Cyprus will further strengthen its relations with Gulf countries, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said, adding that he plans to make another tour of the region soon.
In an interview with the Sunday edition of Phileleftheros, Kombos said developments in the wider Middle East underscore the importance of maintaining close contacts. “We are close to all the countries with which we have relations,” he said.
He noted the presence of leaders from Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan — as well as the head of the Gulf Cooperation Council — at last week’s informal European Council in Nicosia, calling it a significant moment not only for the Cypriot EU presidency but also for the European Union itself.
Commenting on shifting regional dynamics, Kombos said conditions “are constantly changing,” adding that Cyprus intends to deepen its engagement with the Gulf because it is “very important and will continue.”
He said Cyprus is not a passive observer and acknowledged that the country’s diplomatic efforts may irritate Turkey, but stressed that this “will not determine our policy.”
Kombos added that Cyprus’ presidency of the Council of the European Union has not been affected in any way by Turkish actions.