"Deal on Turkish membership of EU saved by compromise over Cyprus
By Stephen Castle in Brussels
18 December 2004
The European Union narrowly averted a disastrous collapse yesterday of its deal to start membership talks with Turkey through a hard-fought compromise over Cyprus.
Although Ankara fought a high-profile battle against tough conditions on membership talks, and suggestions that it might ultimately qualify for second-class membership, Cyprus was to prove the issue that nearly scuttled the talks. At one point during the charged discussions, the Turkish delegation was on the verge of walking out and abandoning its 41-year bid for membership."
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