President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos are travelling to Baku today for the UN climate change conference (COP29), in a visit that serves dual diplomatic purposes.
Beyond participating in the conference, Cyprus is seeking to establish diplomatic channels with Azerbaijan, a close ally of Turkey.
Sources indicate that bilateral talks between the two nations’ delegations may take place, marking a significant diplomatic development.
The presence of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Baku also presents an opportunity for President Christodoulides to hold brief discussions with him.
This would be their first meeting since their dinner in New York, potentially allowing for coordination on next steps regarding the Cyprus issue.
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a written statement that the summit will focus on climate change financing, implementing the Paris Agreement commitments, and accelerating adaptation and mitigation efforts.
The president will attend the opening ceremony tomorrow morning, where the UN Secretary-General will deliver an address.
Christodoulides is scheduled to speak during national declarations, outlining Cyprus’s positions on addressing climate change and its regional role.
The Azerbaijani president will host a dinner for participating leaders in the evening.
President Christodoulides, who returns to Cyprus on Wednesday, is accompanied by Foreign Minister Kombos, the government spokesman, Foreign Ministry Political Director Thessalia Salina Shiambos, Presidential Diplomatic Office Director Doros Venezis, and other officials.
In a separate development, Defence Minister Vasilis Palmas reaffirmed Cyprus’s commitment to seeking a solution within UN resolutions during a memorial service at the Michalakis Paridis Camp in Aplanta, Larnaca, honouring the fallen and missing soldiers of the 286 Mechanised Infantry Battalion.
