The “Amalthea” project, remains a long-term initiative of the Republic of Cyprus for the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Theodoros Gotsis told the Cyprus News Agency on Friday, adding that in this context, the next phase of implementation is being systematized with the Cyprus-Ashdod-Gaza route, without additional security checks at the point of arrival of the aid.

In statements to CNA, Gotsis recalled that two weeks ago, humanitarian aid of 1,200 tons, departed from the Port of Limassol for transit to Gaza via the port of Ashdod.

Furthermore, he noted that “through the activation of the “Amalthea” Fund, in coordination with our partners, and following the finalisation of the agreement with the United Nations (implementing agency UNOPS), as the President of the Republic mentioned at the start of today’s session of the Council of Ministers, the operational process is being undertaken by the UN-2720 supervisory mechanism that ensures the collection, transport, unloading and distribution of aid within Gaza.”

Replying to questions, he said that humanitarian missions will continue on this basis.

“The agreement with UNOPS demonstrates the recognition of the initiative by the competent international organisations and partners as a complementary aid corridor to meet the needs of the civilian population,” Gotsis noted.

Moreover, he said that the infrastructure of Cyprus will remain at the disposal of the international community for the collection, storage, safe inspection and departure by sea of additional humanitarian aid.

“We will continue to promote and implement humanitarian initiatives that highlight our constructive role in the region, and beyond, contributing in practice to the efforts to strengthen regional stability and assist in providing security,” he concluded.