Press release regarding the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the informal teleconference of the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States that took place earlier this evening
Τhe Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides participated in an informal teleconference of the Foreign Ministers of the EU Member States, which was completed tonight.
The teleconference reviewed the current situation in Ukraine, and agreed on practical ways for the EU to react and support Ukraine.
In particular, the Foreign Ministers agreed, inter alia, to intensify efforts to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and to impose targeted sanctions against Russia under the SWIFT program. In addition, the supply of military equipment to Ukraine was agreed upon, as well as shutting European airspace to Russian aircraft.
In his speech, Mr. Kasoulides, who was in contact with the President of the Republic of Cyprus throughout the meeting, stated that Cyprus supports the measures under discussion and informed his counterparts on our country's actions as regards the coordination and provision of humanitarian aid.
Regarding the blocking of Russian airlines from European airspace, the Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that our consent is given without prejudice to our right to review and/or reconsider the implementation of this decision, in case Turkey refuses to close its own airspace and seeks to instrumentalize this European decision, with the aim of attracting and/or transporting Russian citizens to the occupied territories.
It is noted that President Anastasiades had a telephone conversation with the President of the European Commission, Ms. Ursula von der Leyen, on the same issue.
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