Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos will tell EU counterparts on Monday that the European Union must play a role and stay present in the Gulf, after holding talks in Abu Dhabi amid continuing Iranian attacks in the region. EU foreign ministers are due to discuss the Middle East, Russia’s war against Ukraine and EU relations with the Southern Neighbourhood at the Foreign Affairs Council on March 16.
Kombos was one of only two foreign ministers to travel to Abu Dhabi in recent days, alongside Germany’s Johann Wadephul, while China also sent an envoy.
Kombos travelled to the United Arab Emirates primarily to express solidarity with a country Cyprus regards as a strategic partner at a time when it is facing Iranian attacks.
During his visit to Abu Dhabi, Kombos also sent the message that Cyprus is taking part in efforts to ease the crisis in the Middle East amid intense diplomatic activity. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan received Kombos in Abu Dhabi on March 13 and the two sides discussed the friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries, ways to deepen cooperation, and the repercussions of Iranian missile attacks on the UAE and other countries.
Kombos met Sheikh Abdullah, the UAE deputy prime minister and foreign minister, on Thursday. The meeting lasted about two hours and he also held talks of similar length with the UAE minister for Europe.
Abu Dhabi has kept a cautious line despite having been directly hit, with deaths, injuries and attacks on critical infrastructure. The UAE has barred the use of US bases on its territory for operations against Iran, closed its embassy in Tehran and lodged strong protests with the Iranian regime, while at the same time keeping channels open to both sides.
In a statement, the UAE foreign ministry said the two ministers discussed the friendship and strategic partnership between the UAE and Cyprus and ways to strengthen cooperation in several sectors in support of the two countries’ shared interests and sustainable development. The statement also referred to stronger cooperation in the economy, trade and investment, and to the impact of what it called Iran’s unprovoked and terrorist missile attacks on the UAE and a number of brotherly and friendly countries.
Sheikh Abdullah expressed appreciation for Kombos’ visit, saying it reflected the depth of the friendship between the two countries and Cyprus’s full solidarity with the UAE. He also reaffirmed the UAE’s full solidarity with Cyprus and underlined the strength and continued growth of ties between the two countries.
Reference was made to cooperation between the UAE and the European Union at a time when Cyprus holds the EU Council presidency.
Kombos wrote on X that diplomacy and dialogue were the only viable path to de-escalation and stability.
On Monday, Kombos will brief fellow ministers on the outcome of his Abu Dhabi contacts as well as other recent talks with foreign counterparts. Before the council meeting, ministers are also due to hold an informal breakfast discussion on the European Security Strategy and later meet Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar for an informal exchange on bilateral ties