Kasoulides: Crisis in Ukraine must be resolved diplomatically

Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has stressed that the crisis in the Ukraine must be solved in a diplomatic way.

In his intervention at the EU Foreign Affairs Council which discussed on Tuesday the downing of the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17 in Donetsk, Ukraine, Kasoulides expressed the condolences of the government and the people of Cyprus and their solidarity towards the countries which mourn victims, saying that this is a tragic development which should never had happened and must not be repeated.

It is for this reason that we consider it imperative to give an immediate end to the conflict in the country, he stressed.

Kasoulides said that the only way achieve this is through diplomatic efforts.

He pointed out that any actions on behalf of the EU and the international community must move within this logic in order to find a political solution to restore stability to the region as soon as possible.

As regards the i mposition of further sanctions, Kasoulides said that this should not be an end in itself, but be rather used as a lever of influence for a political solution.

Ministers also discussed about the developments in Iraq and the situation in Gaza.

Kasoulides in his intervention on Gaza, he once again referred to Cyprus’ proposal, first submitted in 2011, according to which Cyprus could be used as the central point of

to all goods with destination to the Gaza port after thorough examination.

After the conclusion of the Council`s deliberations, Kasoulides participated in a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers with their counterparts from countries of the Eastern Partnership.

On Wednesday, the Minister will participate in the General Affairs EU Council during which the priorities of the rotating Italian EU Presidency will be presented. Ministers will also discuss about the strategy Europe 2020 and the forthcoming accession of Lithuania to the eurozone.