Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus’ potential participation in the US-led Peace Council for Gaza would not involve any financial commitments or payments by the Republic, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said. He said Cyprus has received an invitation from the US President and is assessing it before issuing an official response.
Invitation and evaluation process
In a statement to the Cyprus News Agency, Letymbiotis said President Nikos Christodoulides received an official invitation from the US President for Cyprus to join the Peace Board for Gaza, recognising Cyprus’ role in the Middle East.
He said the invitation is being evaluated “with seriousness, institutional responsibility and full awareness of its role and capabilities,” adding that an official response will be issued once the process is completed.
Government rejects claims of financial commitments
Addressing claims that the invitation carries financial obligations, Letymbiotis said they are “inaccurate and do not reflect the reality” of the invitation received.
He said the invitation concerns participation as a member for a three-year period, with the possibility of renewal following a new invitation, and “in no way entails any financial obligations or payments by the Republic of Cyprus.”
Separate legal arrangements
Letymbiotis said references to other legal arrangements or permanent legal status are separate matters for states that wish to pursue them and are not related to the invitation received by Cyprus.
He said attempts to link Cyprus to such claims are “unfounded and misleading.”
Political significance and past initiatives
Letymbiotis said the invitation explicitly recognises Cyprus’ role in the broader Middle East and carries significant political weight, particularly as the recognition comes from the United States.
He said Cyprus approaches such initiatives pragmatically, based on its capacity to contribute to stability and peace efforts, citing the international Gaza conference in Egypt where Cyprus presented proposals on supporting the implementation of the twenty-point peace plan.
Criteria for response
Letymbiotis said the evaluation process is ongoing and Cyprus’ response will be guided by political, institutional and national criteria, “free from speculation or biases.”
What factors should Cyprus consider most when deciding whether to join the Peace Council for Gaza?
