TURKEY cleared another hurdle in its application for EU membership in Brussels yesterday after giving undertakings to introduce a bill containing new laws criminalising people trafficking, genocide, virginity tests and honour killings.

TURKEY’S bid to join the EU was in crisis last night as the European Commission warned that proposed penal reforms must be adopted by the government.

CYPRUS peace talks yesterday collapsed and the United Nations announced the end of efforts to reunite Greek and Turkish Cypriots before the island signs an accession treaty to the European Union next month.