NICOSIA – Reuters

Greek Cyprus on March 15 ruled out consenting to an expedition of Turkey’s long-stalled talks to enter the European Union, unless Ankara fulfilled its obligations to recognize the island.

Turkey wants its citizens to have visa-free access to Europe by June and to open new “chapters” of its long-stalled talks on it joining the EU in returning for assistance in stemming the human tide of refugees through Europe in one of the worst humanitarian crises since the World War II.

“I conveyed to (EU Council) President Tusk our position that the Republic of Cyprus does not intent to consent to the opening of any chapters if Turkey does not fulfill its obligations as described in the negotiating framework,” Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades told reporters after a meeting with EU Council President Donald Tusk in Nicosia.