France-UK 'deal on Turkey talks'

The UN green line still divides Cyprus

Britain and France have agreed on a formula to enable EU accession talks with Turkey to go ahead next month as planned, diplomats say.

The deal would make Turkish recognition of Cyprus a condition for joining the EU, but it would not be required early on in the negotiations, reports say.

Turkey has signed a customs union with the 25 EU states, but it refuses to recognise the Greek Cypriot government.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The Turkish north remains under an embargo.

Cyprus has not yet accepted the Franco-British compromise deal.

A Cypriot government spokesman said simply: "We have been briefed on the points on which France has insisted."

Tough negotiations

Turkey is scheduled to begin accession talks with the EU on 3 October. But concerns have been raised by leaders in several EU states about Ankara's continuing refusal to recognise Cyprus.

Turkey reiterated its refusal on 29 July, insisting that the recognition question be linked to a UN-brokered settlement to reunite the island.

Last year, the Greek Cypriots rejected a UN-sponsored peace plan.

France had attacked Turkey's July statement, calling it a snub to the EU which could not be allowed to stand.

But the BBC's Jonny Dymond in Brussels says the reported British-French compromise has cleared one hurdle from the negotiations.

Nevertheless, more hurdles lie ahead for the Turkish bid - and EU membership is at least a decade away, he says.