Cyprus wants Hungary to match actions to words

Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos is calling on Budapest to match actions to words, with reports suggesting he had a follow up with his Hungarian counterpart in Brussels after Nicosia cried foul over a Turkic summit faux pas two months ago.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, Kombos met with Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto in Brussels on the sidelines of the EU Foreign Affairs Council that focused Monday on Ukraine and sanctions enforcement against Russia.

“The two ministers discussed bilateral issues as well as Turkey's efforts to upgrade the status of the north within the Organization of Turkic States,” CNA reported.

Two months ago newly-appointed Kombos took issue with Szijjarto as well as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban's presence during a summit in Ankara where the Turkish Cypriot flag was on display.

CNA at the time reported that “explanations were requested and given” about the incident involving symbols of north Cyprus, an entity not recognized by any country except Turkey.

A statement in March said Szijjarto “reiterated his country's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus” while adding that Kombos “made it clear that Hungary is expected to synchronize its statements and actions, which will be assessed accordingly.”

But this week it appeared the issue was not over, with Cyprus’ state-funded news agency saying “Kombos made it clear that Hungary, as an EU member state, is expected to synchronize its statements and actions.”

“The Hungarian Minister reiterated his country's support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus,” CNA also reported on Monday.

Budapest has been at odds with Brussels as the Hungarian government blocked a disbursement of €500 million to reimburse member states that provide support to Ukraine.

Greece and Hungary have been crying foul over a blacklist of companies provided by Kiev, with diplomats accusing Ukraine of failing to provide evidence to back up calls to sanction specific entities.

But other diplomats have argued that countries were holding hostage the 11th EU sanctions package against Russia for their own reasons, with Western media reports suggesting Budapest has been dragging its feet on EU measures for Ukraine.