ANKARA (AP) - Turkey will sign a protocol expanding its customs agreement with the European Union to cover Cyprus and the nine other countries that joined the block on May 1, Turkish Foreign Minister Abdullah Gul said yesterday.

The signing of the customs protocol, which would amount to a de facto recognition by Turkey of the government of Cyprus, is crucial for the start of EU membership talks scheduled for October 3.

«This protocol will be signed when the time comes,» Gul said. «We are making preparations for October.»

Gul was speaking after holding separate talks with Luxembourg's foreign minister, Jean Asselborn, and Olli Rehn, the EU's enlargement commissioner.

[«I received assurances from Gul that (the protocol) will be signed well in time before October 3, thus paving the way for start of negotiations,» Rehn said. Ahead of his visit to Ankara, the commissioner had insisted on the need for Turkey to sign the protocol.]

Gul said Turkey was determined to press ahead with reforms.