Doorstep by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Constantinos Kombos, ahead of the informal meeting of Foreign Affairs Ministers, in Brussels

“I am looking forward to today’s deliberations that we expect will be touching on a number of important issues.

On Ukraine, we will be hosting Minister Kuleba and he will brief us on the recent significant developments. 

On the Middle East, I will be joining again the voices calling for maximum restraint and urgent de-escalation, as well as for taking all those steps necessary to achieve that de-escalation. At the same time, we must not forget the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. And to that end, our meeting today with Sigrid Kaag will be valuable. I will be taking the opportunity to reiterate Cyprus’ full support to her mandate and her role.

Finally, on the working lunch with Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan. Turkey’s role as a regional actor is recognised and that comes with responsibilities. Turkey’s relation with the European Union (EU) has potential and that comes with requirements. A well-defined, clearly structured framework is in place, embodied with a number of conditionalities, decided at the highest level by our political leaders.

In that framework, the Republic of Cyprus, the Cyprus Problem, the EU itself are inherently linked. We see the potential; we point to the framework. It is up to Turkey to make the choice.

Thank you.”

Question: What are you expecting from the discussions today?

I expect a frank and open discussion on the issues we disagree, primarily, and on the way forward. And the way forward, I have just described that it is being determined at the highest political level. There is a clear framework and we will be working with that in mind, so that we will have constructive steps and positive agenda, provided that the right decisions are being taken from the other side as well.

Question: Are you expecting that there will be something regarding the restart of the negotiations for the Cyprus issue?

I do not want to make any predictions. Let’s be restrained in our approach and also in our expectations. Today, it is a very good opportunity to send the message of the European Union, of our Union, as to what is the state of play. And that is a united message that cannot have any idea, any concept of decoupling from the Cyprus issue and, of course, from the issues relating to the Republic of Cyprus.

(MF/GS/ΝΖ)

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