No customs union without trade–Turkey minister

Turkey expects EU screening to end in October

Turkey will not open its ports to Greek-Cypriot ships, if the EU Foreign Affairs and External Relations Council does not approve the Regulation for direct trade with Cyprus Turkish occupied areas, the Cyprus News Agency reported.

This message was conveyed in Brussels by Turkish Deputy Assistant Minister of State Ahmet Acer to Pierre Mirrel, Director of the Commission Enlargement Department, in a meeting they had, saud CNA.

According to sources, Acer also warned that Turkey will not start its accession negotiations if new conditions are put forward by the EU “25”.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Chief Negotiator for the EU, Ali Banacan has said that he expects the screening process for Turkey’s EU accession negotiations, which began in October, to finish in October 2006.

Speaking to the Anatolia news agency on Sunday, Babacan said the process was going very smoohtly.

Last week there was the screening of Turkish legislation on economic and monetary policy. Turkey also presented its position on the chapter of science and research. Talks are due to start in April or May.

Babacan said that detailed session on 13 of the 35 chapters had been completed while exploratory sessions had been completed on 15.

Cyprus has threatened to veto the opening and/or closing of each chapter if Turkey does not fulfil its obligations, particulary on opening ports and airports to Cypriot vessels.