"Turkey’s foes ‘exploiting Cyprus issue in the EU’
By Zerin Elci
OPPONENTS of Turkey's bid to join the European Union are exploiting the Cyprus issue and divisions within the bloc to obstruct Ankara's progress towards membership, a senior Turkish diplomat said.
Ankara is under growing pressure to move towards recognition of EU member state Cyprus' internationally accepted Greek Cypriot government, a move it categorically rejects without a solution to the Cyprus problem.
The EU is still reeling from the twin rejection of its draft constitution by French and Dutch voters in referenda last year that critics say has left the 25-nation bloc directionless.
The increased tensions between Turkey and the EU have spooked financial markets in recent weeks, contributing to a big drop in the lira currency and share prices.
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