EU approves Turkey-Cyprus declaration (AP) Updated: 2005-09-22 07:29
European Union nations agreed Wednesday that Turkey must recognize EU member
Cyprus during its membership talks, warning that not doing so could paralyze the
negotiations, diplomats said.
At a meeting of EU ambassadors, the 25 member states ended weeks of wrangling
over how to confront Turkey on its refusal to recognize Cyprus.
EU enlargement commissioner Olli Rehn, seen
here on September 2, voiced optimism that talks can now start on time
after the European Union finally agreed on a hotly-contested declaration
on Turkey.[AFP/file] | "Recognition of all member states is a necessary component of the accession
process," said their joint declaration.
Cyprus has been split into a Greek Cypriot-controlled south and a
Turkish-occupied north since Turkey invaded in 1974 after a coup by supporters
of union with Greece. The breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is
recognized only by Turkey, which stations 40,000 troops there.
After years of U.N.-led negotiations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan brokered a
reunification plan that was approved by a large majority of Turkish Cypriots in
April 2004 but overwhelmingly rejected by three-quarters of Greek Cypriots.
Their main objection was that the plan did not guarantee return of homes or
property taken by the Turkish side.
The result was that only the Greek Cypriot-controlled half of Cyprus entered
the EU.
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