Disy MP challenges appointment of Nikos Tornaritis as special envoy

Internal disputes within the Democratic Rally (DISY) party have escalated to the House of Representatives following the appointment of Nikos Tornaritis as the President’s Special Political Envoy for the Cyprus problem in Asia and Africa. On September 22, DISY MP Nikos Georgiou submitted nine parliamentary questions to Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos regarding the necessity and legitimacy of the new role, which was approved by the Cabinet on September 16.

Georgiou’s inquiry questions the need for a special envoy given the existence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its established embassy network. He specifically asked whether Minister Kombos was consulted prior to the appointment, sought clarification on the number of other special envoys currently serving, and questioned why this diplomatic necessity was not identified during the government's first year. The MP also requested the official proposal behind the cabinet’s decision to be tabled in Parliament.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded by justifying the appointment, emphasizing the need to inform Asian and African nations—many of which are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation—about the Cyprus problem and Turkish actions. The Ministry noted that Tornaritis’ background, including 13 years heading the Cypriot delegation to an Asian-related parliamentary body, qualifies him for the position as the government seeks to bolster its outreach.