According to Ankara Anatolia news agency (06.11.11), Turkey’s EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, speaking on illegal Bayrak TV channel, argued that a solution, based on political equality in Cyprus would be beneficial for the future of Turkey as well as for the security in Cyprus and Europe.

Bagis said that a solution could be reached only by the compromise of the two sides on the island, adding that it should become clear whether Cyprus talks would be concluded and a solution would be found by the end of the year.

Claiming that it was a mistake to approve the Republic of Cyprus’ membership to the EU, Bagis argued that EU officials confessed that too.
Bagis said that 70% of the energy resources which Europe needs are located within Turkey’s borders, adding that Europe does not have the chance to reach those resources without Turkey’s contribution. Unfortunately 26 countries were not able to see how a single country put reservation on their interests, he argued.

Bagis claimed that if a solution was not found till June 2012, the responsible of the non-solution would be the Greek Cypriot side, adding that the whole world should know that.

Commenting on Turkey’s relations with the EU, Bagis said that “Turkey would bring a different momentum in the EU process but it would not give up on TRNC [editor’s note: the breakaway regime in the occupied part of the Republic of Cyprus] for the EU”.

Bagis said that Turkey’s national income per capital tripled in the last nine years and this happened without being an EU member, adding that Turkey’s growth rate was 10.2% in the first half of 2011. He noted that 92% of global capitals that come to Turkey are investments from EU countries.