Fitto appointed as the EU Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus

Brussels – The Executive Vice-President for Cohesion, Raffaele Fitto, has been appointed to a new role by the European Commission. The Italian Commissioner has been appointed as the Commission’s Special Representative for Cyprus. In this capacity, Fitto will be tasked with contributing to resolving the Cyprus issue within the framework of the United Nations, in close collaboration with the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín Cuéllar. 

“This appointment reflects the EU Commission’s strong commitment to the reunification of Cyprus, with the aim of achieving
a functional and viable comprehensive settlement,” explains the European Commission in a press release. Cyprus has been divided between the Turkish Cypriot north and the Greek Cypriot south since 1974, when Turkish forces invaded the island in response to a coup d’état backed by Greece. Ankara does not recognise the Republic of Cyprus, an EU member state which is, however, internationally recognised as the sole sovereign authority over the entire island. The Turkish Cypriot north is recognised only by Turkey. 

The Executive Vice-President succeeds the former European Commissioner for the Budget, Johannes Hahn. Fitto will be required to engage with stakeholders to lay the groundwork for negotiations and support a “comprehensive and lasting” solution. Fitto will also have to “draw on his many years’ experience in European governance, regional cooperation and institutional dialogue.” 

According to the Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, Fitto “is the most suitable person” for this role and the European Commission’s recognition is due to “his knowledge of the issues facing the Mediterranean and his ability to mediate, particularly in view of the challenges that will need to be addressed,” he stated at a press briefing on the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels. 

The Vice-President himself commented on the appointment on X: “I am honoured to have been appointed by the European Commission as Special Representative for Cyprus. I would like to thank President Von der Leyen for the trust she has placed in me. I accept this role with a great sense of responsibility and reaffirm my full commitment,” concluded Fitto.