EU should make a careful evaluation of the Ukraine crisis

European Union needs to make a careful evaluation of the situation in Ukraine in order to secure its effectiveness and credibility, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ioannis Kasoulides stressed during the deliberations of the Informal Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the European Union (Gymnich), which concluded in Athens .

According to an official announcement issued here today, the morning session was attended by the Foreign Ministers of the candidate countries for accession to the EU, namely Turkey, Serbia , Montenegro and FYROM.
The discussion focused on Ukraine and the EU – Russia relations, with Foreign Ministers exchanging views on the short- and long-term relations of the EU with Russia.

The view that the EU should maintain open channels of communication with Russia was prevailed through the exchange of views.
Foreign Minister expressed Cyprus` support to the efforts of the High Representative for a flexible, efficient and targeted European Neighbourhood Policy emphasizing on the Southern neighborhood where the crisis in Syria and its regional implications require continuous and active involvement. He pointed out that Cyprus supports EU with certain actions and activities.

On Ukraine, after making a brief reference to his recent meeting with Russian Foreign Minister, Kasoulides stressed that a careful evaluation of the situation in Ukraine and its consequences as well as EU actions should be made so that the policy to be formed to secure the effectiveness and credibility of the Union.