Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides expressed hope that Turkey could proceed towards an EEZ delimitation agreement with Cyprus, speaking during Monday’s meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Luxembourg, while commenting on the delineation agreement recently reached between Israel and Lebanon.
According to a press release by the Ministry, Kasoulides referred to the situation in Lebanon and welcomed the agreement reached with Israel. He also expressed the hope that, “in a similar way, Turkey will move forward on the issue of EEZ delimitation with Cyprus.”
Kasoulides also commented on the Turkey-Libya delimitation agreement, which the EU considers illegal under international law, and expressed Cyprus’ support for the Greek government.
Finally, he briefed his counterparts on recent actions by Turkey, including the intensification of Turkish efforts to upgrade the status of the occupied territories in the Organisation of Turkish States, the pressuring of European partners to open delegations in the north and Turkish efforts in the UN regarding UNFICYP’s mandate.
On the margins of the FAC, the Foreign Minister also met his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias to discuss challenges in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.
Kasoulides remains in Luxembourg where he will participate in the General Affairs Council meeting on Tuesday.
The main issues discussed by the 27 Foreign Ministers during the Foreign Affairs Council were the latest developments in Ukraine and the attacks on civilians in Kiev, the EU’s support to the efforts to stabilise the situation on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border, the repression of protests in Iran, the political situation in Lebanon and the civil war in Ethiopia.
Speaking during the discussion on Ukraine, Kasoulides praised the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian government and people in defending the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and added that the EU will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary.
Referring to the recent escalation and the attacks on populated areas, Kasoulides stressed that Cyprus supports every effort to bring to justice those responsible for violations of human rights and international law.
Regarding Iran, Kasoulides welcomed the decision of the 27 to adopt restrictive measures and underlined the need to defend women’s rights in the country.
Regarding the decision by the EU to send a delegation which will assist in efforts to demarcate the Armenia – Azerbaijan border, Kasoulides said it was a positive development, expressing confidence that the EU has a role to play.
Kasoulides also called on the EU to focus on the problems facing Lebanon and the importance that stability in the country has for the security of the region. In this context Kasoulides referred to the agreement with Israel and more broadly to Turkey’s stance on maritime demarcation.
During a working lunch, the 27 Foreign Ministers had the opportunity to review the challenges in EU – China relations. In his intervention, Kasoulides focused on the importance of strengthening the dialogue with China, including within multilateral frameworks, and underlined the need for the EU to remain committed to the One China principle.
Source: Cyprus News Agency