Cyprus PIO: Turkish Cypriot and Turkish Media Review, 20-01-08

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Member of ISID arrested in the occupied area of Cyprus

[02] Occupied Rizokarpaso area in quarantine

[03] Greek Cypriots do not want to share the public transportation "pie", claims Ozersay

[04] Tatar asks for further decrease of interest rates – 30 billion TL bank deposits in the occupied area of Cyprus

[05] Erhurman sees problems as regards sources coming from Ankara and about the date of the "presidential elections"

[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkish Foreign Minister increases his diplomatic meetings with regional countries

[02] Turkish President Erdogan, British Prime Minister Johnson discuss US-Iran tension

[03] "Turkey is not seeking a role of mediator between US and Iran", Kalin says

[04] CHP questions the current state of Turkish soldiers in Syria

[05] Turkey inaugurates public buildings in northern Syria

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[A] Turkish Cypriot Press

[01] Member of ISID arrested in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot daily Afrika (08.01.20) writes that the terrorist Islamic State organization (ISID) penetrated in the breakaway regime and reports that yesterday the so-called police arrested in occupied Famagusta Omer Ozturk, a member of ISID wanted in Turkey.

According to the paper, during an investigation taking place in Ozturk's house, religious books, magazines, notebooks, credit cards, DVDs, CDs, hard discs and memory cards that contained material related to the Islamic State were discovered and seized

Ozturk was brought in front of a court which detained him for three days.

Afrika notes that this is the first arrest of an Islamic State member in the breakaway regime. The paper also reports that it is not known how many members of the organization exist in the occupied area of Cyprus.

(CS)

[02] Occupied Rizokarpaso area in quarantine

Turkish Cypriot daily Halkin Sesi (08.01.20) under the front-page title: "Rizokarpaso was put in quarantine", reports that in spite of the fact that two weeks ago the so-called ministry of agriculture has stated that there was nothing to worry about as regards the disease which appeared in sheep and goats, occupied Rizokarpaso was put as of yesterday in quarantine.

According to the paper, an area of 5 km was vaccinated yesterday in order to prevent the spreading of the "smallbox disease". Also, among the other measures taken was the killing of animals with the disease, cleaning of the areas where the disease appeared and stop selling animals in the area.

Speaking yesterday in the so-called assembly about this issue, Erkut Sahali, "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP) called on so-called minister of agriculture and natural resources Dursun Oguz to resign. Accusing the so-called minister and the so-called government of failing to undertake measures in preventing the spreading of diseases in the animals, especially in this important period given the "necessity for the registration of the halloumi", Sahalli said that unfortunately the spreading of the disease has taken scary dimensions.

Also speaking in the so-called assembly, so-called minister Oguz, admitted that there was a delay in undertaking measures for preventing the spreading of the disease in the animals in occupied Karpassia. He went on to add that what is important now is to find a solution to the problem and said that he went yesterday to the occupied Rizokarpaso area accompanied by a group of experts who started vaccinations. He expressed satisfaction over the fact that the disease was not spread in other areas.

(AK)

[03] Greek Cypriots do not want to share the public transportation "pie", claims Ozersay

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kibris (08.01.20)reports that Kudret Ozersay, self-styled foreign minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has argued that the issue of transporting passengers with public transportation vehicles from the government-controlled area of Cyprus to the occupied part of the island had been raised both by his "ministry" and the "presidency of the republic" during the past 7-8 years, but the Greek Cypriot side "produces excuses" for not sharing the transportation "pie" with the Turkish Cypriot bus owners.

Addressing the "assembly" yesterday, Ozersay replied to views expressed by Biray Hamzaoglu, "deputy" with the Republican Turkish Party (CTP), who said that buses with registration numbers of the Republic of Cyprus could carry passengers from the government-controlled area and the airports in Larnaka and Pafos to the occupied area of the island. He added, however, that the same buses could not carry citizens of third countries from the occupied area of the island to the government-controlled area. He argued that this should not be allowed.

In his reply, Ozersay claimed that the EU officials were not exerting enough pressure on the Greek Cypriots and did not create solutions to overcome the problem of carrying out public transports from the occupied area to the government-controlled area of the island. He said that they would examine the allegations that buses from the government-controlled area carried out public transports in the occupied area of the island, but added that they should be certain that the measures which they would take did not prevent tourism activities from the government-controlled area to the occupied area. He claimed that they should not give the Greek Cypriots the opportunity to harm the "country's" tourism. Ozersay said also that the tourists, who visit the occupied area from the government-controlled area, contribute in the "country's" economy.

(I/Ts.)

[04] Tatar asks for further decrease of interest rates – 30 billion TL bank deposits in the occupied area of Cyprus

Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kibris (08.01.20)reports that Ersin Tatar, self-styled prime minister of the breakaway regime in the occupied area of the Republic of Cyprus, has argued that the decrease of interest rates in the occupied area of the island was a good development, but a further decrease would contribute to the economy's dynamism.

Speaking during a meeting with a delegation from the so-called "Cyprus banks' union" and the "central bank" of the regime, Tatar expressed the "government's" expectation in the direction of the decrease of interest rates and referred to the example of Turkey, where interest rates fell from 30% to around 12-15%.

He also said that according to recent information he had obtained, the savings in the banks reached 30 billion Turkish liras (TL). He noted that this number was three times higher than the budget of the regime which was 8,8 billion TL. He added that it was very important to "administrate" these resources "well" and channel them to the economy.

(I/Ts.)

[05] Erhurman sees problems as regards sources coming from Ankara and about the date of the "presidential elections"

Turkish Cypriot daily Yeni Düzen (08.01.20) reports that the leader of the Republican Turkish Party Tufan Erhurman stated that April 12th, the date that the "government" suggested for the "presidential elections" to take place is troublesome in terms of the "constitution".

Speaking yesterday to Bayrak, Erhurman criticized the "government" for not consulting with the "opposition" before submitting a proposal for "constitutional changes", noting that for such a proposal to pass there needs to be an approval of 2/3 of the "deputies". As he said, the right date for holding the "presidential elections" was April 23rd and the change of the date to April 12th consistutes of a "constitutional changes.

Erhurman also referred to the economy and said that the future does not seem to be bright for 2020 as regards the economy and called on for creating solutions through cooperation in order for the economy to be improved. Noting that due to the developments in the area unpleasant changes may take place like the rise of the oil price he added: "Turkey is inside this problematic area and tries to be a player in the region. Therefore it is very possible to experience problems as regards the sources coming from Turkey".

(CS)

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[B] Turkish Press

[01] Turkish Foreign Minister increases his diplomatic meetings with regional countries

According to Turkish daily newspaper Sabah (07.01.20, https://www.dailysabah.com/diplomacy/2020/01/07/erdogan-accepts-algerian-presidents-invitation-for-a-state-visit-as-tebboune-hails-ties), Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Tuesday morning met with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune to discuss bilateral, regional and economic developments.

Cavusoglu in a statement on Twitter underlined that both countries were determined to improve relations, going on to say that Turkey's investment in Algeria ranked first at $3.5 billion dollars and both countries would collaborate to increase tourism and cultural exchanges.

"I know our friend Turkey is a great state and relations between Turkey and Algeria are very close," Tebboune said, adding he was pleased to welcome Cavusoglu.

Prior to his meeting with the President, Çavusoglu met his Algerian counterpart Sabri Boukadoum and Prime Minister Abdelaziz Djerad.

Later, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accepted the invitation of Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune for a state visit, the Presidency announced on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, according to Turkey's state news agency Anadolu (07.01.20, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/europe/turkish-italian-fms-hold-talks-in-istanbul/1695659), Turkey and Italy's Foreign Ministers held talks Tuesday in the Turkish metropolitan city of Istanbul.

"Happy to welcome Minister of Foreign Affairs @luigidimaio of #Italy," Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a Tweet following his meeting with Luigi di Maio. "Will further improve our close relations in various fields. Exchanged views on international issues, particularly crisis in #Libya," Cavusoglu added.

Moreover, under the title "Amid tension, Turkey's top diplomat due in Iraq on Thursday", Turkish daily newspaper Yeni Safak (08.01.20, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/amid-tension-turkeys-top-diplomat-due-in-iraq-on-thursday-3509110) reports that Cavusoglu is set to pay an official visit to Iraq on Thursday amid heightened tension between the U.S. and Iran.

Mevlut Cavusoglu is due in Iraq on Jan. 9 "within the context of our intensified diplomatic efforts to alleviate the escalated tension in the aftermath of recent developments in the region", the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Recent developments in the region, as well as bilateral issues, are expected to be discussed during the visit," it added.

[02] Turkish President Erdogan, British Prime Minister Johnson discuss US-Iran tension

According to Turkey's state news agency Anadolu (07.01.20, https://www.aa.com.tr/en/turkey/turkish-president-uk-premier-discuss-recent-events/1695283), Turkey's President and the British Prime Minister on Tuesday discussed top international issues in a phone call, said the Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate on Tuesday.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Boris Johnson spoke about the current tension between the U.S. and Iran and other regional and international issues, particularly Libya and Syria.

[03] "Turkey is not seeking a role of mediator between US and Iran", Kalin says

According to Turkish daily newspaper Yeni Safak (08.01.20, https://www.yenisafak.com/en/news/turkeys-priority-in-libya-end-of-clashes-cease-fire-3509071), on the strained relation between the U.S. and Iran, Turkish Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said Turkey is not seeking a role of mediator between the two countries.

Speaking to reporters following the Cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara, Kalin said: "At this point, we [Turkey] does not have any expectation, demand, or claim to be a mediator. Turkey is among a couple of countries that can talk to both the U.S. and Iran, maybe [it is] the most important one".

Kalin also said Turkey will continue reiterating its call for acting with common sense and calm amid the U.S.-Iran tension.

Referring to Libya, Kalin said that Turkey mainly cares for the immediate end of clashes and announcement of cease-fire in Libya and claimed: "Turkey's priority in Libya is the halt of clashes as soon as possible, and a cease-fire".

Kalin also criticized the global community for not condemning attacks by Haftar. "Haftar gets away with any kind of attack in Libya, the international community even does not condemn [him]," he said.

[04] CHP questions the current state of Turkish soldiers in Syria

According to Turkish daily newspaper Hurriyet Daily News (07.01.20, http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/chp-questions-the-current-state-of-turkish-soldiers-in-syria-150691), Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) on Jan. 6 inquired about the current state of Turkish soldiers assigned to observation posts in Syria, saying no one knows how the soldiers are doing. (…)

Speaking after the first Central Executive Board (MYK) meeting of the CHP, the party spokesperson asked about the current state of soldiers who are performing their duties at the observation posts.

"Now, most of these 12 observation posts, where our 'Mehmetçik' [a widely used Turkish term affectionately to refer to soldiers of the military] are located at, have been besieged by the Syrian regime's forces. In other terms, [observation posts] are being protected by them. No one knows how the soldiers are doing," Faik Öztrak said at a press conference.

Öztrak also said that there is no information about the living conditions of the soldiers. "But hundreds and thousands of Syrians press in upon our country's borders from the region where these observation posts are at. Why did we establish there? How can these observation posts prevent the upcoming migration influx?" he added. (…)

Regarding the Syrian refugees, the CHP spokesperson cited anonymous "official" sources saying the migration influx towards Turkey can reach up to 1 million. "We do not even know who are coming [from Idlib] or if [the influx] has throat-slitting radicals," Öztrak said.

Öztrak also said that the "heavy prices" the government's Syria policy imposed upon Turkey will be felt for generations. "Erdogan who drove our Mehmetçik to Syria in 2010 is now throwing them into the fire in Libya," he said. "We hope our soldiers will remain unharmed, but we are seriously concerned," he added.

[05] Turkey inaugurates public buildings in northern Syria

According to Turkish daily newspaper Sabah (07.01.20, https://www.dailysabah.com/politics/2020/01/07/turkey-inaugurates-public-buildings-in-northern-syria), several public buildings, including a hospital, school and mobile post office, renovated by Turkey have come into service in the northeastern Syrian town of Ras al-Ayn after the area was cleared from terrorists, Ihlas News Agency (IHA) reported Tuesday.

The buildings damaged by the PKK's Syrian offshoot the People's Protection Units (YPG) were restored by Turkey.

The mobile PTT office will provide banking, postal and shipping services, according to the report. Sanliurfa Gov. Abdullah Erin, Second Army Commander Lt. Gen. Sinan Yayla, Sanliurfa Prosecutor Tolgahan Öztoprak and other officials attended the opening ceremony.

PTT branches were previously opened in northern Syria's Jarablus, Al-Bab, Çobanbey, Azaz and Afrin regions.

Gov. Erin visited the Rasulayn Hospital, where he talked with Ras al-Ayn residents and gave presents to the children.

The governor then visited the courthouse, which is currently undergoing renovations.

The officials also attended the opening ceremony of Peace Spring Nukra Elementary School. The governor said that students educated in the school will have the chance to build their country's future, noting that they aim to repair all schools to allow all students to receive an education.

TURKISH AFFAIRS SECTION

(DPs/ EH)

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