Newsroom / CNA
The European Commission is preparing to appoint a new EU envoy for the Cyprus issue, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Thursday, describing the move as part of ongoing coordination with Brussels and the United Nations.
Speaking on his arrival at the European Council in Brussels, Christodoulides said discussions had already taken place on possible names and that the formal appointment would follow once internal EU procedures are completed.
“We will have a new appointment from the European Commission,” he said. “We discussed some names today following previous discussions, and very soon the president of the commission will proceed with public announcements.”
The appointment is expected to form part of broader EU efforts to stay engaged in Cyprus talks, which have remained stalled for years.
Christodoulides also said he held a “very good meeting” with European Council President António Costa, where the Cyprus issue, Cyprus’ recent EU Council presidency, and progress on joining the Schengen area were discussed.
He said Costa congratulated Cyprus on what he described as "strong results" from its EU presidency, adding that even small member states can have a significant impact within the bloc.
On Schengen accession, the president said Cyprus has completed the necessary preparations and is now waiting for a political decision. “We expect this to happen very soon,” he said, adding that full entry into the Schengen zone remains a key government goal.
A third topic, he said, was the Cyprus problem itself. According to Christodoulides, Costa informed him of recent contacts with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during which the message was conveyed that progress in EU–Turkey relations depends on Turkey meeting its obligations, including those linked to Cyprus.
“There is a willingness from the European Union to see progress in Euro-Turkish relations, but this depends exclusively on Turkey,” Christodoulides said.
He added that he welcomed what he described as closer coordination between the EU and the UN, noting that the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy is expected to visit Brussels around the end of June.
Christodoulides said the aim is to create conditions for an expanded conference that could eventually pave the way for a resumption of Cyprus peace talks.
He also stressed that Cyprus’ recent achievements within the EU strengthen its diplomatic position, saying they help the government both internally and externally, particularly on what he called the country’s “top priority," resolving the Cyprus issue.
“The European Union is present and ready to play a leading role,” he said.
For now, the appointment of the new EU envoy is expected to be formally announced in the coming period, as diplomatic discussions on Cyprus continue behind the scenes in Brussels and New York.
