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Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos participated in the proceedings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, which took place today in Brussels.
The Council discussed the situation in the Middle East and the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine. Under the heading of current affairs, Foreign Ministers exchanged views on a number of foreign policy issues in the international news, including developments in relation to Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The discussion on the situation in the Middle East was preceded by an informal exchange of views (in separate meetings) with the Foreign Ministers of Israel and the Palestinian Authority, while EU Foreign Ministers had a working lunch with the Foreign Ministers of Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian Authority and the Secretary General of the Arab League. Speaking during the discussions, Mr. Kobos stressed the need to create a political horizon for the revival of the Middle East Peace Process. He also highlighted the need for immediate humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza. In this context, he reiterated Cyprus' readiness to contribute to the unhindered and safe delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza, noting that the use of the humanitarian sea corridor remains a credible option in this direction.
With regard to Ukraine, Mr. Kobos reiterated Cyprus' support to Ukraine, while with regard to sanctions, he noted that Cyprus attaches great importance to measures to prevent circumvention of sanctions.
In his intervention during the discussion on the situation in relation to Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Foreign Minister said that Cyprus welcomes and encourages the process of normalisation of relations between the two countries. He underlined that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia should be fully respected and any step towards normalisation should be guided by this principle.
On the sidelines of the Council, the Foreign Minister held bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Slovakia Mr. Juraj Blanár, Jordan Mr. Ayman Safadi, and the Palestinian Authority Mr. Riyad al-Maliki.
Tomorrow, Mr. Kombos will participate in the EU-Egypt Association Council, which marks the 20th anniversary of the entry into force of the EU-Egypt Association Agreement in 2004. The Minister will also have a bilateral meeting with the Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry.
(BAT/NZ/NYAN)
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