The key facts

  • The TRNC Foreign Ministry on November 5 rejected the European Commission's 2026 report on Türkiye as 'biased and unfair'
  • The ministry endorsed Türkiye's assessment of the report and accused the EU of one-sided support for the Greek side
  • The TRNC reaffirmed its course toward sovereign equality and equal international status of the two states

Northern Cyprus reacts to Brussels' report

The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus on Thursday, November 5, officially rejected the European Commission's 2026 annual report on Türkiye. In a written statement, the TRNC Foreign Ministry described the report's claims regarding Turkish Cypriots as 'biased, detached from reality and unfair' and expressed support for Türkiye's assessment of the document. Anadolu reported this.

Grievances against the EU and the settlement position

The ministry accused the European Union of ignoring the realities on the island and of unconditionally supporting the positions of the Greek Cypriot administration and Greece. It separately criticized the Greek Cypriot administration's accession to EU membership in 2004, calling it a violation of the bloc's own rules, and stated that the EU isolates Turkish Cypriots through embargoes while making no constructive contribution to resolving the Cyprus issue.

Dispute over 'international legitimacy'

The TRNC Foreign Ministry objected to the report's characterization of Turkish Cypriots' efforts to establish direct international contacts as a 'search for international legitimacy': in the ministry's view, such efforts are lawful and consistent with the principles of non-discrimination and respect for human rights. The TRNC reaffirmed its determination to pursue sovereign equality and equal international status together with Türkiye, emphasizing that a just and lasting peace on the island is possible only through recognition of the two existing states. It should be noted that the European Commission's report is presented in the sources only through paraphrase and the TRNC's reaction: Brussels' own position is not set out in the available materials.