Nicosia is in contact with participants at the NATO Summit to keep them informed, but also to have the opportunity to reiterate and reaffirm the key positions concerning the interests of the Republic of Cyprus, Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos said on Tuesday after briefing the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign and European Affairs.

Mr. Kompos, together with Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna, briefed the Committee—in its new composition—on the foreign policy of the Republic of Cyprus and the outcomes of Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the EU.

In remarks following the session, when asked by a reporter about Nicosia’s update regarding the NATO summit taking place in Ankara, the Foreign Minister noted that the NATO summit, which is currently underway, is a very important event with political implications, “but as you understand, this concerns an organization in which the Republic of Cyprus is not a member; therefore, we are not in a position to intervene in the proceedings.”

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“What we have done is that we have been in contact with participants beforehand, and there will be further contacts even today, so that we can both reiterate and reaffirm the key positions concerning the interests of the Republic of Cyprus, as well as to provide broader information on what is going to be discussed,” the Minister added. “So, we are monitoring very closely what will happen, and what might potentially arise, but always within the context that this is a discussion taking place essentially outside the Republic’s ability to participate,” he said. He further noted that there may be outcomes that could have a broader impact on geopolitical situations. “All of this will be assessed as soon as we have more detailed information, should anything develop in that direction,” he added.

When asked if there were any new developments regarding the upcoming visit to Cyprus by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy, María Ángela Olguín, Mr. Kompos noted that one would have to contact Ms. Olguín herself regarding her schedule. He noted that there had been some changes from the initial announcement—a discussion that had taken place on substantive grounds—but that he currently had nothing further to say publicly on this matter.

Regarding the Committee meeting and the discussion that took place, the Foreign Minister said that “the willingness and determination on the part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and myself personally to participate whenever necessary and whenever requested were reaffirmed.”

He noted that a review was conducted of the efforts being made in the field of foreign policy “in terms of defining the strategy, the guiding principles on which we base our actions, and the strategic goals and objectives of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.”

He also noted that they had, with the members of the Committee, “a fruitful exchange of views, and questions, which led to a discussion, and we agreed that this effort to promote the interests of the Republic of Cyprus will continue.”  

Expanding the diplomatic footprint is a key priority

During the Committee discussion, Mr. Kompos, analyzing the key pillars of the Republic of Cyprus’s foreign policy efforts, stated that the Ministry is guided by the goal of expanding the country’s diplomatic footprint.

The Committee Chair, DISY MP Giorgos Karoullas, noted at the start of the session that developments in the region call for a more outward-looking foreign policy and that it is important to maintain an open channel of communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for updates. “The goal is shared,” he said, namely cooperation to enhance the international image of the Republic of Cyprus (ROC) with a view to liberation, the reunification of the island, and a stronger EU presence in the eastern Mediterranean. He asked what diplomatic steps are being taken to advance the Cyprus issue and EU-Turkey relations, as well as to make progress toward the Republic of Cyprus’s full integration into the Schengen Area, among other matters.

Mr. Kompos, among other things, stated that the Republic of Cyprus’s position on the EU’s role in the Cyprus issue is clear, noting that this position is currently adopted not only by the EU, but that there are also draft reports by the UN Secretary-General that refer to the EU’s role.

Referring to Turkey’s obligations regarding Cyprus, the Minister noted that this is not something that can be removed from the equation, and that Nicosia is willing to discuss these issues, adding that it is up to Turkey itself to make progress on the Cyprus issue.

DISY MP Charalambos Petridis asked about the status of the process regarding the lifting of U.S. visa requirements for Cypriot citizens, as well as whether there is a possibility that the lifting of the U.S. arms embargo could become permanent.

According to Mr. Kombo, the technical evaluation for U.S. entry visas was completed last May, noting that the latest rejection rate was 2.55%, which, he said, was the fourth-best result among all candidate countries.

He noted, however, that the U.S. government views the Visa Waiver Program as potentially influencing immigration policy, and the program is currently on hold. Efforts are continuing, he said, adding that contacts have been made with the State Department and officials responsible for immigration policy.

Regarding the arms embargo, the Minister noted that two bills are currently pending before the plenary sessions of the U.S. legislative bodies, one calling for a three-year lifting of the embargo and the other for a five-year lifting.

In response to questions from DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelides regarding the Schengen issue, Mr. Kompos said that the issue is expected to be reviewed by the College of Commissioners this week and will then go to the Council for a decision.

DISY MP Dimitris Dimitriou asked the Minister whether the Republic of Cyprus is following the NATO Summit and how it affects Cyprus. Regarding the NATO Summit, Mr. Kompos said that Nicosia is monitoring the Summit, and that contacts have been made with participants to ensure that the Republic of Cyprus’s views are taken into account, primarily through European officials, and that there will be further contacts that are not being made public.

Responding to questions about the SAFE program, regarding which AKEL MP Marina Nikolaou said that SAFE left a window open for Turkey through cooperation with European countries and asked what the Republic of Cyprus had done as the EU Presidency, Mr. Kombos stated that Turkey was excluded at the transnational level due to the conditions set by SAFE. He noted that there is a possibility for Turkish companies to participate in European companies that have access, but that this is not the same as Turkey receiving funding directly from the program.

ELAM MP Marios Pelekanos asked the Foreign Minister how the Cypriot defense industry could be promoted through SAFE. Mr. Kombos noted that the program provided funding to strengthen the National Guard’s deterrence capability and that some of the contracts also involve the participation of companies from Cyprus.

AKEL Parliamentary Spokesperson Giorgos Loukaidis referred to the cooperation between the House of Representatives and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He said, among other things, that the EU is moving toward militarization.

AKEL MP Aristos Damianou, referred to the expenditures from the state budget allocated to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that a proper evaluation should be conducted to enable much better work to be donethe representation of the Republic of Cyprus abroad and in foreign policy. He also stated that their consistent position is that this must be based on the principles of international law. He also said that they agree with multilateralism, but that they are concerned about how it is implemented on the ground in light of Trump’s policies. “We need to be vigilant to avoid dangerous pitfalls,” said Mr. Damianou. He referred to the need for the Republic of Cyprus to maintain a greater presence in African countries.

The minister noted that historically, the budget has been less than 1% of the national budget, but that starting in 2023, it will increase by about 10% annually. He noted that certain needs arising from the economic crisis have been met and that new hires have been made recently. He also mentioned that efforts are underway to strengthen several of the Republic of Cyprus’s diplomatic missions. He said that embassies have been opened over the past three years in Kazakhstan, Argentina, Armenia, and Ethiopia, and that the embassy in Kenya has been reopened. He said there are plans to increase the Republic of Cyprus’s presence on the African continent within the limits of its capabilities.

AKEL MP Marina Nikolaou requested an update on the Peace Council, noting that the creation of an international organization that seeks to replace the UN is dangerous and undermines efforts to resolve the Cyprus problem.

Regarding the meeting in Cyprus on Gaza, the Foreign Minister clarified that, within the Peace Council, as far as Gaza is concerned, this is an issue arising from Security Council Resolution 2803,  which, as he noted, adopts the Trump plan and entrusts the implementation of its provisions to this newly established body. He said that the Republic of Cyprus participated in this process as an observer and that it is unable to pay the required $1 billion to become a permanent member.

He said that a meeting of the executive committee regarding the Gaza issue took place in Cyprus and that the Republic of Cyprus did not participate in, organize, or co-organize that gathering. They chose Cyprus for their own reasons, he said. He noted that the Republic of Cyprus is involved only in the Gaza-related portion, which, he said, does not compete with the UN since the Organization itself has incorporated it.  

Regarding the arrest warrant against the Israeli Prime Minister, about which the Member of Parliament for the Direct Democracy of Cyprus, Diana Konstantinidi, the Minister noted that the Republic of Cyprus would do what it had to do if and when necessary, noting, however, that the gathering in Cyprus regarding Gaza has no connection to individuals subject to arrest warrants.

During the debate, MP M. Nikolaou also referred to the return of refugees, expressing the view that refugee flows should be redistributed among all Member States in proportion to their capacities, but also that refugees are being returned to war zones, given that the list of so-called safe countries includes nations ruled by authoritarian regimes.

ELAM MP Marios Pelekanos raised a question regarding reports of a NATO headquarters to be established in Ankara. He also asked about the Cyprus issue and noted that the Greek Cypriot side’s optimism, as he put it, contrasts with statements by Turkish officials. She also asked about the handling of issues related to Syrian refugees in Cyprus. 

DIKO MP Christiana Erotokritou asked for Nicosia’s assessment of the Turkish position on the Cyprus problem in light of the 2028 Turkish elections, as well as regarding EU-Turkey relations and how they might influence the Cyprus problem. She said they were satisfied that their positions on the Cyprus issue—namely, that there can be no “last chances”—had been confirmed. Developments, she said, render this position on “last chances” incorrect.

DIKO MP Chrysis Pantelidis also referred to the possibility of collecting biometric data at Republic of Cyprus diplomatic missions for the issuance of passports, noting that the goal should be for all Republic of Cyprus diplomatic missions abroad to have this capability to facilitate matters for citizens of the Republic of Cyprus who are abroad.

The Member of Parliament for the Direct Democracy of Cyprus, Diana Konstantinidi, asked, among other things, whether the Republic of Cyprus intends to participate in a global initiative to establish an international anti-corruption court, which, as she said, has been signed by 80 countries. The Minister stated that, to the best of his knowledge, this is a private initiative and that the Republic of Cyprus would not be able to participate. He noted that Cyprus is a party to international conventions on corruption.

Mr. Karoullas asked the Minister to provide written responses to any outstanding questions that had not been addressed.

In remarks made after the Committee meeting concluded, Mr. Karoullas said that in a difficult, fluid, and dangerous geopolitical environment, the foreign policy of the Republic of Cyprus—which was established over the past decade, beginning in 2013— – must continue to be proactive, outward-looking, and dynamically strategic, firmly oriented toward our clear Western alignment and toward new horizons, both geopolitical and foreign policy-related, so that we may defend the interests of the Republic of Cyprus, but also assert our presence and influence where the Republic of Cyprus must be present and effective.”

At the same time, he emphasized that accession to the Schengen Area is a national priority, adding that any remaining technical issues must be resolved as quickly as possible. He also noted that the Republic of Cyprus must continue to expand its participation in bilateral and trilateral frameworks, “so as to continually highlight Cyprus’s role as a strategic partner in the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as alongside powerful states.”

Mr. Pelekanos stated that he submitted specific questions regarding the need to repatriate Syrian refugees currently in Cyprus, and the use of funds through the SAFE program to further strengthen the Cypriot defense industry.

“We agreed that various other questions that have been raised could be answered in writing in the coming days. Pending these responses from the Deputy Minister (for European Affairs) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are continuing this joint effort, always with Cyprus’s best interests in mind,” he concluded.

Source: CNA