Turkey in softer line on Cyprus dispute

Article reports that Turkey sought to defuse the crisis over its European Union membership hopes by softening on the 7 December 2006 its stance in a dispute that had threatened to bring its bid to a halt. EU officials reported that that Ankara had relaxed its stance on opening a seaport to traffic from Cyprus, in response to an EU ultimatum that it do so.

Finland's Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja (as the EU Presidency country) confirmed that Turkey has informed the Finnish Presidency of its intention to provisionally open a major sea port to Cypriot vessels.

"Turkey's initiative is a positive step towards full implementation of the Ankara protocol, but still needs clarification. If Turkey is ready for such an unconditional move, this positive step will influence the Council`s discussions on the continuation of Turkey's EU accession process," says Foreign Minister Tuomioja.

BBC News, 7.12.06: Turkey 'will open up to Cyprus' http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6216498.stm

BBC News, 8.12.06: Turkish offer fails to impress EU http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6162369.stm

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