NICOSIA, Oct 7 (AFP) - Cyprus gave a lukewarm response Thursday to Turkey getting an okay from the European Commission to begin accession talks, saying more emphasis is needed on linking Ankara's membership to reuniting the island.
The government sees the progress report on Turkey as constructive, but argues that more needs to be done to build a stronger link between the Cyprus problem and Ankara's EU course, spokesman Kypros Chrysostomides said.
There has been criticism here over the scant reference in the report to the Cyprus problem and to Turkey's occupation of the northern third of island.
Yet Chrisostomides said Turkey was being taken to task by the EU on issues like its human rights record, helping efforts towards a settlement.
"We should not be disappointed because some issues were not included in the report which we would have wanted," he told reporters.
"The recommendations referring to the accession course of Turkey contain a good base on which to work on. There is now a framework and a procedure in which our side can act, so as to make use of the possibilities towards realising our targets on the Cyprus issue."
Nevertheless, Cyprus "reserves the right to veto" Turkey's bid for an accession date, when the EU takes a final decision in mid-December, but "does not wish to do so".
The Greek Cypriots will seemingly try to ensure that whatever criteria Turkey must meet, it should also apply to the situation in Cyprus.
Nicos Anastassiades, leader of right-wing opposition party Disy, was critical of the EU report, saying Turkey had been "let off the hook" in terms of Cyprus.
He "regretted" that for the first time there was no link between reaching a Cyprus settlement and Turkey's European aspirations.
"There is no reference to Turkish troops, or the occupation, or the need for Turkey to withdraw its troops from EU soil," said Anastassiades.
He was one of the few politicians who strongly advocated support of a UN peace plan which was rejected by a majority of Greek Cypriots at a referendum in April 24, resulting in a divided Cyprus joining the EU a week later.
Former Cypriot president George Vassiliou, another pro-settlement advocate, said the Greek Cypriots needed to take the initiative to persuade Europe of their positions, so pressure can be put on Turkey for a Cyprus deal come December.
"But we must state clearly what it is we actually want," said Vassiliou.