TURKEY’S EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis has again said that Turkey would ignore the Republic of Cyprus, as EU president, adding “We will not take it as interlocutor as the rotating president of the EU this year.”
Mr. Bagis made the remarks during a speech at the London School of Economics on Wednesday.
When asked about Turkey’s stance towards the Republic of Cyprus which will undertake the rotating presidency of the EU in July, Bagis said that “Turkey would ignore the Greek Cypriot administration”.
Bagis said: “We hope there will be a united Cyprus till July”, adding that “if there was not a united Cyprus till that date, Turkey would pursue its relations with European Commission, European Parliament and EU member states, but ignore the rotating president.”
“EU candidate countries contact with EU president only if a chapter is opened to negotiations or during council partnership meetings”, said Bagis.
He also said: “Turkey has 52 years of relationship with the EU, thus, six months is not a long time for Turkey.”
Famagusta Gazette