Nicosia: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed the Commission's full support for efforts to relaunch the process aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue following her meeting Wednesday in Brussels with United Nations Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Mara ngela Holgun. The envoy also met with the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto.
According to Cyprus News Agency, von der Leyen shared her enthusiasm on social media about her meeting with Holgun, commending her active involvement, along with that of UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres, in resolving the Cyprus issue "within the UN framework and in line with EU principles, values and legislation." Von der Leyen emphasized that the European Commission is ready to provide all necessary assistance and tools to support this effort.
She also underscored the role of Raffaele Fitto, the European Commission's newly designated Special Representative for Cyprus, who is already engaging with all key stakeholders. Fitto has initiated his role by holding a series of exchanges with key interlocutors involved in the Cyprus settlement process, which the Commission noted as an opportunity to establish constructive working relationships among the parties.
According to a Commission Spokesperson who spoke to CNA, Fitto held phone calls on 21 July with President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhrman. On Wednesday, 22 July, the Executive Vice-President met in Brussels with the United Nations Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, Mara ngela Holgun. Fitto reiterated the EU's commitment to supporting the UN-led process in a post after his meeting with Holgun.
The Spokesperson told CNA that these initial exchanges have laid the groundwork for constructive collaboration, allowing all parties to share their perspectives. Sources indicated that the meetings between the UN official, the Commission's President, and the Executive Vice-President occurred in a positive atmosphere, with Holgun and Fitto planning to maintain direct contact.
The sources also highlighted the importance of ongoing interactions between the Commission and Turkey, as well as EU support for the UNSG. Developments on the Cyprus issue are anticipated following the UNSG's visit to Cyprus at the end of July.
Moreover, on Thursday, Holgun is scheduled to meet with Anna-Maria Boura, diplomatic advisor to European Council President Antonio Costa, who is currently not in Brussels. Holgun's remaining schedule before her departure for Turkey on Friday has not been disclosed.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, following Turkey's invasion and occupation of its northern third. Despite repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks, Turkish intransigence has impeded progress. The most recent negotiations in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended without resolution. With informal meetings in 2025 and a subsequent hiatus, new deliberations are planned to convene in a broader format as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' term approaches its end, with Mara Angela Holgun tasked to engage with the parties.