Johannes Hahn appointed as EU envoy for Cyprus problem

Austria’s Johannes Hahn was on Tuesday appointed as European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s special envoy for the Cyprus problem.

President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed Hahn’s appointment in a post on social media, writing that Hahn has been appointed to “support United Nations-led efforts to reunify Cyprus, in line with security council resolutions and European Union law”.

He added that Hahn’s appointment constitutes “tangible proof that the EU stands firmly and resolutely with Cyprus and its people”.

The European Commission outlined Hahn’s role, saying he will “report to President von der Leyen and contribute to the settlement process within the UN framework in close cooperation with the UN secretary-general [Antonio Guterres’] personal envoy on Cyprus, Maria Angela Holguin”.

“This designation underlines the commission’s commitment to the reunification of Cyprus, with the aim of ensuring a functional and viable comprehensive settlement in accordance with the relevant UN security council resolutions and in line with the principles, values, and legislation of the EU,” it added.

It went on to say that Hahn will “engage with all relevant stakeholders and interlocutors to prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations for a comprehensive and lasting solution, including through building trust”.

Christodoulides made a later, longer statement on the matter, describing Hahn’s appointment as “a move of substantial importance which confirms, in the clearest possible way, the EU’s determination and commitment to play a leading role in the resumption of talks”.

“This decision is not the result of a momentary conjuncture. It is the fruit of coordinated diplomatic efforts, of a persistent and consistent strategy, which we have methodically, seriously, and reliably set at the highest European level from the very beginning,” he said.

“The fact that the EU is taking this important step, amidst complex geopolitical developments, is an indication of the importance it attaches to the resolution of the Cyprus problem in a manner which is fully consistent with the European acquis Communautaire, and the principles and values of the EU,” he added.

“I stand ready to work closely with the new envoy … supporting his work in the context of the effort to relaunch negotiations and resolve the Cyprus problem.”

He described Hahn as an “experienced European politician with a longstanding presence in important positions and a deep knowledge of European issues, but also of our region in particular”.

“Cyprus is part of Europe, and the European Union, today, is taking a decisive step forward to play its rightful role, an even more active and strengthened role, with political will and with strategic presence,” he said.

Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar, meanwhile, was markedly less impressed with Hahn’s appointment, describing it as “a unilateral attempt” on the European Commission’s part, which “ignores the political realities and delicate balances on the island”.

“The words in the announcement of his appointment clearly reveal the Greek Cypriot side’s aim to prepare the ground again for the exhausted idea of a federation, and to strengthen such a discourse,” he told the north’s Tak news agency.

He highlighted the fact that Guterres had said at the last enlarged meeting on the Cyprus problem in March that talks had been conducted in a “new atmosphere”, warned that “instead of contributing to the grounds for dialogue formed in this new atmosphere, [Hahn’s appointment] serves only to cover up the Greek Cypriot leadership’s uncompromising and imposing policies”.

“The vision for a solution to the Cyprus problem that we have put forward is clear,” he said, saying he will “resolutely defend” his plan for a two-state solution “with the full support of our motherland Turkey”.

“There is absolutely no question of stepping back from this vision,” he added.

He said the international community “must now understand that the Turkish Cypriot people’s will and sovereignty cannot be ignored”.

“I find it useful to reiterate once again that the EU cannot be involved in any process without our consent,” he added, saying that he will “continue close contacts” with Guterres, and “work constructively and in a result-oriented manner” with Holguin.

Earlier, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos has said he “warmly welcomes” Hahn’s appointment, describing the move as “a timely and meaningful step in support of UN-led efforts for the reunification of Cyprus”.

Hahn spent 14 years as a European commissioner between 2010 and last year, working under presidents Jose Manuel Barroso, Jean-Claude Juncker and von der Leyen.

During those 14 years, he spent two stints as commissioner for regional policy, one as commissioner neighbourhood policy, and concluded his time in Brussels as commissioner for budget and administration.

He is a member of Austria’s centre-right People’s Party, which belongs to the EPP, the same European grouping as Christodoulides and of Disy.

His appointment comes ahead of Holguin’s imminent arrival to kickstart her second term on the island, with her duties having officially recommenced on Monday.

Christodoulides had said on Sunday that he had “exchanged some dates for a meeting” with her, adding that they have now set a “pre-determined date for a meeting”, but that he “will let her announce the specific dates”.

Holguin spent a six-month stint as envoy in Cyprus last year, and wrote in an open letter to the island’s people at the end of her first term that “too many years have been spent in confrontation; too much time blaming the other side.”

She said her visits to Cyprus last year had shown her that “commemorations and monuments remind us not of the glory but the failure of efforts to reach an agreement on the island.”

“It reveals a Cyprus frozen in time. This is exactly what we have the opportunity to change now.”