"Cyprus Compromise Triggers EU, Turkey Talks
By Tracy Wilkinson, Times Staff Writer
ISTANBUL, Turkey � Saying they were at a historic crossroads, the European Union and Turkey resolved a final, contentious hurdle over the Mediterranean island of Cyprus and formally agreed Friday to enter into membership negotiations next fall.
Looking weary but content, European and Turkish leaders meeting in Brussels, Belgium, announced they had reached a compromise on Cyprus and cleared the way for talks to begin Oct. 3 that could eventually give the 25-nation bloc its first Muslim member. The decision is a major breakthrough in Turkey's 41-year quest to join the European community. The EU on Thursday had proposed the October date, but said Turkey would have to signal de-facto recognition of Cyprus. After another day of often tense wrangling Friday, Turkey finally relented."
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