also from internationa herald tribune:
The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, also postponed a vote that was to have taken place Wednesday, to approve Turkey's extended customs union with the EU. Ankara has agreed to extend its free trade agreement with the EU to all 25 member states, including Cyprus. But it refuses to recognize Cyprus formally and denies Cyprus access to its airfields and ports. In a heated debate, members of Parliament said this was unacceptable.
"Turkey has to recognize members of a club if it wants to join it," said Jan Marinus Wiersma, vice president of the Parliament's influential Socialist group.
The Turkish Cypriot leader, Mehmet Ali Talat, warned Wednesday that forcing Turkey to recognize Cyprus before the island's division was
The European Parliament, meeting in Strasbourg, also postponed a vote that was to have taken place Wednesday, to approve Turkey's extended customs union with the EU. Ankara has agreed to extend its free trade agreement with the EU to all 25 member states, including Cyprus. But it refuses to recognize Cyprus formally and denies Cyprus access to its airfields and ports. In a heated debate, members of Parliament said this was unacceptable.
"Turkey has to recognize members of a club if it wants to join it," said Jan Marinus Wiersma, vice president of the Parliament's influential Socialist group.
I have never understood why they want to become members of the EU. I know there are subsidies, but the EU is not going to be able to afford them much longer and they will soon cease.