Spanish foreign minister drops by Cyprus

Spanish Foreign Minister Arancha González Laya, who avoided commenting on Cyprus’ veto to sanctions against Belarus, is visiting Nicosia on Wednesday just one day ahead of a crucial Special European council in Brussels.

The Spanish minister paid a visit to Nicosia on Wednesday morning, where she met with Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades, but no comments were made after the meeting.

González Laya was also scheduled to hold private talks with her Cypriot counterpart Nikos Christodoulides.

Earlier this month, González Laya avoided making comments on Cyprus’ veto to sanctions against Minsk, with the Spanish minister reiterating that potential EU sanctions should not target the people of Belarus but “just those responsible for election fraud and violence against peaceful protesters.”

Cyprus’ insistence that the European Union ought to move forward with sanctions against both Minsk and Ankara, citing Turkish provocations in the eastern Mediterranean, has remained a sticking point for the EU27.

According to the Cyprus News Agency, the two foreign ministers will speak to the press after their meeting where they are expected to review bilateral relations between Cyprus and Spain as well as examine concrete ways for further enhancement.

Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias was also schedule to land on the island on Wednesday for talks with his Cypriot counterpart ahead of a crucial Special European Council meeting taking place Thursday and Friday.

Nicosia says it will support sanctions against Belarus but only if similar actions by the bloc are also put forth against Turkey, a move European leaders have not embraced enthusiastically.