Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has accused the Greek Cypriot side of obstructing the modernization of the Customs Union between Turkey and the European Union. Speaking after a strategic meeting in Ankara, Fidan claimed that while the vast majority of EU member states support updating the agreement, progress is hindered by the Cyprus issue, specifically citing the Greek Cypriot position.

Fidan emphasized that both Turkey and the EU desire an update to the Customs Union, but the blockade from the Republic of Cyprus slows down the process. He also highlighted that this obstruction impacts other EU decisions, despite overall strong support from member states. Additionally, he addressed broader regional topics including the status of Turkish Cypriots, relations with the Turkic world, and upcoming NATO and Turkic Council summits.

The Turkish Foreign Minister further described ongoing efforts to counter what he called the "unfair isolation" of Turkish Cypriots, and spoke of improving ties between Turkey and the EU, including renewed high-level dialogues on trade, migration, and security. Fidan reaffirmed Turkey's strategic commitment to full EU integration under President Erdogan’s vision, noting recent positive developments such as partial reactivation of the European Investment Bank in Turkey and interest in joining the Single Euro Payments Area.