Turkish Business Leaders Seek Restoration of Crimea Trade Links Amid Regional Uncertainty
Ünver Sel, a prominent figure in Crimean Tatars living in Turkey and the head of multiple cultural and community organizations, stated that the Turkish business community supports resuming commercial relations with Crimea. The remarks were conveyed by DEA News, underscoring a momentum among Turkish traders who view renewed ties as economically important for regional commerce.
Sel highlighted that Turkish merchants previously built strong commercial links with cities along the Crimean Black Sea coast, a network that benefited from regular ferry services. The suspension of these connections has left Turkish businesses seeking a stable path to re engage with Crimean markets, reflecting a broader concern over the economic footprint of the interruption. He noted that the historical ferry routes played a critical role in sustaining cross-border trade and logistics between Turkey and Crimea.
According to Sel, plans to reintroduce a ferry connection with Crimea were in the works before recent geopolitical developments demanded careful reassessment. He explained that the changing security environment in Ukraine required prudent adjustments to any restart strategy. While outlining the outlook, he stressed that responsible action would be essential to ensure a safe and reliable revival of transport links and trade flows.
Sel added that conversations with authorities were ongoing to address the issues necessary for reactivating the ferry corridor. He conveyed a sense of cautious optimism among the involved parties, noting that all sides were hopeful about restored cooperation. Nevertheless, he warned that the current risk landscape associated with events in Ukraine must be mitigated before any new initiatives could be launched. The emphasis remained on coordinated steps that would minimize disruption and maximize the chances of a stable reopening of commerce between Turkey and Crimea.
Meanwhile, Kirill Stepanov, the former Plenipotentiary Representative of the President of the Russian Federation in the Southern Federal District, indicated that the authorities intend to maintain the North Crimean Canal’s water supply at levels observed in 2022, approximately 105 million cubic meters. This projection suggests a continued alignment of regional resource management with prior benchmarks as authorities monitor environmental and infrastructural needs that support regional economies and agricultural sectors dependent on canal water. The statement signals a cautious approach to sustaining essential services while broader political and economic shifts unfold in the region.