“With extensive experience and recognized standing” was the Republic of Cyprus’s request to the European Commission regarding the appointment of a Special Representative for the Cyprus issue. This was revealed by Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letympiotis while speaking on the Alpha News program, at the very moment that European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the position would be filled by the Executive Vice President of the European Commission responsible forCohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fito, would be taking the position.

SEE ALSO: Meet the New EU Special Representative for the Cyprus Issue

The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, issued a written statement welcoming the official appointment of the EU Special Envoy for the Cyprus Issue.

“I welcome with particular satisfaction the decision by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to appoint the Commission’s Executive Vice President, Raffaele Fitto, as the EU Special Envoy for the Cyprus Issue.”

According to President Christodoulides, the selection of an official at the very top of the Commission’s institutional hierarchy demonstrates the European Union’s heightened interest and its readiness to play a leading and more substantive engagement in efforts to resume negotiations within the framework of the United Nations, and lends particular political weight to the joint effort.

 “Today’s development is yet another significant result of the consistent strategy we have pursued from the outset at the highest European level. A strategy that was set out in the Conclusions of the European Council of April 2024 and further reinforced by the joint letter from the President of the European Commission and thePresident of the European Council to the Secretary-General of the United Nations in March 2025.

The EU’s leading role and the appointment of a European Envoy—who, moreover, sits at the top of the institutional hierarchy—have been our strategic objective from the outset.  An approach that was met with reservations by some is now recognized as positive and substantive.

At a time when the UN Secretary-General’s initiative is underway, the EU stands ready to make use of the tools at its disposal. Progress in EU-Turkey relations is directly linked to progress on the Cyprus issue and can create substantial incentives for a mutually beneficial path forward.

Our determination, consistency, and methodical implementation of our strategy, combined with the UN Secretary-General’s steadfast commitment, have generated new momentum and concrete initiatives. We will continue to seize every window of opportunity for substantive progress, in the hope that all parties—and Turkey in particular—will demonstrate the same sincere political will.

I thank the President of the European Commission for her decisive role, her sincere interest, and her close and continuous coordination.”

READ ALSO: “The EU’s Role in the Cyprus Issue Is Being Upgraded”: The President’s First Reaction to the Appointment of the New Special Representative

The European Commission announced the appointment of the new EU Special Representative for the Cyprus issue, officially conferring the title of Special Representative for the Cyprus Issue on the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Cohesion and Reforms, Raffaele Fito.

The announcement notes that “in this capacity, he will contribute to the settlement process within the framework of the United Nations, in close cooperation with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, María Ángela Olguín Cuellar.”

“This appointment reflects the Commission’s strong commitment to the reunification of Cyprus, with the aim of achieving a functional and sustainable comprehensive settlement in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles, values, and legislation of the European Union,” the statement adds, noting that “Executive Vice President Fito will work with all stakeholders and interlocutors to lay the groundwork for the resumption of negotiations and to support a comprehensive and lasting solution, including through confidence-building measures among all stakeholders and negotiating partners.”