The working visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Ioannis Kasoulides to Paris concluded this afternoon with a meeting with his French counterpart, Ms. Catherine Colonna, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.The two ministers had the opportunity to review bilateral relations and consider practical ways to further strengthen cooperation in a wide range of areas such as education, trade, energy, security and defence. Regarding the Cyprus reunification process, Mr. Kasoulides informed Ms. Colonna on the way our side perceives the next steps in the Cyprus problem as well as the efforts that our side is making, through the Confidence Building Measures, so as to create conditions and prospects conducive to the resumption of negotiations. In this context, the French Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated her country's full support for the efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem under the agreed framework of the Bizonal Bicommunal Federation, in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions. In the same context, she expressed concern about the sharpening of Turkish rhetoric, which intensifies instability in the region.
Ms. Colonna and Mr. Kasoulides also discussed the situation in Ukraine following the Russian invasion and the complications it has caused regarding food security and energy supply. They also exchanged views on the EU's coordinated response, assessing individual aspects of the various packages of restrictive measures the EU has imposed against Russia.
Discussions also focused on the developments in Syria, Lebanon and Libya. The Ministers assessed the situation in the wider region and noted the importance of maintaining stability in the Middle East region.
At the end of the meeting, the Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and France signed a bilateral agreement regarding the evacuation of citizens from crisis areas adjacent to Cyprus; an agreement that highlights the role that Cyprus plays for EU countries.
Mr. Kasoulides met earlier today with the Minister of State for Europe, Ms. Laurence Boone, with whom he discussed issues that are at the top of our common European agenda, such as France's initiative to establish the European Political Community, the upcoming MED 9 leaders' meeting as well as the energy program of the Republic of Cyprus and how it could contribute in the EU's energy diversification efforts.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs returns to Cyprus on Saturday, September 10, 2022.