On a difficult day for our country, with our thoughts in Plaka and on the catastrophic event, we had the opportunity today, at the General Assembly of the United Nations, to have a series of meetings and events aimed at strengthening the diplomatic footprint of our country.
First and foremost, we held two important trilateral meetings: Greece-Cyprus-Jordan and Greece-Cyprus-Egypt.
It is extremely important for the standing of both Greece and Cyprus in the wider region, for the strengthening of our relations, in a region that is being shaken by the wars in the wider Middle East, by unrest, by armed conflicts.
Furthermore, we had the opportunity to hold meetings with important Foreign Ministers from countries of the Global South, from Brazil, India, Eritrea, as well as from countries across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
The Global South is developing rapidly. It is very important for Greece to be in constant contact. Cross-regional cooperation, especially today amid global challenges, is gaining particular importance.
Furthermore, we had the opportunity to be present at two very important events, which took place on the sidelines of the General Assembly. The first which was particularly important, was an initiative of Greece and India concerning Artificial Intelligence and especially Artificial Intelligence as applied to shipping, maritime security, and freedom of navigation.
It is extremely important that the progress that has been made, especially in the areas of Artificial Intelligence, go hand in hand with social progress, and be placed at the service of humanity. The challenges are immense. Greece has undertaken an important initiative, which it will continue, so that Artificial Intelligence is subject to limits, with those limits defined by human progress.
In addition, we participated in the founding meeting of the Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers. This is a very important initiative that has been undertaken. Freedom of navigation is not only a central priority for Greece as a pioneer and leader in commercial shipping, but it is also a global imperative. Because any navigation crisis, any obstruction to freedom of navigation, constitutes a huge risk to the global supply chain and ultimately, to the well-being of peoples.
Greece will assume the presidency of the United Nations Security Council in October for the second time during its two-year term. It is an extremely important period. The major issues that affect humanity will be raised. Issues related to armed conflicts will be addressed.
In addition, we will have the election of the new Secretary-General of the United Nations, a decisive importance for the future of the Organization, but of course also for regional relations and global challenges. Greece is at the centre of diplomatic interest. We are building Greece with a strong diplomatic footprint, with strong alliances, with a broad, dynamic and highly active foreign policy.
September 26, 2026