Nicosia, Cyprus. European Commission Executive Vice President Raffaele Fitto said he was honoured to become the Commission’s new envoy for the Cyprus problem, following the announcement of his appointment on Monday. He said he would support the United Nations-led process in cooperation with UN envoy Maria Angela Holguin.
Commitment to negotiations
Fitto thanked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for her trust and confidence and said he welcomed the responsibility.
He said he would work to help create conditions for the resumption of negotiations and support a comprehensive and lasting settlement by building trust among stakeholders and interlocutors.
Professional background
Unlike his predecessor, Austrian diplomat Johannes Hahn, Fitto is a serving member of the European Union’s College of Commissioners. Von der Leyen appointed him executive vice president for cohesion in 2024.
Fitto served as Italy’s European affairs minister from 2022 to 2024. He was also a member of the European Parliament from 1999 to 2000 and from 2014 to 2022, and served as Italy’s regional affairs minister between 2008 and 2011 under late prime minister Silvio Berlusconi.
Recent Cyprus visit
Fitto visited Cyprus at the end of last month, travelling to Paphos for the final EU high-level conference held during Cyprus’ six-month term holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU. The conference addressed issues concerning islands and coastal communities.