The Republic of Cyprus has accepted the invitation to participate in the upcoming meeting of the US-established Board of Peace on Gaza as an observer, confirmed President Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday.
Regarding the meeting to be held in Washington on February 19, 2026, he said both Cyprus’ invite to and participation in the upcoming meeting as an observer were “very important”.
“We are the European Union member state in the region, we are in contact with several leaders of the Mediterranean states of the EU and within this context the invitation and the presence of the Republic of Cyprus are very important,” he said.
The president added that Cyprus’ participation serves, among many other things, the interests of the country.
Regarding level of representation, Christodoulides said that either he or Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos will attend the Board of Peace, though a final decision will be taken on Monday, in coordination with other heads of government in the Mediterranean.
Asked if other European countries will participate, he said he is aware that Italy has responded positively, as well as some other states.
Regarding Cyprus’ observer status, the president explained that this concerns two issues. The first exclusively concerns strengthening the effort being made for Gaza, he said, noting Cyprus submitted a specific plan on this. The second concerns the general provisions of the US President's Board of Peace, he said, adding that Cyprus did not participate in the Davos opening signing ceremony due to the evaluation made in relation to the United Nations in particular.
"The fact that the United States is coming with an invitation specifically for observer status also shows the desire of the United States for cooperation, to work together, always in relation to the implementation of the US President's plan for Gaza," Christodoulides said.
"We are the European Union country closest to Gaza, we have more than any other state the interest in seeing this plan implemented," he added.
Christodoulides reminded that "after the terrorist attacks in October 2023, we were the first country to develop a specific initiative to provide humanitarian aid to the civilian population in Gaza, the well-known Amalthea initiative.”
He added that Cyprus has a role and obligation to contribute to the implementation of the Gaza peace plan, which he hopes will lead to final peace in the region.
Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis noted that the meeting will look into the next steps in implementing US President Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan, adopted by the United Nations Security Council with Resolution 2803.
Wiggle room found for now
The government's decision to attend puts to bed the period of uncertainty over how to handle the invitation by Washington to attend. It's worth reminding that Cyprus was initially invited, along with some 60 countries and organisations – including Greece, France, the European Commission, and Russia – to attend the signing ceremony of the Board of Peace on the sidelines of Davos Economic Forum last month. France declined, saying it had many concens with regard to the new body's values, veto powers and the issue of permanent membership, which could be bought with a one billion dollar contribution to the Board.
A few other countries outright rejected membership, while many simply avoided showing up, including Cyprus which said the President could not attend due to practical restraints. Regarding future membership, Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos had said at the time that efforts were under way in Brussels to shape a common European position and approach. This effort clearly started off badly as Hungary and Bulgaria became founding members, signing the Board's Charter at the opening ceremony in Davos.
Kombos noted that Cyprus supports Trump's initiatives related to the peace process in Gaza, as well as any effort that strengthens peacebuilding and dispute resolution, provided these remain firmly within the framework of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Trump's newly established Board has come under fire and scrutiny from multiple directions for seeming to undermine or compete with the United Nations. The Board's Charter gives Trump - in his individual capacity - a lifelong chairmanship along with powerful veto rights on almost everything.
The Board, as described in its Charter, deviates considerably from the role and purpose foreseen in UNSC Resolution 2803, creating challenges for invitees, especially small countries like Cyprus that depend on the fundamental principles of international law to address the ongoing occupation of the island's north.
Pros and cons of participation
It is likely that Cyprus has already explained to the State Department its intention to attend the meeting with 'observer status' rather than using the opportunity to sign on the dotted line and become a fully-fledged member. However, attending the first meeting could be interpreted as support to the perceived effort to undermine the UN as a multilateral body. It also puts Cyprus in the awkward position of having to deal on the spot with the whims of a mercurial US President, known for demanding manifest expressions of loyalty.
At the same time, Cyprus wants to play a regional role and highlight its value to big powers and influential neighbours such as the US and Israel. Engaging with Gaza's reconstruction gives it presence in the region's developments. Its contribution could come in the form of using the island as a transit point to send construction material through its maritime corridor to Gaza. Another potential is to offer Cyprus' most famous asset, its tourisim product, as a Rest and Recuperation (R&R) option for the international military forces that may eventually end up stationed in Gaza.
Of course, it remains to be seen which countries will ultimately agree and be accepted to put boots on the ground. It's worth noting that, for now, while Turkey is keen to contribute, Israel is less inclined to see Turkish troops in Gaza.
By clarifying that Cyprus is going as an 'observer' to the first meeting of Trump's new Board of Peace, it takes some pressure off the small country, but does not remove all the risks of participation.