Egemen Bagis: Turkey not to give up Cyprus even for EU membershipFebruary 22, 2011 - 19:16 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Turkish Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that Turkey will not give up Cyprus for the EU membership and will not give up EU for Cyprus. Noting that both the EU membership and resolution of Cyprus problem are fair and legally grounded demands, Bagis said: “We will continue clarifying these matters, in which we have a fair stance, unless the entire world conceives them.” Bagis added that it is necessary to agree that there are two states on the island. “A decision, which is not based on political equality, will be accepted neither by the Turkish people in Cyprus, nor by us, their guarantors,” he said. Asked by a member of the Turkey-European Union Mixed Parliamentary Commission what Turkey will lose if Turkish servicemen leave Cyprus, Bagis said: “We are afraid of the losses that had happened until 1974. We do not want the fraternal people of Cyprus to occur in seas of blood again. Sometimes, protest actions can be held, we may have discrepancies, but let nobody be gladdened by it. Nobody can spoil the relations between us and our brothers – Cypriot Turks. Let nobody count on it,” TRT-Russian quoted Bagis as saying. 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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |