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- Ελληνικά
Yesterday, 13 March 2024, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cyprus, Dr Constantinos Kombos, hosted the Secretary of State of the United States of America (USA) Mr Antony J. Blinken, the European Union (EU) Commissioner for Crisis Management Mr. Janez Lenarčič, the UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Commonwealth and Development David Cameron, the Foreign Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Qatari Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mr. Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al-Khulaifi and the United Nations (UN) Special Coordinator for Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction of Gaza Ms. Sigrid Kaag in a ministerial teleconference to advance planning for the opening of the sea corridor to provide much needed additional humanitarian assistance to Gaza by sea.
Ministers agreed that there is no substitute for land crossings through Egypt and Jordan and entry points from Israel into Gaza for the large-scale delivery of aid to Gaza. They also agreed that opening the port of Ashdod for the arrival of humanitarian aid would be a welcome and important addition to the corridor.
Ministers committed to continue their engagement by convening a meeting of senior officials in the Republic of Cyprus during the week of 18 March for in-depth discussions on the activation of the corridor, including U.S. military planning efforts to establish a temporary pier capable of receiving significant quantities of humanitarian assistance. Senior officials will also consult on the prospect of establishing a joint fund to support the sea corridor, including through the coordination of in-kind contributions and funding to enhance its sustainability.
Ministers reaffirmed that the sea corridor can - and should - be part of a sustainable effort to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and commercial goods to Gaza through all possible routes, including expanded land crossings and sustained air supply, in close cooperation with Coordinator Sigrid Kaag, who is mandated to facilitate, coordinate, supervise and verify the flow of aid inside Gaza, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2720. Ministers stressed the need for Israel to open additional crossing points to allow more aid to arrive in Gaza, including in northern Gaza, and to ease customs restrictions in order to facilitate the increased flow of vital humanitarian aid.
(MF/EP/MS)
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