Cyprus and EU unite for Gaza's humanitarian corridor

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in Cyprus on Thursday evening to discuss the establishment of a humanitarian sea corridor to Gaza. Her schedule included a meeting with Cypriot President Nicos Christodoulides and visits to the port of Larnaca and the Search and Rescue Coordination Centre to assess existing infrastructure for delivering aid. The focus is on opening a maritime humanitarian corridor to alleviate the dire situation in Gaza.

This visit follows U.S. President Joe Biden's announcement of instructing the U.S. military to create a temporary pier on the Gaza coast to receive shipments of essential supplies. Initial deliveries are expected via Cyprus, with security coordination involving Israel. Sources indicate advanced stages in the establishment of the maritime corridor, raising hopes for imminent developments.

President Christodoulides emphasized the need to unlock all routes and praised Ursula von der Leyen's unwavering support for the humanitarian corridor. Both leaders shared a vision to address the humanitarian tragedy sustainably, with von der Leyen acknowledging Cyprus as a historical bridge between Europe and the Middle East.

Europe is financing a major humanitarian aid effort for Palestinians.

€250 million euros this year alone.

But the key challenge is getting this aid to people in Gaza.

This is why we’re launching the Cyprus Maritime Corridor, with the US and UAE ↓ https://t.co/mrNBl9WsHb

— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) March 8, 2024

Von der Leyen expressed concern for the dire situation in Gaza and commended efforts to deliver aid, highlighting Cyprus's inspiring work in making the corridor a reality. She called on all stakeholders to contribute and emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in assisting Palestinians. Referencing Cyprus's own experiences, she affirmed solidarity in resolving the Cyprus problem.

The joint commitment to alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza underscores the collaborative efforts between Cyprus and the European Union, emphasizing the need for continued support and engagement from all parties involved.