Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday stressed the need to establish conditions of security and stability in the region and achieve peace during their meeting at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia.
Abbas referred to the “excellent relationship” between the Republic of Cyprus and the Palestinian people, as well as the excellent relations Cyprus “rightly” maintains with Israel, adding that Nicosia could play a role in mediating between the two sides on the basis of a political solution grounded in international law and United Nations Security Council resolutions.
“The Republic of Cyprus is part of the solution to the problems in the region,” President Christodoulides said as he welcomed the Palestinian President, adding that Nicosia was “at Palestine’s disposal to play any role that you consider necessary for the Republic of Cyprus to fulfil, in order to achieve our common goals.”
Speaking through an interpreter, Abbas said that, for many years, the Palestinian side had “extended our hands to the Israeli side in order to reach a settlement and achieve peace.” He called on President Christodoulides to enable Cyprus, “as a neighbouring country”, to play a role in ensuring that peaceful discussions with Israel’s new government produced the desired positive results.
President Christodoulides welcomed Abbas to the Presidential Palace shortly before noon, after which the two leaders held a private meeting.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency, President Christodoulides said he was particularly pleased to welcome Abbas to Cyprus following his two visits to Palestine in 2023 and 2025.
“Our relations have always been excellent,” he said, noting that the Republic of Cyprus had recognised Palestine in 1988 and that Cyprus’ position on resolving the Palestinian issue was “clear” and based on the agreed framework of United Nations resolutions.
At the same time, he said, “there are developments today that highlight both the importance we attach to our relations and our commitment to creating conditions of security and stability in our region.”
He said that most of the Republic of Cyprus’ humanitarian assistance was directed to Palestine, while that Palestine made use of the CYCLOPS centre in Larnaca to train Palestinians.
Palestine had also recently participated in a seminar at the aerial firefighting centre established by the Republic of Cyprus and the European Union in Paphos, he said.
“Your visit comes at a very important juncture for our region. I look forward to our discussions and the exchange of views on how we can work together, always taking a positive approach, to create conditions of security and stability in the region,” President Christodoulides told Abbas.
