The Commission is also insisting that Turkey allow access to its ports to Cypriot vessels, as requested by EU governments in December 2007.

Babacan said his country's goal was to reach a comprehensive settlement on the Cyprus issue. The two chapters opened concern the free movement of capital and information society and media, raising the total number of opened chapters to 10 out of 33.

Turkey applied to join the EU in 1987, but the bloc has so far refused to set a deadline for the end of accession negotiations but has said previously it could take as long as 10 years.

France, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU until the end of the year, is among the sceptics. "We all knew that Turkey's accession process would not be a Sunday stroll in the park," Rehn said. He said 2009 could prove a "decisive" year for Turkey's EU membership aspirations.