PM Erdogan Criticizes EU: This is Unfair

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the European Union (EU) treated Turkey "unfairly" by suspending accession talks on eight areas yesterday.

"Political and economical reforms were made to uplift our people's quality of life" Erdogan said today, adding that the reform process will continue despite EU's reprisal.

He noted that the government wouldn't make any changes in its Cyprus policy without a reciprocal action is put on the table by the Greek side.

"Following the refusal of the Annan Plan by the southern Cypriots, the European Conseil promised to lift sanctions on Northern Cyprus, that's why we've signed the additional Protocol; but they forgot about their promises".

On the other hand, head of the main opposing Republican People's Party (CHP) Deniz Baykal criticized the government claiming that the Cyprus issue became a criteria for Turkey's accession to the EU during this period.

EU foreign ministers decided yesterday in Brussels to suspend accession talks with Turkey on eight of the 35 areas of negotiation.

The decision is linked to Turkey's refusal to open its ports to the already EU member Cyprus, under a customs union protocol it signed with the EU last year.

"There has been no train crash - the train is still firmly on track. Eight chapters have been suspended - 27 out of 35 are not frozen, and there is every prospect that things will work steadily and effectively to make Turkey, in the fullness of time, a member of the European Union," said UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett to the BBC.

The ministers also reiterated a promise to end the economic isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community - but left the details to be worked out next year.

Talks on Turkey's bid to join the EU began last year, after Ankara promised to allow Cypriot ships and aircraft to use its ports and airports.

The foreign ministers' decision will be endorsed formally at a summit of EU leaders on Thursday and Friday.(EÜ)