Turkey to freeze EU ties if Cyprus gets bloc's presidency

ANKARA, Turkey - European Union candidate Turkey will freeze relations with the EU if Cyprus is given the bloc's presidency in 2012, Deputy Prime Minister Besir Atalay was quoted as saying by state-run news agency Anatolian late on Saturday.

The comments were the strongest yet by Ankara over its opposition to the Cyprus presidency and could mark the start of a new low point in ties between the EU and Turkey which began accession talks to the bloc in 2005.

The comments also come at a time of heightened tension in the eastern Mediterranean where Turkey is locked in a row with Cyprus over potential offshore gas deposits. Turkey's relations with one-time ally Israel are also at a low.