The President has begun a working visit to Israel, where he will hold talks with PM Netanyahu and President Herzog, as well as travel to the Palestinian territories for a meeting with President Abbas who will host dinner.
Nicos Christodoulides will meet families of October 7th hostages, with talks around four this afternoon with Israeli President Herzog followed by extended consultations of the two delegations.
Around five, the President of the Republic will meet Israeli PM Netanyahu at his office and then hold extensive talks with their delegations.
Late afternoon, President Christodoulides will travel to Ramallah in the West Bank, seat of the Palestinian government, where he will meet President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas around 7. They will hold extensive talks and then Abbas will host a working dinner for the President and his delegation.
Prior to his departure, the President is scheduled to visit the UNICEF offices in Ramallah and meet with organisation officials.
The visit, also undertaken, the Presidency said in a statement, as part of the upcoming Cyprus EU Presidency in the first half of 2026, will focus on bilateral issues with Israel, the Middle East, as well as the role and readiness of Cyprus for further promoting peace and stability in the wider Eastern Mediterranean region, through substantive action, dialogue and diplomacy.
The President is accompanied by foreign minister Constandinos Combos, Energy Minister Yiorgos Papanastasiou, deputy minister for Europe Marilena Raouna, National Security Advisor Tasos Tzionis, deputy government spokesman Yiannis Antoniou, director of his diplomatic office Doros Venezis, the head of the foreign ministry political office Thessalia Salina Siambou and other officials.
