The European Union’s Special Envoy for the Cyprus issue, Johannes Hahn, sent messages regarding the EU’s role and its readiness to support efforts for a comprehensive solution in interviews published Saturday in the newspapers Politis and Yeni Düzen.
Mr Hahn stressed that the EU is not a mediator in the negotiations, as that role belongs to the United Nations. Instead, he said the EU’s primary function is to ensure that the acquis communautaire (EU law) will be fully respected and implemented in a reunified Cyprus, which he called a fundamental prerequisite for any solution.
Speaking to Politis, the European Envoy stated that the EU’s main tool for facilitating the reunification of Cyprus is the support programme for the Turkish Cypriot community, which currently averages €34.4 million annually. The measures aim both to create the conditions for reunification and to prepare Turkish Cypriots as much as possible for the moment of reunification, he said. These efforts include significant support for confidence-building measures, such as Green Line trade.
He added that “reunification will bring great economic benefits for the entire island, including at the level of investment.” He noted that the European Commission’s proposal for the next long-term EU budget for the period 2028–2034 includes a provision stating that, in the event of Cyprus’s reunification, the EU budget should be revised to reflect the settlement and the additional financial needs that will arise.
Furthermore, Mr Hahn reiterated the EU’s firm position that the solution must be based on a bi-zonal, bi-communal federation (BBF) with political equality, as defined by UN Security Council resolutions. He clarified that the EU’s support is not a “concession” to either side, but the natural framework for a member state of the Union.
Regarding the issue of security and guarantees, Mr Hahn said that the EU is the security guarantor of its member states, and EU membership provides the best security framework. He stated that, in his view, there is no need for a separate system of guarantees.
In an interview with Yeni Düzen, Johannes Hahn spoke of an atmosphere that is “positive, European, and ready to work for peace, security, and prosperity.”
Mr Hahn reconfirmed the EU’s support for the BBF model with political equality, emphasising that the EU framework is the UN resolutions, while the two-state solution model is incompatible with the acquis communautaire.
Referring to the Turkish Cypriot side, the EU Special Envoy expressed his appreciation for the approach of the Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhürman, describing his opinion and stance as “valuable.” Mr Hahn mentioned the EU’s strong financial commitment to the Turkish Cypriot community, reminding that the Union has already provided €760 million in support.
He also said the EU is ready to work with the Turkish Cypriot side to implement the acquis communautaire in the northern part of the island, although this does not replace a comprehensive solution.
Regarding the implementation of a solution, Mr Hahn stated that the EU is ready to provide strong economic and technical support, stressing the need for a sustainable and credible solution.