The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, and the Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, will pay a short visit to Cyprus on Monday to hold discussions with President Nikos Christodoulides on regional developments and ongoing coordination among partner countries, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis confirmed on Saturday.
Speaking to journalists at the Presidential Palace, Letymbiotis said the visit comes amid “constant and ongoing coordination” between the Cypriot President and leaders of European Union member states and countries in the region.
“It is well known that the President of the Republic of Cyprus has been in constant and ongoing coordination with leaders of European Union (EU) member states, as well as countries in the region, and particularly with the Government of the Hellenic Republic, the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic and the President of the Republic of France, as well as the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy,” he said.
“In the context of this ongoing close coordination, a short visit by the Prime Minister of the Hellenic Republic and the President of the Republic of France is scheduled for tomorrow,” the Spokesman added.
During the visit, the two leaders will hold discussions with President Christodoulides to review regional developments and assess the high level of coordination between the three countries and Italy, following the arrival of a frigate that will be deployed as part of enhanced preventive measures taken by the Republic of Cyprus with the assistance of partner states.
Letymbiotis expressed gratitude for the support provided by these countries, noting that more details will be announced once the programme of the joint visit is finalised.
In the early hours of March 2 a Shahed-type drone struck military facilities in the British Bases, hosted in Akrotiri, in the southern tip of Cyprus, causing minor damage, amid regional turmoil following the US-Israeli attacks on Iran. The attack by the Iranian-made unmanned aerial vehicle, believed to be linked to Hezbollah operating in Lebanon, prompted heightened security measures, while several countries, including Greece and France said they were deploying warships, aircraft and other air defence assets to shield Cyprus. The UK also announced the dispatch of a warship. Nicosia reiterates that it has no involvement in the wider Middle East conflict.
Repatriation flights
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Asked about the repatriation of Cypriot nationals, the Spokesman said six flights have so far arrived in Cyprus, bringing the total number of repatriated citizens to 950.
“It should be noted that, particularly under the circumstances, and considering the countries from which priority has been given to the repatriation of Cypriot nationals, this is a very high number,” he said.
He also thanked the staff of the National Crisis Management Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, noting that they continue to work around the clock.
“Efforts are being made to continue the repatriations wherever this is feasible and where security conditions permit,” he added.
Regarding requests from other countries for the repatriation of their nationals through Cyprus, the Government Spokesman said that in recent days exploratory contacts had taken place with states interested in making use of the capabilities and operational capacity of the Republic of Cyprus within the framework of the ESTIA Plan.
He said these states are waiting for the appropriate conditions to be formed before submitting a formal request.
He clarified that the Republic of Cyprus is in full operational readiness to respond to any partner that may need to use it as a transit hub.
However, he added that, so far no official requests have been submitted, mainly due to the development of the regional crisis, which does not yet allow for safe conclusions regarding the duration or the intensity of such evacuation operations.
Reports of Turkish fighter jets are being assessed
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Asked to comment on reports that four Turkish fighter jets could arrive in the Turkish-occupied areas of Cyprus, the Spokesman said the reports are being assessed.
“These are reports which are, of course, being assessed,” he said, reiterating that the actions taken by the Republic of Cyprus are part of preventive measures to ensure the safety of the country and its citizens in cooperation with European and regional partners.
He stressed that Cyprus continues to fulfil its humanitarian role with responsibility, making clear that “the Republic of Cyprus has never been part of the problem, but has always been, and will continue to be, part of the solution.”
Letymbiotis also emphasised that Greece, Italy and France, as well as other states assisting Cyprus, have made it clear that the resources made available are strictly for preventive purposes. He also expressed hope that the situation will de-escalate quickly.
Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.
