In an interview with the Cyprus News Agency and asked about the meeting between the President of the Republic and the UN Secretary General and the possibility for a trilateral meeting in October, the Foreign Minister said that there is such an intention.

“Our will is a given, as manifested in August when the issue was raised. However, the public statements of the other side so far have been strongly negative. It seems that there may be a possibility in October for a trilateral meeting, but there can be no certainty,” he added.

“The only thing that is a given and certain is our own readiness and will. We will wait in the coming days. What is needed is the start of substantive negotiations on the basis of the agreed framework”, he stressed.

Responding to a question about the trilateral meetings Cyprus and Greece had with Jordan and Egypt in New York at the level of Foreign Ministers, Kombos said that during these meetings preparations were made for trilateral meetings at the level of leaders.

“Trilateral meetings were held with both countries last year as well. A large part of this year was devoted to preparing for the trilaterals at the leaders’ level. We had to look at and finalise date and agenda issues and see where we are in terms of previous steps implementation,” he explained.

It seems, he added, “that in both cases two Summits will be convened within the year,” noting that apart from the political message, which is important, “the aim was to have tangible results through the signing of memoranda and agreements, and to see where we are on a number of issues”.

In relation to Cyprus’ aim of strengthening its relations with the Egypt and Jordan, the Foreign Minister said that both countries “are pillars of stability in an unstable system in the region.”

“Jordan and Egypt have an important role that they have been actively playing all along. In so many areas, including the next day and the peace talks for a ceasefire in Gaza, as well as the hostage negotiations. Their role is crucial and contact and cooperation with them is essential,” he pointed out.

In addition, he noted, “both countries are actively involved in the humanitarian aid effort in Gaza. Therefore, we have added a third and additional possibility with our sea corridor initiative, and consequently, cooperation is important”, he stressed, adding that both countries are actively involved in the humanitarian aid effort in Gaza.”

“Therefore, we have added a third and additional possibility with our sea corridor initiative and consequently, cooperation is important”, he added.

Asked about the meeting he had with Iran’s new Foreign Affairs Minister and the messages he conveyed, Kombos noted that Cyprus has an obligation, being a part of the region and directly affected by any developments, to convey the necessary and appropriate messages to all those who have a role to play in this situation, “messages of restraint, messages that we cannot enter a new phase of escalation and that this would be dangerous for everyone.”

“So this is a meeting which also has the dimension that Cyprus, because of its geographical proximity, has an obligation to use dialogue and diplomacy with full respect for everyone’s relations, so that there is a communication which is intended to facilitate the management of an extremely difficult situation. Consequently, issues of regional interest and matters of concern to both sides as part of the wider region were discussed”, he added on the matter.

Asked to comment on his bilateral meetings what the focus of his contacts was, Kombos said that he had over 37 bilateral meetings.

“There was a strategic focus. First, it was the Cyprus issue element. Secondly, we wanted to promote our candidacy for the Human Rights Council, as elections are held in October, we wanted to try to create favourable conditions for the vote,” he added.

Thirdly, the Foreign Affairs Minister said, “to broaden our diplomatic footprint through contacts with countries with which communication is not frequent, an effort that is focused on creating shared benefits for both sides.”

Finally, he noted, “many of the contacts were about the situation in the Middle East. I met with my counterparts from Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt and yesterday Iran.”

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.