Nicosia will be present at the Gaza Board of Peace discussions, set to be held this afternoon, at foreign minister observer status level, following a White House invitation which took a number of days to confirm, after most European countries, not involved in the launching of the initiative last month, decided to skip the diplomatic gathering, with the UN protesting that an alternative was being created.
Constandinos Kombos will be representing Cyprus, with consultations, mostly over the Gaza reconstruction scheduled to take place at the US Institute of Peace in Washington.
According to a foreign ministry statement, the meeting will go through next steps in the implementation of the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Agreement, involving a phased Trump plan, which started out with the October 10th ceasefire. The Agreement, as noted, was adopted by the 2803 Security Council resolution.
Nicosia further notes that 'Cyprus participation is part of the framework of the country's active involvement from the outset of the Gaza crisis, through initiatives and proposals, as well as its wider contribution to international and regional efforts aimed at strengthening Middle East stability and security'.
Trump to announce 5 billion Reconstruction Plan
The first official meeting of leaders involved in the Board of Peace, following its inception in late January, is described as a bold move by American diplomacy, marking a significant return of mediation in international crises. The meeting is expected to focus on reconstruction following the implementation of the fragile October ceasefire-violated on many occasions since-with declaration of financial reconstruction commitments to the tune of at least five billion dollars and new alliances being forged on this account, as the UN protests its sidelining as facilitator.
No timetable has yet been announced, but as disclosed, the agenda will include talks by a number of foreign leaders, financial commitments and extensive discussions on the future of the enclave.
'It will take many hours', it was noted.
Nikolay Mladenov is the key official
The seasoned Bulgarian diplomat, who was appointed the High Representative for Gaza last month, will act as the main link between the Board of Peace and a technocratic committee made up by Fatah Palestinian officials with a mandate of gradually taking over administration in the ravaged enclave, where infrastructure is all but destroyed.
The committee will set along the path of turning a 20 point ceasefire plan mediated by the US, into a viable future that can lead to the disarmament of Hamas-a thorny issue-reconstruction, rebuilding of vital infrastructures and governing two million people.
The Palestinian officials will be supporting the Board of Peace in the form of a different committee, made up amongst others, by foreign secretary Marco Rubio, Trump's Special Representative Steve Witkoff, the Presidents' son in law Jared Kusner and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.