EU member Cyprus said today it had invited Ankara to discuss conditions relating to the continuing stalemate on the divided island which Greek Cypriots say are crucial to Turkey's EU membership hopes.
"We have sent a message to the government of our neighbouring country that we are ready for a dialogue to explain our positions, and to say how we see the relations between Cyprus and Turkey developing before and after December 17th until Turkey's accession to the European Union," said Mr Papadopoulos, who led an ethnically divided Cyprus into the EU last May.
"Now it is up to Turkey to accept this invitation and challenge," he added.