Jaishankar attends EU foreign ministers’ meet in Cyprus, discusses cooperation in ‘multipolar order’

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday attended the informal meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Cyprus, where discussions focused on geopolitical developments, strategic cooperation and shared interests in an emerging multipolar world order.

Jaishankar, who arrived in Cyprus on Wednesday, participated in the Gymnich meeting being held in Limassol amid continuing tensions in West Asia and wider security concerns affecting Europe and the region.

“Our partnership with the EU and the region continues to deepen across a wide range of domains. Discussed opportunities, practical collaborations and our shared interests in the emerging multipolar order,” Jaishankar said in a social media post.

Jaishankar also held a meeting with Jose Manuel Albares, who is the foreign minister of the EU and minister of cooperation in the Spanish government, on the sidelines of the Gymnich. “Discussed further steps for our trade, technology, defence and P2P ties. Appreciate his views on ongoing global and regional developments,” he said in a social media post.

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The Gymnich meetings are informal gatherings of EU foreign ministers, held periodically to discuss major geo-economic challenges, security and strategic matters.  The minister also held quick meetings with the foreign ministers of the Netherlands, Poland, France, Slovakia and Estonia, and Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski on the sidelines of the Gymnich.

He also met European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas and held discussions on bilateral ties, along with taking a stock of the situation in West Asia.

Sharing the highlights from their interaction in a post on X, EU Ambassador to India, Herve Delphin, noted that the interaction reflects the close ties between New Delhi and Brussels.

"EAM @DrSJaishankar attending today the EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Cyprus at the invitation of HRVP @kajakallas & Cyprus FM @ckombos. Good bilat exchange yest' HRVP/EAM. Situation in the Middle-East and India-EU cooperation on global issues on the agenda. Underlines our close ties."

He also met with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha. In a post on X, he said "A useful meeting with FM Andrii Sybiha of Ukraine. Exchanged views on the Ukraine conflict. Also discussed our bilateral cooperation," he said.

He also met with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and discussed the West Asia conflict.

"A good meeting with FM Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. Appreciate his assessments and insights on the evolving situation in West Asia/Middle East," he said.

With inputs from agencies