European Commission (EC) President Jose Manuel Durao Barroso said on Thursday that Turkey's plan to open some of its ports to Cyprus would be "an important step" toward meeting the country's pledges to the European Union (EU).

Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Barroso said, "If that move can be confirmed I think it is certainly an important step toward full implementation of the Ankara protocol, and against that background I certainly welcome it," he said.

"We hope it will become perfectly plain what exactly this initiative is about and is intended to achieve," Barroso said.

He said the EU executive was still seeking clarification of the Turkish proposal.

Finnish media reported earlier on Thursday that Turkey was planning to open a port and an airport to traffic from Cyprus, in an effort to break the deadlock in negotiations on its entry to the EU.

The Finnish EU presidency had no information on whether the Turkish offer was unilateral, or conditional on some reciprocal action from Cyprus.

Finnish television, citing EU diplomats, said that in return for Turkey's move, the EU would reconsider its proposal to slow down negotiations on Turkey's membership.

The European Commission has recommended suspending eight out of the 35 policy areas or "chapters" relating to Turkey's membership negotiations.

The commission has also suggested not to conclude talks on any area until Turkey fulfils its treaty obligation to open its ports and airports to traffic from EU member Cyprus.

Source: Xinhua