European Commission Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, who doubles as the EU’s special representative for the Cyprus settlement, plans to travel to Ankara later this month with a carrot: Brussels is prepared to open negotiations to modernise the EU–Turkey Customs Union on condition that substantive talks to resolve the Cyprus problem restart. The proposal emerged from consultations at COP31 in Antalya on 11 November, EU sources told the Cyprus News Agency. Turkey has long sought an update to the 1995 customs pact, which excludes services, public procurement and e-commerce. The EU, however, has made progress contingent on better relations with member states—none more so than Cyprus, which has veto power. Linking trade incentives to peace talks could break the current stalemate, analysts say. For global-mobility stakeholders the stakes are high: a deeper customs union would remove many non-tariff barriers for goods transiting via Cypriot ports and could pave the way for limited people-to-people mobility clauses resembling Schengen short-stay visas. Yet the offer is fragile. Nicosia insists that any upgrade must address Ankara’s longstanding refusal to allow Cypriot-flagged ships and aircraft access to Turkish ports and airports—a sore point for Cyprus-based logistics firms that must route cargo via third countries. Businesses should watch the outcome of Fitto’s visit. If Ankara accepts the linkage, expect a fresh round of UN-led proximity talks in early 2027 and, potentially, gradual easing of transport restrictions that currently complicate assignment management between Cyprus, Turkey and the wider region.
Source: Cyprus News Agency (CNA)
