ANKARA - Turkey is ready to open one seaport and one airport to Cyprus for one year to salvage its EU accession talks, but expects a solution to the Cyprus problem during that period of time, a senior Turkish official said Thursday.
"We are ready to open one port and an airport as part of our customs union responsibilities," said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
"Turkey wants a comprehensive settlement (to the Cyprus conflict) within 12 months," he said. "This should happen under the patronage of the United Nations, but the European Union should lend its support."
The official said Turkey also expects the Ercan airport, in the breakaway Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) recognized only by Ankara, to be opened to international traffic.
12/07/2006 16:17 GMT