“Another condemnation of anti -Semitism and another need to protect civilians in Gaza”
Greece, with a steady commitment to international and humanitarian law and having the strategic cooperation of 3+1 with Israel, actively supports the solution of two states in Palestinianthe Deputy Foreign Minister told RES-EIA John Loverdos and he stressed that “Our country opposes anti -Semitism wherever it comes from.” But he made it clear that “another condemnation of anti -Semitism and another need to protect civilians in Gaza”.
Speaking to the UN General Assembly, Mr Loverdos called for the reinforcement of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas’s disarmament, pointing out that the release of hostages is a prerequisite for progress.
He described the Arab plan as a “good basis for dialogue” and welcomed Hamas’ condemnation of Arab states as a “very positive development”. He also praised the role of Saudi Arabia in this initiative.
Referring to his position on the UN Security Council that met on “Adaptation of Peace Enterprises to Promote Political Solutions”, he underlined Greece’s support for UN peacekeeping missions and especially to Unifil in Lebanon, where the country is involved.
Answering a question about Greek-Lavanian relations, he said, among other things, that “Greece wants peace in Lebanon and the stability accompanied by the protection of all religious communities and primarily the Greek Orthodox.”
For Syria, he condemned the terrorist attack on the Temple of Prophet Elias He pointed out that “we cannot accept a solution without protection and institutional integration of all religious communities – and primarily the Greek Orthodox.” He expressed Greece’s readiness to contribute to the rebuilding of Syria and Lebanon, provided that respect for human rights, the rule of law and international law.
The entire interview of Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos to the RES-EIA correspondent in New York, Georgia Garantziotis:
What was the message of Greece with its participation in the Palestinian International Conference, which focused on the solution of the two states?
“First of all, I must emphasize that Greece, along with Cyprus, has the 3+1 strategic relationship with Israel, which is crucial to our country’s foreign policy. It is one of the most important tools we have in our diplomatic quiver. That is why we strongly oppose anti -Semitism, wherever it comes from.
However, it is another thing for anti -Semitism and another to protect people who are experiencing a serious humanitarian crisis, such as the one in Gaza. The restoration of this situation must be achieved through cooperation with Israel, international dialogue and respect for international law.
Greece supports the solutions proposed by the United Nations. We are a country that respects international law and seeks its implementation. However, for the next day in the Middle East and in the context of the perspective of the two states, it is necessary for the Palestinian authority to be substantially and effectively enhanced. The Palestinian people cannot be represented by Hamas or other terrorist organizations that need to be disarmed and marginalized. They are not necessary for the Palestinian people. Above all, there must be the release of all hostages held by Hamas. These are necessary conditions for completing the effort that Greece supports in the Middle East. “
Note that the Arabic plan is “a good basis for further processing”. What more is Greece waiting for?
“For us, the Arab plan is indeed a dialogue basis, which we wish to use to continue the process. We believe in the bona fide dialogue and the process of finding solutions for the benefit of both peoples, with the aim of peace, cooperation, humanity and, of course, security for the state of Israel. In these principles we base every effort we support in this direction. “
At the Palestinian, Arabic and Muslim states conference, they condemn Hamas for the first time. How do you comment on this development?
“This is a very positive development, which is a prerequisite for continuing dialogue and trying to solve the problem. Hamas is today one of the biggest obstacles. Fanaticism, terrorism, radicalization and extremes do not help. They do not contribute to finding a peaceful solution based on international law.
I am glad that the Arab states – with which Greece maintains excellent relations – have come in this direction. We also highly appreciate the initiatives of Saudi Arabia, a country that is an old friend and ally of Greece. We believe that these efforts will continue. “
On the sidelines of the Palestinian conference, you were also placed at the UN Security Council meeting, which convened Pakistan, Denmark and South Korea on “Adaptation of Peace Enterprises to Promote Political Solutions – Priorities and Challenges”. What did you focus on?
“Indeed, I had the opportunity to speak to the Security Council, in which Greece is a non -permanent member by 2026. The UN places a great deal of emphasis on peacekeeping, which Greece is actively supporting and participating.
I was particularly mentioned in Unifil, in which Greece participates with a frigate to secure peace in Lebanon. We support the UN efforts, as well as the initiatives of the Secretary General. “
We see Greece’s approach with Lebanon. In the context of, of course, all these actions taken by the UN to support the country. It was recently announced by the Ministry of Defense that a program of reinforcing the Lebanese Armed Forces had begun. What is Greece’s targeting in Lebanon?
“Greece maintains traditional good relations with Lebanon, a country that has been experiencing constant wars for almost fifty years. I recently visited the new Lebanese government for talks, as did Defense Minister Nikos Dendias.
I met with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Defense -both Greek Orthodox, as provided by the Lebanese Constitution. I also visited the University of Balamand, under the auspices of the Patriarchate of Antioch, as well as Patriarch Ioannis. Lebanon is for us strategic importance, and strengthening peace there is a key goal. There was the problem with Hesbollah.
The new, serious technocratic government aspires to make Lebanon a normal, peaceful state, free from wars and divisions. We want peace in Lebanon as well as in Syria, where we want stability, peace and the protection of all religious communities and primarily the Greek Orthodox. “
In Syria, despite stabilization efforts, attacks and violence continue. The UN is expressing great concerns and declares reservations about the potential of the provisional government to pursue politics in the country and lead it to rebuilding and growing. How does Greece see these developments after the terrorist attack on the Temple of Prophet Elias in Damascus?
“The protection of the Greek Orthodox community in Syria is a top priority for us. The recent terrorist attack on the Temple of Prophet Elias in Damascus cost the lives of over 20 people. According to the description of the Patriarch, the self -sacrifice and the heroism of two believers who rushed to the terrorist – who was alive with explosives – dismissed a much greater tragedy, with a possible number of victims over 200. This is what we must all understand. In Greece we find it self -evident to go freely to the church to socialize every Sunday. In Syria, however, this may mean life for life. This is the noticeable difference.
We cannot accept any solution for Syria that does not guarantee the protection of all religious communities – and especially the Greek Orthodox. We want not only their respect and protection, but also their institutional integration into the new constitutional and state framework. We support the creation of a modern state in Syria that respects human rights, the rule of law and international law. These are without doubt necessary conditions to actively participate in the reconstruction of both Syria and Lebanon. “