The work of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, in which Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides participated, concluded today in Brussels.
The Council's work focused on developments in Ukraine following the Russian invasion and the evaluation of the EU's coordinated response. During a working lunch, Ministers exchanged views with the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Moldova, Mr Nicu Popescu, on the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on Moldova. The Council concluded with a discussion on developments in Afghanistan and EU policies in the fields of Climate and Energy Diplomacy.
A minute's silence was observed at the beginning of the Council for the victims of the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. In his intervention, Kasoulides noted that a number of Turkish Cypriots have lost their lives in the wreckage of a hotel in Turkey. He also referred to the support initiatives undertaken by the Republic of Cyprus by sending a rescue team to Turkey to assist the rescue teams, as well as the provision of large-scale humanitarian assistance to Syria and Turkey through the European Civil Protection Mechanism. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed his condolences for the loss of our compatriots, while praising the contribution and contribution of the Republic of Cyprus.
In his intervention during the discussion on Ukraine, the Foreign Minister highlighted the importance of maintaining EU unity, underlining the need for continued support to the government and people of Ukraine. He reiterated that our approach to the issue is based on fundamental principles of law, such as respect for Ukraine's sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. In this context, he stressed that Cyprus supports efforts to ensure accountability for human rights violations, highlighting the role that the EU can play. Ahead of the adoption of the 10th package of sanctions, he reiterated the importance of an effective sanctions framework, which will discourage circumvention practices by third countries such as Turkey.
(AA/MX)
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