Thursday, November 23, 2006

Cyprus and Turkey dig in heels over EU offer

"Cyprus and Turkey dig in heels over EU offer
By Michele Kambas

CYPRUS AND Turkey yesterday demanded changes to a European Union proposal aimed at easing Ankara's bid to join the EU but mediator Finland said its offer was not open to major adjustments.

The EU wants Turkey to open its ports to shipping from EU member Cyprus, but Ankara says the bloc should first lift trade restrictions against Turkish Cypriots in the north.
Diplomats had pinned hopes for resolving the deadlock on EU president Finland, which hosts a meeting of EU and Mediterranean foreign ministers next week, but Foreign Minister George Lillikas said he would not attend."

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