Ongoing Middle East peace plans by both the USA and France focusing on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza sparked by the Israel-Hamas war include Cyprus, Philenews reports.
Sunday’s short visit of the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken to Larnaca is proof of that, along with the constant communication between the Presidents of Cyprus and of France.
In fact, insiders said that both Washington and Paris are focusing on the humanitarian corridor to Gaza initiative by Cyprus.
Specifically, the initiative is to create a sea corridor for the steady flow of humanitarian assistance from Cyprus to Gaza with aid-laden ships sailing directly to the enclave. There, United Nations personnel would receive it for eventual distribution.
Ships would be vetted at the point of departure at the Limassol port to ensure that nothing would be transported that could be weaponized by Hamas to use against Israel.
Gaza’s humanitarian needs have escalated since the Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7.
During Sunday’s 20-minute-long meeting between Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Blinken the focus was on the document laying out the details on the Nicosia initiative.
President Christodoulides told journalists after the meeting that the same information was also sent out to the European Commission.
“There is a specific plan, a copy of which – because it is a specific document showing step by step how this will be carried out – I have shared with the US Secretary of State.
“I have also shared it with others, such as France, which has expressed particular interest, and the EU of course,” Christodoulides also said.
