The importance of the universal implementation of the restrictive measures against Russia for the invasion of Ukraine was underlined in his intervention, Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides made a specific reference to Turkey's stance during the meeting of the European Union Foreign Affairs Council held on Monday in Luxembourg.
In particular, according to a statement, Kasoulides referred to the fact that EU member states have "proceeded to impose tough sanctions despite the costs they themselves will suffer", citing as an example in the case of Cyprus the impact on important sectors of the economy such as tourism, shipping and services. The EU's ability to put pressure on Russia to end the war goes through maintaining the unity shown by the 27 in taking important decisions such as the adoption of the sanctions so far.
Unfortunately, he continued, the joint efforts of the EU member states have run up against the non-implementation of sanctions by EU partner countries, which, he pointed out, reduces their effectiveness and "allows these countries to benefit from the suffering of the Ukrainian people, despite the fact that they profess to stand by them", referring in particular to Turkey's stance.
The Foreign Ministers also had a working lunch with Norwegian Foreign Minister Aniken Huthfeld and Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Gilfantor on developments in Ukraine and the EU's reaction.
In the current affairs section, Mr. Kasoulides referred to the need for the immediate release of EU financial aid funds to Palestine.
Cyprus, it is worth noting, is one of the 15 countries that co-signed a letter on the issue, according to Politico. The initiative, which according to the article was launched by Ireland, concerns the release of the funds despite objections raised over references in Palestinian Authority textbooks deemed anti-Semitic. The signatories, apart from Cyprus, are Belgium, Greece, Estonia, Spain, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Finland and Finland.
Mr Kasoulides also expressed Cyprus' support for the convening of an EU-Israel Association Council in the near future, with the aim of promoting a positive agenda in relations with the country.
According to the Foreign Ministers' statement, Mr. Kasoulides held bilateral meetings with the new Maltese Foreign Minister Ian Borg and Estonian Foreign Minister Eva Maria Limets on the sidelines of the Council.
He also participated in an informal working breakfast hosted by Dutch Foreign Minister Wupke Hookstra, with an invitation from the Prosecutor General of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan.
On Tuesday, Mr. Kasoulides will participate in the work of the General Affairs Council, during which, inter alia, the debate on the rule of law and the Conference on the Future of Europe will continue, while the ministers will have an exchange of views on the green and digital transition.
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