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 | Court in Azerbaijan extends former Karabakh leader’s arrest by 5 months The Binagadi District Court in Azerbaijan has granted the prosecutor’s petition to extend the arrest of Arkady Ghukasyan. Ucom General Director joins High-Tech Development Panel Discussion The discussion was titled "The Role of International Corporations and Investors as Catalysts for Development of High-Tech Ecosystem." U.S. still believes “peace is possible” between Armenia, Azerbaijan The United States continues to believe that peace is possible between Armenia and Azerbaijan, Vedant Patel says. Dozens detained as antigovernment protest continue in Armenia At least 63 people demanding Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s resignation were detained on May 14 as they blocked streets in Yerevan. |