In Israel on a state visit, the President met at noon with the families of hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7th 2023, expressing both his own and the Cypriot people’s solidarity to the their on-going trial.
‘We know how you must feel because we went through a similar experience in Cyprus and we continue to face this drama’, the President told the families, adding that he wanted them to share their stories with him, because ‘we are in this effort together and we’ll see what we can do to help’.
‘Our position is clear’, the President added. ‘All hostages must be immediately released’.
He further noted that one of the main reasons he chose to be there was to also express the desire of the people of Cyprus to help their cause. The President hoped for positive news the soonest possible.
‘If not’, he noted, ‘then during its EU Presidency, Cyprus will make this one of the top issues, so the country can do what it can to help’.
The hostage relatives then narrated to the President how their loved ones were abducted and spoke about the drama they have been facing since then, seeking the President and the EU’s help for the release of their relatives.
Also present at the meeting were foreign minister Kombos, deputy minister for Europe Raouna, Cyprus Ambassador to Israel Kornelios Korneliou, head of the President’s diplomatic office, the deputy spokesman and the head of the foreign ministry’s political office.
