The Foreign Minister stressed that Greece supports the solution of the two states
During his stay in New York in the context of the Open High -level discussions of the Greek Presidency at the UN Security Council, the Minister of Foreign Affairs 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.”
Foreign Minister stressed that Greece supports the two states solution And that he has discussed this issue extensively, as well as the issue of rebuilding Gaza, both with Israel and with the Palestinians, considering himself a “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 said.
He condemned the massacre of 1,200 Israelis by Hamas as “completely inhumane” on October 7, 2023, as well as the detention of Israeli hostages by Hamas, adding that “it cannot be tolerated by what is happening in the Middle East”, referring to the more than 53,000 children who are not children. Fighters and civilians.
Mr Gerapetritis, who will be chaired on Thursday at a Security Council meeting for “protecting civilians in armed conflict”, again appealed for “immediate ceasefire and massive humanitarian aid to Gaza”.
Referring to worldwide volatility, he 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.
He linked this volatility to the progress of technology and enhanced mobility, stressing 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 a “self -correction mechanism” and that the era requires “strong leaderships in large countries and international organizations that will make people believe in the noble affair of coexistence in peace and prosperity”.
For the decision-making process in the EU, he acknowledged that the principle of unanimity among the 27 states “has become an obstacle”, while defending the right to veto as an expression of national interests.
He stressed that Europe is experiencing a “political identity crisis” and noted that “it seems that in some cases we forget what 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. I think, then, that Europe has to find its durability and its identity again, “he said.
It reaffirmed Greece’s support in Ukraine and stressed that our country is “in favor of the rule of law, its sovereignty and territorial integrity”.
He pointed out that Western sanctions on Russia were “only partly successful” because Moscow “found ways to bypass their impact”. The financial sanctions “were not turned into a turning point for peace,” he said.
For Greek -American relations, the Foreign Minister stressed that they are being developed, bringing as examples of investment in Greece “from Amazon, Google, Pfizer and other companies, including the energy sector”.
Regarding the Trump government duties, he said they do not particularly affect Greece, as “it is not over-exposed to this type of bilateral trade” and added that Greece “supports free trade”.
“While we do not consider the duties good news, we believe that a modus vivendi should be found,” he noted.
Today, Mr. Gerapetritis will chair and will make a national intervention at the Syrian Security Council meeting.
On Thursday, May 22, the Foreign Minister will chair and make a national intervention in the open discussion of the Security Council, with the aim of protecting civilians in armed conflict.