LEADING NEWS SOURCE FOR TURKEY AND THE REGION

POLITICS > Turkey's EU minister mocks Greek Cyprus’ finance crisis

MUĞLA - Anatolia News Agency

AA Photo

AA Photo

EU Minister Egemen Bağış has mocked Greek Cyprus over the current economic crisis it is experiencing, arguing the situation is thought-provoking in terms of the European Union’s foundation philosophy.

“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. But 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,” Bağış said yesterday in the southwestern province of Muğla.

Underlining that the improving Turkish Cyprus is ready to help the south, the minister said the Greek Cypriot administration could get loan from the north just as it gets its electricity and water when they need it.

“If Christofias is anxious over the economic crisis and wants to apply to Turkish Cyprus we are ready to lend a hand to Greek Cypriots as their neighbor. Probably Greek Cyprus sees the cost of blocking Turkey’s EU membership. If they would accept the Annan Plan then a ‘united Cyprus’ would be one of the prosperous country in the world,” Bağış said.

The economic crisis was a result of non-logical obstinacy of Greek Cypriots, Bağış said adding he hoped upcoming elections in February would pave the way for an administration that takes into account the principle of political equality of the two communities.

December/27/2012

Send to friend »

READER COMMENTS

Click for Hürriyet Daily News comment guidelines

Cilginbebek Ms

12/30/2012 5:55:01 PM

Mr. Bagis is not in charge of paying anyone's salaries. So stop making facetious comments that aren't relevant. Bagis overseas EU affairs. People at the top don't know what goes on at the lower ranks. Stop pandering to anti-Turkish sentiments with that type of post. This type of incident goes on all around the world including the EU. Its only that HDN and Turks are honest to report it.

Sid Mark

12/28/2012 9:27:48 AM

Pay the salaries due to the Turkish Cypriot workers at Nicosia municipality and let the empty retoric aside.Another good gesture towards the Greek Cypriots and you will see us breaking in thankful tears.

Cilginbebek Ms

12/28/2012 1:33:09 AM

And most Greek Cypriots left for England and Australia as well. And many Greeks from the mainland moved to South Cyprus. What is your point?

ilker avni

12/27/2012 11:48:11 PM

Mr Bagis talks like he owns the North,which has become just a military base and a dumping ground for they unwanted,its not just the Greeks who dont want a settlement,Turkey doesnt want one either it suits Turkey,who after all said we didnt come to rescue the Turkish Cypriots we came because we wanted a military base.More Turkish Cypriots have left the Island under Turkeys rule than under the Greeks,mainland Turks outnumber Cypriot Turks eight to one,less than fifty thousand T/C remain.

Cilginbebek Ms

12/27/2012 9:58:40 PM

If the South of Cyprus and Greece are in perfect order, why does Turkey continuously provide both places with electricity and water? Greek politicians are all used car dealers who have Swiss Bank accounts and could care less about their country. Turkish politicians are a million times better. Greek politicians are being mocked all over the EU for their laziness and incompetence. So look in your own back yard before throwing stones at your neighbors.

Cilginbebek Ms

12/27/2012 9:54:32 PM

If Greeks are so offended by Mr Bagis, why are you hanging on his every word? He obviously wanted to get under your skin and get a rise out of you. And his strategy worked brilliantly. Mr Bagis has every right to say and do as he pleases. If the shoe was on the other foot, Greeks would be dancing in the streets at Turks' demise. Turks approve of Mr Bagis. And actually it was the Greeks that invented propaganda. HDN is a Turkish site and you continuously write offensive comments at Turks.

gercek sesi

12/27/2012 9:05:20 PM

@pawel egemen baris has a heart, unlike any of your politicians who seek to divide and rule! you dont want a solution to the cyprus problem.You talk about poverty like it is a joke, tell me something for all the aid you have had on behalf of the whole island both turkish & greek, look where you stand today in a big economic crisis, imagine if you would not have any aid your hole would be even deeper!you are on a turkish side making anti turkish propaganda with no respect for HDN as usual!!

Murat

12/27/2012 8:25:23 PM

Enough with slamming and mocking and other meaningless and unproductive gestures.

Pawel Bury

12/27/2012 5:38:25 PM

Not even Turks believe this guy any more. Compared to RoC, north Cyprus is like an old village full of poor people. No law, no order, no public services. Last week TC electricity authority cut off power from pubic buildings cause they didn't pay. These people cannot even help themselves. What can I say... Propaganda is every day business in Turkish politics.

Faruk Timuroglu

12/27/2012 4:11:20 PM

Mr. Bağış talks as if everything is just fine in Turkey and northern Cyprus. Nevertheless, he sounds pleased from the crisis in the north.
< >

WRITE COMMENT

MOST POPULAR

AcerPro S.I.P.A HTML & CSS Agency