Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos participated today, Sunday, 12 October 2014, in the Conference on the Reconstruction of Gaza, which took place in Cairo, at the initiative of Egypt and Norway.
Mr. Venizelos stated that Greece is a longstanding supporter, economically as well as through the provision of other means, of the efforts towards reconstruction of the region, stressing the need to revive the talks between Palestine and Israel and revitalize the peace process. On the margins of the Conference, Mr. Venizelos had a number of bilateral meetings with, among others, the UN Secretary General and the Foreign Ministers of the U.S., Palestine, France, Italy, and Luxembourg, during which, beyond the Palestinian issue, developments in the Cyprus issue were discussed.
Below is the text of his statements:
E. VENIZELOS: Despite the economic crisis, Greece has provided over €26 million over the past five years for the Palestinian people. Immediately following the ceasefire, we provided €500,000 for repair of the water mains network and for food aid, and today we are providing a further €1 million. It is a symbolic sum in the face of the vast needs.
But mainly, politically, I want to congratulate the Egyptian government, because it played a decisive role in both the ceasefire and reestablishing the dialogue on the Palestinian issue. The Norwegian government’s role is also very, very important. We need not just a sustainable ceasefire, but a return to the peace negotiations, with the assistance of the U.S. Secretary of State and the Egyptian government, because only a politically viable two-state solution, with the two states living side by side in security, can help the region and the wider world at such a turbulent time.
I also had the opportunity to meet with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, with Mr. Kerry, with many other colleagues, with Mrs. Ashton, with Mrs. Mogherini and with Mr. Fabius. A main subject of discussion, beyond the Palestinian issue and Gaza, was the new situation that has taken shape in Cyprus, due to Turkey’s decision to carry out exploration in the Cypriot exclusive economic zone (EEZ). I stress that, with respect for international law, with composure, and with resolve, we must safeguard international legality as well as the framework of the negotiations for a viable solution to the Cyprus issue.
October 12, 2014