The self-congratulations started in Nicosia soon after the announcement of the appointment of former European Commissioner, Johannes Hahn as the personal envoy of the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to the Cyprus problem.

For President Nikos Christodoulides, who had been calling for the appointment of an EU envoy ever since his election two years ago, this was a personal victory, another example of his clout in Brussels.  

Soon after the announcement he welcomed the appointment on social media saying this was “tangible proof that the EU stands firmly and resolutely with Cyprus and its people”. He subsequently issued a statement describing the appointment as “a move of substantial importance”, before giving himself credit for the achievement.

The decision he wrote, “is the fruit of coordinated diplomatic efforts, of a persistent and consistent strategy, which we have methodically, seriously and reliably placed at the highest European level from the very beginning”.

The more lavish praise for the president was left to the government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis, who told journalists on Wednesday afternoon, that this “important development, proved the unwavering and unrelenting diplomatic effort of the President of the Republic”. The president’s “personal communication and coordination with the president of the European Commission was continuous”, said Letymbiotis who also linked the appointment with Turkey’s efforts to strengthen its ties with the EU. He also said that “we are heading to the multi-party conference in Geneva in July, at which we believe the role the EU could play would be catalytic.”

The commission was much more restrained in its own announcement, saying that Hahn “would engage with all relevant stakeholders and interlocutors to prepare the ground for the resumption of negotiations for comprehensive and lasting settlement”. The Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar might not even agree to meet the EU’s envoy and he will most probably have the full backing of Ankara, which has repeatedly said that it does not consider the EU impartial. Nor is Turkey likely to agree to the presence of Hahn at the Geneva conference. How we think he could play a catalytic role when one side is unlikely to accept his involvement in the process is something only Letymbiotis can answer.

The fact is that the process is taking place within the UN framework and the UN secretary-general’s personal envoy, Maria Angela Holgium, reappointed to this role just a few days ago, will be a facilitator. The commission was very clear about this in its statement, which said that Hahn would “work in close cooperation” with Holguin. Hahn will have a minor supporting role, assuming the Turkish side gives the go-ahead. If it does not, he will have very little to do as he cannot muscle his way into the process, just because Christodoulides wants an EU envoy.