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Cyprus is widening its diplomatic efforts on the Cyprus problem, appointing veteran politician Nikos Tornaritis as a special presidential envoy to countries in Asia and Africa.
The Council of Ministers approved the appointment on Wednesday, giving Tornaritis the task of holding targeted political contacts across the two regions.
He will act on instructions from President Nikos Christodoulides and in coordination with the foreign minister, according to the government announcement.
In practical terms, Tornaritis will take Cyprus’ case beyond its usual European diplomatic circles, meeting political and institutional figures in countries where he has built contacts during his parliamentary career.
The government said he was chosen because of his long political experience, extensive involvement in the Cyprus issue, and international network. His new position will be unpaid.
Tornaritis spent 13 years leading the Cypriot delegation to the Asian Parliamentary Assembly, where he was also elected vice president. He additionally served as head of Cyprus’ delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and as one of that body’s vice presidents.
The appointment signals an effort by the Christodoulides administration to keep the Cyprus problem visible internationally and cultivate political support in parts of the world that receive less attention in the island’s day-to-day diplomatic debate.
While most public discussion at home tends to focus on the United Nations, Brussels, Athens, and Ankara, decisions affecting Cyprus are also shaped by the positions and relationships it builds with governments much farther afield. Tornaritis’ assignment is to strengthen those connections and ensure Cyprus’ message reaches a broader international audience.
