Statement of the TRNC Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the appointment of Raffaele Fitto by the European Commission as the so-called special representative for Cyprus

The European Commission’s appointment of Italian politician Raffaele Fitto as the so‑called “special representative for Cyprus,” undertaken without the consent of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus by disregarding the will of the Turkish Cypriot people, upon the recommendation of the Greek Cypriot administration; and the assertions by the Commission that such an appointment could contribute to “confidence-building” and “institutional dialogue” are regrettably unconvincing, constitute a serious misrepresentation and remain inconsistent with the European Union’s historical record on the island.

By admitting the Greek Cypriot administration into the Union in violation of international law, the European Union has regrettably positioned itself as a partial actor. An institution that consistently reflects the perspectives of the Greek Cypriot side cannot credibly claim to foster trust on the island. The EU has failed to honor its promises to lift the unjust isolation imposed on the Turkish Cypriot people, thereby repeatedly demonstrating that it cannot be regarded as a reliable actor.

It is therefore absurd to suggest that a representative of an institution which ignores the inherent rights and sovereign will of the Turkish Cypriot people could conduct an equal “dialogue” between the two sides.

Mr. Fitto has, in numerous statements, revealed his approach that denies the sovereign equality and equal international status of the Turkish Cypriot people. The European Union recognizes the Greek Cypriot administration as the sole state and authority on the island while considering the Turkish Cypriot people merely as a community. In this regard, Mr. Fitto or any other representative of the EU cannot be regarded as holding any official capacity in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, and any attempt to engage in activities within our country or to intervene in the Cyprus issue is categorically unacceptable.

If a fair, lasting and sustainable basis for cooperation on the Cyprus issue is to be sought, it can only be achieved by acknowledging the realities on the ground: namely, the existence of two separate states living side by side on the island. A lasting agreement must be built upon the recognition of the sovereign equality and equal international status of both sides.

We, therefore, reiterate our call on the European Commission to acknowledge the realities on the island and remind that, unless our sovereign equality and equal international status are duly affirmed, the Turkish Cypriot side will not engage in any negotiation process.