Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides participated in the proceedings of the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), which took place today in Brussels. The Council's agenda included, inter alia, current developments in Ukraine and the situation in Iran. Under current affairs, EU High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell referred, inter alia, to the Southern Neighbourhood in view of the strategic discussion to be held at the forthcoming European Council, as well as the EU's support to Moldova.
Current developments in Ukraine were at the centre of the Foreign Ministers' discussions. After being briefed on the situation in the country by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who participated via teleconference, the "27" assessed the situation and the EU's coordinated response. In his intervention, Mr Kasoulides referred to the decisive stance taken by the EU since the beginning of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, stressing that the Union's coordinated actions have brought tangible results, including the adoption of sanctions with serious consequences for Russia. Unity is our strength and must be maintained, the Foreign Minister underlined. Referring to the violations of international humanitarian law in Ukraine, Mr.Kasoulides stressed that Cyprus is in favour of accountability and supports all initiatives taken in this direction.
Before the opening of the FAC, the Foreign Minister participated in the annual Ministerial Meeting of the Eastern Partnership (EaP), with the participation of Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan. In his remarks, Kasoulides said that Cyprus supports the strengthening and deepening of our relations with the EaP countries, both at bilateral and European level. The critical juncture we are going through in international relations produces multiple geopolitical and regional challenges, which makes it even more important to strengthen cooperation between the EU and the EaP countries. At the same time, the Foreign Minister stressed the importance of respect by the Eastern partners for international law, in particular respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states, including EU Member States.
In the margins of the Council's proceedings, the Foreign Minister held a bilateral meeting with Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiasvilli. The two Ministers discussed issues related to bilateral relations between Cyprus and Georgia, regional issues of mutual interest, as well as the European perspective of the country.
Mr. Kasoulides leaves tonight for Paris where he will participate in the proceedings of the high-level conference "Standing with the Ukrainian people", which will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, 13 December. The conference is co-organised by the President of France, Mr Emmanuel Macron, and the President of Ukraine, Mr Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Foreign Minister returns to Cyprus on Wednesday evening, 14 December.
(MF/EP)
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