Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos reaffirmed the Cypriot government’s commitment to actively engage in discussions with the newly elected Turkish Cypriot leader following the conclusion of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg.
‘Yesterday, a voting procedure took place in the areas occupied by Turkey. We remain fully committed to actively discussing with the new Turkish Cypriot leader,’ Kombos said adding that ‘we want to move into substantive negotiations, always and exclusively within the UN Security Council framework and in line with EU values, principles and legislation’. For that to happen, of course, he explained, ‘it would require Turkey’s shift in policy. And the European Union path has been offering and is offering Turkey plenty of options. Now it’s up to Turkey to make the right choice».
Regarding the topics discussed at the Foreign Affairs Council, Kombos said that ‘we have been briefed by our Ukrainian colleagues on the developments on the ground, as well as on various contacts, meetings, and communications in the last few days. We reiterated our steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity’. He also stressed that he looks forward to the diplomatic discussions that will take place, with the aim of achieving a ceasefire and, subsequently, lasting peace.
Regarding the situation in the Middle East, the Minister said that during FAC ‘we discussed the agreement related to the Trump plan, which consists of 20 points. We commend the leadership of President Trump for this historic moment, as well as the contributions of Qatar and Egypt, two mediating actors who have been consistently engaged in this activity. This is a fragile arrangement, we need to gully implement all the details in relation to the agreement, and this will require engagement of the European Union and all member states individually’.
Referring to Cyprus’ humanitarian plan for Gaza, Kombos pointed out that ‘Cyprus has put forward its own dynamic plan in terms of its contribution, in limited capacity, to what’s going to be happening hopefully in Gaza, in relation to the humanitarian [aid], reconstruction, and security, and it corresponds to six points of the Trump plan’.
The Minister concluded by reaffirming: ‘We remain fully committed to supporting the EU and engaging with it to ensure that the European Union is at the table and is active in trying to make sure that this agreement is consolidated and then fully implemented’.