'EU should not engage in bazaar-style haggling with Turkey': Cypriot House Speaker.

'EU should not engage in bazaar-style haggling with Turkey': Cypriot House Speaker. (CyprusMail).

The EU should not engage in ‘bazaar-type’ haggling with Turkey over the migrant deal due to be thrashed out on Thursday in Brussels, House Speaker Yiannakis Omirou said on Sunday.

He warned that European institutions which were going to go against their own decisions would lose credibility.

Omirou was commenting on Tuesday’s visit by European Council President Donald Tusk to Cyprus, something he said came as a bit of a suprise. Tusk is coming to meet President Nicos Anastasiades ahead of Thursday’s summit as there are fears in Brussels that Cyprus could scupper the migrant deal by sticking to its veto on opening accession chapters for Turkey, which Ankara is demanding as part of a migrant deal.

Omirou urged the European Council to categorically reject Turkish demands, which, he said, were in no way related to the handling of the refugee crisis.

The European Council ought to safeguard its authority and credibility, as well as its own decisions, the House President went on.

When Turkey refuses to comply, the European Council can not exert pressure on the Republic of Cyprus in order to violate own decisions, he said.

Turkey has failed to comply with an EU decision that it recognizes the Republic of Cyprus and opens its ports and airports to Cyprus’ air and sea traffic.


Out of the 35 chapters Turkey must conclude as part of its accession negotiations, Cyprus has unilaterally frozen six, while additional chapters remain blocked by France.

Cypriot Media claims ISIS to blame for hotel gun attack.

Cypriot Media claims ISIS to blame for hotel gun attack. (Famagusta).

A TURKISH CYPRIOT daily newspaper is reporting that the so-called Islamic state is trying to extort money from several casinos and hotels in the north of Cyprus.

Kibris Postasi reports that the Islamic State terrorist organization could be behind an attack against the Savoy hotel in occupied Turkish Cyprus Kyrenia.

The attack in the early hours of Sunday saw gunmen fire more than 51 bullets at the hotel.

KP Daily News, the English language portal of Kibris Postasi reported: " An exclusive report in KIBRIS POSTASI newspaper today by Vatan Mehmet says that speculation is rife that the terror organisation ISIL is shaking down some of the casino’s in the 'TRNC' via threats"

According to daily Africa- which leads with the headline "Hail of bullets with Kalashnikov” - no one was injured and it is believed that the aim was to "warn and threaten” the owners of the hotel.

Four people have been arrested in connection with the incident and are in custody.

The press was not allowed by the breakaway regime’s "police” to approach the hotel.

Turkish Cypriot media reported Islamic State’s threats have been discussed by "security forces” intensively.

There has been no official comment on the media claims.

'Neo-Ottoman Conquerors' - Turkey to make no concession on Cyprus policy: Erdogan

'Neo-Ottoman Conquerors' - Turkey to make no concession on Cyprus policy: Erdogan. (Taz).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that no concessions will be made on Turkey's policy concerning Turkish Cypriots Anadolu Agency reported.

Addressing the Sixth World Forum on Energy Regulation in Istanbul Monday, Erdogan said: "It is not possible for us to make any concessions on our policy regarding the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the island's energy resources."

Erdogan also said that Turkey was a key country for utilizing and delivering the resources off the island, which he added belonged to each resident.

Political tensions in the long-divided island have eased since full-fledged talks resumed on May 15 and Mustafa Akinci was elected the new Turkish Cypriot president last month.

Akinci and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades met for an unprecedented tour in Lefkosa's historical site on May 23 and will reconvene on May 28.

The Greek Cypriot administration had unilaterally suspended the talks last October after Turkey issued an advisory on behalf of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus for seismic research off the coast of Cyprus.


The island was divided into a Turkish Cypriot government in the northern third and a Greek Cypriot administration in the southern two-thirds after a 1974 military coup by Greece was followed by the peace operation of Turkey as a guarantor state in Cyprus. Hmmmm......The 'Angry man of Europe'

'Islamist' Turkish pres Erdogan snubbed by 17 EU Amb after refusing to meet the Cypriot envoy.

'Islamist' Turkish pres Erdogan snubbed by 17 EU Amb after refusing to meet Cypriot envoy. (CM).

TURKISH President Tayyip Erdogan was snubbed by 17 EU ambassadors accredited to Kuwait during a reception there on Tuesday, after he asked their Cypriot counterpart to leave the event, a foreign ministry official said on Thursday.

Permanent secretary Alexandros Zenon said the incident took place at a reception to honour Erdogan who was on a visit Kuwait. It is customary in such events to invite the ambassadors of all countries, Zenon said.

“I am under the impression due to excessive zeal and not because of official policy,” the Kuwaiti officials asked Cyprus’ ambassador Panayiotis Kyriacou to leave the reception because Erdogan did not want to shake hands with or meet him, Zenon said.

Kyriacou consulted Zenon who told him to stay put. Zenon spoke to the Kuwaiti ambassador in Nicosia “who was very co-operative and expressed surprise and regret”.

In the meantime Kyriacou had spoken to his EU colleagues and the French and Greek ambassadors said they would leave if officials insisted Kyriacou should leave.

All the EU ambassadors stayed at the reception but refused to greet Erdogan.

“They snubbed him apparently in show of support and solidarity to their Cypriot colleague,” Zenon said. Phileleftheros reported that this annoyed Erdogan who cut his visit short. Hmmm......This is the way to deal with 'The Angry man of Europe'.

Cyprus and Egypt on Monday signed an oil and gas Memorandum of Understanding.

Cyprus and Egypt on Monday signed an oil and gas Memorandum of Understanding.(CM).

It provides for cooperation between the two countries in the development and exploitation of the Cypriot ‘Aphrodite’ gas field in block 12 of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone, utilising gas infrastructure existing in Egypt for the mutual benefit of the two countries.

In particular, the MoU authorises the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS) and the Cyprus Hydrocarbons Company (CHC) Ltd to examine technical solutions for transporting natural gas, through a direct marine pipeline, from the Aphrodite field to Egypt.

The Cypriot Government is in advanced talks with Russia regarding the signing of a number of cooperation agreements, the Government Spokesman Nikos Christodoulides, referring to the upcoming visit of President Nicos Anastasiades in Moscow.

Commenting on statements by Russian Ambassador Stanislav Osatsi in an interview with "Kathimerini" newspaper, that Russian - Turkey relations is not an obstacle for Russia's cooperation with Cyprus, Christodoulides said that "each country works solely trying to serve its own strategic interests and that is what Russia does, that is what the Republic of Cyprus does”.

"In this context we are in advanced processes, in advanced talks for the signing of a number of significant agreements and within the next week there will be more specific announcements by both the Russian side and the Republic of Cyprus," he said. Read the full story here.

Cyprus - Talks can resume only if 'Neo Otoman conquerors' Turkey acts responsibly.

Cyprus - Talks can resume only if 'Neo Otoman conquerors' Turkey acts responsibly. (CyprusMail).


The Cypriot government expressed the hope yesterday that Turkey will act in a way that will allow the resumption of reunification talks, suspended last October when Ankara dispatched a research vessel inside the island’s exclusive economic zone.

“It is an illegal action showing that Turkey does not respect the sovereign rights of the Republic inside its EEZ,” government spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said.

Turkey, which supports the Turkish Cypriot breakaway state in the north, disputes Nicosia’s rights to search for gas.

The government said Turkish Cypriots can share potential benefits, but only when there is a peace deal. President Nicos Anastasiades pulled out of talks in October after Ankara issued a navigational telex, or NavTex, reserving research areas inside the Republic’s EEZ.

It subsequently dispatched a research vessel, Barbaros, to carry out seismic surveys in the area.

The NavTex expired in December but Turkey issued a fresh one early in January, which expires on April 6.

The Barbaros is currently anchored 2.5 kilometres off the coast of Salamis, in occupied Famagusta.

But the government said anything short of withdrawing the telex will not get the talks going.

“The key for the resumption of talks is not having a navigational telex on Turkey’s part,” Christodoulides said. That however, is unlikely to happen.

In any case, Turkish Cypriots have leadership elections on April 19, and even without the NavTex holding up the talks, any form of substantive dialogue would have been doubtful. Hmmm.....Giving Turkey a permanent Seat at the U.N. would only unleash the 'beast'

Energy (GAS) must be included in Cyprus talks, says Turkish 'Occupier'.

Energy (GAS)  must be included in Cyprus talks, says Turkish 'Occupier'. (Famagusta).

Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu stated that the natural gas issue must be discussed at the negotiation table when UN sponsored talks resume.

"There was a suspension at the negotiations because the Greek Cypriot leader left the negotiation table. The reason was our ship at the sea. But there is an issue for them to understand. That ship was conducting researchers in our name,” he told a crowd during a pre-election rally.

" The message, that the Turkish Cypriots also have rights to the wealth underneath the Mediterranean Sea must be delivered both to the Greek Cypriots and the world. However, the Greek Cypriots want to give us our rights only after the solution of the Cyprus problem. We say that this issue must come up before the solution. But despite our warnings they continue their researchers. The natural gas issue must be discussed at the negotiation table”, he added.

Hmmm....Cyprus should NOT expect any support from the EU And UN, cheap gas from the 'Neo Ottoman conquerors'  is worth more for them then any Human values. Instead of dealing with one Dictator (Russia) they have now two Dictators to bow to.

Related: ‘No threats to neighbours,’ Tsipras tells Turkey

Video - UN envoy concerned about Cyprus talks with 'Neo Ottoman Conqueror' Turkey.

The United Nations Special Adviser on Cyprus, Espen Barth Eide, voiced concern that, despite some recent openings in the talks, it has been impossible to get negotiations back on track.

"We were not able together to stack the package in the right order, so now we’re back in an impasse,” Mr. Eide said on Tuesday following a meeting with Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu.

Eide, who is currently on a visit to Cyprus, added that he was in the country to listen to what Mr. Eroglu and Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades had to say about the current impasse.

Urging all parties to do their utmost to move back to the table and to create the necessary conditions for negotiations, the envoy said it was unfortunate that the impasse came about just as he was due to brief the Security Council.

"I have in meetings with the press said that I’m a realistic optimist; I still think that’s true,” he said. "But I’m getting more concerned, because I will remind you that in one of our earliest meetings at this particular place I said that if the impasse lasts a few weeks and maybe only a few months, it will not hurt the process in the long run. Now, I think that it’s actually beginning to hurt the process and we may see negative developments in the months to come.”

Eide called on the Security Council to work with both sides with the aim of resuming negotiations.

Speaking to reporters following his meeting with Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades, Mr. Eide, said that they had a constructive meeting and that he acknowledged Mr. Anastasiades’ positive contribution, which he said is something to build further on. He again expressed his concern about the impasse and that matters are de facto moving in the wrong direction.

Mr. Eide said that he will brief the Security Council on 26 January and will urge cooperation from the sides in Cyprus and from all other States to help create the conditions necessary for a speedy resumption of the talks. Hmmmm....Nobody will be able to talk or deal in future with 'Bully' 'Neo Ottoman conqueror' Turkey

'Neo Ottoman Conqueror' Turkey resumes seismic survey inside Cypriot EEZ

'Neo Ottoman Conqueror' Turkey resumes seismic survey inside Cypriot EEZ. (CyprusMail).

Turkey issued a new navigational warning on Tuesday for seismic surveys inside Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone.

A similar action in October prompted President Nicos Anastasiades to pull out of reunification talks.

In the warning, or NAVTEX, posted on Turkey’s Office of Navigation, Hydrography, and Oceanography, Ankara said it will conduct seismic surveys inside the island’s EEZ between January 6 and April 6.

The surveys will be carried out by Barbaros, which had been berthed in Famagusta.

On Monday, Anastasiades said it was impossible for him to participate in reunification talks as long as Turkey violated the Republic’s sovereignty.

The President reiterated that the management of the country’s natural resources rests with the internationally recognized government in Cyprus, acting on behalf of all the island’s legal citizens.

“Consequently, actions that question the sovereign rights of the Republic of Cyprus, on the pretext of protecting the rights of the Turkish Cypriots, are not only incommensurate with international law, but are also groundless.”

Although the Turkish operations are taking place within international waters, any activity by foreign nations beneath the water surface (such as surveys, depth soundings and data gathering) inside Cyprus’ EEZ is prohibited. Hmmm........'Bully' Turkey in it's natural state

Related:  

EU Parliament urges 'Bully' Turkey to stop maritime surveys for gas in Cyprus Exclusive Zone

Turkey’s EU Minister Volkan Bozkır said on Nov. 13 that Ankara will “not accept” the European Parliament’s decision on the resolution. 

“It has no validity for us,” said EU Minister Volkan Bozkır, in reference to the draft resolution, during a meeting with Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade in Ankara. 

U.S. Denies 'Islamist Sometimes NATO Ally' Turkey Leftover Warships.

U.S. Denies 'Islamist Sometimes NATO Ally' Turkey Leftover Warships.(Eurasianet).

The U.S. Congress has approved the handover of some leftover naval vessels to allies, pointedly excluding Turkey from the list of recipients.

In late December, the U.S. finally approved the long-delayed handover of six naval frigates to Mexico and Taiwan. But the bill passed Congress only after Turkey (along with Pakistan and Thailand) were eliminated as potential recipients, for a variety of political reasons. 

In the 2012 version of the "Naval Transfer Act," Turkey was to receive two Oliver Hazard Perry class guided missile frigates, the USS Halyburton and the USS Thach, which are being decommissioned by the U.S. Navy.

But the inclusion of Turkey proved controversial, as members of Congress pointed out Turkey's increasingly hostile stance toward Israel and its threats against natural gas exploration by American companies near Cyprus. 

"I believe we should hold off on sending powerful warships to Turkey and encourage the government in Ankara to take a less belligerent approach to their neighbors," said Representative Eliot Engel during that debate.

That bill was ultimately defeated, and an alliance of Greek, Jewish, and Armenian lobbying groups took credit.

But the defeat was only a symbolic one, says Can Devrim Yaylali, a Turkish naval blogger, who notes that the frigates in question were significantly more poorly equipped than the ships Turkey currently operates (including those of the same class) and could only have been cannibalized for spare parts.

"The lack of these frigates will not have any effect on the Turkish Navy at all from a technical point of view," Yaylali tells The Bug Pit. "If the US lawmakers tried to give some kind of a signal to the Turkish government by not adding Turkey to the list of the nations that may get a frigate is beyond my understanding. But if they did; the message was not delivered as the medium is not the correct one."  Hmmm........US frigate donation to Obama's BFF Erdogan ‘Sunk’

Cypriot Archbishop : 'Neo Ottoman conqueror' ‘Turkey’s goal is the occupation of whole Cyprus’

Cypriot Archbishop : 'Neo Ottoman cqnqueror' ‘Turkey’s goal is the occupation of whole Cyprus’.(Independent Balkan News Agency)

Cypriot Archbishop Chrysostomos II called for “spiritual and national alertness”, noting in his Christmas message that the Turkish occupation of Cyprus poses a threat, not only to the country, but to faith as well.

In his Archiepiscopal circular, read after Christmas mass in all churches of Cyprus, the Archbishop notes that the teaching of Jesus Christ is in contrast with the passive acceptance of the occupation and illegal settlement of Cyprus by Turkey,

Turkish occupation poses a danger to faith, he added.

“Turkey`s final and permanent goal is the occupation and turkification of the whole of Cyprus” the Archbishop says, noting that this is also evident by its continuous provocations in Cyprus` exclusive economic zone.  Hmmm......I applaud the Archbishop for his wisdom and agree. 

Chance for Cyprus talks as Turkish ship 'Barbaros' to exit Exclusive Economic Zone.

Chance for Cyprus talks as Turkish ship 'Barbaros' to exit Exclusive Economic Zone. (Famagusta).

Turkish Cypriot negotiator Ergun Olgun has confirmed reports that the Turkish exploration vessel "Barbaros" will leave waters in the Cyprus Exclusive Economic Zone on Tuesday, reports local media.

The about turn comes just days after Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot administration said they have no intention of halting exploration of the eastern Mediterranean.

The departure of the ship could open the way for a resumption of UN sponsored talks, which have been suspended since the vessel arrived in Cypriot waters in mid October.

In October, the Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos stated presence of the Turkish research vessel constitutes a "brutal violation of the international law of the sea”.

On Wednesday President Anastasiades said that Ankara`s positions for a resumption of the talks not only do not satisfy us but create more problems.

He told journalists after a cabinet meeting that he will not tolerate partners who undermine the existence of the Republic of Cyprus.

"I would like to make clear that I will never tolerate partners to a state which are not active but instead make threats with new plans,” he remarked.

Greek Cypriots suspended peace talks with Turkish Cypriots on in October in protest at what they called attempts by Turkey to undermine gas exploration off the island. Hmmm.....It's not because the 'Barbarians' 'Barbaros' leaves that they have given up.

Cyprus talks future looks grim as Anastasiades points finger of blame at 'bully' Turkey.

Cyprus talks future looks grim as Anastasiades points finger of blame at 'bully' Turkey. (Famagusta).

President Anastasiades said that Ankara`s positions for a resumption of the talks not only do not satisfy us but create more problems.
He told journalists after a cabinet meeting that he will not tolerate partners who undermine the existence of the Republic of Cyprus.

"I would like to make clear that I will never tolerate partners to a state which are not active but instead make threats with new plans,” he remarked.

Greek Cypriots suspended peace talks with Turkish Cypriots on in October in protest at what they called attempts by Turkey to undermine gas exploration off the island.

Turkey and the Turkish Cypriot administration have said they have no intention of halting exploration of the eastern Mediterranean.

Anastasiades also conceded that since his election, not everything in government had run smoothly.

The president responsibility for most of the mistakes in the first 22 months, however did not specify what they were.

Prior to making the remarks, Anastasiades met with House President Yiannakis Omirou.

Omirou briefed the President over developments in his absence, who in turn thanked the House President for "acting impeccably” in accordance to his institutional duties.

"The right impression was conveyed abroad, that the state has its institutions which function, that there is continuity in the institutions” President Anastasiades noted.

"It's Mine...All Mine" - We will not abandon Turkish Cypriot right to gas - Erdogan.

"It's Mine...All Mine" - We will not abandon Turkish Cypriot right to gas - Erdogan. (Taz).

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledged on Dec.10 to protect Turkish Cypriots’ right to natural gas until a fair distribution of resources is agreed with the Greek Cypriot administration, Anadolu Agency reported.

He added that he will not stop Turkey's drilling activities near the island.

"Turkey will never stay out of recent developments in Cyprus," he said at an address during the 60th year reception of the Turkish Petroleum Corporation.

"Our research vessel is now continuing its drilling activities. We will continue to be there as long as the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece continue to ignore our warnings on the issue," he added.

Peace negotiations between the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus and the Greek Cypriot administration resumed after a two-year pause in February 2013.

However, they were suspended by the Greek Cypriot side on Oct. 7 when Turkey sent the Barbaros Hayreddin Pasa research vessel, and military ships to accompany the Greek Cypriot mission, to show Turkey's stance on the one-sided research.

Emphasizing the role of Turkey's diplomatic efforts in the recent reconciliation between the Iraqi central government and northern Iraqi Kurdish autonomous administration on oil revenues, Erdogan said: "We have just the same understanding for the Cyprus Island. I hope the success of our energy diplomacy in Iraq will be repeated in Cyprus."

Erdogan also said Russia might drop the South Stream gas pipeline project in favor of a plan to build a pipeline through Turkey to supply gas to Europe.

Referring to discussions with his Russian counterpart on Dec. 1, Erdogan said: "We arrived to a preliminary, non-legally binding agreement, and according to that the South Stream project will be shelved. Putin himself said we can change its name to Turkish Stream."  Hmmm.....The 'Erdogan BS Stream' sounds great.


EU Parliament urges 'Bully' Turkey to stop maritime surveys for gas in Cyprus Exclusive Zone

Turkey’s EU Minister Volkan Bozkır said on Nov. 13 that Ankara will “not accept” the European Parliament’s decision on the resolution. 

“It has no validity for us,” said EU Minister Volkan Bozkır, in reference to the draft resolution, during a meeting with Hungary’s minister of foreign affairs and trade in Ankara. 

'Neo Ottoman Conqueror' Turkey: "We won't accept Greece-Egypt-Israeli Mediterranean deal"

'Neo Ottoman Conqueror' Turkey: "We won't accept Greece-Egypt-Israeli Mediterranean deal" (AA).

Any delimitation on the Mediterranean between Egypt and Greece will not be acceptable if it affects Turkey's national interest, Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu has said.

Davutoglu made the remarks in an interview published Sunday in a Greek newspaper, To Vima, which he gave at the end of the third High-Level Cooperation Council meeting between Greece and Turkey in Athens on Dec. 6.

"If Greece signs the agreement with Egypt, we would not accept it if it affects our national interests. This agreement will not exist for us," the premier said.

Ankara believes there can be no demarcation in the Eastern Mediterranean without it.

He also called the trilateral cooperation between Greece-Cyprus-Cairo and Greece-Cyprus-Israel for natural resources "opportunism" that came at a "bad time.”

The Turkish premier said the gas pipeline imagined between Israel and Cyprus through Greece to Europe was unsustainable economically and technically.

He denied the cooperation deals were a threat to Turkey. "We do not feel any threat. No one can threaten us,” he said.

"In the Eastern Mediterranean, all arrangements, especially the boundaries on maritime zones should be made after negotiations with all parties. If two parties or three parties declare an Exclusive Economic Zone without consulting the other parties, who are also interested and have a legitimate interest, then it moves against the international law,” he said. Hmmm....While telling The EU parliament to stick their resolution on Cyprus where the sun doesn't shine.......'Advanced Islamist Dictatorship' logic  the Mediterranean sea is ours. I Guess that meeting today with the new EU representative went great.Read the full story here.

Turkey must work towards Cyprus solution to take part in energy matters - Gov. spokesman

Turkey must work towards Cyprus solution to take part in energy matters - Gov. spokesman. (Famagusta).

CYPRUS has urged Turkey to work towards a political settlement if it wants to join the dialogue on energy matters.

“Various countries of the region do participate in an ongoing dialogue concerning energy matters and if Turkey wants to be part of this discussion, it needs to work towards the solution of the Cyprus problem,” Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides told the Cyprus News Agency last night.

On Saturday Prime Ministers of Greece and Turkey said they felt confident that talks between the two communities in Cyprus will resume shortly.

However, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his visiting Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu acknowledged that the two sides disagreed on key issues – with the division of the island being one of them — © FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE CYPRUS

Turkey urges deal with Greek Cypriots over 'their' hydrocarbon deposits.

Turkey urges deal with Greek Cypriots over 'their' hydrocarbon deposits.(Famagusta).

Turkey calls for an agreement with Greek Cypriots on exploiting hydrocarbon deposits in the eastern Mediterranean, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said late on Friday during his two-day visit to Greece.

"We will continue with the bilateral talks, we need to go deeper and find a solution. We don't want tension, neither in the Aegean Sea nor in the eastern Mediterranean Sea," Davutoglu said.

"Let's solve this issue, in order to exploit our energy resources and connect possible natural gas resources with Greece through Turkey," he said.

In October, issue of exploiting hydrocarbon deposits led to a breakdown of peace talks between Greek and Turkish Cypriots.

Turkey sent a research vessel and escort ships to carry out seismic survey for oil and gas reserves in the exclusive economic zone of the Republic of Cyprus.

Cyprus said this move came in violation of the republic’s sovereignty and insisted that it would not resume talks until Ankara removed its vessels from Cyprus` exclusive economic zone. Hmmm.....Turkish policy...'what's yours is mine'.

Turkey unlikely to agree to Russia’s new gas pipeline deal - Matthew Bryza.

Turkey unlikely to agree to Russia’s new gas pipeline deal - Matthew Bryza. (Taz).

Turkey will unlikely to agree to Russia’s new gas pipeline deal that would allow Russia to establish control over such a gas trading hub, former US ambassador to Azerbaijan, Director of the International Centre for Defense Studies in Tallinn, Matthew Bryza told Trend.

“Ankara does not wish to be dependent on Russia and is likely to demand a higher price discount and greater volumes of natural gas imports than Russia is willing to offer,” Bryza said.

Turkey has already received a 6-percent discount on gas from Russia, which will be implemented from Jan. 1, 2015. However, Ankara hopes the discount to reach 15 percent.

Bryza believes that Russia will try to reach an arrangement with Turkey that allows Russia some degree of control over natural gas exports from TANAP into Greece.

“But, I also believe that neither Turkey nor the EU will permit Russia to attain such control,” Bryza said. Hmmm....Two 'Dictators' trying to control Europe's Gas flow.Read the full story here.

Russian Expert Warns of Trouble With 'Islamist' Turkey Becoming Dominant Gas Market Player.

Russian Expert Warns of Trouble With 'Islamist' Turkey Becoming Dominant Gas Market Player. (SP).

On Thursday, Russia reiterated its final decision to reject the South Stream project. Moscow is committed to diverting the gas flow to Turkey.


Turkey might eventually get control of gas flows coming from Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, and probably Iraq.

However, George Hatziioannou, a retired diplomat and the current editor-in-chief of the website Energy International Risk Assessment (Eiranews.com), believes that Ankara won’t be an easy partner.

“It will turn the country overnight into an almost-dominant market player in regional energy affairs,” he told Sputnik. “In my humble opinion, this model of operations might be a bit tricky and risky. There is a fair chance that at a certain point, Ankara might try to ‘do a Ukraine’”. Hmmm.....I would trust Russia anytime above Turkey, Good luck to 'Eurabia' with their new Gas provider. Read the full story here.

No Meeting on Gas Between Russia, Turkey, Serbia, Bulgaria in near future.

No Meeting on Gas Between Russia, Turkey, Serbia, Bulgaria in near future. (SP).

The speculated meeting on natural gas issues between Russia, Turkey, Serbia and Bulgaria is not yet planned, according to a Russian federal official.

Previously, Serbia’s president Tomislav Nikolić stated Beograd intended to hold negotiations with its European and Russian partners in order to clarify the situation around the abandonment of the ‘South Stream’ project pipeline. An official representative of Turkey also mentioned the anticipated meeting.

Russia’s Ministry of Energy did not comment on the situation around the speculated multilateral talks.

“There is no information yet on any meetings to discuss gas issues with Turkey in the nearest future,” the official told RIA Novosti.

Earlier today, Turkey’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Taner Yıldız said discounts on Russian gas shipments will be further negotiated, having expressed hopes that Russian-Turkish talks resume the next week. Hmmm.....Turkey lying? Nope Muslims don't lie. G20 will be lead exemplary by 'Islamist' Turkey.