The press conference was given to UN correspondents by the Greek Permanent representative in United Nations, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, after the assumption of Greece with the presidency of the Security Council for May.

Mr Sekeris described the Security Council for the month’s work program, emphasizing maritime safety and civilian protection.

He mentioned in detail the agenda, key priorities and scheduled meetings. He also answered correspondents questions on issues concerned by the Security Council.

“This is the third consecutive presidency of the EU Member State Security Council after Denmark and France,” Greece’s permanent representative stressed, underlining the institutional continuity.

The Greek Presidency aims for greater transparency and efficiency, as well as more participatory decision -making processes.

The briefing began with reference to World Freedom Day of the Press (May 3). Greece, as a co -chairman of the Friends of Friends for the Protection of Journalists (along with France and Lithuania), will be released a statement honoring the day.

“We pay tribute to all the journalists and workers in the media who lost their lives in duty,” Mr Sekeris noted, reiterating Greece’s commitment to defend their rights.

Main event of the Greek Presidency- Sea Security

May 20th will be the day of the thematic event of the Greek Presidency, entitled “Enhanced Security at sea through international cooperation for global stability”.

The discussion will be chaired by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, with key speakers with UN Secretary -General Antonio Guterres and the President of the Hellenic Shipowners Union, Melina Travlou.

“We have highlighted the fact at a high level to emphasize Greece’s interest in this very important issue,” Mr Sekeris said. The approach, he said, will be “holistic”, focusing on freedom of navigation, supply chains and international cooperation.

High -level discussion – the protection of civilians

On May 22, a ministerial level will be held on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, chaired by Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis.

The key rapporteurs include the International Red Cross Committee, Deputy Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Tom Fletcher and John Tisler Pinko from the NGO “Save the Children”. Emphasis will be placed on compliance with international humanitarian law and the security of humanitarian staff.

“We also want to highlight the gender dimension in protecting civilians,” Mr Sekeris said.

The main points of the presentation of the Security Council work program for May 2025:

– May 5: Consultations on Resolution 1559 (Lebanon).

– May 6: Six-monthly debate on Bosnia-Herzegovina by Christian Smind.

– May 8: Informal debate on the Cooperation of the General Meeting – Security Council – Peace Committee.

– May 13: Information on Irini business in Libya.

– May 14: Information on Yemen, with emphasis on agenda women, peace and security.

– May 15: Information by the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court of Criminal Court of Kan Kan for Libya.

– May 21: Regular information on Syria by Giar Pedersen.

– May 27: A judge election to the International Court of Justice in The Hague for the vacant position left by the new Lebanese prime minister.

– May 28: Discussion for the Middle East with an emphasis on the humanitarian situation on gauze and west bank.

– May 29: Voting for sanctions in southern Sudan, renewal of Unmiss mission command and consultations on sanctions in North Korea.

– May 30: End of Presidency Valuation Session.

Mr Sekeris said the program would be enriched because of so many crises and conflicts worldwide.

Answering a question from the Athenian-Macedonian News Agency on how Greece sees the role of UNCLOS in tackling today’s threats to sea security, especially in areas where disagreements such as the Eastern Mediterranean or the Red Sea, Mr Sekeris, should “emphasize Greece”.

“One of the reasons why we organized this event for maritime security is precisely to show the importance of international law, and especially for international sea law. And, of course, we believe that marine differences should be settled through the UNCLOS application.

You also know-which is very important-that last September leaders of the UN Member States adopted the Future Pact, which is a non-binding legal document, but of significant political importance, where there are two provisions on sea security. And a direct reference to international law and sea law and UNCLOS. So we could say that UNCLOS enjoys wide consensus on its importance.

So this is something that will emerge in the discussion we will have on May 20th. There is also a resolution for the Red Sea, in 2768 of 2025, which Greece has compiled with the United States. This resolution emphasizes the importance of maritime security, the protection of global supply chains and economic developments based on international sea law.

I think there is a growing consensus on the importance of UNCLOS, in fact, that all maritime differences should be settled in accordance with this very important treaty, “he said.

Asked by the Cyprus News Agency on developments in the Cyprus issue after the informal meeting of Geneva, Mr Sekeris said that “although no discussion has been planned in May, Greece is reiterating its support for the Cyprus issue”.

“It is very important, as you mentioned in your question, for the Security Council to continue to deal with the Cyprus issue. In fact, we had the recent renewal of UNFICYP’s command last January with a very robust text, which was unanimously agreed by the Council.

And this is very important to have a unanimous agreement on this very important issue. As a country, we would like to reiterate our gratitude to the Secretary -General, first for his long -term commitment to the Cyprus issue and the search for a peaceful settlement based on a bi -communal, bi -zonal federation with political equality, as defined in the relevant Council resolution, It was, I would say, great optimism, ”he said.

Asked by a journalist about the attack on Jamos and Kashmir, Mr Sekeris said that Greece “is closely monitoring the situation, condemning every act of terrorism and expressing its heartfelt condolences”. Although no official request for a meeting on the matter has been taken in May, Mr Sekeris noted that “if there is no decline, there may be an extraordinary convocation of the Council”.

Answering a question about possible meetings on Iran, Ukraine and the non -spread of nuclear weapons, Mr Sekeris clarified that “there is no planned compulsory meeting, but they expect that at least one of these cases, there may be a request”, especially due to the seriousness of the files.

“Non -spreading nuclear remains a common target“, He added, confirming the priority of the issue for the Security Council.

Concerning Ukraine, Mr Sekeris said that Greece supports its territorial integrity. “We stand in solidarity with Ukraine. There can be no peace without Ukraine – and without Europe on the table, ”he noted.

To a question about the migratory flows in the MediterraneanMr Sekeris replied that “the Mediterranean is facing serious challenges, both in security and humanitarian”, stressing that although there is not a separate meeting only for the migration “it will be included in the positions of Member States” and will be raised in the context of the general security.

For the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Mr Sekeris said that “the scheduled Middle East meeting is on May 28, but additional meetings are expected”. He also emphasized the position of Greece’s authority in favor of providing humanitarian aid and immediate hostage liberation. “The truce must be applied. Our relations with the Arab world are long -term and at the same time we maintain a strategic relationship with Israel, “he said.

He added that Greece is pursuing “building bridges between the East and the West, the North and the South” and emphasized the importance of the French-Saudi Arabian conference for the rebuilding of Gaza, noting that “Greece works closely with the Arab Ambassador and Ambassador in New York”.