“Mr. President,

I would like to express our support for the convening of this important and timely meeting. Cyprus acknowledges the significant role that United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) plays in assisting and protecting millions of Palestinian refugees across the Middle East and its contribution to the stability of the region. We would like to stress that a collapse of its services could have negative repercussions not only for Palestine and Israel but also in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and beyond.

In addition to the donation made in the Rome conference in March 2017, the government of Cyprus has decided to donate the amount of EUR50.000 as a symbolic contribution towards the significant work being carried out by the Agency for the benefit of the Palestinian refugees.

I thank you.”