Newsroom
The European Union's newly appointed Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue arrived in Cyprus today, making his first official visit to the island with a stop at the Presidential Palace, where he met President Nikos Christodoulides.
Rafael Fitto's visit comes at a crucial time for the Cyprus issue, as efforts continue under the United Nations to revive negotiations. His appointment is widely seen as a sign that Brussels wants to become more actively involved in supporting the peace process.
Speaking after the meeting, Fitto said his new role was both an honor and a clear signal of the European Union's intentions.
"The EU is sending a very clear message that it wants to work and play an important role in the UN process," he said, adding that the bloc wants to make a positive contribution to efforts aimed at finding a solution to the Cyprus problem.
Fitto said his first visit was an opportunity to hear the positions of the Republic of Cyprus firsthand and stressed that listening to all sides would be an important part of his work.
He also revealed that he plans to return to Cyprus in the coming months as discussions continue.
Looking ahead, the EU envoy struck an optimistic tone, saying he believes there is an opportunity to achieve "very significant results" in the months ahead.
His visit follows his recent appointment as the EU's Special Envoy for the Cyprus problem, a move that underlines Brussels' intention to remain closely engaged as the UN pushes forward with renewed efforts to break the decades-long deadlock.
For Cyprus, the message is significant: while the United Nations continues to lead the negotiations, the European Union is making it increasingly clear that it wants a more visible and active seat at the table.
