Euroopa LiitLaienemine
The EU was still struggling to end an embarrassing impasse over Turkey's refusal to recognise member state Cyprus, just before accession talks are due to start. EU ministers would stress that any failure by Turkey to respect customs "obligations in full will affect the overall progress in the negotiations." All 25 EU members accept that clause, but some disagree on a passage reading: "Prior recognition of all member states is a necessary component of accession." Anka-ra has grown increasingly impatient, with PM Erdogan accusing the bloc of placing new conditions on its membership. (Afp, 18.09)
Britain suggested Turkey would have to implement its EU-wide customs union agreement with Cyprus to allow its vessels into Turkish ports. The British draft of the EU's "counter-declaration" calls on Turkey to remove "all obstacles to the free movement of goods, including the restrictions on means of transport." (Reuters, 16.09)
Cyprus said the EU's British presidency must draft a stronger response to Turkey's refusal to recognise the Cypriot government as a majority of EU states backed Nicosia's tougher stance. (Afp, 15.09)
Bosnia still has a chance to move closer to the EU this year if key police reform is agreed, the British minister for Europe, Douglas Alexander, said. The parliament of Bosnia's Serb-run entity, Republika Srpska, rejected the police reform, the key condition for the Balkans country to start negotiations on a Stability and Association Agreement (SAA
