Cyprus joined the EU considered to be “the black sheep” of the Union, due to the rejection of the Annan plan for the settlement of the Cyprus issue, something that was unfair, however today the country’s role as a bridge and a gateway to the countries of the Middle East has been fully demonstrated, particularly after the war in Gaza and the “Amalthea” initiative for sending humanitarian aid from the island, via a maritime corridor, to the Palestinian people,  the first Permanent Representative of Cyprus to the EU, retired Ambassador, Theophilos Theophilou, has told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA).