Turkey to Boycott EU Sessions Led by Cyprus

Turkish European Union Minister Egemen Bağış says the country will not participate in any EU session attended by Greek Cyprus when the latter takes over the rotating presidency of the 27-nation bloc, Press TV reports.

However, Bağış stated that Turkey would continue its cooperation with the European Commission and the European Parliament during the presidency of Greek Cyprus, Press TV’s Ankara correspondent reported on Sunday.

“Our relations with the EU Commission and the EU Parliament will remain intact. We will just not sit across the same table as the term’s presidency,” he said.

Turkish officials had previously threatened to freeze relations with the EU if Cyprus was appointed president of the union.

Greek Cyprus, which is not recognized by Turkey, will take over the presidency of the EU for six months, during the second half of 2012.