The Republic of Cyprus will hold a successful EU Presidency and act as an honest broker, in the direction of solving problems and promoting specific policies in the EU, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou stressed here Friday.

His comments come in response to statements by Turkish European Affairs Minister Egemen Bagis on Cyprus’ EU Presidency in the second of 2012.

“It would be good for Turkey to avoid causing problems to itself, with statements regarding the Cyprus Republic and its right as a member- state of the EU to take up the six-month EU rotating Presidency”, he said.

Bagis had said that Turkey will lose nothing if it fails to open any new chapter in its accession talks with the European Union and warned that during Cyprus’ EU presidency it will not engage in any talks with the Greek Cypriots simply because they hold the presidency.