EU makes progress on Turkey, Cyprus

BRUSSELS - European Union ambassadors have agreed how to respond to Turkey's refusal to recognise new member Cyprus, removing a key obstacle ahead of the start of accession talks with Ankara, a diplomat said.

"The deal is done, the text of the declaration has been agreed upon," said a diplomat from Britain, which holds the EU's rotating presidency.

Ambassadors from 25 EU nations were debating a declaration that will accompany a negotiating mandate to be presented to Turkey at the start of its accession talks on October 3.

Turkey refuses to recognise Cyprus' Greek Cypriot government, which represents the whole of the island in the EU. Ankara supports a Turkish Cypriot breakaway state in the north of the Mediterranean island.

Diplomats said Cyprus had backed away from demands for tough language for Ankara to make progress in recognising the Cypriot government -- something which was not a precondition for Turkey to start accession talks.

Britain and some other countries do not want the declaration to be too tough on Turkey for fear it could hurt the talks.

An earlier draft compromise from Britain read: "Recognition of all member states is a necessary component of the accession process." The argument within the EU concerned a response to a Turkish statement in July which refused to recognise Cyprus.

Turkey met its last obligation before accession talks with the EU could start when, in July, it extended its customs union deal with the bloc to all new member states, including Cyprus.

However, Ankara has failed to open its ports to Cypriot vessels, despite the accord.

The EU declaration is set to demand deadlines for opening the ports, although probably only next year.

The British draft of the EU's "counter-declaration" called on Turkey to remove "all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including the restrictions on means of transport".

Turkey says it would recognise Cyprus only after a broad international agreement, possibly sponsored by the United Nations, to end the division of the island.

- REUTERS