Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos has been actively engaging with his counterparts from around the world during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly in New York. His meetings, held on Thursday night, highlighted Cyprus’ commitment to fostering international relations.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Kombos: Strengthening Ties with Algeria
Kombos began his night by meeting with Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmed Attaf. The two discussed the strengthening of bilateral relations between Cyprus and Algeria, noting the importance of cooperation between the European Union and Algeria. A significant point of their conversation was Cyprus undertaking the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of next year.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Enhancing Cooperation with the Philippines
Following his meeting with Attaf, Kombos spoke with Filipina Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro. He expressed that their discussions centred on enhancing cooperation between Cyprus and the Philippines, both bilaterally and in multilateral forums. He reaffirmed Cyprus’ support for closer ties between the EU and the Philippines, as well as between the EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Kombos also indicated his eagerness to visit the Philippines soon, recognising the vibrant Filipino diaspora in Cyprus.
Insights on North Macedonia’s EU Aspirations
Continuing his series of discussions, Kombos met with Timco Mucunski, the Foreign Minister of North Macedonia. He described their conversation as an insightful exchange regarding bilateral relations and North Macedonia’s aspirations for EU membership.
Support for a Stable Lebanon
In his next meeting, Kombos sat down with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi. He reiterated Cyprus’ strong support for a secure and stable Lebanon, echoing sentiments expressed by President Nikos Christodoulides during his recent meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.
Exploring Relations with Iceland
Kombos then engaged in talks with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thorgerdur Katrin Gunnarsdottir. Their discussion focused on the relationship between Cyprus and Iceland, as well as broader EU-Iceland relations.
Building Partnerships in Africa
With Botswana’s Foreign Minister Phenyo Butale, Kombos discussed ways to enhance bilateral relations and cooperation. He highlighted Cyprus’ commitment to strengthening ties with key African partners, with plans for increased collaboration in 2025. Alongside this, he noted that Cyprus would continue its humanitarian assistance efforts, including medical supplies through Cyprus Aid for the benefit of the people of Botswana.
Multilateral Discussions with Belize
The Cypriot Foreign Minister’s discussions with Belize’s Foreign Minister Francis Fonseca were centred on relations between Cyprus and Belize, and cooperation in multilateral forums, as well as regional developments.
Strategic Partnership with India
Wrapping up his meetings for the evening, Kombos expressed his distinct pleasure in meeting Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. Their discussions focused on advancing the strategic partnership between Cyprus and India, addressing pertinent international issues, and Cyprus’ upcoming presidency of the Council of the EU. He expressed gratitude for India’s longstanding support regarding the Cyprus issue and its adherence to international law, while also looking forward to a visit to India in the near future.
