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- Ελληνικά
Shocked by the events unfolding in Israel, the President of the Hellenic Republic, Mr.Nikos Christodoulides, who had a telephone conversation last night with his Israeli counterpart.
In his statements to journalists, on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of a school sports ground in Limassol, the President of the Republic was asked to refer to the situation created by the war in Israel: "Last night I had a telephone conversation with the President of Israel.
I want to say that I am shocked by what he told me about the situation as it is developing.
I expressed, of course, the sympathy of the Republic of Cyprus, of the Government, of the Cypriot people. I expressed the hope that this situation will come to an end as soon as possible.
At the same time, I informed the President of Israel that, in particular, in the Cypriot hospitals, if the need arises to accommodate the wounded - because every day we see new things in the public eye - we are ready to do so.
This afternoon I will speak with the President of Egypt.
This afternoon I will speak with the President of Egypt. Egypt is a country that over time in these kinds of crises, particularly in Israel, has played an essential role. In many of the cases, through its own intervention, it has either prevented or ended such situations. We will discuss this issue and I hope that developments will be created that will allow us to be optimistic.
What we are seeing is tragic, it is reprehensible, there is no excuse whatsoever, it is something that affects our region more broadly at the same time.
The Republic of Cyprus has over time had excellent relations with all the neighbouring states and if we can play any role either on a humanitarian level or as an EU member state, we are ready to do so."
In response to a journalist's remark that Cyprus' plans on energy issues are being consolidated, the President of the Republic said: "I would not necessarily say that they are being consolidated, you understand that right now what is a priority for Israel is to manage this unprecedented state of affairs, which takes us back many years.
I told you that, from what I heard last night, I am shocked at what has happened and right now what is the priority is to end this situation."
Asked about the security measures being taken in Cyprus, President Christodoulides said: "The National Security Council is in continuous session. And yesterday there was a relevant meeting, there was a meeting this morning at the level of technocrats with all the competent Services of the Republic, especially on the issues of ports, airports, on the issues concerning the barricades, the ceasefire line and on some other points, such as Diplomatic Missions and others, where measures have been increased on the part of the competent Services. (The measures) are constantly being evaluated, the National Security Council is in constant session and if the need arises to take other measures, we will take them."
Asked if there are any developments in relation to Pyla, the President said: "We are waiting until this afternoon. I don't want to speak before announcements are made by those who have to make them."
(PM/EP/SX)
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