of DORA ANTONIOU

The developments in Syria is closely monitored by the Greek government with attention focused on the effects that will be recorded in the wider region and on the balance of power. Athens, in its official reaction through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, joined the EU in welcoming the fall of authoritarian Assad regimewhile focusing her interest on how all the “players” involved move through a process that can bring about reversals of power.

For the Greek government, there is also special interest in the refugee issue, for which the government representative, Pavlos Marinakisyesterday expressed “reserved optimism” about “the possible return of many refugees, people who have suffered more than many can imagine in recent years because of the situation in Syria.” Athens’ attention is, of course, focused on the Greek and Greek Orthodox community of Syria, which was made clear by the communication the Prime Minister had, Kyriakos Mitsotakiswith the Patriarch of Antioch, John I’.

Diplomatic sources say that the image of stabilization being broadcast by Syria is easing concerns about a new wave of refugees, which were very strong until a few days ago. In fact, as reported, the Greek embassy had received six days ago 60 requests to move from the same number of families in Aleppowhich have now been reduced to a very small single-digit number, while from Damascus only one family addressed some questions to the embassy. Based on this picture, the perception prevails that a relative normalization is taking place. This, of course, does not mean that there is no vigilance, as in the event of a new destabilization or new conflicts, the issue of safe removal of families from the Greek community or an increase in refugee flows may arise again.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Giorgos Gerapetritis, yesterday had a telephone conversation with his counterparts in Jordan and Lebanon. Athens underlines the need for a smooth political transition, to be determined by the Syrian people, based on UN Security Council Resolution 2254, stressing that civilians, religious communities and cultural heritage sites must be safeguarded and protected.

The mobility of Athens at the diplomatic level is projected as a natural continuation of the acquis that it is recognized as a reliable interlocutor by all involved parties in the wider Middle East. At the same time, at the beginning of the new year, our country will assume duties as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, a position that entails increased intervention in regional crises. The presence these days of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexandra Papadopoulou, in Israel and the Palestinian territories, which has been planned for days, comes to “button” Athens’ ability to talk with all those involved and the upgraded role it seeks to play in overcoming the crisis . It should be noted that, according to diplomatic sources, the Greek embassy in Damascus is one of only three embassies still operating in the Syrian capital (the other two are the embassies of Italy and Romania), which also gives added value to diplomatic mobility of our country.