Kombos calls for ‘cooperation and constructive dialogue’ with US

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Wednesday called for the European Union to maintain a “forward-looking cooperation and a constructive dialogue” with the United States.

“This longstanding partnership must be preserved and protected, especially in times of uncertainty. We seek to maintain a forward-looking cooperaton and a constructive dialogue with the United States, focusing on areas of convergence, while at the same time shaping a positive agenda and working further on contentious issues,” he said.

On the matter of Greenland, which United States President Donald Trump had demanded be handed over to American control, he said the EU had “followed developments with particular concern” and worked “with sincerity, stability in our fundamental values, respect for our geopolitical potential, and self-confidence”.

He also expressed “full solidarity and support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Denmark”.

His comments come after European Affairs Deputy Minister Marilena Raouna had praised the EU’s unity and resolve in light of Trump’s demands over Greenland.

“The EU acted with unity, with resolve, demonstrating that even in the most challenging of circumstances, it remains committed to being a union that upholds international legality, territorial integrity, sovereignty and integrity,” she said at the European general affairs council meeting in Brussels on Monday.

She also said that relations with the US are absolutely indispensable, but stressed that “we sent a very clear message of unity and determination on behalf of the union” in response to the heightening of Trump’s rhetoric last week.

“While remaining firm on our principles, we need to continue on a path of dialogue and diplomacy,” she said, before adding that in light of these geoeconomic and geopolitical developments, the central principle and goal of Cyprus’ six-month term as the holder of the Council of the EU’s rotating presidency is “more pertinent than ever”.

Her comments came after President Nikos Christodoulides denied that relations between the EU and the US had been “irreparably damaged” by Trump’s rhetoric, stressing that the EU is “here to de-escalate, not to escalate”.

He added that the EU is “here to find a positive way forward, without, of course, undermining the territorial integrity or sovereignty of any member state”.

To this end, he stressed that Cyprus and the EU have “full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Denmark”.

“The Republic of Cyprus knows better than any other member state what a violation of sovereignty and territorial integrity means,” he said.

He then added that the EU’s goal “is not escalation”, because “escalation works against everyone, against the [EU’s] member states, against the United States, [and] against transatlantic relations”.