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Turkey blames Cyprus over 'disappointing' EU report

10 October 2012, 22:45 CET
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(ISTANBUL) - Turkey voiced disappointment over an European Union enlargement report on Wednesday that failed to signal any progress on its 25-year bid to join the bloc.

The country's EU minister Egemen Bagis blamed the lack of movement on EU member Cyprus, current holder of the bloc's rotating presidency, branding it a "de facto" country.

Cyprus has been divided since Turkey occupied the northern third in 1974 in response to a Greek-inspired coup aimed at uniting the Mediterranean island with Greece and its fate has been a constant sticking point in Ankara's bid to join the EU.

Turkey only recognises the breakaway state in the north and not the government of the Republic of Cyprus, which became an EU member in 2004.

"Unfortunately, despite all our efforts, we greet this year's EU progress report with utmost disappointment, particularly the part about political criteria," Bagis said.

Bagis said increased criticism of Turkey "was obviously because it coincided with the de facto presidency of a de facto state," referring to Cyprus.

Turkey first sought to become an EU member 25 years ago but only launched formal accession talks in 2005 and they have made little progress since because of the quarrel with Cyprus.

"As it stands, the report is unbalanced," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement, charging that it focused on shortcomings of the Turkish bid rather than reforms.

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