Foreign Affairs Minister Ioannis Kasoulides referred to the Turkish Cypriot citizens of the Republic of Cyprus who were killed during the recent earthquakes in Turkey, as well as to Cyprus’ initiative to send a rescue team to the country and the provision of humanitarian aid to Syria and Turkey through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, during a debate on the situation in Syria and Turkey during the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Brussels.
The Foreign Ministers observed a minute of silence at the beginning of the Council, marking the memory of the victims of the earthquakes.
Speaking during the discussion of the issue, Kasoulides noted that a number of Turkish Cypriots have lost their lives in the wreckage of a hotel in Turkey, and referred to support initiatives by the Republic of Cyprus such as sending a rescue team to Turkey, in addition to providing humanitarian assistance to Syria and Turkey through the European Civil Protection Mechanism.
A statement by the Foreign Ministry notes that High Representative Josep Borrell “expressed his condolences for the loss of our compatriots, while praising the contribution of the Republic of Cyprus.”
The main issues discussed by the Foreign Ministers were developments in Ukraine as well as the situation in Moldova, which was the subject of a working lunch with their Moldovan counterpart and Deputy Prime Minister Niku Popescu. The agenda also included developments in Afghanistan and EU policies in the areas of climate and energy diplomacy.
Speaking during the discussion on Ukraine, Kasoulides highlighted the importance of maintaining EU unity and support to the government and people of Ukraine, underlining that Cyprus’ approach is based on fundamental principles of law, such as respect for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity.
He also underlined that Cyprus supports efforts to ensure accountability for human rights violations, and highlighted the role that the EU can play in this regard.
Finally, in view of the adoption of the 10th package of sanctions, Kasoulides reiterated the importance of having an effective framework of sanctions which will discourage circumvention practices by third countries, such as Turkey.
Kasoulides, for whom this is the last FAC before the end of his mandate, will participate on Tuesday in the General Affairs Council which brings together ministers of the EU responsible for European Affairs.
The Foreign Minister also took part in a video prepared by the Council on the occasion of the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the invasion of Ukraine, in which each Foreign Minister was asked, among other things, to refer in one word or phrase to the role of Ukraine. In his contribution, Kasoulides chose to refer to the people of Ukraine as a “heroic people”.
Source: Cyprus News Agency