“We coordinate actions so that there is a provision of expertise, but also an overall reconstruction plan for Palestine“, stated the Minister of Foreign Affairs Giorgos Gerapetritis in his statements after the meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Jordan Ayman Safadi.

“We have no time frame for further delay, because any extension of the hostilities will make any peace process almost impossible”, he emphasized characteristically and noted that there should be no delay, “so that we act together to be able to stop definitively , sustainably this nightmare».

As he pointed out, “beyond the major issue of the humanitarian crisis, from the possible extension of hostilities, there are of course also serious collateral consequences, such as for example the economic consequences, especially from the restriction of freedom of navigation, but also important consequences in terms of the the populations themselves, with movements with migratory currents that will be created due to this situation».

The Foreign Minister referred to the three specific proposals he submitted to the EU Foreign Affairs Council.

– That EU member states receive, until the end of the war, children from Gaza who are either injured or in a state of lack of vital goods.

– Second, together with his counterparts from Denmark and Portugal, providing technical assistance to deepen democratic institutions and improve efficiency and transparency in the governance of the Palestinian Authority.

– Thirdly, the creation of a task force made up of EU foreign ministers and Arab states with a mediating role in the region, such as Jordan in particular, in order to coordinate the multifaceted efforts currently taking place to end hostilities in the Middle East.

Specifically, when asked about the joint proposal with Denmark and Portugal, he pointed out that it concerns the provision of technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority, so that the democratic institutions are strengthened and there is a strengthening and shielding in terms of the rules of good legislation, accountability , the transparency rules.

“We should at this point give as much legitimacy as possible to the Palestinian Authority“, he pointed out.

“The Palestinian Authority is currently the only reliable interlocutor we have in the wider region and of course it goes without saying that it will have a serious say in the next day of administration in Palestine».

“We should act proactively already to be able to perform at the level of know-how what is possible to make Palestine’s next day workable“, he noted and added that “these actions are necessary in order for the next day to find us ready, because peace at this moment is the immediate issue”.

“The next day is occupied on the one hand by the consolidation of institutions in the wider region in Palestine, as well as the reconstruction operation in the whole region“, he underlined.

As he explained, there has been a very big disaster in the basic infrastructure and networks, so “we should already start our effort to create conditions that will be sustainable for the people of Palestine so that they can settle in their homes.

Because the danger that always exists is that precisely because of the lack of living goods and the lack of the very critical infrastructures that are necessary for people to live, the Palestinians will be forced to emigrate».

He pointed out that the initiatives acquire special value at the present time, “primarily because we are already in an environment of humanitarian disaster. Moreover, because the circle of hostilities instead of shrinking is constantly expanding, especially towards the Red Sea, South Lebanon and the West Bank. While at the same time the vicious circle of unacceptable threats for further military conflicts is strengthened, such as the crude and cynical threat received by Cyprus».

Greece maintains a position of principle in the Middle East

“Greece, from the first moment, as a country that promotes peace and as a reliable interlocutor of all parties, maintained a principled stance in the Middle East“, emphasized Mr. Gerapetritis and added:

“It is a universal demand, of Europe and of the whole world, to stop this nightmare». “This can only be achieved if there is a clear and sustainable vision for the establishment of a Palestinian state, which will at the same time guarantee the security of Israel».

As he pointed out, “at this critical moment for world peace and security, Greece assumes duties as an elected member of the UN Security Council for the two years 2025-2026».

“I am committed to working systematically to restore the true meaning of the UN Charter regarding the peaceful resolution of disputes and the avoidance of violence. Humanity cannot stand further division. Our message of democracy, dialogue and diplomacy should prevail».

He also underlined that there is already a diffusion of hostilities, as it is a “an extremely vulnerable area, with huge historical burdens and for this reason any ignition essentially leads to a multiplying effect of hostilities».

Already, as he explained, we have experienced this in the Red Sea, where we have serious incidents in terms of freedom of navigation, a seriously deteriorating situation in southern Lebanon and the events in the West Bank.

“It is a situation which is a ticking time bomb. For this reason, every day that passes creates more and more intense conditions for the further expansion of hostilities. This calls for an immediate reaction“, he emphasized.

Referring to the bilateral relations between Greece and Jordan, he pointed out that the cultural and economic interaction between Greece and Jordan has a history of 10,000 years, while the bilateral relations are at an excellent level, with particular dynamics in the fields, in particular, of the economy, trade, defense and culture.

“An important chapter for relations is the tripartite cooperation of Greece-Cyprus-Jordan. But also multilaterally, Greece consistently promotes the deepening of relations between the EU and Jordan and cooperates effectively with Amman in the framework of international and regional organizations“, he said.

Mr. Gerapetritis expressed Greece’s long-standing appreciation for Jordan’s stance regarding the protection of Muslim and Christian pilgrimages to the Holy Land. “Jordan actively and beneficially contributes to the preservation of multiculturalism and religious tolerance in a particularly critical region“, he said.

As he recalled, Jordan has been significantly affected by the successive regional crises, hosting millions of Palestinian refugees on its territory. He noted that it generously provides, but sometimes at a price, safe haven for persecuted people.

“In today’s tragic situation in the Middle East, Jordan is working systematically, with prudence and moderation, for peace and stability in the region, unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and planning for the next day“, Mr. Gerapetritis pointed out and mentioned as the most recent initiative, the co-organization with Egypt and the Secretary General of the United Nations, of the International Conference in Amman for the mission of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

Jordanian Foreign Minister: “This war must stop”

“Any threat to stability and peace is a common threat“, emphasized the Jordanian Foreign Minister.

He underlined the special importance of the tripartite cooperation between Greece, Cyprus and Jordan and emphasized that the King of Jordan is interested in strengthening this relationship.

“We look forward to further cooperation in other areas as well“, write down.

“Our relations are based on shared values ​​and mutual respect for thousands of years. We respect humanitarian values, the UN Charter.” But now, as he pointed out, “all these principles are violated».

“Two-thirds of society in Gaza has fled, tens of thousands of people have been killed“, he noted and added that the only way is the two-state solution.

“This war must stop“, he characteristically underlined.

“What Israel is doing is a crime that must be stopped. This is a tragedy».

As he described, the UN cannot distribute food, humanitarian organizations are forbidden to enter, infrastructure is destroyed, schools, hospitals, mosques.

“This war must stop, all independent organizations say it is war crimes. We cannot be silent“, he underlined and emphasized that there is a risk that it will escalate and expand in the wider area.

All this shows, as he noted, that we need to move quickly and that initiatives be taken by the international community, as the future of the region is threatened.

“The credibility of international law is at stake“, he said characteristically.

“The ceasefire is a permanent demand of all. We support every effort made by everyone,” he noted when asked about the initiative of American President Joe Biden.

But, as he said, Israel does not want to stop the war, it wants a temporary truce.

“A permanent ceasefire is needed. We will not send forces into Gaza to replace those of Israel. We want a permanent complete peace, with a two-state solution. We want a full agreement, a radical and permanent solution, otherwise this situation will repeat itself every year».

As he pointed out, humanitarian aid is unable to arrive, as Israel has specific lists of products that can arrive, not all corridors have been opened, there have even been attacks on the trucks that send humanitarian aid.

“We tried to send help from the air, but these quantities are small. Israel is responsible for the situation that has been created“, concluded.