Gerapetritis in Brussels – What he said about Ukraine, Gaza and Iran

Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis is participating in the meeting of the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council, where critical international issues are being discussed.

On the agenda of the Council in Brussels are the situation in Ukraine, with the participation of Ukraine’s Foreign Minister via teleconference, the situation in Gaza, as well as the latest developments regarding Iran.

Upon arriving at the European Union’s Foreign Affairs Council, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis spoke about support for Ukraine and the need to continue pressure through targeted sanctions, stressed the importance of advancing the peace process in the Middle East, and underlined the need to exhaust every diplomatic means to avoid escalation in the Iran crisis.

Giorgos Gerapetritis’ full statement:

“Tomorrow marks four years since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in clear violation of every concept of international law and the Charter of the United Nations. Today, the European Union and Greece will declare their continued willingness to support Ukraine and at the same time to impose targeted sanctions that will have a beneficial effect. We must state with absolute clarity that attacks against civilians and against energy infrastructure constitute a clear violation of international law and are intolerable.

With regard to the Middle East, it is particularly critical that we move into the second phase of the peace plan. Greece, in cooperation with the Palestinian National Committee and the Palestinian Authority, will be present, both in terms of humanitarian assistance and reconstruction, as well as the stabilization of the region. I would like to emphasize that Palestine constitutes a single entity between the West Bank and Gaza and therefore any settlement activity should not be developed. Greece insists that there must be a new impetus so that we can achieve a political solution that will allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state, alongside a secure Israel.

Regarding Iran, Greece’s position is that every diplomatic means must be exhausted so that there is no further escalation, which would create conditions of very great instability in the wider region and globally.

I will also have the opportunity today to take the floor and inform my fellow foreign ministers of Greece’s willingness to undertake a series of initiatives concerning the accession path of the Western Balkans. Over the past four years, the European Union has already developed many actions aimed at its resilience and competitiveness. It is important for the European Union to remain consistent. Following 2023 and the Thessaloniki agenda, we must provide a new impetus, a new vision to the peoples of the Western Balkans, and Greece will ensure that it is at the forefront of this effort.”