A new face in the Cyprus talks: Who is EU envoy Raffaele Fitto?

World Cyprus problemeuUnited Nations A new face in the Cyprus talks: Who is EU envoy Raffaele Fitto? Fitto To Visit Cyprus Tomorrow For Friday Talks With Both Leaders Relevant News A new face in the Cyprus talks: Who is EU envoy Raffaele Fitto? 30 July 2026 Protaras Riviera: Summer in its most authentic form 30 July 2026 Cyprus health app to include emergency button from November 30 July 2026 Theodosis Pipis 30 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber 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. As diplomatic momentum builds, the European Commission’s newly appointed envoy for Cyprus, Raffaele Fitto, is set to visit the island on Friday 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 also 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.” This visit signals a potential resumption of peace talks between the long-established format of the Republic of Cyprus, the Turkish Cypriots, Greece, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United Nations, which will be represented by Guterres. However, earlier this month the European Commission appointed a special representative for the divided Mediterranean territory who will aim to support reunification efforts. His mandate is to support the UN-led Cyprus settlement process, help prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations, while also engaging with stakeholders and promote confidence building measures. Additionally, his role is to ensure that the EU itself is ready and equipped to support any settlement whilst advising on how a future agreement would fit within EU law. Fitto serves as the second special representative after Johannes Hahn, who resigned this post in March 2026. It is worth noting that this post is not a long-standing EU office with a long line of predecessors. Rather, it is a special appointment made by the European Commission to strengthen the EU’s support for the UN process at a time when negotiations appear to have renewed momentum. Who is Raffaele Fitto? Before taking on the Cyprus role, Raffaele Fitto was one of the European Union’s most senior officials. Since 2024, he has served as the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, overseeing EU regional investment, cohesion policy and the implementation of the bloc’s recovery and resilience programmes. Before joining the Commission, he was Italy’s Minister for European Affairs, the South, Cohesion Policy and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan in Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government. He has been part of Meloni’s Brothers of Italy national-conservative party since 2019. Fitto has spent much of his career in Italian and European politics. He served as a Member of the European Parliament, held ministerial posts in the Italian government under former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, and was President of the Apulia region in southern Italy from 2000 to 2005. Visit to Cyprus European Commission Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms and EU envoy for the Cyprus problem Raffaele Fitto arrives in Cyprus tomorrow evening, with meetings planned Friday with President Christodoulides and Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman. Fitto’s visit comes on top of the visit by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, pointing to continued momentum on the Cyprus problem. Read more: Guterres commits to fresh five-plus-one meeting after Cyprus visit Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Protaras Riviera: Summer in its most authentic form Cyprus health app to include emergency button from November From Latchi to Tillyria: Paphos’ most authentic side Nina Bandelj: We don’t see children as people, but as capital we invest in Yellow warning and 40 degree peak today Greek foreign ministry welcomes Guterres’ Cyprus meeting plan UN chief’s crossing points compromise splits Christodoulides and Erhürman Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.