“Enough with the double standards”: Turkish Cypriot leader demands that the EU end Northern Cyprus’s isolation

Brussels was reminded of its unfulfilled promises, while the European Union was told that it cannot be an arbitrator in the Cyprus conflict

The Cyprus issue was once again at the center of attention. Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman strongly criticized the European Union, accusing European institutions of bias and calling for a shift from statements to concrete action. The main topics were ending the international isolation of the Turkish Cypriot community, developing direct trade, and restoring trust between the northern part of the island and Brussels.

Erhürman raised these issues during a meeting with European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto at the presidential palace in the TRNC.

He later described the conversation as «useful», but stressed that the Turkish Cypriot side’s grievances over EU policy remain.

According to Erhürman, he conveyed to the European official his dissatisfaction with decisions made by EU institutions, particularly the European Parliament. In his view, Brussels’s actions appear one-sided and only deepen Turkish Cypriot distrust of the European Union.

The politician reiterated that the EU cannot be a party to possible negotiations on a Cyprus settlement. At the same time, he said, Brussels could play a constructive role if it focuses on confidence-building measures and is genuinely interested in a long-term solution to the conflict.

Direct trade and an end to isolation

One of the main topics of the meeting was advancing the Direct Trade Regulation, whose adoption Erhürman demanded without further delay. The discussion also covered problems with implementing the «Green Line» Regulation, issues concerning European citizenship for Turkish Cypriots, and property disputes.

In conclusion, the Turkish Cypriot leader once again called for an end to the international isolation of his community. According to him, Turkish Cypriots have repeatedly demonstrated their willingness to seek a solution to the Cyprus problem, so the obstacles preventing them, especially the younger generation, from becoming part of the international community must be removed.