Press Releases

“The Republic of Cyprus is trying, within its capabilities, to ensure that humanitarian aid to Gaza is uninterrupted,” the President of the Republic, Mr Nikos Christodoulides, said today.

In his statements to journalists, during an inauguration ceremony at Korakou community, when asked about the Republic of Cyprus’ initiative regarding Gaza, the President of the Republic said, “Today, shortly, I will have a telephone conversation with the King of Jordan on the same issue, and we will have an extraordinary visit in Cyprus related to this issue. We are trying, within our capabilities and taking into consideration that we are the European Union (EU) member state neighbouring the region, with excellent relations with all the neighbouring states, to ensure that there is uninterrupted humanitarian aid to Gaza. It is important that both the French President and the President of the Commission have endorsed our initiative. We are working on the details so that it can be implemented. It seems that the crisis, as we see the facts taking shape, will continue for a long time, so we must be ready at any moment, and as soon as conditions allow it, to proceed with the implementation of this proposal. However, I repeat, discussions are constantly underway. In the next few hours, you will see that, in addition to telephone communications, there will be meetings here in Cyprus on this issue and we hope, always within our capabilities, to be able to assist.”   

Asked whether there are discussions with Israel on the ceasefire issue, in order to provide humanitarian aid, the President of the Republic noted, “Israel, the Prime Minister himself, is in favour of our initiative. The details we are working on are related to how the aid will be transported, particularly how it will reach Gaza. You understand that we are discussing the details in relation to the platform, because the maritime area around Gaza does not allow for ships to approach. On that basis, we are talking with the United Nations (UN), because the UN will receive the aid and not Hamas, so that it reaches the population. We are discussing all of this.”

Responding to a question about the issue of the appointment of an envoy of the UN Secretary-General in the light of the rejection of Julie Bishop by the Turkish side, the President of the Republic said, “What I have to say, conveying what the UN replied, is that the appointment of this specific personality is not over. The issue is still ongoing.”

Asked about the Chevron issue, the President of the Republic commented, “The Republic of Cyprus will respond and until we receive a reply to our position, I do not think it is appropriate to comment. We will respond in writing, we will wait for the company’s reaction and then we will go public. This is not the time, especially on this particular issue, for public statements.”

(GS/ASP)