President and FM to join EU-CELAC meeting

Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides is set to participate in the Summit of the European Union and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) in Brussels on July 17 and 18. The summit aims to discuss various important matters such as the economy, the shift towards environmentally friendly and digital practices, trade and investments, and the enhancement of collaboration between the EU and CELAC.

Joining President Christodoulides in Brussels is Doros Venezis, the Deputy Director of his Diplomatic Office. Meanwhile, Cyprus' Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, will commence his activities in London on Monday before attending the FAC meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

On Monday, Minister Kombos will hold meetings with members and organized groups of the Cypriot community in London. In the evening, he will be at a dinner hosted by the National Federation of Cypriots in the United Kingdom, specially arranged to honor him.

On the subsequent day, which is Tuesday, July 18th, Minister Kombos is scheduled to meet with the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain, Nikitas. He will also be engaged in activities at the House of Commons, including meetings with David Lammy, the Shadow Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and Alicia Kearns, the Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. Kombos has also been chosen as the main speaker for an annual event for Cyprus, jointly organized by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Cyprus and the National Federation of Cypriots, held at the House of Commons.

Moving forward to Wednesday, July 19, Minister Kombos will travel from London to Brussels to actively participate in the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) on Thursday, July 20. The council's agenda will encompass the latest developments in Ukraine and the external aspect of economic security. There will also be discussions on Turkey and EU-Turkey relations, followed by an informal exchange of views through videoconference with US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, to address matters of mutual interest concerning transatlantic ties. Moreover, the ministers will tackle various pressing international issues under the category of current affairs. Before the start of the Foreign Affairs Council, an informal working breakfast will be held for foreign ministers in the presence of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk.

Minister Kombos will conclude his engagements and return to Cyprus on Friday, July 21.

[With information sourced from CNA]