"Mr prime minister, I congratulate you personally and on behalf of the Turkish nation on the occasion of the formation of a new government in the TRNC [editor's note: the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus] under your prime ministry," Erdogan wrote.

Noting that the "TRNC" had achieved important progress since its establishment and had become stronger after facing all kinds of difficulties and obstacles, the Turkish President said: "I believe the government formed under your prime ministry will bring the TRNC forward."

Stressing that the prosperity of the Turkish Cypriots and the development of the "TRNC" were among their priorities, he said: "we will continue to work together with the TRNC for a more stable and prosperous structure."

Erdogan also stressed that the Republic of Turkey, as the motherland and a guarantor power, will continue as it has in the past to support the existence, security and rights of the "TRNC".

The Turkish Vice President Fuat Oktay in his letter also congratulated Tatar and added: "In addition to our efforts towards finding a just and permanent solution to the Cyprus problem which will safeguard the rights and interests of the Turkish Cypriots, I hope the current cooperation between our two countries for the further development of the TRNC in all fields will continue to grow during your government's term in office. Turkey will continue to provide all kinds of support to raise the prosperity of the Turkish Cypriot people and the TRNC for a brighter future".

[04] Ozersay: New models for negotiations should be discussed

"We have a second plan and this is to have alternatives", he stated, adding that the Cyprus negotiations should not be continued from the point they were left.

He also said that the two sides should come together and must start discussing a partnership based on co-operation, instead of a partnership based on sharing.

(CS)

[05] Turkish Cypriot politicians on Kizilyurek's election

"Deputy" with the National Unity Party (UBP) Oguzan Hasipoglu said that Kizilyurek does not represent the Turkish Cypriots, claiming that the 5,000 Turkish Cypriots, who crossed to the free areas of the Republic of Cyprus to vote are only the 2,5% of the Turkish Cypriots voters. "This is not an important number", he said, adding that is a fake feeling that with the election of a Turkish Cypriot in the EU Parliament the Turkish Cypriots' voice is heard there.

The general secretary of the New Cyprus Party Murat Kanatli stated that Kizilyurek's election is very important. Kanatli also expressed his satisfaction that ELAM did not elect any EU Deputy. He further said that the discussion as regards whether Kizilyurek represents the Turkish Cypriots at the EU Parliament or not, has no ground since, as he said, there is no national representation in the EU Parliament.

The chairman of the Revival Party (TR. Note: The party of the settlers) Erhan Arikli stated that his party showed no interest as regards Kizilyureks's candidacy.

Finally, "Yeni Duzen" (28.05.19) writes that the general secretary of the Communal Democracy Party Cemal Ozyigit, stated that his party has always supported that 2 out of the 6 EU Parliament seats of the Republic of Cyprus belong to the Turkish Cypriots. He said that although Kizilyurek supports federation as a solution of the Cyprus problem, he still represents AKEL and not directly the Turkish Cypriots. "However, I see with satisfaction this representation", he stated.

(CS)

[06] HP on the collapse of former "coalition government"

In statements to Diyalog TV in a joint interview with the other two "ministers" of his party in the former [and current] "government", Ozersay said that this was the reason why they could not secure flow of money. "As government partner, we could never see a picture giving us confidence from the financial point of view", he noted adding that "the train was derailed".

Moreover, in her statements during the same program, Aysegul Baybars, self-styled interior minister, said that the "citizenship law", which was debated a lot publicly, had been ready since October, but there was no response by their "coalition partners".

Finally, Tolga Atakan, self-styled minister of public works and transport, noted that he had been thinking of resigning before, because no fund for making roads had been secured during the period of the four-party "coalition government".

(I/Ts.)

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Erdogan: "They are laying the groundwork to turn a struggle based totally on economic interests in East Mediterranean into a security issue and a diplomatic crisis"

Erdogan further said: "Those who have not been able to bring Turkey to its knees through terrorist organizations, treacherous gangs and all sorts of traps and threats are now playing games through economy". He went on to say: "Showing as an excuse the steps we take concerning our national security, they seek to undermine our economy with sanction threats. They are laying the groundwork to turn a struggle based totally on economic interests in East Mediterranean into a security issue and a diplomatic crisis. In fact, those who set these traps against us have their own political and economic troubles way graver than the ones inflicted on us. We will inshallah not give these circles, which are ready to drag the world into chaos and turn it into a bloodbath in an attempt to conceal their own situations, the chance they have been looking for."

[02] Tatar speaks again of a "two state solution in Cyprus"

Tatar made the above statement referring to the military agreements signed recently by the "Greek Cypriot administration", as he referred to the Republic of Cyprus, pointing out the condition for Turkey to give up the country in case of a solution in the island. Tatar, went on to point out the "military capabilities provided by the Greek Cypriot administration to the USA at first and then to Israel, France and the UK".

Concerning the natural gas crisis in the Middle East, Tatar alleged the following: "Cyprus is an important island for Turkey's security and for the security of the Turkish Cypriots". Recalling Mustafa Kemal Ataturk's words, Tatar claimed that they are watching closely the developments in the Middle East and added that "they would also watch out for Cyprus".

Tatar accused also the Greek Cypriot side of trying to turn the Turkish Cypriots into a minority, and argued that it is for this reason that it is trying to be reinforced with military cooperation with foreign powers. He argued that the Greek Cypriot side is trying to have the USA by its side in order, as he claimed, to drive Turkey into the corner and at the end to force Turkey to withdraw from Cyprus and prevent Turkey from making openings to the Mediterranean. "We will never allow this to happen. We will undertake all necessary steps together with the cooperation of Turkey. (…). We came to the island in 1571. Our struggle continues since then. There are two states in Cyprus. And we should give way to the path for a two state solution in Cyprus. Whether in the EU or not. We will not be surrender to the Greek Cypriots who want the Turkish Cypriots to be minority", Tatar claimed.

(AK)

[03] Defence Minister denies claims of deadline set by US to reconsider S-400 purchase

Speaking to local Haberturk channel, Hulusi Akar said Turkey has not been given any such deadline. About measures Turkey would take in case of possible sanctions from the U.S. over Ankara's procurement of S-400 missile defence system from Moscow, Akar refused to comment on "assumptions".

"We are carrying out activities in a way that will completely fulfil the responsibilities given to us," Akar said, adding that Turkey made full payment for F-35 fighter jets to Washington. (…)

Akar said four F-35 fighter jets have already been delivered to Turkey and their activities are ongoing at the base in the U.S. "Training of our four pilots is underway and hundreds of sergeants got maintenance training and returned [to Turkey]," he said, adding that 37 personnel were recently trained.

[04] Istanbul election board announces candidates for June 23 rerun elections

Besides the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) candidate Ekrem Imamoglu, who was declared winner of the March 31 elections before it got scrapped, ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate Binali Y?ld?r?m, Felicity (Saadet) Party candidate Necdet Gokc?nar and Vatan Party candidate Mustafa Ilker Yucel, 17 independent candidates will run for the local polls.

Ballot slips with the names of these candidates started being printed as of May 27. Processes regarding the ballot boxes will be completed on May 29. Election propaganda and prohibitions will begin on June 13. (…)

[05] Latest polls show opposition's Imamoglu leading in Istanbul election re-run, but pro-government survey shows Yildirim as the winner

According to a pro-government MAK Consulting Firm survey conducted on 11,000 Istanbulites between May 15 and 20, 47% of respondents said they would support Imamoglu, while some 45% favour the ruling party's candidate, Binali Y?ld?r?m. (…)

The poll showed that 49% of participants do not believe there were any irregularities in the March 31 election, while some 43% allege discrepancies.

Seventy-two percent of opposition supporters said they would vote for their candidate, whereas 80% of Y?ld?r?m supporters said their preference stemmed from party ties or President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (…)

The A&G survey revealed that non-voters are a homogenous group; therefore, even if they decide to vote on June 23, their support will not change the result.

Also, Imamoglu supporters seem more motivated than Y?ld?r?m voters, according to the poll.

The survey indicated that the ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) loss of supporters in the March 31 election is not solely related to Kurdish voters and that Kurds in Istanbul, constituting some 12% of the electorate, will continue to be the kingmaker.

Meanwhile, Optimar polling company's latest survey said Imamoglu is leading the race by some 4%.

[06] Arrest warrants out for 100 in FETO probe; Over 1,000 irregular migrants detained in one day

Istanbul prosecutors sought the arrest of 74 suspects -- 32 out of them are on active duty soldiers -- with warrants as part of a FETO probe into the infiltration of the terror group into the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), according to sources who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Colonels, lieutenant colonels, and commanders are among the soldiers sought by security sources, the sources said.

Separately, prosecutors in southern Adana province issued arrest warrants for 27 soldiers – including 20 personnel on active-duty, sources said. Police have conducted raids in 18 provinces to hunt suspects. (…)

Meanwhile, Turkish daily Hurriyet Daily News (28.05.19, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/over-1-000-irregular-migrants-detained-in-one-day-143777) reports that a total of 1,031 migrants were detained across Turkey on May 28, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported.

In the northwestern province of Edirne, which borders Greece and Bulgaria, gendarmerie forces rounded up 693 migrants, said the agency. Separately, gendarmerie forces detained 35 migrants, all of them Iraqi nationals, in the northwestern province of K?rklareli, according to the agency.

Moreover, the Turkish Coast Guard intercepted 25 migrants on a rubber boat off the coast of the Aegean province of Ayd?n.

Some 13 migrants were also detained in the northwestern Bal?kesir province while they were preparing to sail for Greece.

Security forces launched an operation to capture an alleged human smuggler.

In addition, police detained 97 irregular migrants in a truck in the Aegean province of Izmir.

Police seized two rubber boats and detained three alleged human smugglers.

Some 128 migrants were also detained by gendarmerie forces in the eastern province of Van, bordering Iran.

In the southern Hatay province, border forces detained 40 migrants who had crossed irregularly from neighbouring Syria.

All of the migrants were later referred to provincial migration directorates.

Turkey has been the main route for refugees trying to cross to Europe, especially since 2011, the beginning of the Syrian civil war.

Some 268,000 migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/EH)

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