The security of humanitarian aid to Gaza is intertwined with the security of Israel, without whose consent there can be no corridor, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos said on Friday, speaking to media representatives on the Republic of Cyprus’ initiative to establish a maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza.
Κombos said that the Republic of Cyprus’ effort to establish a maritime corridor for the transfer of humanitarian aid to Gaza continues, a secure corridor with fully guaranteed departure and transit, high flow and high frequency.
He added that the country has constructively participated from the outset in a debate that should concern the entire international community, demonstrating that it is an active part of the region contributing with positive and constructive proposals.
He added that the methodology used was based on the comparative advantages of geographical proximity, an existing solid infrastructure network, good neighbourly relations with the countries of the region and a relationship of political trust with Israel, which, he said, has been being built for years and did not emerge opportunistically in recent weeks.
He also said that meetings were held with EU member states, institutions, regional countries and international organisations to formulate an approach that takes into account the positions, concerns and proposals of the respective interlocutors.
He indicated that the assistance will follow a one-way direction, starting from the Republic of Cyprus and will not be about people but exclusively about goods.
“The security of the cargo is intertwined with the security of Israel, without whose consent there can be no corridor,” he stressed, adding that Cyprus is in constant contact with Israel, with a technical team going to Israel later this week, while the Foreign Minister himself visited the country yesterday, holding meetings with both the President and the Foreign Minister of Israel.
He said that during these contacts, it was agreed to establish a structured dialogue with working groups of an interdepartmental nature, adding that at the end of the day it is local developments that will affect the effort, as well as the issue of timing and synchronization between will and facts.
“There is still a way to go and a given uncertainty. We will continue our effort actively, methodically and outwardly,” he concluded.
Technical teams are being set up, sources said
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In addition, CNA learned from sources from the Foreign Ministry that following Kombos’ visit to Israel on Thursday, it was decided to set up technical groups, which will enter into a dialogue on all aspects of the proposal, especially on issues upon which Israel is expected to have strong views, with the aim of concluding a plan that will be shaped according to the wishes of the other side.
They also noted that interdepartmental meetings and discussions on the Cypriot side have been underway for several days to examine the various aspects of the point of departure, so that the aid transfer can be activated immediately if necessary.
Moreover, the same sources noted that the initiative’s outcome does not depend on Cyprus, but on the evolution of the war on the ground, as well as on political and internal security issues in Israel, but the important thing is that the Republic of Cyprus has submitted a careful proposal that is at the centre of international discussions, it was stressed.
Regarding the possibility of evacuating populations from the area, ministry sources clarified that the Republic of Cyprus will not assist in the evacuation of populations from Gaza, but it is prepared, with the aid of more than 30 countries present in Cyprus, to assist in evacuations of more than 100,000 third country nationals through the island under the Estia project.