Press Releases

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, travels to Brussels today, where tomorrow, Monday, 13 December 2021, he will take part in the meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union.

Under the current affairs item on the Council's agenda, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Mr Josep Borrell, will present for discussion the options paper for the Union's response to Turkey's illegal actions in the fenced area of Varosha, while, also under the same item, an exchange of views is foreseen on the latest developments on the eastern border of Ukraine and the Crimea, as well as on the situation as it has developed, in Belarus and in Ethiopia, respectively.

Furthermore, the Foreign Ministers will hold an exchange of views, under separate agenda items, first on EU – Africa relations, in preparation also of the EU – African Union Summit of next February, and then on the situation in Central Asia, including the prospects for strengthening the EU's presence in the broader region and bilateral cooperation with specific countries, as well as the current state of play in Afghanistan.

The Foreign Ministers of the 27 member states will attend a working luncheon with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, during which they will have the opportunity to discuss issues of mutual interest, focusing on the impact on the wider Gulf region from recent developments in Afghanistan.

On the sidelines of the Council, Minister Christodoulides and the Rector of the College of Europe, Ms Federica Mogherini, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the College with a view to strengthening cooperation and establishing a national scholarship plan for Cypriots to study at the College.

 (MG)