The EU Delegation to Türkiye wishes to address Türkiye Gazetesi, Akşam, and Yeni Şafak editorial staff in order to fact-check and correct the misleading headlines and allegations published in your publications concerning the EU’s support for metro project in Istanbul.

The claims suggesting misuse of EU funds are entirely false and baseless. Contrary to what has been reported, the European Union has no financial contribution to the metro project mentioned in the news articles, neither in EUR 60 MLN, nor in smaller amounts. 

The only project financed by the European Union with a budget of €6 million supports the development of sustainable urban mobility solutions in Istanbul. This initiative aims to deliver tangible benefits to citizens, including the introduction of dedicated bus lanes, low-emission zones in the historic peninsula, Beyoğlu, and Kadıköy districts, and overall improvement of public transport services. The preparations for this EU-funded project are nearing successful completion, and we look forward to announcing further progress in the near future.

The European Union maintains a longstanding and productive partnership with Türkiye, including cooperation with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure. 

For further inquiries on this issue, please contact Press and Information Team of the EU Delegation to Türkiye at delegation-turkiye@eeas.europa.eu.