RFE/RL: "Azerbaijan-Cyprus dispute drags on"

Cyprus, an EU member state, wants Azerbaijan to rule out any future commercial flights to Northern Cyprus, which it contests with Turkey.

EU officials say only one such flight took place last year. However, efforts at finding a solution that simultaneously satisfies Cyprus and allows Azerbaijan to save face vis-a-vis its close ally Turkey have not brought success, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports.

Officials say it is unlikely Georgia and Armenia will see their action plans approved before the issue is resolved to Cyprus's satisfaction.

Emma Udwin, Ferrero-Waldner's spokeswoman said other, substantive issues were holding up the conclusion of action plan talks, but confirmed Cyprus's approval is needed. "This is not at this moment a stumbling block. It is of course the case that when texts have been approved they have to be approved unanimously by the [EU] council of foreign affairs ministers," she said. "In other words, [that] unanimously means that any one single member state can decide to bloc the approval of those texts."