The European Union should seriously consider the prospect of developing an operational capacity for autonomous intervention when there is a need to evacuate nationals from conflict zones, Minister for Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos said during the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU held in Luxembourg on Monday. According to a statement, the Foreign Minister noted during the discussion on Sudan that it is a "matter of absolute priority" to extricate European citizens, including Cypriots, who are in the country, and stressed the importance of the EU being able to immediately intervene. He added that the EU should seriously consider the prospect of creating its own operational capacity for autonomous intervention in such situations. During the debate the Foreign Ministers, including Kombos, underlined the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the 27 Foreign Ministers assessed the situation as well as the EU and Member States' military and financial support to the country, after having had the opportunity to be briefed on the latest developments by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba via videoconference. The Foreign Ministers discussed, inter alia, the ongoing process to develop a new sanctions package as well as as measures against the circumvention of existing sanctions, the need for accountability, the needed support for the reconstruction of the country, and the peace formula proposed by Ukraine. Referring to sanctions against Russia, Dr. Kombos said they are an important part of the EU's toolbox, and noted that the refusal of third countries to align with them undermines collective efforts. In particular, he focused on Cyprus' concerns in relation to Turkey, adding that the country avoids aligning with EU restrictive measures and seeks to take advantage of the situation. The Foreign Minister also expressed Cyprus' support for the implementation of the agreement on the joint supply of ammunition to be delivered to Ukraine through European defence industries. He reiterated Cyprus's solidarity and support for Ukraine, referred to Ukrainian refugees hosted in Cyprus. The Foreign Ministers also had a working lunch with Georgian Foreign Minister Ilia Darchiashvili to discuss the country's European perspective. Before the FAC, the Foreign Ministers met with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe (CoE) Marija Pejcinovic Buric and the Foreign Minister of Iceland Thórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörd Gylfadóttir, whose country chairs the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, ahead of the 4th CoE Summit in Reykjavik, Iceland, on 16 and 17 May 2023. On the sidelines of the Council, Dr. Kombos had a private meeting with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe Marija Pejcinovic Buric, during which he stressed the need to implement the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.
Source: Cyprus News Agency