Front Page Headlines
‘Not amnesty, exemption’
The amnesty provided to AKSA (private energy company) for ₺10m in unpaid taxes topped the agenda in parliament. The finance minister clarified the issue. He said that AKSA’s taxes had not been deleted but that the company was exempt from the tax.
Vakkas arrested on charges of “forgery”
Seven suspects including well-known businessman Vakkas Altınbaş were brought before the Kyrenia court on Monday on charges of forging official documents and submitting them.
- An important figure for the Cyprus cause Mümtaz Soysal passes away
Allegations of fraud brought arrest
Seven suspects including businessman Vakkas Altınbaş and father of Bulut Akacan, Mehmet Akacan who were taken in for questioning following allegations of forgery of official documents were denied bail by the Kyrenia court. The court ordered their arrest and to be remanded in police custody for an additional day.
Altınbaş tremor
The Kyrenia District Court ordered all seven suspects, including the Chairman of the Altınbaş Holding’s Board of Directors Vakkas Altınbaş, who have been arrested on charges of transferring title deeds with forged documents, to be remanded in police custody for an additional day.
- Pincer move from EU on drilling – The EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted a framework for restrictive measures against Turkey over its drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean. The framework referred to Turkey’s drilling activities as ‘illegal’. The legal framework will allow the implementation of travel bans and asset freezes for persons responsible for the drilling activities.
Everyone is holding their breath
The same Kyrenia court which ordered well-known businessman Vakkas Atınbaş to remain in custody for a day on charges brought against him for forging documents will be announcing Bulut Akacan’s verdict on Tuesday.
Vakas arrested as well
It is the first time such an important businessman in the Turkish Cypriot community is arrested. Owner of banks, real estate agencies, petrol stations and jewellery stores. One of the richest people in Turkey and our country. A friend of Tayyip Erdoğan. In addition to Vakkas Altınbaş, six other suspects, Mehmet Altınbaş, Ahmet Bayraktar, Mehmet Akacan, Refet Uzun, Mehmet Şefik Ormancıoğlu and Kemal Yorgancıoğlu have been arrested on charges of forging documents and submitting them. The Kyrenia court ordered all seven to be remanded in police custody for an additional day.
- Turkey has no intention – It’s claimed that Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that Turkey will not be taking part in a five-party meeting until after the elections in the TRNC.
Main News
TC side steps up preparations for Berlin trilateral
Yenidüzen, Kıbrıs Postası, Kıbrıs, Havadis, Diyalog, Afrika
Negotiations Process
OVERVIEW
The Turkish Cypriot side is continuing its preparations for the trilateral meeting in Berlin on November 25, President Akıncı’s office announced on Monday.
A written statement issued by Akıncı’s office on Monday afternoon said that the Turkish Cypriot negotiating team was preparing for the forthcoming trilateral meeting in Berlin with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades.
It said that Akıncı has also held a meeting with leading experts and academics, exchanging views ahead of the trilateral meeting.
Akıncı will be meeting with the UN Secretary-General’s special envoy Jane Holl Lute this Saturday on November 16.
The statement also said that Akıncı will be meeting with the leaders and representatives of political parties with seats in the Turkish Cypriot parliament following his meeting with the UN special envoy.
In a separate statement on Monday, the leader of the main opposition Republican Turkish Party (CTP) Tufan Erhürman expressed his party’s support to the upcoming trilateral meeting.
“Any step to be taken towards a comprehensive solution, every meeting held in that direction is important for us,” Erhürman said in a post on social media.
He said that the fact that the UN Secretary-General (UNSG) Antonio Guterres was attending this meeting was extremely important and meaningful.
“It is meaningful that Mr Guterres, who has been highlighting since Crans Montana the importance of parameters reaffirmed by the UN Security Council, is attending the meeting,” the CTP leader said.
Erhürman pointed out that he and members of his party were holding contacts with ambassadors of influential countries as well as Greek Cypriot political parties in a bid to contribute to the process.
KEY ACTORS
Erhürman (CTP)
>> CTP supports trilateral meeting.
>> Any step taken towards a comprehensive solution is important for the CTP.
>> Attendance of UNSG Guterres important & meaningful.
>> CTP holding contacts with ambassadors of influential countries & GC parties to contribute to the process.
Ankara reiterates vow to defend rights in Eastern Med
Yenidüzen, Diyalog
Energy, Regional/International Relations
OVERVIEW
Turkey on Monday reiterated a vow to defend its rights in the Eastern Mediterranean, as a response to the EU plans for restrictive measures against Turkey.
“Turkey will not stop defending its rights under the international law in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the interests of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus despite all inconsiderate steps of the EU,” the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement.
On Monday, the EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted a framework for restrictive measures against Turkey over its drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“From 2004 until today, Turkey and TRNC have exerted benevolent efforts to turn the hydrocarbon resources in the Eastern Mediterranean into an element of stability rather than of tension, as the side having taken all the constructive and positive initiatives,” the ministry said.
It blamed the Greek Cypriot side and the EU of failing to perceive the facts and of taking decisions in accordance with international law and the principle of equity.
“We have consistently stated since 2004 that naturally, we will not allow the unilateral usurpation of our rights. The EU’s unrequited and incomprehensible support to a null and void administration disregarding international law, as well as the falling hostage of an important opportunity for cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, should indeed serve as a case in point,” it added.
Ankara said it would continue to encourage the implementation of fundamental principles of international law as well as cooperation in the region towards lasting stability and welfare of all the peoples in the Eastern Mediterranean.
It said that the EU, which had long lost its impartiality as an actor in the Cyprus Problem, will never be able to take a constructive and helpful attitude in the Eastern Mediterranean.
“It is a futile expectation to hope that our country will step back from its rights on the Eastern Mediterranean by yielding to the threats,” the ministry stressed.
“Nobody should doubt that Turkey will continue search and drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean,” it added.
KEY ACTORS
MFA (Turkey)
>> Turkey will not stop defending its rights under the int. law in the East Med & the interests of the TCs despite all inconsiderate steps of the EU.
>> Since 2004 Turkey & TC side have exerted benevolent efforts to turn the hydrocarbon issue into an element of stability rather than of tension.
>> Turkey we will not allow the unilateral usurpation of its rights.
>> Ankara will continue to encourage the implementation of fundamental principles of int. law & cooperation in the region towards achieving lasting stability & welfare of all.
>> EU, which is no longer an impartial an actor in the Cyprus Problem, will never be able to take a constructive & helpful attitude in the East Med.
>> It is a futile expectation to hope that Turkey will step back from its rights by yielding to the threats.
>> Turkey will continue search & drilling activities in the East Med.
Photography bring two communities together
Yenidüzen
CBMs
OVERVIEW
The results of a bicommunal photography competition organized by the AKEL-GUE/NGL (Confederal Group of the European United Left/Nordic Green Left) EU parliamentary group has been announced, Yenidüzen reported on Tuesday.
The bicommunal jury which evaluated 190 photographs taken by 50 Turkish Cypriot and Greek Cypriot photographers was made up of Nilgün Güney, Yıltan Taşcı, Andriana Malekides, Tasos Costeas and Christakis Sazeides.
Candan Behsatoğlu, Engin Kunt, Erkan Çeliker, Haroulla H. Adamou Samata, Elias Lambrou, Kyriakos Arkatitis, Marios Ioannidis, Mehmet Bülent Türkelman, Nagihan Şekercioğlu, Peril Sözgen Emiroğluları, Veysi Canateş and Giorgos Zarvos were selected as winners.
Photographs taken by Antula Aleksandru, Ayşe Gökyiğit, Cem Cengiz, Doros A. Teodoru, Emre Aydıneri, Hasan Karlıtaş, Hristalla Kleanthus, İbrahim Cufoğlu, İsmail Bozat, Leyla Kıralp, Mustafa Karahasan, Nagihan Şekercioğlu, Niyazi Nizam, Yorgos Pahis and Yorgos Pahis have also been chosen for a follow-up exhibition.
According to Yenidüzen, the award ceremony and exhibition will take place at the Chateau Status on Saturday, December 14.
While 40 of the photographs will be on display at an exhibition in Brussels in March, a calendar of the 12 award-winning photographs will also be printed.