Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 19-03-07

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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] Erdogan: "Our vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean will continue their work"

[02] Denktas met with the Maronite community representative in Cyprus

[03] Onur Oymen alleges that France's demand for a base in Cyprus has no legal and political ground

[04] The permanent connection of the electricity networks is very positive, says Nami

[05] So-called minister of transportation participated in an international summit in Turkey

[06] The decrease on the inflation rate for February 2019 was 0.15%

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan says that Turkey will never go back from S-400 deal with Russia and may look into S-500s

[02] Cavusoglu: "Turkey can buy any defense system it deems necessary and needs no permission"

[03] ORC Research Company reveals survey's results on March 31 local elections

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Erdogan: "Our vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean will continue their work"

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (07.03.19, http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c36-TURKIYE/n278689-erdogan-dogu-akdenizdeki-gemilerimiz-calismalarini-surdurece), Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a joint interview with 24 TV and 360 TV, made remarks and answered questions on current issues. Referring also to the drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, Erdogan said: "The vessels in the Eastern Mediterranean will continue their work".

Replying to a question on the oil exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean, Erdogan said that the oil exploration work is not easy and added: "My nation should know something including those who love the CHP (Republican People's Party). Because in foreign policy, they have a betrayal, and this continues. The oil exploration is not an easy duty. In the past, we did not have a ship, neither for search nor for drilling. Because there were not, we took steps with others in the Black Sea saying 'Can we do this with some international companies?' Let's say that we brought Exxon Mobil and they did research in the Black Sea, we brought Shell and they did researches and they spent a lot of terrible money. So, they spent 150,200,250 million dollars and not just 50, 100 as we did. Without finding anything, they left. The oil work is such random, not an easy work."

Noting that Turkey's drilling vessel is researching now, Erdogan argued: "Of course, such spending will be at 50, there will be at 100. Now, you open one well, two wells, three wells, four wells and there is nothing, but there is in the fifth well. From the moment you would find it then all your expenses would return. This is the structure, the character of this work. But these are not in the mind-set of the CHP. I always say this, do they have planted a tree? No, so they are disturbed by these works. Because, at the moment we catch it, we will be stronger. We also have negotiations with the countries that are currently doing research in that area. Whether we can do (research) with them, or we cannot do. If there is a possibility to find it by working also with them, then we will try it. For this reason, we may have the opportunity to take these steps together. At the moment, we hope, the vessels Fatih and Yavuz will enter this area. Our vessels, which will be at the s earch point, will continue their works.

Noting that Turkey will get an ultra-deep-water drilling vessel, the 16th of the world, Erdogan said that they bought it in a very good price. He added: "Our researches will continue with determination. CHP is unfortunately uncomfortable from these works too. It will be also possible to rent these vessels to other countries over time. These vessels will also be self-financed in a short time with the rental fees that they will receive".

(DPs)

[02] Denktas met with the Maronite community representative in Cyprus

According to illegal Bayrak television (07. 03.19-http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=serdar-denktas-receives-maronite-community-head) so-called finance minister Serdar Denktas met yesterday with the representative of the Maronite community in "south Cyprus", as the Republic of Cyprus is called, Yannakis Musas and members of the Return to Agia Marina Skylouras Committee.

Speaking during the visit, Musas thanked Denktas for his support to the Maronite community starting with Kormakitis village in 2003.

Musas who requested more information regarding the Maronite initiative which includes the return of Maronites to their ancestral village of Agia Marina Skylouras, said that they had no hope but were anxiously waiting for the process to be expedited.

For his part, Denktas informed the visiting delegation on the work carried out by the "government since taking office".

He alleged that a tender had been launched for the 12 households in occupied Karpas?a to be returned as part of the first phase of allowing the Maronites to return to their villages.

He also claimed that that work regarding the villages of Assomatos and Agia Marina will also be speeded up.

Supporting that the Maronite initiative was a comprehensive issue, Denktas alleged that the Turkish Cypriots did not perceive Maronites as a minority and that the "state" wished to see them as "citizens of the TRNC".

[03] Onur Oymen alleges that France's demand for a base in Cyprus has no legal and political ground

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Halk?n Sesi (07.03.19) reports that Turkish former ambassador Onur Oymen has alleged that Turkey should not remain a spectator to France's attempt in the direction of establishing a base in Cyprus and that the French demand lacks a legal and political base. "Turkey has a say in Cyprus", he claimed arguing that both politically and legally, "it is a mistake to build strategic structures on the island without the approval of Turkey and the Turkish Cypriots and without the solution of the Cyprus problem".

Oymen alleged also that the Greek Cypriots, as he called the authorities of the Republic of Cyprus, had no right to give such permission and that this would constitute a violation of the agreements [for the establishment of the Republic of Cyprus]. "In such a situation, even the talks between the Turkish Cypriots and the Greek Cypriots become meaningless", he claimed.

(I/Ts.)

[04] The permanent connection of the electricity networks is very positive, says Nami

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Havadis (07.03.19) reports that Ozdil Nami, self-styled minister of economy and energy of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has described as "extremely positive" the agreement between the two community leaders for the permanent connection of the electricity networks of the occupied area of Cyprus and the government-controlled area. "This will have a great contribution to both sides", he said in statements to the paper.

Referring to the connection of the occupied area with Turkey through cables, Nami noted that this should not be materialized at all costs, but it should happen only if cheap electricity is provided to the consumer. He said that the future was the renewable energy and that the solar energy would save them from the external dependencies and the high expenses.

(I/Ts.)

[05] So-called minister of transportation participated in an international summit in Turkey

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (07.03.19) reports that the so-called transportation minister Tolga Atakan participated in the 1st International Summit of Smart Transportation Systems which took place in Turkey.

Speaking during the Summit, Atakan stated that due to the size of the "TRNC", these systems can easily be applied in the whole "country". He also said that until the end of the year a car plates' recognition system, a red lights control system and an electronic weigh system will be applied in the breakaway regime.

He also invited representatives of the smart transportation systems to visit the "TRNC" and make investments there. During his visit to Turkey, Atakan met with the Turkish Minister of Transportation Cahit Turan.

(CS)

[06] The decrease on the inflation rate for February 2019 was 0.15%

According to illegal Bayrak television (06.03.19, http://www.brtk.net/?englishposts=spo-says-cost-of-living-has-gone-down), the cost of living has gone down, that is according to the "State Planning Organisation (DPO)".

The "State Planning Organisation" announced that the inflation rate for February 2019 has changed 0.15% compared to the previous month and 26.67% compared to the corresponding month the previous year.

While the price of 275 goods and services have gone up compared to the previous month the average price of 177 goods and services have dropped.

The highest price hike was experienced in medicines and the health sector.

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan says that Turkey will never go back from S-400 deal with Russia and may look into S-500s

Turkish daily Sabah (07.03.19-https://www.dailysabah.com/defense/2019/03/06/turkey-will-never-go-back-from-s-400-deal-with-russia-may-look-into-s-500s-erdogan-says) reports that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Turkey will never turn back from a deal to purchase S-400 missile defense systems from Russia, adding that Ankara may subsequently look into buying S-500 systems.

"We concluded the S-400 issue, signed a deal with the Russians, and will start co-production. Later, we may work with S-500s," the next generation system, Erdogan said.

In an interview with broadcaster Kanal 24, Erdogan said that the United States should not try to discipline Turkey through trade measures, adding that Turkey had its own measures prepared. "It's done. There can never be a turning back. This would not be ethical, it would be immoral. Nobody should ask us to lick up what we spat," Erdogan said.

He said further that Turkey was still open to buying Patriot systems from the United States but only if the conditions are suitable, and added that Ankara may seek a deal to procure S-500 systems from Moscow later.

Washington previously warned that procuring the S-400 systems from Russia could jeopardize defense industry deals between the NATO allies, and earlier this week decided to end preferential trade with Turkey.

On Monday, the U.S. Trade Representative's Office also said it intends to end Turkey's preferential trade treatment under a program that allowed some exports to enter the United States duty free.

Erdogan called the decision "unhealthy" and wrong, adding that the U.S. should not try to discipline Turkey though trade measures.

On the issue of the proposed safe zone in northern Syria, Erdogan said that giving control of the area to anyone else other than Turkey was out of the question.

He also said that if the United States could not take back the weapons it had given to the PKK's Syrian wing the People's Protection Units (YPG) in Syria, it should give them to Turkey instead of terrorists.

"We're closely watching the U.S. pullout from Syria," Erdogan said, but added that no steps had been taken yet.

In December, US President Trump announced that the U.S. would withdraw its troops from Syria, saying that Daesh was defeated. Trump's swift decision came under fierce criticism suggesting that Daesh continues to be a threat and that the withdrawal is a betrayal of their ally on the ground, the YPG, which Turkey sees as a national threat.

In the face of heavy criticism, Trump later said that he did not have a specific time limit for the pullout, signaling an extension of the presence of U.S. troops on the ground.

[02] Cavusoglu: "Turkey can buy any defense system it deems necessary and needs no permission"

Turkish daily Sabah (06.03.19-https://www.dailysabah.com/defense/2019/03/06/turkey-can-buy-any-defense-system-it-deems-necessary-needs-no-permission-fm-cavusoglu-says) reported that Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Tuesday, in response to Washington's thinly-veiled threats over Turkey's decision to purchase Russian S-400 missile systems that Turkey is obliged to take necessary steps to ensure its national security. Cavusoglu added that Ankara can decide to obtain any defense systems it deems necessary without seeking permission from anyone.

Cavusoglu said that Turkey repeatedly sought to purchase similar defense systems from its allies in the past but Ankara's requests were always turned down.

"If you are not willing to sell, you can't say anything if Ankara decides to purchase from other countries outside of the NATO," he said.

Cavusoglu's remarks came a day after the top U.S. general in Europe and the U.S. State Department said that Turkey's participation in the F-35 fighter jet program would be reassessed if Ankara does not drop its plans to buy S-400 surface-to-air missile defense systems from Russia.

Cavusoglu refrained from naming any specific country but the American-made Patriot missile systems have been a thorny issue between Turkey and the U.S. with Ankara repeatedly seeking to purchase the defense systems and Washington denying it from doing so.

(?)

"You can't deny selling and then refuse to let me buy from somewhere else at the same time. We will buy them if we need to," Cavusoglu said, reiterating once again that Turkey was dedicated to the Ankara-Moscow deal and that the S-400 systems will be delivered to Turkey soon.

On Tuesday, U.S. Army General Curtis Scaparrotti, the head of U.S. forces in Europe, said he would recommend that the United States not sell Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 jets to Turkey if the S-400 deal went ahead.

Hours after Scaparrotti, State Department spokesman Robert Palladino said in a briefing that the acquisition of the S-400s will result in a reassessment of Turkey's participation in the F-35 program and risk other potential future arm transfers to Turkey.

[03] ORC Research Company reveals survey's results on March 31 local elections

Turkish daily Star (07.03.19-http://www.star.com.tr/foto-galeri/son-secim-anketi-iste-yerel-secim-anketlerinde-son-durum-ve-son-anket-sonuclari-galeri-711503/) reports on the results of an opinion poll conducted by the ORC Research Company in Turkey on the forthcoming local elections which are scheduled to take place on March 31.

The survey was carried out regarding the cities of Istanbul, Adana, Izmir, Eskisehir and Antalya.

According to the survey's results, AKP's Binali Yildirim is the leading candidate in Istanbul with 50.9% of votes, while the candidate of the Nation Alliance (Millet Ittifak) and the candidate of the Republican's People Party (CHP), Ekrem Imamoglu receives 46.6%.

In Eskisehir, the candidate of the People's Alliance (Cumhur Ittifak), the candidate of the Republican's People Party (CHP) Yilmaz Buyukersen is the leading candidate with 49.6%. The candidate of the AKP Burhan Salalli receives 48.5%.

In Antalya, AKP's candidate Menderes Turel receives 48.9% and his opponent CHP's candidate Muhittin Bocek 47.1%

In Izmir, CHP's candidate Tunc Soyer receives 55.6% against his rival Nihat Zeybekci, AKP candidate who receives 42.1%.

In Adana, MHP's candidate Huseyin Sozlu receives 53.9%% and his opponent CHP's candidate Zeydan Karalar 44.3%.

(AK)

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK/EH)

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