Cypriot Foreign Minister attends EU council meetings in Brussels

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on Monday, where he discussed regional stability and international cooperation. He held bilateral meetings with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Syrian Foreign and Expatriates Minister Assad Hassan al-Shaibani. Kombos expressed optimism regarding the opening of EU accession chapters for Ukraine in June and reiterated Cyprus's support for the 21st package of sanctions against Russia. Regarding the Middle East, he emphasized the security of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and highlighted the necessity of supporting Lebanon. The Minister also discussed the situation in Gaza, advocating for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and reaffirming Cyprus's role in the maritime humanitarian corridor. Additionally, he noted that the EU rejected a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to use former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder as a mediator. A discussion regarding potential communication channels with Moscow is scheduled for the upcoming informal Gymnich meeting in Nicosia on May 27-28.