The focus keyword is clear: Cyprus is not organising the upcoming Gaza Executive Board meeting, as confirmed by Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos. The two-day summit is scheduled to take place in Cyprus on June 30 and July 1.
During a press briefing on Thursday, Kombos reiterated that the island’s role is limited to being a venue for the gathering. “We are not organising, we are not co-organising, we are not participating in the discussions that will take place,” he stated, emphasising the Republic of Cyprus’s observer status regarding the Board of Peace, which addresses issues directly related to Gaza.
Kombos noted that while Cyprus is not directly involved in the meeting, the government has maintained contact with some of the organisers. He mentioned that proposals from Cyprus concerning humanitarian efforts and reconstruction in Gaza have been submitted, and these topics will likely come up during bilateral meetings with Executive Board members.
The Foreign Minister acknowledged the delays in financing and implementing projects in Gaza, attributing them to the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf. However, he welcomed the renewed interest in Gaza’s issues, highlighting that financing will be one of the key topics discussed at the meeting.
When questioned about Cyprus potentially becoming a central hub for Gaza’s reconstruction, Kombos was cautious. He remarked that it is too early to speculate and emphasised the need to focus on the resumption of efforts first. Furthermore, he dismissed the idea of Cyprus transitioning from observer to member status within the Gaza Board of Peace as “idle speculation.”
Kombos clarified that Cyprus has chosen to participate as an observer in matters concerning Gaza, in alignment with the UN Security Council’s directives. He pointed out that during a previous session in Washington, the majority of EU member states and the European Commission were present, indicating that Cyprus is not isolated in its approach to this matter.
On the humanitarian front, Kombos confirmed that shipments of aid to the Gaza Strip continue, including a recent delivery of medical equipment and incubators for infants. He also mentioned that another shipment is ready to depart.
The Gaza Executive Board comprises notable figures, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, former British Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and Jared Kushner, former President Trump’s son-in-law. Despite an impressive $17 billion (€15 billion) in pledges, the Financial Times has reported that the Board of Peace fund is currently empty, resulting in a standstill for projects in Gaza.
