Syrië hoofdonderwerp vergadering EU-buitenlandministers in Cyprus (en)

Met dank overgenomen van Cypriotisch voorzitterschap Europese Unie 2e helft 2012 i, gepubliceerd op zaterdag 8 september 2012.

“We are all united in our common position regarding Syria,” stated the Cypriot Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Erato Kozakou-Marcoullis during a joint press conference with the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy (HR), Baroness Catherine Ashton i today, following the conclusion of the Informal Foreign Affairs meeting (Gymnich i).

The events in Syria dominated the agenda of the EU i Foreign Ministers meeting in Pafos, chaired by Baroness Ashton. The discussion focused on key issues, including how to deal with the humanitarian crisis and the flow of refugees to neighbouring countries, support to the opposition and how to assist the Syrian people with their transitionto inclusive democracy in a post-Assad Syria.

“The message is loud and clear on what needs to be done,” stated Dr. Marcoullis.

Both the HR and the Foreign Minister stressed the strong support of the EU to the UN and League of Arab States Joint Special Representative for Syria, Mr. Lakhdar Brahimi and to his efforts for a peaceful resolution to the Syrian crisis.

According to Cypriot Foreign Minister, the Gymnich meeting gave ministers the opportunity to have an in-depth exchange of views on important strategic issues concerning the EU’s foreign policy.

The two horizontal issues of water and education were discussed with the participation and contribution of the European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth, Ms Androulla Vassiliou i and Mr. Andris Piebalgs i, the European Commissioner responsible for Development.

Dr. Marcoullis noted her satisfaction that ministers had the opportunity to exchange views with the relevant Commissioners and expressed the hope that the Gymnich discussions on these two strategic issues will lead to concrete policies in the near future.

EU Foreign Ministers also had an in-depth discussion on Iran and were briefed by the High Representative on her work since the last set of talks on Iran’s nuclear programme.

Finally, the Cypriot Foreign Minister expressed her great pleasure to have received the High Representative and her EU counterparts to Cyprus, for this important meeting.