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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-26.09.18

 

No. 186/18                                                                                                      

Contents

A. Turkish Cypriot Pres

1. Dherynia crossing point is ready to be opened

2. The five Egyptian fishermen will continue to remain in custody for three more days

3. Water to agricultural land in occupied Morfou

B. Turkish press

1. Erdoğan: UNSC standing idle to oppressions in world

2. Erdogan meets world leaders in New York

3. Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is visiting the US to attend the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly

4. New Dutch Envoy to Turkey vows to play ‘positive role’

5. Turkey, Azerbaijan to cooperate in defense, aviation

6. Ruling AK Party, MHP agree in principle to continue alliance

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Dherynia crossing point is ready to be opened

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (26.09.18) reports that the mobility, which was observed during this week at the north side of Dherynia’s crossing point, has raised the hopes of the inhabitants of occupied Famagusta town and especially of the shopkeepers and craftsmen within the old walled city of Famagusta. 

It was reported that the booths, which are necessary for the “immigration’s employees” for identification and controls have been constructed in the north side of the crossing point and the electricity has been secured. According to the paper, two booths have been placed at the Dherynia’s crossing point and were connected with electricity from the military zone in the occupied area of Cyprus. However, the two military posts that belong to the Turkish and Greek Cypriot army have not been removed from the area, as it had been agreed.

The Famagusta Initiative, in a post at the social media, called Tolga Atakan, self-styled minister of transport, to continue to have a will to complete quickly the construction of Dherynia’s crossing point in order to open soon.

Replying to the post, Atakan argued that the will and the efforts come from all the “government” and not only from the “ministry”.

(DPs)

 

2. The five Egyptian fishermen will continue to remain in custody for three more days

According to Turkish Cypriot daily Haberator newspaper (26.09.18), the five Egyptian fishermen, who were arrested last week with the pretext for violating the territorial waters of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus, were brought before the “Keryenia district court” again yesterday.

The paper reports that “the principal investigator has asked the renewal of the three days-demand on all five fishermen in order to carry safely on with the investigation. Meltem Dunmdar, Keryneia district court’s judge, ruled that the fishermen will remain in custody for three more days for the security of the investigation”.

(DPs)

3. Water to agricultural land in occupied Morfou  

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper(26.09.18) reports that the inauguration of the “irrigation project” of occupied Morfou area was held yesterday at the installations of occupied Syrianochori village in the presence of Tufan Erhurman, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus.

During the first phase of the project 10 wells were put into use in occupied Syrianochori installations, 350 cubic meters of water per hour were added to the system, providing water to 6,000 donums [Translator’s note: A land measure of about 1,000 square meters] of agricultural land started and a pipeline of 1,800 meters was built.

During the second phase of the project, a pipeline of 3,200 meters will be built and 2,000 more donums of land will be irrigated. The length of the new pipeline, which will be built afterwards, will reach 10,000 meters and 3,500 donums of land will be irrigated with this pipeline.

According to the paper, with the water from Turkey 18,000 donums of agricultural land will be irrigated.

Addressing the ceremony, Erhurman argued that if the Turkish Cypriots work and produce more, they will continue to eternally exist as economically and socially developed “people”, who feel proud with themselves under all conditions. He expressed the view that they cannot reach anywhere by crying and that there is a road which they have to walk all together by working and producing. 

(I/Ts.)   

 

B. Turkish Press

1. Erdoğan: UNSC standing idle to oppressions in world

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (26.09.18 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-calls-for-security-council-reform-in-un-address-137228) reports that  Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that the UN Security Council currently serves the interests of five permanent members holding veto rights.

The five members of the Council, the U.S, Russia, China, France and Britain, are “standing idle to the oppressions in other parts of the world," Erdoğan said in his address to the 73rd session of UN General Assembly.

Erdoğan said the UN has carried out work and achieved considerable successes over its 73-year history.

"However, it is also a fact that over time the United Nations moved away from meeting the expectations of humanity for peace and welfare," he added.

Erdoğan said past "massacres" in Bosnia, Rwanda and Somalia, recent ones in Myanmar and ongoing ones in Palestine, have all taken place before the eyes of the Security Council.

"Those who do not raise their voices against the oppression of the Palestinians, their efforts even to reduce assistance for them, are only increasing the courage of the oppressors," he added, referring to the recent U.S. decision to cut aid to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.

Turkey will continue to stand with the "oppressed" Palestinians and will protect the historical and legal status of Jerusalem, Erdoğan said.

He underscored there needs to be "comprehensive reform" in the structure and functioning of the UN, particularly the Security Council.

"And we believe that when we say ‘the world is bigger than five,’ we become the voice of the common conscience of humanity," Erdoğan said.

Limiting the reform of the UN to the budget only will neither contribute to the solution of real problems nor make anybody happy, he said.

The Turkish President added there is a need for increasing UN efficiency "which I find very important for the future of the world, on its fundamental areas of duty which are security, development and social equality."

"When the assets of the wealthiest 62 people in the world amount to the assets of the half of world’s population of 3.6 billion people, this means there is a problem," Erdoğan said.

'More abundant, flexible support'

Erdoğan said Turkey continues its efforts towards a fairer world while implementing a global humanitarian diplomacy.

He recalled that Turkey hosts 4 million refugees, 3.5 million of which are Syrian, and provides them with services that are "incomparable" elsewhere in the world.

The total amount Turkey has spent for Syrian refugees alone is at $32 billion.

Hinting at U.S. support for PYD/YPG, the Syrian affiliate of the PKK terror organization, Erdoğan said: "Those who equip terrorists with tens of thousands of trucks and thousands of cargo planes load of arms for the sake of their tactical interests will most definitely feel sorrow in the future."

Erdoğan said all terrorist organizations do not obtain their power from their armed actions, rather some hide behind "glossy concepts" such as education, welfare and dialogue, and continueoperations as NGOs or businesses.

Turkey is in favor of solving problems through conducting a constructive dialogue on equal terms and expects responsible action in matters of economy, he said.

And he called for an institution within the UN for the youth. "As Turkey, we propose establishing a UN Youth Organization as soon as possible and suggest Istanbul, one of the symbolic cities of the world history, as its headquarters," he added.

He called for establishing a new global system at the UN that will be the voice of the implementer of humankind’s expectation for justice.

 

2. Erdogan meets world leaders in New York

Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.09.18 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/americas/erdogan-meets-world-leaders-in-new-york/1264923) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met Tuesday with world leaders in New York, including his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The meetings came on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly.

Erdogan first met with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras behind closed doors and later held similar meetings with Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic, Mozambique President Filipe Jacinto Nyusi and Slovenian President Borut Pahor.

Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin and Presidential Communications Director Fahrettin Altun accompanied Erdogan when he met with with the leaders of France and the UK.

 In addition, Ankara Anatolia news agency (26.09.18 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/todays-headlines/erdogan-trump-briefly-meet-ahead-of-un-address/1264692) reports that Erdogan had a brief meeting with his U.S. counterpart, Donald Trump, in New York, according to the Turkish presidential communications director.

The two leaders had a "brief chat" ahead of Erdogan's address to UN General Assembly, Fahrettin Altun said on Twitter.

In photographs posted on the social media site, Trump is seen extending a handshake to Erdogan. Trump's wife, Melania, joined their chat.

Erdogan then moved inside the General Assembly to deliver his address.

It is the first time the two leaders met after relations soured because of the detention of pastor Andrew Brunson, who is under house arrest in Turkey for terrorism charges.

3. Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is visiting the US to attend the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly

The official site of the Turkisg Foreign Ministry brodcat the follosing as regards the Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in New York (26.09.18 http://www.mfa.gov.tr/disisleri-bakani-mevlut-cavusoglu-nun-bm-73-uncu-genel-kuruluna-katilimi-24-9-18_en.en.mfa):

“Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu is visiting the US to attend the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, 24 September 2018

During his visit to New York for the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly, in which President Erdoğan participates, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu attended the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on September 24, Monday. Minister Çavuşoğlu stated that as a founding member, Turkey will continue to support all efforts to strengthen CICA.

Minister Çavuşoğlu attended the high level session entitled ‘Global Compact on Refugees’, and emphasized that Turkey hosts the largest refugee population, and did not leave innocent people to the hands of a brutal regime or terrorist organizations such as DAESH, PKK/PYD/YPG, but the humanitarian crisis in Syria has been left to Turkey’s shoulders, and that the international community needs to strengthen responsibility sharing.

On the sidelines of the 73rdSession of the UN General Assembly, Minister Çavuşoğlu held bilateral meetings with Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland of the Council of Europe, Foreign Minister Tudor Ulianovschi of Moldova, Secretary General Dr. Yousef bin Ahmad Al-Othaimeen of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Foreign Minister Taro Kono of Japan, Foreign Minister Carlos Holmes Trujillo of Colombia, and Foreign Minister Ditmir Bushati of Albania.

Minister Çavuşoğlu attended the OIC Contact Group meeting on the Armenian aggression towards Azerbaijan, and the working lunch on Rohingya crisis, co-organized by Foreign Ministers of France and Britain at which the state of Rohingya Muslims were evaluated. Minister Çavuşoğlu emphasized that the  international community must increase humanitarian aid and that Rohingya Muslims’ voluntary, dignified and safe return from Bangladesh to Myanmar must be ensured.

Minister Çavuşoğlu also attended the inaugural meeting of the OIC Contact Group on Friends of Mediation, established with the initiatives of Turkey. At the meeting, Minister Çavuşoğlu noted that the OIC will play a more active role in the field of mediation in the upcoming period.

On the same day, Minister Çavuşoğlu accompanied President Erdoğan at his meetings with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan and President Hassan Rouhani of Iran.”

 

4. New Dutch Envoy to Turkey vows to play ‘positive role’

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (26.09.18 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/new-dutch-envoy-to-turkey-vows-to-play-positive-role-137193) reports that the Netherlands’ newly appointed Ambassador to Turkey expressed hope to play a positive role in Turkey-Netherlands relations.

“I am happy to be here [in Turkey]. This is a very important moment. I hope to play a positive role in Turkey-Netherlands relations,” Marjanne de Kwaasteniet told reporters upon her arrival at Ankara’s Esenboğa airport.

Appointed as Ambassador to Turkey on Sept. 7, Kwaasteniet previously served as the Netherlands’ Permanent Representative to NATO.

Former Justice and Development Party (AKP) lawmaker and former deputy leader Şaban Dişli was appointed on Sept. 7 as Turkey’s Ambassador to The Hague.

5. Turkey, Azerbaijan to cooperate in defense, aviation

Turkish daily Yeni Safak newspaper (26.09.18 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-azerbaijan-to-cooperate-in-defense-aviation-3441920) reports that  the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) signed a cooperation protocol with Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences (AMEA) in capital Baku on Tuesday to combine efforts in the fields of defense and aviation.

The protocol aims to establish a mutual sustainable cooperation in the defense and aviation area through the academic programs of AMEA, to accelerate the research and development activities by sharing the knowledge, as well as boosting the mutual exchange of ideas.

"The cooperation is not limited to an academic framework, but covers a wide range of science and technology ecosystem," Mustafa Akkurt, the TAI's Human Resources Vice President, told Anadolu Agency.

Akkurt said the TAI desired to adopt the Azerbaijan’s knowledge, especially in fundamental sciences, which will contribute to the development of the aerospace industry, and to share its design, production, quality and certification capabilities with Azerbaijani academy.

He also added that the protocol with AMEA pawed the way for the cooperation with various universities in Azerbaijan.

The signing ceremony took place on the sidelines of the the 3rd Azerbaijan International Defense Exhibition (ADEX) between Sept. 25-27, a three-day event to showcase the force and power of Azerbaijan’s military and industrial complex, as well as modern weaponry and equipment.

The TAI exhibited product models for the aerospace industry in the ADEX, such as TF-X aircraft, HURKUS basic trainer, ANKA-S medium altitude long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, T625 multi role helicopter, as well as the GOKTURK-1 and Turksat 6A satellites.

The Turkish Aircraft Industries Corporation -- today known as Turkish Aerospace Industries -- was established in 1973 under the auspices of the Ministry of Industry and Technology in order to reduce the foreign dependency in the  defense industry of Turkey.

6. Ruling AK Party, MHP agree in principle to continue alliance

Turkish daily Sabah (26.09.18 https://www.dailysabah.com/elections/2018/09/25/ruling-ak-party-mhp-agree-in-principle-to-continue-alliance) reports that the ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) agreed Tuesday in principle to continue their alliance in the upcoming local elections.

The two parties, which previously formed the People's Alliance for the June presidential elections, will continue their alliance on  cooperation in the March 2019 local elections, AK Party vice chairman Mehmet Özhaseki said Tuesday, adding that meetings between the delegations would be held soon.

"The MHP will continue its reconciliatory and common-sense approach in a period when Turkey struggles for its survival. We do not desire the gains in the June 24 elections to be lost on March 31," MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli said earlier this month.

In the 2014 local elections, the MHP won three metropolitan municipalities with around 10 % of the total votes, while AK Party won 18 out of the 30 metropolitan municipalities with around 60 % of the votes.

The AK Party and the MHP decided to form a political alliance for the presidential and parliamentary elections when Bahçeli announced that his party would not name a candidate for the 2019 presidential elections and would support the re-election of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan instead. As a result, the alliance, named the People's Alliance, won 340 seats in Parliament, 290 by the AK Party and 50 by the MHP.

………………….

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(CS/ AM)