Nicosia, 10/05/2002 (Agence Europe) - Speaking from Nicosia, Friday morning, Pat Cox commended the Cyprus Government's contribution in the happy outcome of the siege of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, allowing thirteen Palestinian activists to spend a few days in transit in Cyprus before being sent on to different countries of the EU. "By this act, Cyprus is already co-operating effectively with the EU, even before enlargement. Cyprus' geographical position and historical links with the Middle East should help to strengthen the EU's strategic presence in the region: this is to be welcomed, and I commend Foreign Minister Kasoulides on his swift and effective action", declared the President of the European Parliament. It is thanks to EU diplomatic action that the crisis of the siege of the Church of the Nativity ended Friday morning with the release of 123 besieged Palestinians, 13 of whom regarded as "dangerous" by Israel that were sent on to Cyprus where they will wait to move on to their host country. probably Spain, Greece and Italy. Israeli Minister Danny Naveh of the Likud, party of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, declared himself to be "sickened" by the departure of the 13 Palestinians abroad: "I am sickened at seeing these people leaving instead of rotting in jail", he declared on Israeli public radio.