MIDDLE EAST: Iran deal to help in Syria, Lebanon crises

 * Mogherini, Netanyahu, UAE ForMin to visit Cyprus *

Cyprus Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides has welcomed the agreement reached on Iran’s nuclear programme and noted the EU’s contribution towards the achievement of the agreement.

During the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC), chaired by High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, Kasoulides said the agreement paves the way for the solution of problems in the Middle East countries, like Syria, Lebanon and Yemen.
As regards the peace process in the Middle East, he said that what is needed are small and stable steps in the coming months which can enforce the efforts to restart the peace process.
He also said that Mogherini and Special Representative of the EU for the Middle East Fernando Gentilini must continue and strengthen their contacts with the interested parties.
Meanwhile, Mogherini, Israel’s Prime Minister and the UAE Foreign Minister are expected to pay a visit to Cyprus over the next two weeks.
Federica Mogherini will visit on July 24, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on July 28 and United Arab Emirates (UAE) Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan on July 29.
Government Spokesman Nicos Christodoulides said that Mogherini will meet with President Nicos Anastasiades and Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides and that they will discuss the regional role of Cyprus as an EU member state, the role which Cyprus can play as a bridge between the Middle East and Europe.
Mogherini’s visit most probably also concerns President Anastasiades’ initiative for Netanyahu and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas to be invited to address the European Council.
As regards Netanyahu’s visit, Christodoulides said that the Israeli Prime Minister will discuss with President Anastasiades bilateral issues and issues concerning the Middle East region.
President Anastasiades visited Israel in mid June and invited Netanyahu to visit the island.