Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos referred to the long-standing support of Cyprus for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea during an intervention at the 2nd EU Indo- Pacific Ministerial Forum which took place in Stockholm. The Minister took part in the Informal Meeting of EU Foreign Affairs Ministers – Gymnich – and the 2nd EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum that took place in Stockholm 12 and 13 of May. A press release by the Ministry says that during the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum, the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in a round table discussion on security challenges in the region. In his intervention, Kombos referred to the strategic importance of the Indo-Pacific region, stressing that in a constantly changing geopolitical environment, it is important that issues related to regional security, such as maritime disputes, cyber security and humanitarian issues, are jointly addressed. He stressed Cyprus’ longstanding support for the peaceful resolution of maritime disputes, in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The Convention’s dispute settlement mechanisms provide the international community with the appropriate tools to effectively address critical issues such as maritime security, natural resource exploration and exploitation, and dispute settlement, he stressed. At Gymnich, the Foreign Ministers discussed about Ukraine and EU-China relations. Regarding Ukraine, the Ministers held a strategic discussion on the EU’s long-term plans on the issue. They also had the opportunity to hold a separate exchange of views with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. In his intervention, the Minister of Foreign Affairs referred to the unity demonstrated by the EU on the issue of Ukraine, stressing that through this unity we succeeded in taking tangible measures and having an unprecedented support for Ukraine. Referring to sanctions, he said that we are witnessing the effort of third countries to bypass them. Concluding, the Minister of Foreign Affairs stressed that Ukraine’s future lies within the EU, noting that this is through an ambitious, but necessary, program of reforms in the country. The Foreign Ministers also had the opportunity for an in-depth discussion on EU-China relations. In his intervention, the Foreign Minister referred to the EU’s multifaceted approach to China, stressing that China is an important country in international affairs, but also an important trading partner for the EU. Our approach to China must go through a structured dialogue, which focuses on the issues that are of significant importance for the Union, without forgetting European principles and values, he pointed out. On the sidelines of the Gymnich deliberations and the Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum Kombos held a series of separate meetings with the Foreign Ministers of India, Japan, Indonesia and Singapore, with whom he exchanged views on issues related to bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues. He also had the opportunity to have a conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dmytro Kuleba, to whom he conveyed the undivided support and solidarity of Cyprus to the people and the Government of Ukraine, stressing that Cyprus, as a position of principle, supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of his country.
Source: Cyprus News Agency