[originaltext] European Union foreign ministers are putting pressure on Turkey

European Union foreign ministers are putting pressure on Turkey to recognize Cyprus if Ankara expects to ever join the 25-nation bloc. Turkey is to begin negotiations on October 3 that could eventually lead to EU membership for the predominately Muslim nation of 70 million people. But Ankara’s refusal to recognize the government of Cyprus—an EU member—has east a shadow over the process. Further complicating matters are recent referendums in France and the Netherlands, in which voters rejected an EU constitution, partly out of concern about Turkey joining the Union.
  One suggestion is to offer Turkey something less than full EU membership, a proposal tacitly backed by Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. However, Turkey rejects anything but full EU membership. Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul says the idea of a so-called privileged partnership with the EU, is in his words, "illegitimate and immoral."