Nicosia: Cyprus' Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, stressed on Sunday the need for a diplomatic solution to the crisis in the Middle East and the Gulf region and for all states involved to show restraint, speaking during the extraordinary meeting of the European Union's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) that convened in light of the rapidly changing conditions and developments in the region.
According to Cyprus News Agency, a press release issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated that Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos referred to a series of contacts he had with his counterparts in the Middle East and Gulf region.
As stated, Kombos noted that during his contacts he expressed Cyprus' full support for its partners in the Gulf who have been affected, and stressed the need for a diplomatic solution to the crisis and for all states involved to show restraint. At the same time, he noted that Cyprus condemns the attacks against Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
He added that the issue of flight suspensions in the wider region was discussed within the framework of the FAC, as a large number of European citizens, including Cypriots, remain in countries in the Middle East and the Gulf, with the Foreign Minister stressing that the safety of EU citizens and their safe repatriation is a priority that requires coordination within the Union, as well as a unified flow of information.
Cyprus, he noted, has activated the ESTIA Special National Plan from the outset, as it has done in similar cases in recent years, and is ready to continue to contribute to humanitarian facilities for the repatriation of EU and third-country citizens, in coordination with its partners, the Ministry press release concluded.