<$Turkey warned of EU 'train crash'
United Press InternationalLUXEMBOURG, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- EU leaders have warned Turkey thatFinland's compromise on relations with Cyprus is the only route tospeedy membership in the European Union.The warning that Turkey could be heading for a "train crash" in itsquest to join came during a meeting Monday in Luxembourg between theforeign ministers of Turkey, Germany and Finland; Olli Rehn, the EUenlargement director, and Javier Solana, its chief diplomat, The NewAnatolian reported."We may have the last window of opportunity on the Cyprus issue in thecoming weeks or months for a very long time, perhaps for years," Rehntold reporters before the meeting.Under the Finnish proposal, the EU would grant free trade to the TurkishRepublic of Northern Cyprus in return for the hand-over of Varosha, anabandoned town, to Cyprus.Turkey's failure to develop relations with Cyprus, which is a member ofthe union, is the major stumbling block. So far, Turkish officials havesaid that the EU would have to recognize Turkish Cyprus first.
United Press InternationalLUXEMBOURG, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- EU leaders have warned Turkey thatFinland's compromise on relations with Cyprus is the only route tospeedy membership in the European Union.The warning that Turkey could be heading for a "train crash" in itsquest to join came during a meeting Monday in Luxembourg between theforeign ministers of Turkey, Germany and Finland; Olli Rehn, the EUenlargement director, and Javier Solana, its chief diplomat, The NewAnatolian reported."We may have the last window of opportunity on the Cyprus issue in thecoming weeks or months for a very long time, perhaps for years," Rehntold reporters before the meeting.Under the Finnish proposal, the EU would grant free trade to the TurkishRepublic of Northern Cyprus in return for the hand-over of Varosha, anabandoned town, to Cyprus.Turkey's failure to develop relations with Cyprus, which is a member ofthe union, is the major stumbling block. So far, Turkish officials havesaid that the EU would have to recognize Turkish Cyprus first.
