Brussels, 28/11/2006 (Agence Europe) - The Finnish Prime Minister and current President of the EU, Matti Vanhanen, will visit Turkey on 1 December for what will no doubt be a "last chance" meeting with Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan to try to make headway on the dossier on the extension of EU/Turkey customs union to Cyprus. In the event of a Turkish refusal to open up their ports and airports to Cypriots ships and aeroplanes, the General Affairs Council of 11 December will decide on the partial suspension of accession negotiations. The Commission will present its recommendations on 6 December (EUROPE 9315).
On Tuesday, after meeting with Pope Benedict XVI in Ankara at the beginning of his four-day visit, Mr Erdogan told the press that the Pope has lent the Vatican's support to Turkish accession to the EU. (hb)