Turkey names Cyprus the main obstacle to updating the Customs Union with the EU

Turkey's Foreign Minister said that the modernization of the Customs Union with the EU is being blocked solely by the Republic of Cyprus, although most European countries support the process. In response, the official representative of the Cypriot government urged Ankara to «look in the mirror», reminding it that rapprochement with Brussels is impossible without progress in resolving the conflict and opening Turkish ports to Cypriot vessels.

The issue escalated after a high-level EU delegation visited Ankara. The Turkish side also raised the issue of protecting the rights of Turkish Cypriots ahead of the summit of the Organization of Turkic States, scheduled for July 7–8.