Today, I welcome in Athens the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Israel and the Republic of Cyprus.
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you both here, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Your presence is a testament to our willingness to work together on consolidating both our cooperation, as well as the stability and security in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
October 7, 2023 was a profound shock not only for our region but for the entire world.
I personally had the opportunity to visit the region several times and gain a clear perspective, while also communicating with all parties involved.
Greece maintained a principled stance from the very first day. We condemned the attack by Hamas and demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages.
We stressed that the unhindered and continuous flow of humanitarian aid into all parts of Gaza should remain a priority.
The recent developments are encouraging. The agreements that were reached have to be implemented.
As regards the ceasefire in Gaza in particular, it provides the necessary incentives to revitalize the political process on the basis of the two-state solution in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, while recognizing Israel's right to peace and security.
The situation in Syria remains extremely problematic. Greece condemned the atrocities inflicted on innocent civilians, mainly Christians and Alawites. Syria’s stability and prosperity is in the interest of our region. That is why we welcomed steps towards national reconciliation.
We are closely monitoring the political transition process, which, as I had the opportunity to stress to Syria’s interim President, should be inclusive, ensure the participation of all ethnic and religious communities, with respect for international law and free from foreign interventions.
For these reasons, along with the Republic of Cyprus, we have requested from the European institutions that the lifting of sanctions on Syria be gradual, conditional and in any case reversible.
I often say that geography is the only constant in a geopolitical equation.
Greece, Cyprus and Israel form a triangle linking Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
It is our belief that promoting regional cooperation through interconnectivity renders our region more secure and resilient in an unstable environment.
To this end:
- We support the activation of the Permanent Secretariat of the Trilateral Cooperation Scheme with a seat in Nicosia to enhance our coordination.
- We look forward to expanding this scheme by reactivating the "3+1" framework with the participation of the United States. I had the opportunity to raise this issue myself with the Secretary of State of the United States in Washington, D.C., during my recent visit, and he responded positively in principle.
- We are promoting the strengthening of our cooperation and joint actions in the fields of trade, economy, marine environment protection, civil protection and cyber security.
Of course, we attach particular importance to our energy cooperation and interconnectivity, which is recognized and encouraged by International Law.
Let me conclude with the top priority of our foreign policy, namely the Cyprus issue.
The Greek Government, in full alignment with the Republic of Cyprus, has exhausted all diplomatic communication channels to ensure that the Cyprus issue remains a major issue on the UN Secretary General's agenda.
On March 17 and 18 we will be in Geneva for the expanded meeting convened by the UN Secretary-General.
We will always support the efforts of the Republic of Cyprus for a just and viable solution based on a Bi-zonal, Bi-communal Federation, according to the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions.
In a world full of challenges, division cannot be a solution. The solution is in fact synthesis.
As one of the oldest members of the European Union and as an elected member of the UN Security Council, Greece is committed to consolidating peace and security at the regional and global level. International Law remains our compass, which in this asymmetric environment is the only tool for sustainable peace and prosperity.
Greece, a wholly reliable interlocutor at the bilateral and multilateral level, aims to serve as a bridge between North and South, the East and the West.
Dear friends, Konstantinos and Gideon,
With these thoughts, I welcome you to Athens and wish for this cooperation scheme to be expanded and upgraded.
Thank you.
JOURNALIST: Nikos Meletis from ERT TV. You referred many times to connectivity. I would like to ask how you will address the important issue of the GSI electricity interconnection, which has been temporarily suspended due to Türkiye’s attempt to impose its claims in the region. A revisionist country that occupies northern Cyprus, that questions Greece’s sovereignty and threatens to liberate Jerusalem and also insists that no project can be carried out in the Mediterranean without its consent.
G. GERAPETRITIS: The answer is crystal-clear. The ‘’Great Sea Interconnector’’ is a project of mutual interest of the European Union. It is an interconnectivity project between Greece, Cyprus and ultimately Israel. It will be carried out and it will be completed. We are making sure that there is no complication of any kind in this project. We understand that interconnection projects are of very high importance both for regional energy stability and security, but also for Europe and the world. The project will continue according to the schedule, which will be soon finalised.
JOURNALIST: Alfonsos Vitalis from RIK. In a few days, on the 17th and 18th of March, the five-party meeting on the Cyprus Issue will take place. I would like first to ask the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Israel if the Republic of Cyprus and the Greek side can expect support on their positions concerning a just and viable solution of the Cyprus Issue in this meeting.
And I would also like to ask the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Greece and Cyprus whether they have a slight optimism that the obstacles have been lifted, namely the provocative positions of Türkiye, and whether we can advance a bit further in these talks.
G. GERAPETRITIS: The resumption is an important step in order to resolve the Cyprus Issue, which is actually a very strong blow to international legitimacy, a field of division at critical times. I believe that the stance of the Republic of Cyprus is creative and beneficial. It attempts to synthesise, under the auspices of the UN and the Resolutions that have been adopted, the contradictions that exist. And there is a willingness on the part of the Republic of Cyprus to come forward with this creative tone. The Greek Government will stand by its side. Cyprus should again unite. It is a demand of our times.
JOURNALIST: Good evening, Lefteris Papadimas from Reuters. I would like to ask Mr. Gideon at which stage the talks in Doha are right now and how much time is still needed. And I would like to ask all three Ministers if there is any new initiative on humanitarian aid to Gaza.
G. GERAPETRITIS: Greece supports all efforts so that humanitarian aid enters the Gaza Strip and reaches those who are in fact the victims and who need to receive this aid, without any other mediation.
For this reason, we also particularly commend Cyprus for the ‘’Amalthea’’ sea corridor, as well as the efforts by other countries, such as Jordan, to provide humanitarian aid. As well as, of course, Israel, which has ensured that the crossings have been opened so that more trucks with humanitarian aid can pass through. I would particularly like to thank Israel for facilitating this.
Greece undertook an initiative within the European Union, so that the EU member states would assume the obligation to treat injured and sick children from Gaza.
In this context, we welcomed ten children and their families from Gaza, who are currently receiving treatment in Greek hospitals. This was made possible through the help of the Israeli and Egyptian authorities.
There should - I emphasize once again - be peace, which will guarantee security. And peace and security are the minimum that we can demand from countries and from the international community.
March 13, 2025