Nicosia: The President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, described his visit to Israel and Palestine as a complete success, while also expressing his satisfaction with the results.
According to Cyprus News Agency, in statements on Monday upon his arrival at the residence of the Lebanese Ambassador to Cyprus, Claude El Hajal, to attend a luncheon she hosted, President Christodoulides said that there is a bilateral dimension with both countries. “With Israel it is about defence, security, and intelligence exchange. We decided on a number of things with the Israeli Prime Minister and there will soon be new meetings at the ministerial level and my level. The implementation of what we agreed yesterday has already begun,” he noted.
In Palestine, he continued, he had an open and frank discussion on the state of affairs and the Cyprus Presidency of the EU Council beginning on January 1, 2026. He noted that one of the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency will be to strengthen the EU’s relations with the wider Middle East region. “We are not satisfied with the level of cooperation; we clearly need to do more. It is the EU’s neighborhood,” he said.
He also noted that he raised the issue of humanitarian aid with the Israeli Prime Minister. He recalled that an effort was made by the Republic of Cyprus with the “Amalthea” initiative and that it produced results. “We are ready to start again. I raised the issue of the need for unimpeded humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he noted.
It is possible to have some announcements in this direction soon, he added. He also said that he discussed the issue with the President of the Palestinian Authority and that he visited UNICEF as well, specifically regarding assistance to children in very difficult circumstances in Gaza.
Regarding the IMEC corridor and the GSI pipeline, the President of the Republic said that all discussions that took place “and allow me to limit myself to this reference, touch upon what I mentioned regarding the priorities of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. There has been an initiative for some time, supported by the European Commission and the US, to create an economic corridor, initially from India to the Middle East and from there to Europe.”
You understand, he continued, that Cyprus is the gateway to Europe. “This major effort includes both issues you have asked me about,” he added.
Asked about his telephone conversation with his UAE counterpart, President Christodoulides said he thanked him for his immediate response and for sending technicians to help with the operation of the desalination plants.
He added that he invited the UAE President to visit Cyprus and said he would consider it during the summer. The President of the Republic expressed his satisfaction with the reply that the UAE’s immediate response was the least they could do, taking into consideration their relations with the Republic of Cyprus and what the Republic of Cyprus is doing for the region and specifically for his country in the EU.