The senior EU negotiator on enlargement yesterday urged the isolated Turkish Cypriot community to join the rest of the island in accession talks, saying it was the best way their interests could be served.
But the Enlargement Commissioner, Mr Gunter Verheugen, said membership talks with the internationally recognised government of the divided island would go ahead even if the Turkish Cypriot community stood its ground.
Mr Verheugen said a settlement to the division of Cyprus would facilitate its accession, but it was not a pre-condition for membership.