Cyprus[/B] supports efforts to ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law in the war in Ukraine,Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides said in an intervention during the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) held in Brussels on Monday. He also stressed that the EU's decisive and coordinated stance brings results, including through the adoption of sanctions.
According to a statement, the agenda of the FAC included current developments in Ukraine and the situation in Iran, while during the discussion on current affairs, High Representative Josep Borel referred to the Southern Neighbourhood in view of the strategic debate planned for the next European Council, as well as the EU's support to Moldova.
In his intervention in the debate on developments in Ukraine, which took place via teleconference with the participation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, he said that the EU's firm stance and coordinated actions since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine have brought tangible results, including the adoption of sanctions with serious consequences. He stressed that unity is our strength and must be maintained.
He added that Cyprus stands for accountability in relation to violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine and that the country supports all initiatives taken in this direction.
. Kasoulides also participated in the ministerial meeting of the Eastern Partnership, which took place before the opening of the FAC, with the participation of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Speaking during the ministerial meeting, the Foreign Minister expressed Cyprus' support for the strengthening and deepening of our EU relations with the Eastern Partnership countries at bilateral and European level.
He pointed out that the critical juncture in international relations produces multiple geopolitical and regional challenges, which makes it all the more important to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the countries of the region, while highlighting 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.
According to the statement, Mr. Kasoulides had a bilateral meeting in the margins of the proceedings with the Foreign Minister of Georgia, Ilia Darkiasvili.
The subject of the discussion with the Georgian Foreign Minister was bilateral relations between Cyprus and Georgia, regional issues of mutual interest, as well as the country's European perspective.
Mr. Kasoulides was expected to depart later on Monday for Paris where he will participate in the proceedings of the high-level conference entitled "Standing with the Ukrainian people" to be held on Tuesday, co-organised by French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Foreign Minister returns to Cyprus on Wednesday evening.
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