December 6, 2006 - 13:51 AMT
Netherlands Offers to Toughen Measures on Turkey
The Dutch government in addition to the European Union decision to suspend talks with Turkey on 8 items offered to toughen the accession terms. Dutch Foreign Minister Bernard Bot addressed a special letter to the parliament. The letter says that in response to Turkey's refusal to open sea and airports for Cyprus tougher measures should be applied. Local observers remark that the Minister's letter was sent at the period when the French President and German Chancellor held a meeting to discuss the states' joint position on Turkey. As extra measures the possibility to suspend the talks on free travel of the population, transport, agriculture, banking services, etc was considered. The situation will be clarified after December 11, the deadline set for Ankara, reports Trend news agency.