Turkey approves Kyoto accords

ISTANBUL, Turkey, June 2 (UPI) -- The Turkish government has reversed its position and decided to approve the Kyoto Protocol on global warming.

Government spokesperson Cemil Cicek made the announcement following a cabinet meeting Monday, the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported Tuesday.

"Approving of the Kyoto Protocol is important and needed to be able to participate in the studies after 2012," Cicek replied when questioned about Turkey's belated support for the Kyoto Protocol, which attempts to cut greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

Tokyo had previously refused to sign the U.N. accords until it completed its own industrial development. But strong pressure from the European Union, which Turkey hopes to join, may have prompted to switch in environmental position, Hurriyet reported.