During his stay in New York in the context of high -level open discussions of the Greek Presidency at the UN Security Council, Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis interviewed the International Agency Associated Press and journalist Edith Lederer.

Speaking to the Associated Press about developments in the Middle East and Israel-Hamas, Mr. Gerapetritis was calling for a call for “Immediate ceasefire and massive humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

The Foreign Minister stressed that Greece supports the solution of the two states and that it has discussed this issue extensively, as well as the issue of Gaza rebuilding, both with Israel and with the Palestinians, considering themselves as one. “Honest mediator”.

“We would like to have an active involvement, but to be honest, the question is not who mediates. The point is to stop this nightmare“He stressed.

Condemned as ‘Absolutely inhumane’ The massacre of 1,200 Israeli by Hamas on October 7, 2023 as well as the detention of Israeli hostages by Hamas, but added that “What is happening today in the Middle East cannot be tolerated”referring to Over 53,000 dead Palestinians which are mainly women and children according to data from local authorities who do not distinguish between fighters and civilians.

Mr Gerapetritis, who will chair on Thursday at a Security Council meeting for the “Protection of civilians in armed conflicts”re -appealing for “Immediate ceasefire and massive humanitarian aid to Gaza.”

Referenced to the unstable worldwide levelhe stressed that the increase in inequalities threatens democracy and the rule of law. “We are at a time when populism and demagogy dominate,” he said.

Linked this instability to the progress of technology and the enhanced mobilitystressing that “Modern challenges, from pandemics to climate change, affect us all.” At the same time, he pointed out “the crisis of global cooperation and confidence in international organizations”.

However, he noted that democracy has ‘Mechanism of self -correction’ and that the season requires “Powerful leaderships in large countries and international organizations that will make people believe in the noble affair of coexistence in peace and prosperity again.”

For the process decision -making in the EUadmitted that the principle of unanimity between the 27 Member States ‘It has become an obstacle’while at the same time defending the right to veto as an expression of national interests.

He stressed that Europe is experiencing ‘Crisis of political identity’ And he noted that it seems that in some cases we forget what are the essential elements that have united us as Europeans.

“As a result, we are suffering from some deviations and conflicts. And now we are suffering from post -traumatic syndrome after the war in Ukraine. So I think Europe has to find its durability and its identity again. “he said.

Reaffirmed the support of Greece in Ukraine and stressed that our country is “In favor of the rule of law, its sovereignty and territorial integrity”.

Pointed out that the sanctions of the West to the Russia were ‘Only partly successful’because Moscow ‘Found ways to bypass their impact’. The financial sanctions ‘They were not turned into a turning point for peace’ emphasized.

For them Greek -American relations The Foreign Minister stressed that they are being developed, bringing as examples of investment to Greece “from Amazon, Google, Pfizer and other companies, including the energy sector.

About duties of the Trump government said they do not particularly affect Greece as ‘Not over-exposed to this kind of bilateral trade’ and added that Greece “It supports free trade.”

“While we do not consider duties good news, we believe that a modus vivendi must be found” noted.

Today Mr. Gerapetritis will chair and make national intervention in Security Council meeting for Syria.

On Thursday, May 22, the Foreign Minister will chair and make a national intervention in the Open Security Council discussion on the subject of the protection of civilians in armed conflicts.