Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas made the following statement today following his meeting with Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos:
“The adoption by the UN Security Council of Resolution 1973 sends, first of all, a strong message, but also a clear warning: that there has to be an immediate ceasefire. The attacks on the civilian population must stop immediately. They are a flagrant and systematic violation of human rights and international humanitarian law.
With Resolution 1973, the international community took a step forward. In response to a call from the Arab League, as well, the Security Council decided to impose a no-fly zone over Libya, to adopt stricter sanctions against the Qaddafi regime, and to allow any measures necessary for the protection of civilians.
Greece believes that the goal everyone needs to pursue is the resolution of the Libya crisis, reestablishment of stability and smooth transition to democracy through a broad dialogue amongst the Libyan people. This is what we need to pursue, and this is the demand of the international community, the Arab League and the African Union. It’s not too late.
We are prepared to assist, in cooperation with our partners and allies, so that international legality may be respected.”
March 18, 2011