Announcement of the Ministry
of Foreign Affairs
on the ceasefire agreement
in the Gaza Strip
The
Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
It commends Egypt for its crucial role in reaching this agreement, in spite of
all the hurdles to and undermining of its constructive efforts, mainly by
Turkey.
With
its announcement of 13.7.2014, five days after the start of the Israeli aerial
bombardments and before the incursion of ground forces in the Gaza Strip, the
Ministry called upon the friendly countries of the region inferring Egypt, to
embark on mediation for an immediate ceasefire.
Both
within the EU during the Foreign Affairs Council meeting on 22.7.2014 and
during the telephone conversation the Minister of Foreign Affairs had with his
Egyptian counterpart on 29.7.2014, Cyprus offered its geographic proximity for
lifting the blockade imposed on Gaza, as well as its full support for re-opening
the Rafah crossing under the aegis of the Palestinian government.
We
are saddened and unequivocally condemn the disproportionate use of force by
Israeli forces, as well as the tactic employed by Hamas to disregard the
exposure of the civilian population to fire, which resulted to the tragic loss
of so many lives, mainly children, as well as immense material destruction.
The
diplomatic and behind-the-scenes efforts for achieving a ceasefire agreement
the soonest possible was far more important to us than publicity, especially
since we fully align with the Foreign Affairs Council Conclusions of 22.7.2014
and the following statements by Lady Ashton on behalf of all the EU Member
States.
The
management of public messages is no substitute to dealing with and managing
reality.
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