THE Cyprus question can only be brought to a lasting solution by simultaneous admission of the divided Mediterranean island and Turkey to EU membership, the Foreign Minister, Ms Tansu Ciller, said yesterday.
"A spontaneous and lasting settlement will be brought to the Cyprus problem if Cyprus and Turkey are admitted to enter the EU at the same time," Ms Ciller said in Ankara.
Ms Ciller held talks late on Thursday with the Turkish Cypriot leader, Mr Rauf Denktash, in northern Nicosia, saying Turkey was in favour of peace but that it would "not tolerate border violations" by Greek Cypriots.
The EU has already started a mechanism for Cyprus's EU membership with the internationally recognised government of the Republic of Cyprus in Nicosia.
However, the Turkish Cypriots oppose the deal, arguing that a mainly Greek Cypriot government cannot decide on their behalf.
Ankara and the Turkish Cypriots, in objecting to EU membership before the Cyprus question is resolved, refer to 1959 and 1960 agreements laying the foundations of the Republic of Cyprus. The articles say Cyprus can join international organisations of which both Greece and Turkey, two guarantor states, are full members.
Greece is a full member of the EU while Turkey has the status of an associate member, and its full participation in the EU is not foreseen in the near future, according to EU officials.
Ms Ciller yesterday also reiterated her call for the resumption of inter communal talks on the island.
"A settlement to the Cyprus problem cannot be found without talks between the two communities," she said. "Peace needs courage, and let's be courageous and set up peace," Ms Ciller added.
Talks between President Glafkos Clerides of the Republic of Cyprus and Mr Denktash have been frozen since 1994.