Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos held telephone talks a short while ago with the Foreign Minister of the Palestinian Authority, Riyad Al-Malki, who is currently touring Latin America, to discuss the latest developments in the Gaza Strip.
Mr. Venizelos expressed his deep concern at the interruption of the ceasefire and underscored the need for both sides to agree directly on a permanent truce and return to the peace talks in order to end the bloodshed and the humanitarian crisis.
Mr. Venizelos also briefed Mr. Al-Malki on the Greek Foreign Ministry’s decision regarding the provision of humanitarian aid in the amount of €500,000, through the UNRWA, to alleviate the situation in Gaza, and he reiterated Greece’s willingness to host and treat Palestinian wounded, particularly children.
Mr. Al-Malki expressed his gratitude and asked of Mr. Venizelos that Greece continue to support the Egyptian proposal and the meetings being held in Cairo with the immediate aim of returning to the ceasefire. The two Ministers also discussed the letter Mr. Al-Malki addressed to his European colleagues a few days ago, agreeing that it would be preferable for there to be a joint European response to the letter.
August 8, 2014