Brussels Representation

With its “Solution and the EU vision”, the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce (KTTO) has been a leading force in the mobilization of communal support for a solution to the Cyprus problem and EU membership. Following the consequences of the entry of a divided Cyprus into the European Union in 2004, KTTO’s  internationally recognized status and its role as the institutional partner of the European Commission in the implementation of the Green Line Regulation has put the Chamber under special responsibility to represent the Turkish Cypriot Community in the EU.

With the aim of advancing the interests of the Turkish Cypriot business community, and the people at large in the European arena, and to contribute to the Turkish Cypriots’ integration to the EU, the Chamber inaugurated its Representative Office in Brussels on 19 September 2005.

Since its establishment, the Representative Office strives to contribute to the efforts of achieving a fair and sustainable settlement on the Island whilst working towards ensuring that until such a settlement is achieved, the Turkish Cypriot Community is given the opportunity to reach to a well deserved economic and social wellbeing in compliance with EU standards.

To achieve its goals, the Representative Office maintains regular contacts with the European Commission, EU member state delegations, European Parliament, European Council and other EU institutions, and collaborates with the Chambers of Commerce, various civil society organization, think-tanks as well as media. The Brussels Representative Office also maintains good relations with European business umbrella organizations which contributes to the Chamber’s efforts in informing the Turkish Cypriot business community on the latest developments taking place at the European level and on private sector related good practices.

KTTO has been a member of European Small Business Alliance (ESBA) since 2010 and the Brussels Representative Office is responsible for maintaining regular conduct with ESBA Secretariat. The Brussels Representative also participates in the monthly Brussels delegates meeting of the European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES), and works towards enabling Eurochambres’ more active involvement in the preparation of the Turkish Cypriot private sector for the EU single market.

Owing to its activities guided by its EU vision and its commitment towards the comprehensive settlement in Cyprus, the Brussels Representative Office is regarded as a reputable institution in the EU, and along with its expanding network aims to become the window of the Turkish Cypriot business community to the European Union.

* The Chamber strongly supports the reunification of Cyprus in the European Union, based on the internationally-endorsed parameters of a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation and political equality.

* After the entry of a divided Cyprus into the EU on 1 May 2004 with the sole effective participation of Greek Cypriot Community, Protocol 10 attached to the  2003 Accession Treaty declared the acquis suspended in Northern Cyprus.  Northern Cyprus is still considered EU territory and Turkish Cypriots EU citizens, yet Northern Cyprus remains outside the fiscal and customs system of the Union.

* https://ec.europa.eu/info/mission-statement-structural-reform-support-service/monitoring-green-line-regulation_en#thegreenlineregulation

LOBBYING AND REPRESENTATION

The Brussels Office represents the Turkish Cypriot business community before the European Union institutions. In this regard, the Representative Office maintains regular contacts with the European Commission, EU member state delegations, the European Parliament, the European Council and other EU institutions. With a view to advance the interests of the Turkish Cypriot business community, the Representative Office also maintains relations and collaborates with the Chambers of Commerce, various civil society organizations, think-tanks and media.

SUPPORTING PRODUCTION OF GOODS & SERVICES AT EU STANDARDS AND IMPROVED ACCESS TO EU MARKETS

  • Carrying out activities to overcome the existing barriers to the Green Line trade and ensuring that more Turkish Cypriot businesses benefit from its potential.
  • Conducting lobbying activities towards the adoption of the EU ‘Direct Trade Regulation’, which will enable the Turkish Cypriot businesses to trade with the European Union under preferential trade regime, and to facilitate their access to the EU markets under fair and more competitive conditions.
  • Carrying out activities to enable the participation of our member enterprises in the relevant EU programs and projects, which aim to help small and medium size enterprises innovate and grow internationally.

SUPPORTING THE DEVELOPMENT OF TURKISH CYPRIOT ECONOMY AND ITS EU INTEGRATION PROCESS

  • Conducting lobbying activities towards increasing the role and contribution of the EU in the economic and social development of the Turkish Cypriot Community.
  • Working towards a more effective and efficient utilization of the EU Financial assistance, which aims to contribute to the development of the Turkish Cypriot economy and the private sector.
  • Contributing to the Turkish Cypriot community’s EU acquis compliance process, which aims to prepare our economy and businesses to be competitive in the EU single market.

PROVISION OF CONSULTATION FOR BUSINESS AND INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Export, import, various cooperation and investment inquiries of companies operating in  Belgium and other European countries are communicated to the Chamber headquarters. Similarly, our member companies’ inquiries for export, import and various cooperation are also communicated to the European business community through European Chambers of Commerce network.

PROVIDING INFORMATION ON EUROPEAN UNION POLICIES AND REGULATIONS

The  private sector related EU policies and reports are communicated to the Chamber headquarters on a regular basis. The Representative Office  also responds to our member enterprises’ information requests on specific EU legislation.

KTTO Brussels Representative: Lale Shener

Address:
KTTO Brussels Representation Office
Rond-Point Schuman 6, Box 5 1040 Brussels
Tel: +32 (0) 2 234 7826
E-mail:
lshener@ktto.net
Web Site:
www.ktto.net/brussels