With the position of principle it took from the first moment on the situation in the Middle East, Greece talks with the Arab world, with Israel and is reliable, explained the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis from the podium of the Economist’s 27th Annual Roundtable. “We will always be in favor of the peaceful resolution of disputes” he underlined, adding that “we must ensure the right of states to defend themselves against attacks, within the limits set by International Law”. In fact, he made it clear that terrorism in any form cannot be accepted by anyone.

As he explained, Greece condemned every form of terrorism, violence and inhumane treatment and emphasized that it is not possible to have any kind of hostage situation, as long as the human being is used as a means of extortion between the states, and that civilians are targeted. In addition, he noted that our country was in favor of ensuring humanitarian access and assistance to all the vulnerable, as well as that this issue should be resolved at an international conference, under the auspices of the UN and with the participation of all powerful players and interested parties.

Outlining Greece’s role in the changing geopolitical environment, he reiterated Greece’s longstanding position on the Middle East in favor of two states, according to the resolutions of the UN Security Council and pointed out that the Greek foreign policy will remain a foreign policy of principles. It is not going to become either opportunistic or transactional, he clarified.

He announced that there is a possibility that he will travel to the Middle East again soon.

Focusing further on the Middle East, he said that it is a great test for all of us because it is an issue which is at the forefront of the foreign policy of all the countries of the West and the Arab world.

Referring to the major challenges of today, he listed the climate crisis, food insecurity, aggression, public health and migration. The five contemporary challenges have three common characteristics, the foreign minister pointed out: They have no place and time, we are experiencing the collapse of certainties and universal crises are not faced with universal solutions.

Invoking the phrase of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, that “compromise has become a dirty word”, the foreign minister remarked that we have difficulty in being able to sit down and discuss problems which are common. We find it difficult to take a deliberative attitude towards things in order to find solutions that will be beneficial. “We must be deliberative. Let’s face the issues with caution and above all to put tomorrow in our thinking, not only today or yesterday” he underlined.

In the discussion that followed with former US Assistant Secretary of State Wes Mitchell and David Harris, a strategic advisor at the Henry Jackson Society in London, Mr Gerapetritis said it was important to bring Western and Arab countries to the same table to limit the loss of human life. “We need moderation and dialogue,” he pointed out.

Finally, when asked about Greek-Turkish relations, the Foreign Minister said that we are forced by geography to try to live together, in terms of prosperity and peace. “It is our belief to try to develop good neighborly relations with Turkey, based on mutual respect. There are things in which the two countries can cooperate”, he noted and referred to positive measures that Greece and Turkey can jointly take, such as for example in the field of economy, civil protection and immigration. “It opens a window of opportunity for both countries to discuss in good faith because we have two new governments, with a recent mandate, we have two leaders who together want to develop friendly relations and we will use every opportunity to build a proper relationship ». However, the minister emphasized that the process will not be easy and ended by saying that “there is the will for a step-by-step process, so that we can find the right way to move forward.”