It seems that there may be a possibility in October for a tripartite meeting on the Cyprus issue, but there can be no certainties, states the Minister of Foreign Affairs Constantinos Kombos at KYPE, noting at the same time that "the only thing that is given and certain is our own readiness and will".
"There is an intention. Our will is a given. As was manifested in August when the issue was raised", he says. But, he adds, "so far the public positions of the other side are strongly negative."
In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency, Mr. Kombos answers a question about the tripartite meetings held at the level of Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and Greece with Jordan and Egypt in New York, stating that during them preparations were made for tripartite meetings at the level of leaders. "It seems that for both cases we will have the convocation of the two Synods within the year," he says.
In relation to Cyprus' pursuit of strengthening its relations with the two countries, the Minister of Foreign Affairs states that the role of the two countries in the region "is pivotal and contact and cooperation with them is essential". In addition, he adds, “both countries are actively involved in the humanitarian aid effort in Gaza. So we, with our own maritime corridor initiative, have added a third and additional possibility, and therefore, cooperation is important."
In a question about the meeting he had with the new Foreign Minister of Iran and the messages conveyed by Mr. Kombos, he states, among other things, that "we have an obligation, since we are a direct part of the region and directly affected by any developments, to convey the necessary and appropriate messages to all who have a role to play in this whole situation." Messages of restraint, he says, "messages that we cannot enter a new phase of escalation and that this would be dangerous for everyone."
Asked about the bilateral meetings he had during his stay in New York and what was the goal of his contacts, the Minister of Foreign Affairs replied that he had more than 37 bilateral meetings. "There was strategic targeting. First, it was the Cypriot part. Second, we wanted to promote our candidacy to the Human Rights Council whose elections are in October. We wanted to try to create favorable conditions for voting," he points out.
And thirdly, he says, "the expansion of our diplomatic footprint through contacts with countries with which communication is not frequent."
The following is the full text of the interview of the Minister of Foreign Affairs at KYPE:
Q: Part of your meetings concerned the Cyprus issue, while you also accompanied the President of the Republic to his meeting with the Secretary General of the UN. Will the tripartite take place in October?
AP: There is an intention. Our will is a given. As was also the case in August when the issue was raised. However, the public positions of the other side so far are strongly negative. It seems that there may be a possibility in October for a tripartite meeting, but there can be no certainties. The only thing that is given and certain is our own readiness and will. We will wait for the next few days. What is required is the start of substantive negotiations on the basis of the agreed framework.
Q: This year on the sidelines of the Synod you had twice as many meetings with your counterparts. What was the goal of your contacts and which ones do you stand out?
AP: Yes, more than 37 bilateral meetings took place. There was strategic targeting. First, it was the Cypriot part. Second, we wanted to promote our candidacy to the Human Rights Council whose elections are in October. We wanted to try to create favorable conditions for voting.
And thirdly, the expansion of our diplomatic footprint through contacts with countries with which communication is not frequent. An effort that is focused on creating common beneficial elements for both sides.
And finally, many of the contacts were about the situation in the Middle East, I saw my counterparts from Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and yesterday Iran.
Q: The tripartite Cyprus - Egypt - Greece and Cyprus - Jordan - Greece are of increased importance. What topics were covered?
AP: They were done with both countries last year as well. This year, much was devoted to the preparation for the trilaterals at the level of leaders. We had to see and close issues of dates and agenda and see where we are in terms of implementation of previous steps. It seems that for both cases we will have the convocation of the two Synods within the year.
Apart from the political message that matters, the aim was to have tangible results through the signing of memorandums and agreements, and to see where we stand on a number of issues.
Q: We see that Cyprus seeks to strengthen its relations with Jordan and Egypt. Apart from the historicity of your relations, why did you focus on these countries?
AP: Both countries are pillars of stability in an unstable system in our region. Jordan and Egypt have a very important role that they have been actively playing all this time. In so many areas, like the day-after part, the part of the Gaza ceasefire peace talks, and also the issue of the hostage negotiations. Their role is pivotal and contact and cooperation with them is essential. In addition, both countries are actively involved in the humanitarian aid effort in Gaza. So we, with our own maritime corridor initiative, have added a third and additional possibility and therefore cooperation is important.
There are excellent relations of a strategic nature with both countries, which historically have developed on many levels. Reference can be made in the field of military cooperation, firefighting and energy.
Q: You also met with the new Iranian Foreign Minister amid rapid developments in the region. What messages did you convey?
AP: The reality is that Iran is a major regional player. There is a particularly dangerous situation in the Middle East with the risk of escalation increasing by the hour.
So we have an obligation, since we are a direct part of the region and directly affected by any developments, to convey the necessary and appropriate messages to all those who have a role to play in this whole situation. Messages of restraint, messages that we cannot enter a new escalation phase and that this would be dangerous for everyone.
So it is a meeting which also has the dimension that Cyprus, due to its geographical proximity, has an obligation to make use of dialogue and diplomacy with absolute respect for everyone's relations, so that there is a communication, which aims to facilitate the management of an extremely difficult situation. Therefore, issues of regional interest and issues that concern both sides as part of the wider region were discussed.