Source: CNA
Foreign Minister, Constantinos Kombos, has said that the Republic of Cyprus has been considering the establishment of a Deputy Ministry for European Affairs in view of the Cypriot Presidency of the EU, during the first half of 2026.
The Minister said in an interview with CNA that the aim is for the 2026 Cypriot EU Presidency to be more successful than the Cypriot EU Presidency of 2012. As regards the cooperation schemes which Cyprus and Greece maintain with countries of the region, he noted that discussions are taking place with partners participating in these schemes for deepening them as well as enhancing them, with the participation of other states of the region as well.
Referring to the Cyprus-US relations, Kombos said that they are at an excellent level and that there is cooperation in a range of fields, as in the sectors of defense and security, while noting that concrete actions are taking place, in coordination with the US side, to abolish visas between the two countries. Moreover, he noted that plans are being made for him to pay a visit to Washington.
As regards the visit of Cyprus President, Nikos Christodoulides, to Israel, on May 10-11, Kombos said that the Cyprus problem as well as bilateral issues and the progress of the two countries’ relations will be discussed “taking always into consideration the parameter of the trilateral cooperation and how this can be utilized.” Moreover, he stressed that Cyprus has a strategic relation with Israel, that needs to grow and deepen on an everyday basis.
