STATEMENT OF EGEMEN BAGIS ON CYPRUS

Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis, answering the questions of Athens’ weekly Real News newspaper on Cyprus issue, stated that Turkey’s aim was to unite both sides and said that Turkey would support a solution which could be adopted by Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots.

Minister Bagis, underlining the two different democratic formations in Cyprus, indicated that both sides had to leave the politics aside and they had to see the truth.

Bagis said “The fact is that there are two functioning democratic republics on this beautiful island. When the sun rises, it rises for two separate administrations with presidents and parliaments elected separately and with separate education and health systems. The only common issue is the water supply.”

Minister Bagis, stating that Turkey’s aim and hope was to merge these two democratic governments under a single umbrella, said the followings:

“This is our biggest plan and hope. These have to be realized by Cypriots (Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots) in order to be accepted by two nations. If the Cypriots find a solution without dealing with details, then Turkey will support their choice whatever it is.”

Minister Bagis, indicating that he was optimistic about the solution as Nikos Anastasiadis was the President of the Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus who had voted for yes to the Annan Plan in 2004, said it was never late for the solution.

Bagis, saying that the Annan Plan was now over but there could be a new Ban Ki-moon plan, indicated “If the Annan Plan had been adopted, then Cyprus would not have had the current economic crisis and it would have been the most prosperous country of the EU. But it is never late. We can make the necessary amendments to the Annan Plan through new negotiations.”

Bagis, resembling the Turkish Cypriots and Greek Cypriots to a married couple, said that he considered the guarantor countries, United Kingdom, Greece and Turkey, as the parents of this couple desiring their happiness.

Minister Bagis, telling that none of the parents would like their children to get divorced but the couple had to decide this, said “The marriage should be saved. But the bride and the groom should decide whether they want to save it or not.  They should either come together or get divorced.”

Bagis, answering the question on a joint statement on the restart of the negotiations in Cyprus, stated humorously that Cypriots were stubborn and obstinate persons, and said “The most-known animal in the island is the mule which is famous for its obstinacy. This has an effect on both sides.”

Upon a question on whether the natural gas found in Cyprus would contribute to the solution, Minister for EU Affairs and Chief Negotiator Bagis said “The natural gas is an opportunity for the welfare of the island, however unless the stability in the island is ensured, I do not think that any international investor would like to invest his billions for drilling the Mediterranean.”