Turks threaten EU talks 'freeze'

TURKEY has threatened to freeze contact with the European Union if Cyprus assumes the presidency next July without a resolution of the island's continued division.

Turkey is in talks to join the EU. Its EU minister Egemen Bagis said: "Freezing ties is an option."

Cyprus has been divided into Turkish north and Greek south since a Turkish invasion in 1974 triggered by a Greek-inspired coup. Greek Cypriots represent the island internationally and in the EU while Turkey is the only country to recognise the Turkish Cypriot state.