The European Commission has officially appointed Johannes Hahn as its Special Envoy for Cyprus, reaffirming the EU’s strong commitment to facilitating the reunification of the island in alignment with UN Security Council resolutions and EU principles.
In his new capacity, Hahn will report directly to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and will work closely with María Angela Holguin, the UN Secretary-General’s personal envoy for Cyprus. His mission is to support efforts toward achieving a comprehensive and lasting settlement, which includes fostering trust among all parties involved and aiding in the relaunch of negotiations under the UN framework.
Johannes Hahn brings a wealth of experience to this role, having previously served as European Commissioner for Budget and Administration from 2019 to 2024, European Neighborhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations from 2014 to 2019, and Regional Policy from 2010 to 2014. Before his tenure at the Commission, he was Austria’s Minister for Science and Research from 2007 to 2010.
Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides has expressed his support for Hahn's appointment. In a written statement, Christodoulides characterized the appointment as “a step of substantive importance,” underscoring the EU’s dedication to resuming negotiations in alignment with its principles and legal framework.
However, Ankara has responded critically to Hahn’s appointment. The Turkish government accused the European Union of bias on the Cyprus issue, labeling Hahn's role as an “internal matter.” Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Oncu Keceli stated that the EU forfeited its neutrality when it admitted the Republic of Cyprus as a member in 2004, asserting that the admission of the Greek Cypriot side, despite their dismissal of the UN Comprehensive Settlement Plan, marked a loss of impartiality.
Keceli further claimed that the EU has consistently defended the positions of the Greek Cypriot side concerning the Cyprus issue, noting that this partisan approach has intensified in recent times. Regarding Hahn's new position, Ankara expressed the expectation that he would encourage the Greek Cypriot side to acknowledge the realities on the island, suggesting that future negotiations should involve “two states with sovereign equality.”
As Hahn embarks on this critical mission, the dynamics surrounding the Cyprus issue remain complex, with the potential for renewed dialogue contingent upon the recognition of diverse perspectives from both sides.
