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
