Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-02-12

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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's briefings on the Cyprus problem developments begin

[02] No interest is shown for the EP elections by the Turkish Cypriots, argues K?br?sl?

[03] Tatar expects nothing from the 26 February meeting between the two community leaders

[04] Erhurman to visit Ankara

[05] Tore slams France and the Republic of Cyprus for their military cooperation agreement

[06] Jasmine Court hotel, was seized by the "ministry of finance"

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkish and Russian Defense Ministers meet in Ankara

[02] Celik condemns France and claims that it should face crimes in Africa

[03] Arrest warrants issued in Turkey for 1,112 FETO suspects

[04] Turkish forces take part in Pakistan-hosted naval drill

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Akinci's briefings on the Cyprus problem developments begin

Turkish Cypriot daily Detay (12.02.19) reports that the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci started the briefings to Turkish Cypriot "officials" and politicians as regards the latest developments on the Cyprus problem.

Today at 14.00, Akinci will brief the "council of ministers" and on February 19 he will brief the "assembly". Akinci sent a letter to the "speaker of the assembly" Teberruken Ulucay asking for an ordinary meeting of the so-called assembly on February 19 at 10.00 in the morning.

(CS)

[02] No interest is shown for the EP elections by the Turkish Cypriots, argues K?br?sl?

Turkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?sl? (12.02.19) reports that the "Greek Cypriot side", as it describes the Republic of Cyprus, is trying to obtain information about the Turkish Cypriots who possess identity card of the Republic of Cyprus, in view of the forthcoming European Parliament elections. Within this framework, notes the paper, the police at the crossing points give a form to the Turkish Cypriots to state their address and ask them to fill it in and hand it over to the Republic of Cyprus District Offices, if they want.

Noting that the target of this practice was to find out which Turkish Cypriots want to vote in the EP elections, the paper cites "reliable sources" and writes that the Turkish Cypriots do not show big interest for this practice. "On the other hand, the way by which the information regarding the address of the Turkish Cypriots will be used remains a question", concludes the paper.

(I/Ts.)

[03] Tatar expects nothing from the 26 February meeting between the two community leaders

Turkish Cypriot newspaper K?br?s (12.02.19) reports that Ersin Tatar, chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP), has said that he expects nothing from the meeting, which will be held on 26 February between President Anastasiades and Turkish Cypriot leader Akinci for the Cyprus problem. In statements yesterday to illegal Bayrak, Tatar alleged that Akinci, who after the Crans Montana conference had said that "our generation lost the chance" [to solve the Cyprus problem], was now trying to hurriedly sit at the table, while there is no common ground.

Tatar reiterated the allegation that there is no benefit from the insistence on a federal solution for the past 50 years and that the formula of "two states in the EU" seemed the "rational way". He also claimed the following: "Mr Akinci does not have this policy and we have no expectation from the meeting to be held on 26 February, because Mr Akinci wants to be on stage with pictures from the negotiations prior to the presidential elections".

(I/Ts.)

[04] Erhurman to visit Ankara

Illegal Bayrak (12.02.19 http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=erhurman-to-visit-ankara ) broadcast that self-styled prime minister Tufan Erhurman will visit Ankara tonight as guest of the Turkish Ombudsman Seref Malkoc. He will attend a symposium entitled "the past, present and future of Ombudsman in the last 6 year."

According to a statement released by the "prime ministry", Erhurman will deliver an opening speech at the symposium which will take place at the Turkish Grand National Assembly on Thursday, the 14 of February.

As part of his contacts he will meet with Turkish Cypriots residing in Ankara. Erhurman will also hold a series of contacts and meetings during his Ankara visit.

[05] Tore slams France and the Republic of Cyprus for their military cooperation agreement

According to illegal Bayrak television (12.02.19-http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=military-cooperation-agreement) the "speaker" of the so-called assembly Zorlu Tore issued a written statement reacting to the military cooperation agreement signed between the "Greek Cypriot administration", as the Republic of Cyprus is called and France.

Describing the agreement as a strategic target of France aimed at the hydrocarbons in the Eastern Mediterranean, Tore called on the "Greek Cypriot administration" and France to avoid such dangerous steps during a time when a demilitarized Federal Cyprus without guarantees or United Cyprus are voiced.

Claiming that efforts towards taking the agreement further would invite new scenarios in the Mediterranean, he invited France to use common sense.

"We need to face with the history. If we don't be careful then Cyprus would become like Crete" Tore alleged.

[06] Jasmine Court hotel, was seized by the "ministry of finance"

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (12.02.19) reports that the Jasmine Court hotel, which was out of operation for some time now, was seized by the "ministry of finance" because its operation fees were not paid to the "state".

According to the paper, there are rumors that the "minister of finance" Serdar Denktas will give the hotel to his son Rauf Denktas who has recently opened a tourism firm.

In addition, the paper further reports on the Seaside hotel, which is located in the coast of occupied Famagusta, noting that it is out of operation for 13 years now and is turned into ruins.

(CS)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkish and Russian Defense Ministers meet in Ankara

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (12.02.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-russian-defense-ministers-meet-in-ankara-141172) reports that Turkey's National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Feb. 11 met with his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu in Ankara.

Akar and Shoigu chaired talks with delegations at the Defense Ministry. Akar expressed his pleasure at hosting Shoigu. "Turkey is talking with Russia at all levels to restore peace and stability in the region and protect interests of both countries," Akar said.

He also said that efforts to boost bilateral relations are "valuable" and will contribute to peace and regional stability. "Beyond that, I believe that this will indeed contribute to world peace," Akar added.

"The meetings in Ankara will be preliminary work of the planned summit on Syria between the leaders of Turkey, Russia and Iran in the Russian coastal city of Sochi on Feb. 14", Akar added.

At the fourth meeting in the Astana format, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Vladimir Putin and Hassan Rouhani will concentrate on the long-term settlement of the Syrian crisis.

Shoigu thanked Akar for the warm reception and recalled that military experts from both sides met in Moscow earlier this month to talk about "the most important issues for the Syrian settlement regarding further stabilization in the Idlib zone and everything that concerns the eastern bank of the Euphrates". "I hope that today, we will be able to come to an agreement on the key issues," Shoigu said.

The Turkish Defense Ministry said in a statement that the two sides discussed the latest situation in Syria during their meeting, including measures to ensure security in the demilitarized zone in Idlib despite provocations.

Turkey and Russia also agreed on intelligence and military cooperation to ensure peace and security.

It added that "the Ministers have mutual understanding of Turkey's security concerns regarding PKK/YPG and Daesh [ISIL] terrorist organizations in east of the Euphrates River."

[02] Celik condemns France and claims that it should face crimes in Africa

Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.02.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/france-should-face-crimes-in-africa-turkish-spokesman/1389824) reported that the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Deputy Chairman and AK Party's Spokesman Omer Celik, speaking in a press conference after the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting in Ankara, on February 11, claimed that the French authorities should face the human rights violations and murders they were involved in from Cameroon to Algeria.

"Facing history is essential for France," Celik told reporters . "What is tragic is [French President Emmanuel Macron's] talks about facing history. Facing history must be a term that should be used in another meaning for France," he said.

"While the crimes committed by the French authorities are obvious, hiding behind a term like 'facing history' is a result of a lobby support approach of Macron, who is in political turmoil," Celik said, referring to Macron's tweet about the 1915 Armenian events.

Recalling Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's call in 2005 to open the archives on both sides and let scientists conduct the necessary research, Celik said the studies were prevented by the decisions taken by Armenia's Constitutional Court back then.

He also warned that Turkey would not just condemn the move, but it will also have effects on bilateral relations.

(?)On a safe zone in northern Syria, Celik said: "It is not possible to say that fruitful talks with U.S. President Donald Trump were disseminated to the grassroots."

He further said that Turkey's concerns about its security were not matters of negotiation which could be extended over time.

Noting that the Turkish Armed Forces has the capacity to realize any kind of operation for the country's safety, he added: "The right thing here is putting an end to these places being a safe haven for the terrorists."

(?)

[03] Arrest warrants issued in Turkey for 1,112 FETO suspects

Ankara Anatolia news agency (12.02.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-arrest-warrants-out-for-1-112-feto-suspects/13899800) reports that Turkish prosecutors on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for 1,112 Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO) suspects in a probe related to a leaked 2010 police exam paper.

The suspects are believed having exam questions before sitting for the sub-inspector test, said the judicial sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

They leaked the exam paper in a bid to infiltrate the police force, the sources added.

The probe is being led by Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

[04] Turkish forces take part in Pakistan-hosted naval drill

Ankara Anatolia news agency (11.02.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/turkish-forces-take-part-in-pakistan-hosted-naval-drill/1389335) reported that the Turkish forces are participating in AMAN-2019, a multinational naval exercise that is being hosted by Pakistan from Feb. 8 to 12 in the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean.

AMAN is an Urdu word meaning "peace", while the drills are being conducted under the slogan, "Together for peace".

Organized by the Pakistani navy, the biennial maritime exercise kicked off in Karachi on Friday with the participation of forces from Turkey, the U.S., Britain, China, Australia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Oman.

In this year's drill, Turkey is represented by the TCG Gokceada, a naval frigate.

The exercise is intended to improve naval coordination between participant states and promote maritime peace and stability.

The exercises will see a host of training activities in various fields, including search-and-rescue and anti-piracy operations.

The first AMAN drill was conducted in 2007. Since then, it has been held regularly every two years.

Turkish naval forces participated in the exercise in 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2017.

The TCG Gokceada will also provide support to the Combined Task Force (CTF-151) in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Oman, North Arabian Sea, Persian Gulf and Indian Ocean.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/AM)

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