NICOSIA, Aug 23 (AFP) - Cyprus will not block Turkey`s bid to join the European Union but Ankara must do more to resolve the problems of the divided Mediterranean island, President Tassos Papadopoulos said Monday.
Papadopoulos dismissed suggestions that the internationally-recognised Greek Cypriot government would use its veto to prevent Turkey gaining a date for the start of EU accession talks when its case is reviewed in December.
As an EU member since May 1, Cyprus could theoretically use its power of veto and wreck Ankara`s European ambitions.
"Our basic policy is not to exercise the veto, our wish is that Turkey will help us with its own stance ... we don`t want to pose an obstacle to its EU accession," Papadopoulos told reporters before leaving to attend the final stages of the Olympic Games in Athens.
Although the Greek Cypriot leader said Turkey`s membership of the EU would be a "positive step" in efforts to solve the island`s 30-year division, he urged Ankara to cease its "separatist policy" towards Cyprus.
He also hinted that his government would push for a link between solving the Cyprus problem and Turkey`s EU accession if Ankara continued to support two separate entities on the island.
"I don`t think anyone would expect us to watch idly while this policy is promoted without having the right to request a link with Turkey`s EU accession and a Cyprus solution," said Papadopoulos.
The self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), is recognized only by Ankara while the Greek Cypriot administration is the internationally recognised government of Cyprus.
A reunification plan for Cyprus, voted on both sides of the island in April, was scuppered by a strong "no" vote by Greek Cypriots.
The failure ensured that the Greek Cypriots alone joined the EU in May.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974 when Turkey occupied the island`s northern third in response to a Greek Cypriot coup aimed at uniting Cyprus with Greece.