Turkey's EU Minister hit in his face with an eggDecember 10, 2011 - 11:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bağış was hit in his face with an egg hurled by a protesting student in the Aegean province of İzmir. The incident took place at the Aegean University where Bağış was attending the unveiling of a sculpture. Bağış was listening to a speaker when two students started shouting "AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party] get out of our university," and hurled eggs at the minister. Bağış's bodyguards opened umbrellas to protect the minister but an egg hit Bağış under his right eye, causing his cheek and eye to redden. The protestors were taken away and detained by the police. Bağış said he was not angry at the students, but pitied them, calling them "pawns of a pathetic mentality.” Bağış then unveiled the art piece called the "Burning Sculpture" by Danish artist Nina Hole, which was made of ceramic clay and was left to dry for three days with a wood fire burning underneath it. The sculpture collapsed immediately after the removal of a supporting wrapper, shooting off sparks and sand in its immediate vicinity. Bağış was surprised to see the sculpture fall apart, as artists said the art work collapsed due to ceramic clay not drying completely, Hurriyet Daily News reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |