Cyprus Foreign Affairs Minister Ioannis Kasoulides referred to the role Cyprus played at the height of efforts by the Global Coalition against Daesh at a ministerial meeting of the Coalition in Marakesh and urged states to sign and ratify the Nicosia Convention which criminilises illicit trade of cultural heritage, which constitutes a source of terrorism funding.
The ministerial meeting of the Coalition concluded its work on Wednesday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press release.
The Coalition was established in 2014 and comprises 84 states and international organisation.
The ministerial meeting was organised by Morocco Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Burita and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken with the key aim of coordinating international efforts to combat terrorism.
In his intervention, Kasoulides spoke about the situation in Africa. He spoke of the importance of coordinating the international effort to combat terrorism and the main reasons that give rise to it.
“He noted the role Cyprus played at the height of the Coalition’s efforts in order for Daesh to be defeated, while urging states to sign and ratify the Nicosia Convention which criminilises the illicit trade of cultural heritage, something which constitutes a source of funding for terrorism,” the press release says.
He stressed, it adds, that members of the coalition should remain vigilant since Daesh maintains the capacity to act as a destabilising force, as new combatants are recruited. He further spoke of the importance of combating foreign malicious influence in the African continent, which incites the action of terrorist organisations.
Kasoulides also informed members of the Coalition of Cyprus’ intention to contribute in the effort by organising training programmes to combat terrorism at the centre CYCLOPS.
During his stay in Marakesh, the Foreign Affairs Minister had bilateral contacts and meetings with his counterparts from Morocco, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Georgia.
He returns to Cyprus on Thursday.