Ankara:Antalya European Commission Executive Vice-President and EU Special Representative for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto, is set to present a proposal in Turkey later this month. The proposal involves initiating discussions on upgrading the EU-Turkey Customs Union contingent upon the resumption of negotiations concerning the Cyprus issue.

According to Cyprus News Agency, President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) Leaders' Summit in Antalya. During their meetings, von der Leyen updated President Christodoulides about Fitto's upcoming visit to Ankara on November 20, where he is expected to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to convey the EU's willingness to discuss the Customs Union upgrade if Cyprus negotiations resume.

In her discussions, von der Leyen also mentioned briefing UN Secretary-General António Guterres about Fitto's visit. Guterres expressed the goal of resuming negotiations before the end of his term. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni facilitated Fitto's visit to Ankara, highlighting the diplomatic efforts behind the scenes.

President Christodoulides, after addressing the Leaders' Summit, traveled to Dublin via Athens for the European Political Community Summit and an informal European Council meeting on November 12 and 13. During the COP31 Summit, Christodoulides briefly met Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman, exchanging a handshake. Meanwhile, the EU's Ambassador to Turkey, Aivo Orav, intervened to prevent the use of the term 'South Cyprus' in the event's signage, reflecting ongoing sensitivities around Cyprus's designation.