“Human dignity and the loss of human lives have no color and no nationality,” Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said upon his arrival at the EU Council of Foreign Ministers in Brussels, referring to the situation in the Middle East.

“To point out how important it is to have a like-minded attitude on the part of the EU, to condemn terrorism together, the attack of October 7 which created this regime”, he added. Responding to a question about the removal of Greeks from the area, Mr. Gerapetritis noted that “yesterday we completed the round of transfers. The last seven people of Greek origin or Greek citizenship were found safely in Egypt.”

In particular, the Greek Minister of Foreign Affairs stated:

“We come today to discuss major issues concerning the EU, which concern the European family. In addition to the issue of EU enlargement, we will discuss three major crises that are plaguing our region and shaking regional and international security. The issue of Ukraine, the issue of the Middle East, the issue of Armenia and Azerbaijan. In particular, on the issue of the Middle East, I would like to point out how important it is that there is a united stand on the part of the EU, that we all condemn terrorism, the attack of 7 October which created this regime. On the other hand, the time has come to activate the forces of humanitarianism, it is critical that there is a humanitarian pause, which will allow corridors for full humanitarian assistance, to allow those who need medical assistance to have the appropriate treatment, to restore the infrastructures which have been affected. Human dignity and the loss of human life have no color and no nationality.

From the first moment, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs made a huge effort so that those Greek citizens who wish to move from Israel and especially from the war zone of Gaza are transported safely. Indeed, yesterday we completed the transport cycle. The last seven people of Greek origin or Greek citizenship were found safely in Egypt. This completes the circle of those who wished to come out. I would like to warmly thank the services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and especially our diplomatic missions in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv and Cairo for a very difficult effort and let’s hope that this crisis will stop as soon as possible.”