“We need a Europe more powerful than ever in today’s correlations,” Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis said in joint statements with Spain’s Foreign Union, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares Bueno, following their meeting in Athens.

“We need an EU, which responds to the new geopolitical reality, is greater, more competitive and strategically self -sufficient. A Europe based on the genuine solidarity of Member States and the balanced development of peoples, “he said.

As Mr Gerapetritis said, Spain and Greece have a parallel historical course, as they “came out of dictatorships about the same period and consciously chose liberal democracy and the European path”.

“As the countries of the Mediterranean and the European South, we have a common understanding of the dangers facing Europe and our wider neighborhood. Our foreign policy is based on commitment to international law and the rule of the rule of law, “he noted.

With these principles, he added, we stand together in the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, the multiple challenges in our neighboring Africa.

As he recalled, Spain supported the Greek initiative, during the Greek Presidency at the UN Security Council last month, in the joint statement on the protection of civilians in armed conflict – and thanked Mr Bueno for it.

“In this statement, ecumenical humanism, 80 delegations joined. And this statement is the indicator of the value of international multimedia in a time of multiple and complex crises, where the fundamental values ​​of international humanitarian law and the peaceful resolution of disputes are doubted. “

During the meeting, the whole spectrum of bilateral relations was examined and, as the Greek Foreign Minister said, “we agreed that, despite our excellent cooperation, there is a huge room for improvement in the areas of commerce, investment, tourism”.

After all, this was also confirmed by the business mission that left Greece for Madrid a few days ago. He noted that further synergies may exist in the field of energy, where Greece becomes a hub and contributes significantly to regional and European energy differentiation and durability.

Two issues that concern the two countries in the EU and NATO, but also in the MED9 and MED5 forums in which they participate: are the climate crisis and irregular migration.

Concerning the climate crisis, Mr Gerapetritis said, “the preventive actions and realistic survival goals should be our guide, and their promotion effectively controlled them.”

As far as irregular migration is concerned, “Spain and Greece as countries of first reception, we are making a disproportionate burden,” he noted. “We have agreed to enhance our efforts so that the effective management of migratory flows would remain a priority of the new European immigration policy and to work together to promote legal human mobility paths,” he added.

“The modern world produces interdependencies and common challenges. In two countries with so many common characteristics, as ours, it is fatal to coincide with our roads, “he said, concluding:” The longer we go together, the greater security and prosperity we will conquer. Greece and Spain are going together. “

Spanish Foreign Minister: We cannot accept the situation in Gaza – ‘Immediate ceasefire of fire

As the Spanish Foreign Minister pointed out in his part, the visit is part of the Memorandum of Political Consultations signed in 2021, while expressing confidence that the relationship between the two states would be further strengthened.

He noted that the two countries have common values, forged by the common presence in the EU, NATO, as well as the MED 9, but also in the new cooperation within the three seas, for which he even thanked Greece for the support of this process

“The two countries have complementary positions on various important EU issues, such as southern neighborhood, EU social cohesion and the consciousness of increasing competitiveness,” he noted.

Concerning trade relations, he said that the bilateral balance has increased, but Spain intends to further increase its presence in the Greek economy in areas such as infrastructure, water, renewable energy.

He pointed out that both countries face a common challenge – the issue of immigration – and their borders are also European borders, which “requires us to speed up the signing of immigration and asylum and to supplement this effort by enhancing the external dimension of immigration”.

“Spain has a clear view of the migration, based on humanitarian criteria. A human and legal immigration is the answer to economic and demographic challenges, “he said.

He also noted that Spain supports initiatives for a peace, fair, overall and lasting in Ukraine, based on international law.

“If we accept anything else, this international class is in danger. As Europeans, we cannot accept a mere ceasefire, nor a frozen conflict that can threaten EU stability. “

“We cannot accept the situation in Gaza. Immediate ceasefire is the only way to guarantee the safe release of hostages, as well as the constant, rapid and unhindered entry of humanitarian aid, “he said.

“The fact that Greece holds a non -permanent position in the UN Security Council is of great importance, both for Spain and for the EU, to continue to put forward our steady commitment to international law and the United Nations Charter,” he concluded.