Von der Leyen to visit Cyprus after Bucharest congress, sources tell CNA

11:18 - 06 March 2024

Current Affairs Reporter

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to travel to Cyprus after the end of the congress of the European People’s Party which is held in Bucharest, Romania, according to EPP sources.

Von der Leyen is expected to travel to Cyprus on Thursday, 7 March, or Friday, 8 March, the same sources told CNA.

The EPP congress is expected on 7 March to ratify Von der Leyen’s status as the lead candidate of the European party to remain in the position of Commission President for a second term. Both President Nicos Christodoulides and Democratic Rally (DISY) President Annita Demetriou will be speaking during the congress on Thursday.

On 4 March, Von der Leyen had said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that she had spoken over the phone with President Christodoulides, focusing on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Von der Leyen added that the Commission will support the implementation of the Cypriot initiative for a maritime humanitarian corridor to the Gaza Strip.

Earlier on 5 March, a government source confirmed that the developments are related to the recent interest shown by the United States on the humanitarian corridor proposal.

On 5 March, the website of Israeli newspaper Maariv reported that the government of the country is expected to decide on the maritime corridor on 7 March, while on 3 March White House communication advisor on national security, John Kirby, said that ongoing discussions were based on proposals such as the Cypriot one, adding that the idea is still at an early stage.

(Source: CNA)

Von der Leyen to visit Cyprus after Bucharest congress, sources tell CNA

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