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Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review-03-05.11.18

No. 213/18                                                                                                         03-5.11.18

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Tatar: “Turkey and the TRNC will not remain bystanders to those usurping their rights”

2. Ulucay says that the opening of Apliki and Deryneia crossing points will affect the “economy and tourism” of the occupation regime positively

3. Survey shows only 31,33% believes that federation is the way out of the economic crisis in the occupied area of Cyprus

4. Survey shows that the UBP will win possible “elections”

5. Ataoglu is in London for the World Tourism Fair

6. Ozyigit said that the number of students who study at the “universities’ in the TRNC” has reached to 102,944

B. Turkish Press

1. Turkey warns against “resources extortion’ in Mediterranean Sea

2. Akar reiterates Turkey will never allow the violation of its legal and historical rights and interests

3. Indian Ocean Rim Association accepts Turkey’s bid

4. Cavusoglu:  ‘2019 to be Year of Turkish Culture in Japan’

5. Turkey calls for forming clearing house within D-8

6. Turkey's annual inflation in October hits 25.24%

7. Turkey issues arrest warrants for 26 FETO suspects

 

A. Turkish Cypriot Press

1. Tatar: “Turkey and the TRNC will not remain bystanders to those usurping their rights”

Turkish Cypriot daily Gunes newspaper (05.11.18) reports that the newly elected chairman of the National Unity Party (UBP) Ersin Tatar alleged that both Turkey and the TRNC have rights on the hydrocarbon deposits in Eastern Mediterranean and no one will be able to ignore them. “Turkey and the TRNC will not remain bystanders to those usurping their rights”, he said.

Tatar who issued a written statement, also said that the Greece-Greek Cypriots pair ignores all the proposals made by Turkey and the “TRNC” for reaching an agreement on the issue and continues with the steps taken having the dream to usurp these sources. He also said that the Greece-Greek Cypriots pair must accept in practice the rights of the Turkish side and acts accordingly.

Tatar also argued that it is not possible for the natural gas to be exported to be sold in a reasonable price without the co-operation of Turkey and the TRNC, and added the Greece-Greek Cypriots pair must follow the road of the common sense. “If they do not, then every exploration, everywrong step taken and every provocation will not remain without answer”, he said.  

 He went on adding the followings: “If the Greece-Greek Cypriots pair which usurped the rights of the Turkish Cypriot people with the armed attacks against it in 1963 and the efforts for Enosis thinks that it can create a similar  fait atcompli in order to take our rights on hydrocarbons’ deposits as well, and use them against us, then the necessary answer must be given to it in the language that understands”.

(CS)

2. Ulucay says that the opening of Apliki and Deryneia crossing points will affect the “economy and tourism” of the occupation regime positively

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (05.11.18) reported that the “speaker” of the so-called assembly Teberruken Ulucay, in a written statement said that the opening of Apliki and Deryneia crossing points will affect positively the “economy and tourism in the TRNC”.

“As it was announced, the Apliki and Deryneia crossing points will open on November 12 simultaneously. With the opening of Apliki crossing point in Lefka area and the Deryneia crossing point in Famagusta area the mobility in the region will be increased”, Ulucay said, pointing out that the opening of the two crossing points will contribute further to the increase of confidence between the two communities and also will increase the tourism and trade potentials and the “revival of the economy”.  

Expressing hopes for the resumption of the talks after the meeting of the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mustafa Akinci with the UN Secretary-General, Ulucay recalled the natural gas oil exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. Referring to the Republic of Cyprus’ drilling works which are planned to be launched on November 10 at parcel 10 of “Greek Cypriot administration’s exclusive economic zone”, as it was called by Ulucay and the launching of drilling by Turkey with the Fatih vessel, Ulucay alleged the following: “Our biggest wish is for the natural gas resources in the island to be shared equally and to bring joint economic value for the future of the island.  Within the framework of the common policies followed both by Turkey together with the TRNC, our willingness for a solution on the Cyprus problem continues. Together with a solution that will create a bi-zonal, bi-communal federal framework, our wish is for the economic values to contribute not only to the people of this island but to the other countries in the region”, Ulucay added. 

(AK)

 

3. Survey shows only 31,33% believes that federation is the way out of the economic crisis in the occupied area of Cyprus               

Under the title “Hopes are exhausted”, Turkish Cypriot Kıbrıs newspaper (05.11.18) publishes the September 2018 results of a survey held every three months by the Centre for Migration, Identity and Rights (CMRIS). The paper reports that the survey showed that the community is hopeless for the improvement of the economy and pessimistic for the future. The survey has reportedly measured the community’s perception regarding the economic crisis and how they should exit this crisis.

The majority of the participants in the survey or the 31,33% thinks that the real way out of the crisis is to “clean” their own house and “the recognition of the TRNC”. The percentage of those who say that “federation is the only way” remains to 28,01%. Moreover, 15,77% said that “while the target is federation, currently the target is cleaning our own house”. Finally, 13,49% of the participants said that the current situation should continue unchanged and 11,41% that they should unite with Turkey. 

It is noted that 85% of the participants in the survey expressed the view that things are going towards the wrong direction in their community. This percentage had been 75,67% in February 2017, 72,68% in October 2017, 88,82% in July 2017, 80,38% in April 2017 and 77,9% in June 2018.

The director of CMIRS, Mine Yucel told the paper that they were faced with the portrait of a very hopeless community this period, because of the consequences of the economic crisis on the one hand and the fact that the “government” could not fulfil its promises. 

(I/Ts.)  

4. Survey shows that the UBP will win possible “elections”                

Turkish Cypriot Halkın Sesi newspaper (05.11.18) reports that according to a political tendencies survey held by Haber Kibris Agency, the “people” consider the “four-party coalition government” to be “unsuccessful”. In spite of this, they think that the solution is not to hold “early elections”, but to agree on a new “coalition” within the current “parliament”.

According to the results of the survey which was held between 9 and 17 October through face to face interviews with the participation of 600 persons, the most successful member of the “cabinet” is considered to be “prime minister” Tufan Erhurman and the most “unsuccessful” self-styled minister of economy Serdar Denktas. Moreover, Erhurman is considered to be the “most trustworthy party leader”. 

Replying to the question “what is your most important expectation from the current government”, 39,1% said “the solution of the economic crisis” and 35,7% “the solution of the Cyprus problem”.

Asked “what is the possibility of you to vote the National Unity Party (UBP), if election is held next Sunday”, 24,8% said that they would definitely vote for the UBP, 16,4% that they might vote for the UBP and 10,7% exhibited a neutral stance as to whether they would vote for the UBP. Therefore, the vote potential of the UBP in a possible “election” varies from 24,8% to 51,9%, notes the paper.

The Republican Turkish Party’s (CTP) vote potential varies from 10,3% to 31,8% as replying to the same question for this party, 10,3% said that they would definitely vote for the CTP, 10,6% that they could vote for the CTP and 10,9% exhibited a neutral stance as to whether they would vote for the CTP.

The vote potentials of the other parties are the following:

People’s Party (HP): 1,4%-16,5%

Democratic party (DP): 1,8% - 14,6%

Social Democracy Party (TDP): 1,9% - 13,1%

Revival Party (YDP): 1,8% - 11,7% 

(I/Ts.)

5. Ataoglu is in London for the World Tourism Fair

Turkish Cypriot daily Star Kibris newspaper (05.11.18) reports that so-called minister of tourism and environment, Fikri Ataoglu who is currently in London to attend the World Tourism Fair (WTF) which is organized there, in statements during a press conference organized on Saturday at the “TRNC’s representation office in London”, stated that they will intensify and increase their promotion activities in the UK with the aim to increase the number of tourists from the UK who are visiting the “TRNC”.

Speaking during the press conference, Atatoglu said that the “TRNC” is attending the World Tourism Fair in London and this year, as it does every year, with its “own stand”, in spite as he said of the “embargoes imposed on the TRNC”, the fact that there are not direct flights to the “TRNC” and the efforts exerted by the “Greek Cypriot administration” to prevent the participation of the “TRNC” in several international activities and events.

Ataoglu claimed further that they have intensified their activities and work in order to find out new destinations.

Pointing out to the importance of the British market, Ataoglu also said that they attach great importance to the British market and announced that they will be increasing the “promotion budget with the aim of bringing more tourists to the TRNC from this market”.

“The British market is important for us. We will continue our contributions to tour operators for advertisements promotion activities in the next year. Next year when the tender law passes, we will increase our promotion budget and will be able to hold bigger campaigns”, Ataoglu said.

Pointing out to the efforts they had exerted in the occupation regime to revive the winter tourism, Ataoglu claimed that the number of tourists visiting the occupation regime during the winter period has increased as a result of the positive outcome of the projects they had launched three years ago.

Ataoglu added further that besides the “ministry’s promotion activities”, Turkish Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci has also launched an initiative for “lifting the Greek Cypriot administration’s obstacles on those who arrive in Cyprus via Larnaca airport to pass to the north”. “I hope that the Greek Cypriot administration shows its good will towards this issue”, Ataoglu argued.

(AK)

 

6. Ozyigit said that the number of students who study at the “universities’ in the TRNC” has reached to 102,944

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (05.11.18) reports that the  so-called minister of education and culture, Cemal Ozyigit, in a written statement alleged that the number of students who study at the “universities in the TRNC” during the academic year 2017-2018 was 101,011 adding that this number has reached to 102, 944 for this year, showing an increase of 1,933 students, if compared with the figures of the previous year.

Ozyigit claimed further that 12,506 students are coming from the “TRNC”, 54, 966 students are coming from Turkey while 35,472of  our students come from third countries.

 After announcing the above figures Ozyigit argued that among the “aims of the ministry is to increase the quality of education provided at the universities”.


(AK)

 

B. Turkish Press

1. Turkey warns against “resources extortion’ in Mediterranean Sea

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (05.11.18 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-warns-against-resources-extortion-in-med-sea-138554) reports that  Turkey will never allow attempts to “extort” natural resources in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said.

“We will never allow attempts of extorting natural resources in the Εastern Mediterranean by excluding us and the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” Erdoğan said at the delivery ceremony of the TCG Burgazada, the third ship of Turkey’s first indigenous warship program MİLGEM, to the Turkish Naval Forces in Istanbul.

Erdoğan said those who thought they could take steps contrary to Turkey in the Εastern Mediterranean or the Aegean have started to realize they made a “huge” mistake.

“We do not have an eye on countries’ rights, laws and territories. We only protect the rights of our country and brothers,” he added.

“Just like we let the terrorists in Syria have it, we will not allow the thugs in the seas run free,” said the Turkish President.

Erdoğan also hailed the MİLGEM project and the country’s efforts to decrease foreign dependency in the defense sector.

“We have lowered our foreign dependency in the defense industry from 80 % to 35 %,” Erdoğan said.

“We trusted our engineers and trusted our technicians, researchers, academicians, officers and most importantly, our entrepreneurs. Products that compete with the highest league countries in the world have come out,” he said.

The Turkish President recalled that laser tests were held in Ankara last week, and Turkey is among the top five-six countries in the world in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) production.

“The further we develop the defense industry, the more we will move further,” said Erdoğan. “We will further support this field in the coming period,” he said.

Erdoğan also attended the first welding ceremony for submarine Aydın Reis, which is a part of Turkey’s program to produce its own submarines.

 

2. Akar reiterates Turkey will never allow the violation of its legal and historical rights and interests

Turkish daily Star newspaper (04.11.18, https://www.star.com.tr/guncel/milli-savunma-bakani-akar-denizlerimizdeki-haklarimizin-ihlaline-musaade-etmeyecegiz-haber-1402880/) reports that Turkey’s Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said that they will not allow violations of their rights in their seas, adding: “Our interlocutors; they must know that we will never allow the violation of our legal and historical rights and interests in our blue homeland sea”.

Speaking at the delivery ceremony of the TCG Burgazada, the third ship of Turkey’s first indigenous warship program MİLGEM, to the Turkish Naval Forces in Istanbul, Akar recalled that the vessels Sultan Osman and Resadiye were not delivered in the past, despite the fact that the money was paid. He argued: “Similarly, the embargo which was imposed on us during the Cyprus peace operation (Turkish invasion to Cyprus in 1974) is still in our memory. We did not forget that we could not even fly the drones we had just paid a day before. The approach and stance we have encountered in the past, unfortunately we continue to see it today in different shapes and sizes.”

Defence Minister further argued: “The Turkish Navy Forces continue uninterrupted its activities in line with its mission to defend our motherland, starting from the blue homeland, which has a total of 462 thousand Km2 in a maritime security environment shaped by regional and global dynamic and to protect the sovereign rights of the Republic of Turkey and its interests in the sea. In addition to this, it contributes to the security of maritime areas in our surrounding seas and connected sea areas and to the protection of our economic interests in all the seas come into our field of influence and interest. We also support our foreign policy goals by moving to different parts of the world our flag, peace, friendship and cooperation messages. We advocate the promotion of the power that our defence industry has achieved and we also undertake important roles to obtain regional and global peace and stability within the UN, NATO and other multinational organizations”.

Stressing that the Burgazada corvette and the Aydinreis submarine, which have joined the Navy Forces, will increase significantly the strength in the “Blue motherland” and the effectiveness in the international missions, Akar claimed that there was a numerical decrease as the traitors among them have been cleaned, but their strength has been increased with the sacrifice and heroism of their fellow fighters.

Noting that the Eastern Mediterranean, which has been one of the most important intersections of the international trade throughout history, is at the focal point of maritime transport routes, Akar claimed: “At the same time, the presence of energy resources is an attraction in the region. In this context, the most important dispute that will determine the security environment in the Eastern Mediterranean is the matter of restricting the maritime jurisdiction. This issue is getting deeper and deeper, and recently our seismic research vessel Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa was again harassed by the Greeks. Despite our positive, peaceful and constructive stance, such practices that aim to limit our rights based on the international law increase the tension in the region.”

Akar further argued openly that Turkey is determined to protect its interests and rights deriving from the international law and added: “Everyone should be aware that we will take all necessary steps to protect the rights and interests and the Turkish Armed Forces and Navy Forces will not allow the repetition of such provocations. In this framework, Barbaros Hayrettin Pasa and Fatih vessels continue their activities in our maritime jurisdictions accompanying by our Naval Forces. Our interlocutors; they should be aware that we never allow the violation of our legal and historic rights and interests in our blue homeland sea and no project, which Turkey and the TRNC (the breakaway regime in the occupied area of Cyprus) are not part of, in the Aegean and Mediterranean does not have a chance to survive”.

(DPs)

3. Indian Ocean Rim Association accepts Turkey’s bid

Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.11.18 https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/indian-ocean-rim-association-accepts-turkey-s-bid/1301859) reportεδ that Turkey’s bid for the status of Dialogue Partnership in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) has been approved, the Turkish Foreign Ministry announced on Saturday.

“Turkey’s Dialogue Partnership with IORA will contribute to strengthening our relations with the Indian Ocean region which has a great economic potential and the rim countries with many of which we have historical affinity, and in this manner to diversify the international relations and promotion of our country, and its quest for new export markets,” the Ministry said in a statement.

The decision was taken during the IORA Ministerial Council Meeting, which was held in Durban-South Africa, on Oct. 31-Nov. 2, the Ministry added.

“IORA is the only platform that brings together 21 countries (Australia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Bangladesh, Somalia, Kenya, Malaysia, Madagascar, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, UAE, Yemen, Singapore, Oman, Sri Lanka, Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius) and has been in operation for more than 20 years,” the Ministry added.

4. Cavusoglu:  ‘2019 to be Year of Turkish Culture in Japan’

Ankara Anatolia news agency (03.11.18https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/-2019-to-be-year-of-turkish-culture-in-japan-/1302415) reported that Turkey’s Foreign Minister on Sunday said that the year 2019 will be celebrated as Year of Turkish Culture in Japan.

Mevlut Cavusoglu’s remarks came during his visit to a Turkish-Japanese Cultural and Trade Association in Nagoya city of Japan, where he met Turkish citizens living in the country.

Cavusoglu said that Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Ersoy will also visit Japan as part of Year of Turkish Culture events.

On Turkey-Japan relations, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that his country wants to boost ties with Japan.

“Our aim is to increase trade and investment mutually as well as remove barriers for any [future] investment,” Cavusoglu said.

“Now we are making effort on how we can improve our relations,” Cavusoglu said. “The actualizing of investments in Turkey and our close cooperation on regional issues reinforce even more our relations with Japan in all areas,” he added.

During his visit, Cavusoglu said, he will meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, as well as other Ministers and media representatives.

Earlier, the Turkish Foreign Minister wrote on Twitter: “We are in Japan upon the invitation of my Japanese counterpart Taro Kono, to discuss the momentum gained in #Turkey-#Japan cooperation, and to exchange views on regional and international issues.”

“We started our visit to Japan with a meeting in Nagoya with our esteemed citizens who constitute an important tie between #Turkey and #Japan thousands of kilometers away from home,” he added.

 

5. Turkey calls for forming clearing house within D-8

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (04.11.18 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkey-calls-for-forming-clearing-house-within-d-8-138534) reported that Turkey calls for forming a clearing house within Developing Countries (D-8) to conduct trade in local currencies, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said Nov. 3.

"We are experiencing a period of trade wars. The best response against this would be using our local currencies in trade. Turkey is preparing to do trade in local currencies with countries such as China, Russia, Iran and Ukraine. We also continue such negotiations with other countries. It is possible to realize this within D-8. Therefore, we propose to form a clearing house within D-8," Çavuşoğlu said at the opening speech of the 18th Meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of D-8 in southern Antalya province.

On June 15, 1997, the D-8 was launched after Turkish Prime Minister Necmettin Erbakan proposed the creation of an economic group consisting of eight emerging economies from the Muslim world.

Alongside Turkey, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria and Pakistan created an organization based in Istanbul.

Çavuşoğlu said the countries need to work more to renew and revive, adding: "We can increase our strength and potential with new members."

Upon being asked about lifting sanctions against U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions and the Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Çavuşoğlu said the decision was taken in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.

Çavuşoğlu reminded reporters that Turkey imposed sanctions on Sessions and Nielsen when the U.S. Department of the Treasury imposed sanctions against Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Minister of Justice Abdulhamit Gul on Aug. 1.

"The U.S. wanted to reverse this decision. They asked us whether we were ready to lift sanctions mutually... 'We will lift it when you do so,' we replied."

He said the sanctions were lifted mutually on Nov. 2.

The U.S. had imposed sanctions on the Ministers amid a row about Andrew Brunson, an American pastor who was detained in Turkey on terrorism charges. He was released last month.

6. Turkey's annual inflation in October hits 25.24%

Turkish Hurriyet Daily News (05.11.18 http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkeys-annual-inflation-in-october-hits-25-24-pct-138571) reports that Turkey's annual inflation in October stands at 25.24 pct, up 0.72 points from 24.52 pct in September, the country's statistical authority said on Nov. 5.

"A rise in general index was realized in Consumer Price Index on the previous month by 2.67 %, on December of the previous year by 22.56 %, on same month of the previous year by 25.24 % and on the twelve months moving averages basis by 14.90 % in October," the Turkish Statistical Institute said.

 

7. Turkey issues arrest warrants for 26 FETO suspects

Turkish daily Yeni Safak  (05.11.18 https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkey-issues-arrest-warrants-for-26-feto-suspects-3465397) reports that Turkish prosecutors have issued arrest warrants for 26 personnel of the Turkish Land Forces over their alleged links to Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind July 2016 defeated coup, according to judicial sources.

The Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Ankara issued arrest warrants for the suspects -- all on-duty soldiers -- who allegedly communicated with the terror group’s so-called “imam” via pay phones.

Turkish police conducted anti-terror operations in the country’s 14 provinces, including the capital Ankara, said the source, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

So far, 20 suspects were arrested in the simultaneous counter-terror operations across Turkey. Police continue operations to nab the other suspects.

According to the Turkish government, the FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 251 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara also accuses FETO of being behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police, and judiciary.

 

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TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(CS/AM)