Cyprus supports Ukraine to purchase electricity generators, Kasoulidis told SEY
In the aid provided to Ukraine in cooperation with Poland for the purchase of electricity generators,< /strong> as part of the participation of Cyprus in supporting the country to deal with the Russian invasion, stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulidisin his intervention at a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the European Union, held on Monday in Brussels.
As stated in a statement, the main topics of discussion were developments in relation to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the security situation and the rise of terrorism in the Sahel region and the coastal states of West Africa, while the Foreign Ministers also had a working lunch with the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority Mohammad Shtayyeh.
In his intervention at context of the discussion on Ukraine, Mr. Kasoulidis referred to Cyprus's participation in initiatives to support Ukraine's resilience, including the provision of aid amounting to >300,000 euros for the purchase of electricity generators, which will be given in cooperation with Poland. He also referred to the need for the EU to play an active role in efforts to end the war.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the renewal of the UN initiative on Grains in the Black Sea, while expressing disappointment that Cyprus cannot to participate in this initiative due to the bans imposed on Cypriot ships by Turkey.
Mr. Kasoulidis also referred to the need for effective implementation of the sanctions,
strong>underlining that sanctions evasion practices by some countries are hindering overall efforts to impose a cost on Russia's ability to continue the war against Ukraine.
Regarding the situation in the Sahel region, Mr. Kasoulidis expressed concern about the worsening situation and noted that it is important for the EU to maintain its presence there.
He also thanked the European External Action Service for the support provided to his personal envoy, who recently visited The Gambia in the context of efforts to prevent the upgrading of the unrecognized “tdvk”.
Mr. Kasoulidis also expressed the satisfaction of Cyprus for the establishment of the non-military mission in Armenia to support efforts to normalize relations with Azerbaijan. He made specific reference to the ongoing blockade of the Lachin Corridor,underlining the importance of the presence of the EU, especially to alleviate the humanitarian consequences that this blockade has brought about.
In his intervention during the working lunch in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, the Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed the support of Cyprus in the further deepening of EU relations with Palestine. He reiterated that Nicosia supports the two-state solution in the framework of the Middle East Peace Process, and called on the EU to take an active role to restart the process.
< p>Mr. Kasoulides referred, among other things, to the recent growing tensions and provocations in Jerusalem, underlining the need for restraint and de-escalation, so as to preserve the religious status quo in the Old City.
< p>Finally, on the sidelines of the work of the ESS, Mr. Kasoulidis had a meeting with the EU Special Representative for the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, Miroslav Lajčak.
