Concerns Over Regional Stability Amid Tensions Between Iran and Israel
In a recent statement at the Delphi Forum in Greece, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos expressed his deep concerns regarding the potential repercussions of an Iranian attack on Israel, emphasizing the significant impact such an event would have on Cyprus and the broader region. Kombos highlighted the shift from a previously predictable geopolitical landscape to one fraught with uncertainty, which complicates crisis management.
The minister underscored that Cyprus is actively preparing for various scenarios, with a focus on swift action due to the compressed nature of diplomatic and political timelines. He noted that any reaction from Iran could drastically escalate the Middle East crisis, urging for restraint to avoid unpredictable consequences.
“As the Republic of Cyprus, we are directly affected by this in many ways,” Kombos stated. He elaborated on two pressing issues: the potential activation of Cyprus’s National ‘Estia’ Plan for evacuating third country nationals and the challenge of managing migratory flows that could result from regional escalations.
Kombos differentiated between the evacuation of third country nationals and the more complex issue of refugee flows, which has seen a marked increase from Syria. Despite improvements in handling asylum applications, the surge in arrivals is straining Cyprus’s resources. In response, the Cypriot government has been seeking solutions, including a recent presidential visit to Lebanon, to address the migration crisis collaboratively, with support from the European Union.
Finally, the Foreign Minister pointed out the government’s strategic objective to expand Cyprus’s diplomatic presence beyond single-issue politics. This approach aims not only to address immediate regional challenges but also to serve the existential national interests of Cyprus.
