Ankara threatens Nicosia with warfare and crisis in Eastern Mediterranean should Cyprus join the EU

Turkey threatens Cyprus with warfare and a new crisis in the Eastern Mediterranean should Cyprus join the European Union.

According to a RIA Novosti correspondent, this was disclosed to journalists by speaker of the Cypriot government Michalis Papapetru at the latest briefing.

The official representative of the Cypriot government underscored that high-ranking Turkish military Aytak Yalman, who is on a visit to Cyprus's northern territories occupied by Turkish troops, repeated the threats.

In the meantime, according to Papapetru, the Turkish government circles and top brass realise that the threats cannot prevent Cyprus from joining the European Union. The speaker of the Cypriot government noted that nothing could affect the country's entry into the EU and this should be known both on the island and outside it.

According to the speaker, the EU membership will help Cyprus settle the Cypriot problem on the basis of respect for the international law and allow all residents of the island to maintain the current high economic level.