Turkey's refusal to recognise Cyprus on EU agenda
European Union ambassadors were today holding talks in a bid to reach agreement on a negotiating mandate to present to Turkey and respond to Ankara’s insistence it does not recognise EU member Cyprus.
Britain, which holds the EU presidency, was to try to get an agreement, ahead of the planned opening of membership negotiations with Turkey on October. 3.
Failing that, ambassadors were likely to pass the issue to their foreign ministers, with a tentative meeting scheduled for September 26.
France, Austria and Cyprus have expressed reservations over the talks with Turkey. France and Cyprus have demanded Turkey move quickly to recognise the Mediterranean island, while Austria is pushing for a “partnership” instead of full membership for Turkey.
Cyprus yesterday threatened to scuttle Turkey’s accession talks with the EU over Ankara’s refusal to recognise it.
