Following the terrorist attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias in Damascus, Greece’s permanent representative in the United Nations, ambassador Evangelos Sekeris He condemned the attack and appealed to justice, reconciliation and protection of all religious and ethnic communities in Syria.

“We express our sincere condolences to the families affected by this cowardly attack”stated, denouncing the event as ‘A heinous attack’ against peaceful believers and as a whole of the Syrian people.

Mr Sekeris’ statement was made after the closed meeting of the UN Security Council, which was convened at the initiative of Greece. “We cannot remain inactive when such heinous crimes target peaceful communities. The terrorist attack did not just target a community. He targeted all Syrians as well as their efforts to reconcile and recovery. “Mr. Sekeris emphasized.

He stressed that the protection of religious and cultural diversity is vital to the long -term peace in Syria.

“The complete protection and integration of all religious and ethnic communities in Syria is the key to its long -term stability” he said.

Christians, as he noted, have been historically “An integral part of the area, contributing to prosperity and enhancing its diversity.”

Today, Mr. Sekeris said “Where Syria is trying to turn a page towards a better future, Christians can play an essential role in it, but they must also be protected and allowed to contribute.”

Underlining the wider cultural stakes, Mr. Sekeris said that “The real wealth of Syria lies in its rich and multicultural character and its cultural heritage.”

“Wealth that will shine only when securing a Syria without exclusion, representative and tolerant” He stressed.

Although he recognized the challenges that remain, the Greek permanent representative expressed that Greece took seriously the commitments of the Syrian transitional government.

“We have carefully recorded the Syrian authorities’ commitment to bring those responsible for justice” he said. He stressed, however “The international community expects that accountability and the rendering of justice will be guaranteed without shortcomings.”

Mr Sekeris said that “It is important to apply all the measures necessary to protect all ethnic and religious groups so that they can live with dignity and without fear.”

“Greece supports the victims of this horrifying attack, providing humanitarian aid and will contribute to the restoration of the temple.” He stressed.

Asked by a journalist about the reconciliation efforts in the country by the temporary government, but also on what the Security Council intends to do and Greece in this direction, Mr Sekeris replied that “Reconciliation is the key to the welfare and stability of Syria” and that “They were encouraged by the new measures taken by the country’s transitional authorities.”

He stressed, however, that the intention must be transformed into an act and that Greece’s main message is “That there should be no place for terrorism, intimidation and discrimination in New Syria.”

“We expect the authorities to ensure complete accountability for all those involved and to apply immediate measures for the security of the Christian communities and all other religious and ethnic communities. It is not just about Christians. This time Christians were targeted, but they are all the religious and ethnic groups of this country. “ He stressed.

He also recalled Greece’s immediate diplomatic mobilization after the attack. “Our ambassador to Damascus, along with his Cypriot colleague, visited the Temple a few hours after the incident”Mr. Sekeris noted. During the visit, Greece’s ambassador to Damascus met with the Minister of Social Affairs of Syrian, Hid Quabawat, which “He immediately expressed her disgust, which she considered energy of unprecedented hostility.”

Mr Sekeris also said that a Greek ambassador to Damascus also met with the ruler of Damascus, Maher Marouan and carried “The heartfelt condolences of the Greek government to the families of the victims”while he also met with the Blessed John II, Patriarch of Antiochbefore visiting the injured in the hospital.

The Greek Permanent Representative to the UN, Evangelos Sekeris

The statement of the Greek Permanent Representative:

“Good evening. A week ago, we were all overwhelmed by the terrorist attack of suicide at the Greek Orthodox Church of St. Elias in Damascus, Syria. As you know, the Security Council condemned this terrorist attack in the most intense way that was aimed at Christians at their place of worship. Greece also condemned this heinous energy. We express our sincere condolences to the families affected by this cowardly attack and convey our deep sympathy and solidarity to the Syrian people, who is called upon to endure another bloody act of enemy.

On a Greek initiative, the Security Council met today in closed composition to examine the latest developments in Syria. We cannot remain inactive when so heinous crimes target peaceful communities. The terrorist attack not only targeted a community; it targeted all Syrians, as well as their efforts to reconcile and recovery.

The complete protection and integration of all religious and ethnic communities in Syria is crucial to the country’s long -term stability. Christians in Syria and throughout the Middle East have been a historically integral part of the region, contributing to its prosperity and enriching its diversity. Now that Syria is trying to turn a page towards a better future, Christians can play an essential role in it, but they must also be protected and allowed to contribute.

Syria’s true wealth lies in its rich and multicultural character and its cultural heritage; a wealth that will only emerge when securing a Syria without exclusion, representative and tolerant. A safe, peaceful and prosperous Syria for all Syrians is a common expectation of the international community.

Greece is determined to assist Syria in this colossal project and encourages the transitional authorities to continue to show tangible evidence of their commitment to this future. We carefully recorded the Syrian authorities’ commitment to bring those responsible for justice. The international community expects that accountability and justice will be guaranteed without shortcomings.

In addition, it is worth reiterating that it is important to apply all the measures necessary to protect all ethnic and religious groups so that they can live with dignity and without fear. Finally, Greece supports the victims of this horrifying attack, providing humanitarian aid and will contribute to the restoration of the temple. Thank you”.