BRUSSELS, Dec 10: Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan rejected on Friday an EU appeal to recognize Cyprus, ahead of a summit next week due to decide whether Ankara can start EU entry talks, a Turkish diplomat said.

"Mr Erdogan rejected the appeal by (European Commission chief Jose Manuel) Barroso concerning the recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey," said the diplomat.

"They do not deserve that after rejecting the Annan plan," he said, in reference to proposals by UN chief Kofi Annan to re-unite the island which were rejected by a referendum in April in the Greek-run south of the island.

He was speaking after Mr Barroso, while saying he supports Turkey's EU bid, indicated that Ankara would have to recognize Cyprus to start membership talks, since Cyprus has been EU member state since May.

Mr Barroso told Mr Erdogan that "if and when the negotiation with Turkey will be opened it will be a negotiation between Turkey and the EU, and it is clear that the EU (is) an entity of 25 member states," according to Mr Barroso's spokeswoman. -AFP