RAMALLAH, October 29, 2026 (WAFA) — Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas praised the Republic of Cyprus for its support for the rights of the Palestinian people, expressing hope that it would play a positive role in achieving peace.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in the capital, Nicosia, on Thursday, President Abbas reaffirmed Palestine’s commitment to strengthening bilateral relations and working together to achieve peace and stability in the region.
President Abbas said Palestinian-Cypriot relations are historic and firmly rooted, dating back to before Cyprus recognized the State of Palestine in 1988. He noted that Cyprus’s early recognition reflected its principled positions and sincere commitment to Palestinian rights and the just Palestinian cause.
He also expressed Palestine’s appreciation for the humanitarian and political support Cyprus provides to the Palestinian people and their national cause, stressing the importance of continued coordination and cooperation between the two countries across various fields for the benefit of both peoples.
President Abbas underscored that Palestine attaches the utmost importance to achieving security and stability in the region, including ensuring security and peace between Palestinians and Israelis. He said the Palestinian side seeks peace through adherence to international legitimacy and its resolutions, including those of the UN Security Council and General Assembly, as well as the principles of human rights and international law.
He added that the Palestinian leadership believes in and remains committed to peaceful popular resistance in confronting Israeli measures. The Palestinian people, he said, seek to secure their legitimate rights through peaceful means and the legal and diplomatic channels guaranteed by international legitimacy.
He said he would discuss with the Cypriot president the difficult conditions and severe hardships facing Palestinians amid continued Israeli attacks and violations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, which is recognized as the capital of the State of Palestine under relevant UN resolutions.
He reiterated that the Palestinian leadership had extended its hand to Israel for many years in pursuit of peace, seeking to give both peoples the opportunity to live in security, stability and peace. He stressed that the goal goes beyond peace between the two sides to establishing comprehensive regional peace that ensures security and stability between Israel and all neighboring Arab and Islamic countries.
Regarding the recent Israeli elections, President Abbas expressed hope that the period following the formation of the new Israeli government would create an opportunity to resume serious political dialogue and advance peace in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.
President Abbas also voiced hope that Cyprus would play a positive role in supporting peace efforts. He said its geographic location, regional relations and support for peace positioned it to help bridge differences and encourage dialogue in the interests of regional security and stability.
For his part, Christodoulides reaffirmed Cyprus’s commitment to supporting a resolution of the Palestinian question based on UN resolutions. He stressed the importance of strengthening Palestinian-Cypriot relations and working together to achieve security and stability in the region.
“I am pleased to welcome President Mahmoud Abbas,” Christodoulides said, noting that his previous visits to Palestine in 2023 and 2025 reflected the two countries’ longstanding historical ties. He also recalled that Cyprus recognized the State of Palestine in 1988.
Christodoulides said Cyprus’s position on resolving the Palestinian question was clear and grounded in UN resolutions. He emphasized the importance his country attaches to its relations with Palestine as part of broader efforts to promote regional security and stability.
He noted that the largest share of the humanitarian aid provided by Cyprus is allocated to Palestine. He also said Cyprus hosts training for Palestinians at the Cyclops training center in Larnaca.
Christodoulides described Abbas’s visit and that of his accompanying delegation as taking place at a critical and important time for the region. He expressed hope that their talks would lead to joint initiatives serving everyone’s interests and creating conditions conducive to security and stability.
He stressed that Cyprus seeks to be part of the solutions to the region’s problems, rather than part of its crises, adding that his country adopts a positive approach and stands ready to play an active role in supporting Palestine and helping resolve outstanding issues.
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