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Greek Cypriot leader threatens to block EU-Turkey deal

17 March 2016 18:16 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. Greek Cypriot leader Nicos Anastasiades reiterated his threat to veto a deal between the European Union and Turkey on solving the refugee crisis unless Ankara recognizes his administration, APA reports quoting Anadolu agency.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a summit in Brussels on Thursday, Anastasiades said: "If Turkey fulfills its obligations according to the Ankara Protocol and the negotiation framework, then there is no problem."

"But without it we could [do] nothing," he said.

Following a meeting with European Council President Donald Tusk on Tuesday, Anastasiades threatened to block any attempt to open new policy areas, or "chapters", on Turkey’s EU membership bid unless it follows the terms of a 2005 protocol.

This would see Ankara recognize Cyprus’s Greek administration and open Turkish ports and airports to Greek Cypriot cargo and passengers.