Turkey to open port, aiport to Cyprus traffic -EU

HELSINKI, Dec 7 (Reuters) Turkey plans to open a port and an airport to traffic from Cyprus as a step to meet its commitments to the European Union in talks on membership of the bloc, EU President Finland said today.

Presidency spokesman Mikko Norros told Reuters: ''I can confirm they sent a message to the Foreign Ministry to say they are opening one port and one airport.'' The message was received yesterday, just as EU ambassadors were about to start discussing the EU position on Turkey. That discussion was postponed for today.

Finnish public television YLE said that in return for Turkey's move, the EU would reconsider its proposal to slow down negotiations on membership, citing EU diplomats.

The executive European Commission has recommended suspending eight out of the 35 policy areas or ''chapters'' into which the membership negotiations are divided, and not concluding talks on any sector until Turkey fulfils its treaty obligation on Cyprus.

REUTERS PB BS1332