European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in a social media post that she held a telephone conversation on Sunday with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, expressing optimism about developments on the Cyprus issue and her intention to announce a new European Commission Special Representative for Cyprus on Monday, 13 July.
“It was a good conversation with António Guterres. We can sense a renewed momentum to resolve the Cyprus issue within the UN framework and in line with the principles, values and legislation of the European Union,” von der Leyen said.
She stressed that “the opportunity should be seized” and expressed her expectation of “progress over the months to come.”
At the same time, she noted that the European Commission stands ready to support the effort “with all the necessary assistance and tools at its disposal,” while announcing that “tomorrow we will designate our special representative for Cyprus,” in anticipation of an intensification of the European Union’s engagement.
Ex- Enlargement Commissioner, Johannes Hahn resigned as the European Commission's special envoy for Cyprus on March 23, after taking over the presidency of the General Council of Austria's central bank.
Hahn had been appointed to the role in May 2025 following a push to secure a stronger EU engagement in reunification talks.
It was not possible for CNA to verify late on Sunday the process that the Commission will follow to appoint Hahn's successor.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
After informal meetings in 2025, followed by a hiatus of several months, deliberations are underway for a new meeting in broader format to be held, as the term of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres nears its end. María Angela Holguín, Guterres’ Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties.
(Source: CNA)
