Speaking at the Turkish Grand National Assembly, he claimed that Turkey
always worked for a comprehensive solution in Cyprus but that these
efforts were not accepted by the Greek Cypriot side.
"We don't want to negotiate just for the sake of negotiating from now
on. Any talks should be result-oriented and we should first decide
what to negotiate before taking the necessary steps. Let's determine a
framework document for the negotiations. We could discuss a federation,
a confederation or a two-state solution. We are not excluding any of these
possibilities. However, if we are going to negotiate a federation the
political equality of the Turkish Cypriot people with all its dimensions
including a rotating presidency should be included in the negotiations
framework document", Çavusoglu further claimed.
Noting that the "TRNC" [breakaway regime in the occupied area of the
Republic of Cyprus] and the Turkish Cypriot "people" have rights over
the island's hydrocarbon wealth, he said: "I have been taking steps
with the aim of protecting the rights of my people. In the past, we were
sitting, discussing, condemning these and sending our seismic research
vessels. However now we've sent our drill ships and changed the balances
there. We will continue our determined stance to protect the rights of
the Turkish Cypriot people".
Speaking there, Sentop claimed that "it was of vital importance for
them to strengthen the visibility of the assembly which represents the
free will of the Turkish Cypriot people in the international arena,
adding that in this respect they wanted to see "TRNC parliamentarians"
at all events organized in Turkey.
"I believe the 'TRNC people' will reach the peace and prosperity they
desire and deserve," Sentop said, claiming that "Turkey was protecting
the rights of the TRNC in the Eastern Mediterranean and closely watching
out for its rights stemming from international law". "We will continue
to support the 'TRNC' to develop more international relations in the
coming period", he added.
Uluçay, for his part, said that they will continue their struggle for
shaping the political future. Noting that economic difficulties and
hardships could be experienced at times, he said all problems could be
overcome as long as they worked together [with Turkey].
Uluçay also added that "it was very important for them to further develop
relations between their respective parliaments".
posts=ersoy-holding-contacts-in-trnc),
the Turkish Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, who is
currently paying an illegal visit in the occupied area of Cyprus for
a series of contacts, met on Monday morning, with self-styled prime
minister Ersin Tatar.
During the meeting, Tatar said that "the TRNC had been successful in
terms of tourism but that the goal was to raise the bar", adding that
they were aiming for two million tourists.
Stating that they have always emphasized the importance of Turkey's
support, Tatar said: "I believe that the TRNC can reach an important
place through the support of Turkey."
Ersoy, for his part, praised the recent investments in tourism, arguing
that their intention was to raise awareness of Turkish existence in
Cyprus at a global level. He further said that "Turkey's contributions and
investments in North Cyprus's [occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus]
tourism will continue in the period that follows".
In the afternoon he will be attending the opening of the "Turkish
cooperation and coordination agency's (TIKA) TRNC office" in the occupied
area of Cyprus. He will be departing from the occupied area of Cyprus
this evening [Monday evening].
[08] Cyprus Today: "Boris Johnson promises to address issue of direct
flights to North Cyprus"
Under the title "Boris vows to help TRNC", Turkish Cypriot weekly English
speaking newspaper Cyprus Today (14.12.19) reports:
"The isolation of the Turkish Cypriots 'is unfair and unjust' British
Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said. Mr Johnson also promised to address
the issue of direct flights to North Cyprus as he visited the home of a
Turkish family in London to canvass for votes ahead of the Conservative
Party's general election victory on Thursday. He reportedly made the
pledges while on the campaign trial in Chingford and Woodford Green, a
constituency that was retained by former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith,
who has expressed his support for Turkish Cypriots in recent years".
[09] Data about the "presidential elections" in the breakaway regime
Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris (16.12.19) publishes information about
"presidential elections" in the breakaway regime and writes that while
the number of the "voters" has increased, the number of the persons
participating in the "election progress" has decreased.
The paper writes that the number of "voters" in 1985, was 94,277 and
the participants in the "elections" was 85,7%, 101,172 in 1990, with
participation 93,48%, 113,398 in 1995 with participation85,23%, 126,675
in 2000 with participation 81,2%, 147,823 in 2005 with participation
69,58%, 164,072 in 2010 with participation 76,37%, and 176,916 in 2005
with participation 62,35%.
Kibris further reports that during the seven "presidential races" held,
there were three times that a second round was required because of the
results. The biggest number of candidates was in 2005, after the 2004
Anna Plan when there were nine candidates. In that, "election" the then
leader of the Republican Turkish party (CTP) Mehmet Ali Talat was elected
from the first round. In addition, the smallest number of candidates
was in 1990 where there were only three candidates. At that election,
Rauf Denktas was elected from the first round.
(CS)
[B] Turkish Press
[01] First military drone lands in the "airport" of occupied Lefkonoiko
Ankara Anatolia news agency
(16.12.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkey-first-military-drone-lands-in-northern-cyprus/1674715)
reports that the first Turkish military drone landed on Monday morning
at occupied Lefkonoiko airport, [Gecitkale Airport in the eastern coastal
city of occupied (Famagusta)] in the "TRNC".
Bayraktar TB2 armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UVA), stationed at Naval
Air Base Command in Turkey's Aegean district of Dalaman, landed in the
"TRNC" today at 10 a.m. (0700GMT) following a green light from the
"government of the TRNC".
In a statement on Friday, the so-called prime ministry said that "the
government approved Turkey's use of Gecitkale Airport for unmanned aerial
vehicle flights".
On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(15.12.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-deploys-unmanned-aerial-vehicles-to-turkish-cyprus-149867)
reported that Turkey has sent three truckload of UVA to "Gecitkale
airport in the TRNC", Demirören News Agency reported on Dec. 15.
So-called foreign minister Kudret Özersay had claimed that at this stage
only ground control units began to be installed at Geçitkale Airport,
but no UAV has been deployed yet.
"Some of the UVA currently taking off at Dalaman [Airport] will arrive
at Geçitkale when the ground control unit, which is being installed now,
is operating," he said on Dec. 15.
Also, in a statement Dec. 13, the so-called prime ministry said that the
"the government approved Turkey's use of Geçitkale Airport for unmanned
aerial vehicle flights".
"In light of developments in the eastern Mediterranean region and at the
request of the Turkish Cypriot Peace Forces Command, the Turkish Cypriot
government is allowing for activities of UAVs at Geçitkale Airport to
protect Turkey's and Turkish Cyprus' legitimate rights and interests,"
the statement said.
"The cabinet has designated Geçitkale Airport on the north of the
island as a base for Turkish drones operating as part of works seeking
hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean", added the statement.
UAVs, both unarmed and armed, will start to take off from Gecitkale
Airport as of Dec. 16, Demirören News Agency reported.
[02] Erdogan to A Haber: "Turkey may close Incirlik, Kurecik bases
if necessary"
Ankara Anatolia news agency
(16.12.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-may-close-incirlik-kurecik-bases-if-necessary/1674612)
reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a televised
interview on Sunday broadcast by A Haber, referred, inter alia, to
the developments in the Eastern Mediterranean, recalling that there
are significant hydrocarbon reserves beneath the Eastern Mediterranean
and adding that Turkey may work in the region with companies that are
"strong in the international community".
Noting that a security and military cooperation deal with Libya's
UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) would go into effect
after its ratification in the Turkish Parliament, he underlined that
with the deal, both Turkey and Libya's rights would be protected and that
Turkey would not allow any unilateral steps to be taken. "We have made it
clear that Turkey would not allow for unilateral steps to be taken against
it. I have explained this position personally to Greek Prime Minister
Mitsotakis during our meeting in the framework of the NATO summit. I've
explained to him that whatever steps we are taking here are within the
framework of international law and that we will continue undertaking steps
which are in accordance to international law. Of course, we feel uneasy
over the steps taken on the issue of the natural gas reserve sharing
without taking into account Turkey's rights and interests. There a re
efforts here trying to impose plans. [
]", Erdogan said.
Referring to the Libya agreement, Erdogan said: "If the Libyan government
requests military support, Turkey will make its decision," said Erdogan,
reiterating that Turkey is "ready to provide all kinds of support to
Libya." "We may take the necessary steps within international law,"
he added.
Erdogan went on to say that Ankara may close two bases in Turkey where
U.S. soldiers are stationed "if necessary". "If necessary, we will hold
discussions with all our delegations, and if necessary, we may close
Incirlik [air base in southern Adana province] and Kurecik [radar station
in eastern Malatya province]," Erdogan said.
Speaking about a resolution passed in the U.S. Senate on Armenian
allegations over the events of 1915, Erdogan said that the bill was
"completely political," adding: "It is very important for both sides
that the U.S. does not take irreparable steps in our relations."
"We regret that the polarization in U.S. domestic politics has had
negative consequences for us and that some groups abuse developments
about our country for their own interests in order to weaken [President
Donald] Trump," Erdogan added.
"We are not going to stand empty-handed. Let me say very clearly
and openly: Is it possible to speak about America without mentioning
Indians? It is a shameful moment in U.S. history. Similar things happened
in Africa. Is it possible to put aside the French massacres in Rwanda,
Algeria?", Erdogan wondered.
"They did slave trade in cells from Senegal to America. What will we do
to explain these to the international community? We have documents in
our archive. We will reveal that the history of the West is the history
of racism and colonialism. While all these massacres and genocides
are standing, they cannot say anything to the nation which has a proud
history like us," said Erdogan.
Referring to Turkey's counter-terrorism operation in northern Syria,
Erdogan said that Turkey's goal with its anti-terrorism operation in
northern Syria was to maintain peace for Syrians, not to "seize its oil".
"Neither the U.S. nor Russia could eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists there
[from northern Syria] as they promised. So we have to do it," he added.
"They are particularly disrespectful to our Kurdish brothers," said
Erdogan.
"They define the YPG/PKK as Kurdish," he said, referring to Western
countries. "In my opinion, this is disrespect to the Kurds."
Erdogan said that they camouflage the YPG/PKK under the name SDF (Syrian
Democratic Forces) and stressed that the YPG/PYD is an offshoot of the
PKK terrorist organization.
"The ringleader of the YPG/PKK, Ferhat Abdi Sahin, also known as Mazloum
Kobani, is the spiritual son of the jailed leader of the PKK terrorist
organization [Abdullah Ocalan]. The heads of the U.S. and Russia speak
with this man. We can't get results with this situation. Besides, this
man is being sought with a red notice," said Erdogan.
"I also said this in the NATO meeting. If we are together in NATO,
if we fight against terror together, how can you talk with these
ringleaders? Firstly, we have to fix this."
He stressed that the fight against PKK terrorists should be carried out
jointly and as it was against Daesh/ISIS terrorists.
During the interview, Erdogan also said he would speak over the phone
on Monday with German Chancellor Angela Merkel about returning FETO
terrorists.
"We talked about this at the NATO meeting. The main topic in the phone
call will be Libya, but we will talk about returning FETO members as
well," he said.
Erdogan said further that the number of FETO members is very high
especially in the U.S., Germany, France, Belgium and Greece and they
are given the opportunity to settle there.
[03] Turkish officials meets Libyan Al-Sarraj; Cavusoglu: "Turkey to
continue defending rights in Med Sea"
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(14.12.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-to-continue-defending-rights-in-med-sea-says-foreign-minister-149845)
reported that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu reiterated that
Turkey would resolutely continue defending its legitimate rights and
interests in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Cavusoglu met with Fayez al-Sarraj, the head of UN-recognized Libya's
Government of National Accord, at the 19th Doha Forum held in Qatar.
After the meeting, Cavusoglu announced in a tweet that he and al-Sarraj
discussed the memorandum of understanding between Turkey and Libya on
maritime boundaries.
"[We] will resolutely continue to defend our legitimate rights and
interests in the Eastern Mediterranean," Cavusoglu said.
Meanwhile, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and al-Sarraj also
discussed the recently inked maritime delimitation and military and
security cooperation deals, the Defense ministry said on Dec. 14
Turkey's Chief of General Staff Gen. Yasar Güler also attended the
meeting, the Ministry conveyed. "We did, and continue to do, what needed
to be done about our rights and interests in the sea, within the law. We
are protecting our rights based on international law," Akar told reporters
after the meeting. He also said that Turkey would continue to protect
its rights.
On the same issue, Ankara Anatolia news agency
(15.12.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/turkish-president-meets-leader-of-libyan-government/1674384)
reported that Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a meeting
on Sunday with the head of Libya's UN-recognized Government of National
Accord (GNA).
The closed-door meeting between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Fayez al-Sarraj
took place in the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.
Erdogan and Al-Sarraj discussed Ankara and Tripoli-based Libyan
government's two separate memorandums of understanding (MoU), one
on military cooperation and the other one on maritime boundaries of
countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Following the military cooperation deal, Tayyip Erdogan recently said
that Ankara might consider sending troops to Libya if the GNA made such
a request.
[04] Cavusoglu: "Turkey to protect sovereign rights via Libya deal"
Ankara Anatolia news agency
(16.12.19-https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-to-protect-sovereign-rights-via-libya-deal/1674606)
reports that Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu stressed
on Sunday that a recent maritime deal between Turkey and the Libyan
UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) would help protect
both countries' rights against attempts to "eliminate" them from the
Eastern Mediterranean.
Speaking at the Turkish Parliament during discussions on the country's
2020 central government budget, Mevlut Cavusoglu said: "Many countries
tried to eliminate Turkey, just as they did for the TRNC".
Referring to energy agreements signed by Greece and the "Greek Cypriot
administration" [Translator's note: Republic of Cyprus], as well as
with other countries including Egypt and Israel, Cavusoglu said that
the Turkey-Libya deal was an "important move against those who would
seek to corner" Turkey.
"Of course, the European Union would stand with the Greek [Cypriot]
side as well as Greece in the name of solidarity, but here, the EU isn't
in the right," he said, adding that the bloc does not have authority to
make decisions on the issue.
"The International Court of Justice can rule [on the issue]. The EU only
can express political opinion, but the EU's political views are absolutely
not valid when it comes to our national sovereignty rights," he added.
Signed on Nov. 27 and passed in Turkey's Parliament on Dec. 5., the
Memorandum of Understanding between Ankara and Tripoli went into effect
on Dec. 8.
Cavusoglu underlined further that Ankara hoped to repatriate "all"
Syrian refugees to their home country. "We've included the international
community in the return [of refugees]," he said, adding that Turkey's
"most important partner" in this process was the UNHCR.
"Along with Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan, we are preparing to hold an
international conference [on the issue]," said Cavusoglu, noting that
he would meet with the other three countries' top diplomats on Tuesday
in Geneva to discuss how to tackle repatriation together with the
international community.
[05] So-called mfa slams US move to lift the arms embargo on the Republic
of Cyprus
Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News
(1.12.19-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-cyprus-slams-move-to-lift-embargo-on-greek-side-149827)
reported that so-called foreign ministry of the "TRNC", issuing a
written statement on Dec. 14, claimed that the U.S. move to lift the
arms embargo on the "Greek Cypriot administration" [Translator's note:
The Republic of Cyprus], posed threat to peace and stability in the
Eastern Mediterranean.
In an official statement by the "ministry", the "TRNC" alleged that that
the "US supported the Greek Cypriot administration's recent policies
which escalated regional tension and ignored the presence of Turkish
Cypriots on the island".
It added that "the TRNC was fully aware of why the Greek side always
sought arms and expressed concern over the policy of patting the Greek
Cypriot administration on the back despite policies threatening peace".
The statement further claimed that Washington's insincerity toward peace
negotiations on Cyprus would become evident if the bill goes into effect.
[06] Tacoy's exclusive statements to Milliyet
Turkish daily Milliyet (16.12.19) reports that so-called minister of
economy and energy Hasan Tacoy, in exclusive statements to the paper,
claimed that the recent maritime deal between Turkey and the Libyan
UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) has re-drawn the map
in the Eastern Mediterranean region.
While Turkey continues its drilling activities in the Eastern
Mediterranean, so-called minister Tacoy, spoke to Milliyet for the first
time about natural gas reservoirs in the region, claiming that so far they
have reached 107 trillion cubic foot and they have found reservoirs in 4
quadrillion cubit foots. The quantity of natural gas, which is expected
to be found, will make the Eastern Mediterranean the most important
region in the next 50 years, Tacoy claimed. "Turkey has most rights in
Exclusive Economic Zone. It has completed two drilling activities and
will continue with two others. The final reports about its activities
will be ready by Spring. The Greek Cypriot administration should withdraw
from efforts aiming to turn Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean into
a place where strife could break out at any moment. The Greek Cypriot
side continues its armament policy for years. And I consider as a wrong
step the US decision to lift the arm embargoes on the Greek Cypriot side,
since with this decision, it would encourage it to continue towards this
direction", claimed Tacoy.
Accusing the Greek Cypriot side of "unilateral activities" in the
Eastern Mediterranean, Tacoy supported that after the signing of the
agreement between Turkey and Libya, the stability in the region would
be in Turkey's hands.
(AK)
TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION
(AK/ EH)
