French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy has raised the pressure on Turkey over Cyprus, saying it was hardly conceivable that a country seeking to enter the EU could fail to recognise all its members.
Turkey is due to start EU entry talks on 3 October, but has angered the union by saying its signing of a key EU protocol does not signify recognition of the Greek Cypriot government.
Ankara backs breakaway Turkish Cypriots in northern Cyprus.
'It is hardly conceivable that a country which is asking to enter a community refuses to recognise one of its members,' Mr Douste-Blazy told a conference of French ambassadors.
Turkey's entry bid faces strong public opposition in some EU member states, notably France, although President Jacques Chirac backed the EU's decision last December to invite Turkey to entry talks.
Mr Chirac said yesterday that Turkey had to clarify its stance on Cyprus and added it must offer assurances that it will carry out all its commitments to the European Union.
