change stance on Cyprus DRESDEN, Germany, SPA -- German Chancellor Angela Merkelsaid Monday that the European Union could not ignoreTurkey's refusal to change its stance over EU memberCyprus, and stressed that the outcome of Ankara'smembership talks is «open., REPORTED AP. Merkel's comments at a conference of her ChristianDemocratic Union, which is skeptical about Turkish EUmembership, came as the EU again failed to get Ankara tobudge. The continuation of Turkey's EU entry talks hinges on itsreadiness to trade with the Greek-speaking part of Cyprusthat joined the bloc in 2004. EU leaders are to make adecision on the future of the talks at a mid-Decembersummit. «If Turkey does not keep to the Ankara Protocol _ and somore or less does not accept Cyprus _ there cannot be asimple 'let's carry on as we are' in the negotiations withTurkey,» Merkel said. Under the so-called Ankara Protocol, which Turkey signed,it agreed to extend its existing customs arrangements withthe EU to 10 new members, including Cyprus. In opposition, Merkel and her conservative party calledfor a «privileged partnership» _ short of membership _for the Turkey. Merkel now leads a coalition with the Social Democrats ofpredecessor Gerhard Schroeder, who favor EU membership forTurkey, and the government supports the membership talks. But on Monday, she made clear that her party's view isunchanged. «We are conducting negotiations with Turkey that are openin terms of results, she said. «But, as party chairwoman,I say that it is and was right to offer Turkey a privilegedpartnership with the European Union rather than fullmembership.»--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/406669