**Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt Discuss Enhanced Cooperation Ahead of Trilateral Summit**
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Cyprus, Greece, and Egypt convened on Friday to explore avenues for strengthening their cooperation ahead of the 11th trilateral summit scheduled to take place in Cyprus. The meeting occurred during the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, where Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos hosted his counterparts, Badr Abdelatty of Egypt and George Gerapetritis of Greece.
The discussions among the three foreign ministers centered on various areas of collaboration, with an emphasis on preparing for the upcoming summit. Minister Kombos expressed optimism about the potential outcomes of their meeting, highlighting the importance of trilateral cooperation in addressing regional challenges and enhancing mutual interests.
In addition to the trilateral talks, Kombos engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with other international counterparts during his time in New York. Notably, he met with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, where the two officials focused on bolstering relations between Cyprus and Indonesia. A key outcome of this meeting was the signing of an agreement that waives visa requirements for holders of diplomatic and service passports, which aims to facilitate official exchanges between the two nations.
The discussions with Indonesia also touched upon the evolving relationship between the European Union and Indonesia, alongside regional developments that may affect both parties.
Furthering his diplomatic efforts, Kombos held a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. The two ministers reaffirmed the strengthening strategic partnership between Cyprus and India, agreeing to enhance cooperation across various sectors, including trade, shipping, connectivity, security, defense, and digitalization.
Kombos also met with Icelandic Foreign Minister Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, where the dialogue focused on bilateral and multilateral cooperation, EU-Iceland relations, and collaboration within the European Economic Area. The two ministers discussed regional developments and the importance of maintaining strong ties between their countries.
In a notable initiative, Kombos hosted a high-level meeting of Europe’s small states, co-organized with Andorra’s Prime Minister Xavier Espot and Foreign Minister Imma Tor Faus. This gathering aimed to enhance coordination among small European states within the UN and other regional and multilateral organizations. The agenda included discussions on the UN reform process and the upcoming election of the next UN Secretary-General.
As Cyprus prepares to host the trilateral summit with Greece and Egypt, the recent meetings underscore the ongoing commitment of these nations to collaborate on various fronts, addressing both regional and global challenges. The outcomes of the summit are anticipated to further solidify their partnership and enhance their collective influence on the international stage.