in-cyprus 14 October 2025 - by Andreas Bimbishis
President Nikos Christodoulides presented a six-point plan outlining Cyprus’s potential role in Gaza’s reconstruction at the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, proposing concrete contributions that align with specific elements of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan.
The Cypriot proposal addresses three key areas: security, reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. Christodoulides discussed the plan both at Sharm el-Sheikh and during a telephone conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
“It is a proposal that touches on six specific suggestions in three sectors: in the sectors of security, reconstruction and the humanitarian field, always in relation to the proposal, to the plan of the American President,” Christodoulides said.
The president said Nicosia’s initiative takes into account “the excellent relations of the Republic of Cyprus with all neighbouring states, the fact that the Republic of Cyprus is the EU member state in the region, and the upcoming Presidency of the Republic of Cyprus”.
Cyprus leverages Amalthea mechanisms for Gaza security protocols
Cyprus aims to utilise its existing infrastructure, geographic position and diplomatic standing to present concrete solutions to the international community. The government said the Republic’s contribution could strengthen several aspects of the Trump Plan, including humanitarian aid, security and reconstruction.
Cyprus can actively contribute to implementing the plan in a complementary manner that safeguards all actors and promotes Gaza’s long-term sustainability, according to government sources.
The island possesses infrastructure including CYCLOPS, a US-funded training facility in Larnaca that opened in April 2022 to provide security capacity-building for border control, maritime security and cybersecurity. CYCLOPS handled security screening for humanitarian goods during the Amalthea maritime corridor operation, with Israeli security checks consistently finding all materials cleared through the facility to be transparent.
The Amalthea Initiative, established in March 2024, is a Cyprus-led maritime humanitarian corridor that delivered aid from Cyprus to Gaza with backing from the European Commission, United States, United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates. The mechanisms and procedures established under Amalthea for rapid security checks in Cyprus are available for the next phase and can offer significant solutions, the government said.
Under the Amalthea operation, aid shipments underwent Israeli security screening in Limassol before travelling to Israel’s Ashdod port for onward delivery to Gaza, without requiring additional security checks upon arrival. Cyprus served as the staging area for 22,000 tonnes of aid deliveries by ship to Gaza through 2024.
Government circles told Fileleftheros that Cyprus “has submitted a working document with specific points and steps that can be undertaken through a practical and credible way of contributing to the implementation of President Trump’s Peace Plan”.
They noted that “the geographical proximity, the diplomatic ability to be credible interlocutors with all actors, and the operational sufficiency of the Republic of Cyprus make Cyprus’s proposal a useful and constructive option”.
Nicosia expressed readiness to cooperate with all regional and international protagonists including the United States, Israel, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and the Palestinian Authority, diplomatic sources said. The aim is “to upgrade the provisions into implementable steps to offer through this Plan the means for the population in Gaza not only to survive but to rebuild the Gaza Strip with dignity and security, which will constitute a necessary fundamental element for creating conditions for a viable political horizon”, the sources said.
On the sidelines of the Sharm el-Sheikh summit, Christodoulides met King Abdullah II of Jordan. The two leaders exchanged views on recent regional developments, prospects for implementing the ceasefire agreement and Gaza’s future, as well as the role Cyprus and Jordan can play in regional stability and reconstruction.
Christodoulides to brief EU leaders on Cyprus proposal at October summit
EU leaders will discuss how the European Union can contribute to achieving just and lasting peace in the Middle East at the next European Council on 23 October. Christodoulides will brief EU leaders on his proposal and Cyprus’s potential role during the discussion on Gaza.
European Council President António Costa, in his invitation to EU leaders, stated: “When it comes to the situation in the Middle East, peace seems to be within reach in Gaza after two years of war and human suffering”. He added: “In light of the latest developments, we will discuss how the EU can support the ongoing efforts toward a just and lasting peace, firmly anchored in the two-state solution, as well as the reconstruction of Gaza”.
With the Gaza agreement already being implemented, the EU is expected to place even greater weight on Ukraine and efforts to end the war. Costa stated in his invitation: “Russia continues its relentless attacks against Ukraine’s civilians and civilian infrastructure. We will discuss how to step up our support to Ukraine, namely by reconfirming our commitment to provide financial support to the country for the coming years, and by considering possible options based on Russia’s immobilised assets”.
