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Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that his country would not open
its ports and airports to Cyprus while the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) remains isolated, saying that he was prepared to risk EU accession talks being suspended.
Cyprus has threatened to block the talks if Turkey fails to fulfil its obligations to open its ports and recognise the Cyprus government as legitimate. Turkey claims that the issue of recognition is linked to the UN-sponsored peace plan which was put to referendums on both sides of the island and accepted by Turkish Cypriots, but rejected by Greek Cypriots.
Mr Erdogan’s comments follow only days after Turkey successfully closed the first chapter of its accession negotiations with the EU.
16 June 2006
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