European Commission 2026 report criticizes Turkey on Cyprus and Mediterranean issues

On November 4, 2026, the European Commission released its annual enlargement package, which contains a critical assessment of Turkey’s progress. The report highlights Ankara's continued refusal to recognize the Republic of Cyprus, its active promotion of a two-state solution that contradicts UN Security Council resolutions, and its ongoing vetoing of Cyprus's participation in international organizations. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos emphasized that Turkey must commit to resuming negotiations and refrain from unilateral provocations that escalate regional tensions.

Furthermore, the Commission cited persistent violations of Greek airspace and maritime borders, as well as Turkey’s unauthorized actions regarding the Varosha area and the Turkey-Libya memorandum. The report notes that these actions, along with interference in the Great Sea Interconnector project, hinder the normalization of EU-Turkey relations. Nicosia has specifically noted the inclusion of Raffaele Fitto as Special Representative for Cyprus as a significant element of the report.

The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs promptly rejected the findings, labeling the report as biased, unfair, and subservient to the positions of the Greek-Cypriot side. Ankara further asserted that the EU’s approach ignores Turkey's legal rights in the Eastern Mediterranean and fails to contribute constructively to the resolution of the Cyprus issue. Despite the tension, the Commission maintains that the path toward improved EU-Turkey relations is strictly tied to progress on the Cyprus settlement.