Cyprus Activates ESTIA Plan Amid Regional Escalation

The decision to put the national ESTIA plan on standby was made by the Ministerial Crisis Management Group, which includes the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Defense, Interior, and Justice and Public Order, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus.

The plan provides for the possible reception and repatriation of third-country nationals from crisis zones through the territory of the Republic of Cyprus.

ESTIA is the Foreign Ministry's national emergency plan, activated in cases of emergency to facilitate the safe evacuation of citizens from crisis areas in the Middle East via Cyprus.

Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos stated that Cyprus is "closely monitoring developments in the region" and maintains "constant contact" with diplomatic missions on the ground. According to him, the ministry's Crisis Management Department remains in full readiness to respond.

Cyprus's diplomatic missions are also closely monitoring the situation, with a particular focus on the safety and well-being of Cypriot citizens in the region.