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The Minister of Foreign
Affairs, Mr Ioannis Kasoulides participated in the EU's Foreign Affairs
Council (FAC), which took place today in Brussels. On the agenda of the
Council were, inter alia, the current developments in Ukraine and the
situation in Iran. Under the heading of current affairs, the EU High
Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy, Mr Josep Borrell
referred, inter alia, to the Southern Neighbourhood in view of the strategic
discussion that will take place at the upcoming European Council, as well as
the support of the EU to Moldova.
The Foreign Ministers'
discussions focused on the current developments in Ukraine. The
"27", after being briefed on the situation in the country by the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Mr. Dmytro Kuleba, who participated
via teleconference, made an assessment of the situation and the coordinated
response of the EU. In his intervention, Mr Kasoulides referred to the
decisive stance taken by the EU since the beginning of Russia's aggression
against Ukraine, stressing that the Union's coordinated actions have brought
tangible results, including the adoption of sanctions with serious
consequences for Russia. Unity is our strength and must be preserved, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs underlined. Referring to the violations of
international humanitarian law in Ukraine, Mr Kasoulides emphasized that
Cyprus is in favour of accountability and supports all initiatives in this
direction.
Before the start of the work of
the ESS, the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in the annual
Ministerial Meeting of the Eastern Partnership, with the participation of
Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. In his intervention, Mr
Kasoulides stated that Cyprus supports the strengthening and deepening of our
relations with the countries of the Eastern Partnership, both bilaterally and
at the European level. The critical turning point we are going through in
international relations produces multiple geopolitical and regional
challenges, which makes it even more important to strengthen the cooperation
between the EU and the Eastern Partnership countries, he stressed. At the
same time, the Minister of Foreign Affairs highlighted the importance of
respect by the Eastern partners for International Law and in particular
respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states,
including EU member states.
On the sidelines of the
Council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs had a bilateral meeting with the
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Mr Ilia Darchiasvilli. The two
ministers discussed issues concerning bilateral relations between Cyprus and
Georgia, regional issues of mutual interest, as well as the country's
European perspective.
Mr Kasoulides is leaving
tonight for Paris where he will participate in the high-level conference
"Standing with the Ukrainian people", which will be held tomorrow,
Tuesday, December 13. The conference is co-organized by the President of
France, Mr Emmanuel Macron, and the President of Ukraine, Mr. Volodymyr
Zelensky.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs
will return to Cyprus on the evening of Wednesday, December 14.
(MH)
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