Turkey ‘not serious’ about match invite

By Jacqueline Agathocleous Published on September 4, 2012

AEL Limassol Europa League match, Cyprus, Fenerbahce, football, government, government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou, President Demetris Christofias, Turkish EU negotiator Egemen Bagis

THE GOVERNMENT yesterday dismissed as ‘cynical and lacking seriousness,’ an informal invitation to President Demetris Christofias from Turkey’s EU negotiator Egemen Bagis to watch AEL Limassol’s Europa League match with Turkish team Fenerbahce together.

Bagis, was quoted in a Turkish daily yesterday saying that Christofias was “looking for a reason to come to Istanbul”.

So he said Christofias should talk to Turkish Cypriot leader Dervis Eroglu about the possibility of visiting the country together to watch the November 8 match. But under one condition, he added: “I will be happy to be the host provided that they will come together and sit at the same table.”

But the government was not impressed.

“Mr Bagis is attempting to impress by sarcastically sending out a non-serious invitation for a football match,” government spokesman Stefanos Stefanou said yesterday. “This is not serious behaviour from a minister and if the Turkish politicians adopt it, then they too lack seriousness.”

“Mr Eroglu, if he so desires, can watch the AEL-Fenerbahce game which will be played in Cyprus,” said Stefanou. “The President of the Republic and Mr Eroglu can watch it together in their country, as citizens of the Republic of Cyprus.”

Fenerbahce is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on October 25.

In his interview yesterday, Bagis also raised the possibility of protests against the Turkish club in Cyprus. “When Galatasaray went there, they had major troubles,” Bagis said.

Last year, during a game between Apollon Limassol’s and Galatasaray’s women’s volleyball teams, local fans threw debris onto the court. Similar troubles occurred during a basketball match between APOEL Nicosia and Pinar Karsiyaka.

Bagis gave assurances that the Greek Cypriot team would not face such trouble in Istanbul.

“They should not be worried, they will be hosted in Istanbul in the best way possible,” Bagis said. “I personally guarantee that there will not be any problem.”

via Turkey ‘not serious’ about match invite – Cyprus Mail.