President Christodoulides shows Gaza aid efforts to Ursula von der Leyen over dinner

President Nikos Christodoulides of Cyprus welcomed European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to Cyprus following their participation in the 27th Plenary Session of the European People's Party in Bucharest. The leaders convened to discuss crucial matters, including the establishment of a maritime corridor for humanitarian aid to Gaza.

During their visit, President Christodoulides hosted a private dinner for President von der Leyen at the Presidential Palace. Among the attendees were Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis and Deputy Minister for European Affairs Marilena Raouna.

Key topics of discussion at the dinner included plans for the humanitarian corridor to Gaza, with a scheduled visit to the port of Larnaca tomorrow for this purpose, as well as the current situation in Cyprus and migration issues.

Before the dinner, President Christodoulides guided President von der Leyen through the gardens of the Presidential Palace, showcasing Cyprus's significance in the Eastern Mediterranean, particularly regarding humanitarian efforts.

Stefan Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General's spokesperson, emphasised Cyprus's pivotal role in humanitarian endeavours, citing its historical contributions in the region. He underscored the importance of Cyprus in establishing a maritime corridor to Gaza during a press briefing, highlighting decades of Cyprus's involvement in humanitarian efforts.

President von der Leyen's agenda also includes a meeting with President Christodoulides in the morning to discuss infrastructure plans for the maritime corridor. Following their meeting, they will inspect existing facilities at the Larnaca port and the Research and Rescue Coordination Centre (RRCC) in preparation for launching the humanitarian corridor. Subsequent statements are expected after their inspection.

The visit commenced with a dinner hosted by President Christodoulides upon President von der Leyen's arrival in Cyprus on Thursday evening, setting the stage for substantive discussions on humanitarian initiatives and regional cooperation.

[With information sourced from CNA]