Turkish Cypriot leader Mr Rauf Denktash said today his administration could not sign a UN-backed peace deal for Cyprus at a European Union summit in Copenhagen this week.
The EU wants ethnic Turks and Greeks to sign the deal toreunite the island after nearly 30 years of division before the internationally recognised Greek Cypriot government joins the bloc, probably in 2004.
Signing of a document might help Turkey's case for a firm date for Ankara to start entry talks.
"We're not in a position to sign a document," Mr Denktash told private Turkish broadcaster NTV in a live telephone interview.
"We're not running away from negotiating. Give us time to negotiate with the Greek Cypriots," Mr Denktash said, leaving the door open to talks after the EU summit in Copenhagen, which begins tomorrow.