Greece welcomed on Wednesday a report by the European Commission giving candidate-state Turkey a mid-December deadline to open its ports and airports to Cypriot carriers.

Greek Foreign Minister Dora Bakoyannis told the press here in Athens on the EU report regarding Turkey's accession course, noting that "the report contains all the elements necessary to judge Turkey's course towards the European Union."

"I believe that it is a report that refers to specific developments, a report that will serve as the basis for upcoming decisions by the Union," she added.

Cyprus's Foreign Minister George Lillikas also expressed Nicosia's satisfaction with the content of the report, calling it "objective", Greek Athens News Agency (ANA) reported.

"As regards Turkey's obligation to fully implement the Ankara Protocol, the Commission will make relevant recommendations ahead of the European Council in December, if Turkey has not fulfilled its obligations," according to a statement issued by the EU after the meeting.

Implementing the Ankara Protocol is part of the country's standing commitments to the European Union.

Source: Xinhua