Christodoulides to brief EU counterparts on Cyprus problem

Foreign Affairs Minister Nikos Christodoulides will brief Monday his European counterparts on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem, especially about the fenced part of Famagusta, Varosha, in view of Turkish President Tayyip Ergodan’s expected illegal visit to the north on July 20.

Christodoulides is scheduled to travel to Brussels on Sunday evening, to participate in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on Monday.

According to a press release by the foreign affairs ministry,  during the FAC meeting, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, will brief the foreign ministers on the situation in Afghanistan following the latest developments, as well as on the next steps in addressing the situation in Lebanon.

Christodoulides will brief his counterparts on the latest developments in relation to the Cyprus problem, with particular emphasis on the issue of the fenced area of ​​Varosha, in view of the Turkish President’s illegal visit to the occupied part of Cyprus on July 20.

The ministers will also exchange views on the geopolitical implications of the use of digital technologies, as well as on the progress made in the development of the EU’s Strategic Compass, with a view to further strengthening the Union’s role as a credible actor on the international scene when it comes to security.

During the working lunch, the ministers will have the opportunity to exchange views with the Alternate Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel, Yair Lapid, on issues pertaining to the EU’s relations with the country, on regional issues of common interest, as well as on the Middle East peace process, the press release said.

It further notes that before the Council gets underway,  Christodoulides will host a working breakfast for his EU counterparts, with the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Egypt, Sameh Shoukry, during which EU-Egypt relations are expected to be discussed, as well as a series of regional and international issues of common interest.

On the sidelines of the Council, Christodoulides is expected to hold a series of contacts, including separate meetings with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of France, Jean-Yves Le Drian, and with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement, Olivér Várhelyi, with whom he is due to discuss issues of common interest, respectively, it concludes.