Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides participated in the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the EU held in Luxembourg on Monday.
According to an announcement issued in Nicosia, the agenda included issues relating to Energy Diplomacy in the context of EU policy on Energy Union and the EU strategy on Asia issues, with particular emphasis on strengthening ties with China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Ministers also discussed recent developments in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the EU role.
During a working lunch with UNSG Ban Ki-moon, the EU Foreign Ministers discussed the EU-UN cooperation in crisis management and in addressing international challenges.
There was an exchange of views ahead of the upcoming UN Conferences, such as the Conference on the post-2015 Development Agenda in September in New York and the Conference on Climate Change in Paris in December.
Kasoulides signed with his Latvian counterpart an agreement between the Republic of Cyprus and the Republic of Latvia on Mutual Protection of Classified Information.
The agreement will allow further cooperation between the two countries in areas that require secure exchange of information such as defense and security and the conclusion of other agreements in areas such as the economy and industry.
On Tuesday the Cypriot FM will attend the General Affairs Council (GAC) of the EU, which will focus on the European Council conclusions, which is set to take place on 25-26 June. The Council is also expected to discuss a Commission proposal to improve EU legislation and the EU Action Plan on Information Strategy.
The Foreign Minister returns home on Wednesday.
CNA/KCH/MM/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY