Christofias' remarks came in an interview with UK daily The Guardian published Thursday, as he warned that any European concessions to Ankara to keep Turkey on a pro-European path could backfire.
“I don't compare Turkey with Nazi Germany. But it is not reasonable to say ‘don't challenge Turkey because it will get angry.' There are rules and unfortunately Turkey does not respect those rules ... This reminds me of the situation before the second world war, appeasing Hitler so he doesn't become more aggressive. The substance of fascism was the substance of fascism. Hitler was Hitler,” Christofias was quoted as saying by the Guardian.
Özgürgün, who was in Ankara on Friday to accompany Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat on an official visit, described Christofias' remarks as “hair-raising.” “If Christofias' remarks are correctly reflected, then the GKRY [Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus] leader has been calling on the international community to not appease Turkey like it did [Germany] during the Hitler era. These expressions first of all don't befit [the values of] morality and statesmanship.
Christofias has to account for these remarks,” Özgürgün said during a meeting with Turkish reporters. Christofias is actually the one who expects “an appeasement policy” from the international community via its advantages stemming from Greek Cyprus' EU membership, Özgürgün added.
