Cyprus has secured critical water assistance from the United Arab Emirates through diplomatic efforts led by President Nikos Christodoulides and Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, government sources revealed on Thursday.
The behind-the-scenes diplomatic initiative culminated in an agreement for the UAE to supply 15 mobile desalination units to Cyprus, helping the island nation address its severe water shortage following months of insufficient rainfall.
Christodoulides personally engaged with Emirati leadership after initial consultations indicated the Gulf state’s willingness to assist Cyprus, according to officials familiar with the negotiations who spoke to philenews.
Cyprus reached out in multiple directions to find and acquire desalination units that would help address the water crisis, sources said.
Technical teams from both countries met to determine Cyprus’s specific requirements, with Cypriot experts confirming that the UAE’s available units met their specifications for both immediate and long-term needs.
In early April, Christodoulides briefed Kombos on the diplomatic mission to Abu Dhabi for final negotiations, with both countries agreeing that talks should be concluded at the highest diplomatic level.
The agreement represents a development in bilateral relations between the two countries, a partnership that began during Christodoulides’s previous tenure as foreign minister and has been further strengthened under Kombos.
Officials pointed to the collaboration on the “Amalthea” initiative for delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza as a pivotal moment that enhanced ties between the two nations.
The water assistance comes at a critical time as Cyprus faces potential water restrictions during summer months, with the desalination units expected to bridge the gap until longer-term water management solutions can be implemented.
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