The Republic of Cyprus remains a stable pillar for security and humanitarian contribution in the region, acting in close coordination with partners and international organizations, Government Spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, has said.
He was speaking on Sunday, 1 March in statements to the media after an extraordinary meeting of the National Security Council, chaired by the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides.
He added that an extensive assessment of the situation in the Middle East had been carried out and all existing protocols and procedures had been examined, while reiterating that there had been no incident of missiles targeting the country.
According to the Spokesman, the meeting was held in the context of the ongoing assessment of developments in the wider region and the coordination of the relevant state services.
As he stated, an extensive assessment of the situation in the Middle East region was carried out and the conditions of regional stability and humanitarian needs were evaluated, while at the same time, all existing protocols and procedures were reviewed, and increased security measures have already been taken and continue to be implemented.
"At the same time, ongoing diplomatic contacts and consultations are taking place. The Republic of Cyprus is in constant communication and coordination with its EU partners and with countries in the region, while both the President of the Republic and the Minister of Foreign Affairs are in constant and regular contact," he continued.
He also recalled that over the last two days, the President of the Republic has spoken twice with the President of the European Commission, twice with the President of the European Council, with the President of the United Arab Emirates, with the Emir of Qatar, with the King of Bahrain, with the King of Jordan, with the Prime Minister of Luxembourg, twice with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom— once today (Sunday, 1 March) at noon—with the President of Lebanon, with the President of France, and with the Prime Minister of Italy, adding that these contacts will continue.
He added that, in the same context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in an extraordinary meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council convened exclusively to discuss recent developments in the region.
Stable, humanitarian role
"The Republic of Cyprus continues to highlight the stable, humanitarian role it has consistently played in the region, as it has done in previous regional crises, taking advantage of its geographical position, but also its operational capabilities and support for humanitarian operations, including safe evacuation of civilians," Letymbiotis noted, adding that in this context, every request that falls within the scope of humanitarian operations is examined "with due responsibility and a positive attitude, as we have done many times in the past."
"The situation is being monitored on an ongoing basis and is being approached with the necessary seriousness, full operational readiness, and institutional responsibility. The Republic of Cyprus remains a stable pillar of security and humanitarian contribution in the region, acting in close coordination with partners and international organizations," he noted.
Invited to comment on the increased security measures taken by the Republic of Cyprus, the Spokesperson said that "they are based on protocols that have been activated since yesterday morning, at specific points where it was deemed necessary to increase the security measures taken, as was the case in previous instances of regional crises."
Asked whether increased security measures would also be taken at the airports, Letymbiotis said that "based on the assessment by the competent authorities, at all critical infrastructure sites, whether this concerns security measures or facilitation in the context of the humanitarian role that we will perform, all such measures have been taken, increased security measures."
Asked about the government's contacts with partners, the Spokesman said that there has been also an exchange of information and views in relation to the crisis that is being monitored by the international community. "It is a given that regional security and its safeguarding are paramount, as are efforts to de-escalate the crisis as it unfolds and, of course, the humanitarian role that the Republic of Cyprus has played in the past and can play in this case as well," he added.
Asked whether requests had been received from countries for the evacuation of citizens under the ESTIA plan, the Spokesman said that no official request had been received, but that three states had sounded out the possibility. "Given the current situation in the airspace, no official request has yet been received to activate the ESTIA plan, but we are taking all necessary steps to be operationally ready and activate it as soon as possible," he added on the matter.
Asked about the missiles mentioned by the British Defence Minister, Letymbiotis reiterated that there had been no incident related to targeting Cyprus. "We have made this clear from the outset. This has also been clarified by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom himself in a telephone conversation with the President of the Republic. Beyond that, we are taking all possible measures, doing everything necessary to ensure that everything that needs to be secured is secured," he added.
