But Turkey's chief negotiator warned that a pause carried risks for both sides and the EU's enlargement chief said there was still a chance to avoid a "train wreck" in relations with the strategically important Muslim candidate country.

"If there is no important move from here until December, it might be wise to agree on a time-out to reduce tensions," said Austrian Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik, whose country is among those most sceptical of Ankara's entry aspirations.

Speaking to reporters before an EU foreign ministers' meeting, she did not say how long such a break should last. Reuters