

The event aims to increase trade investment and bring businesspeople together, as well as gatherpeople who can discuss developments in the fields of economics, science and technology.

Among the attendees will be Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, FYROM's President Gjorge Ivanov, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Thailand's Minister of Commerce Sontirat Sontijirawong and co-founder of Mobius Capital Partners Carlos Hardenberg.

A total of 198 influential speakers will take part in a series of panel discussions that will cover different topics -- including Technology: Building Future for Refugees, The International Gas Trade and Its Demands, Mega Projects and New Development Banks, Trade with Local Currency from the Perspective of Bankers and Exporters, and Global Threat to Development for All: Trade Wars.

The opening speech of the summit is expected to be delivered by Erdogan.

(?)

On the same issue, Turkish daily Vatan (14.11.18-http://www.gazetevatan.com/dunya-barisi-istanbul-da-masaya-yatirilacak-1218391-ekonomi/) reported that the opening speech of the summit on the second day will be delivered by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, while on the third day by so-called prime minister Tufan Erhurman.

[04] Turkey calls for international probe into Khashoggi murder

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.11.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-calls-for-international-probe-into-khashoggi-murder-138878) reported that Turkey has called for an international investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul last month.

"At the current stage we believe an international investigation is a must," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu was quoted as saying by the state-run Anadolu news agency on Nov. 14.

"In the beginning we said we formed a working group with Saudi Arabia and that we had no plans to take the (murder) into international court," Cavusoglu said in a speech in Parliament.

But he added that was not the case anymore and the government now believed an international probe was essential. "We will do whatever is needed to shed light on all aspects of this murder," Cavusoglu said.

(?)

Moroever, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.11.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-asks-extradition-of-452-people-in-83-countries-for-feto-cases-138866) reported that Cavusoglu stated that Turkey has sent files of extradition requests to 83 countries for 452 people on the accusation of being affiliated to the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO).

"Along with suspects extracted to third countries, a total of 104 FETO members in 21 countries were brought to Turkey", Cavusoglu stated.

In the Parliament debate, Cavusoglu further informed the lawmakers about the perspectives of Turkish foreign policy.

"Turkey has resumed efforts to meet six remaining benchmarks for visa liberalization process with the EU and the government will continue its reforms", Cavusoglu noted pledging to continue the country's EU process.

He further stated that the government would hold its second EU reform action group meeting in the second week of December. "We will focus on the areas of Judiciary and Fundamental Rights, Justice, Freedom and Security", he added.

Recalling that Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe has taken Turkey under scrutiny he said Turkey aims to end this process and he added: "Our two main important priorites at the moment is to lift the state of emergency and establishing state of emergency investigation commission. We will take necessary steps as well".

In his presentation text about the Turkish-U.S. ties, Cavusoglu said that Turkey was making efforts to get the U.S. Congress to drop bills targeting Ankara.

The U.S. Senate initiated to block sales of F-35 jets to Turkey unless U.S. President Donald Trump certified that Turkey's purchase of Russian S-400 defense systems is not threatening NATO.

Cavusoglu also said that Turkey was working to keep economic ties with the U.S. from being impacted by political issues. "In 2019, we have the will to normalize our relations with the US. We will make progress as our constructive attitude corresponds (by the US)," he added.

Referring to Turkey's ties with Saudi Arabia, Cavusoglu stated that Turkey aims to deepen its relations with Saudi Arabia in all aspects, adding that Turkey makes efforts to maintain dialogue in regional and international issues and try to raise awareness about sensitivities of Ankara in regional issues.

On relations with Qatar, he noted that Ankara aims to develop bilateral ties with the Gulf country to the highest levels. The total value of direct investment of Qatar to Turkey is 2 billion US Dollars as of August 2018, while Turkey's total direct investments equals to 31 million US Dollars, according to Cavusoglu.

[05] Turkey and China signed MoU for enhancing their ties

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (14.11.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-china-justice-ministers-seek-more-cooperation-138851) reported that the Turkish and Chinese Justice Ministers signed a deal on enhancing cooperation between the two Ministries on Nov. 14.

Turkey's Abdulhamit Gul, who is in Beijing for talks, signed a memorandum of understanding with his Chinese counterpart, Fu Zhenghua.

"We had a very fruitful meeting with the Minister of Justice. We talked about our problems," said Gul.

"We spoke very openly about cooperation on the judicial issues of both countries and [our efforts to] solve our problems on these issues, as well as increase cooperation," Gul added.

Dialogue between Turkey and China has increased due to contacts among the two countries' leaders, said Gul and this led to cooperation in the economy, trade, and politics as well as the judiciary.

Gul said Fu was invited to next year's International Istanbul Law Congress. He said that with the help of this congress, officials from both countries will meet every year to discuss cooperation and judicial problems.

He added that eight Turkish prosecutors and judges were getting Chinese language education at Beijing's Public Security University and that it is very important to know both the Turkish and Chinese judicial systems.

[06] Turkish court sentences columnist of Zaman newspaper to over 19 years in prison

Turkish daily Yeni Safak (14.11.18- https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/feto-linked-dailys-ex-columnist-gets-prison-sentence-3466342) reported that a Turkish court on Wednesday sentenced to prison a former columnist of daily Zaman newspaper, linked to FETO -- the group behind the 2016 defeated coup.

The 2nd High Criminal Court in Usak, a western Anatolian province, handed down a jail term of 19-and-a-half years on charges of founding and managing an armed terrorist group.

Ali Unal, a former columnist for Zaman newspaper which has been shut down, denied accusations saying he had written over 90 books and worked for newspapers for 26 years, including 20 years for daily Zaman.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/ECh)

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