Filenews 3 March 2022 - by Andreas Pimpisis
In Brussels, foreign ministers will have another crucial meeting to consider additional measures against Russia but at the same time in Nicosia the Government appears ready to revise its position on the ban on flights in Cypriot airspace. Turkey's non-compliance with the EU's unanimous decision seems to be a good reason for Cyprus to proceed with the implementation of the reservation it tabled at the last Foreign Affairs Council last Sunday.
The Minister of Transport, Yiannis Karousos, during his statements yesterday, made clear the government's intentions regarding the implementation of measures against Russia. When asked by a journalist about a possible revision of the government's decision to close the airspace of Cyprus for Russian aircraft, since Turkey does not follow the sanctions, G. Karousos said that "it is something that we will discuss with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the President of the Republic himself, in order to take the decisions. For the time being, our decision, the one that was decided in the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, is in force, but I stress that we are the only country that had a reservation, that was recorded and that, from what I have been informed, a way has been found to be enshrined in law as well."
The statement of the Minister responsible for air transport comes before: a) today's meeting of the National Council, during which the situation as it is shaped by the Russian invasion of Ukraine will also be discussed, and b) tomorrow's wide-ranging meeting convened by the President of the Republic with the participation of all the competent ministers and services.
Late this afternoon there will be a meeting of the National Council which, according to the original planning, would discuss the developments on the Cyprus issue and the proposal for confidence-building measures. However, the events in Ukraine are expected to be at the heart of the meeting, as the political leadership wants to be informed by the Government about the actions it is taking to deal with the consequences. It is not excluded that President Anastasiades will convene a new meeting of the National Council in the coming days to hold a special discussion in the presence of competent ministers. In other words, as a follow-up to tomorrow's meeting convened by the President of the Republic to discuss the consequences of the Russian invasion.
According to the Presidency, friday's meeting will be attended by, among others, the Ministers of Finance, Konstantinos Petrides, Interior, Nikos Nouris, Defence, Charalambos Petrides, Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Costas Kadis, Health, Michalis Hadjipantelas, Transport, Communications and Works, Yannis Karousos, Energy, Trade and Industry, Natasa Pilidou, The Deputy Ministers of Tourism, Savvas Perdios and Shipping, Vassilis Dimitriadis, the Governor of the Central Bank, Konstantinos Herodotou and officials.
The Secretary General of AKEL sent yesterday a letter to President Anastasiades requesting the convening of the Council of Chiefs as soon as possible, "to discuss the consequences and problems that arise and affect our country due to the situation prevailing in Ukraine as a result of the Russian invasion".
Stefanos Stefanou also asks that the ministers and deputy ministers responsible for areas affected by the situation should also attend the meeting. Finally, he notes that "AKEL is ready to contribute to the extent of its own capabilities to deal with the negative consequences".
On the Hill today the chiefs
The National Council meets at 6.30 this afternoon under the President of the Republic, Nicos Anastasiades, to review the developments on the Cyprus issue and to be informed in relation to the issue of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs), as stated to the CNA by the Government Spokesman, Marios Pelekanos.
Mr. Pelekanos said that the meeting is expected to discuss the situation as it is shaped by the developments in Ukraine.
"There will be a review of the developments in the Cyprus issue from the previous meeting of the National Council and there will be a briefing and discussion on the issue of the MOUs, which are being promoted, as well as on the efforts to restart the negotiations", said Mr. Pelekanos.
Asked if the issue of the war in Ukraine will also be discussed, Mr. Pelekanos said that "the facts and the situation as it is shaped by the developments in Ukraine are expected to be discussed.
Solidarity through the UN
The Republic of Cyprus expresses its solidarity with Ukraine and supports its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, the Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the UNO, Ambassador Andreas Hadjichrysanthou, stated in his speech at the 11th UnGA Emergency Special Session on Ukraine.
He also expressed the sorrow of the Republic of Cyprus for the loss of life, the human suffering and the mass displacement caused by the hostilities, as a result of the war in Ukraine, something that Cyprus has been experiencing for almost 50 years.
According to a relevant announcement, Mr. Hatzichrysanthou stressed that Cyprus condemns any rift in international peace and security caused through military action by one state against the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of another state. He added that as a small state, Cyprus relies for its security on the rules-based world order, with the United Nations at its core. He suggested that Cyprus is deeply concerned about the effectiveness of the collective security system.
The Permanent Representative of Cyprus stressed the need for full compliance with International Humanitarian Law and an immediate ceasefire with the withdrawal of Russian military forces from Ukrainian territory. It also reiterated the urgent need to thwart the illegal actions, including Russia's recognition of the self-proclaimed independence of the two regions in eastern Ukraine.
