President of the Republic Nikos Christodoulides said on Monday that he had on Sunday evening a telephone conversation with his Israeli counterpart, while today he will talk with the Egyptian President regarding the situation in Israel, expressing the readiness of Cyprus to help in any way it can.

In statements to journalists in Limassol, the President of the Republic said that "yesterday evening I had a telephone conversation with the President of Israel. I am shocked by what he told me about the situation."

He expressed, he said, the sympathy of the Republic of Cyprus, the Government and the Cypriot people, but also expressed hope that the crisis will end as soon as possible.

At the same time, the President said, he informed the President of Israel that Cyprus' hospitals are ready if there is need, to treat any wounded.

This afternoon, he added, he will speak with the President of Egypt about the situation in Israel, noting that Egypt is a country that in such crises, especially in Israel, has throughout time played an important role, in many cases by its own interventions, and either prevented or ended such kind of crises.

We will discuss this issue and I hope that developments will be created that will allow us to be optimistic, he continued.

What we are witnessing, the President noted, is tragic, condemnable, adding that "there is absolutely no justification, it is something that at the same time affects our region more broadly." 

The Republic of Cyprus, he pointed out, has always had excellent relations with all neighbouring states and noted that "if we can play any role at the humanitarian level or as an EU member state, we are ready to do so."

Replying to a comment by a journalist that Cyprus' energy plans will be put on hold, the President Christodoulides said that "I would not necessarily say that"  noting that Israel's priority at the moment is to handle this unprecedented situation, "which takes us back many years."

He reiterated that "I am shocked from what I heard last night about what has happened and right now what is important is to end this."

Asked about the security measures taken in Cyprus, President Christodoulides said that the National Security Council is constantly evaluating the situation. It held a meeting yesterday and one this morning, he said, at the level of technocrats with all the competent services of the Republic, especially as regards the ports, airports, crossing points, the cease-fire line and some other points, such as Diplomatic Missions, where measures have been increased by the competent services.

The measures, he said, are constantly being evaluated and if there is need for other measures, they will be taken.

Asked if there are any developments in relation to Pyla, the President of the Republic said that we should wait until this afternoon, noting that he does not wish to speak before any relevant announcements are made by those who should make them.