French prime minister calls on Turkey to recognise Cyprus

The French prime minister has questioned whether it is conceivable to open EU membership talks with Turkey if it does not recognise Cyprus.

Speaking to French radio on Tuesday (2 August), Dominique de Villepin said, "It seems to me inconceivable that such a negotiation process can begin with a country which does not recognise every one of the members of the European Union, that is to say the 25".

"There is a principle there that seems to me must be defended, and is one France will...