Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-02-01

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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 claims that there is no ground appropriate for a federal settlement in Cyprus

[02] Akinci will visit the crossing points of Apliki and Deryneia

[03] A new theological college is not needed, says Ozyigit

[04] YKP considers that the deadlock in the Cyprus peace process will continue

[05] "Airport" in occupied Tymbou: 44 years of illegality

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan reveals AKP's election manifesto

[02] Head of the EU delegation to Turkey: "We have a very strong interest in having a very strong relation with Turkey"

[03] Turkey's population reaches 82 million

[04] Cavusoglu: Any foreign intervention in Venezuela will deepen the problem

[05] Survey: Turkey's annual inflation to rise in January

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Ozersay claims that there is no ground appropriate for a federal settlement in Cyprus

According to illegal Bayrak (01.02.19, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=fm-ozersay-speaks-on-brt), self-styled deputy prime minister and foreign minister Kudret Ozersay, speaking on "BRT" this morning, referred also to the Cyprus problem. He alleged that the Greek Cypriot side which had grown accustomed to governing the so-called Republic of Cyprus on its own had no intention of sharing power with Turkish Cypriots. This is why he claimed it was necessary to work on a model of cooperation if a settlement was to be reached.

Ozersay said that he was not opposed to the idea of a federal settlement but pointed out it was obvious there was no ground appropriate for a federal settlement in Cyprus.

On the same issue, "BRT" (01.02.19, http://www.brtk.net/bir-bucuk-yil-sonraki-secimi-tartismaya-baslamak-dogru-degil/) also reports that Ozersay criticized the statements of the Turkish Cypriot Teachers' Trade Union (KTOS) after the illegal visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu to the occupied area of Cyprus.

Ozersay claimed: "KTOS has behaved shamefully by saying that the Republic of Turkey did an ethnic cleansing. This is so inappropriate. Turkey is a state that has prevented the ethnic cleansing on the island. This does not reflect the feelings of the Turkish Cypriots."

(DPs)

[02] Akinci will visit the crossing points of Apliki and Deryneia

According to illegal Bayrak (31.01.19, http://www.brtk.net/akinci-yarin-aplic-kapisinda-incelemede-bulunacak/), Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci will carry out tomorrow (Friday) inspections on the crossing point of Apliki and on Saturday the crossing point of Deryneia.

(DPs)

[03] A new theological college is not needed, says Ozyigit

Illegal Turkish Cypriot Bayrak (31.01.19, http://www.brtk.net/ozyigityeni-bir-ilahiyat-kolejine-ihtiyac-yok/) broadcast that Cemal Ozyigit, self-styled minister of education in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has said that there was no need for a new theological college in the occupied area. In statements yesterday to Bayrak, Ozyigit noted that during their meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu the opening of a second theological college in the occupied area had not been raised and that putting such issue on the agenda would not be correct.

"The opening of a new theological college is not on our agenda", he said and added: "This country needs schools. It urgently needs a kindergarten, a primary school, a gymnasium in Keryneia. The places where these will be constructed and the projects are ready. A primary school and a gymnasium are also needed in Kermia area in Agios Dometios. A college is needed in Trikomo. Actually these are urgently needed. A school in Famagusta is also needed. Therefore, the opening of a new theological school is not on our agenda".

Referring to Hala Sultan theological college, Ozyigit said that some problems existed since its establishment and it had been considered as a problem. He noted that this college belonged to the "state" and they would not close it, but they would control, evaluate and administrate it. "And our path is a scientific, democratic and secular education", he added.

(I/Ts.)

[04] YKP considers that the deadlock in the Cyprus peace process will continue

Turkish Cypriot daily Detay (online in Turkish -31.01.19-http://www.detaykibris.com/ykp-kibris-cozum-surecinde-cikmazin-devam-edecegine-inaniyor-181504h.htm) reported that Alpay Durduran, member of the New Cyprus Party (YKP), in a written statement, said, inter alia, that they consider that the deadlock in the peace process on the Cyprus problem will continue. "In fact there is not a new situation. It is obvious that the deadlock on the Cyprus problem will continue, since, the two sides in Cyprus did not give any response to the UN's calling to submit proposals on how a state structure in Cyprus could be formed without the guarantor countries to be necessary", Durduran said.

Durduran stressed further the need for the international community to realize that the federal solution model in Cyprus is the only solution model.

He added that the YKP, which supports the solution in Cyprus, considers as a solution the acceptance of a formation of a single sovereign, independence federal state.

(AK)

[05] "Airport" in occupied Tymbou: 44 years of illegality

Turkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?s Postas?(01.02.19, http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRISHABERLERI/n275303-bugun-ercan-havalimanina-ilk-ucagin-inisinin-yildonumu-etkin) reports that 44 years are completed today since the first day of operation of the illegal airport in occupied Tymbou area. On the occasion of the landing of the first airplane on 1 February 1975, the self-styled ministry of public works and transport will organize an activity today under the title "Air Traffic Control from the Past to the Present (February 1975 ? February 2019)".

(I/Ts.)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan reveals AKP's election manifesto

According to Turkish daily Sabah (01.02.19, https://www.dailysabah.com/elections/2019/01/31/erdogan-reveals-ak-partys-election-manifesto-aims-to-bring-new-vision-for-municipalities), the chairman of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, announced the party's election manifesto in Ankara Thursday. The program was held in a festive environment, with candidates and members from 81 provinces in attendance.

The 11-article manifesto brings a new vision to municipalities with an emphasis on smart, unique and eco-friendly cities.

City Plans: Instead of being short-lived projects, city plans will be created with a focus on being fair and achieving long-term results.

Infrastructure and Transportation: All infrastructure and transportation problems will be fixed in every city.

Urban Renewal: Urban renewal plans will be drafted in line with the region's features and the people's needs.

Smart Cities: Cities will make use of all means of technology to better serve people.

Environmentally-Friendly Cities: Green, eco-friendly cities will be developed in harmony with nature.

Social Municipalities: Municipalities will work on projects that place importance on people's social needs.

Low-Rise Urbanization: Cities will go horizontal instead of vertical, promoting values of family and neighbourhood.

Unique Cities: Cities will be developed in line with their histories and cultural heritage.

Administration with People: Municipalities will take all administrative decision with the people.

Efficient and Transparent: Municipalities will allocate resources both diligently and transparently to generate savings.

Value-creating Cities: Cities will work toward achieving cultural and economic advances to improve people's quality of life.

"The AK Party was established by the cadres who pioneered local governing and won the hearts of people with the services they provided," Erdogan said speaking in the candidate presentation meeting at Ankara Sports Hall and stressed that the AK Party will uphold humility, sincerity and endeavours in the upcoming period.

Following the announcement of its manifesto, the AK Party will start its official campaign process as of today.

Erdogan announced in the manifesto that the AK Party will prepare city plans that will be fair and cover long-term needs. While preparing the city plans, all public and private sectors and civil society representatives' opinions will be consulted and decisions will be made in a democratic way. No time or resource will be wasted on things that will not increase the quality of life for people. The process of preparing the city plans will be transparent and if a change is necessary for the city plan, it will be subject to the observation of the citizens. (?)

[02] Head of the EU delegation to Turkey: "We have a very strong interest in having a very strong relation with Turkey"

Under the title "EU praises Turkey's efforts with Iran, Russia for Syria", Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (31.01.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/eu-praises-turkeys-efforts-with-iran-russia-for-syria-140920), published an interview with the head of the European Union delegation to Turkey Ambassador Christian Berger.

Berger has praised Turkey's efforts to seek a resolution to the Syrian crisis both with and without Iran and Russia, adding that Brussels and Ankara agree on the fundamental principles in the policy on the war-hit country. "We fully appreciate what Turkey is doing in the Astana process and in many other processes", he told daily Hurriyet in an interview on Jan. 30.

"The most important fundamental principle here is we want to see a political solution in Syria. We fully appreciate what Turkey is doing in the Astana process and in many other processes. Turkey is working with Russia and Iran and also with the international community", he added.

Berger said there would be a Syria conference organized in Brussels mid-March which Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu will also be attending. (?)

Berger said there will be a meeting of the Association Council, the most important governing structure for the Association Agreement (Ankara Agreement) between Turkey and the EU, most likely in March. "We will discuss all issues in this forum. We had a leaders' meeting in Varna hosted by the Bulgarian Presidency last year. A similar meeting could happen this year. We believe that, both on the Turkish side and on the European side, the highest level of engagement is useful and necessary," he added.

"As European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker keeps saying, we want to see a democratic, stable and secure Turkey. Turkey is a candidate country and we want to have Turkey as a very strong partner. We have no interest in seeing economic problems, security problems, etc. in Turkey because it will also affect us. Our relationship is based on that. We have a very strong interest in having a very strong relation with Turkey," Berger said.

When asked about the accession process between the Turkey and the EU, Berger said the accession talks between the EU and Turkey have stopped a while ago for a number of reasons. "What I see is, in 2019, important work will be done in some of the issues that have come up. The Turkish government has reconstituted the 'Reform Action Group' which met in August and December. They are now discussing a reform of the judiciary, the human rights action plan and many other things. We need to see what the outcome is going to be," he added.

Berger mentioned that there were scores of changes set to happen within the 2019 calendar. "In 2019, we have local elections in Turkey and we have European Parliament elections in Europe, and there will be a new European commission coming up in November. So there will be a new President of the European Council, there will be a new President of the European Parliament, many other people will change. But we need to continue the dialogue," he said.

On the visa liberalization issue, Berger said they announced that the biometric passport benchmark was complete when the Reform Action Group met. "There are some other benchmarks that need to be discussed. The technical talks are continuing," he added. (?)

[03] Turkey's population reaches 82 million

According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak (01.02.19, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkeys-population-reaches-82-million-3473429), Turkey's population hit 82 million to reach its highest level ever as of end of 2018, the country's statistical authority said on Friday.

Official figures revealed that the population residing in Turkey increased by 1,193,357 people year-on-year. "Male population was 41,139,980 people and female population was 40,863,902 people. While 50.2 percent of the total population were males, 49.8 percent of the total population were females", TurkStat said.

New data also showed that the annual population growth rate increased to 1.47% in 2018 from 1.24 in 2017.

[04] Cavusoglu: Any foreign intervention in Venezuela will deepen the problem

According to Turkish daily Yeni Safak (01.02.19, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/world/any-foreign-intervention-in-venezuela-will-deepen-the-problem-says-turkish-fm-3473439), any foreign intervention in Venezuela is "not right" and will deepen the problem, Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu claimed on Friday. "We are telling since the beginning. Such foreign interventions are not healthy and not right. They will not offer a solution. They will deepen the problem. God forbid, the country [Venezuela] even can be dragged into a civil war", Cavusoglu told reporters in Romania.

Cavusoglu said the countries should bring dialogue into the forefront instead of taking sides. His remarks came a day after the European Parliament recognized Venezuela's opposition leader Juan Guaido as the legitimate interim president. (?)

"Nobody should disrespect the will of Venezuelan people," Cavusoglu said, referring to the elections that brought Maduro into power. He called for dialogue and cooperation to solve the problem in Venezuela.

[05] Survey: Turkey's annual inflation to rise in January

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (31.01.19, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/economy/turkey-s-annual-inflation-to-rise-in-january-survey/1380264), the average annual rise in consumer prices in Turkey is expected to be 20.59% in January, according to an Anadolu Agency survey on Thursday.

Turkey's annual inflation in December was 20.30%.

The inflation figures for January will be released by the country's statistical authority TurkStat next Monday.

Monthly inflation forecasts by a group of 16 economists vary between 0.80% and 1.85%, with average monthly inflation of 1.26%.

In December, consumer prices in Turkey dropped 0.40% month-on-month.

The economists also forecast that Turkey's year-end annual inflation would be 16.38% on average, with predictions varying between 13.50% and 19.80%.

Over the past five years, annual inflation saw its lowest level at 6.13 percent in April 2013, while it peaked at 25.24% in October 2018.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/EH)

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