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Minister: Cyprus ready to work with Turkey during EU presidency
Jan 26, 2012, 14:14 GMT
Copenhagen - Cyprus is ready during its turn this year at the European Union's rotating presidency to cooperate with Turkey, Interior Minister Neoklis Sylikiotis insisted on Thursday, but also took Ankara to task over its continued refusal to recognize his country.
Turkey, which is aspiring to join the EU, has threatened to break off relations with the bloc when Cyprus takes over the presidency from Denmark on July 1.
'It is a problem that Turkey doesn't recognize us. You can't be a candidate for the EU, but on the other hand not recognize one of its 27 member states,' Sylikiotis said on the sidelines of an informal meeting with his EU counterparts in Copenhagen. 'That doesn't work.'
'But we are ready to work together with Turkey and other countries - neighbouring and candidate countries,' he was quick to add.
Sylikiotis also said his country doesn't intend to 'mix in national interests' during its six-month stint at the presidency.
The two sides have been at odds since 1974, when Turkish troops occupied the northern third of the Mediterranean island following a coup by right-wing Cypriot army officers. It has been divided into two separate territories ever since.
Turkish Cyprus, which covers around a third of the island, is recognized only by Turkey.
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