Foreign Minister George Gerapetritisin his statements to ERT, referred to the start of the 80th UN General Assemblyemphasizing the “unique peculiarity” that Greece is involved in the Security Council, which “gives a very large diplomatic footprint” and reinforces the country’s international basis. As he said, there was a “series of bilateral meetings” on the sidelines with foreign ministers from different continents.
Mr Gerapetritis noted that Greece is chairing at the Conference on Ancient Cultures, which “brings countries with common interests and great cultural depth”.
At the same time, he made a special reference to Greece’s participation in the Conference on the solution of the two states to settle the conflict in the Middle East, which was convened by France and Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that our country has a “express position” as it leads on humanitarian issues, providing help and hosting children from Gaza while supporting the Palestinian Authority.
On the issue of the recognition of a Palestinian state, he noted that “this is the solution: The establishment of a Palestinian state in the limits before 1967” As Mr Gerapetritis added, “the issue is the timing”, with Greece considering that recognition must come “at the end of the political process and under the auspices of the UN”.
The full statement of the Foreign Minister to ERT:
«The 80th UN General Assembly began today with the peculiarity that Greece is at the heart of the Organization, in the Security Council.
We had the opportunity for a number of bilateral meetings with foreign ministers from Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America. Greece, as a member of the Security Council, acquires a very large diplomatic footprint, develops its foundations around the world and its regional alliances.
We have the opportunity to chair at the ministerial conference for ancient cultures, which is an initiative that brings countries with common interests, with a great cultural depth and of course with a look at the goods of antiquity and the younger world.
Finally, we participated in the Conference on the solution of the two states convened by the French President and Saudi Arabia. This is a conference, dealing with the Palestinian. Greece has an expressive position on this issue. Its firm position is that it is a pioneer and expedient country in terms of humanitarian. It has already provided significant humanitarian aid, has been careful of children from Gaza, reinforcing the Palestinian Authority.
As far as the recognition of Palestine is concerned, Greece considers that this is the solution: the establishment of a Palestinian state within the boundaries of 1967. The issue is the timing. We believe that the recognition of the Palestinian state should come to the end of the political process and under the auspices of the UN».