Nicosia, Cyprus. President Nikos Christodoulides said Cyprus hopes the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran will de-escalate soon, adding that authorities are closely monitoring developments.
Security council convened and ministerial contacts
Christodoulides said the national security council was convened earlier on Saturday and that he remains in constant communication with Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, and national security council head Tasos Tzionis.
He said Cyprus would take further steps within the framework of its humanitarian approach and that the government is in contact with neighbouring states, the European Union, and other countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom.
UK bases and airport arrangements
Christodoulides said UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer informed him personally that the UK’s bases in Cyprus were not used in Saturday’s strikes.
He also referred to the status of Cyprus’ airports and reiterated Kombos’ earlier announcement that the Estia plan, under which people are evacuated from conflict zones via Cyprus, had been activated.
EU coordination and statement from leaders
Asked whether Cyprus would launch an initiative for European-level coordination as holder of the Council of the EU’s rotating presidency, Christodoulides said this falls within the competence of EU foreign affairs chief Kaja Kallas and that Kombos is in constant contact with her.
He said there would first be consultations at the level of foreign ministers and that next steps would depend on developments. He also referred to a joint statement by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa.
In their statement, von der Leyen and Costa said developments in Iran were greatly concerning and that ensuring nuclear safety and preventing actions that could further escalate tensions or undermine the global non-proliferation regime is of critical importance. They called on all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians, and fully respect international law.
What impact could the Estia plan have on evacuation efforts through Cyprus?
