This is the first FAC in which Ioannis Kasoulides is participating since his recent assumption of office as Foreign Minister.
Speaking during the discussion with the US Secretary of State, Mr. Kasoulides expressed concern about tensions in Eastern Europe, stressing the importance of maintaining the unity of the European Union, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.
At the same time, he supported the need "to exhaust all possibilities for dialogue in order to prevent further deterioration of the situation."
On the sidelines of the FAC meeting, Mr. Kasoulides had a meeting with High Representative for Foreign Policy Josep Borel, with whom they discussed issues of Cypriot interest. Mr. Kasoulides was expected to brief Mr. Borel, inter alia, on the Government's intentions to propose a series of MEAs in the context of improving the climate on the Cyprus issue.
Mr. Kasoulides also had a meeting with Estonian Foreign Minister Eva-Marie Liimets, at the request of the Estonian side.
Monday's FAC agenda also included the situation in Syria and Libya and other current regional and international issues.
In his intervention in the context of the discussion on Syria, Kasoulides stressed that the people of the country continue to suffer with the crisis affecting the European Union itself.
In particular, he referred to the fact that Cyprus "is facing increasing flows of refugees and migrants from Syria as a consequence of the prolonged crisis" and stressed the need to consider a realistic approach on the part of the EU in terms of humanitarian aid.
He reiterated Cyprus' support for the framework for Syria set out in UN Security Council Resolution 2254, in cooperation with the EU and other regional actors, and noted that the international community should stand by the Syrian people's efforts as this is the only way to achieve real stability and reconciliation in the country.
In an intervention on developments in Libya, the Foreign Minister highlighted the need to develop a plan with clear timetables to hold free and credible elections in the country as soon as possible.
He stressed that it is vital to keep the political process under the auspices of the UN, stressing that the Libyan crisis should be seen in the light of wider geopolitical developments. He said that the perpetuation of the current status quo benefits those who aim to maintain their military presence in the country.
According to the statement, Kasoulides stressed that these are the same known actors "who are trying to strengthen their geostrategic footprint in other regions such as the Eastern Mediterranean".
It is recalled that before the start of the Foreign Affairs Council, the Foreign Minister hosted a working breakfast for his counterparts with a guest, Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nasser al-Mohammad al-Sabah, with whom the EU Foreign Ministers exchanged views on EU-Kuwait relations, EU-Gulf Cooperation Council cooperation, as well as other regional and international issues.
Later on Monday afternoon, the Foreign Minister was expected to have a meeting with Enlargement Commissioner Oliver Varheli.
On Tuesday, Kasoulides will participate in the work of the General Affairs Council and will have a meeting with Health Commissioner Stella Kyriakidou.
Source: CNA
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