ANKARA, Turkey (AP) – More than three decades after Turkey sent troops to invade Cyprus, the small Mediterranean island has become a formidable force in the diplomatic arena, threatening to derail Turkey’s drive to join the European Union.

Ankara will find out today if it can start – and conclude – its first detailed entry negotiations after EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg discuss Cyprus’ demands that the 25-nation bloc pressure Turkey over its dealings with the divided island.

Cyprus, split since 1974 into an internationally recognised Greek Cypriot south and a Turkish-occupied north, insists the EU remind Ankara of its obligation to normalise relations with Nicosia and include it in a customs union with the bloc, officials said Friday.

Although Cyprus is an EU member, Ankara does not recognise the Greek Cypriot-led government in Nicosia, but supports a breakaway Turkish Cypriot state in the north of the island.

Today’s talks between Ankara and the EU are to focus on science and technology in the first of 35 so-called “negotiating chapters”.

But while the issues are seen as uncontroversial, Nicosia insists that before the talks can start, the EU demand that Turkey extend its customs union to include Cyprus and nine other member states that joined the bloc in 2004.

Turkey has not implemented an agreement it signed last July to broaden its customs union to include the EU’s 10 newest members. It refuses to allow Greek Cypriot ships and planes to use Turkish ports and airports until a crippling international embargo on the breakaway Turkish Cypriot state is lifted.

Ankara has not indicated whether it will consider any concessions.

Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said he would not leave for Luxembourg until he has seen the wording of a text to be presented to Turkey before the start of negotiations.

“I will see the results of (EU) foreign ministers’ meeting on Monday,” Gul told reporters yesterday, adding that “if there is a political (obstacle), then of course I won’t go.”

A failure to start negotiations would be a major blow for Turkey’s EU aspirations, and could spell more trouble for the Islamic-rooted government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan, already struggling with an economy that is showing signs of problems.

Turkey and EU member countries had long been aware that Cyprus was a potential dealbreaker – EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn likened the Cyprus issue to a “train wreck” waiting to happen.

“Everyone should be ready for occasional slippage and problems with the EU,” warned Turkey’s chief negotiator, State Minister Ali Babacan, on Thursday. “We are going to walk through a path with ups and downs.”