Turkish EU minister says patience is running thin regarding Cyprus issue

ANKARA (A.A) -- Turkish EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis said that Turkey wanted a diplomatic solution to resolve the Cyprus issue but patience is running thin.  Speaking to The Wall Street Journal, Bagis said that the international community must increase pressure on the Greek Cypriots if it wanted to see a deal. Bagis said the "process has to have a punishment and a reward mechanism--a carrot and a stick--for both sides" for progress to be made. He also said that his country remains committed to the accession talks with the European Union and believes it can join within a decade.