It is a great honour and pleasure to welcome today the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, Mr. Ayman Safadi.
The cultural and economic interaction between our two peoples goes back 10,000 years. The founding of Decapolis, of 10 new cities during the Hellenistic period, has left a historic Greek imprint on the wider region. It was there that Jesus made his first journey outside Galilee.
Today, our bilateral relations are excellent, with particular momentum in the fields of economy, trade, defense, and culture. The trilateral cooperation between Greece, Cyprus, and Jordan is a significant chapter in our relations. Moreover, at the multilateral level, Greece consistently promotes the deepening of relations between the EU and Jordan, and we jointly participate in sharing common ideas in multiple international fora and regional organisations.
On this occasion, I would like to express Greece's enduring appreciation for Jordan's stance on protecting Muslim and Christian shrines in the Holy Land. Jordan actively and beneficially contributes to the preservation of multiculturalism and religious tolerance in a particularly critical region.
Jordan has been severely affected by successive regional crises, hosting millions of Palestinian refugees on its territory. It has generously, but sometimes at a high price, provided safe refuge to persecuted people.
In the current tragic situation in the Middle East, Jordan is methodically working with prudence and moderation towards peace and stability in the region, ensuring the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza and planning for the day after. The most recent major initiative was co-organizing with Egypt and the UN Secretary General of an International Conference in Amman to send urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza.
From the outset, Greece has taken a principled stance as a country that promotes peace and as a reliable interlocutor of all parties. As I stated at the Conference, I firmly believe that it is a universal demand, by Europe and the entire world, to end this nightmare. And this can only be achieved if there is a clear and viable vision for the establishment of a Palestinian state, with Israel’s security guaranteed.
In this context, in recent weeks, I have submitted to the EU Foreign Affairs Council specific proposals:
First, that we, the EU Member States, host children from Gaza who are either injured or experiencing a lack of essential goods.
Second, together with my Danish and Portuguese counterparts, to provide know-how to deepen democratic institutions and improve the efficiency and transparency of the Palestinian Authority's governance.
Third, the establishment of a task force comprising Arab and European Foreign Ministers with a mediating role in the region, setting out the framework of the peace process, and developing a peace plan. The task force's goal will certainly be to coordinate the multifaceted efforts currently underway to cease hostilities in the Middle East. As an active player in the region, Jordan will play a critical role in this joint task force.
These initiatives are of particular significance at this juncture. First and foremost we are already in an environment of humanitarian disaster. Every day that passes is one that humanity cannot tolerate. Moreover, because the cycle of hostilities is not shrinking but expanding, especially towards the West Bank, the Red Sea, and Southern Lebanon. Simultaneously, the vicious circle of unacceptable threats for further military conflicts is being reinforced, as is the case, for example, with the cynical and crude threat to the existence of Cyprus.
At this critical moment for global peace and security, Greece assumes the duties of an elected member of the UN Security Council for the 2025-2026 term. I am deeply grateful for Jordan's support for the Greek candidacy.
I commit to working together and methodically restoring the real meaning of the United Nations Charter regarding the peaceful settlement of disputes, refraining from the use of force under any circumstances.
Humanity cannot afford further division. Our message of democracy, dialogue and diplomacy should prevail.
On this challenging path, we will walk together with the friendly country of Jordan, in close cooperation with Mr. Ayman Safadi, whose wisdom and international outreach are essential for fulfilling our shared vision for a world of peace and prosperity for all peoples.
Dear Ayman, welcome to Athens! Your presence here today is a great honour for the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
JOURNALIST: Do you believe there is a risk of the war and hostilities spreading to other countries? I ask this in particular following the statements made regarding Cyprus. If your Jordanian counterpart wishes to answer as well, please do.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Unfortunately, there is already a spillover of hostilities, and this was pointed out in a timely manner. This region is extremely vulnerable, with immense historical burdens, which means that any flare-up leads to a multiplying effect of hostilities. We have already experienced this in the Red Sea, where we currently face serious incidents regarding the freedom of navigation. There is a seriously worsening situation in Southern Lebanon. There are incidents in the West Bank. Generally, it is a situation akin to a tinderbox. Therefore, each passing day creates more intense conditions for further expansion of hostilities. This calls for an immediate response. We have no time to delay further because any expansion of hostilities would almost certainly render any peace process impossible. We are all aware that, in addition to the major issue of the humanitarian crisis, any expansion of hostilities will have serious collateral consequences, such as economic consequences, particularly due to the restriction of free navigation, as well as significant consequences for the populations themselves, with movements and migration flows, that will arise from this situation. For this reason, we agreed with the Minister that we should coordinate without any delay so that we can act together to put a definitive, sustainable end to this nightmare.
JOURNALIST: We heard last week and today about the initiative you are planning with Denmark and Portugal to provide a consultative framework regarding the institutional strengthening of the Palestinian Authority. I wanted to ask two things. First, if there is indeed a realistic plan for the day after the administration, both in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank, and if you could specify what this institutional framework might be.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Indeed, together with my counterparts from Denmark and Portugal, we have submitted a proposal to the European Union Foreign Affairs Council, which concerns providing technical assistance to the Palestinian Authority to strengthen democratic institutions and enhance good legislative practices, accountability, and transparency rules. The point is that we should give as much legitimacy as possible to the Palestinian Authority at this time. The Palestinian Authority is currently the only credible interlocutor we have in the wider region and obviously it will have a serious say in the day after regarding the administration in Palestine. For this reason, we should act preemptively to provide the technical know-how necessary to make the day after in Palestine functional. I would like to emphasize that we agreed with the Minister that these actions are necessary so that we are prepared for the day after, as peace is currently the immediate priority.
The day after involves the consolidation of institutions in the wider Palestinian region and the reconstruction operation throughout the area. We understand that there has been significant destruction of basic infrastructure and networks, so we make efforts to create conditions that will be sustainable for the Palestinian people, allowing them to settle in their homes. The risk always exists that, due to the lack of essential goods and the lack of critical infrastructure necessary for people's livelihood, Palestinians may be forced to expatriate. This is unacceptable and, I believe, contrary to every sense of justice and humanity. For this reason, we coordinate our actions so that both the provision of expertise and a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Palestine are in place.
June 27, 2024