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Kurd Roj-
response agencies
The last-ditch talks between the European
Union (EU) and Turkey over Cyprus failed on
Monday, overshadowing Turkey's bid for
gaining a membership into the bloc.
On Monday morning, Finnish foreign minister
Erkki Tuomioja, whose country currently
holds the rotating EU presidency, met
separately with Cypriot Foreign Minister
George Lillikas and Turkish Foreign Minister
Abdullah Gul in the southern city of
Tampere.
"Unfortunately, we have come to conclusion
that at this stage circumstances do not
permit that an agreement could be reached
during the Finnish Presidency," said
Tuomioja.
Tuomioja added that this failure would have
certain consequences on the negotiations
regarding Turkey's accession into the EU.
Finland said in a statement on Monday that
it would immediately begin discussions with
the EU Commission on whether to suspend
Turkey's EU accession negotiations.
EU foreign ministers would discuss the issue
at a meeting on Dec. 11, and a final
decision is expected to be reached at a EU
summit on Dec. 14-15.
Finland has held intensive consultations
with all parties. The objective has been to
find a solution that would enable the
uninterrupted continuation of Turkey's
accession process and would improve the
situation of both Greek and Turkish
communities in Cyprus.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when
Turkey militarily intervened and controlled
the north of Cyprus following a coup on the
island by some Greek military officers.
In 1983, the Turkish Cypriot authorities
declared breakaway and set up "the Turkish
Republic of Northern Cyprus(TRNC)", which is
recognized only by Turkey.
The internationally-recognized Republic of
Cyprus entered the EU in 2004 in the name of
the whole island.
Under a customs union agreement with the EU,
Turkey is obliged to open its ports and
airports to Cyprus. Turkey refuses to do so
until the 25-nation bloc keeps its promise
to ease the international isolation of the
island's breakaway TRNC.
A meeting of foreign ministers of the EU and
the Mediterranean region began in Tampere on
Monday. The dispute between Cyprus and
Turkey is expected to dominate the
gathering, but there is little chance for a
solution to emerge.
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