Turkish European Affairs Minister and Chief negotiator Egemen Bağış sarcastic remarks on Cyprus do not honour his country, Government Spokesman Stephanos Staphanou has said replying to comments made on Wednesday by Bağış.

Bağış spoke of the economy of the Republic of Cyprus, saying that it is really thought-provoking that a country that possesses the bloc’s rotating presidency is in a position to declare its bankruptcy in terms of the European Union’s founding philosophy. He added that the position of Greek Cyprus does not make Turkey happy. “To hit the country when it’s down has no place in our culture. God help them”.

In statements to the press after a meeting of the Council of Ministers, Stephanou pointed out “if it is not part of their culture to hit when one when it is down, they should then explain why they attacked the entire people of Cyprus in 1974?”

In July 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus and occupied its northern part. The island remains divided ever since despite UN Resolutions and UN – led efforts to reach a solution that would reunite the country due to Turkey’s intransigent.

Since 1974, both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots suffer from the illegal Turkish occupation and violation of their human rights and freedoms by Turkey, Stephanou stressed. He also noted that the government of Cyprus does not like to mix religion with politics adding that apparently this is not what they like in Turkey therefore they gradually transform their cosmic state into a theocratic state, while they present themselves as modern Europeans.

Government Spokesman said that the Cypriot state that Bagis underestimates and is scathing about, according to many EU officials has concluded a very successful EU Presidency, “such a successful Presidency that Turkey will never complete”.

Excluded from international capital markets, Cyprus on June 15 applied for financial assistance estimated at €17.5 billion, after its two largest banks, Bank of Cyprus and Cyprus Popular Bank sought state aid following the haircut on the Greek sovereign debt, as well as to secure capital to refinance its maturing debt.