Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos held talks on Thursday in the United Arab Emirates with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, amid intensified diplomatic efforts to ease the crisis in the Middle East.
Sources told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that Kombos will brief the Council of the European Union in Brussels on Monday on the situation and on his contacts in the region.
Attempts to reduce tensions
The UAE, which has been closely involved since the beginning of the crisis, is playing an important role in de-escalation efforts, the sources said. Despite largely negative indications so far, they noted that diplomatic contacts are continuing at multiple levels in an attempt to achieve at least a partial easing of tensions.
Abu Dhabi has been directly affected by the crisis, with fatalities and injuries reported on several occasions and attacks targeting critical infrastructure, including Dubai International Airport. Nevertheless, the UAE has prohibited the use of US military bases on its territory for operations against Iran.
At the same time, the Emirates have closed their embassy in Tehran and lodged strong protests with the Iranian authorities, while maintaining a position that allows communication channels with all sides to remain open.
Close ties
The diplomatic momentum is also reflected in the arrival in Abu Dhabi of envoys from several countries involved in the crisis, including a special envoy from China. From the European side, alongside Kombos, Johann Wadephul also travelled to the UAE capital.
Sources also pointed to the close ties developed in recent years between Cyprus and the UAE, as well as the climate of mutual trust between the two countries, which helped secure Abu Dhabi’s swift response to Nicosia’s request to assist Cypriot citizens in the Emirates wishing to return home.
The repatriation process was completed quickly, the sources added.