Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis’ statement to ERT TV Channel and journalist Katerina Fryssa following his visit to Qatar (Doha, 24.4.2024)

I was in Qatar today at a particularly challenging time for the wider region, a difficult juncture for humanity. With the Middle East ablaze and the risk of hostilities spreading on many fronts, in Lebanon, in Syria.

Freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is at high stakes. The need for an immediate cessation of hostilities, to ensure sustainable peace and restore stability, is more urgent than ever.

I had the opportunity to discuss issues concerning the broader region with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, as well as with the Minister of State for International Cooperation. Qatar plays an exceptionally important mediating role regarding the ongoing hostilities in the Middle East.

Greece, on its part, performs a significant role as an interlocutor to all parties on the basis of a principled foreign policy that enables us to converse with terms of rigor and integrity to all involved in the processes for peace in the region.

We also had the chance with the Prime Minister and the Minister to discuss the upcoming visit of the Emir of Qatar to Greece next month as well as to explore the possibilities for developing bilateral relations within a framework of mutually beneficial cooperation.