Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis’ statement upon arrival at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) (Brussels, 18.03.2024)

Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis’ statement upon arrival at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) (Brussels, 18.03.2024)G. GERAPETRITIS: Good morning, many happy returns.

The situation around the world tends to deteriorate: in Ukraine, in the Middle East, in Africa. There is a clear degradation of the rule of law, democracy, and humanitarian values. Humanity can no longer remain inactive. All possible channels must be activated so that global balance and global peace can be restored. In the Middle East in particular, Greece pursues a very active foreign policy to ensure that the humanitarian crisis is contained and that hostilities do not spill over to other areas.
Greece is actively involved; it has a leading role in the Red Sea operation, in order to ensure freedom of navigation, which is absolutely essential to maintain the supply chain.

Simultaneously, Greece participates in all humanitarian corridors, including the Cyprus' initiative regarding the maritime corridor transporting humanitarian aid directly to Gaza. However, the reality is that the international legal order has failed to prevent or contain the humanitarian crisis, which has reached an enormous scale. We must all realize that a situation, which so flagrantly violates the humanitarian principles cannot be tolerated.

Tomorrow will be too late. Thank you very much.

JOURNALIST: Does Greece support the sanctions for Navalny, as well as the sanctions on settlers in Gaza?

G. GERAPETRITIS: The sanctions issues will be discussed. Allow me to say that sanctions in general, have proven to not always be effective. You are well aware that a series of sanctions packages have been imposed on Russia. Yet, even today, the situation in Ukraine remains extremely complex. Ukraine is under attack. We will support its integrity by all means. Greece remains firmly in favour of international law and humanitarian principles.

JOURNALIST: A question about the maritime corridor.

G. GERAPETRITIS: We are going to provide full support to the maritime corridor. Obviously, this is a necessary step, but we need to further develop all types of corridors, because the humanitarian situation is deteriorating immensely.

So, we have to make sure that all possible options are open, to allow for the uninhibited flow of humanitarian aid.

And Greece will do everything in its power for these humanitarian corridors to be set in place.

March 18, 2024