Brussels: The European Commission has officially announced the appointment of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto, Commissioner responsible for Cohesion and Reforms, as the EU's Special Representative for Cyprus.
According to Cyprus News Agency, in this capacity, he will contribute to the settlement process within the United Nations framework, in close cooperation with the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Mara ngela Holgun Cu©llar. The Commission said the appointment reflects its strong commitment to the reunification of Cyprus, with the aim of achieving a functional and viable comprehensive settlement in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions and in line with the principles, values, and legislation of the European Union.
It added that Executive Vice-President Fitto will engage with all relevant stakeholders and interlocutors to prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations and support a comprehensive and lasting solution, including through building trust between all stakeholders and interlocutors. Fitto will bring his long-standing experience in European governance, regional cooperation, and institutional dialogue, the statement said, adding that he will support the Commission's efforts to facilitate progress towards a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus issue.
It is noted that, even before Monday's announcement, Vice-President Fitto already had within his portfolio the monitoring of the Commission's efforts aimed at facilitating Cyprus' reunification. According to the mission letter he received from Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 1 December 2024, Fitto was already tasked with overseeing efforts to support the reunification process and, through the EU Aid Programme, to continue strengthening the social and economic development of the Turkish Cypriot community, as well as monitoring the implementation of the Green Line Regulation.
An EU official told CNA that the appointment of Fitto was a personal choice by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The official stressed that the role of a representative is different from that of an envoy. In the case of an envoy - as was the case, for example, with the appointment of the former Commission Special Envoy for Cyprus Johannes Hahn, who later resigned - a decision by the College of Commissioners was required.