Cyprus will begin operating chartered flights on Wednesday to return nationals from areas affected by the Middle East crisis, Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis announced on Tuesday evening. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has completed the necessary arrangements, with flights subject to security clearance by the competent airspace authority of the United Arab Emirates. An earlier flight from Egypt carrying eight Cypriot citizens who had been in Israel has already departed.
Repatriation arrangements and procedures
In statements, Mr Letymbiotis said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, within the framework of its overall management of developments arising from the regional crisis, has proceeded with the chartering of flights for Cypriot citizens located in the United Arab Emirates.
He noted that all required arrangements have been finalised and that procedures are under way. The flights are scheduled to commence on Wednesday, under the explicit condition that safety is ensured, in accordance with the directives of the competent national airspace control authority of the United Arab Emirates and in coordination with local authorities.
Officials of the National Crisis Management Centre of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are already in direct communication with citizens who have registered their contact details on the Connectcy platform, in order to organise flight scheduling in a structured manner. No further action is required from those who have already submitted their details.
Mr Letymbiotis stated that the Ministry will continue its efforts consistently and at an intensified pace to secure the safe return of all Cypriot nationals.
Defence coordination with Germany and other partners
The Government Spokesperson also announced that, following communication between the President of the Republic and the Chancellor of Germany regarding possible German assistance in preventive measures, the chiefs of the armed forces of the two countries held operational-level contact on Tuesday.
A communication between the Ministers of Defence of Cyprus and Germany has been scheduled for Wednesday to finalise and clarify the manner of Germany’s contribution, following assistance already provided by France and Greece.
Mr Letymbiotis further said that the President of the Republic held a telephone conversation on Tuesday afternoon with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer. They exchanged views on the evolving regional situation and discussed measures taken by the Republic of Cyprus, including increased preventive measures and matters concerning the British Bases in Cyprus. The Prime Minister informed the President of the United Kingdom’s decision to dispatch a warship to Cyprus in the coming period.
The President also held telephone communications with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the Chancellor of Austria, Christian Stocker, and the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.
In parallel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Constantinos Kombos, held contacts with the High Representative of the European Union, Kaja Kallas, and the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of India, the United Arab Emirates, Serbia, the United Kingdom, Greece and France.
Position on British Bases and foreign presence
Responding to a question regarding the role of the British Bases in Cyprus, Mr Letymbiotis stated that both the President of the Republic and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom share the position that the bases in the Republic of Cyprus will not be used or involved in any military operation in any manner. He added that any actions undertaken fall fully within the humanitarian role that Cyprus seeks to serve in a credible manner.
Asked whether the issue of reassessing the status of the British Bases was under consideration, he replied that Cyprus’ positions had been conveyed to the United Kingdom and were respected. He underlined that priority is given to maintaining close coordination with the United Kingdom and the administration of the British Bases, while developments in the regional crisis are closely monitored.
On the presence of supporting forces from other countries in Cyprus, Mr Letymbiotis said that an assessment of the data is being carried out in cooperation with partners. He added that the presence of assets from the countries with which Cyprus is in contact will continue for as long as necessary and for as long as increased preventive measures are deemed to be required.
Source: CNA