Turkish Cypriot Mayors Meet with EU Officials in Brussels

A delegation from the Union of Turkish Cypriot Municipalities is in Brussels this week for a high-level event titled “Bringing Local Administrations Closer Through Regional Development in Cyprus.” The visit, involving 13 mayors from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), aims to raise the international profile of Turkish Cypriot local authorities.

The delegation recently took part in a roundtable discussion hosted by Ilhan Kyuchyuk, a Member of the European Parliament and Chair of the Committee on Legal Affairs. Mahmut Özçınar, Mayor of Güzelyurt and President of the Union of Turkish Cypriot Municipalities, delivered the opening remarks.

The event featured two panel sessions. The first was moderated by Amanda Paul, Senior Policy Analyst and Deputy Director of the “Europe in the World” program. Expert speakers included Valeria Morricca, a local governance specialist at the World Bank, and Peter Aug, European Director of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).

From the TRNC side, speakers included Mehmet Harmancı, Mayor of the Turkish Municipality of Nicosia, and Suleyman Ulucay, Mayor of Famagusta. The second session was led by Lale Şener, Brussels representative of the Turkish Cypriot Chamber of Commerce.

The working group also featured Giulia Bertazzolo, Head of the European Commission’s Cyprus Settlement Support Office. Additional contributions came from Hüseyin Amcaoğlu, Mayor of Gönyeli-Alayköy, and Murat Şenkul, Mayor of Girne.

Among those observing the discussions were Faruk Kaymakcı, Turkey’s Permanent Representative to the European Union, and Ayda Soylu, the TRNC’s Representative in Brussels.

The Turkish Cypriot delegation’s meetings and engagements in Brussels will continue through May 22.