Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos made the following statement after the evening session of the Gymnich Meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Dublin:
“The main topic of discussion was the Syrian crisis. There was express concern at the ongoing bloodshed and lack of clear prospects for a way out of the crisis.
As Greece, we express our firm support for the efforts of Joint Envoy Brahimi to map out a political transition process.
We also support the moderate forces of the Syrian opposition in the effort to build a new, democratic Syria.
The main message to everyone is that, in this new environment, human rights and the rights of minorities – including the rights of Christians – need to be safeguarded and respected.
Finally, I underscored that the international community needs to exercise great caution with regard to the arms embargo. And this is because experience from recent history in the countries of North Africa and the Middle East has taught some important lessons. When the weapons end up in the wrong hands, they create uncontrolled situations and greater bloodshed, both during the uprising and following the regime change.”
March 23, 2013