High-level EU-Turkey talks held in Ankara amid Cyprus issue discussions

On June 30, 2026, high-level EU officials, including High Representative Kaja Kallas, Commissioner Marta Kos, and Commissioner Magnus Brunner, met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara. The parties released a joint statement expressing support for the UN Secretary-General's efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue. While Nicosia officials termed these references important, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan accused the Republic of Cyprus of obstructing the modernization of the EU-Turkey customs union. Fidan alleged that the Greek Cypriot side is using its veto power to block progress desired by the majority of EU member states. Conversely, the Cypriot presidency maintains that EU-Turkey relations remain linked to progress in the Cyprus settlement, as defined by the European Council's conclusions of April 2024. Furthermore, EU Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis is scheduled to visit Ankara on July 2-3 for high-level economic dialogue to discuss cooperation, competitiveness, and regional security. The current framework for EU-Turkey relations is based on a gradual, reversible, and proportional approach connecting bilateral progress to developments on the island.