“We have to ensure that there will be no attack on civilians,” he stressed Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis, referring to developments in the Middle East, in an interview with Al Arabiya, which he gave last week at the EU-Gulf Cooperation Council Ministerial Meeting in Oman.

Mr. Gerapetritis referred to the five-point action plan for the immediate response to the situation, which he proposed during the Synod:

“First, we should unanimously agree that any form of violence, terrorism or inhumane treatment is completely unacceptable,” he noted.

“Secondly, all abductees and hostages should be released. Third, we should ensure that there is no attack on civilians. Fourth, we must ensure the creation of humanitarian corridors to alleviate human suffering and provide humanitarian assistance to those at risk,” he said.

Fifth, he noted, “we must organize and convene an emergency Summit with the participation of the parties involved and representatives of the EU, the Arab League and the United Nations, in order to address the root causes of this problem.”

“This is an extremely difficult situation and we are very worried. I believe that a joint effort must be made by both Europe and the Gulf countries in order to find a sustainable solution to the problem”, he underlined.

Asked about the role of Greece, he pointed out that it could significantly assist the Gulf countries and he looks forward to becoming the voice and entry point of these countries to the EU and the world.

“We believe we can provide valuable assistance, especially in the Middle East crisis,” he noted. “I had extensive talks with the delegations of all the Gulf countries, as well as telephone communication with the foreign ministers of Egypt and Jordan. We discussed the situation at length.”

“We must coordinate our action both against terrorists and against any kind of humanitarian crisis and deal with the causes that cause this vicious cycle of violence,” he emphasized.