Istanbul: The Foreign Minister of Turkey, Hakan Fidan, informed EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, about recent informal meetings on Cyprus during a meeting in Istanbul. These meetings, which were held under the auspices of the UN Secretary-General in Geneva and New York, were welcomed by Commissioner Kos, as per a joint statement released on Monday.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the statement emphasized the importance of Turkey’s EU candidate status and its constructive role in fostering regional stability and prosperity. Both parties agreed to advance a joint agenda in key areas such as trade, energy, transportation, and digitalization, with a focus on the EU’s Black Sea strategy and projects linking Europe to Central Asia.
The parties also welcomed the adoption of a Commission Decision that facilitates the issuance of multiple-entry visas to Turkish citizens, aiming to enhance predictability and increase mobility. The importance of the Visa Liberalization Dialogue was underlined by both sides.
Minister Fidan and Commissioner Kos reiterated their commitment to improving the implementation of the Customs Union and paving the way for modernization to support competitiveness and economic security. The European Investment Bank (EIB) was recognized as a key actor in regional development, with both parties expressing intent to strengthen cooperation to support sustainable projects across Turkey and neighboring regions.
Commissioner Kos stressed the importance of dialogue on rule of law and democratic standards as an integral part of the EU-Turkey relationship. Fidan emphasized the need for a credible and principled enlargement policy, advocating for fair treatment of all candidate countries based on merit and objective criteria. He reaffirmed Turkey’s commitment to the EU accession process.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey’s invasion and occupation of its northern third. UN-led peace talks have repeatedly failed, with the latest negotiations in 2017 ending inconclusively. A second informal meeting on Cyprus was held in New York in July 2025, with another meeting anticipated later this year to continue the dialogue. UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres announced plans to meet with Cyprus leaders during the General Assembly high-level week in September.
Discussions on Cyprus continue, focusing on issues such as opening crossing points and a solar energy installation in the buffer zone. Cooperation on exchanging cultural artifacts has also been agreed upon. Maria Angela Holgun, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, will persist in her efforts, while the European Commission has designated Johannes Hahn as Special Envoy for Cyprus to aid in the settlement process.