Key facts
- Cyprus's Deputy EU Affairs Minister Marilena Raouna defended the appointment of Raffaele Fitto as the EU's special representative for Cyprus.
- The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus called the appointment 'entirely unacceptable' and 'biased'.
- Raouna stated the representative's role is to support reunification efforts, not take sides.
- Turkey claims the EU's move was made without Turkish Cypriot approval and exposes a biased stance.
- Cyprus has been divided since 1974 following a Greek-backed coup and Turkish military intervention.
- The appointment follows recent high-level meetings between EU leaders and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
Cypriot Deputy EU Affairs Minister Marilena Raouna has defended the European Commission's appointment of Raffaele Fitto as its special representative for Cyprus, asserting that the move is intended to support reunification efforts.
The appointment has drawn strong criticism from the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, which has described it as "entirely unacceptable" and "biased." Raouna, however, rejected this criticism, stating that the Cyprus question is a European issue and that reunifying the divided member state would be transformative for Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region.
She emphasized that the effort is not about taking sides but about supporting reunification, which would benefit all Cypriots and improve EU-Turkey relations. Turkey, in a statement, alleged that the selection was made without the approval of the Turkish Cypriot side and constitutes a "provocative step" that reveals the EU's "biased stance."
Cyprus has been divided since 1974. The EU executive announced Fitto's appointment, with the stated aim of engaging with stakeholders to build trust and prepare for potential reunification negotiations under the UN framework.
This dispute arises at a sensitive juncture for EU-Turkey relations, following a recent working dinner between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The leaders discussed strengthening ties, with von der Leyen noting the importance of the partnership and the need to advance a settlement of the Cyprus issue.