TRNC Presidency slams European Commission report, says Brussels ignores Turkish Cypriot rights

The Presidency of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) sharply criticized the European Commission’s 2025 Turkey Report, accusing the EU of disregarding the equal status and legitimate rights of the Turkish Cypriot people. The TRNC said the EU is undermining new UN efforts for a settlement on the island and has failed to fulfill past guarantees to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots.

EU Report Criticizes Democracy, Human Rights, and Rule of Law in Turkey

TRNC: EU stance inconsistent with new UN-led negotiation phase

The Presidency of the TRNC condemned the European Commission’s 4 November 2025 Turkey Country Report for including what it described as biased and misleading conclusions about Cyprus.

According to the TRNC, the report’s approach is not compatible with the new diplomatic phase, during which the UN Secretary-General is expected to intensify efforts for a fair and lasting settlement.

“The report ignores the fact that the Turkish Cypriot people are one of the two equal founding partners of the island,” the Presidency said.

“EU has been avoiding dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot side”

The TRNC said the report demonstrates the EU’s systematic refusal to engage with Turkish Cypriots, arguing that Brussels examines Cyprus solely from the viewpoint of the Greek Cypriot administration.

The statement also criticized the EU for questioning the principle that all sides must give consent for international peacekeeping forces — a universal standard in UN-led operations.

“The EU has avoided dialogue with the Turkish Cypriot side for years, and this is the root of its flawed approach.”

EU accused of failing to end isolation of Turkish Cypriots

The Presidency recalled that the EU promised in 2004 to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots following the Annan Plan referendum but never fulfilled that commitment, including the Direct Trade Regulation.

“It is disappointing that the EU questions our observer membership in the Organization of Turkic States while ignoring its own unfulfilled promises,” the statement said.

The TRNC highlighted the contradiction:

• The report frequently cites the United Nations,

• Yet ignores the UN Secretary-General’s 2004 call to lift restrictions on Turkish Cypriots.

Objections over Varosha (Maraş) and maritime rights

The TRNC Presidency rejected what it described as “factual errors” in the report concerning Varosha (Maraş), and said the EU disregards the Turkish Cypriot people’s equal rights over the island’s maritime zones and natural resources.

“A one-sided and biased narrative is unacceptable.”

TRNC welcomes reference to improvements in Türkiye–Greece relations

The statement noted that the EU’s acknowledgment of improved relations between Türkiye and Greece was “important and constructive.”

The TRNC Presidency added:

“If the international community adopts a fair, objective, and constructive approach toward Cyprus, similar progress would be possible on the island.”