European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Sunday that she sees renewed momentum in efforts to resolve the Cyprus issue and announced that the Commission would appoint a new special envoy for Cyprus on Monday.
In a social media post following a telephone conversation with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, von der Leyen expressed optimism about recent developments.
"We can sense a renewed momentum to solve the Cyprus issue within the UN framework and in line with the principles, values and legislation of the EU," she said.
Good call with @antonioguterres.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) July 12, 2026
We can sense a renewed momentum to solve the Cyprus issue within the @UN framework and in line with the principles, values and legislation of the EU.
The opportunity should be seized. We look forward to progress over the months to come.
The…
Von der Leyen stressed that the opportunity should be seized and said she looked forward to progress in the coming months.
She added that the European Commission stands ready to support the process "with all necessary assistance and the tools at its disposal".
The Commission president also announced that a new special representative for the Cyprus issue would be appointed on Monday as part of efforts to strengthen the EU's involvement in reunification talks.
Former EU Commissioner for Enlargement Johannes Hahn resigned from the post on March 23 after being appointed chairman of the General Council of Austria's central bank.
Hahn had been appointed EU special envoy for Cyprus in May 2025 as part of an initiative to increase European Union engagement in efforts to reunify the island.
As of late Sunday evening, the Cyprus News Agency had not been able to confirm the procedure the European Commission would follow to appoint Hahn's successor, given that the announcement is expected on Monday without a meeting of the College of Commissioners.
Source: CNA
