Cyprus FM: Accountability for human rights violations in Ukraine

Cyprus supports all efforts to ensure accountability for human rights violations committed by Russia in Ukraine, Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos said during Monday’s meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU (FAC) in Brussels.

According to a statement by the Ministry, the main topic on the agenda was the current situation in Ukraine and the EU's response. In his intervention, the FM reiterated Cyprus' position in favour of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine, and condemned “Russia's brutal attacks against the civilian population in the country”. At the same time, he added, Cyprus supports all efforts to ensure accountability for the human rights violations committed by Russia in Ukraine over the past year.

Kombos also stressed how important the sanctions against Russia were, while blasting countries like Turkey which "seeks to take advantage of the whole situation, avoiding to align itself with the restrictive measures imposed by the EU against Russia".

Meanwhile, during a working lunch dedicated to the situation in Tunisia, the Foreign Minister said the EU must send the clear message that it will continue supporting the country, and referred in particular to the need for dialogue with the Tunisian authorities in order to avoid new increased migrant flows. The ministers were also briefed on the latest developments in the Belgrade - Pristina Dialogue for normalisation of relations between Serbia in Kosovo, held in North Macedonia.

Earlier, the Foreign Minister participated in the Donors Conference for the people of Turkey and Syria, organised by the Commission and the Swedish Presidency of the EU. According to the ministry’s statement, Cyprus announced it would donate €500,000 which will be sent through the UNHCR and UNICEF, in line with a Council of Ministers decision on 15 February.

The Foreign Minister also had meetings on the sidelines of the FAC with HRVP Josep Borrell and the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Sweden and Hungary.

According to the statement, during the meeting with Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó, Kombos raised "the issue regarding the Organisation of Turkic-speaking States (Organisation of Turkic States) and the presence of the Hungarian Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in front of symbols of the separatist entity, for which explanations were requested and given".

According to the statement, the Hungarian Foreign Minister "reiterated his country's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus" and Kombos "made it clear that Hungary is expected to synchronise its statements and actions, which will be assessed accordingly".

(Source: CNA)