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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-11.07.18

 

No. 132/18                                                                                                        

 Contents

 A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Erdogan blames the Greek Cypriots for the failure of the Cyprus Conference

2. Statements by Akinci after meeting Erdogan: “From now on, the Turkish Cypriots will not be a part of an open-ended negotiation talks”

3. How the Turkish Cypriot press covers Erdogan’s illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

4. Ozersay to participate in festivities in London for the anniversary of the Turkish invasion

5. The Turkish Foreign Ministry will be responsible for “Cyprus affairs” after the political change in Turkey

6. Tourism circles in the occupied area of Cyprus pleased with the appointment of the new Tourism Minister of Turkey

 

B. Turkish Press

1.Erdogan due to NATO summit with a ‘heavy agenda’

2. Erdogan pays first foreign visit to Azerbaijan

3. How the Turkish press covers President Erdogan’s visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

4. Erdogan's issues several presidential decrees for the restructure of the Turkish administrative system

5. Turkey’s new Defence Minister: “We will continue our fight to ensure that our nation’s rights and interests come to no harm”

6. Treasury and Finance Minister Albayrak pledges more integration with global markets

7. İP declares Istanbul Deputy Nuhoglu as Parliamentary Speaker candidate

 

 A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Erdogan blames the Greek Cypriots for the failure of the Cyprus Conference

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris newspaper (11.07.18) reports that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has alleged that the reason for not taking a result during the International Conference on Cyprus was what he called as the fact that the Greek Cypriot side sees itself as the sole owner of the island and did not accept the establishment of a partnership based on the political equality with the Turkish Cypriots and the sharing of power. Speaking last night in the occupied area of Cyprus during a joint press conference with the Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, Erdogan alleged also that the mentality of the Greek Cypriots did not change during the one year which passed since the Cyprus Conference.

Noting that during his illegal visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus he discussed many issues with the Turkish Cypriot political leadership and evaluated the Cyprus problem with Akinci, Erdogan said that Turkey will always be by the Turkish Cypriots’ side and reminded that they have transferred water from Anatolia to the occupied area of the island, something which he described as a “very important step” for “making the TRNC strategically superior” and contribute to its economy. “Our primary target is to double the per capita national income by turning the TRNC into an attraction center in the Eastern Mediterranean within the forthcoming period”, he claimed and alleged: 

“[…] Cyprus is our national cause and our aim is finding a just and lasting solution. As Turkish side we have exerted every kind of efforts for the past 50 years. In spite of our efforts, however, the last process aiming at a comprehensive solution on the island ended, unfortunately, with the Cyprus Conference remaining inconclusive one year ago. The reason for this was the fact that the Greek Cypriot side continued seeing itself as the sole owner of the island and did not accept the establishment of a partnership based on political equality and the sharing of the political power. The mentality has not changed during the one year passed since then. No one now should doubt that the Greek Cypriots do not visualize a common future with the Turkish Cypriots. Turkey will never turn a blind eye to turning the Turkish Cypriot people into the victim of the non-solution and will never allow for the Turkish Cypriots to become a minority in a Greek Cypriot state. […]” 

Arguing that Turkey will continue its so-called constructive contribution with determination and good will on the issue of the solution, which will contribute to the strengthening of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean, Erdogan alleged: “Regardless of the course of this process, we will be by the side of the Turks of Cyprus in the future just like we were in the past. Especially on the issue of the economic, industrial zones around the entire Cyprus, we expect for all participants to see as fair whatever the international law requires and not the view of the world. Otherwise, as guarantor country we will continue seeking what is required within the framework of the international law just like we did until today. […]”

(I/Ts.)

 

2. Statements by Akinci after meeting Erdogan: “From now on, the Turkish Cypriots will not be a part of an open-ended negotiation talks”

According to illegal Bayrak television (11.07.18-http://www.brtk.net/?english_posts=erdogans-trnc-visit), Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan paid an “official visit” to the “TRNC” yesterday.

In statements during the joint press conference with Erdogan, Akinci said that he was honored to be able to host the Turkish President in the “TRNC”. Noting that a new era and a beginning Is taking place in Turkey, Akıncı said:  ‘First and foremost I hope this new beginning is best for Turkey and I hope that every sector will develop with the changes’.

Akıncı also expressed his deepest condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones during the Tekirdag train crash in Turkey. Continuing his speech he praised the occupation regime’s “sincere relations” with Turkey.

“The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus places great importance on its cooperation with Turkey. It is clear that the Turkish Cypriots – unfairly isolated from the world – need Turkey’s support for the development of our country in every area,” Akinci further argued.

Ruling out “open-ended negotiations” in the Cyprus peace talks, Akıncı alleged further the following:  “From now on, the Turkish Cypriots will not be a part of an open ended negotiation process.”

Touching upon the hydrocarbon resources around the island, Akinci called on the Greek Cypriots to adopt a constructive stance on this subject. He alleged that up until today the Greek Cypriot side has displayed the opposite reaction to this and created more tensions in the region.

“As the TRNC and with the support of Turkey it is not possible for us to give up on our rights in the Eastern Mediterranean”, Akinci alleged.

Noting that the UN Secretary General had sent an official to test the waters in Cyprus, Akıncı claimed that the Turkish Cypriot side had clarified its stance that it would not take part in open ended talks.

 

3. How the Turkish Cypriot press covers Erdogan’s illegal visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

Almost all Turkish Cypriot daily newspapers today (11.07.18) cover on their front page the illegal visit held yesterday by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus and the joint statements he made with Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci. 

Under the title “He came and left without saying much”, Kibris Postasi reports that while Erdogan was expected to give “hard messages” after his victory in the elections in Turkey, his statements were mild and in low tone, in contrary to Akinci who sent hard messages.

Kibris covers the issue under the title “’Our determination on the issue of the solution will continue’” and the subtitle “The Turkish Cypriot people should not be the victim of the non-solution”. The paper publishes a picture showing the Turkish President holding a child in his arms during his welcoming ceremony at the illegal airport and writes that Erdogan was welcomed with a “flood of love” by one thousand persons and under extraordinary security measures.

Writing in his column in Kibris, columnist Hasan Hasturer reports that according to   the chairman of Demiroren Media Group’s Executive Council, Mehmet Uysal, who traveled on the same plane with Erdogan from Azerbaijan to the occupied area of Cyprus, Erdogan sincerely believes that the Greek Cypriots are responsible for the non-solution in Cyprus and therefore they are the side which should take steps in the new process. Citing sources close to Erdogan, Hasturer argues that Erdogan supports Akinci’s stance on the issue of the recommencement of the Cyprus negotiating process. According to Hasturer, within a short period of time the Turkish Cypriot side and the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs will most probably meet and clarify the road map to be followed on the Cyprus problem. He says that this road map will be conveyed to UN officials and that during the UN General Assembly in September steps will be taken for the beginning of a new negotiating process most likely in November. This time the preparations will be very hard, because the Turkish side will oppose open ended discussions”, he notes.

Under the title “The TRNC is condemned to the one and only man”, Afrika reports that Erdogan passed from Cyprus “like a king”, while no European politician participated in his oath taking ceremony. According to the paper, Erdogan broke the tradition of the Turkish officials to carry out their first visit abroad to the occupied area of Cyprus, as he visited Azerbaijan first. Noting that extraordinary measures were taken at the occupied Tymbou illegal airport and during Erdogan’s route to the occupied part of Nicosia, the paper writes that Erdogan was welcomed by his supporters who had stoned Afrika on 22 January this year. The paper reports also that Erdogan placed a wreath at Ataturk’s monument in the occupied part of Nicosia, but not at Dr Fazil Kucuk’s and Rauf Denktas’ monuments.

Under the title “Step by step towards the solution”, Havadis reports that Erdogan reaffirmed once more Turkey’s commitment to the solution in Cyprus. 

Other titles are the following:

Halkin Sesi: “We will double the national income”, “Flood of love for Erdogan” and “Extraordinary security measures”. The paper writes that Erdogan was welcomed with enthusiasm, armored cars were brought from Turkey for him and the roads were full with police and snipers.          

Yeni Duzen: “Emphasis on the guarantees and a promise for double income by Erdogan”.

Kibrisli: “The Turks of Cyprus embraced Erdogan”

Demokrat Bakis: “Erdogan: We will not allow for the TRNC to become minority!”

Star Kibris: “Cyprus is our national cause”

Gunes: “Erdogan warned: The Turks of Cyprus will not become minority”

Yeni Bakis: “Our aim is to turn the TRNC into an attraction center”

Volkan: “Historic visit by Erdogan. There is no common future with the Greek Cypriots”

(I/Ts.)  

 

4. Ozersay to participate in festivities in London for the anniversary of the Turkish invasion

Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi (11.07.18 http://www.kibrispostasi.com/c35-KIBRIS_HABERLERI/n256946-kktc-basbakan-yardimcisi-ozersay-londraya-gidiyor-10072018 ) reports that “deputy prime minister and foreign minister” Kudret Ozersay will go to London in order to participate in festivities for the anniversary of the Turkish invasion to Cyprus.

On July 19, Ozersay will open the works of a project for the Turkish Cypriots living abroad at  Grand Palace  Suite  at 242 High Road, Wood Green, London N22 8JX.

On July 20 he will participate in the inauguration ceremony of a photograph exhibition about Cyprus under the title “Biz/ Εμείς” (Us in Turkish in Greek) at 10 Maple Street, Dowing House, W1T 5HA at Yunus Emre Culture Center.

Later in the evening he will participate in the reception for the celebration of the Turkish invasion which will take place in Hyatt Regency Churchill Hotel. A concert of Turkish Cypriot folk music by the Novaera orchestra consisting of Turkish Cypriot musicians will be given after the reception. 

(CS)

 

5. The Turkish Foreign Ministry will be responsible for “Cyprus affairs” after the political change in Turkey

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (11.07.18) reports that in the framework of the Presidential System that was adopted in Turkey, the “General Directorship of Binary Political Affairs” will deal from now on with the “TRNC” and the Cyprus problem at the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

According to a Presidential Degree that was published yesterday in the Official Gazette of Turkey, the Foreign Ministry will be consisted of 26 units, the “General Directorship of Binary Political Affairs” being one of them. These units will co-ordinate various projects in the areas of their geographical responsibility. The “General Directorship of Binary Political Affairs” will deal with economic and political relations and with co-operation with Greece; it will also follow the developments in the Cyprus problem and will prepare reports for the determination of the necessary politics.

(CS)

 

6. Tourism circles in the occupied area of Cyprus pleased with the appointment of the new Tourism Minister of Turkey

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Duzen newspaper (11.07.18) reports that tourism circles in the occupied area of Cyprus are very pleased with the appointment of Mehmet Ersoy as the new Tourism Minister of Turkey.

Ersoy is the owner of the ETS TUR which is one of the most prominent tourism companies in Turkey and he is also the owner of Maxx Royal Hotels. His twin brother Murat Ersoy is the owner of Atlasjet and Elexus Hotel which are located in occupied Keryneia.

According to the paper, Ersoy traveled very often to and from the occupied area of Cyprus and brought tourists, helping the tourism in the breakaway regime. He has connections and ties with the occupied area of Cyprus and tourism circles believe that his appointment will be very positive for tourism in the breakaway regime.

Commenting on Ersoy’s appointment, “tourism minister” Fikri Ataoglu stated that Ersoy is a well-known name in (occupied) Cyprus and this development will be very positive for the “country”.  On his part, the chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Hotel Owners Union” Fethi Ozbogac said that Ersoy is a man that has a deep knowledge in tourism and added that “it is very useful that his family owns a hotel operating in Cyprus”. The chairman of the “Turkish Cypriot Tourism Agencies Union” Erkan Kilim said that the success of Ersoy, who travels frequently to and from Cyprus in the field of tourism, will be reflected in the island as well.

(CS)

 

B. Turkish Press

1.Erdogan due to NATO summit with a ‘heavy agenda’

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (11.07.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-takes-heavy-agenda-to-nato-summit-134423) reports that as Turkey is getting ready to take further role in NATO for upcoming missions, topics like stability in Syria and Iraq, cooperation in the fight against terrorism and Turkey’s procurement of Russian S-400 anti-missile defense systems are expected to be on the agenda of the Turkish delegation when the alliance’s summit starts in Brussels on July 11.

The delegation will be headed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who will attend the leaders’ summit in his first international gathering after being sworn in on July 9 for a new five-year term.

On the side-lines of the summit, Erdogan will meet and hold bilateral meetings with a number of world leaders, including United States President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, and British Prime Minister Theresa May.

Erdogan is also expected to meet European Council head Donald Tusk, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker, and European Parliament President Antonio Tajani.

The NATO meeting will take place for the first time at the alliance’s new headquarters.

Amid concerns among NATO allies, primarily for the U.S., regarding Ankara’s decision to buy Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile batteries, which are not compatible with NATO’s defenses, Ankara has stepped up taking further role in missions of NATO, in an apparent sign of anchoring to the alliance.

One of them is assuming the command of NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force (VJTF) in 2021. The formation of such a force was decided at the NATO Wales Summit 2014 as a “Spearhead Force” to the NATO Response Force (NRF) for the intervention of a possible crisis within a week. Then-Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu announced on May 2015 that Ankara had offered to assume the responsibility as a framework nation in the Very High Readiness Joint Task Force for 2021. The official decision among allies is expected to be taken at a ministerial level meeting in December 2018.

Seven NATO members contribute to the mission in six groups: The German-Dutch forces, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Turkey. It is a force of around 5,000 formed in five battalions supported by air forces, navies, and Special Forces of member countries.

On the other hand, Turkey will also contribute to a new training mission of NATO in Iraq which aims to increase efficiency and capacity of Iraqi security officials against terrorism. Turkey offered a Turkish deputy commander for the training mission.

The NATO summit will be a place for confrontation between U.S. President Donald Trump and member states over burden-sharing problems.

(…)

 

2. Erdogan pays first foreign visit to Azerbaijan

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.07.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/erdogan-pays-first-foreign-visit-to-azerbaijan-134416) reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on July 10 travelled to Azerbaijan, making his first foreign trip since being sworn in as Turkey’s first executive President with sweeping powers.

In Baku, Erdogan met with his Azeri counterpart İlham Aliyev while delegations from the two countries also gathered to discuss bilateral ties.

“During the tete-a-tete and the meeting between the delegations we had the opportunity to review our relations,” Erdogan told a joint press conference with Aliyev.

“We are seriously interested in the trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline Project [TANAP] which is a strategic project. The steps taken in [the Central Anatolian province of] Eskisehir was significant,” Erdogan added.

Erdogan and Aliyev inaugurated the TANAP project on June 12 with a ceremony in Eskisehir.

“The investment Azerbaijan undertakes in Aliaga is very important. This fall, we will have the opportunity to further develop this investment,” Erdogan said in Baku.

SOCAR Turkey, an affiliate of Azerbaijan’s state oil company SOCAR, is building the Star refinery with a $6.3 billion investment on the Aliağa Peninsula in İzmir, an Aegean city in Turkey. The company is expected to launch in October.

Erdogan emphasized that Turkish-Azeri relations are strengthened on the basis of “one nation, two states,” referring to the Turkic roots of both.

Erdogan also thanked Aliyev for his hospitality and his support in the fight against the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ).

For his part Aliyev said “we are friends and brothers.” “Erdogan paying his first foreign visit to Azerbaijan after being elected President confirmed this,” Aliyev said.

On the issue of Nagorno-Karabakh -- an Azerbaijani region occupied by Armenia -- Aliyev said that Turkey supports Azerbaijan on resolution of the conflict.

“Turkey is the country which provides the biggest support to Azerbaijan in this regard,” Aliyev said.

 

3. How the Turkish press covers President Erdogan’s visit to the occupied area of Cyprus

Almost all today’s Turkish newspapers (11.07.18) do not cover Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus on their front pages. They highlight instead Erdogan’s first foreign visit to Azerbaijan.

Yeni Birlik on the bottom of its front page under the title Turkey’s President Erdogan, in TRNC: ‘Cyprus is our national cause’” and then the reader is referred to the inside pages for the story

Yeni Safak, on its front page, under the title “A brotherhood visit”, and the subtitle “The Turks in Cyprus will never be a minority”, reports on Erdogan’s visits to Azerbaijan and the “TRNC”.

The rest of the Turkish newspapers refer to Erdogan’s visit in their inside pages as following:

Milliyet: “Cyprus is our national cause”

Vatan: “President Erdogan was in TRNC after Azerbaijan”

Hurriyet: “President Erdogan: Cyprus is our national cause”

Cumhuriyet: “Erdogan: Cyprus is our national cause”

Turkiye: “A warning from President Erdogan to the Greek Cypriots: ‘We will never allow the Turkish Cypriots to be reduced to a minority”

Takvim: “Erdogan spoke at TRNC: Cyprus is our national cause”

Star: “Erdogan’s visit at TRNC was a flood of emotions”

Sabah: “Erdogan: Cyprus is our national cause”

Posta: “Erdogan was received in TRNC with a flood of emotions”

Aydinlik: “Erdogan: Cyprus is our national cause”

Yeni Akit: “Erdogan: Cyprus is our national cause”

Aksam: “Akinci: The cooperation with Turkey has great significance for TRNC”

(DPs)

 

4. Erdogan's issues several presidential decrees for the restructure of the Turkish administrative system

Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.07.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/first-presidential-decrees-restructure-turkish-administrative-system-134406) reported that Turkey’s state structure has been rebuilt after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan issued the first presidential decrees on July 10. Presidential offices, policy councils and directorates, which will work directly under the President, were introduced, while Ministries, their organization and duties have been reorganized.

Following his inauguration and marking the beginning of the new presidential executive system, Erdogan issued the first three decrees which are the fundamentals of the new state structure.

With the first decree, four presidential offices and nine boards were founded, which will work directly under the president’s command and will be subjected to related laws and presidential decrees.

(…)

With the first decree, 65 previous boards, commissions and committees have been merged under nine entities, the Science, Technology and Innovation Policies Board; Education and Teaching Policies Board; Economy Policies Board; Security and Foreign Policies Board; Judicial Policies Board; Culture and Art Policies Board; Health and Food Policies Board; Social Policies Board and Local Administration Policies Board.

The boards will work “like think-tanks,” in charge of proposing policies, overseeing the implementation of the policies, and preparing recommendation reports to related institutions and ministries, as well as carrying out “related works which are deemed suitable by the president.” They will work directly under the president and follow the President’s order.

Separate from the boards, four presidential offices were established: The digital transformation, finance, human resources and investment offices. The offices will work with the President and will implement the presidency’s projects.

The offices are responsible for developing projects related to their field and implementing them.

“The office is responsible for and has the authority to coordinate all institutions and associations related to its field, to ensure collaboration and carry out necessary meetings and other organizations,” the decree read.

Also eight directorates will command directly under the President, including the Directorate of General Staff, National Security Council and Directorate of Religious Affairs. Apart from them, the State Supervisory Council and Turkish Wealth Fund have also been taken under the presidential rule.

Undersecreteriat for Defense Industries and Undersecretariat of National Intelligence Organization have become directorates and are among the eight.

National Palaces Office Directorate, Strategy and Budget Directorate, Communication Directorate and State Archive Directorates have also been placed under the president’s command.

The first decrees also set the organizational structures and duties of the new Ministries established by Erdoğan, who presented the new ministers on July 9 at a press conference.

Moreover, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.07.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/professor-background-not-prerequisite-for-rectorship-in-turkey-new-decree-134410) reported that the title of professor, which was once necessary to be eligible for appointment as a rector at Turkish universities, was nulled in the latest emergency decree ruling on July 9.

“The rector at state universities is appointed by the President if they hold the title of Professor and are nominated by faculty members. Rectorship terms last four years. Once the term ends, they can be reappointed through the same process. One cannot serve as a rector for more than two terms,” the regulation has said since 2016.

The last decree numbered 703 signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ahead of his presidential oath-taking ceremony at the Turkish Parliament, lifted the professorship prerequisite and paved the way for a single person’s multiple term authority in universities.

“The President appoints the rector in state and foundation universities. In universities founded by foundations, the rector is appointed after the Board of Visitors makes an offer. The rector represents the legal entity of the university or the higher technology institute,” the new decree read.

(…)

On the same issue, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (10.07.18-http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/president-to-appoint-central-bank-governor-for-4-year-period-134397) reported that another presidential decree issued on July 10 by Erdogan said the President will appoint the Central Bank Governor, Deputies and monetary policy committee members for a four-year period.

Three presidential decrees, published in the country’s Official Gazette, set out the structure of the new presidential system and the regulations governing the appointment of officials by the president.

Previously, there had been a five-year term for the central bank head but a decision published in the Official Gazette removed this stipulation and scrapped a requirement that deputy governors have a decade of experience.

An earlier presidential decree merged treasury and finance ministries, and Berat Albayrak, the former Energy Minister and President Erdogan’s son-in-law, has been appointed to the newly created post to be in charge of the economy.

The Turkish lira recovered the bulk of its overnight losses early on July 10, having slid some 3% after President Erdogan announced his new Cabinet.

The lira, which has lost nearly a fifth of its value against the dollar this year, stood at 4.6640 at, having weakened as far as 4.75 overnight. It had closed at 4.5745 on July 6.

In line with the new regulations, the Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) is dissolved. Erdogan will be responsible for all promotions of ranks and dismissals within the army.

(…)

 

5. Turkey’s new Defence Minister: “We will continue our fight to ensure that our nation’s rights and interests come to no harm”

According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (10.07.18, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/politics/turkey-wants-good-neighborly-ties-defense-minister/1200180), Turkey’s new National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar on Tuesday expressed his hope that Turkey continues its good relations with neighbouring countries.

After being sworn into his new office in Parliament, Akar said: “We want to continue our lives in peace, prosperity, and security in friendly, harmonious relations with our neighbours” and added: “We will continue our fight with ambition and determination to ensure that our nation’s rights and interests come to no harm.”

He vowed to continue striving to ensure Turkey’s security, unity, integrity, sovereignty, and independence by mobilizing national and indigenous resources.

6. Treasury and Finance Minister Albayrak pledges more integration with global markets

Turkish daily Sabah (10.07.18-https://www.dailysabah.com/economy/2018/07/10/treasury-and-finance-minister-albayrak-pledges-more-integration-with-global-markets) reported that the Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak, who took office today, hinted that Turkey will follow fiscal and monetary policies that will ensure stronger integration with the global markets while aiming to reduce inflation to single digits.

Turkey's first Treasury and Finance Minister Berat Albayrak who took office Tuesday in a ceremony in Ankara from the former Finance Minister Naci Agbal and former Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek, who was in charge of the Treasury in the previous system, vowed that Turkey will be more integrated with global markets from the East to the West.

Hinting on the monetary and fiscal policy that will be implemented in the upcoming period, Albayrak stressed that Turkey will act more swiftly, and fair and transparent policies will be executed within the framework of a private-sector mind-set.

"Within the principles of market economy, we will witness Turkey becoming more integrated with the global financial system," Albayrak said, stating that independent monetary institutions will deliver stronger performances working in compliance with the global system.

"We will cooperate with international financial actors and stakeholders as well as public and private stakeholders in Turkey in close communication and ensure the successful accomplishment of a strong Turkey vision." The Ministry's policies will be devised in accordance with the structures of the market economy and deliver results that will benefit both Turkey and its partners.

Minister Albayrak stated that Turkey will analyze its real economy dynamics and global transformation and develop stable and reliable policies accordingly. Rather than focusing on daily developments, the country will execute mid-term and long-term plans to make sure a strong and trustworthy policy is integrated with global financial markets.

"The Ministry will strive to deliver an exemplary performance of fiscal and budgetary discipline," Albayrak said.

Albayrak stated that the Ministry has a full agenda loaded with issues to tackle and pledged that the Ministry will work to reduce inflation to single digits.

(…)

 

7. İP declares Istanbul Deputy Nuhoglu as Parliamentary Speaker candidate

Turkish daily Sabah (10.07.18-https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2018/07/10/ip-declares-istanbul-deputy-nuhoglu-as-parliamentary-speaker-candidate) reported that the far-right Good Party (İP) yesterday announced Hayrettin Nuhoglu, a Deputy from Istanbul, as their candidate for the Parliamentary Speaker elections.

Nuhoglu became the second candidate to be announced following the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) candidate Binali Yıldırım, whose post as Prime Minister was abolished with Turkey's switch to an executive presidency system as of today.

The other parties have not yet announced their candidates while the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) announced that it will declare its candidate on Wednesday.

According to the Turkish state protocol, the Parliament Speaker is the second-highest ranking government official. Current Parliament Speaker Ismail Kahraman, who served for two terms, did not seek another term due to old age and health problems. Deputies convened in the Parliament on Saturday for the oath-taking ceremony and the session was chaired by Usak Deputy Durmus Yılmaz from the İP, as the oldest Deputy in Parliament.

The first round of the election will be held on Thursday, and Yılmaz will be acting as Parliament Speaker until the election is concluded. In the first two rounds, a two-thirds majority is sought for the election of the Parliament speaker in the 600-seat Parliament. Yıldırım is the joint candidate of the AK Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which formed the People's Alliance for the June 24 presidential and parliamentary elections and have 344 seats combined. Yıldırım will likely be elected in the third round, as a simple majority is required.

………………….

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(AK / AM)