EU: European Union ambassadors agreed yesterday on 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 3rd.
Turkey refuses to recognise Cyprus's 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 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.
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.
The EU declaration is set to demand deadlines for opening the ports, although probably only next year.