By Dora Antoniou

Gathering information, analysis and evaluation is the tripartite on which Athens moves, regarding the situation in Syria. The issue was discussed at length in yesterday’s meeting CYSEAwhere a detailed briefing was given by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the security services. What keeps Athens alert is that “we still don’t know what has emerged in Syria,” as a government official says. It is not only the Greek side in this position. An extraordinary conference will be held today in Jordan with the participation of officials and diplomats from the USA, the EU, Turkey and Arab countries. It is commonplace, as diplomatic sources say, to assess the situation, to exchange information and assessments on the perspectives that are emerging.

Greece declares its presence and interest in the developments at the highest level. The Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakiscontacted by phone King Abdullah II of Jordan and the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thaniwith whom he discussed the developments, reiterating our country’s support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria, while underlining the need to protect all religious minorities in Syria.

Within this environment, in yesterday’s meeting it was pointed out that there is concern and concern as long as the characteristics that the situation in Syria will take on and how this will affect the wider region remain undefined. The importance of keeping open all the channels of communication maintained by our country in the wider Middle East was highlighted. In relation to the refugee issue, Athens is synchronizing its pace with Brussels. And there, according to her source European Commissionthe situation is “wait and see”. Waiting, that is, until the situation settles down. “Everyone is waiting to see how things will develop. European legislation provides that you can suspend examination of asylum applications when there is a fluid situation,” adds the same source.

With this selection of BrusselsGreece is preparing which, as decided yesterday, is still accepting asylum requests and evaluating them, however, no decisions will be issued until the situation in Syria is stabilized. However, there is no indication of increased flows. On the contrary, as pointed out in yesterday’s meeting, if an image of stabilization is formed in Syria, it is expected that Syrians living in our country will show interest in returning.

Without so far any relevant information or any alert from third country services about security threats, the Greek services are “in a state of vigilance and maximum caution, in terms of data evaluation”, as a government official points out.

What is currently being evaluated as a positive sign is the fact that the forces that took power in Syria operate with respect towards multiculturalism and different religious communities, an element that will be crucial to consolidate as a feature of the next day. The Greek embassy in Damascus, which is still operating normally, is in constant communication with the Greek and Greek Orthodox community, constantly assessing the situation.

Athens, of course, also monitors Turkey’s mobility in relation to Syria, with diplomatic sources pointing out that the element of intense fluidity also applies to Ankara’s movements and the final balance of power that will be formed the next day in the wider region.