The Hellenic Republic has fulfilled its duty. Under the supervision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, more than 2,000 Greek citizens have been safely repatriated from the war zone. From a zone that included more than seven countries in an extremely difficult period, perhaps the most difficult since World War II.
This operation was carried out using every available means. By land, from Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and Bethlehem to Egypt. Also, from Kuwait, Bahrain, and Qatar to Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, chartered flights were arranged, with aircraft departing from multiple locations, including Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia.
It was an operation of exceptional difficulty. Particularly challenging was our latest mission, which included special provisions allowing pets on the flight. Thus, along with more than 100 passengers, 45 pets were also evacuated.
It is important that Greece is at the forefront in this regard. The only flight with such special provisions is meaningful because we must understand that humans are not the planet's sole inhabitants.
I would particularly like to thank all the Departments of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, particularly the Duty Officer Service and the Crisis Management Unit.
Operating 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, over the past 20 days, they have already sent more than 10,000 messages and made a corresponding number of calls. I would also like to thank my office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Hellenic Air Force, for its assistance with two C-130 aircraft.
Above all, I would like to thank our Diplomatic Missions in the war zone. Our Embassies and Consulates worked tirelessly to carry out this extremely difficult task under actual wartime conditions.
I would also like to acknowledge the seven members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs staff who departed from Athens for Abu Dhabi amidst the conflict to reinforce our Embassy there.
I would like Greek citizens, wherever they may be in the world and under any circumstances, to feel assured that their homeland will always stand by their side.
March 20, 2026