In favor of 13th EU sanctions package for Russia, emphasis on circumvention, says Kopos
Cyprus supports the 13th sanctions package against Russia, said Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, focusing in particular on the problem of sanctions circumvention, which “remains the main factor undermining our common efforts”, in the context of the debate at the EU's Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), which took place on Monday in Brussels.
Mr. Kombos also referred, according to a statement, to the situation in the Middle East and the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, underlining that “only the prospect of reviving the peace process for the Middle East can pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the area”.
In the framework of the ESS, the EU Foreign Ministers discussed, among other things, the situation in the Middle East, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine and the latest developments in the Sahel. They also held an informal meeting with Yulia Navalna, widow of Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny, who is believed by the EU to have been murdered by the Putin regime.
support the 13th package of sanctions, pointing out that circumvention remains the main factor undermining our joint efforts”.
Mr Kobos added that the best guarantee for Ukraine's security and resilience is its European path .
It is recalled that according to reports and information, the 27 are discussing for the first time the inclusion in the list of sanctions and companies from third countries, among others from Turkey, Serbia, China and India, due to their participation in the circumvention of EU sanctions against of Turkey.
In the announcement of the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it is also stated that in the context of the discussion on the Middle East, Mr. Kombos “referred again to the extremely alarming humanitarian situation prevailing in Gaza, emphasizing the need for the protection of all civilians”.
As it is added, he also repeated “the call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages” and noted that it is “imperative to prevent further escalation and possible diffusion of the crisis in the region”, stressing that “only the prospect of reviving the Peace Process for the Middle East can pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region”.
“Cyprus is ready to contribute with all the means at its disposal, both for sending humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza and for the prospect of reviving the Peace Process,” he added, according to the announcement.
During the discussion on the latest developments in the Sahel, it is noted, Cyprus pointed out the importance of adapting the EU's strategic orientation to the region, focusing on support for the societies of the region, but also on the challenges faced by the states of the region which include, among other things, dealing with both the terrorist threat and the exploitation of immigrants, which directly affects the Mediterranean countries.
Before the start of the SEY, the Foreign Ministers had an informal working breakfast with Rafael Mariano Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, during which they were informed about the efforts to maintain the nuclear safety of the Zaporizhia nuclear power plant in Ukraine.
