European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has expressed the Commission's full support for efforts to relaunch the process aimed at resolving the Cyprus issue following her meeting in Brussels with United Nations Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín. The envoy also met with the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto.
In a social media post after the 22 July meeting, von der Leyen wrote that she was "delighted" to meet Holguín, welcoming her active engagement, as well as that of UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue "within the UN framework and in line with EU principles, values and legislation."
"The European Commission will support this effort with all the assistance and tools at our disposal," the Commission President stressed.
She also highlighted the role of the European Commission's newly designated Special Representative for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto, noting that he is already engaging with all key stakeholders.
Delighted to meet María Ángela Holguín.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 22, 2026
I welcome her active engagement, alongside @antonioguterres, to resolve the Cyprus issue within the @UN framework and in line with EU principles, values and legislation.@EU_Commission will support this effort with all the assistance and… pic.twitter.com/w3iFMW8Lay
Meanwhile, Fitto has held his first contacts in his new capacity as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, launching a series of exchanges with key interlocutors involved in the Cyprus settlement process, with the Commission noting that these provided an opportunity to establish constructive working relationships among the parties.
According to a Commission Spokesperson who spoke to CNA, Fitto held phone calls on 21 July with President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman.
On Wednesday, 22 July, the Executive Vice-President met in Brussels with the United Nations Secretary-General's Personal Envoy on Cyprus, María Ángela Holguín.
In a post following his first meeting with Holguín, Fitto said that "the EU remains fully committed to supporting the UN-led process."
The Spokesperson told CNA that these first exchanges, following Fitto's recent designation as the European Commission's Special Representative for Cyprus, “provided an opportunity to establish constructive working relationships, exchange initial views and listen to the perspectives of all interlocutors.”
Sources told CNA that the meetings the UN official held in Brussels with the Commission's President and the Executive Vice-President were held in a good climate, adding that Holguin and Fitto will continue to be in direct contact.
The same sources noted the importance of contacts between the Commission and Turkey as well as the EU support to the UNSG. Developments on the Cyprus issue should be expected following the UNSG's visit to Cyprus, end of July.
Moreover, on Thursday, Holguin will meet with Anna-Maria Boura, diplomatic advisor to European Council President Antonio Costa, who is currently not in Brussels.
Holguin's remaining programme before leaving for Turkey on Friday, 24 July has not been announced.
(Source: CNA)
