"We are closely following the developments in the region of Catalonia in Spain.

This afternoon's decision of the Parliament of the Regional Government of Catalonia concerning the declaration of independence is not a step in the right direction. Respect for the territorial integrity and the Constitution of Spain as well as the will of Spanish people are fundamental. The unilateral decision of the Parliament does not comply with the Constitution and the laws of Spain and does not reflect the will of Spain as well as the people of this region.

We hope that the Regional Government of Catalonia will not insist on this unilateral decision, which has no constitutional legitimacy and could lead to tension and escalation. We believe that this issue will be resolved based on democracy and the rule of law.

Turkey has no doubt that Spain, with whom Turkey has bonds of friendship and alliance, will overcome this challenge. Turkey supports Spain's efforts in this aspect."

[07] Denktas hails Catalan UDI

In a message posted on social media, Denktas claimed that the Turkish Cypriot "people" just like the Catalans too have a right for self-determination and added: "The world will accept this sooner or later".

Claiming that it was no longer possible to silence the voices of peoples around the world seeking to rule and administer themselves, Denktas criticized the EU's announcement that Madrid remains its only interlocutor and that it will not recognize "Catalan independence".

[08] Turkish Family Minister paid an illegal visit to the "TRNC"

She also held a meeting with the so-called minister of labor Ersan Saner and they "signed" a "memorandum of understanding"

Speaking during the meeting the Turkish Minister stated that the "memorandum" is small but an important step for the "national cause" and stated that the aim is the "TRNC" to be further developed further in the fields of education, health and economy.

Commenting on the issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika newspaper (28.10.17) reported that the turbaned Turkish Minister, who covers her head the way the women in Saudi Arabia cover their head, visited the "TRNC".

(CS)

[09] Turkey's Minister of Transportation will lay the foundation of the renewal project of the occupied road Keryneia-Kythrea on November 10

Durust also announced that the continuation of the occupied Keryneia dual carriage way to Lapithos and Vasilia will also commence soon.

Holding inspections in occupied Karavas yesterday, Durust was briefed on current projects by the self-styled mayor of occupied Lapithos Fuat Namsoy and self-styled mayor of occupied Karavas Firat Ataser.

Durust said that the foundations for the project to renew the occupied "Keryneia-Kythrea" road will be laid by self-styled prime minister Huseyin Ozgurgun and the Turkish Transportation Minister Ahmet Arslan on the 10th of November.

He also announced that work to renew the Agios Epiktitos ? Keryneia occupied road and Keryneia - Nicosia dual carriage way as well as to repair and carry out maintenance work on the occupied Komi Kepir-Agios Epiktitos road will begin soon.

Durust also said that the procedure for the construction of an overpass in the occupied area of Karavas has been completed.

On the same issue, Turkish Cypriot daily Kibris Postasi newspaper (28.10.17) reported that Durust further said that since 1974 many projects have been signed with the support and the contribution of the Republic of Turkey, adding that while in this period many Turkish Ministers of Transport have changed, the support of the motherland (Turkey) has always been permanent.

[10] A fishing boat presumably carrying refugees ran ashore at occupied Platanissos village

(I/Ts.)

[11] The clocks in the occupied area of Cyprus were also set an hour back

In line with the decision taken by the "council of ministers" Sunday morning at 2am the clocks were taken back an hour.

The "council of ministers" had also taken a decision that a change would not be made to the winter working hours of the "public sector".

"During the winter, public workers will be working from Monday to Friday from 8am to 12.30 and from 1pm to 4.15pm. On Thursday's they will work from 8am to 12.30 and from 1pm to 5.30pm."

[12] Erdogan and Putin discussed the latest developments about Syria's Idlib over phone

Addressing the upcoming Astana talks, Erdogan and Putin stressed the importance of maintaining close contact and coordinated action regarding the Syrian conflict.

According to presidential sources, the two leaders also discussed bilateral relations between Turkey and Russia. Erdogan and Putin touched upon the significance of cooperation in the energy sector, agreeing on the need to take necessary steps to foster bilateral trade between the two countries.

Sources also said that the Russian President congratulated Erdogan and the Turkish people on the 94th anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkey.

Moreover, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (online, 29.10.17) reported that according to a Turkish presidential source, Erdogan and Putin also discussed energy cooperation between Russia and Turkey, including the Akkuyu nuclear power plant and the Turkish Stream natural gas pipeline project, the source said.

[13] Commentary: "Can Turkey's Good Party capture attention?"

"(?) The main body of the Good Party comes from the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) but it also incorporates names from the centre right and centre left, even including some who have left the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). It almost resembles the model that Turgut Ozal applied when he brought together different existing political tendencies in his establishment of the Motherland Party (ANAP) in 1982.

The first test facing the Good Party is whether it can turn all of its tendencies into a coherent political identity. It can either develop according to dominant MHP structure or open itself to a new track by trying to bring its many different tendencies together.

If it tends toward the second choice, another critical question arises: Can this party capture the attraction of the public from different political tendencies?

Let's admit it: the Good Party came into being as a result of the power struggle among opponents inside the MHP against the leadership of Devlet Bahceli. Therefore, its primary target group will be those who are not pleased with the political support that today's MHP gives to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

But the party's chance of playing a 'regulatory role' in politics by relying only on disgruntled MHP voters is very low. To grow her party, Aksener needs to gather support from other political streams.

(?)

At the top of the list of political actors who will perceive the Good Party as a threat ? probably even ahead of the MHP - comes President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is aiming to win the presidential elections in 2019 by winning more than 50% of the votes in the first round.

The political success of Erdogan over the last 15 years comes from his ability to keep a significant number of right-wing voters with him, consolidating them within the AKP.

Erdogan has never hesitated to create alliances with political formations, small or large, in his bid to attract as many right-wing votes as possible. So it is not difficult to guess that Erdogan will not welcome warmly a new player who also has eyes on right-wing votes. (?)"

[14] Turkish journalists march for jailed colleagues ahead of trial

The march saw the participation of a number of MPs such as Baris Yarkadas, Ali Seker and Onursal Adiguzel from the main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) as well and Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) deputy group chair and Istanbul lawmaker Filiz Kerestecioglu who joined the march, along with journalists and families of currently arrested journalists.

The group chanted slogans including "Justice right now, freedom right now," "Don't be afraid to shout: Free press is a right," and "Ahmet [S?k] will come out [of prison] and write again," referring to the jailed daily Cumhuriyet reporter.

Journalist Gulsah Karadag read out a statement on behalf of the group. "We are here side by side. Every step that we take is for our friends who are in jail due to their opinions, supporting their patience and their will. None of us can be free as long as dozens of journalists are jailed. The jailing of journalists conceals the truth and prevents lies from being revealed. It tramples rights, law and justice", Karadag said.

The march came three days before the fourth hearing into the critical Turkish daily Cumhuriyet, which will be held at Istanbul's ourthouse on Oct. 31.

In the last hearing on Sept. 25, the court ordered the release of prominent journalist Kadri Gursel but ruled for the continued arrest of four others, including reporter Ahmet Sik and editor-in-chief Murat Sabuncu.

Meanwhile, German journalist Gunter Wallraff will also come to Turkey to follow the hearing and meet with human rights activists as well as the lawyer for arrested Die Welt reporter Deniz Yucel and his wife, Deutsche Welle has reported.

Seventeen Cumhuriyet staff members have been accused in the case on terrorism charges, with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), the Revolutionary People's Liberation Party-Front (DHKP-C), and the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETO) among the groups named in the indictments.

According to the Turkish Journalists' Association, around 160 journalists are currently in jail in the country.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

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(DPs / ??)

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