Cyprus efforts on Turkey fail

BRUSSELS, Cyprus, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Cyprus tried and failed Tuesday to halt negotiations between Turkey and the European Union on environmental regulations.

Foreign ministers voted to begin discussions with Turkey on bringing its environmental rules in line with EU laws, the EUobserver reported.

Markos Kyprianou, the foreign minister of Cyprus, said his country would also try to block negotiations in six other areas, labor mobility, fundamental rights, justice system, education, foreign policy and energy.

"We will be setting conditions for the opening of the chapters," Kyprianou said. "Our intention is not to stop the Turkish accession process."

Talks in eight of 35 areas have been put on hold until Turkey recognizes borders for Cyprus.

Accepting Turkey into the European Union is a contentious issue among the member states. Turkey also has to deal with two emotional issues, the de facto partition of Cyprus and the status of Kurds.