Brussels, 27/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday not announcement was forthcoming from Tony Blair and Tayyip Erdogan at the end of their meeting in London on the date for signing the protocol for extending customs union. The two prime ministers did, however, highlight the fact that the signing of this protocol would not involve the recognition of Cyprus by Turkey. Recep Tayyip Erdogan's response was expected, given that Turkey has on many occasions repeated its position and confirmed its intentions to annex a declaration to the protocol outlining this position (EUROPE 8998). The Turkish prime minister hammered home the fact that his position would not change “there will be no change on the recognition question until there is a settlement” on reunification of the island. Tony Blair also “restate the legal fact which is the signing of the protocol does not involve recognition of Cyprus”. European diplomats indicated the day before the meeting that the protocol could be signed in a few days on the condition that the content of the declaration annexed by Turkey is acceptable. A European diplomat underlined the fact that the presidency is expected to inform Member States on Thursday at the Committee of Permanent Representatives of the results of these discussions.