The Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis met today Sunday, February 9th, with the transitional president Al Sarah and the Minister of Foreign Affairs Assad al -Sibani to Damascus.

According to diplomatic sources, Mr Gerapetritis is one of the first Ministers of Foreign State – Member State of the European Union visiting Syria, a country with which Greece maintains historical links, as well as long -term political, economic and cultural relations.

During the meeting, the Foreign Minister reiterated Greece’s support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mr Gerapetritis pointed out the need to make a smooth political transition to an inclusive government, from which no national and religious community should be excluded. He emphasized that the Syrian people should have the sole ownership of this process, without external intervention.

The Foreign Minister emphasized Greece’s strong interest in the Syrian Christian community.

He also underlined the importance of respecting and compliance with international law, including international sea law.

He emphasized Greece’s desire to play an active role in the new situation in Syria, both bilaterally and through the European Union and the UN and made a priority the need to build confidence between the two countries.

Greece, he pointed out, aims to fully exploit its status as a member of the UN Security Council. It is in its interest, she said, to take initiatives to promote stability and prosperity in the region.

As a Member State of the EU in the wider Syrian neighborhood, it emphasized the key importance of the Middle East and the Eastern Mediterranean and emphasized that it maintains strong links with the Arab world, while at the same time being a credible interlocutor of all countries in the region.

Mr Gerapetritis expressed the readiness of Greece to provide humanitarian and development aid to Syria, as well as to provide its know -how in building institutions in the country.