Flights to repatriate Cypriot citizens from areas affected by the Middle East crisis are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said late on Tuesday.
In a statement, Letymbiotis said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus had arranged charter flights as part of the broader management of developments stemming from the regional crisis, particularly concerning Cypriot nationals currently in the United Arab Emirates.
He said the necessary arrangements had been completed and that the relevant procedures were already underway.
According to Letymbiotis, the flights are expected to start on Wednesday, “under the obvious and non-negotiable condition of ensuring safety”, in accordance with the guidelines issued by the competent national authority responsible for airspace control in the UAE and in coordination with regional authorities.
Officials from the Foreign Ministry’s National Crisis Management Centre are already in direct contact with Cypriots who have registered their details on the Connectcy platform in order to organise the scheduling of the flights.
Letymbiotis noted that citizens who have already submitted their contact details on the platform are not required to take any further action.
He added that the Foreign Ministry would continue to work intensively to ensure the safe return of all Cypriot nationals.
As part of the wider repatriation plan, he said a flight from Egypt had already transported eight Cypriot citizens who had been in Israel.
“The protection and safe return of our citizens is an absolute priority and all competent services remain in constant coordination to manage the situation effectively,” he said.