The Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the European Union approved the launch of the EU Military Assistance Mission (EUMAM) which will train Ukrainian soldiers on European Union Soil, during Monday’s Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels.
According to a statement, Cypriot Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides informed his counterparts that the country will contribute to the mission by offering expertise on demining.
The EU’s High Representative Josep Borrell said after the meeting that the Ministers of Defence will discuss the further details regarding EUMAM during the second day of the FAC.
According to a statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the 27 Foreign Ministers were briefed on the latest developments in Ukraine by the country’s Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, via teleconference.
The ministers’ agenda included issues related to the EU’s coordinated response to Russia and issues related to the food crisis.
In his remarks, Kasoulides noted that the withdrawal of Russian troops from Kherson sends the message that “the unity shown by the EU in its support to Ukraine, combined with the undeniable strength shown by the Ukrainian people, is bringing results and can lead to final victory.”
He also welcomed the approval of the launch of the EUMAM Ukraine mission, stressing the importance of the EU’s continued support to the country by all available means, and referred to the participation of Cyprus through the provision of expertise on demining.
Kasoulides also made a reference to Turkey’s responsibility for “circumventing and undermining the effectiveness of sanctions, due to its failure to comply with CFSP decisions in violation of its contractual obligations arising from its candidacy for EU membership.”
In an intervention during the debate on developments in the Western Balkans, ahead of the EU-Western Balkans Summit which will be held on 6 December in Tirana, Albania, Kasoulides noted that the situation remains fragile and that the EU must continue to support the region, in addition to the many measures taken so far, which are steps in the right direction.
He stressed that Cyprus welcomes the holding of the upcoming Summit and added that “accelerating the process of integrating the Western Balkans into the EU is the only way to ensure peace, security and prosperity in the region.”
According to the MFA statement, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs also exchanged views on the European Union’s approach to the Great Lakes region in Africa during a working lunch.
In the context of discussing current affairs, Borrell also referred to the situation in Lebanon, and developments in Iran and Armenia-Azerbaijan relations.
Source: Cyprus News Agency