Brussels: Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos condemned on Monday the signing of what he described as an illegal memorandum of understanding between Turkey and the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus for the construction of a natural gas pipeline, calling it another attempt to consolidate the faits accomplis of the occupation and further integrate the occupied territories into Turkey. Kombos raised the issue during the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels, where EU Foreign Ministers discussed Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, the EU's strategic approach to the Black Sea region, the situation in the Middle East, EU-United Nations relations, and the latest developments in Sudan.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Cypriot Foreign Minister strongly condemned the signing of the memorandum, stressing that the Republic of Cyprus denounces Turkey's latest illegal actions and will continue to defend its sovereign rights under international law.
On Ukraine, Kombos supported further EU measures to strengthen the country's energy resilience and backed the adoption of the 21st package of EU sanctions against Russia, as well as additional efforts to prevent sanctions circumvention.
Regarding the EU's Black Sea strategy and the planned Maritime Security Hub, Kombos said further discussion within the Council was needed before decisions are taken, particularly in light of the possible involvement of third countries and the criteria governing such participation.
Addressing the situation in the Middle East, he reiterated the need for a return to diplomacy in the wake of tensions involving Iran and the United States, calling for the restoration of freedom of navigation and the avoidance of further escalation. On Gaza and the West Bank, he stressed the need to intensify humanitarian efforts, while underlining the importance of continued EU support for Lebanon.
On the sidelines of the Council, Kombos participated in the 3rd EU-Gulf Cooperation Council High-Level Forum on Regional Security, where he highlighted the importance of strengthening strategic cooperation between the EU and Gulf countries.
Following the Council meeting, he also attended the 2nd Ministerial Meeting of the Palestinian Donor Group (PDG), co-chaired by European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Luica and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa. During the meeting, Kombos announced new support by the Republic of Cyprus, through CyprusAid, to strengthen six hospitals in East Jerusalem.
The Cypriot Foreign Minister also held a series of bilateral meetings with counterparts on the sidelines of the Council.