President Christodoulides presents Nicosia’s initiative during contacts at Gaza Summit

President Nikos Christodoulides presented Nicosia’s initiative relating to security, the reconstruction of Gaza and the humanitarian sector during his contacts at the Gaza Summit held in Sharm el-Sheikh.

In his statements after the 13 October Peace Summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, President Christodoulides said that the proposal was currently in progress and is to be formulated, “with the sole aim of doing everything we can, as far as the Republic of Cyprus is concerned, to ensure the implementation of the first phase of the agreement”.

According to an announcement by the Presidency, President Christodoulides said in his statements, that, taking into account “the excellent relations” of the Republic of Cyprus with all neighbouring states, and the fact that the country is the EU member state in the region, as well as Cyprus’ upcoming EU Presidency, “just as we did in October 2023 in Paris, when we first presented our initiative on a humanitarian corridor, today, during our contacts, we informed and presented three areas in which the Republic of Cyprus can develop specific initiatives, six in number, on the basis of the US President’s plan.”

President Christodoulides said he briefed the President of the European Commission on Cyprus’ initiative on Sunday, 12 October, noting that “the Commission's contribution is of crucial importance” as well as state leaders with whom he has communicated within the last 24 hours.

He reiterated that it is an initiative that concerns six specific proposals in three areas: security, reconstruction and the humanitarian sector, “always in relation to the plan of the US President.”

 Christodoulides also welcomed the Gaza peace summit as a day of “hope and promise” for the region.

In a post on X, President Christodoulides said he was “privileged to have been part of the Sharm El Sheikh Summit for Peace in the Middle East”, noting that this was “a day of hope and promise for our region”.

In his own post, Government Spokesperson, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, noted that two years ago, President Christodoulides presented at the Paris Conference the “Amalthea Plan”, “a Cypriot initiative that turned hope into action, establishing a maritime humanitarian corridor from Cyprus to Gaza”. Since then, he adds, Cyprus has delivered over 25,000 tons of humanitarian aid to those in need, “proving in practice its role as a pillar of humanity and stability in the region”.

Today, he said, “Cyprus once again stands present, with the President of the Republic presenting, at the Sharm el-Sheikh Summit, a concrete 6-point Plan for the next phase of implementing the Gaza Peace Agreement”. Letymbiotis adds that the plan “aligns with key elements of the U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point Peace Plan, aiming to contribute to its implementation by leveraging Cyprus’ comparative advantages - its geographical position, operational capacity and experience, as well as its excellent relations with all states of the region”.

Two years ago, Cyprus showed the way of humanitarian responsibility through concrete action, he said, adding that, today, it shows “once again the path of peace, remaining part of the solution for regional stability and development”.

(Sources: CNA, X)