Cyprus says disappointed with EU Turkey report

Cyprus said it was disappointed the European Commission had failed to recommend sanctions on Turkey for failing to open its ports to the island.

Cyprus, a member of the European Union since 2004, has no diplomatic relations with Turkey which invaded the island's northern third after a brief Greek inspired coup in 1974.

In an annual report, the EU executive arm said Turkey made no progress in normalising relations with Cyprus, adding that it was urgent that Ankara open its ports and airports to Greek Cypriot traffic.

"We are disappointed because based precisely on the findings of the Commission, we would have expected recommendations on some measures which should be taken in December," Cypriot Foreign Minister Markos Kyprianou said.

Cyprus is represented in the EU by its Greek Cypriot government. The north is a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state recognised only by Ankara.

EU heads of state will discuss the report in December.

Cyprus says it will "not be business as usual" if Ankara fails to meet its committments and speaks of repercussions, but will not be more specific.

Turkey started EU entry talks in Dec. 2005 but has seen the pace of negotiations hobbled by delays in reforms and the stalemate in Cyprus, where it has a military presence.

The Greek and Turkish Cypriot communities are engaged in talks to reunite the island as a bizonal bicommunal federation.

Turkey is not directly involved in these negotiations now, but is expected to at some point because of its troop presence and obligations under international treaties which established the Republic of Cyprus in 1960.

The EU report said Turkey continued to express public support to the talks and was expected to actively support them.

"That is a superficial approach. The positions of the Turkish side were not examined in depth. It can pay lip service to supporting the process but essentially, with its positions, it does not," Kyprianou said.