Von der Leyen inspects Gaza sea corridor plans with Cyprus President

President Nikos Christodoulides welcomed President Ursula von der Leyen at the Presidential Palace this morning.

After the reception, the two leaders held a private meeting. Von der Leyen has been in Cyprus since Thursday night to inspect existing infrastructure related to the plan for creating a maritime corridor for humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza via Cyprus.

Next, they will visit the port of Larnaca and the facilities of the Research and Rescue Coordination Center (RCCC) to inspect the existing infrastructure for humanitarian aid missions to Gaza as part of opening a maritime humanitarian corridor. The two leaders will then make statements.

Earlier this week, the President of the Commission stated that the Commission "will support the implementation of Cyprus' initiative for a maritime corridor" to the Gaza Strip, following a phone call with President Christodoulides.

Moreover, on Thursday night, U.S. President Joe Biden, during his State of the Union address, announced the intention to build a temporary pier in Gaza, which seems to make the operation of a maritime corridor for humanitarian aid delivery through Cyprus feasible.

[With information sourced from CNA]