Turkey's EU minister: Britain not enthusiastic about putting sanctions regarding Cyprus issue

LONDON (A.A) – Turkey's EU Minister Egemen Bagis said that Britain was sensitively following both parties in Cyprus, but it was not very enthusiastic about using its sanction force. Holding a press conference at Intercontinental Hotel in London on Friday, Bagis said that Britain was not hesitating to express its support to Turkey's EU membership and also it was ready to cooperate with Turkey in this process, but it was a little bit hesitant to fulfill hopes in Cyprus issue which was one of the biggest obstacles before Turkey's EU process. I stressed during my talks that Britain, as a guarantor country, should follow a more active policy and assume a constructive role for a comprehensive solution in Cyprus issue, said Bagis. I also stressed that Turkey will ignore Greek Cypriot administration's EU presidency, but continue its relations with European Commission and Parliament, added Bagis. Turkey wants a political equality in Cyprus, said Bagis, adding that the decision would be made by Cypriots, not Turkey. (Reporting by Yunus Kaymaz and Asli Aral)