Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus, Dr. Constantinos Kombos, departs for Brussels on Sunday where on Monday he will take part in the Foreign Affairs Council, and on Tuesday in the General Affairs Council. The Minister is expected to have a series of meetings with European counterparts and officials, including the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Police, Josep Borrell and the President of the European Parliament. The Foreign Affairs Council will discuss the Russian aggression against Ukraine and exchange views on Tunisia. It will also be informed about current affairs. In the afternoon, EU Foreign Affairs Ministers will hold a joint session with EU Defence Ministers to discuss the implementation of the Strategic Compass one year after its approval, and EU support to Ukraine. Dr. Kombos will also hold meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Germany, France, Sweden and Hungary, Parallel to the Foreign Affairs Council, a Donors’ Conference will be held on 20 March 2023 in Brussels to help mobilise support from the international community in dealing with the devastating aftermath of the quake in Turkey and Syria. The aim of the Donors’ Conference is to raise funds and coordinate the relief response in the areas affected in both countries. The conference will be organised in coordination with Turkish authorities. Minister Kombos will also participate in the Schuman Security and Defence Partnership Forum. On Tuesday, Dr. Kombos, will attend the General Affairs Council in Brussels to prepare for the European Council meeting on 23-24 March, adopt Council decisions on EU-UK relations within the Windsor Framework and initiate the annual rule of law dialogue. Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, has been invited to an informal lunch with the General Affairs Council. In Brussels, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will hold separate meetings with Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi, Commissioner for Cohesion and Reforms, Elisa Ferreira, as well as Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Stella Kyriakides. He will also meet with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and will hold a joint meeting with Cypriot MEPs. The Minister of Foreign Affairs returns to Cyprus on Wednesday 22 March.
Source: Cyprus News Agency