News

Accession talks will resolve disputes: Erdogan

Friday, 17 December 2004 22:02

Turkish Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan has said that agreeing to sign a text extending his country's association agreement with the EU to include Cyprus, did not mean recognition of its government.

Speaking at a news conference after clinching a historic deal that envisages Turkish entry talks, Mr Erdogan also said the negotiation process would help to resolve many disputes.

The EU Summit applauded as the deal was struck on the second day of its meeting, which has been dominated by Turkey's EU hopes, and threatened by a standoff over calls for Ankara to recognise Cyprus.

Mr Erdogan had told the Dutch Prime Minister Jan Balkenende late last night that it would be difficult for him to persuade the Turkish population of the need to recognise Cyprus.

Earlier, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is in Brussels with the EU leaders, said he hoped Turkey and the EU would be able to resolve their differences.

Mr Annan also said he was willing to offer more mediation to resolve the dispute in Cyprus if the Greek and Turkish Cypriots wanted.

The summit decided yesterday to offer to begin accession talks with Turkey next October.

EU leaders said the aim of the talks, which could take more than ten years, would be full membership, but that Turkey's entry could not be guaranteed.