Turkey and Turkish Cypriot authorities criticize EU appointment of Cyprus envoy

Turkey's foreign ministry and the Turkish Cypriot authorities have formally rejected the European Commission's appointment of Executive Vice-President Raffaele Fitto as a special representative for the Cyprus issue. Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli stated that the EU has lost its impartiality since admitting the Republic of Cyprus in 2004, calling on the bloc to abandon its partisan stance. The Turkish Cypriot administration labeled the appointment, made at the recommendation of the Republic of Cyprus, as a unilateral and provocative step. Both Ankara and the Turkish Cypriot side maintain that any viable solution for Cyprus must be based on the recognition of two sovereign and equal states. Furthermore, Turkey criticized a recent European Parliament resolution that condemned the country for alleged sexual violence during the 1974 conflict. Analysts note that Fitto’s appointment is unlikely to alter EU policy, as he has consistently recognized the Republic of Cyprus in his previous public statements. The Turkish side also demanded the removal of political and economic restrictions on the Turkish Cypriot community as a condition for progress.