In connection with the ongoing talks between Turkish and Greek Cypriots on the reunification of Cyprus, the Turkish Minister for European Union Affairs, Egemen Bağış has been cited in various media as stating that a breakdown in the talks could result in Turkey annexing Northern Cyprus. In the Turkish Cypriot newspaper Kibris (as reported in Today’s Zaman on 4 March 2012), the minister is quoted as saying ‘Reunification under a deal that [Turkish and Greek Cypriot] leaders could reach, creation of two independent states after an agreement between the two leaders if they are unable to reach a deal for reunification, or annexation of the KKTC [Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus] to Turkey. These are all options on the table’.

In view of this, has the Commission lodged any formal protest at this threat made by the Turkish Minister for European Union Affairs against an EU Member State?