BRUSSELS (AP) - The European Union urged Turkey yesterday to make good on a pledge to expand its customs agreement with the EU to include Cyprus — a condition for Union membership talks.

Speaking ahead of a three-day visit to Turkey, EU Enlargement Commissioner Olli Rehn called on Ankara to sign the protocol adapting the longstanding customs union to cover Cyprus and the other nine nations that joined the EU in May.

“I also expect Turkey to fulfill its commitment to sign the adaptation protocol,” Rehn said in a statement.

EU officials say that signature is crucial to starting membership talks as planned on October 3 because it amounts to a de facto recognition of the Cypriot government. Turkey contests the assertion that the agreement would mean recognition.

Rehn said his visit will also focus on technical preparations for the talks, which are expected to last at least 10 years as Turkey brings its laws into line with EU regulations.

Rehn is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul.