Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos made the following statement regarding the deterioration of the security situation in Iraq:
“The rapid advance of Jihadists in Iraq is cause for great concern. We reiterate our abhorrence of the terrorist activities of the “Islamic State” organization against Christians, Kurds, Shiites, and the other religious and ethnic Groups of Iraq. This escalating violence and extremist activity, which is aimed at undermining Iraq’s stability and territorial integrity, and the peaceful coexistence of all the communities of Iraq, obviously leads nowhere and is causing yet another tragedy.
We support our partners’ efforts aimed at checking the rapid advance of Jihadists in Iraq, and we of course express our undivided support to the Iraqi government, to our friends the Iraqi people, and to the country’s religious and ethnic communities who are suffering the consequences of this extremist activity.”
August 13, 2014