Completion of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Rwanda
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, in which the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides, represented the President of the Republic of Cyprus, concluded today in Kigali, the capital of Rwanda.
Discussions focused on sustainable development, global challenges such as climate change, digital transformation and the role of young people, as well as other issues related to the rule of law and respect for human rights.
In the Communique of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Heads expressed their support for the sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and unity of the Republic of Cyprus, emphasizing the importance of resuming talks for a comprehensive settlement of the Cyprus problem, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and in the agreed framework of the Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation. The Heads stressed the importance of implementing UN Security Council Resolutions and Presidential Declarations condemning the Turkish provocations in the enclaved town of Varosha, calling for the overturning of the fait accompli and the avoidance of actions undermining the sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus in its Exclusive Economic Zone. The Communique emphasizes, among others, the importance of adopting confidence-building measures, while the parties involved are urged to work for their implementation.
The Communique also welcomes the establishment in Cyprus of a Commonwealth Center for Excellence of the Blue Economy, Sustainable Fisheries, Underwater Research, Development and Innovation.
On the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, the Foreign Minister had bilateral contacts with his counterparts from India, Sri Lanka, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and the Bahamas. During his meetings, Mr. Kasoulides highlighted the initiative of Cyprus for the establishment of a center of excellence for blue growth and the common challenges faced by small island states because of climate change. In addition, he briefed his counterparts on the situation in the Cyprus issue while discussing bilateral relations and other current international issues of common interest. The Minister of Foreign Affairs returns to Cyprus tomorrow, Sunday 26 June 2022.