Minister of Foreign Affairs, George Gerapetritis’ statement upon arrival at the EU Foreign Affairs Council (Brussels, 27.05.2024)

Amidst two wars, the European Union needs to take further strong and tangible initiatives to express solidarity towards peace and prosperity.

Regarding Ukraine, we need to take further initiatives to express our solidarity with Ukraine. This is not only a war about territorial integrity or sovereignty. It is a war, which identifies the need for the dominance of International law and the condemnation of any revisionism. And we can see how this spill-over could also affect Europe.

As regards the Middle East, we will have the honour of hosting five Foreign Ministers from the Arab States and the Secretary General of the Arab League. It is going to be a unique opportunity to coordinate our activity. I think we all agree on the substance of our policy.

We need to have an immediate hold of all hostilities. We need to have the hostages released. We need to work on further humanitarian corridors, and we need also to work on the two-state solution. At the same time, we need to empower the Palestinian Authority. In addition, I would like to say that I will propose a joint task force, including Foreign Ministers, both from the Arab States and from the European Union, who will be able to address both parties to ensure that there are effective negotiations for immediate peace.

Tomorrow might be very late under the circumstances.

Thank you.