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The President of the Republic,
Mr Nikos Christodoulides, participated in the extraordinary European Council
via teleconference tonight. The extraordinary European Council was convened
due to the seriousness of the situation unfolding following the terrorist
attacks against Israel.
During the proceedings of the
extraordinary European Council, President Christodoulides once again
condemned the terrorist attacks by Hamas and expressed the support of the
Cypriot Government for the Israeli people.
The President of the Republic
emphasised the need to avoid further civilian casualties on all sides and to
de-escalate the crisis. He added that the unconditional release of all
hostages is a crucial element.
President Christodoulides
stated that the Republic of Cyprus, as the closest EU member state in the
region and a country with excellent relations with regional states, will make
every possible effort within its capabilities to de-escalate the crisis and
ensure security and peace in the area.
He said that the European Union
must play a much more active and substantial role, a position that the President
of the Republic has repeatedly expressed in previous European Councils
concerning the Middle East and the Southern Neighbourhood.
President Christodoulides also
highlighted the significant humanitarian role that our country plays in this
crisis, noting, indicatively, that we have responded to numerous requests
from third countries, contributing to the evacuation of citizens from 26
countries so far. Additionally, he conveyed Cyprus' readiness to provide
humanitarian aid to the region, including Gaza, utilising our geographical
proximity and our status as an EU member state.
The close and continuous
cooperation with regional states, primarily Egypt and Jordan, as well as with
the United Nations, in the joint effort to prevent further escalation of the
crisis, is imperative, President Christodoulides emphasised. In this context,
he referred to the ongoing communication he has been having with leaders of
the region, during which they exchanged views on joint actions that can be
taken.
In the same context, President
Christodoulides referred to the telephone conversations he had with leaders
of the region and conveyed messages from the Prime Minister of Israel, the
King of Jordan, and the President of Egypt to the European leaders,
particularly in relation to today's lengthy phone conversation he had with
the President of Egypt, Mr Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, President Christodoulides
stressed the need for the European Union to support Egypt as a country of
critical importance to the broader region.
Finally, the President of the
Republic emphasised to our European partners that the recent escalation is
tangible proof of the importance of the Southern Neighbourhood for the peace
and security of the EU itself, and of the entailing need for more regular and
systematic engagement with the region.
(AP)
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