Finse minister van Buitenlandse Zaken: Onderhandelingen tussen de EU, Cyprus en Turkije gaan door (en)

"The Finnish EU Presidency has had discussions with all parties on issues concerning Turkey's accession process and questions related to direct trade between the EU and the northern part of Cyprus. Our aim has been to find a solution that enables the uninterrupted continuation of Turkey's accession negotiations and improves the situation of both communities in Cyprus", says Minister for Foreign Affairs Erkki Tuomioja.

"To this end, we have been prepared to arrange a round of talks between the Presidency and all parties in Finland. Unfortunately, this has not been possible before the Commission's next report on Turkey will be issued on November 8, but our efforts to find a solution naturally continue."

The Presidency continues talks at political level on Friday, when Minister Tuomioja will meet the leader of the Turkish Cypriot Community Mehmet Ali Talat in Brussels.