Bagis: “If the Greek Cypriot side makes a mistake, then their lives will become a nightmare”
Columnist Huseyin Macit Yusuf, writing in Turkish Cypriot daily Kibrisli (25.10.11), reported that Turkey’s EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, responding to questions by members of the foreign press in his office at the Istanbul-based Ministry for EU Affairs (22.10.11), gave a harsh reply to a question by Greek Cypriot daily Politis’ correspondent, regarding Turkey’s reaction in case Cyprus reunification talks fail and Cyprus further obstructs Turkey’s EU accession bid or uses its veto. Replying to this question, Bagis said that such behaviour would be a mistake for “South Cyprus” (as Bagis refers to the Republic of Cyprus), adding that he does not recommend it and it would turn their lives (the Greek Cypriots) into a nightmare. Bagis also claimed that in case the Greek Cypriot side carries on with its allegedly intransigent stance and the UN Secretary?General declares that the problem cannot be solved, then some countries will opt to recognize “TRNC” [Translator’s Note: breakaway regime in occupied Cyprus].
Yusuf, who also participated in the meeting, asked Bagis whether there is a “Plan B” including the “recognition of the TRNC” (breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus), in case negotiations end without a result.
Bagis stressed that Turkey has alternative plans on the Cyprus problem, as with other issues. He argued that Turkey’s priority is to find a solution that will be for the benefit of both sides. He also said: “I always say this. If I were a Greek Cypriot, then I would work harder than Turkey’s own EU Chief Negotiator so that Turkey joins the EU. The Greek Cypriot side creates problems for Turkey’s accession into the EU, however, there are secret forces behind those problems.”
Replying to a question referring to the Greek Cypriot side “sudden explorations” for an oil and natural gas in the Mediterranean, Bagis claimed that “this was a well-prepared game”. However, he added, Turkey did not fall in the trap.
