The message that the Greek foreign policy in the Middle East is a policy of principles, International Law and national interest was broadcast again by the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis in an interview with Vima on Sunday.

“Greece has a very important international capital. It has been earned with the consistent, honest, integrity attitude we have maintained in recent years and for this reason we can be reliable interlocutors not only with regional states but also with all governments and international organizations. This is what we will continue to do. Our position both in Ukraine and in the Middle East is one of principle. We are against any aggression and any revisionism. So, I am very clear that we will remain champions of International Law, the values ​​of democracy and humanity” made clear the Minister of Foreign Affairs. In fact, he hastened to clarify that Greece is not going to get involved in any war conflict, but will do everything in its power to have a creative and active diplomacy to be able to reduce tensions and restore peace as in the Middle East as well as in Ukraine.

Speaking about the crisis in the Middle East after the terrorist attack by Hamas against Israel on October 7, Mr. Gerapetritis emphasized that from the first moment Greece took a very clear position. “Every act of terrorism, every act of violence, every inhumane treatment should be roundly condemned. But we also said that civilians should be protected and that humanitarian corridors should be created so that humanitarian aid can get through to Gaza and so that the people, who are the most vulnerable in the war, can have the necessary explained the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Asked about Greece’s position on the UN resolution on Gaza, Mr. Gerapetritis replied that our country moved along the European lines and had a creative approach during the discussion for a useful and fair text, while he said that it was about a resolution proposal that came from the Arab world, from Jordan, and that he was in constant communication with his counterparts in the region.

“We tried to have a text, which would be acceptable to all sides. And we didn’t do this because we want to strike a balance,” he said and clarified: “So we said the following: That we will certainly accept a resolution, which, however, should have as a fundamental starting point the condemnation of every terrorist act. We all understand that it is inconceivable not to have one condemnation, which will occupy every action, which is directed against a state. I think we all agree on this and, moreover, we tried with other creative interventions to have a text, which will be both beneficial and fair. In this context, and given that in the end we did not have these proposals, ours, to pass into the final text, we chose the path of abstention».

In fact, he made it clear that abstention is in no way equivalent to a vote against, and this because it is not counted in the total number of those present to obtain a majority, as well as that it was the path followed by the majority of the states of the European Union.

At the same time, he assured that even today Greece continues the effort with constant communication with the Arab world and with Israel, in order “to be able to ensure that there will be protection of civilians and as much humanitarian aid as possible to the victims, especially in Gaza ». And “this will continue to be the attitude of Greece” he explained adding that for our country “the dead have no nationality”.

Responding to the criticism he received for the abstention stance, Mr. Gerapetritis said that it has absolutely no basis in real data.

“Anyone who has read the text of this resolution can understand why we did not vote against, as, I mean, European Union countries did, but also why we did not vote in favor, as other countries did. We moved on the European line. This line of the majority of European countries was abstention, so that at the end of the day it would be easier to vote in favor, but, on the other hand, to be very clear that if there is no condemnation of terrorism in all its forms, it is not possible for the country us to vote for such a texthe additionally noted.

He made special reference to the initiative of Greece, Cyprus and France to create a humanitarian corridor of solidarity with Gaza: “We are coordinating with international organizations, especially the United Nations, and with Israel itself.

When we were in Israel with the Prime Minister a few days ago, in the very context of the discussion we had with the Israeli Prime Minister, the issue of the humanitarian corridor directly by sea to Gaza was raised. We all understand that this undertaking has particular technical difficulties, because in the wider Gaza Strip there is no safe port for a ship to enter. So, special conditions are needed and, of course, to make sure that there will be security guarantees for a ship to sail there. We are still in discussions to ensure as immediate, beneficial and effective humanitarian aid as possible to the affected civilians in Gaza.”

In addition, as he announced, Greece will also send humanitarian aid through Egypt.

International Law is our guide in Greek-Turkish relations, issues of national sovereignty cannot be discussed

The interview then revolved around Greek-Turkish relations and the recent meetings in Athens on the Political Dialogue and the Positive Agenda, with the foreign minister pointing out that the discussions took place in an extremely productive atmosphere and that step by step the two countries are moving towards a good atmosphere

Clearly portraying Greece’s position, he emphasized that our country follows an attitude in favor of International Law and declared once again that “We genuinely want to have good relations with all countries, especially the neighboring ones, including Turkey. However, we should clarify two things that are very important. International Law will always be our guide and, moreover, it will not be possible to discuss issues that touch on Greek national sovereignty”.

In this light, he highlighted the need to have, on the one hand, a common understanding, so that “every time a tension or difference arises, it does not lead to a crisis”, and on the other hand, productive discussion.

“We do not believe that inaction is the way to resolve disputes. Certainly, there are areas of discussion that will lead to mutually beneficial agreements. Civil protection, immigration policy, tourism are issues that can naturally be on an agenda that will lead to positive agreements for the two countries” he said and noted that we must “look at the issues that take time. I think the fullness of time has arrived, so that we can discuss without tensions, for the good of the two countries and above all for the good of the next generations who have the right to live in a peaceful and prosperous region».

The next stage of Greek-Turkish relations is the Supreme Cooperation Council. “The discussion that will take place in December between the two delegations will primarily revolve around the approval of everything that has been discussed so far, that is, the signing of a series of agreements, which will be concluded between the two delegations by December 7 and will also determine the next steps.

The leaders of the two countries will be asked to adopt, approve a series of positive, mutually beneficial agreements, determine the next steps and confirm a climate of settlement,” he said. Noting that from February until now there has been a long period of quiet and settlement in our neighborhood, he noted:

“It is a period which is not at all self-evident and allows us to have a restrained but sustainable optimism that we can build on this calm. And the feeling I have is that there is room for us to be able to discuss with Turkey, without agreeing on everything. We know that we have fundamental differences on critical issues, however, it is important that we can find common ground so that we can move forward».

Commenting on Turkey’s position on the Middle East, he pointed out that Ankara has currently chosen to develop a diplomacy that is close to Hamas.

“It is something that is not acceptable in our context. It goes without saying that any terrorist attack, especially against civilians and the vulnerable, must be condemned by all” he added, stressing however that regardless of this, Greece will continue the course of dialogue and cooperation with Turkey and expressed the hope that the good climate for the improvement of bilateral relations will continue.

At the same time, he did not fail to mention the role of Cyprus in view of the Supreme Cooperation Council.

“Cyprus has always been of prime importance in the exercise of our foreign policy. It is a huge national capital and a national obligation towards History. We could never overlook the Cypriot dimension” he mentioned and pointed out that as far as the development of cooperation with Turkey is concerned, it is the common understanding of the Cypriot government that the improvement of Greek-Turkish relations could only have a positive effect on the development of the Cypriot issue. In particular, regarding the issue of the Supreme Council of Greece – Cyprus, which will be held in a few days in Athens, he said that a series of issues will be discussed, mainly of a bilateral nature.

“We will have the opportunity to discuss to further develop our national line on the critical issues that concern us” he added and made it known that there will also be the signing of certain agreements to improve bilateral relations.

Referring to the Cyprus issue, he made it clear that Greece insists with arguments and persuasion, that this issue should be resolved within the framework of the decisions of the United Nations Security Council on a bi-zonal bi-communal federation, as well as that the dialogue should continue in it as well for the Turkish Cypriot side to come. In fact, he underlined that Greece will continue to raise the issue of Cyprus both in international organizations and in any other situation and expressed the hope that we will have a much more productive discussion in the near future.

Finally, the Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated regarding the Beleris issue, that it is self-evident that as long as this pending issue remains, the bilateral relations between Greece and Albania will be shaken and that this issue is a matter of fundamental principles of the rule of law, which defends the civil rights of all citizens and especially minorities within each country. He noted that he will make sure that this is reported in all international forums and in the European Union, as he has done until today.