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- Ελληνικά
Their common will to work for the provision of humanitarian assistance to Gaza through the Amalthea Sea Corridor Initiative, which is likely to be implemented next Sunday, was expressed today by the President of the Republic Mr. Nicos Christodoulides and the President of the European Commission Mrs Ursula von der Leyen, in their statements to the media, at the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (RSRC) in Larnaca.
In his statements, the President of the Republic welcomed Mrs von der Leyen to Cyprus, describing her as a valuable and true friend and partner of Cyprus.
President Christodoulides said, inter alia, that Cyprus, as the south-easternmost member state of the European Union (EU), is a beacon of the Union in the region, noting that what is happening in Cyprus has an impact on the entire EU, while stressing that the extension of the crisis will have disastrous consequences.
He added that there is an urgent need to provide assistance to the civilian population, noting that the sea corridor from Cyprus aims to provide assistance complementary to other aid routes and that all routes in this direction must be "unlocked".
President Christodoulides noted that the Cypriot team has been working tirelessly to achieve this goal since last October, noting that, as the EU member state in the region, Cyprus has a moral obligation to do its utmost to help.
He also underlined the full support of the President of the European Commission to the Cyprus initiative and expressed thanks to her, but also to other states, such as the United Arab Emirates and the USA, as well as to organisations.
He also praised the role of the United Nations Coordinator in providing assistance to Gaza.
He also stressed the importance of the infrastructure for the implementation of the Amalthea project, such as the CYCLOPS Centre and the CEFID.
Referring to the CEFID, the President highlighted its role in maritime control as it relates to migration and expressed concern about the increased number of migrants from Syria and Lebanon in recent months.
Referring to the discussions he had with President von der Leyen, the President of the Republic said that they included the latest developments on the Cyprus issue and his efforts to resume negotiations on the basis of UN Security Council resolutions and EU law, principles and values.
"A solution to the Cyprus problem will also have a positive impact on the region", President Christodoulides said, adding: "We agreed that the EU can be a guide for developments in the Cyprus problem and to this end we exchanged views on the state of play in Euro-Turkish relations, of which the Cyprus problem is naturally a part."
Finally, President Christodoulides thanked Ms. von der Leyen for her presence in Cyprus, aiming "to set the implementation of the Amalthea Initiative for the Gaza sea aid corridor."
For her part, Ms. von der Leyen said, inter alia, that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire, noting the immediate and urgent need of civilians for humanitarian assistance.
She added that Europe is funding a major humanitarian aid effort for Gaza, namely €250 million for this year.
He added that the problems with other humanitarian aid channels are well known and that is why "today the European Commission, the Republic of Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the US, supported by other key partners, are announcing our intention to open the sea corridor to provide additional large-scale humanitarian assistance."
He added: "I am extremely grateful to you, Mr. President - and to the people of Cyprus - for your leadership and for the Amalthea initiative. It was impressive what I saw in various venues."
He pointed out that Cyprus, the EU, the UAE and the US are launching the corridor together, stressing that it was the President's persistent efforts to create the sea corridor that made it possible, despite the challenges. And this is something "that inspires us," he said."
He underlined: "We are very close to opening the corridor, hopefully next Sunday, and I am very happy that the initial pilot operation will take place today."
She added that Cyprus has always been the bridge between the EU and the Middle East and thanks to the Amalthea initiative, this historic role of Cyprus is being demonstrated once again.
Ms von der Leyen said she welcomed the leadership of President Christodoulides, who acts as a liaison for all stakeholders.
Finally, she called on all actors with a role to help the initiative and support the corridor.
(PM/AF/EATH)
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