Filenews 17 June 2025
A few hundred Cypriots are in Israel and Iran, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the diplomatic missions of Cyprus in the two countries in constant contact with them. Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos spoke in the morning of a "dangerous and difficult" mission, while in statements to Filenews, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Theodoros Gotsis said that ways are being sought, in addition to air transport, for the safe return to Cyprus of those citizens who have requested to be repatriated.
In total, Mr. Gotsis said, there are 330 Cypriots, permanent residents. Of these, only 4 have asked to return to Cyprus.
In the neighbouring country, however, there are 18 people who went for a short stay, 10 patients and their 14 companions.
"The number of these people was 21 on Friday, however, three of them left by road to Egypt and returned from there to Cyprus."
Regarding the Cypriot citizens who are in Iran, Mr. Gotsis said that "the total number of them is around 7, of which three have requested to return to Cyprus."
"All Cypriots in the two countries are in constant contact with our diplomatic missions and we are certainly studying ways, in addition to air transport, to return to Cyprus."
"The airports in Amman and Cairo are operating normally and this may also be an option."
At the same time, he said, "we have received a request from Slovakia and Portugal for their own citizens and it is not excluded that we will ask for the summary of our own citizens to return to Cyprus."
Health Minister Michalis Damianos had also made statements earlier, saying that "possibly there will be an air transport that will involve one patient and four companions, depending on whether the air transport will be able to leave".
"In Israel there were 10 patients and 14 companions. " Some processes are being carried out in order for some patients and some companions to return. Possibly an air transport today and one or two tomorrow".
Of course, he added, "all this will depend on the situation that exists in Israel and whether it will be possible for air transport to leave to come to Cyprus".
In the morning, Foreign Minister Konstantinos Kombos had referred in his statements to the efforts being made for the repatriation of Cypriot citizens.
"We have an image for Cypriot citizens, we are trying to see how they will be removed. It is both dangerous and difficult. An effort is also being made through states that will make use of our own infrastructure. We're trying to see what other ways we can do it."
