At today’s Foreign Affairs Council, we will have the opportunity to discuss major issues currently high on the agenda, namely Gaza, Ukraine and the Western Balkans.
Greece is at the forefront of most peace initiatives in the wider Middle East. Greece, with strong alliances, plays a leading role. At every opportunity, we underscore the need to safeguard freedom of navigation fully, and we stand ready to take all necessary action in cooperation with our partners and allies.
About the Western Balkans, Greece undertook an important initiative through the Delphi Declaration, which was signed a few weeks ago and strengthens the effort to make enlargement a reality, with a view to the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2027.
I would also like to point out that I will inform the Council of a particularly serious incident observed over the last few days: the presence of an uncrewed maritime vessel in the Ionian Sea. This is a particularly serious development. The Hellenic National Defence General Staff is currently investigating the incident. Once the investigation has been completed and the necessary technical findings have been established, the Greek government will respond by making the necessary demarches.
In any case, I would like to stress that Greece will not allow military activity to develop in the wider Mediterranean region, particularly in its vicinity. This poses a serious risk to freedom of navigation, as well as to the safety of citizens and to the protection of the environment. Greece will take all necessary steps to ensure, unequivocally, that the Mediterranean does not become a theater of military operations. Thank you.
May 11, 2026