Turkey Promises EU an End to Cyprus Dispute

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By George Parker and Daniel Dombey in Brussels and Vincent Boland in Ankara December 16 2004 20:18

Turkey vowed on Thursday to resolve its long-running feud with Cyprus, in a gesture of goodwill ahead of a historic decision in Brussels over its European Union destiny.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey's prime minister, speaking before a two-day summit, said of his country's simmering dispute with Cyprus: "We'll do all that is needed to solve it."

The move came as the EU's 25 leaders gathered in Brussels for a dinner at which they were expected to give Turkey approval to start membership talks next autumn. Their decision will be announced later on Thursday. Shares in Istanbul hit record levels, on investors' belief that Turkey would get most of what it sought.

Mr Erdogan met several EU leaders before the summit, seeking to limit the conditions attached to the membership bid.

Austria and Denmark were among those calling for Turkey to face exemptions - possibly permanent - from EU policies such as farm subsidies, regional aid and the free movement of labour. Mr Erdogan said that would make Turkey "a second class member". He was supported by José Manuel Barroso, European Commission president.

Mr Barroso also urged Ankara to "go the extra mile" in improving relations with Cyprus, an EU member since May, which has a veto on Turkish membership.

Turkey has no diplomatic relations with the government in the south, and Nicosia has been seeking an intermediate step by Ankara, such as including it in the customs union between Turkey and the EU. Mr Erdogan hinted a deal could be forthcoming if the EU agreed to open talks.