The two leaders met on Friday with EU Special Representative for Cyprus Raffaele Fitto on either side of the divided capital, revealing the different perceptions and priorities of each regarding the EU’s role in the peace effort.
Speaking after his meetings, Fitto said his appointment sent a clear message – the EU wants to participate meaningfully and contribute positively to the UN-led process on Cyprus.
“This is my first visit to the island in this role, and I am here above all to listen. The European Union remains fully committed to supporting the UN-led process and the efforts of the UN Secretary-General,” he said.
He said he would return to the island in the coming months to continue engaging with all stakeholders.
The Italian said he believed “there will be an opportunity to achieve very important results in the coming months”.
‘EU-Turkish Cypriot CBMs needed’
Following Fitto’s meeting with Tufan Erhürman, the Turkish Cypriot leader posted on social media an account of their meeting.
Erhürman said he raised, first and foremost, “the recent unilateral and biased attitudes, conduct and decisions of EU institutions, particularly the European Parliament, (that) have further undermined trust in the EU”.
He argued that confidence-building measures (CBMs) were needed “not only with the Greek Cypriot leadership, but also with the EU”.
Erhürman told the EU special representative that it would not be possible for the EU to participate as a ‘party’ at the negotiating table, “but that if there is a desire to contribute to a fair and lasting solution on the island, it can play a positive role with regard to EU-related confidence-building measures”.
The Turkish Cypriot leader said the two men also discussed “implementation of the Direct Trade Regulation without further delay, the difficulties experienced in the implementation of the Green Line Regulation, the EU citizenship of Turkish Cypriots, and negative developments surrounding the property issue”.
He concluded: “We informed Mr Fitto that the time has long since come to end the isolation of Turkish Cypriots, who have repeatedly demonstrated their will for a solution very clearly, and that all obstacles preventing our people, and especially our children, from becoming part of the international community should be removed urgently.”
CBMs before 5+1
In a separate social media post earlier in the day, Erhürman reiterated that before going to a 5+1, the two leaders need to produce solutions on at least some CBMs, while “abandoning approaches that undermine confidence”. On starting negotiations, he said it would not be right to proceed without first agreeing on methodology.
The Turkish Cypriot leader also reminded Christodoulides that his counterpart “is us”.
Erhürman said the Turkish Cypriot side was at a better point now than they were before Guterres’ visit. The next step now was to complete the “homework” required to make a 5+1 possible, he added, expressing his readiness to meet Christodoulides as frequently as possible.
Focus on EU-Turkey relations
President Nikos Christodoulides, meanwhile, briefed a delegation from the Famagusta municipality-in-exile on his meeting with Fitto. According to palace official Victoras Papadopoulos, the president highlighted the importance of the EU’s involvement in UN efforts, both regarding the form and substance of a solution, but also the benefits Turkey may acquire by taking steps towards a settlement.
Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, who also attended the meeting with Fitto, said they discussed practical steps such as the contacts the EU envoy will have in the coming period. He reiterated that the EU could make a meaningful contribution to achieving progress on the Cyprus issue through the advancement of EU-Turkey relations.
Asked whether Fitto would visit Ankara, Kombos said the next stage of his work was still under preparation, noting that as a European Commission executive vice-president, Fitto already had channels of communication and points of contact with Turkey.
Regarding the issue of time, or lack thereof, with UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ term ending this December, the FM acknowledged the issue but pointed to the political will of both the UNSG and EU, along with the potential for important initiatives that could bring positive results.
“We have thoughts, ideas, proposals, that are being discussed,” he said, adding that new ideas will also be explored on how to expedite certain issues given Guterres’ time remaining in office.
Kombos said Nicosia was working to create the conditions needed for progress but stressed that Ankara’s position would ultimately be decisive.
🇪🇺 Oggi a #Cipro ho avuto l’opportunità di incontrare il Presidente @Christodulides , leader della comunità greco-cipriota, e @tufanerhurman , leader della comunità turco-cipriota.
— Raffaele Fitto (@RaffaeleFitto) July 31, 2026
✅️ È per me un grande onore e una grande responsabilità ricoprire il ruolo di Rappresentante… pic.twitter.com/i5q187sCdj
