Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, has called for deeper dialogue between the EU and the US to ensure the strength of transatlantic relations.
He made the statements during a doorstep upon his arrival for the Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 20 November.
On Cyprus’s upcoming EU Presidency, the Minister noted, that “we are now 41 days away from Cyprus assuming the Presidency of the Council of the EU, and preparations are intensifying. In this context, yesterday I had the honor of chairing the EU-Tajikistan Association Council on behalf of the High Representative. Central Asia remains a key priority for the EU,” he added.
Reflecting on his recent visit to the US, where he met with the Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Minister Kombos emphasised that “my conclusion, as regards the EU - US relations, is that we need more dialogue, there is space for more dialogue, and there is no other way of making sure that the Transantlantic relations remain strong.”
Addressing the situation in Sudan, he described the ongoing crisis as “unacceptable for a very long time.” He stressed that "we need to make sure that humanitarian aid scales in, and also that there is no weaponisation of the humanitarian aid." In addition, "accountability is needed for the atrocities that are taking place. Concerning that, I deem that we need to make sure that we use wisely the EU toolbox. Both sides are illegitimate, they cannot be part of the next day in Sudan," he added.
The Minister also highlighted the importance of “fully supporting the efforts of the QUAD [the US, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE] on the basis of the four pillars.”
(Source: CNA)
