Cyprus is strongly committed to play its full role as a pillar of security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East and as a bridge for dialogue and cooperation between Europe and the region, House President Annita Demetriou said Monday.

Speaking during a Conference on “The Israel – Hamas War” organised by the Glafkos Clerides Institute and the Hanns Seidel Foundation, the House President said that Cyprus’ initiative for a one-way maritime corridor to transfer humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza is a clear example of this and has been welcomed by the UN and the EU alike.

"We must remain committed to the aim of reaching a peaceful, comprehensive, and lasting settlement, based on two-states, Israel and Palestine, coexisting side by side within internationally recognized borders, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and previous agreements", she noted.

She underlined that as international community our duty is to seek solutions, to bring the respect for human dignity back to the forefront of our objectives. The ongoing war, Demetriou said, is a testament to the fact there are no frozen conflicts in our world today and that we cannot resign in favour of a status quo and the same applies to Cyprus.

Demetriou referred to the Cyprus issue noting that our duty is to work for the resumption of negotiations and a solution of bizonal bicommunal federation with political equality.

"Every moment counts and there is no more time to waste. We must strive for a just and viable solution to the Cyprus problem, in line with the European values and principles and according to the pertinent Resolutions of the United Nations Security Council", the House President said.

She referred to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and added that the goal, first and foremost, must be peace and security.

According to Demetriou, a solution to the problem will also have a beneficial effect for the wider region and to global peace.

"We must remain committed to the aim of reaching a peaceful, comprehensive, and lasting settlement, based on two-states, Israel and Palestine, coexisting side by side within internationally recognized borders, in accordance with relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and previous agreements", she said.