Discussions between the European Union and Turkey on the Cyprus question have failed. “This morning I first met with Cypriot Foreign Minister Giorgios Lillikas and then I spoke with Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gül. Unfortunately we have come to the conclusion that the preconditions for achieving an agreement do not exist at this stage during the Finnish EU Presidency”, said Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja, reports CNN-Turk.
The EU has called on Turkey to open its harbors and airports to Greek Cypriot vessels and planes by December the 6th. In return, the EU has said that Turkish-occupied North Cyprus could be allowed to trade directly with the EU. Turkey could face at least some obstacles in its membership talks with the EU if it rejects the demands. However, Gül says that he does not believe that there would be any break or slowdown in the talks. “The Cyprus question is political, and it should not poison our negotiation process. It is not a part of the negotiation process”, Gül said.
