Turkey’s full membership of the EU is inadvisable, but accession talks remain open-ended, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said at a joint press conference with Turkish Premier Erdogan on Monday, Today’s Zaman reports.

Ankara should first open its ports, as well as airports, for the Greek part of Cyprus to facilitate Turkey’s joining the EU.

She also noted that Turkey should not disfavor the proposal for its “privileged partnership” instead of full membership. The talks will go on, but Turkey must FIRST ratify and start implementing the Ankara Protocol, as well as settle the Cyprus dispute, Merkel said.

A.G.