The Cyprus issue and the full accession of the Republic of Cyprus to the Schengen Area were the focus of the meeting between the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, in Paris, where they are attending the celebrations for France’s National Day at the invitation of the country’s President, Mr. Emmanuel Macron.

According to a written statement by Deputy Government Spokesperson Yiannis Antoniou, the President of the Republic thanked Ms. von der Leyen for the appointment of the Executive Vice-President of the Commission, Mr. Raffaele Fito, as the EU Special Envoy for the Cyprus Issue. He also expressed particular gratitude for the Commission’s decisive role in the efforts of the United Nations Secretary-General to resume negotiations on a solution to the Cypruson the basis of the agreed framework, principles, values, and the law of the European Union.

I met today in Paris with my friend President @vonderleyen, at a particularly important juncture following the announcement of @RaffaeleFitto’s appointment as the EU Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue. In addition to the Cyprus issue, we also discussed the matter of the full accession of… pic.twitter.com/A6wLE48oa0

— NikosChristodoulides (@Christodulides) July 14, 2026

Ms. von der Leyen noted that Commissioner Fitto’s appointment as Special Envoy reflects the European Commission’s strong commitment to the reunification of Cyprus and reaffirms the EU’s interest in the Cyprus issue, the resolution of which is considered a priority.

He also said that, to this end, the EU will make use of all available tools, given that the Republic of Cyprus will continue to be a member state of the Union even after the Cyprus issue is resolved. He reaffirmed the position that a solution to the Cyprus problem must be compatible with the principles, values, and acquis of the EU.

With regard to Cyprus’s full integration into the Schengen Area, satisfaction was expressed that the Republic of Cyprus has successfully fulfilled all technical obligations, and that all that remains is for a political decision to be made, with the Commission President expressing support for Cyprus’s full accession to the Schengen Area as soon as possible.