The Republic of Cyprus is discussing with the US about the operation of a maritime humanitarian corridor to Gaza, President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, said on Sunday, expressing hope that a concrete announcement on the matter will be made soon.

Invited to comment on a statement by a US State Department official that the US is continuing its contacts with the Republic of Cyprus for the creation of a humanitarian sea corridor to Gaza, the President of the Republic said that “a member of the US National Security Council was in the past few days in Cyprus for this very reason”.

“We are discussing this with the US and I hope that we will soon be able to announce something concrete,” he concluded.

The Republic of Cyprus launched a few months ago the “Amalthea” initiative aiming at the delivery of humanitarian aid to the population of Gaza, though a maritime corridor via Cyprus.

The President was replying to journalists’ questions after the annual memorial service of the EOKA hero, Gregoris Afxentiou, at Macheras Monastery.