The foreign ministers of Cyprus and Qatar have publicly aligned on the links between Gulf and European security, after Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos welcomed the two-week US-Iran ceasefire and called for deeper EU-GCC cooperation.
In a post on X on April 16, Kombos described the ceasefire as “opening a window for opportunity across the wider region, including, of course, Lebanon.” He said Gulf and European security were interlinked, calling it “a message that is crystal clear,” and urged the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council to pursue the closest possible cooperation. Describing Cyprus as “the strongest advocate” for deeper EU-GCC ties, he said the drive for cooperation had to become a policy priority. “The time is now,” he said. “Because, if not now, then when?”
Security in the Gulf and in Europe are interlinked.
— Constantinos Kombos (@ckombos) April 16, 2026
This is a message that is crystal clear. Especially in these testing times for our Gulf partners.
We welcome the two-week ceasefire agreement between the United States and Iran.
We see this as opening a window for opportunity… pic.twitter.com/YaspXFstWj
Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi, was the first to respond, commending Kombos’s remarks on X. “I highly appreciate @ckombos’ remarks on regional security,” he said. “Qatar shares this view that Gulf and European security are indeed interconnected. We value the constructive positions of partners such as Cyprus in advancing EU-GCC cooperation, and this commitment is sincerely reciprocated.”
I highly appreciate @ckombos’ remarks on regional security. Qatar shares this view that Gulf and European security are indeed interconnected. We value the constructive positions of partners such as Cyprus in advancing EU–GCC cooperation, and this commitment is sincerely… https://t.co/uQSRxDDUca
— د. محمد الخليفي (@Dr_Al_Khulaifi) April 16, 2026
According to the Qatari Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus and Qatar maintain close alignment and a shared vision on a range of regional issues, with both committed to fostering deeper EU-GCC ties and to enhancing security, stability and prosperity across their respective regions. Qatar has expressed positive positions toward Cyprus on Middle East issues on various occasions, the embassy said.
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