Limassol, Cyprus. The port of Limassol is ready to provide its facilities for potential evacuations of people from conflict zones via Cyprus under the government’s ‘Estia’ plan, harbourmaster Panayiotis Agathokleous said on Monday. He said no embassy has so far requested evacuations using the port.
No requests received so far
Agathokleous told the Cyprus News Agency that the port is implementing the ‘Estia’ plan and is waiting, adding that there has been no request from any embassy for an evacuation and use of the port of Limassol.
Agencies prepared to implement the plan
He said the ports authority, civil defence, the red cross, and the foreign ministry are ready to implement the plan. He added that if the Limassol port is asked to provide services, the reception of people evacuating from any conflict zone would take place at the DP World terminal, as it did last year.
Security measures increased at the port
Agathokleous said the port has heightened security measures, with increased patrols and checks on people entering its terminals.
Government activation of the ‘Estia’ plan
His comments followed remarks by Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Saturday that the Cypriot government had activated the ‘Estia’ plan. Kombos said the plan is activated in the event of an emergency or crisis to allow the safe evacuation of people from nearby crisis areas in the wider Middle East region via Cyprus.
Cyprus as an evacuation hub
Under the ‘Estia plan’, Cyprus acts as a hub for European Union and third country nationals to be evacuated from conflict zones to the island before travelling onwards to their countries of origin.
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