Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 18-12-04

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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] Ozersay reiterates the allegation that the sides could develop models of cooperation instead of insisting on sharing

[02] Denktas argues that the project of the return of Maronites to their village can be carried out within 2019

[03] Celer addressed the 7th Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in Development organized by OIC

[04] BKP insisting on the Guterres framework

[05] "Draft budget law for fiscal year 2019" to be discussed between 11-20 December"

[06] A Syrian origin, citizen of the Republic of Cyprus, was arrested in the breakaway regime

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkey is determined to enhance ties with Venezuela

[02] Erdogan: Turkey and Russia are working to resolve Idlib issues

[03] Turkey and China agree to boost parliamentary relations

[04] Turkey issues arrest warrants for 112 FETO suspects

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Ozersay reiterates the allegation that the sides could develop models of cooperation instead of insisting on sharing

According to Turkish Cypriot illegal Bayrak (04.12.18, http://www.brtk.net/ozersay-kibrista-iki-taraf-isbirligi-modelleri-gelistirebilir/), Kudret Ozersay, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has reiterated the allegation that the sides in Cyprus could develop models of cooperation instead of insisting on a model of sharing.

In statements yesterday to Bayrak, Ozersay pointed out that the two sides were cooperating on many social and humanitarian issues and argued that alternative methods could be found without "getting stuck" on the name or the title. Replying to questions, Ozersay said that it was possible for the two sides to cooperate.

Referring to his relations with the Turkish Cypriot leader, he noted that they had a "dialogue like they should", adding that he briefed Akinci and they had both agreements and disagreements.

Asked whether he supported federation or confederation as a solution to the Cyprus problem, Ozersay replied that the process would be bogged down if debates on the formula started. "Moreover, negotiations on a formula of bi-zonal, bi-communal federation have been held for 50 year, but the sides have always declared different views. The important thing is the content, the basic thing is to develop cooperation, to establish confidence step by step", he claimed.

(I/Ts.)

[02] Denktas argues that the project of the return of Maronites to their village can be carried out within 2019

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen (04.12.18) reports that Serdar Denktas, self-styled minister of finance, replied to questions, in a program at "BRT" channel, regarding the issue of the return of Maronites to their villages in the occupied area of Cyprus. Denktas said that Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci did his duty by taking a political decision on this issue, but now the "coalition government" had to execute this decision. He added that this issue would be discussed together by "president" and "prime minister".

On the same issue, "BRT" (03.12.18, http://www.brtk.net/denktasbundan-sonraki-gorev-yurutmede/) broadcast that Denktas explained that they have asked from the "ministry of transportation" to do its part by doing the roads, from the "ministry of interior" to outline the boundaries, from the "prime ministry" to construct new buildings for the needs of the army.

Noting that the issue is on the agenda for almost two years, Denktas added that the project should be carried out within 2019. He further said that the "ministry of finance" was being accused of not having money to finance this project, but he explained that when this project came to the agenda they had more urgent issues to deal with.

Denktas also said: "The amount of 7.5 million TL has been mentioned as regards the village of Agia Marina, in July 2017, but there is a difference in the amount from then until now. Therefore, we, as the finance ministry, want a new estimated cost".

Replying to question whether or not there would be difficulties in the source after the estimated cost, Denktas argued: "There is no problem. If no more urgent projects come up than the investment, then the allocated share will be used. We can spend it thoroughly, but this project can also be done fragmentary."

(DPs)

[03] Celer addressed the 7th Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in Development organized by OIC

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (04.12.18) reports that the "minister of labour" Zeki Celer delivered a speech during the 7th Ministerial Conference on the Role of Women in Development in Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso. The Conference is organized by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

The Conference was held under the title "Empowering Women in OIC Member States: Challenges and Prospects".

According to a statement by the "ministry", Celer referred to the legal regulation adopted by the "government" in the breakaway regime, for encouraging and supporting businesswomen. He also said that due to the new regulations, which are dated since 2013, 12,371 women were added to the labor market.

(CS)

[04] BKP insisting on the Guterres framework

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (04.12.18) reports that the United Cyprus Party (BKP), launched a series of visits to the left parties which support the solution of the Cyprus problem and visited yesterday the headquarters of the New Cyprus Party (YKP).

During the meeting, the two parties evaluated the latest developments of the Cyprus problem and the natural gas issue.

In a statement issued by BKP on the meeting, the party's leader Izzet Izcan said that "the nationalist and chauvinist circles in both sides of Cyprus as well as the AKP government in Turkey created intentionally discussions for separatist solutions like loose federation and two states solution".

According to Izcan, their true aim is to prepare the two communities of Cyprus for separatist solutions. "In this critical moment the only way out is the re-launching of the negotiations with the aim of a united federal Cyprus within the Guterres framework", Izcan stated, adding that issues like the natural gas can be solved with a fast solution of the political problem.

(CS)

[05] "Draft budget law for fiscal year 2019" to be discussed between 11-20 December"

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (04.12.18, http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRISHABERLERI/n269920-2019-butcesi-11-aralikta-meclis-genel-kurulunda-gorusulmeye) reports that "the 2019 budget debate will begin on December 11th and end on December 20th in the parliament. The draft fiscal year 2019 budget law was adopted with majority of votes by the economy, finance, budget and plan committee as 7 billion 731 million 500 TL".

(DPs)

[06] A Syrian origin, citizen of the Republic of Cyprus, was arrested in the breakaway regime

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (04.12.18) reports that Fadila Chikhou, a citizen of the Republic of Cyprus of Syrian origin was arrested by the "police" after crossing to the occupied area of Cyprus from the Ledra Palace barricade.

Chikhou has participated in a protest of Kurds in the free areas of the Republic against the Turkish invasion of Arfin.

According to the paper, Chikhou stepped on a picture of the Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan during the protest and also carried a picture of the jailed Kurdish leader Abdullah Ocalan. She is accused of participating in an "illegal organization" and for "insulting a foreign state official".

Afrika is wondering about the actions that the Republic of Cyprus will take regarding the "arrest" of its citizen.

According to Afrika, the police showed Chikhou pictures of the protest in the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus and asked her if she is the same person pictured in the photos. Chikhou said: "Yes, is me", and this was considered by the police as a confession. Afrika also reports that the police are also investigating Chikhou's connections with the breakaway regime.

(CS)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkey is determined to enhance ties with Venezuela

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (04.12.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/turkey-determined-to-enhance-ties-with-venezuela/1328738), Turkey is determined to further enhance relations with Venezuela, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday. "We resolve to preserve the momentum we have achieved over the past two years and to enhance our relations further," Erdogan said at a news conference alongside his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro in the capital Caracas.

Erdogan reiterated that he is the first Turkish president to visit Venezuela. "We hope that high-level visits between [officials of] the two countries will increasingly continue," he added.

Underscoring that bilateral trade between Turkey and Venezuela had jumped to over US$1 billion in 2018, a more than six fold increase over the previous year, Erdogan cited cooperation in various fields, including infrastructure, defence and energy. He also said Turkey plans to build a mosque in Caracas at Venezuela's request.

The president also said Venezuela had handed over two schools affiliated with the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) -- the terrorist group behind the 2016 defeated coup in Turkey -- to a Turkish education body.

Erdogan repeated his condemnation of the attempt on Maduro's life on Aug. 4, calling it a "very serious betrayal and dishonour".

Maduro also conferred the country's highest distinction, the Order of the Liberator, on Erdogan, who said it was a symbol of the friendship between Ankara and Caracas.

Ten treaties were signed between the two countries, during Erdogan's visit, including on economic relations, defence industry cooperation and academia.

[02] Erdogan: Turkey and Russia are working to resolve Idlib issues

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (04.12.18, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-russia-working-to-resolve-idlib-issues-erdogan-139416) reports that Turkey and Russia do not have a "serious problem" with regards to Syria's Idlib province, where the two countries are trying to create a sustainable demilitarized zone, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Dec. 2.

"Turkey has so far pulled its weight in Idlib with its security forces and soldiers. There are only problems with HTS [al-Qaeda affiliated Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham]. Due to this, they [Russia] have voiced some uneasiness. Our relevant units are in constant contact with each other," Erdogan told a group of journalists before returning from a Group of 20 summit in the Argentine capital Buenos Aires. (?)

Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Dec. 1 that they should hold another summit to discuss the situation in Idlib.

Syrian government's ally Russia, and Turkey, which backs Syrian rebels, agreed in September to create a demilitarized zone around the rebel-held north-western enclave of Idlib. But exchanges of shelling have been common since then and the first air strikes since the deal hit the area on Nov. 25. (?)

[03] Turkey and China agree to boost parliamentary relations

According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak (04.12.18, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/turkey-china-agree-to-boost-parliamentary-relations-3468145), Turkey and China have agreed to further develop relations between the Parliaments of the two countries during Turkish Parliament Speaker's visit to Beijing on Monday.

During his meeting with Li Zhanshu, the chairman of China's Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, Binali Y?ld?r?m said that not only relations between the governments, but also between the Parliaments of the two countries need to be developed for more effective parliamentary diplomacy.

Emphasizing the historic relations between the two countries, Y?ld?r?m said that Turkey and China share "similar ideas on regional and global issues". He said that it would be beneficial if the parliamentary friendship groups of the two countries start communication.

Y?ld?r?m also recalled that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Chinese counterpart made important decisions on the strengthening of relations between the two countries during their meeting at the G20 summit, held recently in Argentina.

Li, for his part, said Turkey plays an important role in international and regional issues. "Turkey is an important and developing country and an emerging economy," he added. He also said that China supports Turkey's efforts "to preserve its own national security, stability and legitimate right".

Li said that China is ready to enhance cooperation between the two countries based on mutual benefits. China is ready to further develop, deepen and increase the relationship between the Chinese and Turkish parliaments, he added.

[04] Turkey issues arrest warrants for 112 FETO suspects

According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak (04.12.18, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-issues-arrest-warrants-for-112-feto-suspects-3468195), arrest warrants have been issued for at least 112 people across Turkey for suspected links to the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated 2016 coup.

Prosecutors in the central province of Kayseri issued warrants for 68 suspects including 17 on-duty soldiers in seven provinces for allegedly having links to the terror group's military structure, said judicial sources, speaking on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

At least eight people were arrested in simultaneous operations held in the capital Ankara as well as the provinces of Kayseri, Adana, Eskisehir, Izmir, Mugla, and Mardin.

Ankara prosecutors also issued arrest warrants for 10 people, all alleged users of the group's encrypted messaging app ByLock, said judicial sources on Tuesday.

Police arrested at least seven out of 10 people sought, including civil servants, said the sources.

Separately, prosecutors in the central province of Konya issued arrest warrants for 34 active-duty soldiers in 24 provinces as part of a probe into FETO.

A hunt for the suspects is underway.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/EH)

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