Turkish Media Highlights — Nov. 4, 2017

Main Opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Kemal Kilicdaroglu reacted to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after his threat to take action against opposition mayors. In response to the president’s call for forcing opposition mayors to resign, Mr. Kilicdaroglu said he would instead congratulate them.

Prime Minister Binali Yildirim lamented about high inflation rates, blaming the regional chaos and instability for the high figures. The current inflation rate is announced as 11,9 percent, which is the highest in past nine years. The prime minister vowed to work hard next year to reduce the soaring inflation.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu held an informal talk with his German counterpart Sigmar Gabriel in southern Turkish province of Antalya to discuss ways to resolve points of dispute and contention that long bedeviled bilateral ties between the two countries.

— Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Simsek said Turkey remained anchored to Europe, and expressed strong hopes of a thaw in relations in an upcoming economic summit between EU and Turkey in December.

— Official data shows that Turkey has added 3.8 million ounces of gold worth almost $5 billion to reserves this year.

— The case against Turkish-Iranian Gold Trader reveals links to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Reza Zarrab, U.S. prosecutors say, has sought the help of President Erdogan in his endeavor to bust Iranian sanctions.

Leaders of international Red Cross and Red Crescent will gather in southern Turkish province of Antalya this Sunday to discuss advanced cooperation to tackle with urgent humanitarian issues around the world, including Myanmar and Yemen.

Double-Faced Europe. Eight Ministers Arrested, No Words From EU. Europe Turns Blind Eye on Spanish Arrest Warrant For 8 Catalan Ministers. EU, which reacts to Turkish efforts to deal with PKK and FETO terror threats on the ground of human rights, now remains silent over Spain’s move to arrest Catalan politicians.

After Replacement of Mayors, Erdogan Eyes For Cutting His Advisors. President Erdogan mulls to sack majority of the advisors based in Presidential Palace in Ankara in a new major move for party reshuffle.

We Are Poorer Now. The inflation in consumer price index (PPI) hits the highest point in past nine years, signaling that the core inflation would reach double digits at the end of this year. Government is readying for new price hikes in consumer goods and certain goods.

Cells Reactivated. The global mastermind, which failed to force Turkey knee down through its local proxies, FETO and PKK after those two groups were hammered out by the Turkish state, is now reactivating its sleeping cells inside Turkey to strike the rise of the country.