Cyprus agreed in principle today on an EU declaration responding to Turkey's refusal to recognise the Mediterranean island, a diplomat said, potentially helping pave the way for Turkey's accession talks.
"Cyprus makes no more objections," the EU diplomat said as European Union ambassadors met today to remove the last obstacles before the entry talks with Turkey can start on October 3rd.
The EU declaration, which the European Union has said is needed to start membership talks with Ankara, was approved by envoys of all 25 member states on Monday.
But then Cyprus unexpectedly refused to rubber-stamp it yesterday, even though Cypriot President Tassos Papadopoulos said all 25 EU member states agreed Turkey could start the talks.
But the diplomat said Cyprus had now agreed in principle. EU nations remain divided over details of the "negotiating framework," or technical ground-rules for talks, which are due to be presented to Turkey when talks start on October 3rd, along with the declaration, diplomats have said.