Within the framework of the Foreign Ministry’s efforts toward the location and release of the Greek Orthodox and Syriac Orthodox Archbishops of Aleppo, Paul Yazigi and Grigorios Yohanna Ibrahim, respectively, who have been kidnapped in Syria, Foreign Minister Dimitris Avramopoulos convened a meeting today at the Foreign Ministry to evaluate the available data and determine the next steps and actions to be taken by the Greek side.
From the moment the kidnapping of the two Archbishops became known, the Foreign Minister has been in ongoing contact with his counterparts in the EU, NATO and the countries in the region. Mr. Avramopoulos is also in ongoing contact with Patriarch John of Antioch, as well as with the leader of the Syrian opposition, George Sabra, and prominent figures in the region, to intensify and coordinate the efforts toward the release of the two Archbishops.
The Foreign Ministry’s Crisis Management Mechanism – the network of which was activated immediately – is collecting all available data that might contribute to the locating of the abductees, and Greece’s Embassies in the Middle East are in contact with the governments of the countries of the region.
It is to be noted that the information on this case that has come to light so far has not been confirmed, and thus needs to be evaluated and handled with extreme caution.
April 26, 2013