EU president Finland says no breakthrough on Cyprus

TAMPERE, Finland, Nov 27 (Reuters) EU president Finland said it had failed to achieve a breakthrough in talks today to resolve a row on Cyprus that threatens to derail Turkey's bid for membership of the bloc.

''Unfortunately, we have come to the conclusion that at this stage circumstances do not permit that an agreement could be reached during the Finnish Presidency,'' said Finnish Foreign Minister Erkki Tuomioja after separate meetings with the foreign ministers of Turkey and Cyprus.

Tuomioja said no date had been set for new talks on the issue and the EU would need to decide the implications for Turkey's membership bid.

''Together with the Commission, we will prepare the decision on how we will handle the continuation of the accession negotiations,'' Tuomioja said, adding that the EU's General Affairs Council would decide the matter on December 11.

He said he could not go into details about the exact implication for Turkey's accession process.

''We will consult with all member states before putting forward our proposals,'' Tuomioja said.

''It is clear that Turkey remains a candidate country.'' The EU says Turkey, which began entry talks last year, must meet a treaty obligation to open its ports to ships from Cyprus this year or face consequences for its accession negotiations.

Turkey says it will only do so if the EU ends the economic isolation of Northern Cyprus, the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state recognised only by Ankara.

REUTERS PB HS1539