Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-11-29

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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: "If you are drilling and you are not listening, then I too will drill"

[02] Erhurman accuses President Anastasiades of delaying tactics

[03] Erdogan's advisor Aktay: "As long as the Cyprus problem continues, nobody should build castles on the air regarding the natural resources around the island"

[04] Ozersay: "We cannot go into negotiations if we do not have a same vision"

[05] Spehar discussed with Erhurman the Cyprus talks

[06] Debates on the occupied Famagusta area "decree" continue ? "They swallowed Keryneia, it is Famagusta's turn"

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan: "Turkey to purchase Russian S-400s with local currency"

[02] Trump to meet Erdogan at G20 summit in Argentina after phone call on Ukraine

[03] EU Commissioner: "Turkey is close to visa-free travel"

[04] Turkey and China discuss boosting tourism cooperation

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Akinci: "If you are drilling and you are not listening, then I too will drill"

Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak (29.11.18, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=akinci-gives-interview-to-haberturk), broadcast that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has claimed that the problem with the negotiations process in general were not the UN parameters but what he called "the Greek Cypriot side's mentality". In an interview to Turkish Haberturk, Akinci commented on the hydrocarbon tension in the Eastern Mediterranean and referring to the Greek Cypriot side said that "if you are drilling and you are not listening, then I too will drill".

Akinci repeated his view that the most practical, the fastest and the cheapest way to transport any natural gas discovered off the coast of Cyprus to Europe was via Turkey and through Greece. He argued: "Let us contribute to building peace and stability in the region through economic interdependence by solving the Cyprus problem and by creating the most logical energy route. I am saying what must be done but in practice what is being done is just the opposite. If that is the situation and you are drilling, you are not listening then I too will drill for natural gas".

Expressing the hope that Turkey's own drilling activities will encourage the other side to work for a solution, Akinci also alleged that the Greek Cypriot side's reluctance to share power and wealth with the Turkish Cypriots had also shown itself on the issue of hydrocarbon reserves.

Referring to the difference of strategy that existed between him and the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Akinci said that the Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu argued that a settlement on the basis of UN parameters would not be possible. "The problem, however, are not the UN parameters but the Greek Cypriot administration", he alleged.

Responding to a question, Akinci said that he was against the idea of zero troops and zero guarantees in Cyprus and accused President Anastasiades of trying to "water down" the issue.

Answering another question, Akinci alleged: "We have our own state. Whatever kind of a settlement we reach in the future we want our state to become one of the two equal founding states on this land."

[02] Erhurman accuses President Anastasiades of delaying tactics

According to illegal Bayrak television (29.11.8-http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=erhurman-speaks-to-brt), so-called prime minister Tufan Erhurman alleged that the ball on the Cyprus problem is on the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades' court and alleged that the Turkish Cypriot side did not have a different outlook on the Cyprus problem with Turkey.

Speaking on a program broadcast by illegal BRT, Erhurman stated that he had discussed with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Ak?nc? the latest developments on the Cyprus problem during their routine weekly meeting they held today.

Erhurman said that he had informed Ak?nc? of his party's meetings held both abroad and in the "TRNC" regarding the Cyprus problem.

Pointing out that the UN Secretary General's Temporary Special Consultant Jane Holl Lute will be arriving in Cyprus in the coming days, Erhurman said that he had an exchange of views with Akinci on what could emerge following the UN Special Envoy's contacts on both sides of the island.

"Anastasiades is trying to blur things. He has failed to fill in the details of his proposal. No one has been discussing which authorities will reside with the constituent states and how they will be exercised. He is not providing any clarification on this issue. We believe that Anastasiades is trying to buy time", Erhurman alleged.

Touching also on the issue of hydrocarbons, Erhurman alleged that- both sides had rights over the island's natural resources. "The Greek Cypriot sides' actions on this issue have been heightening and causing tensions", Erhurman further alleged.

He also said that Lute's visit to the island will reveal whether or not a new meaningful negotiations process will begin. "We shall see whether a results oriented, timetabled process will begin or whether all this has been nothing more than a delaying tactic. What the Greek Cypriot leader is currently doing is delaying the process. This in turn is creating tensions" he added.

Referring to Turkey's ties with the "TRNC", Erhurman said that it was out of the question for Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot side to have different views as regards to the Cyprus problem.

"We might have differences in the way we address the issue. This is only normal. In the end both of us want the Greek Cypriot side to clarify its position and to declare what it wants openly", he stated.

[03] Erdogan's advisor Aktay: "As long as the Cyprus problem continues, nobody should build castles on the air regarding the natural resources around the island"

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi newspaper (29.11.18) under the front-page title: "New ideas should be discussed", reports on statements by Turkish President Erdogan's advisor, Prof. Dr Yasin Aktay, who alleged that Turkey supports the solution of the Cyprus problem and claimed that in order to be able to reach a solution, new ideas should be discussed.

Replying to questions of Haberkibris website, Aktay further claimed that the methods followed until today for the solution of the Cyprus problem did not yield an outcome and led all the processes to a deadlock. "If there would be a resumption of the negotiation talks, then the basis of the talks should not be a repetition of the previous ones, otherwise, the skating would continue and there will be a deadlock again. Nobody endures another failure on the Cyprus problem", Aktay further alleged.

Stressing the need for the involved sides to agree on a specific timetable for the resumption of the talks, Aktay claimed that first of all, it is the Greek Cypriot side that should decide what it really wants.

Calling on the Greek Cypriot side to clarify its stance, he added: "The Greek Cypriot leadership should say clearly if it has the will to share authorities with the Turkish Cypriots, to accept their political equality and to establish with them a partnership, and if it has the will, it should clarify what kind of partnership it wants and what will be the model, otherwise, it should clarify whether it wants or not to live with the Turkish Cypriots as good neighbors".

Claiming that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) had always followed an active policy on the Cyprus problem, Aktay said that they were always acting with the approach of "being one step ahead". "There is no change in this policy. However, since we reconsider which our priorities are, we cannot be warm in any process that would not be result-oriented and would end again with a failure. And this because we really support the solution of the problem", Aktay further alleged.

Referring to the hydrocarbon issue, Aktay reiterated the known Turkish position that Turkey and the "TRNC" are determined not to permit any "unilateral steps" in the region which would ignore their "rights and interests". "As long as the Cyprus problem continues, nobody should build castles on the air regarding the natural resources around the island", Aktay further stated.

(AK)

[04] Ozersay: "We cannot go into negotiations if we do not have a same vision"

Turkish Cypriot daily Havadis (29.11.18) reports that the leader of the People's Party and "minister of foreign affairs" Kudret Ozersay stated that the two sides in Cyprus cannot go into negotiations again if they do not share a vision.

He made these statements during a visit he paid with a delegation of his party in occupied Gialoussa village.

Replying to questions regarding the Cyprus negotiations Ozersay claimed that the Greek Cypriots are the main reason for the failure (of the negotiations) until today because as he alleged, they are not as disturbed as the Turkish Cypriots from the status quo. He also claimed that the Greek Cypriots do not want to share the power and the resources because they cannot digest this sharing.

Ozersay who reminded that the issue of the clearing of the existence of a common vision between the two communities in Cyprus was stressed during the latest report of the UN, said that if this point is not cleared then the negotiations cannot be envisaged and claimed that the latest statements of the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades showed clearly that a common vision cannot exist. He went on and said that it is a mistake to suggest a common document showing how the negotiations could be done, when the situation is like this.

(CS)

[05] Spehar discussed with Erhurman the Cyprus talks

According to Turkish Cypriot daily newspaper Kibris (29.11.18), the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Cyprus and Head of UNFICYP Elizabeth Spehar with a delegation met yesterday with the leader of the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhurman at CTP headquarters.

According to a press release by CTP, during the meeting, which lasted approximately an hour, the latest stage of the Cyprus problem was discussed. The general secretary of CTP Erdogan Sorakin, and CTP central committee's members Fazilet Ozdenefe and Armagan Candan were also present at the meeting.

(DPs)

[06] Debates on the occupied Famagusta area "decree" continue ? "They swallowed Keryneia, it is Famagusta's turn"

Debates on the occupied Famagusta, Trikomo and Agios Sergios "decree" are continuing in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

Turkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?s (29.11.18) reports that Tufan Erhurman, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime, has argued that the "government" was fully determined to prepare a "development plan" and put it into effect the soonest, adding that development plans did not prevent development. On the contrary, he claimed, they prepare the ground for a sustainable and planned development.

In a written statement on the "draft- decree" for the occupied Famagusta, Trikomo and Agios Sergios area, Erhurman said that the provisions of the "decree" were temporary instruments, which guaranteed in advance the provisions of the "development plan".

The paper writes that the "biologists' association" and the "environmental engineers' chamber" issued separate statements yesterday by which they supported the "decree".

Meanwhile, under the title "They swallowed Keryneia, it is Famagusta's turn", Turkish Cypriot newspaper Afrika (29.11.18) reports that nothing remained from occupied Keryneia's beauty, as a result of the fact that its trees had been "butchered" and its beaches had been divided into parcels. "It has been turned into a grave of concrete. [?] Now they set their sights on Famagusta", notes that paper adding:

"The glutton wolves descended upon Famagusta's virgin coasts. [?] While so many vacant apartments exist, is there still a housing problem? Is there a boom of population? We need to decrease our population and not to increase it! We need equipped hospitals and schools and not hotels with casinos! Take your dirty hands off Famagusta!"

(I/Ts.)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan: "Turkey to purchase Russian S-400s with local currency"

According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (29.11.18, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-to-purchase-russian-s-400s-with-local-currency-says-erdogan-3467739), Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, speaking to journalists at Istanbul's Ataturk Airport before departing for the G20 summit in Argentina, said that Turkey will purchase Russia's S-400 missile defence system using local currency. "When we started this deal, we had one principle. And that was to finalize this purchase with local currency. We have decided among ourselves whether this will be the Russian ruble or Turkish lira," Erdogan added.

"However, our Central Banks have not yet completed their final work. We have about a year. Deliveries will begin toward the end of 2019 and from then, we will have actualized our goal of purchasing using local currency," he noted.

Furthermore, Erdogan also said that Turkey and other nations will address challenges faced by the global economy at this week's G20 summit in Argentina and added: "We will determine the steps that we will take to eliminate the main risks to the world economy by evaluating the global economic outlook".

He warned that the issue of trade was recently causing serious controversy due to the unilateral protectionist actions of some countries. "Free and fair international trade is one of the key elements of global economic growth," he said.

Meanwhile, Turkish daily News Hurriyet Daily News (28.11.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-president-urges-muslim-countries-for-use-of-local-currency-in-international-trade-139278) reports that Erdogan, in a speech to the Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation (COMCEC) 34th Ministerial Session, urged Muslim countries to use their national currencies in order to liberate the countries from the burden of exchange rates. "There is no way out of using our domestic and national currency. Otherwise we will be crushed under the exchange rate," he said.

Boosting trade among members of the COMCEC would make them stronger, Erdogan said. He underlined that boosting international trade among Islamic countries is key and said: "I invite Islamic countries to complete procedures and update concessions lists to make a preferential trade system a reality."

Elaborating on the anniversary of the end of World War I, he said that bloodshed and crises in the region from Syria to Iraq, Yemen and Palestine stems from lines drawn at the war's conclusion. "Muslims should no longer be fooled by those who try to incite their differences and turn them on each other," Erdogan said. (?)

Stressing that the United Nations Security Council's permanent membership system is unfair, he again pushed for reforms to it. Erdogan reiterated significance of reforming the Security Council, using the slogan: "The world is greater than five". "We should not fall into the trap of those who give more weight to a drop of oil than a drop of blood," said Erdogan. (?)

[02] Trump to meet Erdogan at G20 summit in Argentina after phone call on Ukraine

Turkish daily News Hurriyet Daily News (29.11.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/trump-to-meet-erdogan-at-g20-summit-in-argentina-139250) reports that U.S. President Donald Trump will meet his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan during the G20 summit in Argentina, Trump's top security aide said Nov. 27.

The two Presidents also discussed in a phone call amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the Turkish presidency said. (?)

In his call with Trump, Erdogan shared details of his earlier phone calls with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, the presidency said in a statement.

The two-day G20 summit that begins Friday will discuss trade, growth, climate change, gender equality, among other issues of global importance. On the side-lines of the summit, Erdogan is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with other leaders and representatives of international organizations. (?)

[03] EU Commissioner: "Turkey is close to visa-free travel"

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (28.11.11, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkey-close-to-visa-free-travel-eu-commisioner/1324336), Dimitris Avramopoulos, EU Commissioner for Migration Home Affairs and Citizenship, speaking to Turkish journalists in Brussels on Wednesday, said that Turkey is close to completing all criteria for visa-free travel of citizens. He added thatTurkey is "determined" to complete 72 criteria for visa-free travel.

Avramopoulos said that only seven criteria remain unfinished, stressing that Turkey will continue to remain a strategic partner of the EU.

Turkey and the EU signed a refugee deal in March 2016, which aimed to discourage irregular migration through the Aegean Sea by taking stricter measures against human traffickers and improving the conditions of more than 3 million Syrian refugees in Turkey.

The deal also allowed for the acceleration of Turkey's EU membership bid and visa-free travel for Turkish nationals within the Schengen area.

[04] Turkey and China discuss boosting tourism cooperation

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (29.11.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/turkey-china-discuss-boosting-tourism-cooperation/1324578), Turkey's Culture and Tourism Minister on Thursday met his Chinese counterpart to talk about strengthening tourism cooperation with Beijing.

In a closed-door meeting, as part of his visit to the capital, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy met with Luo Shugang in Beijing.

They spoke about boosting cooperation in the field of tourism and ways to attract more Chinese tourists to Turkey, according to Ministry sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

They also discussed mutual steps for establishing a branch in China of the Yunus Emre Institute, a Turkish cultural centre.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/AM)

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