Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said Tuesday that the "Amalthea" humanitarian aid operation for Gaza will continue and be further intensified so as to increase the humanitarian aid that will be sent to the civilian population in Gaza.

Cyprus, he said during a press briefing, has created, presented and implemented, an additional tool at the disposal of the international community to supplement existing and future aid channels, the full implementation of which needs the synergies of regional and international actors for the disposal of the appropriate maritime means and the safe transport and distribution of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Today's pilot effort, he said, referring to the first aid ship that left Larnaca port and commenced its journey to Gaza, activates the operational mechanisms of the Amalthea Plan, the maritime corridor for humanitarian aid, and is the beginning of the implementation of this very important initiative that will facilitate the full operational systematization of the maritime corridor.

"We will continue our effort in understanding with the partners who want to contribute" he said, and noted that the President of the European Commission in her speech before the European Parliament in Strasbourg today "welcomed the launch of the initiative and praised the leadership of President Christodoulides and Cyprus in undertaking the initiative and referred to the joint efforts with other countries such as the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, the United Kingdom". 

"Our efforts will continue and will be intensified, with the aim to further strengthen the humanitarian aid that will be sent to the civilian population of Gaza. Like Amalthea, the nurturing goddess gave life according to the Greek mythology, the sea corridor is a thread of life. The journey has just begun", he said.

He noted that Cyprus, as the EU member state in the region, since the beginning of the current humanitarian crisis, has taken the initiative of the maritime corridor, based on the international humanitarian law. He also said that Cyprus has the geographical proximity as well as excellent relations with all directly involved parties.

Asked if Greece is participating in the initiative, he said that Greece is one of the countries that participated in the Joint Declaration issued on 8 March. In addition to the reference of the President of the European Commission, and the Joint Declaration of March 8, he added, "Greece is among the countries that supported and supports this initiative. We are constantly in contact with other states so that they can contribute and help in this very important initiative", he added.

Replying to another question, he said that from the very beginning the government took this initiative, coming up with a very specific plan which it presented in international fora, but also before the European Council.

"It took a lot of effort and persistence on our part to convince some people outside Cyprus and, unfortunately, in Cyprus as well. What we are pleased to announce today is a meaningful initiative, which is giving life to civilians in the Gaza Strip" he pointed out.

Letymbiotis noted that "it is initiatives like this one that further enhance the role of our country in the region, and highlight what our country can achieve through proper planning, through the undertaking of initiatives". 

Asked to comment on a press report that Israel is interested in purchasing a port in Cyprus, the Spokesperson said that this claim is unfounded and that the article is false.