European Commission intervenes over offensive promotional material in Izmir

The Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) successfully intervened with the European Commission to address inaccurate promotional materials displayed at the InterFood Eurasia 2026 exhibition in Izmir. The controversy arose when a map featured in the exhibition materials identified northern Cyprus using the term "KKTC," violating international law and European Union positions regarding the sovereign status of the Republic of Cyprus.

Upon discovering the error, CCCI Secretary General Filokypros Rousounides filed an official protest to the European Commission and the relevant authorities of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), which oversees such programs. The CCCI demanded the immediate removal of the offensive map and the restoration of accurate geographic representations of Cyprus. Following the intervention, the European Commission and the EEN promptly implemented corrective measures to ensure compliance with legal and political standards.

The Chamber welcomed the swift response from European authorities, stating that the action reinforces the credibility and integrity of EU-funded projects. The incident highlights the strict adherence of the EU to the recognized political and legal framework of its member states. No further actions or legal proceedings beyond the corrective measures have been reported at this time.