Nicosia, Cyprus. Cyprus is evaluating an invitation to a meeting of US President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace scheduled for February 19 in Washington, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said on Monday.
Government position and timing
Speaking on CyBC radio, Letymbiotis said the government generally favoured Trump’s “peace plan for Gaza”, provided it remained within the framework of international law and United Nations resolutions. Citing government sources, local media reported a decision was expected by Wednesday.
Invitations sent to European leaders
Invitations were sent over the weekend to several European leaders, including Cyprus and Greece, as well as Bulgaria, Germany, France, Hungary and Spain. Athens has said it was also assessing the invitation.
Orban confirms attendance
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is the first EU leader to officially confirm participation. “President Donald Trump has taken action, shaking the branches and opening a new path. Hungary will be there, engaged and focused on results,” he wrote on X.
Other reported invitees
International media reported other invited countries included the United Kingdom, Turkey, Armenia and Belarus, as well as several Middle Eastern countries, including Saudia Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan and Qatar.
Earlier invitation and EU position
The invitation to the meeting comes three weeks after President Nikos Christodoulides was invited in mid-January to join Trump’s Board of Peace, with the US proposing Cyprus participate as one of 25 founding states. Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos later said the government was awaiting the European Union’s position before making a definitive decision.
How do you think Cyprus should weigh its response while awaiting the European Union’s position?