European Union nations agreed Wednesday that Turkey must recognize EU member Cyprus during its membership talks, warning that not doing so could paralyze the negotiations, diplomats said.

At a meeting of EU ambassadors, the 25 member states ended weeks of wrangling over how to confront Turkey on its refusal to recognize Cyprus.

"Recognition of all member states is a necessary component of the accession process," said their joint declaration.

Cyprus has been split into a Greek Cypriot-controlled south and a Turkish-occupied north since Turkey invaded in 1974 after a coup by supporters of union with Greece. The breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north is recognized only by Turkey, which stations 40,000 troops there.

After years of UN-led negotiations, Secretary-General Kofi Annan brokered a reunification plan that was approved by a large majority of Turkish Cypriots in April 2004 but overwhelmingly rejected by three-quarters of Greek Cypriots. Their main objection was that the plan did not guarantee return of homes or property taken by the Turkish side.

The result was that only the Greek Cypriot-controlled half of Cyprus entered the EU.

(Chinadaily.com via agencies September 22, 2005))