EU Approves Turkey-Cyprus Declaration

Flag Of Turkey
Note the Moon Symbol.

European Union nations agreed Wednesday that Turkey must recognize EU member Cyprus during its membership talks, warning that not doing so could paralyze the negotiations, diplomats said.

At a meeting of EU ambassadors, the 25 member states ended weeks of wrangling over how to confront Turkey on its refusal to recognize Cyprus.

"Recognition of all member states is a necessary component of the accession process," said their joint declaration.

Good for them !

Cyprus has been split into a Greek Cypriot-controlled south and a Turkish-occupied north since Turkey invaded in 1974 after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Turkey, which stations 40,000 troops there.