At today’s Security Council meeting for Yemen, Greece condemned rebel attacks Houthi Against merchant ships in the Red Sea, highlighting the serious risks to the safety of navigation and calling for re -launching political efforts to resolve the crisis in the country.
The Greek Permanent Representative, Ambassador Evangelos Sekeris, expressed a “warm condolences to the families of the victims” of the attacks, which was launched by Houthi on July 6 and 7 against the Liberian flag of Greek -owned ships M/V Magic Seas.
As he noted, the ships were hit by “a few nautical miles from the port of Hondaida”, resulting in “the sinking of both ships and the loss of 3 crew members so far, and 16 people are missing”.
Mr Sekeris described the attacks as “well -designed and thoroughly organized”, which took place “with strongness and using advanced weapons systems, such as drones, RPG rockets and anti -aircraft rockets”, which testifies to “excellently trained and fully equipped”.
“Greece is more intensely condemned these blatant attacks and calls for the immediate and unconditional cessation of the violence of the Houthi against the lives of seafarers and international shipping,” Mr Sekeris said.
He stressed that “we have a collective responsibility to protect sailors whose daily contribution to world trade is crucial”, adding that “any form of threat to their lives and safety is completely unacceptable and unjustified.”
Mr Sekeris said that “the Council cannot ignore reality”, stressing that Houthi’s actions “constitute a constant and substantial threat to regional peace and stability” and “undermine the freedom of navigation and sea security in the region of the Red Sea.
As he pointed out, “Houthi’s non -distinction and continuing acts of violence cannot be justified under any pretext. All acts of violence must be stopped immediately. “
Greece reiterated its support for UN efforts to solve political, noting that “there can be no long -term stability in the region unless the peace process in Yemen is returned”.
Mr Sekeris expressed Greece’s “unshakable support” to the special envoy of the Secretary General, Hans Grundberg, and in his “tireless efforts to involve all related bodies in one without exclusion, under the leadership and ownership of Yemen, country. “
He also called on all Member States to adhere to the arms embargo, stressing the need to “respect and implement the targeted arms embargo and to prevent any illegal transfer of advanced weapons systems and training to Houthi”, according to resolutions 2216 (2015) and 26 (2015).
He underlined the defensive role of the European Maritime Enterprise Eunavfor Aspides in the region, stating that “the business, through its purely defensive stance, contributes substantially to ensuring maritime security and protecting the international shipping industry and seafarers”. Although “no prior request for protection had been made”, the company “immediately coordinated the mobilization of all the means available to provide assistance”.
In closing, Mr Sekeris reiterated Greece’s steady commitment to international law and cooperation with other Member States.
“We reiterate our steady commitment to protecting the rights and freedoms of navigation in the Red Sea and we remain ready to work with the Member States for this important issue.”
It is noted that the renewal of the Security Security Council on the Red Sea Security Security in the Red Security, in which Greece has the role of author together with the US, is incurred.
According to information at a closed meeting on the issue, on a Greek initiative supported by a large number of Member States, the Security Council will process a press statement to condemn the attacks on the two Greek -owned ships by Houthi.