EU president Finland began a final push today to resolve a row between Turkey and Cyprus that threatens to derail Ankara's bid for membership of the bloc.
Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul
Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, who said at the weekend he did not expect a speedy solution to the dispute, held separate meetings with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul and Greek Cypriot Foreign Minister George Lillikas.
"We are coming with good faith, with hopes, with constructive ideas, and I hope we will have results today," Mr Lillikas said before meeting Mr Tuomioja on the sidelines of an EU-Mediterranean foreign ministers' forum in Finland.
Finland, holder of the rotating EU presidency, has led diplomatic efforts to resolve the Cyprus dispute and wants a deal before a European Commission meeting on December 6th.