UN plans new Cyprus talks as EU envoy arrives to support reunification effort
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has announced plans for a new five-plus-one meeting on the Cyprus problem, raising hopes of renewed peace talks. The European Commission’s newly appointed envoy for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto, arrived in Cyprus on Thursday to support the UN-led reunification effort.
Guterres concluded that the UN would work in consultation with the two sides and the guarantors to create the conditions for the meeting’s success. He reiterated that “The United Nations cannot impose peace but let me be very clear: the United Nations remains fully committed to supporting the people of Cyprus in this crucial moment for the island and the wider region.” Guterres has consent from both sides and the guarantor powers to convene the meeting, though no date has been set.
Fitto’s mandate is to support the UN-led Cyprus settlement process, help prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations, and engage with stakeholders to promote confidence-building measures. His role is also to ensure that the EU is ready to support any settlement and advise on how a future agreement would fit within EU law. Fitto is working in close cooperation with María Ángela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy for Cyprus.
Before taking on the Cyprus role, Fitto served as the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms. He succeeds Johannes Hahn, who resigned as the EU’s special representative for Cyprus in March 2026.
Turkey has reaffirmed its support for UN-led diplomacy on Cyprus, praising Guterres’ mediation efforts. However, Ankara argued that meaningful progress remains impossible unless the Greek Cypriot administration changes its position. Turkey also reiterated its backing for the Turkish Cypriots’ sovereign equality and equal international status.
Greece’s foreign ministry welcomed Guterres’ support for efforts towards a solution to the Cyprus problem. Guterres’ visit to the island concluded with a tripartite meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman.
President Christodoulides said on Wednesday that he would meet Fitto on Friday. Fitto is also scheduled to meet with Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman during his visit.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan reaffirmed that Turkey will continue standing alongside the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. Erdogan stressed that initiatives ignoring the sovereign equality of Turkish Cypriots cannot succeed and unveiled new infrastructure plans, including a subsea natural gas pipeline.
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