EU agrees to partial freeze of Turkey talks

By Shada Islam and Daniela Schroeder Dec 11, 2006, 18:56 GMT

Brussels - European Union foreign ministers Monday agreed on a partial freeze of Turkey's membership negotiations following Ankara's failure to allow access to Greek Cypriot traffic, diplomats said.

Irish Foreign Minister Dermot Ahern and Austria's Ursula Plassnik, told reporters talks with Ankara would be suspended on eight out of 35 negotiating chapters as proposed by the European Commission.

Plassnik said the agreement, still to be confirmed by current EU president Finland, meant the controversy over EU-Turkey relations would not be put on the agenda of an EU summit to be held in Brussels on December 14.

'We have found a consensus on how to assess the situation,' said Plassnik, saying eight negotiating areas would now go into 'deep freeze.'

She said ministers had also agreed on a 'review clause' under which governments would regularly monitor implementation of Turkey's commitments on normalizing ties with Cyprus.

Such reviews would be carried out in the next three years based on reports by the European Commission, the EU's executive arm.

'This is an appropriate and wise approach,' said Plassnik, adding that negotiations with Turkey would now slow down, giving the bloc 'breathing space' on the thorny issue.

'We don't want to set any ultimatums or deadlines nor impose sanctions,' the Austrian Foreign Minister said. However, Turkey's non-compliance with EU demands on Cyprus meant it could not be business as usual with Ankara, she said.

'The EU has proved its patience but also steadfastness in its policies,' said Plassnik.

Austria, Cyprus, Greece and the Netherlands have traditionally taken a tough line on Turkey's bid to join the EU.

Turkey does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus which entered the EU as a divided island in 2004.

Ankara has argued that it will comply with EU demands on normalizing ties with Nicosia if in turn, the EU lifts its economic boycott of northern Turkish Cyprus.

EU governments have been deeply divided over how best to deal with Turkey, with Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja striving to clinch a deal uniting the views of the bloc's hardliners and those demanding a softer response.

EU heavyweights France and Germany came to the meeting backing commission proposals for a partial suspension of negotiations.

If the agreement is confirmed, talks with Turkey will be frozen on a range of issues, including trade, agriculture, external relations and transport policy.

Earlier, French Foreign Minister Philippe Douste-Blazy told reporters the EU did not want a rupture in the talks with Turkey but intended to send a clear signal that Ankara had to respect its pledge to treat equally all EU states, including Cyprus.

German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier highlighted Turkey's political importance to the EU. 'Turkey's rapprochement towards Europe, the integration of Turkey in the system of European values is a project of outstanding importance,' he said.

Cyprus had earlier accused the commission of being too soft on Ankara and said it wanted a total suspension of negotiations.

Ankara's membership bid, however, is firmly backed by Britain, Spain, Italy, Sweden and several EU newcomers including Estonia and Poland which called for less harsh action against Turkey.

Turkey offered last week to provisionally open a major sea port to Cypriot vessels for a year, pending the completion in late 2007 of United Nations negotiations on the reunification of Cyprus.

Ankara also said it was willing to open one airport to Greek Cypriot traffic.

It added, however, that it 'looks forward' to EU moves to end the economic isolation of Turkish Cyprus by allowing international trade with the north via the port of Famagusta and Ercan airport.

Nicosia denounced the initiative, saying it would constitute indirect recognition of the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state. EU governments also said Turkey must give its proposal in 'written form.'

France's Douste-Blazy said the Turkish offer was too little, too late and required substantial clarification.

Turkey, with a population of 70 million, would be the first Muslim country to join the bloc. However, even if negotiations for EU entry do resume, Turkish admission is not expected before 2020.