The Greek Cypriot side is blocking the update of the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union, claimed Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, arguing that the overwhelming majority of member states wish to move the process forward.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Kyrgyz Foreign Minister Jeenbek Kulumbayev, following the 7th meeting of the Turkey–Kyrgyzstan Joint Strategic Planning Group in Ankara, Mr. Fidan addressed Turkey’s relations with the EU, the Cyprus issue, the Organization of Turkic States, and the upcoming NATO Summit.

The Turkish Foreign Minister stated that there is a strong desire on both sides to modernize the Customs Union, noting, however, that the process is not moving forward at the desired pace due to the stance of the Republic of Cyprus, which he referred to as the “Greek Cypriot side.”

“Because the Greek Cypriot side is deliberately blocking progress on this issue, steps cannot be taken at the desired pace,” he said.

Mr. Fidan argued that when a member state does not get what it wants on one issue, it may block decisions in other areas of interest to the remaining members. “What we are seeing is that the overwhelming majority of the European Union is in favor of modernizing the Customs Union,” he said.

During his meeting with his Kyrgyz counterpart, Mr. Fidan noted that they also discussed efforts to lift what he described as the “unjust exclusion” faced by Turkish Cypriots.

He described the Turkish Cypriots as “an integral part of the Turkic world,” while the Russia–Ukraine war and the risk of its further regional spread were also at the center of the talks.

The Turkish minister also referred to the Organization of Turkic States, which he described as “the embodiment of the common will of the Turkic world.” As he said, the goal is for the organization to operate in a more institutional and effective manner.

Referring to the meetings he had in Ankara with EU High Representative Kaya Kalas, Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos, and Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration Magnus Bruner, Mr. Fidan described the visit as “an important milestone.”

“Turkey’s full accession to the European Union is one of our strategic goals,” he said, adding that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan possesses “strong will and vision” for the country’s European path.

Mr. Fidan argued that Turkey–EU relations have recently been moving in a more constructive direction, with the resumption of high-level dialogues in areas such as the economy, trade, migration, security, science, and technology.

He also noted that the European Investment Bank has begun to partially resume its activities in Turkey, while the relevant agencies are examining Ankara’s interest in joining the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA).

Discussions with the European delegation also covered foreign policy, energy, transportation, trade, migration, and visa liberalization.

According to Mr. Fidan, the EU recognizes Turkey’s geographical location and infrastructure, as well as the role the country can play in connecting Europe with Asia.

The two sides discussed the creation of new transportation and supply chain routes along the north–south and east–west axes, as well as better utilization of existing corridors. Also on the agenda were the war in Ukraine, Iran, the Strait of Hormuz, and Israel’s policy in the region.

The Turkish minister maintained that Ankara’s bilateral relations with most EU member states are “extremely good,” with the exception, as he put it, of “one or two countries.” He acknowledged, however, that this positive picture of bilateral relations is not always reflected in the decisions of European institutions.

“We will identify these problems and continue to move forward, overcoming them in a systematic manner,” he said.

Mr. Fidan also referred to the upcoming NATO Summit in Ankara, noting that holding it in Turkey once again highlights the country’s strategic importance.

At the same time, he announced that the annual summit of the Organization of Turkic States will also take place in Ankara, hosted by the Turkish President.

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Source: CNA