Washington, United States. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos will travel to Washington DC on Wednesday to represent Cyprus at Thursday’s meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace with observer status. The meeting will focus on next steps for implementing the Sharm el-Sheikh peace agreement and President Donald Trump’s peace plan endorsed by the UN Security Council through Resolution 2803.
Agenda and Cyprus participation
Cyprus received and accepted an invitation to attend, citing its active diplomatic role since the outbreak of the Gaza crisis. The foreign ministry said Cyprus’ participation reflects its “consistent initiatives and specific proposals” aimed at supporting international and regional efforts to promote security and stability in the Middle East.
Cyprus previously took part in the signing ceremony of the agreement at Sharm El-Sheikh, where President Nikos Christodoulides submitted proposals linked to the plan’s implementation.
Political criticism from Akel
The visit has drawn criticism from Akel, which called on the government to withdraw from the council. The party said participation “even as an observer exposes the country and involves it more deeply in dangerous antagonisms”.
Akel argued that the peace council “does not serve the recognition and establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state” but instead advances “the geopolitical and economic interests of the United States, Israel and their allies”, including control over energy routes and post-war reconstruction in Gaza.
Government response
Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis rejected similar criticism in recent days, saying Cyprus’ role is “informative and coordinating” and strengthens its credibility as a regional partner. “The policy of the empty chair has never protected any national issue,” he said.
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