Nicosia, Cyprus. European Commission Cyprus envoy Raffaele Fitto said on Friday that he was “here, above all, to listen” as he concluded his first visit to the island since his appointment earlier this month.
Fitto met President Nikos Christodoulides, leader of the Greek Cypriot community, Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos and staff at the European Union programme support office in the north.
Meetings with community leaders
Fitto said he had met Christodoulides and Erhurman during his first visit in the role.
The European Union remains fully committed to supporting the United Nations-led process and the efforts of the UN secretary-general, he said, adding that he looked forward to returning to Cyprus soon to continue engaging with stakeholders.
Potential contacts with Turkey
Kombos said Fitto, as a European Commission vice president, has points of contact with Turkey which have existed for some time.
He said patience was needed regarding external organisational planning within the European Union, but expressed hope that such contacts would soon produce positive results.
EU support programme
Later, Fitto met staff of the EU programme support office in the north. The office falls under the EU directorate general for structural reform support, which is within his responsibilities as executive vice president for cohesion and reforms.
Fitto said projects, partnerships and dialogue supported through the aid programme for the Turkish Cypriot community reflected the EU’s commitment to bringing people closer, fostering opportunities and investing in a better future for Cyprus.
In September last year, the European Commission allocated €33.7 million to the programme, stating that the funding would support the Turkish Cypriot community’s socioeconomic development and facilitate Cyprus’ reunification process.